Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. One day, you’re minding your own business. The next, you’re being abducted by aliens for your privates. Or a ghost possesses you and steals your junk. For Momo and Ken, though, both happened in the first episode of Dan Da Dan! Now Momo has psychic powers and Ken’s going ghost against his will, and their troubles are far from over. To get Ken’s junk back, they have to first fight another alien, and the boy has to learn how to unleash that dawg in him.
And Momo? She has to deal with the fact that her new friend has the same name as her crush.
The second episode of the series starts where the first one left off: with Momo in denial that Ken shares the same name as her actor crush. She’s so deep into denial that she immediately decides to call him Okarun from now on, a play on his alien otaku interests.
One of the best parts of the premiere was seeing how quickly Momo and Okarun establish their dynamic and relationship, and that trend continues in this episode. One minute, they’ll go from arguing like cats and dogs, and the next, they’ll be going out of their way to defend the other. It’s a very passionate and complex relationship, but that’s what makes it so enjoyable to watch. And despite how much they push each others buttons, it’s easy to see how much they care for each other.
Of course, there’s still the matter of Okarun being possessed by Granny Turbo. Momo can’t surpress the spirit forever, and she’s already getting close to her limit. Then, to make matters worse, the two find themselves trapped inside some kind of Domain Expansion by this giant sumo alien that’s working for the ones they met in the first episode. They still want the pair’s bananas!
And this is where the episode absolutely cooks as Okarun learns how to let the dawg off the leash.
— Daily Dandadan (ダンダダン) + News (@DailyDandadan) October 10, 2024
When Okarun learns how to go ghost and use the curse to his advantage, he finds that dawg in him, and the resulting beatdown is amazing. Dan Da Dan’s animators cooked with the animation throughout the entire episode, but the moment when Okarun found his inner dawg cranked things up to eleven. And despite the Sumo alien cheating, Momo and Okarun outsmart them in a way that I think would make Joestar family proud. Unfortunately, immediately after the fight, Momo finally loses steam, and the curse of Turbo Granny fully takes over Okarun.
Now the dawg really is off the leash. Unfortunately, this is also when the episode chooses to come to a close.
Gotta be my favourite sequence of the episode. The amount of effort & personality in every shot. The way each small detailed movement flows so seemlessly together. Even the shot with the glasses. I can't put it into words but the effect of the lens felt real enough to me. 👏🏼… pic.twitter.com/zlI8bW699k
I hate cliffhangers like this because I don’t want to wait another week to find out what happens. However, the fact that I want to know what comes next now just shows how good Dan Da Dan is. And while I could just read the manga to see what happens, I won’t. I want to enjoy it as it happens! That being said, we’re only two episodes in, and Dan Da Dan has already become one of my favorite anime of 2024. It’s likely going to be the series that everyone will be talking about for some time to come!
If you’re an anime fan, you might have heard of Truck-Kun. If you haven’t, it’s an internet meme used to describe the act of sending characters to another world via hitting them with a truck. Or anytime an essential moment in the plot is set in motion when someone’s hit by a car. Or when any character gets hit by a truck or vehicle in anime. It’s become so widespread that it’s now a universally recognized trope. Many even consider Truck-Kun to be their own character. However, thanks to Crunchyroll, Truck-Kun may be getting a younger sibling in terms of internet memes. Introducing…Title-Kun!
Origin of Title-Kun (I think)
Unless you prefer to watch it on TV, another streaming service, or pirate it, then you probably watch your anime on Crunchyroll. Ironically starting out pirating anime like many other sites, after going legit, Crunchyroll has become the go-to place to watch anime legally in the West. It’s not hard to understand why, though. They’ve got hundreds of titles that get constantly updated, their shop, are big enough to have panels at the most significant conventions, and a dedicated series of YouTube channels. They’ve pretty much cornered the market on anime in America.
Speaking of their YouTube channels, though, lately, people have started to notice a trend in how Crunchyroll names its videos.
The Work of Title-Kun
I don’t know when exactly it started, but the titles for many of the anime clips Crunchyroll posts on YouTube have gotten very creative. Sometimes, they’ll be perfectly normal sounding. Other times, they will be very descriptive regarding their content, to the point where it’s considered funny. For example, this clip showing Gear Fifth Luffy throwing Kaido’s attack back at him? “Uno Reversing Kaido’s Fire?”
The moment from “No Longer Allowed in Another World” when Sensei talks down the Dark Lord’s daughter? “Rizzing Up the Dark Lord With My Unwillingness to Live.”
A clip from Fairy Tail: Hundred Year Quest where Natsu fights a ghost Dragon Slayer? They gave it a Danny Phantom reference so overt, they had to change the name. The list keeps going on!
Many people who watch Crunchyroll’s YouTube channels have noticed the increasingly descriptive (and funny) titles the videos are getting. As a result, more than a few people have made jokes about it in the comments. Chief among them are saying that whoever comes up with the titles should be getting a pay raise.
