Seikai Suru Kado
Synopsis : Shindou Koujirou is a highly-skilled negotiator working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As his plane at Haneda airport prepares to take off, a huge mysterious cube appears from the sky. "It" expands rapidly, and absorbs the passenger plane and its 252 passengers.
The cube's name is "Kado".
A strange being called Yaha-kui Zashunina appears from within Kado and tries to make contact with humanity. Shindou, who was been absorbed by Kado, ends up taking on the role of mediator between Yaha-kui zaShunina and humanity. The Japanese government sends its own negotiator, Tsukai Saraka. Who is Yaha-kui zaShunina? What does he want?
Thoughts : I'll admit the first few episodes of Kado left my quite confused. But this was the first anime in a very long time to really surprise me on almost every episode. I loved how they focused on a premise not really used much these days. The characters were really well thought out, the animation was on point and the music was stellar. A must see if you haven't already
Fukumenkei Noise
Synopsis : The anime tells a romance story with the themes of "music x one-sided love." Nino, a girl who loves singing, made a childhood promise with her first crush Momo and song-composing Yuzu to someday find her voice. The three went their separate ways, but Nino kept her promise and continued to sing. Years later, the three are now high school students, and Nino is drawn into the world of band clubs.
Thoughts : I'm sure some of you expected me to mention Fukumenkei Noise on this list. Even though it initially gave me Nana vibes, it wasn't just a highschool "poormans" clone of Nana, Luckily it evolved into something completely different. The last concert scene was amazingly well done. I really enjoyed the raw depiction of emotions in this anime, even though some of the characters were annoyingly stupid...still well worth the watch if you are looking for some drama.
Little Witch Academia
Synopsis : Akko Kagari is an ordinary girl who joins the renowned witch academy for witch girls, Luna Nova Academy. When she was younger, she went to Magical Festa, a magic show hosted by a witch named Shiny Chariot. Akko was so mesmerized and inspired by Shiny Chariot's performance that she dreamed to someday be a "cool" witch like her. This young and impressionable Akko takes Shiny Chariot's words as her own motto: "Never forget, a believing heart is your magic.“ As part of a class, Akko and her classmates go into a labyrinth under the Tower of Luna Nova. There, a sealed ancient dragon was unleashed by one of her classmates. Akko tries to stop the dragon, but…
Thoughts : Little Witch Academia was everything I hoped for and more. Studio Trigger has once again outdone themselves in expanding the story of what was initially a one of short animation, It features just the right mix of fun, adventure, comedy and suspense. Let the colourful cast of Little Witch Academia entertain you.
Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation
Synopsis : With the team's combined strength, the Sohoku High bicycle racing club beat reigning champions Hakone Academy at the Interhigh national race and achieved an impressive overall victory. Now that their hot summer has ended and third-years Kinjou, Makishima, and Tadokoro have retired from the team, first-year participants in the Interhigh Onoda Sakamichi, Imaizumi Shunsuke, and Naruko Shoukichi, along with their new captain second-year Teshima Junta and vice-captain Aoyagi Hajime begin preparing as a "new team" for their second consecutive championship at the next Interhigh.
Thoughts : Yowamushi Pedal : New Generation still shows that the Yowamushi Pedal series has no sign of losing steam. Starting quite early with the new InterHigh cycling competition with tons of new characters. My only misgiving is the season was a bit short. That being said Yowamushi Pedal is a fantastic sports anime that is well worth your time.
Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho
Synopsis : The grimoire fantasy series follows a witch named Zero who is ignorant of the world and a half-beast half-human mercenary who longs to be human. Witches who practice sorcery exist in the world, however, in this era no one knows how about the art and study of witchcraft. Zero is going on a journey to search for a magical tome called The Book of Zero that hides a power that can destroy the world. The mercenary travels with her as her guard.
Thoughts : Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho gave me everything I wanted in a fantasy anime and more. Not all of the characters you meet in the anime are what they seem at first. Fanservice was kept to a minimum and I did enjoy how much focus was put into the world of Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho. I highly recommend it.
