oprainfall Week in Anime: Feb 5 - 11

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:

Buddy Daddies

Started this one just by chance. For me the name wasn’t the most appealing, and its description will probably draw some comparisons to another recent series about a family adopting a daughter. That being said, I’m enjoying this much more than I thought I would have and caught up on all the episodes so far. We get introduced to Kazuki and Rei who work together as hitmen. Kazuki is usually the one who obtains information, disguises, and sneaks around, while Rei is the actual triggerman and puts down people quite cold and efficiently. During the course of a hit, Kazuki comes into contact with a four-year-old girl named Miri and events proceed to where she views him as her father. While at first trying to get her out of their hands, there are some revelations which put the pair as her guardians. There is quite a bit of back and forth with the comedic, light-hearted things Miri does, and the violence and heavier plot points. We see that Kazuki and Rei haven’t had the best pasts, not to mention rough upbringings. I like the difference in their personalities with Kazuki becoming attached to Miri quickly and actually caring about her. Rei instead is more guarded and is much less of an open person. It’s nice to see the bond between them and Miri grow each episode. I could see some people thinking Miri is annoying, but to be honest I think her character is pretty on point for a kid. I’ve barely heard anything about this show being mentioned, but I think it’s one of my favorites so far this season. – Walter

— You can watch Buddy Daddies on Crunchyroll.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War

Lavi and crew end up in the town of Celdic, but are intercepted by Lechter, Altina, and Millium of the Imperial Army Intelligence Division. Lechter tells them of the Razing of Celdic, an atrocity brought upon the town by Northern Jaegers in S.1204. We also learn that Martin took part in the razing, and Lechter points out that Lavi is the granddaughter of Vlad Winslet, something Iseria and Talion did not know. The crew flee from the Intelligence Division operatives and hide out in the forest. Martin then tries to inspire Talion and Lavi to follow their goals and not end up like him, and then he goes off to lure the operatives away so the others can escape. Martin is cornered by the trio and Lavi is able to escape with the others.

This episode we finally get to see some development for Martin. He took part in the razing, but he didn’t enjoy it. He understands that in order to survive as a jaeger, you will have to do unpleasant jobs no matter what, so long as you’re ordered to do it. The fact that he didn’t want this for Lavi and Talion was pretty cool. Though he called their ideas naive, it seems he has some hope for the younger generation of Northern Jaegers. It seems like Martin’s words may have gotten to Lavi and she may have finally decided what she wants to do. It was great seeing Millium again, and it was funny seeing her and Altina’s teamwork, or lack thereof. Where’s Rean to help them when they need him? We got to hear some more music from the game’s during the chase scene, and I liked how they referenced events from the game. I’m curious what Lechter has planned for Martin now that they captured him. And I’m also curious what Lavi and crew do from here. The Northern Jaegers brass also look to be at odds with each other, so I wonder how that will feed into future events. This episode was more serious than past episodes, I enjoyed it. – Patrick

— You can watch The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War on Crunchyroll.

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale

Anne and Challe return to Lewiston as Pull Souls Day is close at hand. They learn that the Duke of Philax, William Alburn, is looking for skilled silver sugar confection artisans, and the artisan that accomplishes his request will receive a thousand cress. Anne goes to Philax, submits one of her sugar confections, and is allowed to stay in the castle. Her main objective is to recreate a beautiful fairy shown in painted portraits around the castle. Unfortunately, she reunites with everyone’s least favorite boy, Jonas. The two both create their own versions of the fairy and are the only two artisans to make it through the next stage of testing. Now, the two must refine their fairy confections in the hopes of pleasing the Duke of Philax.

I have to say, I don’t really trust William Alburn. Hugh may vouch for him, but Lord Downing must be suspicious of him for a good reason. He doesn’t give a reason on why he wants this silver sugar confection, he just has this dead eyed look most of the time. I’m worried for Anne’s safety there, but luckily Challe is allowed to stay with her. I was not pleased to see Jonas, at all. That boy is a snake, and he deserves another slap for what he did to Anne. If they actually have to compete again, I don’t see how Jonas has a chance. Anne is that much better. Also, Challe was a champ, once again, in this episode. Jonas and his lackeys were ganging up on Anne, and Challe just stepped up and drew his sword on them. I love how protective Challe is of Anne, it’s always cool to see. It’s also adorable seeing how flustered Challe can make Anne now. That scene by the water well was a great example. Those two are so cute. Another good episode, but I really want to know what Alburn’s intentions are. I hope nothing shady goes on in the next episode. – Patrick

— You can watch Sugar Apple Fairy Tale on Crunchyroll.

Trigun Stampede

It was another Wolfwood-centered episode and what an episode it was this week. Despite her protests, Roberto and Meryl part ways with Vash and Nicholas once they reach Terminal and the two gunmen board the sand steamer Humpback to make their way across the Great Sand Ocean toward July. Vash can’t quite understand Wolfwood’s aim, but the undertaker just says he’s out to keep the Humanoid Typhoon safe, since Vash can’t bring himself to kill anyone to save his own skin. As usual, he’s right, because they come under attack just moments later from another gunman assassin from Wolfwood’s past: Livio, his erstwhile younger brother from the orphanage. Cue one of the most gorgeously animated sequences Stampede has had so far as we get a look into Nicholas’ past as both an orphan and an experiment at the hands of a shady scientist. Enter the man, the myth, the legend: Legato Bluesummers, who proceeds to just wreck Wolfwood’s day in both flashback and present. He’s the one pitting Nicholas against Livio, and also sabotages the Humpback so that the giant ship is on a collision course with the orphanage where Wolfwood was raised. “He’s purely trying to protect too much.” When it comes to saving Vash, helping Livio, or protecting the orphanage, what choice will Wolfwood make? Stampede continues exceeding my expectations and I am so incredibly invested in where this story is headed. – Leah