Then a few days ago, I saw a clip for a new romcom anime called “Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister,” and I saw what one of the comments said:
“Title-Kun is getting WILD these days… “
Spread the Word of Title-Kun
That’s when I knew that this was no longer a simple joke. It was ascending to meme status. And I am all for it!
Don’t ask me why, but I really enjoy how much fun Crunchyroll seems to be having with how they title their videos. Besides referencing internet slang and movies, it just shows a generally high level of creativity. That’s something I’m always looking to see in the things I enjoy. And if the history of Truck-Kun is any indication, then if the meme keeps growing, it will start to be used to describe shows with crazy, descriptive titles. It’s up to us to ensure the meme spreads that far!
Well, it’s official now. The voice of Goku shall be forever immortalized.
In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence has become increasingly widespread and controversial. Many people are pointing out how programs like ChatGPT and the like can easily be used to replace the jobs of actual people. Worse, many voice actors fear that their voices could be replicated and reused without them getting any form of compensation for it. So, it’s pretty controversial in the entertainment industry.
Now it could get even more controversial. A few days ago, the management agency for Masako Nozawa, the legendary seiyuu for Goku, has teamed up with a company that specializes in AI voice technology. Nozawa will be among a group of people who will permit their voices to be used for various voice-related technology across multiple different languages. In other words, we could hear the Japanese voice of Goku being used for an Alexa in the future. More importantly, though, that would give the owners of Dragon Ball the means to keep voicing Goku even after Masako has passed on.
And you know what? I’m okay with that.
I normally do not approve of companies making AI copies of famous celebrities voices. Especially when they do it without their consent or deciding not to pay them. However, the difference here is that Nozawa has consented to this. She’s agreed to let it happen! And she’s not the only celebrity I’ve talked about on here who has done so. A few weeks ago, I talked about how the late James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, had agreed to have his voice replicated by another AI company. He agreed to it, and so has Masako Nozawa. Thus, I have no right to complain.
If I’m being perfectly honest, I’m glad that she’s agreed to this. Masako is 87 right now, and as much as we may want it, she can’t keep playing Goku forever. I think that she understands this, and so she doesn’t want to see the character of Goku die with her. By doing this, she’s making sure that Goku can continue to be voiced by her for as long people want to keep making stuff for Dragon Ball. Some voices are too powerful to let them fade away, and this is a prime example.
When Dragon Ball Daima was announced last year at NYCC, fans were thrilled. For the first time in years, Dragon Ball would be getting a new series, and Akira Toriyama was the one who wrote it. It felt like a dream come true!
Then, in the spring of this year, the world would end up losing Toriyama. Dragon Ball Daima would be the final work that he would contribute to the world that he had created. Suddenly, it became more important than ever that Daima was a huge success. And so, the world waited with bated breath for the day when it would premiere, ready to honor the memory of a man who inspired millions of its people. Th
I’m glad to say that Toriyama didnt disappoint with his final work. He cooked us a feast of thrills and laughs.
Since this is the first time Dragon Ball has had an anime in a while, a good portion of the premiere is devoted to getting everyone up to speed with events up to the defeat of Majin Buu. While some might see it as an issue, it’s essential for two reasons. Firstly, it establishes that this will take place before the events of Super, so no Super Saiyan God or Blue. Secondly, it introduces us to the leading antagonistic group.
Meet Gomah, Degesu, and Dr. Arinsu, the new King of the Demon Realm, the Supreme Kai of the Demon Realm, and a Core Person of the Demon Realm. While much of the rest of Universe 7 and parts of the other Universes have already gotten fleshed out, the Demon Realm has remained notably unknown until now. I think Toriyama wanted to correct that by making the primary setting of Daima, and if that’s the case, I’m glad he chose to do so before he died. He even gave them their own Dragon Balls and guardians to protect them, and retconned the Namekians point of origin to be from the Demon Realm. So, congrats Piccolo. You’re now a slug alien demon!
The main plot of the episode is that Gomah has watched how powerful Goku and the others are and fears them to be a threat to his rule. So, he and Degesu (and another Namekian) travel to Earth to use the Dragon Balls to make Goku and everyone else kids so they won’t be a threat. In essence, it’s the plot of GT but on a larger scale. By the time the credits start to roll, we can already hear everyone beginning to shrink down to the size of kids. And the kids shrinking down to the size of babies!
I know that this is supposed to be serious, but I still can’t help but find it funny. Toriyama took the plot of GT, the series that was made without his direct involvement, and made it ten times better. That’s essentially him saying “You’re doing it all wrong, you guys. Let the master show you how it’s done!” Given how Daima is meant to celebrate the franchise 40th anniversary, though, it makes sense why Toriyama would want to tell a story like this. He tried to get the series back to its roots, and it glad he got to do so before he died.
