#anime round-up

[strawsoldier]

Spring 2023 Anime Round-Up

Lot's of good shows this season; Both sequels and new ones. It's also the first season in a while where I didn't drop any shows. That's more praise than I can give previous seasons to be honest.

Anime of the Season: Vinland Saga Season 2

Drops: N/A

Plans to Watch at a later date: Skip to Loafer

Completed:

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc - (7.5/10)

Despite the still lavish productions, (and a season where I didn't have to listen to Zenitsu's annoying wails) this was a letdown of season. Especially given how The Entertainment District ended off. This arc getting the movie treatment would've benefited it a lot better. Episode 8 was the highlight by a mile.

Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage - (7/10)

Boji and Kage best partners. Not much to say about this season since it was mostly side stories getting animated. Last episode left a lot of excitement for future installments of the series and I hope Wit continues to give it the same love and care.

Vinland Saga Season Two - (10/10)

Calling Vinland Saga S2 a masterpiece of anime would be underselling it greatly. It's been a while since I've seen a cast of well written character go through so much growth and development over an arc. Anything more I could say would just be reiterating what other's have been saying for the past 6 months. Vinland Saga is good y'all.

The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2 - (7/10)

Mahoyome came back with a new director, new studio and many many, many new characters. While there wasn't much plot this season, the world-building and new relationships were explored and developed very well. Good thing the second part of this is already confirmed for later this year, otherwise this score would be a lower. Here's hoping the animation also improves. I know were not at Wit anymore but..

Magical Destroyers - (5/10)

Wathced this because the OP & ED were really good. Turns out it was the only good thing about it.

Also Pink-chan. Pink-chan was good.

Heavenly Delusion - (8/10)

One of the best animated seasonal show's since Mob Psycho. Dystopian settings are some of my favorite in the media so I was always excited to watch this every Saturday. Unfortunately, time and time again, it left me with more questions and rarely gave answers. And the last two episodes were...enough for me to drop this down from a 9 to an 8. Another Spring show with a strong contender for Opening of the Year.

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 - (9/10)

I've been craving a good romcom and this one delivered and then some. Morio Asaka is a talented director and his vision and directorial quirks really helped elevate this source material greatly. Akane is a disaster child and I will protect her from any harm (and alcohol). Really considering picking up the manga if a season 2 isn't gonna be announced.

Dead Mount Death Play - (7.5/10)

Narita is back and doing what he does best; Balancing a dozen or so characters in a convoluted plot that revolves around a mysterious prefecture. This time, with a reverse isekai twist involved. Excited for the second cour of this.

Oshi no Ko - (9/10)

I don't know how to describe my feelings on this show other than I loved every bit of it. Very excited for the second season and I hope the returning staff continue what they've been doing so far.

Next arc looks very very fun

MASHLE - (7/10)

The adaption played it very safe and didn't go far beyond what was given to them which- for the most part -worked well enough for them. Obviously not gonna have the same staying power surrounding it like OPM and Black Clover, but it was entertaining and that's good enough.

Jigokuraku - (Hell's Paradise) - 5.5/10

I was very disappointed with this adaption, if the score wasn't an enough of an indicator. MAPPA taking on so much titles is a bit of meme at this point but it sucks that an adaption I was greatly looking forward to came out this chopped and poorly-animated. Kaori Makita is a talented director so it's a shame that she was saddled to a show with an unreasonable deadline and limited staff to help her out. I wanna cope and say s2 will be better but I know better..

Only consolation I have is that this show was sacrificed so JJK and AOT will look good.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury S2 - (8/10)

Didn't agree with everything that happened this season. And I think the writers just didn't know what to with Miorine after she was separated from Suletta. That being said, the last few episodes (when they finally did get reunited) were very very good. Also a fantastic finale episode. Glad this was the first Gundam anime I watched to completion. Now I patiently wait for the Sulemio wedding OVA.

[wasyago]

squeaky_toy_sound_effect.mp4

[mispatchedgreens]

welcome to another installment of 'what if the radiant emperor was a whole nother thing', vol. shounen manga

this was fueled by a completely normal post wondering abt ouyang's blade, and then me trying to figure out a universe where he'd wield the zhanmadao

[egophiliac]

Hello!! I followed you for your absolutely amazing Twisted Wonderland comics (thank you for making them, by the way-) but I saw you posting about something called Ride Kamens? I haven’t heard of it before, what’s it about? Or if that’s a bit much to ask, where could I find more info about it? It seems right up my alley 👀

Thank you!

thank you! :> :> :> (this is also for the other anon who asked about where to find it, I am honored to be infecting the world spreading interest in this silly game)

