We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching each week as we watch it. Old, new – anything goes.
Currently Airing:
Mob Psycho 100 III
And so we’ve reached the end. After all of his friends and family tried getting through to Mob to help calm him down, the last one left is Reigen, who braves the literal storm around Shigeo in order to talk to him in one of the most beautifully-animated running sequences I’ve seen in a long time. Rebuffed again and again by Mob’s psychic powers, Reigen is relentless despite taking beating after beating. His tenacity earns him one of the best uses of Opening Anime Song moments, too. Even so, Reigen isn’t able to reach Mob, who marches toward Seasoning Park and Tsubomi-chan, who – against all reason but holding true to her ideals – has not fled in the face of the supernatural disaster bearing down on her. Mob sounded so shaky on the phone, after all. She can’t abandon their promised meeting. Thankfully, Reigen is somehow there before Mob, thanks to the intervention of another old friend, and I’m not ashamed to say I squealed in glee at this moment. Reigen and Mob have a heart-to-heart in which the self-proclaimed psychic of the century finally comes clean to his protege: Reigen has never had psychic powers and has made up everything he’s ever said to Mob on the fly. He’s a charlatan who used Shigeo for his own ends, but it’s clear that Mob has grown up and doesn’t need Reigen anymore. Mob can finally just accept himself, because he’s strong enough to do so. Having the truth laid out in front of him snaps Mob back to his senses and gives him the opportunity to have one final confrontation with the strongest esper he’s ever faced: himself. It’s not a fluke that Mob and Shigeo’s conversation is set to boss music, and it’s an honestly beautiful moment. Accepting yourself is hard. Coming to terms with the person you are – your flaws, your fears, your insecurities, your emotions – is one of the hardest things a person can ever do. Add trauma to that and it’s even harder. And yet through compassion, understanding and love, Shigeo manages it. It’s cathartic and well-earned. This entire final episode was just a master class in character writing. I’m really glad I got to watch this show, and it’s definitely cemented its place as my favorite anime of all time. – Leah
– You can watch Mob Psycho 100 on Crunchyroll.
Akiba Maid War
Things were beginning to look up the previous episode before ending with a surprise death, and we see that it was very much not going to be a fadeout. While the others grieve, Nagomi seems to follow a dark path similar to what Ranko did and sets out for revenge. While the act is kind of funny regarding how Nagomi is, we see that she definitely isn’t Ranko and she doesn’t go far. On the other side of it, the killer is revealed to be a surviving member from the café Ranko wiped out in the first episode. When she is found Nagi, doesn’t punish her, and instead goes back on her last decision and decides to wipe out the Oinky Doink Café. The ramen shop owner reveals quite a bit about the past and the maids get ready for the attack; however, instead of fighting as they have been, Nagomi says they will face them as actual maids. While the idea is crazy, it does fit the series. The episode is dark and tense, especially towards the end, but they still are able to add some comedy in. The ending is something that I can see some people not liking. Myself, I really liked it and thought it fits. The series calls back to previous things, such as how the dance at the end calls back to the climax of the first episode. The episode makes things come full circle, though inverts them as it’s Nagomi’s path that’s followed and not the bloody one that Nagi and Ranko followed. The ending is a bit abrupt and quick, though the final kill is satisfying. I kind of wish there was more time to see what happens to all the maids, but that kind of is an issue with the show only being 12 episodes. That being said, I’m glad there was – for the most part – a happy ending, and I hope there is an OVA to see some things we didn’t see after Nagomi’s dance. It’s an odd show, but it’s something that I can’t help but love. – Walter
– You can watch Akiba Maid War on HIDIVE.
SPY x Family
Loid finally gets his chance to talk to the elder Desmond after shadowing Damian for days leading up to an Imperial Scholar shindig at the Eden College. Using Anya as a ruse, Loid ingratiates himself to Damian just before the boy is about to meet with his reclusive father. We get to see Loid’s spy skills, intelligence, and quick thinking on fully display here, and after the more carefree episodes leading up to this one, it was sort of refreshing to remember how capable Twilight actually is. He isn’t able to glean too much information from his target, but he does manage to get his name out there and make an impression, leading to hopeful inroads for the continuation of Operation Strix. I like how much we get to see of Damian’s relationship with his dad and how it’s so different from Anya’s with Loid. Being a “real” family doesn’t necessarily mean much, after all. It gives a lot more depth to Damian without completely absolving him of being a little shit. Anya’s attempt to “take on the boss monster” was hilariously cute, as well, and Loid having no idea what his daughter thinks is adorable. I can’t get over how good the character dynamics in this show are. I’m excited for whenever we get Season 2 and the movie next year to see where things go from here. – Leah
– You can watch SPY x Family on Crunchyroll.
Bocchi the Rock!
The finale starts off with the Kessoku Band playing some new songs. During the course of the concert, a string breaks on Bocchi’s guitar and she has to improvise, which is pretty impressive. Three songs are to be performed, but unfortunately we only get to hear two of them. Before the third, Bocchi is asked for a few words and, panicking, does something unexpected. Besides the ending, the concert for the most part is successful. Bocchi also finds out some good news in that she actually made money off of her videos. This leads to her considering quitting her job. It probably can go without saying there are a lot of good moments they finished off with. My favorites were another Dragon Ball reference and Bocchi’s reaction to her father mentioning her lies online. I only started this show on a chance this season, but I’m glad I did. This is one that I’m hoping does get another season. – Walter
– You can watch Bocchi the Rock! on Crunchyroll.
Anime of the Past:
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
This is a movie that I put in the same category as Die Hard since, for me, it’s a Christmas movie. I’m a fan of the original series, though it goes without saying it had some problems (Endless Eight will always be a tough one). With that being said, I think the movie more than makes up for some of those. Set before Christmas, Kyon finds that the world has changed with differences such as Haruhi seemingly gone, and a Yuki that appears human. I liked the idea that the movie seems to show a world that seems to have gone back to normal in a way, considering what unfolds in the series. Another thing that I enjoy is the music, which I think fits well. Yuki is also one of my favorites and she ends up having an important role. For me this is one of the things I try to put up whenever the season comes. – Walter
What anime are you watching? Let us know in the comments!
You can read previous Week in Anime entries here!