This was an excellent start to what will likely be one of the most giant anime of the year. I have no clue how long Daima will run, but I know that I’m going to enjoy it every step of the way.
When I first saw the trailers for My Hero Academia’s fourth film, You’re Next, I had one thing on my mind: who the heck is this fake All Might? Was this Dark Might guy supposed to be an evil twin or clone of All Might? Did the series really need to resort to that for its next film? I was sure that there had to be some kind of explanation behind this faker, and that led me to go see the movie in theaters this past Friday. I’m glad that I did, because while it doesn’t break new ground for the series, it does know how to deliver the spectacle. Plus, I got to see the anime version of Homelander get humiliated by the anime version of Spider-Man.
Anime Homelander Thinks he Can Be New All Might?
Taking place in between the sixth and seventh seasons of the show, You’re Next is set amidst the backdrop of a Japan that’s struggling to stay afloat. The chaos that All for One and Shigaraki have unleashed has forced the students of Class 1-A to work overtime helping the pro heroes capture criminals. Then out of nowhere, a man who looks to be the spitting image of All Might shows up! Calling himself Dark Might, he claims himself to be All Might’s successor, but nobody buys it. Especially not Deku and his friends. It doesn’t take long for the imposter to show his twisted ideas of heroism as he takes countless people hostage and forces Class 1-A into a fight for survival while the pro heroes scramble to provide aid. And at the center of it all is a young woman with a mysterious Quirk and this gun-toting butler version of Hajime from Arifureta.
Dark Might is Basically the MHA Version of Homelander
I was going into this film with no context or clue about who this Dark Might was. As soon as I saw him make his public debut by dispatching a villain with no consideration for collateral damage, something clicked for me. He reminded me of Homelander from The Boys. Both of them claim to be heroes, but in truth, they’re bloodthirsty killers who only want to be worshipped and feared like gods. The main difference is that whereas Homelander continues to fool a good portion of America, no one in Japan buys what Dark Might is selling. It’s pretty telling how messed up this man is when Midoriya openly hates his guts. And I don’t blame him, either. Much like Homelander, Dark Might is insufferable; a dark reflection of what it means to be a hero.
As for who Dark Might really is, that remains a mystery for much of the film, but the payoff isn’t that interesting. We all knew that he wasn’t going to be some clone or evil twin of All Might, but the reveal of his identity makes look even more pathetic than that. He’s just a criminal who only cares about All Might’s power and not his ideals. And as strong as he is, he’s still a chump compared to the real All Might, like how Homelander is a chump compared to Superman. And just like Superman would wipe the floor with Homelander, Deku and the others eventually wipe the floor with Dark Might like the chump he is.
Great Fights, Decent Story
As for the fights, that is the only thing that I can say remains consistently awesome in the MHA films. With this taking place right before the final battle begins, we get to see Deku and Class 1-A near their peak. Most of the heavy lifting winds up being done by Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto, though. During the film’s climax, the three face off against Dark Might alongside their butler ally, Julio, and the animation is some of the best in the series. Wannabe All Might or not, Dark Might is still a strong opponent and hard for the heroes to beat. But he still loses.
As for the story itself, it’s decent. The main plot revolves around Dark Might using this girl whose Quirk amplifies others Quirks at her own expense. Deku and the others team up with her butler best friend, Julio, who, again, reminds me of a red-haired version of Hajime. He’s got a cool cyborg arm, an eyepatch, and a motorcycle. It wasn’t hard for me to be reminded of Hajime from Arifureta. He also happens to be one of those movie characters that’s had a lousy life and needs the main protagonist to regain his sense of optimism and hope. In other words, your standard Shonen film stuff.
Just a Lot of Good Fun
This film doesn’t really add much to My Hero Academia, but to be honest, it doesn’t need to. Whenever I see a movie for a popular anime, the majority of the time, I know that it’s not going to have any bearing on the plot. WHO cares, though? We get to see an anime hero inspired by Spider-Man beat up a guy who reminds me of Homelander. That alone is worth the price of admission. Plus, since there’s a good chance this might be the last film the franchise will get (unless they decide to do an epilogue film), I want to enjoy it. Mainly since Justin Briner kills it as Deku once again!
Also, can you guys settle a bet for us: is All Might considered an expy for Superman? Aaron and I are debating about it.
Summer’s over, so it’s time for the cozier part of the year to begin. Fortunately, when we’re not outside enjoying the changing weather and prepping for Halloween (and Thanksgiving), we can enjoy plenty of anime beneath the comfort of a warm blanket. And this year, it looks like the anime community is going to feast! And since I enjoyed talking about what I was looking forward to watching in the summer, I decided to make that a trend here at the D&A Anime Blog. That being said, I’m RJ Writing Ink, and here are all of the anime I’m looking forward to watching for the Fall 2024.
