Must Watch Series
1. Boku dake ga Inai Machi
Status: Eagerly waiting for the next episode.
Current Episode Count: 4
This is hands down the best anime of the season as of today. It's a murder mystery with a more complex infrastructure which is complemented by stellar voice acting and pacing. The main character has a power that allows him to go back a short period of time in order to prevent something bad from happening. After a certain accident though he gets sent back to his childhood and must figure out what he needs to do in order to prevent the accident from happening in present day. The story is simple enough, but the character interactions, the dialogue, and the gravity of the situation can really be felt through the series. The only way this anime could end up betraying my high expectations is if his power is used too frequently, if the anime goes the Rokka no Yuusha route, or if it has an open ending. I highly suggest this anime to anyone and everyone.
You can watch Boku Dake ga Inai Machi on Crunchyroll here
2. Dagashi Kashi
Status: Amused
Current Episode Count: 4
Dagashi Kashi is not your average gag manga anime adaptation. It surpasses most shows with just its animation and sound, but also takes a more novel concept of Dagashi (most simply understood as Japanese candies), and combines it with fun situations that the characters get into. I doubt Dagashi Kashi will be for everyone just because I can see people perceiving it as slow paced or very niche. However, I think if you liked comedies such as Non Non Biyori, this comedy might be up your alley as well.
You can watch Dagashi Kashi on Crunhyroll here
3. Dimension W
Status: Intrigued
Current Episode Count: 4
I'm still not entirely sure how to feel about this show. It seems to be going in the direction of being generic rather than being unique. For now though, it is an interesting show about a world where we have discovered another dimension and are able to harness energy from it in the form of coils. The charm point of the show is the relationship between the main characters, one is a person who refuses to use coils and has some dark past. The other one is a robot who is trying to figure out what her father (creator) was trying to accomplish before he died. It's an entertaining anime at the very least, so I would recommend you to take a look.
You can watch Dimension W on Funimation here
4. Durarara!!x2 Ketsu
Status: Interested
Current Episode Count:4
Ok, now things are DEFINITELY happening. It only took two previous seasons of setup, but now things are back in full swing. If you've already watched the previous seasons, picking up the new season should be a no brainer. If you've stayed away from Durarara then I doubt anything I say will convince you to give it another shot. This season is more of the same just with the story actually starting to pick up pace.
You can watch Durarara!!x2 Ketsu on Crunchyroll here
Average
1. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2nd Season
Status: Same old
Current Episode Count: 4
If you liked the previous season of Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, you'll like its second season. It's just more of the same from the first season, so if you haven't watched it, there's no need to force yourself. It's still a very competent, entertaining show in my opinion, but not for everyone.
You can watch Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2nd Season on Funimation here
2. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2nd Season
Status: Same old
Current Episode Count: 4
Gate is an anime that I have a love/hate relationship with. While there are many elements of the show that I can accept, I just really hate the blatant Japanese nationalism being shoved down my throat almost each episode. There are some times that I can understand why they do that, but other times it just feels absolutely unnecessary and excessive. Nevertheless, Gate is still a decent anime that takes a relatively realistic approach to what would happen if a portal to a different dimension was discovered. Currently, the anime is basically just picking up where it left off and is trying to tie up loose ends while simultaneously making more. If you watched the first season and liked it, you might as well watch the second season as well.
You can watch Gate 2nd season on Crunchyroll here
3. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
Status: Interested
Current Episode Count: 4
This is one of those "not another virtual reality anime." It's still unclear whether or not they are actually in a virtual world or not, but it's pretty heavily implied that they are. The characters awake in a tower with no memories of who they are, where they came from, or why they're there. They are soon tossed into a world where they have to become adventurers to earn a living. However, the main characters are unable to even kill a goblin. The attraction of the show is the realistic approach the anime takes to a "virtual world." Every living thing bleeds and has survival instincts making everything seem very real and that much more frightening for the main characters who have no choice but to try and hunt creatures to make a living. The anime will be for anyone who likes this genre or like seeing friends come together to overcome adversity.
