My Hero Academia

So Many Fire Moments of Anime, So Little Time!

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RJ Writing Ink’s Picks for Best Anime Moments of 2025

What a great year of anime that we’ve had! 2025 was filled with so many hits that there was no way I could possibly watch them all. From Jin-Woo continuing to slay as an aura farmer to Rentaro’s legendary yap about his girlfriends, there were a lot of anime moments that will live rent-free in my head for a long time. To celebrate the end of the year, I’m continuing my tradition of naming my favorite anime moments of 2025. Full disclosure: I will be limiting this to the anime that I managed to watch. This year got pretty busy for me, so I was unable to follow through on everything I wanted to see.

Super Saiyan 4 Returns, Dragon Ball Daima

Dragon Ball Daima was a bittersweet event for Dragon Ball fans, as it would be Akira Toriyama’s final contribution to his creation before his passing. However, he made sure to cook us up a feast before he died, culminating in the return of one of Goku’s most legendary forms, Super Saiyan 4. While Dragon Ball GT remains a controversial entry to the franchise, everyone agrees that SSJ4 was the best thing to come out of it. Needless to say, getting to see it re-enter the canon at the climax of Goku’s journey through the Demon Realm was like a blessing from the heavens themselves. Thank you, Toriyama.

Kuma Gets Revenge on Saturn, One Piece

If you remember my post praising the story of Bartholomew Kuma, then you also remember how offended I am by the mere existence of his mortal enemy, Jaygarcia Saturn. The monstrous member of the Five Elders of the World Government went out of his way to make Kuma’s life miserable, kidnapping and injecting the love of his life with a fatal illness, giving said illness to her daughter, and then forcing Kuma to give up his humanity to save her life. Needless to say, every fiber of my being wanted Saturn dead before the Straw Hats left Egghead. While that would end up happening, I found it way more satisfying when Kuma came to rescue his adoptive daughter from death at the hands of Saturn, and then repay him for a lifetime’s worth of pain in one cathartic punch. Guess good things come to those who wait.

Rentaro’s 2-Minute Monologue about his Girlfriends, The 100 Girlfriends

I know I like to talk about 100 Girlfriends a lot on this blog, but normally, I wouldn’t include something from it as one of the greatest moments in anime for the years. However, I think this should count as an exception. In the final minutes of season two, Rentaro proceeds to go on an entire monologue about everything he loves about his girlfriends. Besides demonstrating just how much of a CHAD he is, that monologue actually made the record books, earning the record for the longest speech in Japanese Animation at over 7,453 characters. The dub is just as impressive, coming in at more than 3k words! And all of it had to be sped up to fit it into that one scene. Earning a world record is more than enough to make it onto this list!

Jin-woo vs the Ant King, Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadows

I’ve called Sung Jin-woo the Black Air Force Hunter for a reason, and the second season of his show continued to demonstrate why he’s worthy of that title. There were plenty of epic moments throughout the season, but its magnum opus is, without a doubt, when Jin-woo faces off against the Ant King on Jeju Island. When the best Hunters of two countries are left at the brink of death, Jin-woo shows up to save the day. The entire country then gets to see firsthand why Jin-woo is the strongest as we get this visually spectacular battle between Hunter and Monster. And the music they used was just the icing on the cake!

Natsuko Rewrites the Ending, Zenshu

After getting isekaied into a world based on her favorite movie, A Tale of Perishing, Natsuko did everything in her power to change the story’s ending, only for it to seem to be for naught. As the world begins to be destroyed by the embodiment of despair, the Ultimate Void, Natsuko uses all her drawing skills to make one last attempt to rewrite the story, creating a version of Luke strong enough to destroy it. In doing so, not only does she confess her love for the actual Luke, but manages to recreate the entire world and bring back everyone who died in the process. Not only is this whole thing absolutely gorgeous to look at, but it ties back into the show’s overall message of hope over despair. And it’s a much better ending than the film’s creator could ever have made. Score one for fan writing!

Speaking of which…

Midoriya and the Heroes Defeat All for One, My Hero Academia Final Season

Speaking as a fellow Star Wars fan, I can’t but think that Kohei Horikoshi looked at the climax of The Rise of Skywalker and thought, “hey, maybe I can do better.” I don’t know if that’s true or not, but seeing all of the Heroes help Deku defeat the evil All for One definitely gave off those vibes. As Midoriya puts everything he has left into one final attack, we get a montage of all the Heroes still capable of fighting doing everything they can to help him, culminating in a final, gorgeous moment as Deku lands the blow that will ultimately seal the villain’s fate. To make it even better, the entire thing was played to the series most iconic song, the ever-memeable “You Say Run.” That song really does go with everything!