As was the case with my list for summer 2024, this will only include anime that premiere in the fall. Anything that premiered before then will not count. I would also like to note that there will be big anime coming out that I will not be covering by me not being interested in them. In other words, no Bleach: Thousand Year War, even if it’s going to be one of the big ones.
Something is not right with the town of Kurouzu-cho. These mysterious spirals are starting to appear on everything—first on objects, then the environment, and then on people. As people start wondering what the heck is going on, paranoia and fear begin to set in as the curse of the Uzumaki threatens to devour all.
Up until Toonami and Adult Swim aired the first teaser for this a few years ago, I had no idea that Uzumaki and its mangaka, Junji Ito, even existed. The repeated delays haven’t helped, as I haven’t been particularly motivated to read the manga. That being said, I’ve heard people sing its praises and call it this masterpiece of Japanese horror. And with Halloween coming up, I’m going to need some scary shows to watch, and something tells me this will be perfect for that. Here’s hoping I’m not traumatized!
Re:Zero-Starting Life in Another World Season 3 (10/02/24), Crunchyroll-
After three years of hiatus, one of the Seven Summits of Isekai is coming back! With Mushoku Tensei on break until its next season and Reincarnated As a Slime winding down its latest season, it’s time for Re:Zero to step up to the plate with that high-quality isekai goodness.
I wish that I could say more about this anime, but the hard truth is that I’ve never watched it before. I know it’s one of the all-time greatest isekai, so I consider it part of the Seven Summits. But beyond reading the synopsis for the episodes on Wikipedia, I’ve never had time to watch it. However, with the new season premiering with a 90-minute special, this fall might be the perfect time for me to get into it. Given how it was one of the series that helped kickstart the isekai craze we live in, it will be good.
Dan Da Dan (10/04/24) Crunchyroll-
A girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts. When both make a bet to see who’s right, it turns out that they’re both right. A spirit possesses the boy, and aliens abduct the girl and discovers she has psychic powers. Now they both have to deal with the paranormal together while navigating the pressures of being in high school. And I’m not sure which is easier.
I know almost nothing about this series, but from what I’ve seen in the trailers and heard about online, it sounds like complete and utter chaos. And I love it! I’m a big fan of paranormal things such as ghosts and aliens, so having a series dealing with both sounds like a good way to create some interesting stories. Additionally, the series is being produced by Science Saru, who made last year’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Given how much I liked that series, I’m willing to give this one a look. Also, with Nokotan now over, I’m going to need a new source of vitamin crazy in my anime diet.
Is it Wrong to Try and Pick up Girls in a Dungeon Season 5 (10/04/24), HiDive-
With how much the founders of this blog love Hestia and think she’s bestia (and she’s up there in my book), I would be remiss to not include the new season on here.
It’s the time of the Goddess Festival in Orario, AKA the time when people pay respects to the Goddesses of fertility that bring the city and its labyrinth to life. And it just so happens that Bell receives a letter from his friend Syr asking him out on a date to the festival. And with Bell’s track record of getting involved in big events, there’s a good chance that things are bound to get nuts.
I wish I could say I would watch this since I do like DanMachi, but there are two problems. First, I haven’t kept up with anything past season two. Second, my schedule for the fall is already pretty booked, as you can see. The fact that it’s only on HiDive and not Crunchyroll doesn’t help matters, either, but with the Internet being what it is, that’s more of a nuisance than a problem.
Ranma 1/2 (10/06/24), Netflix-
Urusei Yatsura made a modern-day comeback with its own remake a few years ago. Now it’s Ranma 1/2‘s turn. For those who don’t know, never watched the previous anime or read the manga, the series revolves around Ranma, a young martial artist thrown into an arranged marriage with the daughter of a man his dad trained alongside. There’s just one catch: Ranma’s cursed. When he’s splashed by cold water, he turns into a girl. And when he’s splashed by hot water, he goes back to being a boy. Hilarity ensues.
I’ve never seen the original anime or read the manga, but I have heard that the former gets flak for all the filler due to outpacing its source material. However, there are two reasons why I’m giving this a shot. Firstly, the manga finished back in 1996, so there’s no chance for history to repeat. Secondly, I’m a big fan of the mangaka, Rumiko Takahashi, thanks to her other works like Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha. The art style and the way she utilizes exaggerated facial expressions are both entertaining to look at.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Season 3 (10/14/24) Crunchyroll-
Hajime Nagumo and his team of overpowered women have returned for another season. As the now strongest man in the other world continues his quest to find a way home, they get sidetracked by a mission to the neighboring Hoelscher Empire. With his friend Shea’s people being threatened by the Empire, Hajime teams up with the Rabbit Men to put them in their place.