You can watch Hai to Gensou no Grimgar on Funimation here
4. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shufuku wo!
Status: Cautiously Interested
Current Episode Count: 4
I have a feeling that this anime will end up in the average section at the end of the season, but for now, it's a very enjoyable anime about a guy who dies a very pathetic death and is given the choice to be reincarnated as an adventurer in a different dimension. The anime is filled with funny moments and eccentric characters. Recently, it feels more dry than the previous episodes, but some of its humor is still very much on point. If you're looking for a comedy this season, this is your best bet.
You can watch Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shufuku wo! on Crunchyroll here
5. Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desukara
Status: Short and simple.
Current Episode Count: 4
Anime shorts that parody the Mahou Shoujo genre. It's entertaining, so if you have the time and are interested, I'd recommend it.
You can watch Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desukara on Crunchyroll here
6. Musaigen no Phantom World
Status: Please get better...
Current Episode Count: 4
Kyoto Animation's new anime. Well... it's good? I think? It's really hard to tell whether it's actually good or not, because it just feels so typical despite having a relatively unique setting. It's the usual, gather members while slowly easing the viewer into the world and solve character problems on the way. But, it's KyoAni, so that means good animation with moe and their fetish of the season which is boobs, I guess. If you're a KyoAni fan, watching it shouldn't be too hard, but otherwise, it's a pretty average show so far that I doubt will get much better.
You can watch Musaigen no Phantom World on Crunchyroll here
7. Ojisan to Marshmallow
Status: Meh
Current Episode Count: 4
Ojisan to Marshmallow is a cute but extremely repetitive show about a man and his love for Marshmallows. The show mainly hinges around the relationship between the man and his coworkers while throwing in his love for marshmallows which is comparable to the cocoa puff's bird's love for cocoa puffs. Yes, it is just as dumb as you think it is, but for an anime series that has 3 minutes long episodes, it's still relatively entertaining.
You can watch Ojisan to Marshmallow on Crunchyroll here
8. Oshiete! Galko-chan!
Status: So educational!
Current Episode Count: 4
Strangely informative while simultaneously being entertaining, Oshiete! Galko-chan! is one of the more interesting anime shorts in recent memory. I'm not necessarily saying that it's amazing, but it's definitely not what you'd expect it to be. If you wanna learn about general female facts and physiology, you don't even need to crack open a book-- all your random questions will be answered in this series.
You can watch Oshiete! Galko-chan! on Crunchyroll here
9. Schwarzesmarken
Status: Same old Muv Luv
Current Episode Count: 4
Remember Muv Luv? Yeah, here's more of it, but now it's in Germany. If you liked the Muv Luv anime, this is basically just more of the same-- tensions between different parties on how to kill the BETA and how they should proceed with the world around them, questions of loyalty, and possible romance. I really don't see anything too special in this iteration of Muv Luv, but I don't see anything terrible quite yet to warrant me classifying this as anything less than "average."
You can watch Schwarzesmarken on Crunchyroll here
10. Sekkou Boys
Status: Intrigued
Current Episode Count: 4
This show's just weird but not really bad. It's another short series but this time, it centers around statues who are trying to be idols and the newbie producer who is trying to produce them. It features a star studded cast of voices and is approximately three minutes per episode. If you've got the time and interest, I'd say it's not that bad of a time waster.
