It's May already
Manga:
Shibuya Near Family continues to be good. Koji Kumeta seems to be taking time off, so there was only one chapter in the last month. A
Iwakutsuki Bukken no Yakuro-san is a short (19 chapters) cute read about a ghost waifu. For what it is, it was alright. B-
After Being Executed With the Words "Necromancers Are Disgusting," I Will Start My New Life as a Demon is one of those otome isekai manga with horrible long titles... this one's ๐ฏ๐๐๐ถ. Unfortunately it seems to be a romance with the evil but secretly caring demon lord. Mehhhh D+
Anime:
I have watched the first half of Gundam 00's first season. The politics are funny. It basically takes Mithril from Full Metal Panic and makes their goals more ridiculous - while also being completely serious about it. But the show itself is fun, and the visuals aged quite well. Also, I discovered that the album the ED song is from (The Back Horn - Pulse) is actually quite good. Apparently the show goes off the rails soon-ish, so I guess I'll see how much of a shitshow it will become B
The Namek arc in Dragon Ball Z is very strong. There's still... 200 episodes to go. A
A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof is the new Studio Shaft anime, and unfortunately is nowhere as adventurous as their peak (beyond the start of E1, which is done in an authentic early 1970s animation style). The show itself is fine. C+
Recovery of an MMO Junkie is something Animefeminist.com fawns over, and the first impression confirms their views. Moriko is a very relatable protagonist for anyone who is an adult that feels directionless in life (and got hooked on being terminally on the computer) - but I am too early into the show to comment if it's worth watching.
Bakemonogatari is a show that, for the most part, has not lived up to its sordid reputation (unfortunately "for the most part"). In fact, it's significantly more interesting than what I expected. I'm reserving my judgement until I see where the story goes, if anywhere, beyond character arcs. For better or worse, this is Shaft at its peak.
Western Animation
Gravity Falls is still fun. Though was the Dipper in love aspect of the show really necessary? Ah well. B+
Manga
Finished Vagabond. Don't get the hype, honestly. Maybe it's a translation thing but the "philosophy" is very unclear imo, and while the action is fine it's nothing amazing. Obviously not helped by it just going on indefinite hiatus in the prelude to the final arc. 5/10.
Anime
Finished Pluto. One of the worst things I've ever watched. Ultimately, it's about how the people of Iraq should forgive the US for the invasion because somethingsomething cycle of violence. To that I say, fuck no? Lots of world building that's just vaguely mentioned and never built upon that's much, MUCH more interesting than anything that happens on screen. Every single one of the super robots deserved it, Robot Devil is best boy, Death to Thracia, 1/10.
Finished Re:Zero S3. It's pretty bad. Why do the women and girls all have to look like that? Why does the main character have to act like that? Come on, man. Also, by avoiding the loops, they also avoid the most interesting part of the series IE trying to slowly puzzle out the best path through a problem. 5/10.