First, I am well aware of Arifureta’s shortcomings, especially regarding the pacing in its first season. Secondly, I’m also aware that it’s a power fantasy where the protagonist gets OP abilities and a harem of girls that all love him for one reason. But it’s a guilty pleasure because I like how badass Hajime is. And unlike most of his fellow summons, he sees their task of saving the world for the nonsense it is and refuses to be used like that. Here’s hoping the anime keeps doing a better job of adapting the light novels!
And now, the best for last!
Dragon Ball Daima (10/11/2024) Crunchyroll-
The next chapter in Dragon Ball is coming this fall, and it looks to be taking the franchise back to its roots. Taking place sometime between the defeat of Kid Buu and the end of Dragon Ball Z, Daima centers around a conspiracy that shrinks Goku and his allies down to the size of kids. With no other alternative, Goku retrieves his old Power Pole and goes on a quest to the Demon Realm to set things right.
This is likely going to be the anime that people are going to be focusing on this fall, and for good reason. Outside of the additional movies (and the anime based on Dragon Ball Heroes), this is going to be the first anime in the franchise since Super finished its run. Secondly, with series creator Akira Toriyama’s passing earlier this year, Daima will be his final contribution to the world he created. With many fans still mourning the legendary mangaka’s passing, odds are we’re going to throw our full support behind it.
It’s also coming out the same day as the highly anticipated new game, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. That can’t be a coincidence, and it’s going to make that weekend all about Dragon Ball.
Bonus-Naruto x TMNT Crossover Comic (11/13/24)-
Starting in November, VIZ Media and IDW Comics are teaming up to bring the Ninja Turtles and the Hidden Leaf’s number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded ninja together in a limited series! According to the official synopsis, the set-up involves the Turtles’ friend April O’Neil meeting up with the Hidden Leaf’s Lady Tsunade, only to be targeted by the Foot Clan. Naturally, the Turtles will get involved, bringing them into contact with Naruto and Team 7 in this story of east meets west.
I know that this isn’t an anime, but I’m putting it on here anyway for several reasons:
I’m a big fan of Naruto and a casual fan of the Ninja Turtles, so I am understandably excited.
I think the idea of the famous Turtles teaming up with one of the greatest Shonen heroes of all time is excellent.
November will officially mark ten years since the end of the original Naruto manga. That can’t be a coincidence, and I’m feeling nostalgic.
Good times.
Do you agree with my picks? What anime are you looking forward to this fall? Let us know in the comments down below and enjoy the season!
Fairy Tail: Hundred Year Quest Initial Series Review
When it comes to Shonen series, depending on who you’re asking, Fairy Tail is either pretty famous…or pretty infamous. People have criticized Hiro Mashima’s best-known work for many things over the years. Things like having too much fanservice in it and not enough character depth. How it uses the power of friendship to let its characters bs it’s way through situations they shouldn’t survive. And, my personal favorite, how it’s One Piece if Oda didn’t care.
Having read Fairy Tail for years, and spent as much time reviewing Mashima’s next series, Edens Zero, I can honestly say the criticisms are valid. That said, that doesn’t stop me from loving the series like a guilty pleasure. And when I found out that the sequel manga, Hundred-Year Quest, was getting an anime this summer, I knew I had to watch it. I’m glad I did, because the series is as fun as ever.
Fairy Tail’s Greatest Adventure Yet
It’s been one year since the wizarding guild Fairy Tail and their allies defeated Zeref and Acnologia, and resident Fire Dragon Slayer is going on his greatest adventure to date. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Happy and Carla travel to the continent of Guiltina to take on the Hundred-Year Quest, a quest so dangerous that none have completed it since wizarding guilds began. It soon becomes apparent why. The quest involves finding the Five Dragon Gods, defeat them, and seal away their powers. And each of them has strength on par with Aconologia. Needless to say, Team Natsu has its work cut out for it.
Meanwhile, back at Fairy Tail, a new member named Touka joins the guild, and she’s crazy for Natsu. But there’s something off about her…
I Like Fairy Tail and you Can’t Change My Mind!
I want to reiterate this: I’m well aware of the criticisms surrounding Fairy Tail. And I will not deny them. I’ve spent years reading the work of Hiro Mashima, and as good as he can be, he’s no Oda, Araki, Kishimoto, or Toriyama. Granted, Kishimoto has had his own problems writing female protagonists, but that’s besides the point. But even with all these faults, I still love Fairy Tail, and here’s why.
Firstly, I love the series sense of humor. It could do a little bit better when it comes to how deep it makes some of its characters, but when it comes to being funny, Mashima knows what he’s doing. The titular guild is a haven for rowdy, chaotic, but good-natured people who love life, adventure, and testing each other. In fact, whenever I’m feeling depressed about life, one of my first instincts is to look up a video of Fairy Tail and watch them do the funniest stuff. Say what you want, but they always bring a smile to my face.
