Here we go.
NEW ANIME OF SPRING 2018
The whole thing starts with the students from Class 1-A and Class 1-B going to the woods to train to improve their quirks. However, it seems like a traitor is suspected when the students and teachers are attacked on thr trip by the League of Villains vanguard. They were given 2 goals: 1) Capture Bakugo and 2) Kill Deku the latter they didn't accomplish but the former they did. Deku also finds himself in a fight with a villain, Muscular who's Quirk lets him harden his muscles to extreme degrees, and he nearly kills him, until he uses One For All x1,000,000......which shatters both his arms. Deku then manages to save the day and with a combo of the others is almost able to get Bakugo back, however, they were slightly late. This ends up looking terrible on U.A. as a school, again not being able to keep its students safe while they learn to be heroes. While recovering Deku finds out if he uses his arms hard like that again he will lose the use of them completely and they also find out Bakugo's location while he is recovering; despite a warning from their classmates Deku, Kirishima, Todoroki, Iida, and Yaoyorozu head to rescue him. Not knowing that at the same time the pro heroes and police ALSO know where he is and plan on assaulting the League of Villains; it almost works if not for a quick transport allowing all the villains to escape to meet up with One For All, All Might's nemesis and one day Deku's. Once the kids think quick and rescue Bakugo, All Might has a massive fight with One For All, All Might wins but it is his last fight as a pro hero for every bit of All For One in him is now gone and it rests solely in Deku. Everyone now knows how hard All Might has tried despite his tired form to protect them from evil and now Endevour steps into the role of #1 Hero. We then lead into the students being asked into living in on campus dorms at U.A. where in order convince Deku's mother to let him stay, All Might puts everything he has into talking to her. That's where things are right now.
Obviously with this being Part 1 of a 2 part season with the rest coming up I can only expect more awesome Boku No Hero Academia action to come. I can continue to gush about this show more and more but it honestly doesn't need it at this point, it has become THE anime people about and is the current King of Shonen.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - WATCH IT ALL IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT, IT IS FANTASTIC
A lot of people who hate Sword Art Online have said, "this is what happens if you give an interesting universe like Gun Gale Online to a writer who knows what they're talking about, who enjoys themselves and isn't trying to shoehorn needless romance into the show in every step of the way." To be honest, even as a SAO fan I can see these as valid points, SAO Alternative was incredibly well put together. It's the story of Karen, a very tall Japanese college student with a complex about her height, learning of an escape into VRMMORPG's from her friend and she tries several different ones until her randomly created avatar is a cute, munchkin character who she proceeds to name LLENN. LLENN finds out things very quick about GGO including that when she started wearing all pink in the desert that it was impossible for people to see her and she went about PK'ing to the point she became known as the Pink Devil. The only person to ever get the jump on her, was another woman named Pitohui, who becomes LLENN's friend and rival at the same time. Pito promises LLENN, "if you manage to kill me, you can meet me in real life". It was about that time I figured out who Pito was but they did a good job hiding it until the later episodes if you didn't catch on. I won't say who because it's important to Karen's character. Pito asks LLENN to enter the first Squad Jame Battle Royale with her friend M, she agrees, and one of the coolest battle royale moments occur during that first Squad Jam......honestly some of the better SAO fights to be honest. Afterwards, she is asked to participate in the 2nd SJ tourney but this time against Pito, with a catch involved, but since she won't have M this time she ropes her best friend in and they have a grand time throwing up more crazy kills and have more crazy fights until that final showdown. Which ends in EPIC fashion followed with Pito keeping her promise.
