Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit (Season 4)

Aoi, Hinata, Kaede, Kokona, and Honaka are back for another season. This time Aoi is determined to reach the summit of Mount Fuji. But Before she can start her climb, she needs to deal with her end of semester exams. One day while she is minding her own business at school, Aoi is approached by the head of the mountaineering club. She takes Aoi to the clubroom where they have tons of mountain climbing equipment. However, While Aoi isn't interested in joining the club, she is interested in the training they do to get stronger.  Will Aoi be able to reach the top of mount Fuji, or will she be stopped by Altitude sickness again?

Encouragement of Climb Season 4 was really good. Though I am a bit disappointed that the first four episodes were a comprehensive review of the first three seasons. The reason I was disappointed was because I had already watched the first three seasons before starting the fourth. However, seeing as Season 4 is the only season available on Hidive, I would say it's a good thing for those who are watching it for the first time. Encouragement of Climb Season 4 had the same relaxing feel as the other seasons. While there is a beach episode you don't see the characters in swimsuits, so everyone stays modest. For those who do watch the first three seasons before watching the fourth, I would still suggest watching the first four episodes, because the scenes at the beginning are new clips that weren't in the previous seasons. Encouragement of Climb is a great anime, I would definitely recommend it. 

When Will Ayumu Make His Move?

Ayumu Tanaka is in the Shogi club with his senpai Urushi Yaotome. He fell for her the first time he saw her. Ayumu then made a promise that he would confess his feelings when he is able to beat her in a game of Shogi. Unfortunately, Ayumu is terrible at Shogi. He studies using books that Urushi has recommended to him, but his progress is slow. Despite this internal promise he has no issues displaying his feelings outwardly. Will Ayumu ever get a chance to confess his love?

When Will Ayumu Make His Move? was actually a really good romance anime. I really enjoyed the laid back feeling it has. Despite them never actually becoming a couple, Ayumu and Urushi actually make a lot of romantic progress. I actually read some of the manga prior to watching it, so I knew what to expect. This was probably part of why I enjoyed it. The anime has almost no fan service in it. It does have a short bath scene at the end of the season though. I would still highly recommend it if you are looking for a new romance anime to watch.

Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota

Oota is constantly confused when he is around Kashiwada, because she always remains expressionless. However, Kashiwada can always tell what Oota is thinking because his face gives it away. So Oota makes it his job to try and get a reaction out of Kashiwada by playing harmless pranks on her. With the help of his friends Tadoko and Sata, Kashiwada and Oota slowly grow closer to one another.

I really enjoyed Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota. However, I can understand why some people wouldn't. Oota is far from the most charming main character you'll see in anime. His personality irked me at the beginning of the first episode. But the romantic moments between Kashiwada and Oota made me grow to love the characters and the show more and more with each episode. Kashiwada kind of remind me of Reina Aharen from Aharen-san wa Hakarenai. She helps give the show a calming effect. While there is a beach episode and a pool scene, the anime remains clean and wholesome. I would definitely suggest giving it a try if you like Romance anime.

Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness

After hearing that his dad has injured his back, Nagomu Irino moves back home with the intention of taking over the family business. However, after being gone for ten years, he isn't given the warmest welcome. Nagomu's dad tells him that he already has a successor to the Sweets Shop he runs. Nagomu finds out that it's a little girl named Itsuka Yukihira. Itsuka was dropped off at the sweets shop while Nagomu was gone by her father after her mother left the two of them. Itsuka has been working to become the next owner of Rokyuusho which all that hard work makes her see Nagomu as irresponsible despite being the owner's son. Will Itsuka and Nagomu ever get to be on good terms?

Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness was pretty slow. I watched it because I was hoping it would be a fun food anime like Sweetness & Lightning. However, it didn't meet my expectations. What was weird was that Nagomu's mom asks him to be like a father to her. This premise can be pulled off well like in Buddy Daddies and The Yakuza's Guid to Babysitting, but it didn't manage to do that either. The problem is Nagomu tries too hard to fit that roll, that he ends up messing it up. They feel more like a brother and Sister, rather than a father and daughter. The anime is mostly clean. There is a pool scene where you see the characters in swimsuits, but besides that everyone dresses modestly. If you like Slice of Life anime's about food, I would give this one a try. 