You can watch Sekkou Boys on Crunchyroll here
11. Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu
Status: Meh
Current Episode Count: 4
If you've seen Saekano, well you've basically seen this anime. Though there is a different vibe to the anime, the general idea is the same-- let's make a visual novel! The only thing is that, the anime is really bland thus having no real hook to bring in the audience. They try to put everything into layman's terms in an attempt to get the viewer to understand and accept their actions, but honestly, everything is just tied up way too neatly. Sure, it's an anime so anything that is next to impossible to accomplish in the real world is fair game in the anime world, but gathering an almost perfect team of staff to make a game in a very short amount of time is up there with the creation of the universe. That is to say, it's very unbelievable and uninteresting. They try to compensate by having problems arise with the characters' work and relationships with one another, but those feel so shallow and forced, it's hard to keep interest. Despite the show's short comings though, it still does give a relatively comprehensive insight into the game creation world in a way that Saekano never did while also offering decent animation.
You can watch Shoujo-tach wa Kouya wo Mezasu on Hulu here
Don't Deserve Your Attention
1. Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hachi Gakari
Status: Not so good
Current Episode Count: 4
The show really reminds me of a poor man's Tiger and Bunny. It centers around a police task force that deals with the illegal use of power suits which are basically like mecha suits but human size. The use of CG could be better and it is essentially just another story of a straightlaced newbie meeting with an eccentric unit who works in unconventional ways to get the job done. It offers little in the way of entertainment or value thus making me have to label it as something that does not deserve your attention.
You can watch Active Raid on Crunchyroll here
2. Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm
Status: Can't really bring myself to like it
Current Episode Count: 4
I really like the voice acting for this show and the general concept, but I just cannot see this show succeeding. It's a generic boy meets girl without the romance for now. The show is progressing very slowly, taking its time to develop characters when it has a very short span of time to answer a ton of questions they rose in the first several episodes while also getting the characters to compete in a real match. What's most likely going to happen is that there will be a tournament, they'll go to it, get really close to winning it, but then some tragedy will strike and they'll get depressed and stuff. After that, they'll cheer up and take the world on again. It feels just so absolutely generic, it's difficult to feel any motivation to watch it. However, I still do like the voice work for the series and the general concept, so while I cannot recommend this to most people, I can recommend it to anyone who values voice acting above anything.
You can watch Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm on Crunchyroll here
3. Divine Gate
Status: Nope
Current Episode Count: 4
Divine Gate is based off of a mobile game and it shows. Though the animation is without a doubt above average, the plot and characters are shallow and forgettable. It feels like just another battle anime with misfit children trying to find themselves and correct some error they made when they were younger. This coupled with the predictability of the progression of its plot makes it difficult to recommend the anime to anyone except for maybe fans of the game.
You can watch Divine Gate on Funimation here
4. Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru
Status: Git gud
Current Episode Count: 4
This is like Hyouka and Euphonium combined into one, really dumb anime. Despite advertising itself as a music anime, there is barely any music to be found in the anime. The anime mostly deals with the gathering of performers for the band and it's the same formula every time. A previously amazing musician had some kind of trauma and then stopped playing because of it. Now it's up to the gang to solve the mystery and get them to play with them! It's the same thing every episode and quite frankly, it's getting old. This sentiment is only exacerbated by the poor quality of the cast and the general feel that I get that there is little to no care going into the anime. The anime has some good, emotional mysteries, but they just feel so out of place because the anime is having an identity crisis on whether it should be serious or not. If the anime got its act together, I think it could be better, but for now, I would recommend not giving it a watch.
You can watch Haruhchka on Funimation here
5. Ooyasan wa Shishunki!
Status: Eh
Current Episode Count: 4
Another short series. This one's about a landlord who is in middle school and the guy who moved in next door. It's very unmemorable and leaves zero impression on you after watching it.
You can watch Ooyasan wa Shishunki! on Crunchyroll here
6. Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut
Status: Generic
Current Episode Count: 4
Ah, the token harem/ecchi of the season. It's actually surprising how this is probably the only harem/ecchi of the season... but enough about that. Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut offers nothing new to the anime world, taking elements from everywhere resulting in a very predictable show that makes me feel like I've already seen it. If you're looking for your harem/ecchi fix, this is it. Otherwise, there's really nothing of worth in the anime from what I've seen so far.
You can watch Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut on Hulu here
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