The show took everything I expected and hoped regular SAO could do with the Gun Gale Online universe and did it better, well written, fantastic look, great voices, great characters, it was honestly one of my favourite SAO series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - EVEN TO A NOT SAO FAN, YOU MIGHT ENJOY IT IF YOU WANT CRAZY GUN FIGHTS
2 years pass and the CCG has a new squad to hunt ghouls called the "Quinx" Squad: each member having been a human genetically modified to be a one eyed ghoul, they are led by Sasaki Haise.......who is Ken Kaneki having lost his memories post fight. He didn't die in his final fight with Arima. Now he hunts ghouls as Haise, however there are certain moments in the show that he is confronted in tougher fights by Kaneki in his mind "let me out" and when he does he becomes immensely strong but not as tough as later but I'll bring that up. He does encounter many of his old friends: Touka, Nishki, Uta, and Renji. We also meet Hinami again, a girl who looked up to Ken as a substitute big brother, so much that she joined Aogiri Tree when we encounter her in the series where she is taken down in a CCG raid arrested and thrown in the Cochela maximum security prison for ghouls. She has talks with Haise and tries to tell him how nice he was when he was Kaneki but he tells her, "this may be his body, but I'm not Ken Kaneki". Yet. Eventually Shu Tsukiyama once again shows up to rekindle his obsession with Kaneki, thus triggering the CCG's suspicion of his family being ghouls and it leads to a raid of their family home then a massive fight breaks out at one of the buildings they own. It is at that building, at the very top, that Sasaki Haise is almost killed by a ghoul, until Ken Kaneki finally "puts Haise to sleep for good", then we are introduced to the next persona in the Tokyo Ghoul franchise of Ken Kaneki. His black haired, black clothed form known as "The Reaper", he easily fights and kills the One-Eyed Owl, his former friends and managers daughter.
Tokyo Ghoul is best watched from beginning to end, as far as seasons go, but the amount of blood and gore as well as high quality story and character development that I expect in a Tokyo Ghoul series was there and I was incredibly pleased and can't wait for Tokyo Ghoul: Re Pt. 2. Also for the opening video I only had the actual music video, they keep taking down the intro to Tokyo Ghoul: Re.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
So Hero starts off with a brief bit of the end of last season when Issei uses his Juggernaut Drive, a mode that caused him to lose his mind and part of his life length, the only thing that calmed him down was Rias' breasts. Thus, to the entire Underworld, Issei is known both as the Red Dragon Emperor but also the Boob Dragon Emperor or just the Boob Dragon, which makes Ddraig cry. When they return to the castle in the Underworld to meet Rias father after this situation she's informed that she'll be playing a "chess game" against her cousin Sairog Bael. Also, in demon families, all of the people are chess pieces. Rias is the king, Akeno (a fallen angel) is the queen, Koneko (a cat god) is a bishop, Rossweiss (a valkyrie) is a rook, Xenovia (a demon but former demon hunter) is a knight, Kiba (a blademaster) is a knight, Asia (a demon but former priestess) is a bishop, Gasper (a vampire) is a pawn, and surprisingly Issei is also a pawn despite his power; each of them is used in these "chess games" differently depending on the rules. However, before she has the match with her cousin: they are still in school and the 2nd year students have a school trip to go on. Issei, Kiba, Xenovia, Asia, and their angel friend Marie are accompanied by their teachers Azazel (the fallen angel leader) and Rossweiss. They all do go to a normal high school despite pretty much it sounding like everyone's either a demon, fallen angel, or angel. On their trip to Kyoto, they discover that the Chaos Brigade who they've been fighting since Season 2, a group led by Vali the White Dragon Emperor and Issei's rival, have captured the leader of the youkai in Kyoto, the Nine Tailed Fox and plan on experimenting on her. A lot of crazy action ensues and they do rescue her before heading home. The chess game was simple until the fight between Sairog and Issei, they were both incredibly powerful, and the only reason Issei was able to win the battle was because he found one of Ddraig's stronger true forms, one that he was only able to unlock because he finally admitted that he loved Rias. When she stood right next to him. Now on the battlefield is one thing but to say it to her face is another. To him, he as always loved and admired Rias, but has always referred to her as President (of their Occult club) because he thought there was no way that the absolutely beautiful Rias Gremory could ever love someone like the perverted Issei. But he was wrong. When he finally calls her by her name, when they are alone, then confesses, it is probably one of the best moments in all 4 seasons.
