We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, manga, and light novels, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching and reading each week as we enjoy them. Old, new – anything goes.
Currently Airing:
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to be Archenemies
I don’t usually watch short episode anime, but I made an exception for this one. The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to be Archenemies (aka Mahoaku) is just too charming to resist. Byakuya Mimori is an orphan girl who works hard at her many (many, many, many, many) part time jobs, including being a magical girl. On one of her magical girl outings to defeat an evil rampaging dragon, she comes face-to-face with the Evil Empire’s right-hand man, Mira – who instantly falls head over heels in love with his enemy. Rather than engage in battles as they should, Mira instead takes to bringing Byakuya gifts, and the two slowly grow closer and learn more about one another. This pleases neither Mira’s evil cohorts, who insist he needs to take care of the magical girl, nor Byakuya’s magical girl familiar, who may or may not be yakuza.
It’s a fun but heartfelt genre spoof, gorgeously given life by Studio Bones, who lovingly convert the detailed and delicate manga by Cocoa Fujiwara into colorful, striking animation. Each episode is only 12 minutes, but they pack so much into each, and it never feels like you’re losing out on the extra 12 minutes you’d get in a full episode show. Fujiwara unfortunately passed away before the series finished, so I’m curious to see if Bones will give the story an ending or stick to only what Fujiwara was able to create. Regardless, I’m along for this ride. – Leah
You can watch The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to be Archenemies on Crunchyroll.
Manga:
Papa Told Me
When I last contributed to our Week in Anime & Manga recap, I talked about Papa Told Me, an episodic slice-of-life manga that mostly centers around Chise, an elementary schoolgirl wise beyond her years, and her author father. I had also mentioned last time that I had finally reached or was approaching chapter 100. I was looking forward to a mostly familiar experience by this point; however, the chapters that have followed have been vastly more whimsical than earlier ones, and many have been open-ended in their stories. No definite beginning or end, these particular chapters drop readers in at a moment where there may be a shift in someone’s life. We get to see some of the proceeding events, only for it to end openly and leave us with a sense of knowing that there is more to come, we just won’t see it. I cannot help but see the parallels of this style to real life, as we take actions and live our particular, individual moments, and we know more is in store, yet we don’t know how our personal storylines will end.
Another note, Chise’s maturity and leadership has begun to challenge her father’s role in the story. He has become a passive passenger rather than a teacher or leader as a parent ought to be. Several times, Chise has appeared to be the more reliable and reasonable of the two. Yes, she’s the MC, but undermining the father’s character does zero favors for a moment of humor or progress in this stand-alone chapter style.
Regardless, I’m almost at the end and will tell you my feelings once my journey with this mostly delightful manga ends. – Drew D.
Karakai Jouzu no (Moto) Takagi-san
It’s always melancholic when a great series comes to an end. Earlier this week, Karakai Jouzu no (Moto) Takagi-san or Skilled Teaser (Former) Takagi-san, just had its final chapter released in Japan. This manga takes place years after the original Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san (Skilled Teaser Takagi-san) where Takagi and Nishikata are married and have a five-year-old daughter named Chi. Teasing is, of course, one of the main themes, yet family, growth, experiences, and appreciation are all themes of this manga, too. Just as lighthearted and entertaining, (Moto) Takagi-san was an absolute pleasure to read.
This series ending is made even more melancholic, as once the final spin-off series ends, that will mark the end of the entire Takagi saga. Since 2012, we have enjoyed the teasing skills of Takagi throughout her middle school years, as well as into her and Nishikata’s adulthood. We’ve seen her love for Nishikata blossom, as well as Nishikata’s own realization of his feelings for Takagi. We also got to see how great they are to each other and as parents to Chi. I, and I’m sure plenty of fans, would have liked to have seen their highschool and college days, but, as of now, we are being told that this is the conclusion of the Takagi era.
*Sigh*… I’m realizing more and more that I’m finding it hard to say goodbye. Yes, I’m overjoyed that we received a wonderful manga and so many excellent spin-offs too. And yet, these goodbyes are becoming more emotional and tougher as time goes by… – Drew D.
Light Novels:
Spirit Chronicles – Vol 4
I’m almost finished reading volume 4 of Spirit Chronicles and I’ve also begun writing my review. While trying not to sound like a broken record, I reiterate what I said last time, in that this volume has marginalized most of the supporting cast again, but this time to introduce one new main character, yet two others who will mostly likely end up on the ever-growing list of side-characters. It’s a shame because the author, Kitayama Yuri, has such a talent for creating and developing characters. And so to see so many characters forgotten along the way, I can’t help but feel like this series is becoming an ongoing cycle of missed opportunities.
I am hoping the flow of new characters finally ceases and we get to spend more time with those we have, as so many of them are unique and intriguing. Not to mention the list is already immense and any more, at this point, may just dissuade me from immersing myself, as I would then know that disappointment is all that awaits. I want to keep reading, but author Kitayama is making me work for it… – Drew D.
What anime are you watching? What manga and light novels are you reading? Let us know in the comments!
You can read previous Week in Anime & Manga entries here!
