Let's Make a Mug Too

After her father's business failed in Tokyo, Himeno Toyokawa and her dad moved back to Gifu where her mother and father grew up. On her first day of high school Himeno introduces herself by pulling out cups that are used in her family's restaurant and advertises her father's new business. After class a fellow classmate pulls Himeno aside and takes her all the way to the pottery club. Mika Kukari recognized the creator of the cups and mugs and believed that Himeno was a collector of pottery. The pieces were made by Himeno Tokikawa, who is famous in the world of pottery, and also happens to be Himeno's mother. Watch as Himeno grows a love for pottery and learns to use it to put a smile on people's faces.

Let's Make a Mug Too was a fun little anime. Though the fact that they didn't actually make a mug is both hilarious and disappointing to me. However, there still is a chance in season 2. I will say that it kind of gave me the same vibes as a sports anime. The constant training to improve. the competition, and the slice of life scenes in between gave it a similar feel to Scorching Ping Pong Girls and Ro-Kyu-Bu. It also has a relaxing feel which kind of reminded me of Encouragement of Climb as well. There is an episode where the pottery club goes to the river in their swimsuits, but besides that it remains completely wholesome. I would definitely suggest giving it a try, if you are looking for a relaxing anime.   

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray Season 1 Part 2

After losing to Tamamo Cross at the Tenno Sho, Oguri is determined to beat her at the Japan Cup. Though Oguri can tell that Tamamo posesses something that she doesn't, and she won't be able to beat her unless she obtains it herself. Meanwhile Racers from all over the world come to japan to compete in the Japan Cup. Sensing that there could be trouble with all the unknown racers, Musaka sends Belno Light to work undercover as a reporter and learn everything she can, so Oguri can be prepared when the time comes. But will Belno's Research and Musaka's advice be enough to close the gap between where Oguri is and where she strives to be?

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray Season 1 Part 2 was absolutely wild. While the Japan Cup was intense, The Arima Kinen was even more so. While the races didn't seem as frequent as they did in the first cour, the ones that do happen are definitely worth the wait. I really enjoyed seeing more slice of life type scenes this time around. I feel like you get to know Oguri's classmates a lot more, which is really fun, and makes you want to see more of them. Yaeno Muteki, Sakura Chiyono O, Mejiro Arden, and Dicta Striker in particular left an impression on me. The season has no lewd scenes, but there is a bit of swearing here and there. If you enjoyed the first cour, I would definitely suggest giving the 2nd cour a watch as well.

Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS (Season 2)

It's summer vacation and Airi, Tomoka, Hina, Maho, and Saki have all made plans to go to a summer festival. Unfortunately Tomoka's father feels that she has been spending too much time on basketball, and should spend the summer improving herself. So he forbids her from going. Once Subaru hears about this, he talks to Tomoka's mom who agrees to let Tomoka go if Subaru is with her. Afterwards, while Tomoka is practicing basketball at Subaru's house they run into a little girl who challenges Tomoka to a one vs one. Will she be able to win?

Ro-Kyu-Bu! Season 2 was pretty funny with the slice of life scenes. However, the basketball games had me captivated, wondering who would win. There are panty shots, bath scenes, a hot springs episode, as well as a shower scene. If you don't like lewd scenes then you can probably avoid this one. However, If you watched Season 1 and enjoyed it, I would suggest giving season 2 a try.

OSHI NO KO Season 3

It's been six months since B-Komachi's latest song. Aqua has started doing a talk show, while Akane is in a movie. Mem-cho and Kana continue their work as idols, while Ruby manages to rise in popularity by making a surprise appearance as a reporter on Aqua's current show. This makes the subscriber count for B-Komachi's Youtube channel skyrocket, So much so that Kana and Mem wonder if they are actually helping the group. Will things continue to work out as they have been, or will the toxic entertainment industry become too much for Aqua and Ruby to bear?

I will admit I didn't like Oshi No Ko Season 3 as much as the other 2 seasons. It doesn't get very involved with the behind the scenes stuff with Aqua's talk show like season 2 did with the 2.5D stage play of Tokyo Blade. It focuses more on the mystery of Ai's death. It was actually kind of stressful to watch, but at the same time there were parts of it that made me laugh really hard though. I was wondering if I was even going to try and watch the fourth season when it comes out, but after seeing the finale I definitely am going to watch it. Everyone dresses modestly and the language is clean. If you enjoyed the first two seasons I would suggest giving the third one a try, but just know it has a completely different vibe from before.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Kokoro Anzai has become a shut-in and refuses to go to school. One day her bedroom mirror starts to glow and she goes inside. She is greeted by a little girl wearing a wolf mask along with six other kids about her age that are waiting on the castle stairs. The little girl known as the wolf queen tells everyone that they have a year to find a key in the castle that will grant any wish they desire. However, only one person can have their wish granted, and once it's granted everyone will lose their memories of their time at the castle. They are free to use the castle from 9 am to 5 pm. If they stay any later a wolf will eat them. Kokoro sees this as a chance to escape from the horrors of everyday life. Pretty soon seven strangers turn into seven friends. Will they choose to have their wish granted and lose their memories, or keep their memories without having their wish granted?

Lonely Castle in the Mirror was hard to watch for the first half, but the second half was really good. This movie deals a little bit with bullying and trauma. That's why it was hard for me to get into. The fantasy element was super cool to me though. I really enjoy stories that switch between worlds, and this felt like a unique take on the isekai genre. The language is clean and there are no lewd scenes. I would definitely suggest giving it a try.