The action scenes, the fights, the new powers and techniques, everything in that regard for High School DxD: Hero were great as they have been all series long and it's what I come to expect. You get to see further change in all of the characters involved and I love all of the characters in the High School DxD universe, they actually put effort into the development of these characters. Despite the show being an ecchi/harem anime, Issei, is not a dense protagonist he's keenly aware each girl wants him for one reason or another; which leads to a lot of intense nude scenes. I was told that surprisingly High School DxD was on both Crunchyroll & Funimation for this season but I have always watched the show uncensored so I have to wait for it to available elseways; not that the nudity is what is important to me but surprisingly it suits the show more than a censored version (having watched both versions). I think one of the most important things behind High School DxD in general and not just Hero is that it is a "plot" show with an actual plot. When I say that I mean it is an ecchi/harem show with an actual plot with solid story and character writing and it isn't all about the girls "plot" points. The only thing that threw me off this season was that a new studio was in charge of the artwork and it was a DRASTICALLY different style. So much so that I'm going to leave a picture just above the theme song I always put with my articles, like to describe it, all the characters are done much less "realistically" and done with softer features and lines. Did I like it ?? Ya, it was pleasant and colourful, a really great eye catching show for sure but more than the original; the jury is still out on that one, they both have good points but I still lean more towards the original.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND - WATCH ALL THE SEASONS THOUGH, DON'T START HERE, IT'S A GREAT SERIES
So what makes this show so awesome ?? I think it all has to do with the characters and the situations they get in but also that it is a fantastic comedy that goes above and beyond to make its gags stick, so that they have a lasting impact on the story in some strange way. Hina, when we meet her is a lazy and careless person, by the end of the show just because of her interaction with Nitta and all the other people in her life she becomes a kind and caring girl, however still ridiculously inept, girl. Hina also is both the cause and solution to a lot of problems that happen in the show. I'd say though that Hina's biggest and most important role is how changes Nitta, he goes from a carefree yakuza to a proper father, who's still a yakuza, but that's no big deal. Our next big character is Anzu, who is sent from the other world to take on Hina and bring her back, however she was unable to beat Hina in a psychic showdown and when she tried to return home it failed. This creates a great little arc for her character as Anzu becomes homeless and is taken in by a local homeless group to help each other out until she is finally adopted by an older couple that have a Chinese restaurant. Anzu goes from a brat to an absolute golden child, even Nitta references this in the show when Hina went on a trip and so did Anzu's guardians, he watched her and was like, "she's perfect why is Hina not like this ?" Hitomi is the last "main character" and I say main because the three girls are a focus even though Nitta and others are also main characters. Hitomi is the perfect middle school student, good grades, good everything but she has a fatal flaw: she can't say no. It leads to her becoming a bartender at Nitta's favourite drinking place, which then leads to her taking jobs for high ranking companies, she's such a good worker that she becomes an important in everyone's lives. I also love that when certain situations occur that the art style completely changes to one of shock and surprise and with over expressed faces and heavy shadows; it always makes me laugh, every time, even when you expect them just the shocked look or surprise or disappointed face just too funny. The regular art was pretty slick too, not just the different styled faces during unique situations, the overall look was awesome. Hina made the show though because I've never seen someone so lazy and so clueless be so fun to watch; that and her relationship back and forth with Nitta was fantastic, amazing chemistry between the two characters.
I also really like the art style, the slick white lines that highlight things, the FACIAL EXPRESSIONS during crazy moments because they switch art styles, it's a great looking show. A great feeling show, something that even though it gives off solid comedy vibes each and every single episode it never forgets to either teach a life lesson or show character growth.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - BEST COMEDY OF THE SEASON, WAS UNIQUE & FUN
Like I said, it's a slice of life so it's daily events for these girls and it was all very fun and interesting to watch. I enjoyed the art, it was just really nice and crisp and beautifully coloured. The characters personalities all were unique and Kaos and Fura were by far my favourites because they were just so different. It was just a happy show to watch.
RECOMMENDED - IF YOU LIKE SLICE OF LIFE SHOWS, YOU'LL ENJOY
IT'S MEH, WATCH AN EPISODE OR TWO AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK
RECOMMENDED - FANTASTIC, SURPRISE HIT OF THE SEASON
Nice art to the show and the characters are funny, so my friend was right, it was funny and with 5 minute episodes you can 100% get through the entire show in like 35 minutes or less.