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You

Sawako Kuronuma is often called Sadako because of her frightening appearance. However, rather than wanting to scare people, she really just wants to make friends. She gets her chance when she sees Chizuru Yoshida and Ayane Yano. Rather than running away like everyone else they decide to talk and listen to Sawako. Them along with Shota Kazehaya become Sawako's biggest supporters. Though their support doesn't really show until their class is asked to change seats. Nobody wants to sit next to Sawako because they all believe that they'll be cursed if they do. So Shota takes the initiative by taking the desk next to Sawako while Chizuru and Ayane follow suit by sitting in front and diagonal from her. Though Sawako has started to make friends will this be enough to stop the wild rumors that somehow keep spreading about her?

Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me to You was absolutely amazing. I felt all the emotions. I laughed, I cried, I smiled. Its been a long time since an anime has made me cry more than a single tear. In this case it was when Chizuru gets rejected by the guy she's had a crush on for years. That hit pretty close to home for me. I can honestly say that Kimi Ni Todoke is an amazing romance anime. it doesn't have an inappropriate content such as swearing and fan service. I would suggest giving it a try if you enjoy romance and slice of life anime.

Joshiraku

Marii, Gankyou, Tetora, Kigurumi, and Kukuru all perform Rakugo at the same theater. When they're not performing they spend their time talking about random topics in the theater's dressing room. Some of these things are what shape do you see when you look at the moon, does the color blue make things seem colder, if they become delinquents will it make it so they get married earlier? They also visit various cities in Japan and talk about what those cities are known for.

Joshiraku is not the type of show that's easy to binge. However, that does not mean its a bad show. While I don't usually laugh at comedy anime, I found myself laughing multiple times throughout the season. Something to note as well is that the characters frequently break the fourth wall which can be pretty funny depending on the situation. For example, on one of their trips they decide to visit a place where they can see the building where their anime is being animated. It does have some fan service here and there, such as two bath scenes, a beach scene, a hot springs scene, and multiple times where more skin is exposed than necessary for comedic purposes. I would suggest giving it a try, but I should let you know that you may not find it funny at all depending on your sense of humor.

You are Ms. Servant

Hitoyoshi Yokoya lives by himself. He never cleaned, and wasn't responsible. One day he hears a knock at the door, and a girl in a maid outfit asks if she can work for him. When he asks about what skills she has, Hitoyoshi learns that she is a former assassin. Since he doesn't have any enemies he needs killed, he sends her away. However, after she leaves he finds a bell that belongs to her, and tries to run and give it back. Right as he finds her a truck comes and nearly hits him, but the maid sees him and is able to tackle him so that he can be safe. After that Hitoyoshi decides to hire her. After hiring her, Hitoyoshi learns that while she may dress like a maid she has absolutely no experience cooking and cleaning. So he shows her how its done, and thus begins a story of new beginnings for both of them.

You are Ms. Servant was a relaxing slice of life anime. While there are romantic moments throughout the season, the two don't ever become a couple. The anime kind of has a Spy x Family and Mr. Villains Day Off feel. It is definitely a good anime to start out with if you haven't watched all that much. I also think romance and slice of life anime fans will be able to enjoy it as well. While there is a bath scene, the majority of the anime is free of fan service. The language is kept clean as well. I would definitely suggest it. 

Senpai is an Otokonoko

Saki Aoi is in her first year of high school, and out of all the people above her there is one girl she truly admires. So she confesses to Makoto Hanaoka, but she is turned down. When Saki ask's why Makoto reveals that he's actually a boy that enjoys cross dressing. Rather than being sad Saki gets even more excited that she can enjoy both the boy version and the girl version of Makoto. While she was turned down she is determined to not let that stop her and win her senpai's heart. Thinking that she isn't serious and just trying to make fun of him Makoto's best friend Ryuuji approaches Saki and tells her about all the bullying that Makoto has had to endure because of who he is. When Ryuuji finds out that Saki doesn't have any bad intentions, the three of them start to hang out. Saki gives Makoto opportunities to do things that he never could have done on his own. There is just one problem, Makoto has to hide who he really is from his mother because she won't accept him unless he acts like a boy.