The second reason I like Fairy Tail is simpler: the dub is good. When Funimation first started dubbing the series fifteen years ago, they spared no expense when it came to talent. If you look at the cast list for the english dub, you’ll see that it has a lot of voice actor’s that were either already successful or have become successful in the time since then. And they do a good job at playing their roles. The way they deliver some of their lines is enough to get a laugh out of me.
Lastly, the show’s got some great music. Full stop.
So, yeah, I like Fairy Tail despite its faults, and I’ve been eagerly watching the dub for Hundred-Year Quest. And on the subject of whether it’s good or not, this is all I have to say: it feels like the series never left us, and I’m sure plenty of fans feel the same way.
I don’t know how long the new series will run for, but frankly, I don’t care. I’m just glad that Fairy Tail has come back to us after almost five years of waiting. It was worth the wait, and it steps back into the world of the series so seamlessly, you’d barely recognize that it had left.
My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered that no One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! Initial Series Review By RJ Writing Ink
A few years back, around the start of the Halloween season, I started really getting into the SCP Foundation. If you don’t know what that is, this collaborative writing project tells stories about the same name group. This secret organization studies and captures anomalies that could help or harm humanity. Over the years, we’ve got stories that have them deal with everything from a living blob of goo whose touch makes people happy to a lizard monster that will not die to even beings that could only be described as gods, including God! The bottom line is that the SCP Foundation deals with things not meant for the faint of heart.
Then, a few weeks ago, I came across this anime online called My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! At first glance, it looked like another trash isekai…until I read the TV Tropes page and listened to the summaries on YouTube. And that made me realize something: it was still a trashy isekai. But the twist is that the main character is, for all intents and purposes, someone who would make the SCP Foundation wet themselves. And that’s where things get interesting.
How an Overpowered Guy Got Isekai’d Against His Will
Meet Yogiri Takatou, a seemingly average high-schooler who likes napping and playing video games. Then, one day, while on a field trip with his class, they find themselves getting the isekai treatment and end up in a world that’s a sink for all isekai’s. This girl comes onto the bus and gives the standard introduction speech: they’ve been summoned to gain insane powers and get the chance to become great heroes in their world. Unfortunately, the world’s definition of “hero” is more like the (primarily) fake heroes from The Boys: most people who get powers get drunk on them. And while Yogiri’s sleeping, his classmates decide to leave him and the few who didn’t get a gift to death by dragon.
Little did anyone know, but Yogiri didn’t need a gift because he’s already got one of the most broken powers in all fiction. Yogiri can make anyone or anything he wants drop dead on the ground by thinking about them or sensing hostility towards him. First, he saves Tomochika, the only other classmate alive on the bus (that they know of) by killing the dragon. Then, when three scumbag classmates try to kill him and take Tomochika as their love slave, he kills two of them. And they were already isekai veterans, too! They were basically running on new game+ and kept all their loot and skills!
At any rate, Yogiri and Tomochika aren’t happy about being kidnapped to another world and then abandoned and left to die. So, Yogiri decides to look for a way to get home, and Tomochika tags along since he decided to protect her. Mainly because when that dragon attacked, she glomped onto him in a panic and she felt really soft and lovely.
No, I am not making this up.
The Anime is Isekai Trash, but Takatou Isn’t
Like I said before, My Instant Death Ability is Isekai trash, and it makes no effort to hide this. It’s filled with a ton of cliches and tropes found in most Isekai, most of the antagonists are one-note with zero depth, and the pacing in the anime is, quite frankly, wrong. The first season of Arifureta is bad. However, there’s one thing that keeps it from falling into the category of full-on Isekai trash, and that’s Takatou.
Returning to what I said earlier about the SCP Foundation and what I read on TVTropes.org? I wasn’t joking. As the anime progresses, it’s gradually revealed that Takatou’s ability is more than just the mental version of a Death Note. While he mainly uses it to kill people, it’s not limited to that. He can kill anything. Getting attacked by some random thug? He can kill their eyes or half their body so they can never use them again. Facing down an immortal, omnipotent god? Takatou will pull an “Uno reverse” card and reduce them to goo. He can even “kill” concepts like the strength of an attack or the laws of physics. And he can do this because his power isn’t instant death. It’s much, much more terrifying. So terrifying, in fact, that if he were an SCP, the foundation would be better off not making an enemy out of him lest he end their existence.
It is too bad for Takatou; most people in that otherworld are too arrogant or stupid to understand, leading to much of the series’ humor. Seeing the most outlandishly powerful beings, from other summoned people to immortal monsters to actual gods, pick a fight with him, only to drop dead for their efforts? That’s some good use of black comedy!
