Just started going through first few from 2026 Q1

My most satisfying watch recently is Azur Lane Slow Ahead (2021). A surprise discovery started from listening to random Kano's songs, one of them is 光の道標. Thinking it is nice and I should try watching the series. The main series is not so good.

Laffey voiced by Naganawa Maria (Kanna Kamui) is cute, Akashi is funny, and pretty much nothing else.

Slow Ahead is what should be the only adaptation IMO. Much more enjoyable, even if all fan-service parts removed. I'm saving season 2 (2026) for later.

Now for another entry in song-to-anime pipeline, Cardcaptor Sakura.

I was browsing through Sakamoto Maaya's songs. Fire Hunter's ED led me there. Spotted プラチナ, first time hearing it as Miku cover looooong ago. Vaguely remember it's from Sakura and that I never watch it in full. So, here I am looking for a recommendation.

• Which release should I get for best experience?
• Is there anything else beside TV series + 2 movies?
• Simple release date watch order?

I've mostly been on an older (esp. 80s/90s) animation binge lately (both Japanese anime + Western cartoons) but I finally got around to watching the end of Oregairu (aka SNAFU) earlier this month. I don't know that I have much to say about it really, but it occurred to me that the line in this screenshot could apply to a lot of anime... 😛️

I wanted to watch Reincarnated as a Sword S2 (aka Sword Dad), but when I started I realized I didn't remember anything from S1. I watched some reviews and read some recaps but for so many things I just drew a blank. Guess it's time to rewatch S1.

Otherwise, Apothecary Diaries is getting into its stride again and I love it. Ramparts of Ice S2 is great too. I love how it's more or less the opposite of You And I Are Polar Opposites in how the relationships work out.

I have been traveling recently, but have had a chance to check out a couple new shows this season. Some early impressions:

• Laid-Off Cheat-Granting Mage - Holy production value Batman! This one has been a joy to watch, based on the animation quality on its own. The story has been whatever, but that isn't why I am watching this at this point.
• Reborn as a Space Mercenary - As somebody that played EVE Online for like 15 years, the universe this is set in stokes those same nostalgic embers. The story has been fine so far, but I am loving the world it has built more. Keeping this one for now.
• World's Strongest Witch - I love this manga, and the anime has been fine so far. I am looking forward to this continuing to be more and more unhinged as we go.
• Romelia War Chronicle - This has been an interesting adaptation that I have mixed feelings about. I still think I am overall liking it more than not, but comparing the manga adaptation with the choices they have made in the anime has been really interesting.

Returning shows:

• Reincarnated Aristocrat - more of the same as previous seasons...still liking this one.
• Reincarnated as a Sword - the production value has seen a significant step up for this season in my opinion. Same old lovable characters, but now with extra juicy action animation.

So far, I've dropped four series: Marronier (just too slow-paced), Dandivine (I can see what they're going for, but it didn't evoke the right kind of nostalgia for me), Laid-Off Cheat-Granting Mage (artwork style used for background characters was unappealing), and Horror Collector (the horror bits were just too clichéd).

Hanging by a thread: Firefly Wedding (we'll see what I think after I've watched the second episode), Suikoden (I have fond feelings for the game and want to see how they handle the adaptation, but was not overly impressed by the premiere).

Haven't watched yet: Dark Machine and the as-yet-unpremiered Fool Night.

Best surprise so far: Psyren—I won't claim it's brilliant, but as an action show to crash in front of and turn your brain off, the first couple of eps have worked.

This has been so far a bit slow season. I'm watching The Apothecary Diares season 3, and well... I don't know, maybe I was expecting more, considering we're into season 3. I'm also not fan of the new setting, not to mention the profound lack of interaction (or progress!) between the two leads. Feels it's been 3 episodes of a lot of nothing, with a very small side dish of the season overarching mysterious plot.

I'm also watching Ramparts of Ice season 2. Season 1 surprised me with how good it was. But season 2 is becoming a bit too heavy too fast, and I think I'll wait until all eps are done before resuming watching it.

Finally, started watching Romelia War Chronicles (I apologise if that's not the English name); it's fine so far. Nothing too great, but also good enough to convince me to watch a bit more. That said, the main lead def needs a bit more time developing her character; so far it's a bit hard to get her.

So, overall, a bland start to this season. Thank goodness for backlogs!

The heavy knight ones pretty good but it gives me nostalgic mmo vibes so I'm a bit biased. I don't mind the cgi in it because I kinda hope they release a game lol. And Lucy(Ruche) is my favorite character.