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Episode 5 Sana has misgivings about staying in the Magius. Felicia on the other hand wishes to stay a little longer to find a means of avoiding become a witch. As they are about the discuss the issue further, they are interrupted by an announcement stating the start of operation Awaken Embryo Eve. What does this mean? In the midst of this Tsuruno approaches in a somewhat trance like state with her colours changing in quick secession and her repeating the same words over and over. What has happened to her? Returning to Iroha she makes a move towards the Hotel of Faint Hope on her own as she doesn't want her friends to suffer on this journey. She is stopped by Kuroe who pleads to join her. Cutting back to Sana and Felicia...

Episode 7 In an unusual turn of events Fafnir asks Quetzalcoatl if she will help him in some mysterious project… Curious to learn more, she ventures into Fafnir’s cave to discover he wants to create a manga. Is it for treasure, is it for power or is he just indulging an ecchi fetish? Fafnir hears from the grapevine that to get a manga to sell he has got to dish out some fanservice and this is where Quetzalcoatl comes in… She is less than pleased to fill this role… That is until she hears the premise that bears a striking resemblance to Quetzalcoatl’s current life… Oh, what irony it is that she thinks that the old lady’s behaviour is cruel! I suppose it is do as I say and not as I do. Despite the questionable plot she...

Episode 9 We get a brief respite from the climax of the previous episode as Satoko reflects on what she has become after all these loops. Eua does ponder if Satoko is even human at this point. Interesting question she is throwing out… After that moment of reflection, we are sucked back into the classroom where things left off. Satoko is clearly distressed, or is she? Shion comes out positively steaming over the fact no action has been taken against Satoko’s uncle. Rena agrees. Meanwhile in the Hojo household the situation gets rather fiery. Luckily Satoko quickly dispatches the fire. After that spot of firefighting Satoko, lays it out; we got to stick together as it is us versus the village. Talk about playing mind games...

Episode 7 After the events of episode sixes bombshell Sayuri; Tsurayuki’s fiancée decides to cook a nice meal for the gang. Tsurayuki is less than pleased dealing with this development. But it would seem there is something else is brewing and I am not talking about the food… Despite those unwanted distractions it is still business as usual with the doujin game. For a change there is good news as Tsurayuki has made a breakthrough with the script and story. Nanako on the other hand has more doubts. These matters are easily resolved however much to relief of Nanako who also uses this moment to “recharge” herself. Kyoya checks how Aki is managing the art background and character design. Things look good on that front too…...

Episode 3 Triumphant from gaining her new found treasure Jahy-sama imagines that everyone will grovel to her greatness! Jahy demonstrates that her mana crystal isn’t just for show and is actually the real deal by working a long shift. Working all day Jahy considers the fact she may have been a chum in using her crystal to do menial work... All it takes is a bit of flattery and you can get everywhere with Jahy! XD It is not long before Jahy is doing the most grimy jobs just to prove how great her mana crystal is! All Jahy’s effort are in vain as the worst happens! But she can always count on her trusted servant Druj to give her a pick me up. Jahy proudly boasts about her exploits and has no qualms revelling the perils...

Episode 7 After the carnage of the previous episode Satoko takes a moment to reflect on recent events and what she can do to get the cat to stay. Satoko is confident that she has everything in the bag but Eua ominously reminds her that if she dies before the cat, it is game over. Was that a warning or a prophesy? Things are less rosy for Rika as she awakens and is confused at how events turned the way they did despite doing all the right things. Hanyuu tries to reassure Rika that perhaps things are different this time and if she only looks out for the subtle differences, she may find a clue to her predicament. Rika wakes up and her past memories still haunt her. Satoko is there to provide comfort and words of advice… But is...

Episode 3 Confronted with what appears to be Iroha's doppel it is not long before Yachiyo and Kuroe are swept away… Soon after, Yachiyo is woken up she is startled to see Felicia, Tsuruno and Sana. Confused she tries to gain her bearings rushing to Iroha who remains asleep in her bed. This sudden turn of events is pretty baffling for Yachiyo and viewers alike. What just happened exactly? Kuroe fills us in and it would seem that Iroha's doppel has absorbed both of them into what can only be described as an alternate reality. We also learn of the Eternal Sakura rumour which has the power to draw Iroha. In this next scene we discover that Iroha’s sister has some connection to key players in the Magius. Things still seem to...

Episode 5 After the roasting Nanako got dished out in the previous episode she has gotten over her initial grievousness and has decided to put her all into training to be a singer. In a moment of downtime Nanako has a heart-to-heart conversation with Kyoya and thanks him for his inspiration and continued support into achieving her goals. The university festival is underway and it’s all hands-on deck as the whole gang help out in the maid café that they are running for the next two days! Exhausted from all their excursions they chill out in the dorms. The following day Eiko decides to show her face. She wants to raise awareness to upcoming event, and apologise for her brutal remarks to Nanako. I suppose she also wanted to have...

Episode 5 Tohru and Elma duke it out in what appears to be yet another fight. It would seem that these two have always been mortal enemies yet when questioned about their past it would seem this duo holds a surprising secret. It would seem during their time together there was a clash of opinions. I love how they project the human personas into the dragons in this fight! A flippant remark from Kobayashi touches a nerve which sets both Tohru and Elma off. Are those two friends or foes? Lounging around doing a whole load of nothing Tohru’s patience with Ilulu’s antics wears thin. Ilulu is persuaded to become a more productive dragon and to pull her weight in the household as she decides to get a job. Searching high and...