An Interesting Take on the OP Isekai Protagonist
So, yeah, My Instant Death Ability is a bit of isekai trash, but at the same time, it’s also making fun of the genre in the same way One Punch Man makes fun of the Shonen genre. Seeing all these mighty beings hyping themselves up, only to become part of the body count of such an ordinary-looking guy? It’s funny because of how absurd it is! It’s terrible, but it knows it is and uses that to milk the genre for all its worth. The one downside is that if you want to watch it, you’re going to have to get a subscription to HiDive, as it’s not on Crunchyroll. That, or find a third-party site to use. If seeing something deconstructing the isekai genre sounds interesting and you have time to kill, this might be a show for you. Otherwise, feel free to look up something else.
My Verdict: Worth a Binge Session if you got HiDive
Earlier in the summer, I made a list of the anime I looked forward to watching during the season. But now that enough time has passed, I can honestly say there are anime that I regret not including on that list. A prime example being one of the latest successes to come out from the legendary Shonen Jump, The Elusive Samurai. Coming from the mangaka who created Assassination Classroom, something that I greatly enjoyed watching, I knew that I was going to enjoy this series, and I’m happy to say that I was right. Not only is it beautifully animated, it tells the story of a seemingly atypical Shonen protagonist. I say seemingly because, as you’ll soon learn, this boy may not be a great fighter, but who needs to fight when you can dodge and outrun your opponents until the fat lady sings?
The Elusive Samurai and His Origin Story
The year is 1333 AD, Medieval Japan. Tokiyuki Hojo is the young heir to the Hojo clan and the Kamakura Shogunate, AKA the de-facto rulers of Japan. But he’s not interested in being a lord, though; all he likes to do is play hide-and-seek with his exasperated teachers. All of that comes to an end, though, when Takauji Ashikaga, one of his family’s retainers, betrays them to the Emperor. Before the first episode ends, his home is
razed to the ground, his retainers dead or on the run, and his family slaughtered.
All’s not lost, though. Thanks to the help of Yorishige Suwa, this really sketchy priest who claims he can see the future, Tokiyuki escapes with his life. With Yorishige as his mentor and a group of young, eccentric retainers by his side, he vows to rebuild his family, take back his home, and get revenge on those who betrayed the Hojo clan. There’s just one problem: Tokiyuki is a lousy fighter; all he’s good at is running and hiding.
As the series demonstrates, though, that’s the best skill he can have in his era.
Tokiyuki is No Coward-He’s a Road Runner
At first glance, Tokiyuki Hojo doesn’t seem like your typical Shonen hero, much less one from Shonen Jump. From the outset, he’s not skilled in combat or has the latent potential to become so. Nor is he loud, boisterous, confident, or as cunning as protagonists like Luffy, Goku, or Naruto. In fact, most people see him as a coward for preferring to run and hide rather than face his enemies head-on like Samurai are expected to do.
Here’s the thing: Tokiyuki’s no coward, and he’s not a weakling, either. Early on, the series does its best to demonstrate how his Ultra Instinct-level dodging ability is the best thing he could have in his violent era. Moreover, Yorishige correctly recognizes that, far from being a coward, Tokiyuki is someone who genuinely enjoys the thrill of the chase and the risk of getting caught. In the second episode, he uses this to great effect by dodging an enemy combatant to the point where he can’t defend when the boy goes in for the killing blow.
To sum it all up: Tokiyuki is like the Road Runner or Jerry the Mouse if they had Ultra Instinct. He gets excited by the thrill of facing death, and he’s capable of being more cunning than most give him credit for. Coupled with his friendly attitude, he’s able to endear himself to allies that can make up for his shortcomings. In other words, he’s got a few things in common with some of the best heroes from Shonen Jump’s roster.
Amazing Animation and Art at Work!
Tokiyuki is only half of the series overall appeal, though. The other half is thanks to its amazing animation. The series is brought to life by Cloverworks, a studio that’s already well-known for its work on Bocchi the Rock, Spy x Family, Darling in the Franxx, and several other series, and it shows. The animation for the characters is incredibly fluid, especially during the fight scenes. Additionally, it also does a good job of bringing together some of the more surreal moments of the manga to life. I.E. when two of the retainers hunting Tokiyuki look like they’re communicating through their superhuman eyes and ears. It makes as much sense in context, trust me.
The real appeal of the show’s artwork, though, is how it captures Feudal Japan in all its blood and beauty. The series is a historical one and most of the cast is based on real-life figures. However, since records of that era are scarce, the mangaka’s not afraid to include more supernatural elements of Japanese culture, leading to some pretty impressive backgrounds and characters. It’s a really good-looking series!
Lastly, we have the OP and ED. Any good anime needs to have a memorable OP and Ed, and The Elusive Samurai delivers on that promise. The OP itself is very upbeat and exciting, despite how grim the series itself can get, while the ED is this bizarre Japanese hip-hop talking about the history of the Kamakura Shogunate. And like the rest of the series, both are beautifully animated.
Overall, I really like The Elusive Samurai, and have greatly enjoyed watching the series thus far. It’s got some interesting characters, good music, great animation, and to top it off, it’s a historical series. As someone who loves reading about history, that alone gets me interested. If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend you go watch it.