Mecha vs. Space Kaiju, DanDaDan S2

You know what’s better than giant robots fighting equally giant monsters. Absolutely nothing! There were a lot of standout moments in the second season of DanDaDan, but I think the gang turning the Ayase house into a mecha to fight a space kaiju takes the cake. But even more importantly was getting to see newcomer Kinta not only solidify his role as an ally of Okarun and Momo, but he got to live out his dream of piloting a giant robot. Every Gundam fan in the world has got to be jealous of that guy at that moment! He may have his flaws, but when push came to shove, Kinta proved he had that dawg in him!!

Chainsaw Man vs Storm Devil, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc

After waiting years for the story ofChainsaw Man to continue in anime form, the Reze Arc movie didn’t fail to disappoint. Denjiโ€™s fight against the likes of Reze was already crazy enough as it was. However, we all know that Chainsaw Man is one of those series that thrives on being as chaotic as possible. Ergo, instead of fighting just Reze, we get to see Denji fight her and the Typhoon Devil. All while riding atop the Shark Fiend. What is is crazier than riding a shark into battle?

The Whole Thing, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Infinity Castle

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was the kind of film that needed to be seen on the big screen. Anything less would be a great disservice, as would my attempting to pick one moment from it to single out. This entire movie was pretty much one big greatest anime moment of the year. The Demon Slayer Corps charging into their final battle against the Demons. Shinobuโ€™s ultimate fate fighting Douma. Zenitsu killing his former sibling disciple turned Demon. Tanjiro fighting and beating the Demon that killed Rengoku! There’s too much to choose from, so I’m choosing it all! I’m so glad I got to see it on the big screen!

So, what were your favorite anime moments from 2025? Let us know!

Fall 2025 Has Some Good Anime to See!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews, Crunchyroll , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thereโ€™s no getting around it anymore: it’s Fall. Leaves are falling, the capitalist system is preparing for the Holidays, and new anime seasons of anime are on the way. Thereโ€™s just one problem: for the first time in a while, Iโ€™m worried that I wonโ€™t have an anime to cover on a weekly basis. There are plenty of great anime coming out to watch, but Iโ€™m not sure which one to cover for the D&A Anime Blog. That being said, itโ€™s not stopping me from talking about some of the big names that might be worth watching.

Letโ€™s Play, October 1st, Crunchyroll

Our first potential pick is potentially for anyone whose a fan of video games, romcoms, or webcomics, Letโ€™s Play. Sam Young is an introverted 22-year-old software developer whose love for video games led to create her own, Ruminate. At first, it did great on the market, until her favorite Letโ€™s Player, Marshall Law, gave it a bad review, leading his fans to trash it. It gets worse, though, as she discovers Law has just become her new neighbor. Talk about a drama bomb.

Believe it or not, Iโ€™m actually one of Letโ€™s Playโ€™s earliest fans, having read it from its first chapters on WEBTOON. At first it seems like another romcom built around gaming, but once Mongie starts picking up steam, she starts getting into some pretty heavy subjects like depression, trauma, and insecurities. Unfortunately, I donโ€™t think that the showโ€™s animation lives up to Mongieโ€™s own artwork. Having been let down by The Beginning After the End earlier this year, thatโ€™s left me a little weary. However, I think Iโ€™ll at least give it the benefit of the doubt.

My Hero Academia Final Season, October 4th, Crunchyroll

Ever since the manga came to an end last year, fans have been waiting to see if the My Hero Academia anime can live up to their expectations. As the final war between the Heroes of Japan and All for One nears its climax, Deku will be drawn into his final confrontation with the ultimate villain and Shigaraki in a battle to decide the fate of the world.

For the past decade, My Hero Academia has been one of the biggest names in the Shonen genre, and anime in general, and for good reason; people

love superheroes! The series has had its highs and lows, but given how the manga ends, people are eager to see if the anime can live up to the hype or surpass it. Having covered the series on my own blog since Season Four, getting to see the finale will be a bittersweet experience for me. At least weโ€™ll still have Vigilantes to look forward to, though!

