Forum - View topicThe Summer 2026 Anime Preview Guide
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EmeraldSaucer
 Posts: 984 |
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The first episode of Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games was fine, but really not the strong start I would've wanted after so long a wait. I don't necessarily have a problem with the prominent plastering of Street Fighter 6 over the anime (though it would've been funnier if this hadn't been so delayed and we still had SF5 like in the live-action adaptation), funding requirements met by advertising it notwithstanding I would've preferred if they just stuck with Iron Senpai. It just ends up feeling like a shortcut from a production that wouldn't have been equipped to bring a fighting game to life in animation (without the rationale of a Hi-Score Girl using footage to maintain the same retro feel as the manga), which kinda stinks for a show that's so prominently about fighting games. But on a technical level this seems perfectly competent, with the solid color work carrying a lot of shots in the second half, but it's not really rising above that - and that could become a major issue, as the primness of the Girls' Academy contrasted with the ridiculous hot blooded staking your soul till you bleed fighting game action becomes more prominent and demands a certain degree of forcefulness from the animation (which, from the two big scenes of Mio shouting down a scrub and her and Aya jumping out a window, isn't really there). Hope things pick up from here
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day was a good time. Naomi Nakano's color design remains as strong as ever, though I was surprised how much it reminded me of a ufotable work in that kinda glossy sheen overlaid on a more muted color palette - she did work on Kara no Kyoukai in a very limited capacity, so I suppose there's a precedent, and as there it fits this show's blend of dark fantasy and Class S trappings. And I especially loved how scale was portrayed. For example, the cuts where Sheena is sneaking a late night meal after cleaning demonstrate just how much the space of the orphanage dwarfs her, her silhouette a tiny portion of a frame that's otherwise encompassed by the kitchen area. Same with Sheena walking through an atrium or a hallway before stumbling across the totally platonic restoration magic later on. The vastness does an excellent job of selling the ways in which these characters are trapped within an insidious system that renders them insignificant as it uses their bodies as fuel and then forgets they once existed, all without having to directly spell that out to the audience. A little wary on how well this adaptation will be able to balance its opposing tones judging from a couple moments here, but enjoying it so far Ghost in the Shell unfortunately felt like it ended up less than the sum of its parts, a case of a very pretty looking show marred by uneven and manic pacing. There's providing exposition to the audience, and then there's just dumping some sentences with a couple still frames to get the show from point A to point B because you have no time and your focus is on overloading the senses and grabbing people's nostalgia rather than telling a story. Like we can't even have a couple minutes between them planting a bug on the kid and them scrambling because the bug is discovered, much less time to let this dilemma-of-the-week ruminate before it's already settled and moved on from. Which yes, a lot of this comes down to Masamune Shirow's original work, but there are good reasons for why subsequent interpretations deviated from that original formula extensively. And even from an animation standpoint the degree of outsourcing via Studio Mogana from moment one is concerning, though given the episode count maybe things won't melt down to the extent I think they could. So overall, while I think Moko's direction was snappy and Maaya Sakamoto fully taking up the mantle of the Major fits like a glove, I left this first episode feeling cold because there was just so little to latch onto and no room to breathe Victoria of Many Faces was about what I expected from an adaptation. The portrayal of the exposition surrounding Victoria's life up to her escape was fairly clunky, but unless that becomes a persistent issue and not just a bit of narrative shorthand it doesn't bother me too much. What does bother me a great deal however is the compositing, which even considering the likely production limitations for a show like this was pretty bad. It went beyond the intended mood setting and became just sort of comical how dark to the point of losing detail the shots were what seemed like every other cut at points. Likewise, any time where a scene calls for a slightly more complex assortment of layers it tends to look a little suspect. And while I have no qualms with Mina Osawa's character designs on their own, I don't think they do a particularly great job of translating what makes Nanna Fujimi's art interesting. But still, underneath all that I think the solid core of the work can still shine through in the relationship between Victoria and Nonna, so I'm willing to ride this one out compromises and all (and boy are the signs clear for the scramble to just get episodes out the door) |
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Aerdra
Posts: 578 |
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Busy for a couple days, and suddenly there's a pile of new shows to try. I don't know how preview guide reviewers do it, watching everything and writing whole paragraphs for each...