Episode 5 The episode opens up with a quick cooking lesson outside. As usual Satoko is up to her usual mischief and it is not long before everyone’s dishes our fouled in some way. Calamities aside in this episode we discover Mion is developing feelings for Keiichi and she takes a moment to reflect on his gift. In return she fixes Keiichi a late-night meal under the “disguise” of Sion. Well, that is what I think, Mion is too bashful to admit the truth. Unknown to both there are some unexpected onlookers. Spooky. As is often the case Keiichi is oblivious to Mion’s brewing feelings and decides to buy Sion a similar gift from Mion’s shop no less! When will these guys learn XD On the big day of the festival Mion is seething...

Episode 1 For those fans of Madoka you will be pleased to know that Madoka has entered the building! Yes, the opening scenes from Magia Record shows her fighting along with her loyal sidekicks Homura and Sayaka against some witch. After the initial salvos are launched and the witch dispatched, we get some bonding moments. As always nothing is plain sailing and they soon discover the hidden costs of becoming a magical girl. This shouldn’t be news if you watched the previous shows but it does act as a reminder to those forgetting the details of this series. In addition to this major plot, we are also told details from the final moments of season. If you have not watched season one of Magia then this is a spoiler alert but for all...

Episode 1 Jahy-sama opening track "Fightin★Pose" by Yui Ogura is actually pretty cute and captures all the characters in a pretty snazzy way. As we can see from the start, Jahy-sama was a respected and feared and respected in equal measure and was second in command in the demon realm. This is in stark contrast to our living situation back on Earth which is very Spartan in nature. This plus the way she gets on treated gets on her nerves! But to make a living like normal plebs, Jahy-sama needs to earn for a living so she transforms into her adult form and works in what looks like a restaurant. Unfortunately for her treatment is not much better. Being on planet earth she is subject to earthly desires... Plus her energy...

In the sixth part of the preliminary series, I will be looking back once again on Higurashi: When They Cry - Sotsu, Night Head 2041, Sonny Boy, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime plus Scarlet Nexus seeing how all those shows are developing. After this I will write an overall take of what I think of the summer season so after. That is after I see Jahy-sama and Magia Records! Stay tuned for those and my future article. Meanwhile enjoy! Higurashi: When They Cry – SOTSU I am pretty sure most people know that Higurashi is high in gore but for those not aware I got to lay a disclaimer that if you are squeamish about violence then now maybe the time to check out of this anime. If the previous two episodes were the questions side...

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S Kobayashi Dragon Maid continues to go from strength to strength as the last two epi’s were actually stronger than the first two. What is more with this being a slice-of-life/comedy series you can watch the episodes in any order. If you are a fan of Kanna, Saikawa or just maids in general then look no further than episode three because this episode is a showcase in how cute Kanna and Saikawa can be PLUS it is a brings to life the awesomeness of maids! The episode kicks off with Saikawa entering the scene and you just know where this will go next. And yes! Your expectations will be met; there are plenty of kawaii moments and with a little push from a certain someone we actually get a few wholesome moments...

In this part of my preliminary reviews, I will be revisiting the anime I reviewed in part 1 of this series. Just to recap the anime I will be looking at are: Vanitas No Carte, All Routes Lead to Doom, The Detective Is Already Dead, Re-Main and Remake Our Life. Since I would have covered four episodes of each show this is the stage when I make a decision on whether a series should be dropped or kept. Anything that is five or below risks the chop. Vanitas No Carte The thing that is beginning to stick out in this show is the character Vanitas. I mentioned he was a flamboyant/showman who always craves for attention. Well, I will also add that he is a smart and crafty fellow albeit arrogant. I don’t know whether the guy is ballsy or just...

The third part of my preliminary reviews contains what is perhaps the strongest line-up of anime series. We get the supernatural/mystery series Sonny Boy that is worth a go if you are after something different. Then there is Slime Reincarnation which is the most anticipated series of the summer. I also take a peek at Higurashi SOTSU and Scarlet Nexus going into both series blind to see if they are any good. Finally, I see how Night Head 2041; the remake to the 2006 anime Night Head Genesis is trying to see if this remake can live up or even exceed the standards set in the original. Sonny Boy If you like going off the beaten path then it is likely you will enjoy Sonny Boy as this show is not like your conventional anime story. Sonny...

In the second part of my preliminary reviews, I will be checking the popular and highly anticipated Kobayashi-san series along with Peach Boy Riverside. If you are after slice-of-life then I suggest you give Aquatope on White Sand a go. If moe is more your thing then look no further than Making a Drugstore in Another World. Finally, Meikyuu Black Company delivers a pretty unique take on the isekai genre. Beware the anti-hero that lurks within! Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S Oh boy Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S fires off its shots early! Right off the bat Torhu joins a maid café and it is not long before we are bombarded by a load of maids! Maid lovers rejoice! Yes, this bit is good and we get lots of fun and laughs in the opening scenes...

Hold on to your shirts because we got a whole load of anime this season! Being swamped for series can be a drag that is why I will be offering my initial insights after watching the opening two episodes. Hopefully my comments will help in deciding what series is worth watching and what can be skipped. I will also add accompanying trailers to give a better idea on what these shows are all about. Due to the number of anime present I will be breaking this into multiple parts. Happy hunting! All Routes Lead to Doom! Season two After the first season of All Routes Lead to Doom, which I would recommend you watch, I was happy that a second season got commissioned. For those new to the series, I will bring you up to speed. All Routes to Doom...