Ranma 1/2 Season 2, October 4th Netflix

Last year, Netflix gave us their remake of one of the OG romcom anime, Ranma 1/2, and now itโ€™s back for more. Too bad for Ranma, his misfortunes when it comes to love, as well as his curse, are going to keep giving him grief.

When anime and manga started arriving in force to America back in the 90s, Ranma 1/2 was among the first wave, helping to introduce fans to Japanese romcoms. Granted, modern audiences might take issue with several things about it, like how argumentative Ranma and Akane are, or how theyโ€™re betrothed by their dads without their consent. However, that doesnโ€™t change the fact that itโ€™s still one of the OG romcom anime, and itโ€™s cool that itโ€™s getting more love.

Spy x Family Season 3, October 4th, Crunchyroll/Hulu

Everyoneโ€™s favorite spy family is back for a third season. As Loid continues to work towards his ultimate goal of completing Operation: STRIX, the Forger family continues its efforts to keep looking like a normal family. Which is tough considering how the โ€œDadโ€ is a spy, the โ€œMomโ€ is an assassin, neither knowing that, and their โ€œdaughterโ€ Anya has to help keep it that way. Which will be hard, considering how this season is slated to include an escort mission on a cruise ship and Anyaโ€™s school bus getting hijacked by terrorists.

Iโ€™m not that overly big a fan of Spy x Family, only really watching it when I have nothing better to do. However, I can appreciate why people like it so much. The characters are likable, thereโ€™s a good balance between action and comedy, like many great Shonen, and the animation itself is great. What might tip the scales, though, is that this season will give us a look at how Loid became the superspy Twilight.  

Star Wars: Visions Volume 3, October 29th, Disney+

Four years ago, Disney teamed up with some of the biggest animation studios in Japan to give us Star Wars: Visions, an anthology series that combined two of the greatest things in the world: Star Wars and anime. Now, itโ€™s returning to those roots with a third season that promises to be just as good, if not better, than the last two. Not only will we be getting new shorts inspired by the Star Wars universe, but three are going to be sequelss to some of the most popular shorts from Volume One: The Duel, The Village Bride, and The Ninth Jedi. If youโ€™ve seen the shorts, then you know why this alone is worth the hype.

Iโ€™ve been a fan of Star Wars since I was a little kid, and despite how Disney has kept fumbling things since 2012, Iโ€™m still a big fan of the franchise. Combining it with anime is naturally enough to get my blood pumping! Given how amazing the first two volumes are, Iโ€™m eager to see what comes next from this anthology series!

Chainsaw Man โ€“ The Movie: Reze Arc, October 29th, Theaters

Itโ€™s been three long years since the end to the first season of Chainsaw Man, and while manga-readers have feasted, anime watchers are starving . But all of that changes as Chainsaw Man gets the movie treatment with Chainsaw Man โ€“ The Movie: Reze Arc.

After defeating the Katana Man and his Yakuza flunkies, Denji continues his work under Makima as a hunter of Devils. His world winds up getting turned upside down, though, when he winds up meeting a girl his age named Reze, and she actually seems interested in him! But since the universe seems to love seeing Denji suffer, you donโ€™t need to read the manga to know that this cannot end well.

I had my criticisms of the first season of Chainsaw Man, and for good reason. Considering all the hype about the manga, it felt like the anime failed to meet my expectations when it comes to action. However, I did promise myself I would go back and review it again once it continued, and I intend to keep that promise. Given how effectively Demon Slayer has adapted arcs into full-on movies, I have high hopes for this flick. Hopefully, it also means that the anime will be coming back soon with a new season.

Let 2025 Anime COOOKK!!!!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews, Blogging , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RJ Writing Inkโ€™s List of Anime to Look Out For in 2025

Anime fans, we are going to be eating like kings this year.

By the time youโ€™re reading this, the year 2025 will likely be here, and it is promising to cook a feast for anime lovers around the world. From popular anime returning with new seasons to newcomers on the block, the year is going to be filled with so many potentially great anime. So much so that for the first time in recent memory, I actually had to stop looking to keep my brain from overloading. Thatโ€™s how much we could end up eating this year!

Iโ€™m RJ Writing Ink for the D&A Anime Blog, and this is my bakerโ€™s dozen of all the anime I will be paying attention to in 2025.

Solo Leveling-Arise from the Shadows-January 4th, 2025

Only a few days into 2024, the world of anime got its first big hit in the form of Solo Leveling. Based on the Korean manwha of the same name, this megahit told the story of Sung Jin-Woo as he started going from being the weakest Hunter in the world to a contender for the title of That Guy. And heโ€™s going to get even stronger.

