Anime Spring 2024 Weekly Ranking June 7th to June 13th
These rankings are as of the episodes premiering June 7th to June 13th
S: Must Watch
Episodes I believe you must watch or are missing out on.
1. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation 2 Part 2. Ep. 21
Fantastic episode, seeing Rudy and Roxy together is just such a joy to watch. The fights are well done and I like their synergy. Can clearly see some emotions spurring from Roxy, and it seems papa Paul has picked up on it. I had my issues with Paul before, but I always understood and appreciated his character for it. Even if I believed he expected a little too much from Rudeus, I could see his reasoning. Characters like that are always my favorite, even if I don’t personally like them, they only benefit the story as it did in Paul’s case. But man, he sure has grown into a likable character, and that is just one of the many strengths of Mushoku Tensei. A broken man desperately searching for his family hits a low point and we see him recover in real time while also healing the relationship with his son. It’s wonderful character work and has made me like Paul a lot, from him geeking out when his son shows admiration for him, to him displaying just how capable he is. Fantastic.
3. Urusei Yatsura. Ep. 45
The pettiness of that phone calls screams I want you in my life. Having the final episode reflect the first is a wonderful idea, but it does make me sad that this show will be ending next week. I’ve been watching since it started airing in 2022, and have enjoyed it very much. The show just shines in many aspects and is a love letter to the original. Many dislike that Ataru never progresses and becomes loyal, but that is just part of an episodical comedy. The true nature of Ataru, what he feels for Lum, has always been sprinkled throughout the show, and next episode he may have to finally express this. Understanding this, the show shines with comedy, wacky characters, and even wackier storylines. I can rave about this show for a long time and I plan to do so in a full blog post for it. If you aren’t watching, please do so and enjoy a show that doesn’t need to be taken serious, but will still find a way to have you laugh and melt your heart. Let’s hear it Ataru, it may just make my heart melt as well.
2. Dungeon Meshi. Ep. 24 FINAL
What an excellent show. Studio Trigger made back to back hits with this and Cyberpunk Edgerunners, each shining with animation, creativity, and love for the source material. When I saw this show announced and later on in watch list, I decided to give it a chance because i enjoy fantasy anime. The first few episodes grabbed my attention with good driving plot, and then with the creativity of the food. But oh man, the show decides to pull you in into an incredible story of drama, character development, comedy, and, of course, lots of food. I have been blown away by the show and am elated to see it getting a season 2. Will think about doing a full blog covering the show, and maybe even a video about it. For now, I can’t recommend this show enough. If anyone wants to put it as their best show of the season, you won’t hear an argument from me.
4. KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3 Ep. 10
Oh yea, my Lalatina X Kazuma heart is overjoyed right now. Kazuma’s frustration is understandable, there is only so much he can do when Darkness doesn’t ask him to, despite her having hope that he will appear to save her. Of course, our favorite low class adventurer does as so and crashes the wedding. Can’t wait to see the next episode, but I will say, nuking the wedding would have been just as effective.
A: Very Good
Good episodes, anime I would recommend to someone looking for something to watch.
5. Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf. Ep. 11
Seeing Lawrence frustrated at his helplessness is saddening, the ending only builds on this and I am looking forward to the pay off. Also, we may see Holo transform again. Again, and always, what carries this show is the interactions between Holo and Lawrence, the dialogue in this show is so good that I am jealous of it as an author. Great episode, looking forward to the next.
6. An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride. Ep 12 FINAL
For stole the show for me. Her inner conflict was real and the hatred she wished to release was understandable, more so when considering that she is young. Having such a good resolution made me happy. As for our main couple, I adore them. Such an awkward couple but they complement each other so well. If you want to see true love, watch the opening and look at how Nephy looks at Zagan at the end of the opening, that is true love and the artist did a fantastic job depicting it. Overall, this show was very enjoyable and something I would pick up if you want to watch a quick and enjoyable romance about two socially inept individuals maturing together and caring for one another. The final scene of the episode of them dancing and it ending on the beautiful still of them looking into each others eyes, oh man, my heart melted. Oh! Before I forget, this show had a great OST, wonderful job to those behind it.
