Being fully aware that it is now May all of a sudden… that means we are a few week’s into the brand new anime season! Whilst I may have had a few weeks hiatus from the blog and my podcast and Twitch streaming – this hasn’t stopped me from checking out the latest shows to hit the internet.

I haven’t done a first impressions review before, but I think this latest season warrants it! So, without further a-do, here is a round-up of some of the shows I have personally been enjoying on Crunchyroll this Spring 2019 season, all my comments are spoiler-free.

This season has surprised me so far, so my hope is as you read on, you could pick up some shows that may have been overshadowed by ones that have a bit more hype (OPM, AOT, etc).

If you enjoy my reviews let me know and feel free to share or get in touch @RayeRayeChan

Also, if you are new here, please check out my Winter 2019 Mid-Season Anime Review

Finally if you want to keep up with what I am watching check out MyAnimeList!

Fruits Basket 2019 1st Season (Episode 1-6)

Yes, yes before you click away from the point blank obvious remaster of Fruits Basket let me just pass my own views on the show. It isn’t just being hyped because its Fruits Basket, it’s being hyped and adored because the show has been gracefully remastered and painstakingly drawn together to make an impact.

If you don’t know about this show, here is a brief (and I am working on the basis of this synopsis to not being an episode spoiler): Tohru is a high school girl and one day she comes across a household whilst camping out in their surrounding land, she is doing this as her Grampa’s house is under construction. After a few introductions with the residents, the Sohma’s, an accident makes Tohru bump into them – only for them to turn into an animal! Turns out, certain members of the Sohma family are cursed to turn into one of a Chinese zodiac animals if in contact with the opposite gender.

In just the first few episodes of the show (and as I write we’ve had six episodes so far), the dialogue and characters are on point to the original manga by Natsuki Takaya, so it’s a glorious thing to know that any show that got caught short of the manga still ongoing could potentially get the time and effort to get remastered.

As the title sequence begins, its logo is clear as day – this is the first season of Fruits Basket, and there are huge expectations by fans for the show to play out the 23 volumes of manga. I personally own these and adore the story, so my expectations are high too.

In short, so far so good! Kyo is still one of my all-time favourite characters in anime, and even more so now that his awkwardness resembles more with the original manga, as does the other characters too. Even Shigure is more calm and collected, and Yuki appears to have more sense of mystery than before. Then there is Tohru, the protagonist is perfect in this show so far – with heart-warming and heart wrenching scenes drawing the viewer in deeper. She is so innocent yet displays a sense of resilience, as well as a sense of need at the end of the latest episode. As episode five and six plays out, is there ever going to be room for a rice ball in a fruits basket – a point that many may well feel a connection to – but there is an element of hope for Tohru with the Sohmas. Episode six is also full of feels as her friendship with Hana and Arisa is shown – pure sweetness – but we also meet a few other Sohma’s too.

All Tohru wants is a warm safe home and a family, so all my fingers and toes are crossed for both her and the Sohma’s happiness as season one unfolds.

Ao-Chan Can’t study! (Episode 1-6)

Whilst the synopsis for this show may put some off, it’s kind of understandable – BUT – you really need to check out this anime, so let me tell you why. After receiving a dirty name (and you’ll need to google what it is, A is for apple though..) from her hentai writing father, Ao just want’s to study, gain some independence, and not have the distractions of her youth. Problem is, she believe’s that everyone around her is filthy, kudos to her novelist father’s influence, so when her class mate Takumi tries to get close to her, she feels he has perverted intentions.

This slice of life show has a brilliant string of comedy and whilst it does have its lewd moments, most of which are complete misunderstandings (unless you add her father into the mix, who seems to be exploiting his daughter at times – bit disturbing and really not a good thing for a parent to do!).

There are a few sweet moments between Ao and Takumi, as we approach episode five, Ao appears to have a sense of jealously when Takumi is approached by another girl, a schoolgirl that Ao knows from her childhood. Then there is the moment in the rain… where Ao demands to know Takumi’s true intentions, which ends up with a deceleration of where he stands. After seeing episode six, I almost threw a pillow at my tablet as it ended on a bit of a will she won’t she moment… thus the frustration of short episodes!

Without going into spoilers, I honestly feel this show will get overlooked by the masses, but I am really glad I gave it a shot! Not just for the story, but also to discover a brand new catchy anime tune – Wonderful Wonder! I’m really looking forward to seeing where this show is going, I just hope it is a happy ending with Ao and Takumi, and especially to get away from her crazy father!

Sarazanmai (Episodes 1-5)

Well, where on earth do I start with this show! I can honestly say it was on my must-watch list (as seen on my MAL and mentioned in my Podcast last month) but I wasn’t anywhere near prepaired for what I witnessed.

So, imagine you are watching Panty and Stocking, and then replace the angels with Kappas, and then throw in a Phantom Thieves (Persona 5) take your heart spin, add some bizarre eyebrow raising policemen dancing together (think the ending credits in Free!) and a splash dash of secrets and desires being leaked/pulled/eaten from a butt – and then you have Sarazanmai.

Confused? You should be! Seriously though, you need to have a pretty open mind to finish the first episode of this anime without dropping a cup of tea all down yourself in shear confusion. It is kind of refreshing though, considering slice of life, isekai and numerous shows on the verge of hentai have taken the spotlight over the last season of anime (Winter 2018). Sometimes we need a show that will blow our brains out a bit, and Sarazanmai does just that.