Senpai is an Otokonoko felt more serious than I was expecting. Usually when a guy is turned into a girl or cross dresses in anime it is brushed over and they are simply accepted for who they are. Examples of this are Himegoto, Onimai, komi can't communicate, etc. There are examples of people who won't like the character unless they are dressed as a girl such as date a live, and Kampfer. However, those felt different because the gender swap isn't a huge part of the plot. Something I noticed is that Senpai is an Otokonoko features multiple different types of relationships such as being gay, bi, and asexual. I was really hoping that Saki and Makoto would get together because Saki accepts Makoto right away, and her personality and attitude would make for a fun romantic comedy. A lot of romance anime's end without the main couple getting together, but I feel like since the first scene is a confession scene they could have become a couple at any point. But, they totally avoid it. So the anime was kind of a disappointment.  Also I thought I could hand BL after watching Kiss Him, Not Me but I know now that that is a genre of anime I'm not going to touch. Everybody dresses modestly and the language remains clean. If this sounds like something you would enjoy you can give it a try.

My Tiny Senpai

Takuma Shinozaki has his first full time job working at sunpick. He has a unique work environment, but the thing that stands out the most is his senpai Shiori Katase. She's small, cute, and resembles a cat in more ways than one. Despite working at the company for a few years its also her first time having someone work under her. Both Takuma and Shiori always try and look out for one another which causes them to get into romantic situations. However, neither one really knows how they feel about each other. Are they just regular co-workers or could there be something more?

My Tiny Senpai was a good anime. I don't watch a ton of adult romance anime but I thought it was better than The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague. It didn't end how I would have liked it to, but the story and the characters kept me engaged. There are a few scenes with fan service such as the hot springs episode. The language is clean as well. Overall, it's a cute and wholesome anime. If you are looking for a romance anime that doesn't take place in high school, you might enjoy this one. 

TenPuru -No One Can Live on Loneliness-

Akemitsu Akagame was once told that its not good to live alone. However, rather than being devoted to one woman he decided to build his own harem and get with as many women as possible. Disgusted with this way of life Akamitsu decides that he will spend his life single. After seeing a girl and falling in love at first sight Akamitsu's morals drop and he starts going to party's where he can be with girls. He also stops doing his homework and is about to fail. with a new determination to fix his ways Akemitsu decides that his best choice is to become a monk and live away from women. However, after being directed to a temple the first person he meets there is the girl he fell in love with. Overcome with emotion he asks her to marry him. Taking a step back he apologizes and asks to live at the temple. little did he know that the temple had been turned into a nunnery and was full of beautiful girls. Will Akemitsu get the life that he strives for?

Tenpuru was better than I was expecting. If there is one thing I wish was different, it would be that Yuzuki and Akemitsu's relationship had gone further. While they do some romantic things together I would have liked to see them become an actual couple. There is a lot of fan service throughout the anime,  with things like a bath scene, a hot spring scene, and multiple occasions where the girls clothes get loose and happen to slip partially off. But the setting is unique compared to most harem anime's which I really enjoyed. If you are a fan of harem anime's I would give this one a try. However, if fan service bothers you, you won't be missing out if you skip it either.

Lucky☆Star

Konata, Tsukasa, Kagami, and Miyuki spend their days doing anything fun they can think of. When they are not at a festival or school event they each have their own hobbies. konata spends her time watching anime, and gaming. Tsukasa likes to spend her time reading manga. While Kagami also likes to read, she reads books that will further increase her knowlege of subjects she believes will be useful. Konata often takes advantage of that by copying her homework rather than doing it herself. While Miyuki seems to spend her time with her mom, she also seems to be well informed and is someone Konata goes to when she has questions. Together they find answers to meaningless and meaningful questions alike as they live their high school life to the fullest.

Lucky Star is honestly pretty hard to describe. The first few episodes were pretty hard to get into at first. I think Konata asking the same question over and over bothered me. I think the show became more interesting once the characters started going to different events like Comiket, school festivals, as well as festivals put on by the city. The langauge is clean. The visuals stay pretty clean as well though there is a bath scene or two. Overall, if you like slice of life anime you can give it a try.  

Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san

Honda-san works at a Bookstore where he gets all kinds of customers. While he mainly works with foreign comics, the store has every type of book you can imagine. Not only does he talk about what its like to deal with customers, but also the relationships that you have to have professionally with people such as publishers, authors, wholesalers, etc. You also get a glimpse into what type of people work at bookstores. Each employee has a unique personality, but all of them are brought together through their love of books.

Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san isn't the most interesting anime you will watch, however it does have a unique feel. I feel like even among anime's where the characters work, Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san surpasses them in the feeling it gives you as if you were there right along with them. So while the anime was slow paced and didn't really have a story besides the day to day things that happen at a bookstore, it was still good.  While there isn't anything visually inappropriate in it, it does talk about BL Manga, and the Ecchi genre. It does swear a few times, but the language stays clean for the most part. Overall, if you like Slice of Life anime it might be worth a try.

Pseudo Harem

When Rin Nanakura starts her first day of high school she goes to find the Drama Club. While looking for it she meets Eiji Kitahama who says that he's actually the president of the Drama Club and shows her the way. He then introduces her to the real Drama Club President and claims he was just acting. One day while Eiji and Rin are talking Eiji mentions that he has always dreamed of having a harem like you see in light novels. So in an attempt to win his heart Rin starts acting like different characters to give Eiji the full harem experience.

Pseudo Harem is probably the best romance anime I have seen this year. It makes you feel the way every romance should. As I watched Eiji and Rin I got this warm feeling inside. The whole anime is super cute and feels unique. While it starts out as a high school romance that changes in the middle. I thought that it was super cool because it helps you feel like time is moving forward. Everybody dresses modestly and the language remains clean. If you are looking for a good romance, I would definitely suggest Pseudo Harem.  

Alice or Alice

Rise and Airi live with their big brother. With his help they are able to get a job at a maid cafe called Kisa Kissa. In order to help them with their customer service skills the manager Kisaki has them practice making foods and serving it to their brother. Slowly more and more people join the cafe. To help the employees bond more Kisaki has them go on outings to places like a Hot Spring Resort, a festival, as well as the beach. However, a new maid cafe soon pops up to rival them. Will they be able to handle it?

Alice or Alice was actually a lot better than I was expecting it to be. It was a fun slice of life. The message and feeling of the show is wholesome. However, there are a lot of scenes where the girls wear clothes with cleavage, bathing suits, or just a towel in the hot springs episode. If you dislike fan service be aware that there is a fair amount in this. However, if you don't mind it I would suggest giving this one a try since it takes less than an hour to watch.

How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?

Hibiki Sakura has always loved eating. After her friend Ayaka points out that she has gotten bigger lately Hibiki tries to work out at home but loses motivation after a week. After hearing that a new gym opened close by and that they give out free trials, Hibiki decides to give it a try. It is there that she meets the student council president of her school, Akemi. After meeting a helpful trainer named Naruzou Machio both girls decide to become members. However, while Hibiki originally joined to get a boyfriend The boys that she meets at the gym all seem to be different than she expected after getting to know them. Will Hibiki find happiness?

How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift was a pretty fun anime to watch. It is kind of like Anime de Training in that it informs you on different types of exercise you can do and what muscles each exercise enhances. However, unlike Anime de Training, How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift has a storyline. The characters are likable, and the story is good if you like Slice of Life. There is quite a bit of fan service. The anime has two beach episodes, a shower scene, as well as guys ripping off their clothes whenever they flex, which happens in basically every episode. Some of it is censored but a lot of it isn't. If it sounds like something you would be interested in feel free to give it a try.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

When Amane Fujimiya is walking home he sees a girl sitting all alone in the rain. Fearing she might catch a cold he hands her his umbrella. Amane soon finds out that not only is she the most popular girl at his school, but she lives right next door to him as well. Mahiru Shiina returns the umbrella only to find out that Amane has no idea of how to take care of himself. So she starts by making him a healthy dinner as a way to repay the favor. Slowly Amane and Mahiru grow closer as they start to take care of each other.

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten was different than I was expecting. It was hard to watch at first because the pacing seemed too slow. However, after a few episodes it started to feel like a romance anime. I don't have a lot to say about it, except that it ended on a satisfying note. A lot of romance anime's end without the relationship going anywhere, but you are able to see these two change throughout the season which I really like. If you are a fan of romance anime I would give this one a try.

