As the name implies, Irregular Reconnaissance anime reviews don’t have a schedule. They’re ready when they’re ready.
There seems to be a boom in great anime right now. Is it the growing war between Crunchyroll and Netflix? Is it that WarnerMedia is, as rumoured, gearing up to sell Crunchyroll at its peak? The approach of V-CRX or even the news that studios in Japan might launch their own streaming service so they can dispense with all this drama?
Either way, anime fans seem to be benefiting.
Scout will look at some of those new anime shows in this article, but there were more debuts last week. In article #73 we’re mixing things up, a season 2 here, an old classic now streaming for the first time there, and a catch up with some of those new series as well.
As always, Irregular Reconnaissance is always much better with your input. Let us have your thoughts and mini-reviews in the comments below.
Hi Score Girl
Sesaon 2, Episodes 16 to 24
Hey, wow. I watched and enjoyed two whole series of what’s essentially a slice-of-life anime. See, I don’t need bikini magic robots to old my attention.
In fact, season two of Hi Score Girl is better than the first because of the slice of life. That budding love triangle solidifies, and if you’re into season two, then you’ll undoubtedly be into all three of the characters.
I’d normally be fault-finding with the male character (ala Rent-a-Girlfriend) but not this time. All Haruo want, for the longest time, is to play computer games. Then he wants to do the right thing.
If, like me, you were initially curious because this anime lets you see some classic arcade actual play then season 2 continues to deliver.
Will there be a season 3? I’ve not done any research to find out; spoiler risk is too high, and I’m in two minds, despite where season 2 ends, whether I want it.
Status: Good
Where: Netflix
Toradora!
Episodes 1 to 5
Wait, what? Another slice of life!
There are five characters of note so far in Toradora, and it’s shaping up to be a soap opera drama of epic proportions.
Our main male character is tall, looks tough and has the reputation of being a bully. But he’s not. He’s a softie.
Our main female character is tiny, has a name that sounds like “tiger”, violent and angry. Her nickname is Palm-Top Tiger and, oh boy, does she live up to it.
Twist one; our two characters don’t fancy each other.
Twist two; they each fancy the best friend of the other.
Twist three; a two-faced idol is introduced as the fifth character. She seems lovely, but may actually be a total bitch.
Okay, I expect this to all change, but right now I’m looking forward to watching the next few episodes. For a slice of life, this is unheard of*.
(* Except, er, Hi Score Girl and Rent-a-Girlfriend both have my attention right now!)
Status: Good.
Where: Netflix
Air Master
Episodes 1 to 8
Air Master is an anime from 2003, the manga starting in 1997, and it’s about an ex-gymnast who starts street fighting at school because it gives her a thrill.
I wanted to watch it in the hope that it would be an early example of a kick-ass and empowered female character. I suppose that’s there to an extent, but there are some troubling scenes, including one when the big-breasted friend kneels down during a beauty parade and moos like a cow.
I’m undecided on Air Master. It’s become one of the shows I watch when I’m getting ready for bed and don’t have any headspace to watch a show which requires much attention.
I hope it leans a little more sharply into interesting female characters and a little less often into the panty shots.
Status: Average.
Where: Crunchyroll
Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation
Episodes 5 to 12
I gave the opening episodes of Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation an average rating. The next few episodes were below that.
It’s only in the final few episodes of the 12 that the anime shows its real self. Friends you trusted turn out to be traitors. People die. Evil spirits cause harm, and so-called good people fail to act, and the situation is made even worse.
I’m glad I kept watching because it’s not usual to see an anime turn the corner like this. It’s more common for the decline to continue. Instead, with Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, I’m interested again. It was a trailer for season two that caught my interest in the first place.
Status: Average.
Where: Crunchyroll
The Misfit of Demon King Academy
Episodes 5 to 7
“Misfit” is probably a more severe insult in Japan than it is here in Scotland. A “miss fit”, someone who does not fit in with society.
In the case of The Misfit of Demon King Academy; it society that doesn’t fit with the legacy of the Demon King. He’s now returned and is setting about addressing that problem – by going to school and making friends.
Hey, perhaps it’s something he wants to do.
I think the intended audience of Demon King Academy is pretty clear; it’s those guys who want to imagine what it would be like to have the power to obliterate the bullies and thoughtless teachers, to lure the girls and be badass.
At it’s worst, The Misfit of Demon King Academy is a harem anime about a character outcasts might associate with.
At it’s best, and just beginning to show some teeth, is the notion that the Demon King is capable of some genuinely demonic actions and he’s starting to act.
Status: Average
Where: Crunchyroll
That’s it for it for this Irregular Reconnaissance batch of mini-reviews. Hopefully, there’s a show that might interest you in here but, if not, let us know why in the comments below and recommend one of your own.
