Anime Summer 2024 Weekly Ranking August 30th to September 5th

These rankings are as of the episodes premiering August 30th to September 5th

S: Must Watch

Episodes I believe you must watch or are missing out on.

1. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a (Cour 2). Ep 8

This is the best anime of the season, and I’ll hear anyone out about it being anime of the year as well. A2 fighting with and for the machine life forms is awesome and I enjoy watching her fights. Her berserker mode was cool to watch, but Pascal simply steals the show, until we get back to 9S that is. 9S’s journey might be the most tragic I’ve seen in a while. Him losing his self and any care for himself and the machines is a heartbreaking watch. But the final 4th of the episode is just stunning. The reveal of their similarities to machine life forms, and then the attack on his memories. An attack on all that 9S cares about, a brilliant counter from the enemy, a brilliant piece of writing as 9S loses all control and even stabs that which he cares for and desires most. Man, this is a must watch and I believe it will be looked back upon like other great shows in the future. I’ve never played the game, but I can see why it is raved about. “Passcode obtained “YOUR CURSE”” Brilliant.

2. The Elusive Samurai. Ep. 9

This is a huge jump for this anime in my rankings, but the reason is simple. The animation is just incredible and the best of the season. Each fight is just stunning and the character designs are great. If you need any proof, watch Tokiyuki’s fight, that was a spectacle and had me giggling at how good it was. I reserved my praise for this anime because I wanted to see if it would remain consistent. It didn’t, it only keeps improving.

A: Very Good

Good episodes, anime I would recommend to someone looking for something to watch.

3. The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies. Ep. 9

The thing about tropes is that when they are done right they are very enjoyable. Oshi no Ko is an reincarnation done right, Too many losing Heroines is young love done right, and my gawd, this anime is a romance done extremely well. The first name trope is done in every romance anime, but when the build up between the couple is this great, when the audience is moved to want nothing but to support the main couple it leaves us with a great moment done in many anime. Some fail, but this one does not. I just love Shun and Byakuya so much, such enjoyable characters in a season with very strong characters overall. I’d also like to compliment the shows animation and art style, both are very well done as well. Overall, this show makes my heart happy and I recommend it.

4. No Longer Allowed in Another World. Ep. 9

Have I mentioned that I really like this show? I expected Saitou to be the wolf but not to be an otherworlder or for his backstory to be what it was. Saitou used his new opportunity to try and redeem himself which I believe shows his true kind nature, even if he made a cowardly decision in his former world. Using his story to help Nir show bravery was very well done. Unable to step in to save a life but more than willing to gather courage and stop Saitou from losing his innocence was a great showing a bravery from Nir’s part. Saitou even gained the admiration of Sensei which is impressive on it’s own. This show likes to explore decisions and mistakes. Often time we are not given a right wrong, but what ifs. What if Saitou helped the student then? What if the other worlder decided not to side with the village? The decisions that happen are given realistic consequences each time and it makes for a very enjoyable watch. As such, I look forward to the rest of this anime and hope for another season. I want to see more characters explored, I want to see Sensei drown himself in pills, and by gawd I want to see our two main girls on the screen.

5. Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf. Ep. 22

I really like that Lawrence is being very honest with Holo and now unafraid to make his feelings and thoughts known. Given their relationship now, I too wonder what what Holo will decide at the end of their journey. As expected, these two made quick work of their mission and got the information they were searching for, I hope they do find more information about Yoitsu. As usual, I enjoyed the banter between these two it’s always fun to watch. The ending was a twist as well and I look forward to seeing where this arc goes. We’re reaching the end of this anime, I’ve enjoyed very much so far.

7. Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest. Ep. 9

Oh yea, the fights have started. I still remember when Natsu and gang returned after the time skip and got their butts kicked. Of course, that won’t happen this time but there are still some members in fairy tail that can give our main crew trouble. I would have loved to see him, but we are Gildarts wasn’t around. He alone may have been enough to kill someone with ease. Look forward to the fights and the adrenaline pumping music to inject itself into my veins.

9. Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. Ep. 10

Interesting concept though there are similar thing s in my culture as well considering participation in birthdays. We get see Masachika and Alya on a date in this episode, there first of many to come, or so I think. Like too many losing heroines, I’m not sure who endgame is. Alya is the main girl, but we do have the childhood friend and the surprise wincest angle. As seen in this episode, Yuki is fond of her brother after all. The battle for presidency is soon to come though with only two episodes left I wonder if we will have that arc here or in another season. Overall nice episode, though I’m envious of Masachika.

6. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Ep. 8

The focus on Komari is here! Personally, I believe she will win as Yanami has blue hair and I just can’t see Lemon building great chemistry with Nukumizu. Of course, this is assuming anyone ends up with him. Overall, this episode is setting up what is to come but it was enjoyable as we get to see more into Komari herself. The reveal of the chairwoman was also cool, maybe she’s in contention as well. As for who would I pick? Sayo. See you next week!

8. Days with my stepsister. Ep. 10

Kaho endgame! I just really like her design. The question of growing emotions continues in this episode. I believe it is understandable to develop emotions for someone you spend lots of time with while also being a supportive and character person in life. These two just happen to fall into each other’s life and are good for each other. Of course, there is the dilemma of being siblings, but I enjoy how this anime has been dealing with the concept so far. It’s very mature and well written. Also enjoy how they delve into the idea of becoming a family which can be difficult to accept when parents remarry. I don’t think it’s always necessary to accept someone as a new parent, but acknowledging them as family can be very fruitful and it made Akiko happy. Akiko is a sweetheart from what we’ve seen so far so I’m happy for how things went this episode.

B: Good/Solid

10. My Wife Has No Emotion. Ep. 9

A network outage cuaused Mina to almost give up and decide to live in a park. Her adventure with Mamoru was cute and I find it funny how often she suggests to reformat him. Also, we see just how advanced these two are as Mamoru not only learns Japanese writing in a single day, but they also invent an entire language for each other. Overall very cute episode.

12. 2.5 Dimensional Seduction. Ep. 9

I think I’m in love with Mayuri, sue me. Her masterpiece had me thanking higher powers for the chance to see it, I need to get myself to an event in real life. I like the relationship between Okumura and Ririsa so far. He’s very supportive and caring of her and that makes it possible for them to encourage each other. We’re going to get Ririsa’s moment to shine soon, but I must shout out the supporting cast today. Mayuri, Magino, and Ogino are all awesome and supportive characters.

11. Atri -My Dear Moments- Ep. 8

Well, thanks for ripping my heart out. Man, the build up for that ending was very well done. Natsuki accepting Atri as a humanoid with a heart and accepting his own feeling for her was nice and he seems to have the support of his friends. But the reveal of what is inside Atri’s diary shattered that belief. It seems she is a machine with incredible learning capabilities and caters her actions to please her master. That is heartbreaking, and I do hope I am wrong here, but that is just coping. Look forward to the next episode, though I struggle to see how their relationship survives.

13. The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2. Ep. 22

Shiragiku did that thing! And while sober. The reveal of her drunk antics was funny but I’m glad she made a move towards conquering her love. It’s still very difficult to decide who the winner will be. I love the way Shiragiku dresses and how kind she is, but forward woman like Akane are unbelievably attractive. Riho is also fun to be with, and Ami doesn’t care. As I’ve said before, I don’t Ouka winning, but who knows. This show is just some ecchi fun and that’s enough for me.

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.

That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime

This episode took a big turn and had meetings led by others instead of Rimuru. Great change of direction. There was also some tidbits around food and merchants attempting to get on up on Rimuru and the guys. No no no, you can’t do that to Mr. Infallible. Eh, 3/10.

F: Bad

Anime with glaring issues that make them not only difficult to watch, but the watcher angry at times.

Some words

More to come soon!