Komi Can't Communicate Season 2

Its wintertime at Itan Private High School and exams are coming up. Najimi uses this chance to get together At Omoharu Nakanaka's house accompanied by Tadano, Komi, and Yamai. While they originally went there to study Tadano learns quickly that Nakanaka and Yamai do not get along. Both of them try to find a way to see who is a better friend to Komi. After playing games instead of studying they decide to use the upcoming exam to determine who is better, only to end up with the same score.

Komi Can't Communicate Season 2 was really good. They introduced new characters that I believe made it better than season 1. The characters I liked was Makoto Katai and Shisuto Naruse. Naruse is a Narcissist, and Katai is a shy boy who has the appearance of a delinquent making him misunderstood by everyone except Tadano. While the season stays clean visually except for a bath scene when the class visits Kyoto, there are a lot of inappropriate comments made by Yamai like wanting to see Komi's underwear, and wanting to touch her boobs. However, despite this it still has a nice feeling like Season 1. If you haven't seen Komi Can't Communicate and you are a fan of the romance anime genre I would suggest giving it a try.

Dropkick on My Devil!!! X (Season 3)

After failing to kill Yurine once again and getting sliced in half, Jashin-chan decides its time to change her image. She believes it will be better if she acts more serious throughout the new season. This causes Yurine to rethink how she is portrayed as well and decides that she will become someone who values beauty above all else. Pretty soon all of the angels and devils have been drawn in different styles. They all then decide that consistency is better because everyone having such a unique appearance looks more chaotic than they would have expected. After everyone goes back to normal they decide to play a card game together. However, Jashin-chan gets frustrated because she seems to be the only one who can't get cards even when they are right in front of her. 

Dropkick on My Devil!!! X was the most captivating and funny season so far in my opinion. I found myself smiling far more often than I did in the other two seasons. The season remains mostly clean There is a scene where Pino is fully undressed in episode one but her body is censored, as well as a pool episode where everybody is dressed in swimsuits in episode twelve. However, I really liked this season and would definitely suggest it. If you watched the first two seasons I would give this one a try as well.

Dropkick on My Devil!! Dash (Season 2)

Multiple Jashin-chan's sit around a table as they try to make a plan. A very important decision lies before them. One that could have a serious effect. The question that lies before them is "Should dinner be curry, hashed beef rice, or beef stew. All Jashin-chan's turned to origin Jashin-chan who then decided that beef stew would be the best choice. Meanwhile Pekora and Poporon meet together and wonder about how long it will be before their halo's regenerate. Just as they are wondering another angel named Pino descends from above with orders to kill the other two who had been seen hanging out with devils. However, Pino's plan fails when Poporon tries to steal her halo but ends up breaking it. To get closer with the demons so she can attack once her halo regenerates, Pino takes a job as a custodian at the apartment complex where Yurine and the other demons live.

Dropkick on My Devil!! Dash was even better than Season 1 was. The jokes are pretty funny and the characters are enjoyable. Some new characters are introduced like Pino and Kyon-Kyon. I started to enjoy their random breaking the fourth wall moments, because it actually gives you some insight into some facts about the series you wouldn't have known otherwise. The series stays pretty clean with the exception of a beach episode and a shower scene with Medusa. If you enjoyed the first season I would give Season 2 a try as well. 

Interspecies Reviewers

Stunk and Zel are out adventuring when they hear a scream in the woods. It is there they find an angel that has broken his Halo. They learn that his name is Crimvael and he is unable to return to Heaven until his halo heals itself. So Stunk and Zel agree to protect him until the time comes for him to return. However, while Stunk and Zel might appear to be a well seasoned pair of adventurers their hobby and main source of income actually comes from visiting brothels and writing reviews on their experiences there. In fact Crim who has remained pure his whole life is taken to a cat girl brothel right after he arrives in the city. Together, an elf, a human, an angel, a beastman, and a halfling form the Interspecies Reviewers.

Interspecies Reviewers is exactly what it sounds like. There isn't really a story told, but the concept is different enough from other anime that that didn't matter to me. While it isn't the type of anime that I could easily binge, the question of what species you will learn about next kept me wanting to finish it. I will say that this is an uncensored anime, so if you decide to watch it be prepared for that. There is a quite a bit of swearing, and the humor is inappropriate as well. There were a few shower and bath scenes, but most of the ecchi aspect was the skimpy clothes that the girls wear. Overall, the anime is very clear about what its supposed to be, so you will know whether you should continue or not by the end of the first episode.