“A four episode taste test? And for a last season series? I haven’t been this disappointed in you since that lazy two episode taste test for Katanagatari! UNFOLLOWED.” It breaks the mould yes but not without some cajoling. In reality though this is a traditional three episode taste test because the first episode is diametrically different, to the point that it feels like its from a different series, to the subsequent three.

“a fearless exploration of what it’s like to be just ordinary when surrounded by brilliance”

Raucous, racy and disappointingly trashy, the first episode of Sakurasou no Pet no Kanojo (The Pet Girl of Sakura Dormitory) will likely affirm any preconceived ideas you had about a series about an autistic girl and the word “pet” in the title. You’d nod sagely and stroke your beard, perhaps letting out a disparaging “Oh Japan”. But then the next episode is surprisingly affecting. It’s still got a perpetual do-gooder as a protagonist (“He rescues cats! Awww”) but behind the shiny pastel coating is a rare and deft touch. Read the rest of this entry

Yuru Yuri is one of the best post-apocalyptic black comedies of recent memory. It’s startling how such a bleak and unforgiving situation is afforded fleeting levity by a group of school girls who seem content to ignore such a bad situation.

“aliens and androids have been spotted circling the dying planet that is now the Earth”

The nameless cataclysm obviously happened some years before the start of the first series and though never mentioned by any of the characters, its lasting effects are plain to see. The Earth we are shown is untainted by bombs or or environmental collapse but instead a complete annihilation of the male species has taken place. Without males the world did not fall immediately to ruin but began a slow decline that the series shows the formative years of. Read the rest of this entry

[EXT. Idyllic port]

• Flying pirate ship: PEW PEW PEW!
• Hapless villagers: Why is she attacking us with potassium chloride?!
• Dandy pirate: *evil cackle*
• Hapless villagers: That outfit does not look conducive to piracy!
• Skeletons: RARGH!
• Animators: Who knew skeletons were so hard to animate?

Please note: the remainder of this post contains images of nudity, if you are offended by these or are otherwise unable to view these images within your municipality due to laws or moral obligations, please do not proceed.

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• Altered history
  Swords wrenches brooms
  Izumo for all
• Chasing the teacher
  Hit that for tardiness pass
  Yakuza revenge
• Maids maids everywhere
  Who is who, they are all girls
  Except for that dude
• Robot sings sad song
  Sweeps up and mans the store
  Sleeves like a boss

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• Pew pew pew! I’m totally a lighthouse and not an interpretation of the Tokyo Sky Tower!
• I’m soooooo naked!
• I’m so angsty I watch my pornography on the roof
• *POW* *BOOM*
• I knew I should have worn clothing more appropriate for a secret mission!

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