Ride Kamens is still doing prerelease marketing and isn't out yet; it's set for "early summer 2024", so a bit yet to go! similar to Twst, it's a mobile game about anime boys loosely based on an existing franchise (Kamen Rider), although it seems like it's going to be more standalone/won't require familiarity with Rider going in.

the (very) basic premise is that your player character has just taken over their late father's role as a secret agent, supporting the city's superheroes by running a secret base disguised as a cafe (plus you have a personal butler for some reason) (the reason is because it's amazing). you also have to help the heroes regain their lost memories, and it looks like it'll have a bit of a route/choice aspect there (not romance, just different endings to the character episodes depending on what you do). the details are kinda hard to tell at this point but the characters seem like a really fun bunch; there's definitely big "idiots with emotional problems" energy which I am extremely into.

all the official info is in Japanese only at the moment, but here's the website and the ride_kamens twitter! (though the twitter is sort of overtaken by posts about the AnimeJapan exhibit right now, whoops.) and I believe some people are already planning on doing translations for it too? lots to look forward to! :D

[shannonsketches]

Why is the anime so weird, it's not even the same series dude?? It's like,

Anime:

GOKU: I have a great idea to bring peace to the universe, and my leadership and compassion alone will unite us all. I have No Flaws and am A True Relatable Everyman :)

VEGETA: NO! I AM THE BEST AND I WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS UNTIL I AM RECOGNIZED AS SUCH!!!!

Manga:

GOKU: Vegeta what's cornmeal made of? I know it's what the corn eats, but what's it made of? VEGETA: Hey Kakarot let's play the quiet game until one of us dies.

[imerian]

My (very old) loscar brooch (?) that i just now made doodles for

More pictures under cut

[yesmissnyx]

All I want to do is craft, play video games and get my pussy ate :\

[bestanimal]

Round 1 - Phylum Priapulida

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Priapulida is a phylum of unsegmented marine worms commonly known as “Penis Worms,” due to their general shape and retractable proboscis.

Like kinorhynchs (which seem to be their closest relatives) they live in the mud of shallow waters worldwide. Larger species tend to live in colder seas while smaller species live in warmer waters. They range from 0.2–0.3 cm to 39 cm (15.35 in) long. Their body is divided into a main trunk/abdomen and a swollen proboscis region, called the presoma, ornamented with ridges. The presoma, with the mouth at the tip, can be retracted into the trunk and is used in locomotion as well as in feeding. Members of the family Chaetostephanidae secrete a gelatinous tube, open in both ends, which they live in. Most families are carnivores that feed on slow moving invertebrates such as annelids, but some feed on detritus while others are filter-feeders. They have separate sexes, and usually breed by releasing sperm and eggs into the water, though at least one species is known for internal fertilization.

Priapulid-like fossils are known from the Middle Cambrian, with modern groups appearing in the Carboniferous. They were likely major predators of the Cambrian seas. The mouth of priapulids seems to be an original trait inherited from the last common ancestor of both priapulids and arthropods, though arthropods no longer possess it.

Propaganda under the cut

pingas

Please keep in mind that I am ordering phyla from furthest related to us to closest related to us. Of all the different groups of animals covered so far that we call worms, these are the closest related to us. And I think that’s beautiful.

Some species are very tolerant of hydrogen sulfide, anoxia, and low salinity. They are ~survivors~

In an Alaskan bay as many as 85 adult individuals and 58,000 larvae of Priapulus caudatus per square meter have been recorded. That’s a lot of penis worms!

They don’t even know they look like human penises. Imagine if giant aliens came to earth and made fun of us because we looked like their genitalia.

Okay but would you love your partner if they were a penis worm?

[tanjir0se]

Muzan pulling up to the Master’s Mansion in his cunty little cape at 0.0002 mph on his way to just call him ugly and end the episode there

[stickyvoidpaper]

I truly think Jason, while underage goes to the oblivion bar to get shitfaced when he knows Bruce is tracking him. I wish magic boy was shown to be more magic.

ignore the background idk what I'm going. I do know that Bobo is going to fucking destroy everyone at that table.

[autisticaradiamegido]

day 5

ok tbh i was not pleased with how my last several marcilles have turned out so i felt like it was time to sit down and do some damn studying on this gal. i think it helped!

[quirkle2]

anybody else rly rly ill about the amount of grief in his eyes in this scene

[original screencap under the cut]

[nottoonedin]

what.... please elaborate i do not understand but i wish to....

So, I'm guessing you're asking about this post, where I speculate about Ivan's relationship with the dog-alien?

Here's a post where I talk about what "The Dog Alien Incident" is (or at least my interpretation of it).

(Long ramble/analysis/theory below!)

