The Cel Block: Anime Reviews & Analysis for the Gen-X Fan

AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline stumbles in its attempt to honor mecha anime traditions. Despite Sunrise Beyond's pedigree, this 2021 series fails to capture the essence of its predecessors. While offering decent action sequences and animation, the show suffers from bland protagonists, misplaced chibi AI characters, and derivative storytelling. Set in a divided future Japan, it stands as a cautionary tale of how not to approach the mecha genre.

"My Deer Friend Nokotan" delivers a disappointing comedy anime experience despite its viral marketing and catchy opening theme. Following Torako Koshi, a perfect student hiding her delinquent past, and the chaotic deer-girl Shikanoko, the show fails to maintain its humor beyond episode one. While featuring excellent voice acting and clever easter eggs, its repetitive jokes and shallow characters make it a forgettable addition to the Summer 2024 lineup.

A critical examination of "A Nobody's Way Up to an Exploration Hero," a failed attempt to capitalize on Solo Leveling's success. This anime follows Kaito Takagi, who gains the power to summon Lolis after defeating 100 slimes. Despite its dungeon exploration premise, the series suffers from poor execution, forgettable characters, and subpar animation. A disappointing entry in the genre that serves as a cautionary tale for rushed productions riding popular trends.

16bit Sensation: Another Layer starts as a charming dive into 90s visual novel development, following Akisato Konoha's time-traveling adventure into game creation. While the first half captivates with authentic gaming industry insights and nostalgic references to classics like Kanon and Clannad, the series takes an unfortunate turn in its latter half, ultimately earning a 7/10 despite its promising premise.

"A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics" attempts to follow in the footsteps of successful reverse isekai anime like "The Devil is a Part-Timer" but stumbles in execution. Despite an intriguing premise featuring a princess-knight duo transported to modern Japan, the show struggles with pacing issues and uneven character development. While it offers moments of charm, particularly in Sara and the detective's chemistry, it ultimately falls short of its potential.
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Major 2nd's second season deviates significantly from the beloved original Major series, introducing controversial changes like a predominantly female team and reduced focus on protagonist Daigo Shigeno. While featuring decent character development, the 2020 release suffered from COVID-19 impacts and production issues. The season's departure from Major's traditional storytelling formula and abrupt ending left longtime fans disappointed, marking a controversial chapter in the franchise's history.