#same with benimaru and kanro!!

[kimium]

Me to @m34gs: Look they announced S3 of Fire Force for next year.

M34GS: Yes! I get to see Licht again!

Me: And the most important character of all.

Me: Beaky.

M34GS: Ah, yes... Beaky.

[kimium]

Is there any anime that you weren't sure on when you started watching it, but it ended up exceeding your expectations and you really enjoy it now? On the other side of it, is there any that you started watching totally excited for, only to be disappointed?(feel free to list and explain more than one if it is applicable!)

Thanks for the ask, friend!! Let's get to it! Warning to everyone else: there are spoilers for the series I'm talking about. Also, remember this is just my opinion and you don't have to agree with me at all!

Is there any anime that you weren't sure on when you started watching it, but it ended up exceeding your expectations and you really enjoy it now?

Yes, there are a couple anime that fit this criteria.

Fire Force

The first one on this list is actually Fire Force. When I started Fire Force I thought the opening went a little too fast and introduced characters too quickly. Mostly due to Hibana being introduced very quickly only after we met all of Company Eight along side Shinra. However, I shoved that feeling aside because Hibana is linked closely to Iris so I figured it was fine.

I'm super glad I stuck with the series because I absolutely adore Fire Force. It gave me one of my favourite pairings (Kanro/Benimaru) and the twist with the series at the end (I've read the manga) is amazing. I'm stocked to see the whole series animated.

(Also, the series gave us, you and I only, the best nickname in "Beaky" so...)

Free!

When Free was airing I was still a lifeguard/swimming instructor and felt that watching Free would be akin to me guarding a speed swim practice or competition. I also worried that they wouldn't animate the swimming strokes correctly (the most common one I see done dirty is breast stroke with the whip kick). I'm very glad my fears were unfounded. I love the series, even though I only watched the first two seasons. Season three is still largely unwatched mostly due to the new characters suddenly retconned into Haru's past.

On the other side of it, is there any that you started watching totally excited for, only to be disappointed?

Chainsaw Man

I know this is an extremely unpopular opinion, but hear me out. I am mostly caught up with the manga, so I'm not only basing this opinion on the anime.

I don't dislike Chainsaw Man. There are many elements that I enjoy with all my heart. I also don't like it; I'm neutral towards the series.

I think the big reason behind this is one element: I don't feel a single emotional attachment to any character or scene. If you asked me if there was a moment that tugged at my heart strings or made me pause in suspense the answer is nothing. I suppose I felt some sadness when Pochita dies for Denji, but I already knew that would happen as the inciting incident. Heck, I didn't feel anything when Aki and Power died and they're main characters. The only moment I felt anything was when I saw what Denji did to Maki's body, but that wasn't dawning horror but rather, "Oh! I didn't expect the series to go there..." reaction.

However, there are elements I enjoy with the series. The animation is breathtakingly beautiful. I think the entire world concept is fascinating. I love the concept of their powers and how the Devil's powers work. Maki is a fascinating antagonist and there are some panels that live rent free in my brain. It's just Chainsaw Man isn't the series for me, even though I really wish it was.

SSSS.DYNAZENON

I started watching this when it was first airing and I liked the vibe of random people being forced together due to a supernatural element. It's also done by the same company as KIZANAIVER and I enjoyed that series. However, some scenes or parts to the anime felt a little rushed. I feel if some parts were allowed to breathe I would have finished the series. Then again, this is a sort of sequel to SSSS.GRIDMAN? Maybe if I watched both series I'd have a different opinion?

Wonder Egg Priority

I cannot tell you how much it pains me to put this series on this list. I watched 9 to 10 episodes of the series. The first half? Immaculate. Amazing. Top tier animation, top tier story beats, and top tier characters. I love how the series tackles real problems girls have and even has a trans character! However, the last half took a "What the Hell" turn and I didn't finish the series because of that. Which is a shame.