At the end of the first season, Jin-Woo gained the ability to raise the dead as shadow warriors, giving him the means to build his own army. This upcoming season will see him grow his forces while continuing to level up his skills. And the stronger he gets, the more attention he will end up attracting. And, having read the entire manwha to the end, I can promise you when I say that we have seen nothing yet!

Zenshu-January 5th, 2025

This next anime is unique on this list, as itโ€™s the only one that wholly original. Created by studio MAPPA, Zenshu takes the all-too-familiar concept of the Isekai and puts someone who works in the anime industry into the protagonist role. When the young animator Natsuko Hirose apparently dies from exhaustion at work, she wakes up in the world of her favorite anime. Unfortunately for her, said anime is one where anyone can die, like its Game of Thrones. The good news is that she learns that she has the power to re-animate scenes from the story, thereby changing it in the process. So, she does what any fan who doesnโ€™t like how a story turns out: she gets to work fixing it.

These days, Isekai are a dime-a-dozen, and creators have to get creative to help themselves stand out in the crowd. That being said, the premise of someone rewriting the world of her favorite series because they hate what happens is something plenty of fans can relate to. Take, for example, the recent ending to the Oshi No Ko manga. Plenty of disillusioned fans would love to fix that controversial ending! Not to mention how the last two seasons of Game of Thrones need a complete overhaul! The bottom line is that Zenshu is the power fantasy for every fan disillusioned by a story gone wrong, and we should give it a shot.

Dr. Stone Science Future-January 9 2025

Weโ€™re ten billion percent ready to return to the world of Dr. Stone, the sci-fi manga with an emphasis on science. Following the events of the third season, Senku and the Kingdom of Science to acquire one of the mysterious devices that caused humanity to petrify. In addition, they also learned the device and its brethren were getting their orders somewhere on the Moon, meaning they would have to travel there to uncover the truth behind the Petrification Event. Doing that will require more resources, meaning Senku and the others will have to travel the globe and gain new alliesโ€ฆand new enemies.

While I never watched Dr. Stone past season one, the anime has caught up to the part of the manga where I started reading it every week. Since I know what happens, I know how interesting things are going to get. And while it might not be the most exciting Shonen series, Dr. Stone balances learning about science with goofy humor, making it interesting enough for me to watch. That, and the dub voice cast is pretty good.

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2-January 10 2025

Everyoneโ€™s favorite apothecary detective returns with a new season! If you donโ€™t know what The Apothecary Diaries is, itโ€™s an anime that premiered back in 2023 before running into the following year. It tells the story of Maomao, a talented young apothecary forced to work as a lowly servant at the palace of an Emperor. Once she starts using her talents to solve mysteries, though, she starts taking on a much greater role. With the new season heralding the arrival of spring, thereโ€™s sure to be more mysteries to solve. And more importantly, more chances for Maomao and Jinshi to mess with each other!

Normally, The Apothecary Diaries wouldnโ€™t be the kind of anime I would be interested in. However, the combination of good voice acting, mysteries, and the dynamic between Jinshi and Maomao is enough to pique my interest. With how many popular like to cosplay as characters from the series, itโ€™s apparent that itโ€™s got a pretty big fan base already, and will surely grow bigger with the new season.

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2-January 12th 2025

The ultimate sigma harem anime returns at last! For those who donโ€™t know (or didnโ€™t ready my review of the series), 100 Girlfriends is, as the name suggests, about a boy whoโ€™s destined to meet and have 100 girlfriends. As of the end of the first season, our protagonist/the ideal every boyfriend should aspire to, Rentaro Aijo, stands at six girlfriends. Given what the trailer revealed, heโ€™s due to make it to the double digits before the end of the season.

Harem doesnโ€™t have the best reputation in the anime community, but as I said in my review, 100 Girlfriends is the exception to the role. Not only does it have a protagonist who actively gives his partners reasons to like him, but each partner serves as a deconstruction of a different female archetype. I.E., Karaneโ€™s tsundere-ness is something she hates due to it making her too insecure to say what sheโ€™s really feeling. Or Shizukaโ€™s muteness is not by choice, but due to her extreme shyness. The point is that each girlfriend has more depth than you would think. Not only that, but the series is pretty funny.

