My First Impressions on 9 New Anime Series of Spring 2019

We are now in the opening days of the spring 2019 anime season, and it’s time for me once again to offer my initial thoughts on some new shows that I decided to try.  So far, I’ve watched one or two episodes of nine anime making their debuts this season.  However, I won’t necessarily be adding all of them to my crowded weekly watch list, which already include The Rising of the Shield Hero and Dororo, carryovers from last season, and the returning One Punch Man and Attack on Titan.  In addition, I may also end up watching some new anime that aren’t in this list down the line (if the buzz is to be believed, Carole and Tuesday is going to be important).

Anyway, here are the nine, arranged in descending order by their likelihood of keeping me as a viewer – i.e. from “what I’m certainly watching for the long haul” to “what I will probably drop or have already dropped”:

Fruits Basket

In a nutshell:

A remake of the 2001 anime.  Orphaned high schooler Tohru Honda finds herself living in the house of her heartthrob classmate Yuki Soma and his relatives, Shigure and Kyo, in exchange for doing the housekeeping.  Soon, she discovers the secret of the Soma clan: its members temporarily turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite sex.

Number of episodes as of writing: 2

My initial thoughts:

I haven’t seen the first Fruits Basket anime, which is apparently an iconic shojo.  So, it’s only now through this remake that I will be experiencing this story for the first time.  And this may actually be preferable.  Apparently, this new anime version is the true adaptation of the manga, as the original anime had to divert from its source material when it caught up with it (this is similar to the case of Full Metal Alchemist and Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood). Anyway, based on its two first episodes, this is looking to be an extremely sweet, fun ride.

Magmel of the Sea Blue

In a nutshell:

One day, a new continent mysteriously comes out of nowhere in the Pacific Ocean.  Named Magmel, it’s full of weird animals, plants, resources, and hazards that have never been seen before.  The story focuses on Inyo, a mercenary of sorts who rescues explorers who get lost in Magmel.

Number of episodes as of writing: 1

My initial thoughts:

It has the most intriguing premise this season.  It feels like a less aesthetic but more action-oriented version of Made in Abyss, and I dig it.

Isekai Quartet

In a nutshell:
A chibi short-form anime that brings together the characters of popular isekai shows KonoSuba, Overlord, Re:Zero, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil in a non-canon slice-of-life school comedy.

Numbers of episodes as of writing: 1

My initial thoughts:

The concept is kind of absurd, but it’s highly entertaining and funny.  On the down side (sort of), it is obliging me to binge-watch The Saga of Tanya the Evil – the only one of the four shows I haven’t seen yet – and I will sometime this month.  I’m just guessing that this is a necessary thing to do in order to fully maximize my understanding and enjoyment of Isekai Quartet’s gags.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba a.k.a. Blade of Demon Destruction

In a nutshell:

Tanjiro Kamado returns to his home and finds his family slaughtered by a demon.  Her sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon.  Determined to turn her back into human and avenge their family, Tanjiro decides to become a demon slayer.

Number of episodes as of writing: 2

My initial thoughts:

It took until the second episode before it finally hooked me.  But, yeah, I’m gonna watch the entire season.  It has great animation and action, and its story has the potential of becoming addicting.

Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher!

In a nutshell:

High schooler Ichiro Sato keeps unintentionally getting into awkward erotic situations with his “demon” teacher Kana Kojima.

Number of episodes as of writing: 1

My initial thoughts:

It’s pure, unadulterated trash.  I’m probably going to watch the entire season. 

Magi’s Grandson a.k.a. Wise Man’s Grandchild

In a nutshell:
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Baby in Another World and Was Raised by a Powerful Mage and Became a Powerful Mage Myself

Episodes as of writing: 1

My initial thoughts:

Yeah, it’s another doggone isekai, and it’s chock-filled with clichés.  But it’s still fairly endearing because of its self-awareness and promising comedy.  I’m giving it a chance.

Yu-No: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World

In a nutshell:

After receiving a mysterious package from his missing father, Takuya Arima begins an adventure across parallel universes.

Number of episodes as of writing: 2 (but I only watched the first one)

My initial thoughts:

I picked it up because I was led to the impression that it could be the next Steins;Gate. However, the pilot bored me.  Thus, I’m dropping it for now.  Might pick up again if I hear it becomes much better.

Fairy Gone

In a nutshell:

It’s set in a world where fairies are implanted into humans that they may be used as weapons.  These humans were referred to as “Fairy Soldiers.”  After the war, they went their separate ways – some worked for the government, some joined the mafia, some became terrorists, etc.

Number of episodes as of writing: 1

My initial thoughts:

It reminds me of this obscure anime called Kiba.  It’s solidly crafted, but the pilot didn’t convince me to continue watching.

Ao-chan Can’t Study!

In a nutshell:

Ao Horie dreams of getting into an elite university that she may get away from her father, who is a bestselling author of erotic novels.  Due to her upbringing, she usually misreads social situations and put sexual connotations to them.

Number of episodes as of writing: 2 (but I only watched the first one)

My initial thoughts:

I checked it out hoping for a hilarious ecchi comedy (same reason why I picked up Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher!, by the way).  However, Ao’s obnoxious father and bland humor turned me off from watching more episodes.