Now, this^^ was my interpretation of the scene before Round 6. But then Round 6 came out, and:

The MV shows Ivan seems to have some sort of relationship with the dog-alien. They definitely seem to have a deep level of trust. I mean, the alien is allowing Ivan to touch its teeth, and even going as far as LETTING IVAN LIE IN ITS MOUTH!? (Which like???? Go off I guess??? You do you??? But why would you want to??? He was tempting death at this point).

When I first saw this, I immediately jumped to conclusions and was like "Oh, he's insane, he's just like Luka, he planned this out, he was trying to kill Mizi-" because I was literally just recovering from the event which was Round 6.

But, now that I think about it, I don't think I stand by that theory anymore. I don't think Ivan would actively try to kill Mizi. I don't think he ever hated Mizi, as they've been shown to be quite friendly in their interactions, unlike Luka is with Hyun-woo.

(Would translate these properly if I knew Korean, but alas.. Maybe in the future, I'd actually love to learn the language-)

So, looking back at Ivan's relationship with the dog-alien, I think they were just friendly? Like, Ivan would just go hang out with the dog-alien whenever he wanted, just for some quiet time away from the other kids, since the place that the dog-alien(does it go by another name other than "dog-alien"??) resides seems to be secluded and hidden from the rest of Anakt Garden. I think it was just coincidence that Ivan found Till and Mizi together in that area (Mizi could have wandered off, perhaps to find Till, or Till was trying to follow her?). Ivan may have just stayed watching in the shadows just to see what would happen out of pure curiosity.

Another thing!

Ivan's friendship with the alien (as well as him being allowed to roam freely without a collar) could have benefitted him in allowing him to escape the Garden with Till. The alien seems to be a guard dog of some sort (which could explain why it attacked Till, or it could've been just attacking Till because why the hell not-), and if it trusted Ivan enough, it's not surprising if it would let Ivan (and Till) pass by it and out of the Garden without alerting the AG Guardians.

Long story short: Ivan's very weird, but not as batshit insane as our favourite mentally-and-physically ill blondie, Luka <3

Hope this explains everything..?

[bestanimatedmovie]

Choose your favorite!

Time to fly!

Vote in the other polls!

What fans say:

How To Train Your Dragon:

The message was just nice. I have a lot of nostalgia for it. I used to be a huge dragon nerd as a kid and dragons just weren't that prevalent in media here, especially not as friendly figures. I still love HTTYD and it's sequels nowadays.

It was one of my favorite movies as a kid and one of the few movies I watched that wasn't a barbie movie, it's just really cool.

Best movie featuring dragons period. The pure wish fulfillment fantasy of having a highly intelligent fantasy creature companion that can fly and doesn’t mind being ridden like a horse, therefore also the best execution of the dragon rider trope in all of fiction. Extremely funny, adding to the comedy is the fact that only adults have Scottish accents and all the teens have an American accent. So good that even its tv show follow up was decent by extension. The bit where Hiccup is trying to earn Toothless' trust and they start to work together changed me on a fundamental level.

I LOVE IT SO MUCHSHJKBSKHGDK I have a bone dysplasia which causes some bones to be a little bit more hollow and whenever I would feel a pain in my top back, 8 year old me was like ''woah I'm growing wings its my time to fly like toothless'' lol and it was always a dream of mine to fly. Weirdly enough I could relate to toothless because the "not being able to fly but you should be" felt like an allegory to a lot of my life! It gave me hope when he WAS able to after the help of others + the care he always needed + that mechanic wing thing made me feel like with the right ''recipe'' could help me get better too. My favourite scene is the first flight!! I love the animation for it, it makes me feel like im flying through the clouds too! The soundtrack is amazing too, I still cry to the songs.

I could write an entire essay about how much I love this movie, it truly is one of the best films ever made to me. Utterly flawless on both a technical level and a story-telling level. Not to mention the score oh my GOD the score of this movie changed my life. There are too many scenes that are so impactful, but the Forbidden Friendship scene has to be one of the best. Test Drive too.

This is literally my favorite movie of all time. This movie got me through the worst times in my life. It’s about love and friendship and all that lovely goopy stuff and it’s also fucking gorgeous.

THE cinematic masterpiece of our generation. On god.

This movie is an absolute masterpiece, the animation is pretty, the score is perfect, the relationship between Toothless and Hiccup is so sweet, Toothless is absolutely adorable. Definitely one of DreamWork's best films.

It's a beautifully animated movie about an unconventional viking boy named Hiccup finding his place in a world where dragons and vikings are constantly at odds, and how he changes the world around him. The dragon designs are unique and beautiful, and the vikings are larger than life and match the exaggerated setting.

Who on Tumblr DOESN'T want a dragon best friend I ask you. I would kill to have what Hiccup & Toothless have.