One Piece-April 2025

This fall, One Piece shocked fans everywhere when, for the first time in its 25-year history, it went on hiatus. Fans have had to be content with a retelling of the Fishman Island Saga over the course of the fall and winter months. However, all of that ends April, 2025 as One Piece returns to the actual story.

For those not caught up, the series went on hiatus in the middle of the Egghead Island Arc. That arc has the Straw Hats meet the genius scientist Dr. Vegapunk, who begs them to get him and his clones as far away from the World Government as possible. While the arc has already been filled with plenty of epic moments, I can promise you that you havenโ€™t seen anything yet. Expect your mind to be blown into a million pieces, put back together, and then blown again before the Straw Hats leave Egghead. No spoilers, though!

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes-April 2025

My Hero Academia might be heading into its final season, but there are still stories left to be told in this world of superpowers and heroes. Case in point, we have the anime adaptation of the MHA spin-off/prequel, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. Set five years before the events of the series, Vigilantes follows Koichi Haimawari, an aspiring hero who opts not to become a Pro Hero in favor of becoming an illegal vigilante.

Anyone who has read an American superhero comic knows that vigilante heroes arenโ€™t a new thing. Technically, most of the superheroes in Marvel and DC comics are vigilantes that have charges pressed against them. The only reason that doesnโ€™t happen is because the heroes are all fairly competent at what they do. Having a spin-off that brings the concept of superheroes back to its vigilante roots should provide a new and interesting perspective on how heroism works in the world of My Hero Academia. That, and it will keep the fandom alive for a little bit longer.

Dan Da Dan Season 2-July 2025

If you read my reviews of Dan Da Dan, then you know I consider it to be the best anime of 2024 hands down. Unfortunately, the first season ended on a pretty awkward vote: Okarun and Jiji found a secret room in Jijiโ€™s house, and Momo was under attack from a bunch of creeps. Thankfully, fans donโ€™t have to wait years to find out what happens in anime form, with the next season due in just a few months.

Continuing the story where the last episode left off, Okarun, Jiji, and Momo will have to face both a deadly cult and an evil spirit known as the Evil Eye. Given everything that we see in the trailer, including Jiji being possessed by the spirit and the image of an erupting volcano, things are going to get wild. And I wouldnโ€™t have it any other way!

My Hero Academia Final Season-Fall 2025

Itโ€™s been a long, long road, but My Hero Academia is finally nearing the end of its run. The last season ended as the final battle between the heroes and the villains was reaching its climax. As Deku continues his fight against Shigaraki, All Might fights to stall the evil All for One from reaching his apprentice so they can merge and become unstoppable. With all the other battles now out of the way, the series can focus on making this the finale that the fans deserve.

Once again, this is a series where I read the entire manga in advance. Thus, I know how things are going to turn out and care more about its executed. If Studio Bones does this right, then it will cement MHA in the Shonen hall of fame. If notโ€ฆyou remember what happened with Oshi No Ko, right?

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2-Unknown Release Date

Hereโ€™s another up-and-coming Shonen anime thatโ€™s getting another season, Kaiju No. 8. At the end of the last season, Kafka Hibino managed to prove his humanity despite being able to transform into a Kaiju. As a result, heโ€™s getting another chance with the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. With the threat of Kaiju No. 9 and other intelligent Kaiju still looming, the JAKDF will need all the help they can get.

Sadly, a concrete release date for the new season has yet to be announced. In fact, every entry beyond this point has no clear release date.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc-Unknown Release Date

Right when it looked like it may never continue, Chainsaw Man bursts back onto the scene in all of its bloody glory. Some time ago, it was announced that the next arc of the popular Shonen series, the Reze Arc, would be made into a movie. However, with no news after such a long time, it began to feel like we may never get to see the Reze Arc play out. Thankfully, our wait may not be for much longer.

While we still donโ€™t have a concrete release date for the film, that doesnโ€™t change the fact that itโ€™s coming in 2025. Given how popular the anime is, fans will likely line up in droves to see this next chapter in this bloody, unhinged story.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba-Infinity Castle Movie Trilogy-Unknown Release Dates

Speaking of popular Shonen series getting the movie treatment, it seems that Demon Slayer is returning to the movies not once, not twice, but three times in 2025. With the fourth season covering the Hashira Training arc and the start of the final battle against Muzan, the studio behind the anime must have decided to give Demon Slayer the send-off it deserves. Thus, it looks like theyโ€™re adapting the Infinity Castle arc into a trilogy of films, giving Demon Slayer the stage it needs to play out its final act.