WATCH IF YOU WANT A SUPER SHORT SHOW TO KILL TIME
That's probably the best way to describe what happens in the last 12 episodes and it all kick-starts with the actual link between Hiro and Zero Two, there's obviously some kind of connection since Hiro lasted longer than 3 rides which no one else has done. If that's the case maybe it has to do with that episode during that 3rd ride and you can clearly see her blood flowing backwards but that makes no sense. No what the case is from what we find out; Hiro was always full of questions as a kid, questions that led him to find this little girl that looked like a red devil. A girl he escaped from the adults with. A girl he names Zero Two and promised that one day she could call him darling. However, the adults caught them both and erased their memories, well ALL of Hiro's memories and 95% of Zero Two's.....she always remembered she had a darling. They both regain their memories and things happen (trying to be a smidge vague on this) including Hiro and Zero Two finally telling each other they love one another; which leads into a few episodes of what some may call filler but I see as important as we start to see all the squad develop into proper teens. Kokoro having found a book on children in the first 12 episodes kinda wants one of her own and convinces the one person she loves, Mitsuru, to go through with it and they do have sex. Which leads to a lot of problems for them, including having their own memories wiped. There's lots of mech fights between the FranXX and other things, not just klaxosaurs, so I'll leave it there as I've already said too much.
Needless to say, I love Darling In The FranXX. All the characters are amazing, fun to watch, well designed, they actually make you sympathize with them which is important. It has that typical Trigger art style and looks awesome, the show gets a lot more bright and colorful this half season in comparison to the first, I'm not sure why but it does make a huge difference. I love what happens to Hiro and Zero Two over the course of the show. One thing I am also pleased with is that they were totally willing to stick their guns while making the show and were willing to take drastic actions with all their main characters; it's always a risky move to mess with a core cast or not make everything and everyone happy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - IT'S GREAT, WATCH IT
The art behind this show was great, very colorful and bright except during moments of massive conflict and death where it does maintain what should be a dreary art style. What you do expect in Grancrest Senki is generic fantasy characters; that wasn't there and because of that each character had a more unique personality. I'm heavily reminded of the Fire Emblem series of games when it comes to these kinds of variety in characters. There is a ton of action: great battle scenes, cool magic, and strangely a larger amount of gore & blood than in most fantasy shows (especially in Alexis' fight with Erik the Red). They are also not afraid to either: A) kill of or flirt with killing off important characters, which makes for some quality moments in the show.
RECOMMENDED - IF YOU LIKE FANTASY
The art style is still very nice, I really like the girls especially Kanami she has the spunky attittude that makes her endearing and different than the others. Her interactions in her head with her mother, well her mother when she was younger, are always great scenes and I enjoy that as well. It is a show that takes itself seriously but has enough lightness that I really enjoy it.
The ending to the show was a little vague and I wish it ended differently, I want to say what I wish happened but I don't want to spoil the end of the show. Just know the show ends well but I would tweak a few things myself.
RECOMMENDED - IT'S A GREAT WATCH, ONLY 24 EPISODES
The show picking up in action and intensity of fights has really helped keep my interest in Black Clover, I like the characters, and a lot about it and hopefully it only improves going forward.
IT'S STILL HARD FOR ME TO RECOMMEND COMPLETELY UNLESS YOU'RE A FAN OF THE MANGA OR ALREADY ARE WATCHING
I SAY BEST THING TO DO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IS TO WATCH THE MOVIE & THEN PICK THIS SHOW UP GOING FORWARD, YOU'LL MISS A BIT BUT NOT TOOOOO MUCH
Boku No Hero Academia Season 3 cont'd
Attack on Titan Season 3
Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san
Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majustu
Shichisei no Subaru
Satsuriku no Tensu
Hyakuren no Haou to Seiyaku no Valkyria
FLCL Progressive
Tenrou: Sirius the Jaeger
Grand Blue
Island
Hanebado!
Banana Fish
Jashin-chan Dropkick
Muhyo to Rouji no Mahouritsu Soudan Jimushi
Black Clover
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Seems like a lot ya ?? I know, like I said I may add or subtract from this list and I found those on an upcoming anime site prior to the season starting and the titles were all Japanese so I know SOME of their English titles now.
We shall how the Summer 2018 season is..