7. Kaiju No. 8. Ep. 9
The new humanoid kaiju looks terrifying. Glad to see Kafka using partial transformations and hope he will use them more often. The ending did not bode well for our captain and wonder if Kafka will choose to save him here.
9. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3. Ep. 10
So he doesn't lose Beezlebub? There were no consequences for Rimuru and crew? I have many issues with this show, though I understand why it is so popular given the likable characters and expansive world, it is tiring to see the main character face little struggle. Impossible to defend attack? Don’t worry, Rimuru has an answer for it as well. I’m harsh on this show because I believe it could be much better, but in the end, I’m only left disappointed by it.
8. WIND BREAKER. Ep. 11
New classmates come with some cool fighting styles as well. Watching the animators put in the effort to show different styles of fighting is awesome and well done. I believe we have two more episodes left for this show, for now, I look forward to Haruka taking the role at the top of the class.
10. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc. Ep.5
Sad we don’t get more Mitsuri scenes. The conflict between two brothers reached a boiling point and I even feared that someone was going to be killed because of it. Also, Tanjiro saying “I don’t accept you either.” was a great showing of his maturity and character. Still, I need more Mitsuri.
B: Good/Solid
11. Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers. Ep 10
Nice to see Ballisrossa willing to accept her new housemates despite the bloody past between both forces. Such focus on side characters is appreciated as we get more information on the ongoing war and the history that has led to it. Now that a new demon lord as at the lead however, I expect Flio will have to participate more than he is now.
12. Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again. Ep. 10
An engine swapped Kei truck is the dream of many. Good to see young love blossoming, I support them as much as our lovely Saitou’s do. Seeing the vestiges of the past was also a nice touch, I think their romance is wonderful despite what they went through getting together and how they supported each other through illness. Romances like theirs is rare but always nice to see.
13. Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included. Ep 11
Beach and hot spring episodes! I mean, can’t really complain when I’m a advocate for fan service. Enjoyable episode overall, though I will say my favorite parts are the maids; I mean, who doesn’t love maids? Sorry Towa, but for one episode the role of best girl was taken.
C: It’s ok/Fine
These are shows I happen to pick up but struggle to finish. Still watchable, but not without a good break in between episodes.
D: Do Not Recommend
Shows I do not recommend you not watch for various issues.
F: Bad
Anime with glaring issues that make them not only difficult to watch, but the watcher angry at times.
14. The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases. Ep 12 FINAL
All 5$ of budget went to 19:20 to 19:23 in the episode. Let’s see… the OP and ED are nice. Alright, that’s everything nice I can say about this show. This show suffers from the two greatest killers of an anime, bad writing and bad animation. When combined, it’s a guaranteed recipe for disaster. In truth, shows like this with an overpowered MC can be good, Eminence in the Shadow for example. Furthermore, shows with bad or simple animation can be good, one show I like to say as an example for this is Deaimon. Decent animation - though backgrounds can be good - but the writing itself is enough to keep one entertained. The biggest issue is by far the writing; there are good ideas, but the writer just isn’t able to build towards them. Red hair and our MC could have a very interesting relationship, but we don’t explore it instead we have confusing discourse and immature interactions between them. If the show focused on how these two are fated to be reborn together and survive through great strife in each life, then I’m all for it. I’ll even allow the harem, but the writing just doesn’t support the ideas that they want to execute. The final boss for example, could have been a twist reincarnation of a past villain, or we could have actual reasons behind his desire to take the throne other than he just likes red hair girl. For example, maybe she confesses to him of her past lives, and he decides to end the cycle of struggle by becoming emperor and using that power to find a way to end her struggle, we could then have a fight between him and the MC as, while the villain has good intentions, killing for the throne is still wrong. But knowing the MC, he wouldn’t even care. And that is the biggest issue with this show, the MC. Much like Rimuru, he’s just a person who doesn’t face struggle, and that doesn’t allow for captivating or engaging stories. Overall, a pretty bad show that could have been much more.
More Ranking to come!
Next week: Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
