Look Back

How bad do you want it? Will you do what it takes? What does art mean to you?

This film is a love letter to what it means to create. The animation is raw, visceral, and incredibly moving. Highly recommended, but give yourself some extra time to sit with the experience after it’s over (you will definitely need it).

9/10

Seishun Buta Yarou wa Santa Claus no Yume wo Minai

After a quick detour through three movies, Bunny Girl Senpai is back for a cour (before diving right back into another movie). I enjoyed the mysteries in this season, as well as the new university setting. The links back to Sakuta’s elementary school days felt a bit tenuous (let’s explore new friends and relationships) but the formula works for me.

8/10

Ruri no Houseki

The folks at Studio Bind are just flexing at this point — this show felt like an animation showcase. Ernest and interesting, this quintessential slice-of-life story was a fantastic show for the summer season.

8/10

DanMachi - Season 5

Not quite as good as Season 4, but entertaining nonetheless. It’s not often you zag away from your harem troupes to explicitly reject one of the interests. The events of Season 5 is about where I exhaust my hazy knowledge of the source material, so I’m going in blind from here on out.

7/10

Lycoris Recoil: Friends are thieves of time

All the charm of the first season in an appetizer form to hold us over until they hopefully announce Season 2. Waiting with bated breath.

9/10

Re:ZERO Season 3

More excellent villains, but a little less character growth than we saw last season. Unfortunately, it will probably be another year or two before we get Season 4, so nothing to do but wait patiently.

9/10

KPop Demon Hunters

Unbelievable amounts of fun! Great music and dance choreography that I’m sure will be replicated all year. Perfect summer faire.

10/10

Clair Obscur - Expedition 33

Game of the Year - 10/10 - No Notes

Holy Shit