Dara-san's first episode was pretty funny. The main gag is the siblings' unexpectedly muted reactions to outrageous revelations. I don't know if this can sustain a whole season, but it's enjoyable for now. Keep. Of the non-sequel shows on my preseason hype list, Kaiju Girl is the first one where my enthusiasm survived the first episode. Relatable main characters combined with kaijuu story. Keep! Both Frontier Lord with Zero Subjects and 10 Year-Long Last Stand are yet more mediocre fantasies that I might or might not watch depending on how much time I have. Meh. I didn't know much about Draw This Then Die, but after one episode this is now one of the shows I'm most excited about. It depicts how valuable stories can be to us, even if they're just stories. The twist at the end was expected, but still well-executed. Keep! Please Excuse My Younger Brothers has a nice, cozy feeling to it, despite the hints of step-sibling romance. Probably Keep. Not sure about Black Torch yet, since the story is just getting set up. The action is fine. Wait. Something feels missing from Iwamoto-Senpai. I didn't feel tension or dread from the supernatural elements, nor did I feel empathy for the characters' situations. This show's not for me. Drop. I had high expectations for Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, but the first two episodes didn't really hook me. It was kinda depressing watching more and more bad things happen. That said, it feels too early to make a decision about this show, because it feels like the story hasn't really started yet, so I'll give it another episode at least. Wait. Sunflower Circus is cute girls doing circus things. I kinda get where this show is going after the first episode, though I'm not sure how interested I'm in circus performances. Maybe. Ogre's Bride is just not for me. Nothing particularly wrong with it, just that I'm not part of its target audience. Drop. Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me may turn out interesting or bland, depending on what the story prioritizes. A story depicting life in a marriage of convenience (though actual romance is promised later by the title) amidst political intrigue has a lot of potential, as long as the political machinations actually matter to the story. Probably Keep. Still a pile of shows left to get through, but at least it's a smaller pile now. |
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FanGamer24
Posts: 327 |
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Because it’s not the point of the story it’s something that happens but in the context of the story itself it doesn’t actually matter except for simply fleshing out Rudy’s character and where he’s starting from. It’s not like the show is praising him for his actions it just doesn’t go out of its way to condemn him unless it’s relevant to the story itself. |
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Wizardizar
 Posts: 217 |
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Brother, the author is the one that put this there in the first place. If they want to be ambivalent (at best!) about the character being a sex criminal, then maybe don't do it in the first place? It's a weird thing to use to "flesh out" the character if you're not gonna make it a central part of whatever you want to do with the story. It's not a silly quirk like sorting the M&Ms by color before eating them.
Also I'm part of the problem, but welcome to year 3 of having 30% of the thread in the seasonal anime preview being a spirited debate about this show. |
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FanGamer24
Posts: 327 |
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Well luckily most people don’t obsess over these things and actually enjoy the story for what is.
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Aerdra
Posts: 578 |
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The problem is that whenever Mushoku Tensei is briefly mentioned, people jump into the discussion spoiling for a fight, derailing the topic at hand. This is supposed to be a season preview discussion, where people are trying to figure out what new shows to watch, yet much of the space is taken up by recycled arguments about a show that most people already made up their minds on years ago. |
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Panino Manino
 Posts: 845 |
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Can we stop talking about Mushoku already?
It just keeps repeating the same points. Everyone knows everything about how and why Mushoku Bad, if want to keep pointing at it outside it's exclusive threads send a letter to the author. Moving on. Animation quality in The Ghost in the Shell was impressive as expected, but I think it'll "fail". It's nice to see the ORIGINAL mangá a characters finally adapted, but I think there was a reason why the movie and SAC made changes to the original. All that technical jargon to see complex and detailed, and the political references and commentary are not really deep or smart, is more for the author to shows his "knowledge", right? That is not interesting, will become boring fast, and in this first episode the anime made minimal changes and additions? There's a high possiblity that it'll "fail". Anyway nice to see the original visual and mood in motion, finally. Anatolia Story Who should we talk for this old shoujo ressurgence? Who would think we would see Anatolia Story animated, after so many years? I don't remembre if the mangá was any good, but you know how it is? For the people who knows, it doesn't really matter if it is good. Just one thing, as always... NAKIA DID NOTHING WRONG! You heard it here from me first! Actually, if she had succeeded in killing Yuri she would save Hatti! My theory is that Yuri was responsible from bringing the diseases that destroyed Hatti. (but I do wonder now if it'll be compared to Akatsuki no Yona, as Yuri changes and becomes "strong" later in the story) |
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Gina Szanboti
 Posts: 12773 |
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Ah, that's better. Thanks for clearing that up. 