And now on to "the rest". Do note that some shows didn't make the list as they are still airing. like Boku no Hero Academy 2. And just because some were mentioned above, doesn't make them bad. Read on to find out why they didn't make the cut.
Granblue Fantasy the Animation : This was an anime I thoroughly enjoyed. Even though I have never played the game it is based on, which also left me utterly confused in the last episode when they just swopped the main character out and "rewrote" the story. I did later do some research as to what was going on, but still it was a pretty dick move to do.
ID-0 : ID-0 is one of those Scifi stories you just can't help but enjoy. Even though it's nothing great. It is at the very least entertaining. A shame as I do feel they could have fleshed it out a bit more.
DanMachi Gaiden Sword Oratoria : The Spinoff to the highly popular DanMachi. I quite enjoyed the anime, especially as it filled up a lot of holes left by the original anime and gave a lot more character development on characters that were in the main story, but didn't get too much screentime. Luckily Hestia has very little screentime in the spinoff. Remember Hestia is wurst grill.
Kenka Banchou Otome : This anime had a stupidly weird premise, but it was entertaining at least. Though I can't say I approve of how the story unfolded or how the characters treat each other...
Hinako Note : Cute girls do stage plays! That's pretty much it, the show is cute with funny moments. Not the best example of it's sort but not terrible.
Eromanga-Sensei : I'll be blunt, I honestly enjoyed Oreimo a lot more than this. Yes it has it's moments, But sagiri just isn't cute.
Berserk 2017 : I so wish they would stop with the horrible animation on Berserk, a lot better story arc than in Berserk 2016 ruined by subpar animation and horrible cgi.
Clockwork Planet : Clockwork Planet was actually quite good. And if it wasn't for Yowamushi Pedal it most probably would have made the cut for the best of the season.
Frame Arms Girl : Wasn't exactly the Angelic Layer meets Busou Shinki I hoped for. But it was fun. except for the weird hot springs fanservice episode were all the toys were had no joints for some reason.
Attack on Titan 2 : Oh yes I'm using the "incorrect" english name and I don't really care. The second season went in the route exactly I was fearing this show would go in from the first season. It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the franchise. The premise to me seems stupid to be frank. Though I'm most probably going to get hate for that.
Alice to Zouroku : If you want to get lost in a fantastic setting where magic is real and things happen that you could only imagine. Alice to Zouroku is definitely for you. Though some episode do feel a bit disjointed as there doesn't seem to be a single story being followed. I kind of expected the "evil" government conspiracy to continue but it just kind of vanished.
Uchouten Kazoku 2 : Was everything I hoped for and more. Continuing the setting and tales from the brilliant first season. A must see look into the lives of Tanuki, Tengu and Humans in Kyoto...obviously based on mythology and fantasy.
Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine : What is it about anime with mysterious teacher type characters and trouble students? They almost always end up being enjoyable to watch. Even though Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine features mostly bishounen. I am happy to report that there are almost no Yaoi undertones...though I'm sure that won't stop fujoshi from shipping anything and everything.
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Flat : Saekano season 2 was partly a joy to watch, but also hard emotionally. There were a lot of events in the second season that does not bode well with ones heart, but still highly worth the watch.
Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism : Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism had quite a bit of fanservice(not that I'm complaining) and a fun mix of comedy and martial arts action. If you want to watch something where you can just switch off your brain and enjoy, this would be it.
Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records : Another anime with a mysterious teacher. This time the teacher is the "problem child" and the students are mostly good. Parts of the anime reminded me of Gate, especially with how Glenn was revealed to be a lot higher spec than he was initially presented to be. Which is something that also happened with Itami in Gate. Either way this anime features a fair amount of conspiracies, cute girls, magical battles, bloodshed and fanservice. Go ahead....I know you want to watch it.
Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasuka Isogashii Desuka Sukutte Moratte Ii Desuka :
And that wraps up my thoughts on the Spring 2017 season. All in all a pretty good season of anime. Which so far seems a whole lot better than what Summer 2017 is going to be.
