With the majority of shows in the fall season passing their midway episode this week, if you haven’t started watching a show yet now is a perfect time. But because there’s so many to pick from, you may find yourself overwhelmed and overburdened with the choice. That’s where we come in. We here at Sequential Planet have watched most of the shows this season, good or bad, and now we’re here to tell you which shows to watch and which aren’t worth your time.
Ace Attorney Season 2
Studio: CloverWorks
Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Stream: Crunchyroll
Just as its title suggests, this is the second season of the Ace Attorney anime. Covering the third game in the series Trials and Tribulations, the series so far has been about the same quality as the previous season. However, because it seems to only be covering one game as opposed to the previous season covering two, this season is able to take its time with the presentation. While we’re only halfway through the season as of publication, we think it’s safe to say this season is better than the first.
Evaluation: Give it a try. If you watched and enjoyed season 1, consider giving this season a watch as well.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Golden Wind
After the long wait, David Production released the anime adaptation of the fifth series in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure epic. Following the son of Dio Brando, Giorno Giovanna wishes to rise to the top of the criminal underworld and become a “Gang-Star” (basically a criminal but, like, actually a nice guy though). And while the show isn’t even a third of the way over at 39 episodes, it’s already shaping up to be the best anime adaptation of the JoJo series yet. The battles have all been absurd but action-packed, and the animation has been particularly crisp this season. And the soundtrack, like past seasons, perfectly fits the ridiculously flashy style of the show.
Verdict: Watch it. Everyone, JoJo Friday’s are back in a big way.
Goblin Slayer
Easily the most controversial anime of the season, Goblin Slayer features the titular character questing with his party to solve many different goblin-related quests. While our review of the first episode was positive, the following episodes have been generally mediocre especially when compared to its manga counterpart. The anime is almost completely devoid of the charm and humor that the manga possesses, and instead tries to home in on the darker elements of the story to create something much weaker and less appealing than its source material. Not to mention, the frequent use of computer-generated animation really takes away from the already lackluster visuals.
Verdict: Skip it. If you want to watch something in the same vein, Slime is a much better alternative. Or, just read the manga.
Golden Kamuy Season 2
Studio: Geno Studio
Genre: Action, Historical
Stream: Crunchyroll
Returning from the spring season, Golden Kamuy continues its story of a former soldier and a young girl from an indigenous tribe searching for a rumored treasure. This season is just more of the same but in the best way. The show continues to bring the delightful humor and dialogue from the previous season without it becoming stale. The plot continues to be fairly intriguing, but the real reason to watch the show is for the characters. The characters are both over-the-top and down-to-earth, and while some of them don’t have the most depth to them there’s enough there for you to root for them.
Verdict: Watch it. The only people this review is really for is people who watched the first season: if you watched all of season 1 and wanted more, this is it.
Hinomaruzumo
Studio: Gonzo
Genre: Sports, Martial Arts
Stream: Crunchyroll
What’s an anime season without sports? Focusing on sumo wrestling, Hinomaruzumo is a standard sports shounen that follows a child prodigy MC who joins the down-on-their-luck high school team because they have “heart”. It’s definitely a cliché, but the show manages to do all the tropes really well, and the action sequences are always animated well with dynamic and clear movements. The characters are all types, but they’re all likable enough where you don’t mind it. This anime doesn’t do anything particularly new or interesting with the sports template, but it remains entertaining enough to tune in every week to see more of our sumo boys.
Verdict: Give it a try. If you’re a fan of sports anime, this is worth a watch. It’s no Eyeshield or Haikyuu, but it will scratch the sports itch a bit.
Jingai-san no Yome
Studio: Saetta
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Stream: Crunchyroll
Adapted from a four-koma manga, each 3-minute episode follows high school boys becoming “wives” of monster creatures and the antics surrounding it. Jingai-san no Yome doesn’t bother explaining how or why high schoolers marry monsters, and society seems to accept this as the norm. The humor of the show stems not necessarily on how bizarre the whole situation is but instead has the boy wives have cute or romantic feelings for their monster husbands that give off serious bishonen vibes. There probably is a market for this type of show, but it wasn’t for us.
Verdict: Skip it. Somehow, with a 3-minute duration, it still feels like a waste of time.
Ms. Vampire Who Lives In My Neighborhood
This is the latest “cute girls doing cute things” anime, with an undead twist. Ms. Vampire Who Lives In My Neighborhood follows the usual moe formula but features a vampire to mix things up a bit. Really, there isn’t anything special here. The inclusion of the vampire doesn’t spice the series up in a noteworthy way. Some of the jokes work, but they aren’t enough to make this an enjoyable comedy.