I'm not a gamer, so as expected I kinda bounced off Street Fighting is a Ladies' Elegance. And even after her Genos-worthy backstory monologue, I'm still not quite clear on why she's so determined to follow the path of Lady. Don't really care though. Jaadugar earned my first 5-star rating of the season. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about the animation style that's oddly nostalgic (like, why does the image of henna-dyed fingers ping that feeling so loudly in me? oO). Even during its saddest moments, it's somehow comforting. And all the other good things others have said, I second. I don't always get along with everything Science Saru does, but this is a marvel. My only complaint is that I wish the subs would refrain from using Kondo's "sparks joy" crap. I sure hope that's not an accurate translation of what they're saying? Now, sparking electricity is a different matter altogether so I'm all in on Meiji Power and Light. It's got an interesting plot, a ridiculously sleazy villain, spectacular scenery porn, and Inako is hard channeling Hyouka's Chitanda. Science Saru seems to really have my number this summer, since my second 5-star rating goes to their version of GitS. Very different from any other iteration (I've never read the manga), it still really worked for me, in part because of the old school art (man, that hand-written "POLICE" font on the uniforms really took me back in time!  ).
I'm not entirely sold on Seayanara Lara yet, but I think I will be. Somehow I suspect her aunt isn't as wicked as she paints herself to be, but she could be. I just need to see where this is going in the modern day before I fully commit to it. I'm getting the same sour feeling from Love is Trope-Blind as a lot of other people have noted. "Magical Disabled Person" much? Still need to see more of Liver Lady's Dish Served Cold. Depending on what form her revenge takes, I could go either way. I mean, she's got a point about the ungrateful village gossips, but they're not the whole country she apparently plans to destroy. |
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FanGamer24
Posts: 327 |
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Ghost in the Shell is definitely a weird one. I can’t think of many series where the adaptation is more highly regarded than the source material. I mean don’t get me wrong it’s totally possible for the anime to be better but usually people have something nice to say about the original.
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whiskeyii
 Posts: 2479 |
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This made me snort my drink, congratulations. 
I was nervous for Red River seeing the key art; shoujo doesn't tend to get the most lavish adaptations to begin with, and it's an unusually dense story to begin with, so pared down art, even to make animation easier, wasn't gonna do it any favors, imo. It's still a strong story with excellent political intrigue (I see you copying its homework, Dawn of the Arcana!), but if this is its best foot forward, I worry for the future. |
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L0ken
Posts: 101 |
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I only dabbled a bit in Mushoku (I have isekai fatigue currently, so have no stake in the debate) but it's kinda interesting how it's splits people over this matter. I guess it's more shows cultural and moral framework of the person and what region of the world he might be from. Because the view that things like that shouldn't be used to "flesh out" the character if it isn't a central part of the story or not in the focus always felt kinda like ... anti-art and even simply as boring stance to me? I think even undesirable traits in character through ancient or modern standards like sex crimes, homophobia, racism, transphobia, bigotry, antisemitism, being an incel, chud etc etc, anything, no matter the leaning of the spectrum, - that it should be okay for media to portray them somewhat casually , those character traits don't carry an obligation imposed on said piece of art to necessarily provide focus, address them and make a clear stance even on apprehensive traits like this. If any series deliberately decides to not make those "sins" a central part of the story then it shouldn't be automatically considered a universally wrong creative decision, like it's the fundamental flaw in writing or in idea itself. Author's art is allowed to be viewed as worthwhile and great without need to tackle those character traits. It makes whole storytelling medium more restrictive, formulaic, patronising and plainly boring. Imagining every time author for example creates a male character, gives him numerous traits and one of them is MC MC being homophobic. Story is quite action themed, his homophobia comes into play in a minor role just a few times in whole plot that is focused mainly on other things. When we reach the the end of his Hero journey dude... still stays a homophobe without even attempts to challenge or change his belief on that matter. Should the author be rightfully criticised that he didn't address homophobic part of MC character? Despite creator deliberately focusing on main appeals of the story - and executing them well? But looks like that Mushoku debate is consuming too much posts, so it's okay not to answer, I'm too late to the "fun". |
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Hiroki not Takuya
 Posts: 3049 |
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Just caught Ep1 and was going to comment wondering when the yelling about this new version GitS was going to start but maybe it already has...It seems to me that people groused about S2 not being like the 2003/2005 version but when the movie duplicated it in live action almost scene for scene, well that was just the worst...  And I remember people grousing how GitS-S.A.C. 2003/2005 was so terrible because it was far from the manga so now we have a manga-faithful version but it isn't like the 2003/2005...