It does a brilliant job balancing tropes in a way that subverts and plays into them. There is so much in it for both adults and kids, it doesn't look like other animated films, it feels more grounded and in that realism it becomes so beautiful. The friendship in the film feels very real despite one of the characters being unable to talk! Forbidden Friendship scene is, in my opinion, the greatest scene in the history of cinema. The music, the lighting, the cinematography, the pacing, the emotions, it is practically perfect in every way. I could go on but I think ya get it.

God this movie defined my childhood and it's still so good when I rewatch it now. I'm guessing you'll have had this submitted a good few times bc it goddamn deserves it but. Hiccup is so relatable and !! dragons !! big cute dragons whose animation models are based on cats!! based fr

I have many fond childhood memories of this movie and in particular I loved how my cousin would "talk" for Toothless (cousin was babysitting us when we first watched the movie). Another thing is The SCORE. The music is iconic and awe inspiring to this day. That first time when Hiccup and Toothless fly together and it Works and the score absolutely goes HARD, I loose my breath every time. It's great. Also have you seen Toothless he's an adorable dragon and a badass, what's not to love?

Makes me cry every time because Hiccup and Toothless are such good friends and they love each other and end up as two halves of a boy dragon soulmate sandwich also the music is extremely good who doesn’t like dragons anyway.

It's the story of a beautiful friendship forming between a boy who doesn't fit in and a dragon who is the last of his kind. It's so cute. And it shows positive representation of disability, Hiccup and Toothless become disabled in ways that meaningfully parallel each other. Hiccup makes a prosthetic tail fin! And Toothless is just so cute!

The sound track is amazing

Honestly everything is phenomenal. It has a good use of comedy and an excellent story and character development. There are also countless beautiful and awe-inspiring scenes supported by an amazing score.

Up:

It is a very emotional movie about an old man learning to still enjoy life even though his wife died.

Such a beautiful film about loss

[bestanimal]

Round 1 - Phylum Nematomorpha

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Nematomorpha is a phylum of animals that act as parasitoids of arthropods, so named for their superficial similarity to nematodes. They are commonly called Horsehair Worms, Hairsnakes, or Gordian Worms.

Most nematomorph species are 50 to 100 mm (2 to 3.9 in) long, but some can get up to 2 metres (6.7 ft) long! Adult nematomorphs can often be found in water or in damp areas. They have 2 distinct sexes, and the free-living, non-feeding adults can be found coiled into tight balls and knots while mating. They lay their eggs in water, for their larva to be eaten or burrow in through the skin of aquatic larvae and encyst. When the aquatic larvae (the paratenic host) is eaten by their primary host, the cyst hatches and they become a juvenile. The nematomorph lives inside their host, absorbing nutrients, growing, and molting for a few weeks to several months before leaving its host to mate. It often becomes several times longer than the length of its host. Some species cause their host to seek out water and drown itself, thus allowing the nematomorph to exit into its new watery habitat and begin the cycle anew.

Propaganda under the cut:

When I was a kid I saw a white horsehair worm in a puddle and got real close and noticed it was moving all on its own. I called my grandpa, who was a naturalist, over and told him it was some kind of creature, perhaps a new species! He said no it was just a hair in the water. I said no it’s moving on its own! He said no that’s just the current. I said but it’s a puddle there’s no current. He said I think your eyes are playing tricks on you.

Low and behold I went home and did some research and found out about nematomorphs and told him the next day that HAH I WAS RIGHT IT WAS A REAL LIVING CREATURE

Remember to stay observant. Little things live all around you if you look real close.

idk if that convinces you of anything but uh anyway

At least one species, Paragordius tricuspidatus is able to escape from not only their host after ingestion by a predator, but also from the digestive tract of the predator. If their host cricket is eaten by a fish or frog prematurely, they then wriggle out through predator’s mouth, gills, or nose. That’s some Animorphs bullshit right there.

Nematomorphs play an important roll in ecology. As many species infect grasshoppers and crickets and drive them into the water, they also provide a significant source of food for fish. Without nematomorphs, fish that depend on grasshoppers and crickets would likely turn to other invertebrates, possibly throwing riparian ecosystems out of balance.

Nematomorphs often have to wait a long time before being eaten by their primary host. One species, Paragordius varius, is able to withstand being frozen at up to -70°C (-94°F) for weeks. Then it thaws out in the Spring, still ready to infect its next host.

We know that some species cause their hosts to enter water and drown themselves. We don’t actually know how they do this.

I used to work at an animal shelter and one time as I was cleaning I accidentally sprayed a cricket with cleaner and a horsehair worm came out of it. I then picked it up and showed it to the vet team and they all gathered around to stare.

[jenesaisquacke]

duck butt :3