Verdict: Skip It. If you absolutely need a cute girls anime, this works, but you can do better. Go watch a different moe show.
Radiant
Based on the French manga, Radiant presented itself as a fairly basic shounen adventure story with the inexperienced-but-talented-protagonist setting out on their quest to become the Best Hero. And so far, it’s more or less continued to be exactly that. While every episode so far has been enjoyable, there isn’t too much that makes the show stand out on its own besides being animated well and having flashy action scenes. The characters are likable but not enough to be memorable, and the plot doesn’t have anything going for it quite yet to keep you coming back every week besides the basic curiosity of watching the MC grow.
Verdict: Give it a try. This show doesn’t do anything wrong, but it also doesn’t do enough right. It’s not a bad show to have in your queue, but when stacked up against a lot of other shows this season this show could easily fall to the wayside.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
When we initially reviewed this show, we saw it as a pleasant surprise that had a lot of potential with its story and characters. Now, halfway through the season, we’re happy to say this has become one of the best anime this fall. With a cast of genuine and likable characters, plot lines with interesting twists to the typical romantic comedy, and dialogue that while cheesy always feels natural (not to mention voiced well), there isn’t much to dislike about this show. So far the show has managed to remain fresh every week and presenting typical tropes or scenarios in romantic comedies but adding elements that create for much more sincere and mature emotional moments than you’d normally see.
Verdict: Watch it. If you like romcoms, this is a must-watch.
Run With the Wind
Run With The Wind is the latest sports anime by Production I.G. The series follows Kakeru, an all-star runner who finds himself on a team of complete novices. The story isn’t especially unique, but the series has a wonderful cast full of heart. The art and calming music make this a watch that is both fun and cozy. So far, nothing has really “happened” yet, so if you want a lot of action, this series might turn you off.
Verdict: Give it a try. This won’t be for everyone, but fans of Haikyuu and Welcome to the Ballroom will find a lot to like here.
Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San
Based on the manga author’s real-life experience working at a bookstore in Japan, Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san is another surprise hit this season. With a colorful cast, quality voice acting, and great reaction shots, the show is able to illustrate different situations within the world of bookselling fairly honestly while also remaining humorous throughout. Some of the humor may require an understanding of Japanese culture to fully appreciate, but anyone who’s worked in retail can probably relate to some of the situations the characters get up to in this show.
Verdict: Watch it. Honda-San manages to deliver laughs and smiles week after week.
SSSS Gridman
If you have watched Ultraman before, you’ve seen SSSS Gridman. This isn’t a bad thing though. What SSSS Gridman lacks in creativity it makes up for in style and presentation. The battles are fun, the slice of life is relaxing, and the visuals are astounding. The story isn’t particularly special (a boy with amnesia is able to connect with a giant, sentient robot) and the characters aren’t interesting. Still, SSSS Gridman‘s strengths easily overcome its weaknesses.
Verdict: Give it a try: Fans of giant robots and kaiju will find a lot of to love in this series. Those who want a deeper experience will need to look elsewhere.
Sword Art Online: Alicization
SAO is known for poor character-development, awful pacing, and under-utilizing a fine concept. In Alicization, Kirito finds himself in a fantasy virtual world. He bonds with a boy named Eugeo while struggling with memories that don’t belong to him. So far, this is easily the best season of the series, with an interesting world and incredible production. Unfortunately, it is still bogged down by the uninteresting cast (Kirito is still Kirito) and shakey pacing.
Verdict: Give it a try. Fans of the series will love this season. Everyone else will be frustrated by the amount of potential that isn’t being realized.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Isekai is quickly becoming a tired genre, but every now and then we get a series that not only has a novel idea but also executes everything well. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime features a protagonist that reincarnates as a slime of all things. He travels through a typical fantasy world as makes the world a better place for everyone he finds. The anime is full of life and a charm like no other. It’s quirky, fun, and never takes itself seriously. Throw in some stellar production and you have a contender for best anime of the season.
Verdict: Watch it. This is not only the best isekai of the year but likely the best fantasy series.
Zombie Land Saga
This is one of the most talked about anime of the season and for good reason. No really knew what this series would be about until aired, and it delivered one of the most ridiculous introductions possible. I don’t want to spoil too much, but the show revolves a group of idol zombies that need to save the world. The writing balances comedy and emotion incredibly well, and remains much more than just a “meme show.”
Verdict: Watch it: Comedy fans will find a lot to love in a show with much more depth than expected.