I have resolved to experience this new version on it's own terms to see what made the manga popular enough to adapt and so far it isn't bad but not what I would call an instant masterpiece. It is definitely a departure from the 2003/2005 series I actually loved...Fuchikoma having cartoony mouths and marshmallow bodies I think wasn't a good aesthetic choice to embody gritty realism.. |
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ABCBTom
 Posts: 191 |
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@L0ken
The reason this is such a controversy is not because Mushoku Tensei was reviewed. It has a trophy, indicating that the reviewers recommend the series. Amongst all of the most acclaimed series of this season, Mushoku Tensei stands alone there with its participation trophy because the only two, male reviewers who reviewed it, liked it. For some reason Red River or Let's Go Kaikigumi didn't get this privilege, only this one show. Nobody objects to the show because they object to adult content being used in series, and that they demand more formulaic storytelling. Defenders always change the criteria of judgement when this show is criticized. If it's suggested to leave the objectionable history of Rudeus out because it adds nothing to the story, it's insisted that it would be a much weaker show without the reincarnation material. If It's suggested that the content prevents people from being able to enjoy the show, then critics are lambasted for focusing too much on the objectionable content and not enjoying it. No criticism of the show can be tolerated whatsoever, even when the show is given special rules to ensure it gets its acclaim no matter what. It's remarkable to see how it can avoid any accountability whatsoever. Truly, it deserves five stars and belongs alongside the work of Science Saru, Kinema Citrus, and KyoAni with no reservations or objections at all. If it deserves the recommendation, it should be easy to prove it. |
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Daerian
 Posts: 322 |
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Everybody has their own preference
I for example cannot vibe with this slapstick comedy style and manic pacing, but I'm happy for anyone who likes it.
I would say duplicating scenes one to one was actually one of the big problems, because the movie was artistically bankrupt. It didn't have anything to say by itself, it was just trying to copy cool scenes and hit viewers with "see? do you remember that? wasn't it awesome" string of scenes, while not even connecting them well or thinking if they will look good when remade in live action. And that's even outside of them trying to make digital "yellow face" for Scarlett Johansson and all the other casting controversies. |
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Jabootu
Posts: 431 |
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Sometimes you read tepid or bad reviews here and you hope you'll enjoy the show anyway because it's the kind of thing you like. For instance, I have absolutely no issue with stat screens, which drive all the reviewers here crazy. So sometimes I like an isekai more than the people here do. Which is to be expected, after all, since we all like different things to varying degrees.
I was therefore hoping I'd like Insipid Prince more than other people because it's really the sort of thing I like. Sadly, it was not to be. My biggest problem was that a show like this needs to be sharply written, and boy, this one is not. The Prince's big brain stuff just never seems particularly smart. Second, he's immediately this commanding figure with this brash personality which to me is the opposite of "insipid." Why do people call him that, which is referenced many many times just in the first episode? No idea. A reluctant drop. Good thing there are so many other shows I'm liking so far. |
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