RJ Writing Ink’s Initial Series Review for No Longer Allowed in Another World
Disclaimer: The following series uses the subject of suicide for comedic purposes. It is not meant to be taken seriously. If you or a loved one have thoughts of suicide, then seek help or call the suicide prevention lifeline at 988. You are not as alone as you think you are.
In this world, there are two kinds of isekai protagonists. On the one hand, we have the people who embrace getting sent to another world for all its worth and see it as a chance to make up for how dull or miserable their lives were back home. On the other hand, we have people who, for one reason or another, want nothing to do with it and want to go home. We got your Hajime’s, Naofumi’s, Nanahoshi’s, and Anne Boonchuy’s in that category. But those people wind up getting pulled into whatever isekai stuff they’re part of anyway, so it doesn’t matter. But what if there was one isekai protagonist that was just absolutely done with all that stuff before they even started? In fact, they’re just done with everything in general and want it all to end. In other words, they long for the sweet embrace of the eternal slumber that is death.
Someone in Japan decided that that could be a thing, because that’s one of the latest in the summer crop of isekai, No Longer Allowed in Another World. And after seeing the first three episodes, I can honestly say this: it’s built different, and it knows it!
Who is Osamu Daizai?
Before we start, let’s talk about a certain Japanese author, Osamu Daizai. He’s not that well-known in the West, but in Japan, he’s pretty the equivalent to Edgar Allen Poe. He’s famous for creating incredibly dark literature, much of which remains popular in his homeland. He was also famous for his multiple attempts to end his own life due to how troubled he was. In June, 1948, he managed to succeed, with himself and his lover drowning themselves in a swollen river canal at the age of 38.
When the anime starts, Daizai, called “Sensei” here for copyright reasons, is about to make his final suicide attempt with his lover, here called Sacchan. Then, out of nowhere, Truck-Kun’s grandpa shows up, and we all know what happens next.
When Sensei wakes up, he’s in a Western-style church and being greeted by this elf priestess named Annette. She gives him the speech about how he’s been chosen by their magical world to become its newest hero, destined to save them from the Dark Lord. In other words, your standard isekai scenario.
Here’s the thing: Sensei doesn’t care about that. Since he’s from the time before anime and manga were widespread, he doesn’t even know what an isekai is. All he cares about is that his latest attempt to un-alive himself failed, and he just wants to find someplace nice to finish the job. And, if he can help it, find Sacchan in this new world so they can keep their promise. And because his stats are so weak and he’s not an arrogant, pretentious snob like everyone else she’s summoned, Annette and this cat girl that he calls Tama decide to go with him to make sure he’s safe-ish.
And with that, Sensei’s anti-isekai adventures begin.
Sensei is a Different Kind of Protagonist
Right off the bat, the anime makes it clear that it’s not for those who get triggered by suicide. The moment Sensei realizes his last suicide attempt fails, he tries again by overdosing on sleeping pills. And when he gets attacked by a tree monster that tries to choke him out, he accepts it without complaint; and that’s just the first episode. Both times, Sensei’s foiled and it’s played for comedic purposes, but that doesn’t change what he tried to do. Sensei is a man who is so done with life that he wants out. He thinks the only way he’s going to be happy is when he can welcome the sweet embrace of the grim reaper!
One would think that a story about someone as depressed as Sensei is would be equally depressing. Or for Sensei to be this jaded, nihilistic man who sees no value in anything, which is why he wants to end it all.
Yet, he oddly isn’t.
Yes, Sensei’s main goals in this new world are to find his lover and then off themselves together. However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t see the value in what other people care about. He’s very respectful, listening to other people’s problems and encouraging them to live however they want. And the fact that he does it without any of the confidence or arrogance that many people would have in an isekai helps him to win over the likes of Annette and Tama. The former of whom, the first episode makes it a point of explaining, was starting to get jaded by how full all the Otherworlders she met were.
Which is good, because, by the third episode, things take a turn for the worse when the Dark Lord is defeated a week after Sensei arrives. And without anyone to fight, the Otherworlders start going mad with power and taking over. For comparison, think about what Homelander is about to do with his army of Supes in The Boys, only not as scary.
I guess Truck-Kun’s family isn’t as good as their job as they think.
Sensei is the Anti-Isekai Protagonist
Sensei is an odd protagonist, without a doubt. He has such a passion for what he does as a writer, which I can respect, yet he’s also critical about himself. He’s brilliant, kind, and understands how important life is, yet he finds no value in his own. He doesn’t want to deal with the nonsense of an isekai, but he’s rather suited for it. He’s a rather refreshing change of pace in the genre. And while this can’t reach the same heights as the GOATS like Konosuba, Re:Zero, and Mushoku Tensei, No Longer Allowed in Another World should be an interesting watch.
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