Not only this, but the show leaks the secrets of the three main cast members during the first few episodes – Kazuki, Toi and Enta. These guys have been through some pretty hard and sometimes nasty stuff. Watching them deal with their problems and secrets throughout is likely set to continue throughout the series – so I just hope that they can all get to a place where they feel happy and connected.

If you are still not sold, check out the recent clip posted by Crunchyroll on YouTube of the policeman dancing…

Why the Hell are You Here Teacher!? (Episodes 1-6)

I can not say that I have been hyped for this show, but it really has made me laugh. The teacher x student love romantic comedy comes hot off the heels of Domestic Girlfriend – but let me be clear, WTHAYHT is a full-on comedy. There are even parts covered up with stickers, yes stickers, so without giving spoilers – the general story is the student and the teacher end up in haphazard positions and a love eventually blooms.

The animation is well-done, and you can’t help but face-palm as the awkward situations get worse and worse. There is are beach scenes, rain scenes, a water fountain scene (you can see where this is going right?) and the first four episodes are dedicated to student Ichiro and teacher Kana, the ‘demon’ teacher who actually has a soft spot for him.

There is honestly not too much more to say about this show, so its pretty straightforward haha! But the opening should give you an idea where it is going, just watch out for the best bit… Darling.

Overall if you are looking for a bit of face palming giggles then this show is for you, it won’t give you enlightenment, but it could make you spit out a cuppa tea. Also, watch out for happy meal toys… dangerous things…

We Never Learn: Bokuben (Episodes 1-5)

WAIFU WARS INCOMING… It’s that time again for the good old war of BEST GIRL. Well, so far in this series there are three girls to cheer for, but more are incoming! But, if you are not interested in a war and more intrigued about plot, here is the story in a nutshell. Nariyuki a typical high school student, except he is striving to be one of the most high scoring individuals in school and is subsequently persuaded to tutor three unique girls to get the allusive VIP nomination. It turns out that the three brainy girls are great in one topic, but awful in all others, so there have been many tutors who have given up on them until Nariyuki is appointed.

So, lets introduce the girls, Fumino is amazing in literature and arts, and it seems she comes from a wealthy family. She wants to pursue science to search the stars for her late mother – but she is terrible at math. Rizu on the other hand is a math genius but is awful at literature, despite the fact that she wants to understand the human emotion – which is pretty sweet as Rizu tends to be awkward in most conversations. Then we have Uruka, she is amazing at swimming but needs to do better in pretty much every other subject so that she can get a scholarship to pursue her dream. Uruka also has a fondness for Nariyuki as they have known each other since they were children.

You can pretty much understand where the show is leading to based on the synopsis, but it is still a refreshing show. There is a respectful amount of time spent on covering each character and the hurdles they are looking to overcome, but it also throws in a dash of awkward encounters between the girls and Nariyuki – which to be fair – is expected. It’s a nice romantic comedy but more time is taken to make the viewer cheer for the cast to acheive their goals – rather than point blank rude accidents.

The animation and music is very easy on the eyes and you can get really comfortable if you’re looking to binge watch the episodes. My hope is that the series ends on a high, but who will be the girl to confess to Nariyuki and get a 100 score for winning his heart? Who knows!

The helpful fox Senko-San (Episodes 1-5)

Do you work hard, do you wish you could just come home to an 800 year old fox demi god cooking your dinner? Then your prayers have been answered! Well, maybe not exactly, but if you watch this anime you’ll feel a little better at least!

I have to admit, I overlooked this show until about a week ago and have since binged the first five episodes in two sittings! I would imagine others may well end up doing the same, thinking this is some strange loli anime, but I can honestly say that isn’t what this show sets out to be.

The main character Nakano, ends up being so drained and unhappy with his situation that a dark cloud forms over his person – this is noticed by the fox gods, and Senko-San decides to fix him. Making a journey to his apartment, Senko prepares dinner and as Nakano arrives at the front door, its pretty hilarious to see him rub is eyes. I really enjoyed this moment, because the story could have easily led Senko to glomp him in a face palming way, but that’s just not who she is, and I really like that about her. Throughout the first five episodes are daily attempts to make Nakano feel better and more relaxed – however I did raise an eyebrow of two when the fur petting began… still it is done much more cautiously that it could have been!

One of the things I have personally taken away from the show is that working too much may be inevitable, but being home is where you need the dark cloud to break away. Cooking meals and having baths and an early bed can do wonders, so I hope the show will make people think about their own way of life. We may not have a fox girl to do everything for us, but we can at least make home a better place right?

Also, if you do nothing else, check out the opening tune – it is friggen adorable! Huuma Huuuu…. Honestly, it was one of my favourite tunes this season, next to Wonderful Wonder (Ao-chan can’t study) and the ending Stand By Me by The Peggies (Sarazanmai) – but if you wan’t something slower paced, chill out to the Op and End for Fruits Basket 2019.

Well, that’s all from me for now! I hope you have enjoyed this write up and please do get in touch @RayeRayeChan with any thoughts, share around and let me know what you are watching this season!

Ja Ne!