At the moment, itโ€™s currently unclear if the Infinity Castle movies will premiere in theaters in the West. Itโ€™s not even clear if the movies will finish the series as a whole or just cover the Infinity Castle Arc. However, Iโ€™m hoping that they do both. With how cinematic Demon Slayer has proven to be over the years, it feels right to have it end on the big screen. Just like the series finale to Avatar: The Last Airbender shouldโ€™ve aired in theaters.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (I Hope!)

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This last one is less of a confirmed release and more like wishful thinking, but given how the JuJutsu Kaisen manga ended earlier this year, it would be appreciated. After all, the second season of JJK ended on a pretty bleak note.

To quickly recap what went down in the second season of JJK:

  • Gojo was sealed inside a cursed prison with his enemies in Jujutsu society forbidding his rescue.
  • Sukuna made Yuji level most of the Shibuya District, killing hundreds in the process.
  • Tons of new curse users have been awoken alongside many cursed spirits.
  • Yujiโ€™s execution has been re-instated.

With the next season set to adapt the Culling Games Arc, this is JJKโ€™s chance to regain much of the love that was lost due to how the manga ended. Hopefully, more news will come in the next few months!

What other anime are you looking forward to seeing in 2025? If you have any recommendations feel free to leave a comment about it! Happy New Year!

What Was the Best Anime of 2024? The Answer Might Surprise You!

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RJ Writing Ink’s Picks for Best Anime of 2024

By the time youโ€™re reading this, the year 2024 will either be over or about to be over, but what a good it was for anime. From long-running juggernauts like One Piece celebrating its 25th anniversary to Dan Da Dan breaking the Internet, there were plenty of anime that stood out from the crowd this year. It does beg the question, though: who stood out the most? While people can have their own opinions on what constitutes the best, there were plenty of anime that stood out as a whole rather than just one or two moments.

Iโ€™m RJ Writing Ink for D&A Anime Blog, and weโ€™re going over my picks for the best anime of 2024. For this list, we will be restricting picks to anime that either premiered in 2024 or began a new season in 2024. Furthermore, that whole season must have aired in its entirety over the year. Sadly, that means that previous entries like One Piece or Mushoku Tensei will not count here. The former has been running continuously for decades while the latter only aired the second half of its second season. Donโ€™t worry, though. They will be appearing in another post. It should also be noted that these are all anime that I have seen, and can form an opinion about.

Solo Leveling

It was almost a year ago when we were introduced to the South Korean power fantasy known as Solo Leveling. Based on the web novel/manwha of the same name, Solo Leveling is set in a version of the world where portals to dungeons filled with resources and monsters have been appearing for more than a decade. Only those with supernatural abilities, called Hunters, can hope to stop the monsters. Unfortunately for Sung Jin-Woo, heโ€™s the weakest Hunter around, a fact that leaves him trapped in a catastrophe that should have left him dead. Instead, this mysterious program called the System saves him, gives him the unique ability to level up via RPG mechanics, and forces him to continually get stronger to stay alive. What follows is Jin-Woo going from being a meek nobody into someone who could become the most powerful Hunter alive.

Calling Solo Leveling South Koreaโ€™s answer to Sword Art Online would be an understatement. Like Kirito before him, the story of Sung Jin-Woo serves as a power fantasy for everyone who wishes they could be strong enough to get the most out of life. Whereas Kirito started his journey as a bit of a badass, though, Jin-Woo has to put himself through the ringer to survive the events heโ€™s been forced into. And while some people might see the story as unoriginal, thatโ€™s not really the point. The anime looks insanely good, and whether heโ€™s fighting monsters the size of buildings or murderous Hunters, Jin-Woo looks so cool. And this is only the start; I read the entire manwha, and youโ€™re not prepared for what will come!

Ranma 1/2

Dread it, run from it, but no matter what you do, Ranma 1/2 will not stay dead! The third anime series to be based on Rumiko Takahashiโ€™s manga of the same name, Ranma 1/2 is a modern remake for one of the first series to make it big in the West. If you havenโ€™t heard about it or seen the previous versions, hereโ€™s the basic plot:

Ranma Saotome is a young martial artist who has the misfortune of being put into an arranged marriage with Akane Tendo, the daughter of an old friend of his father. Their fatherโ€™s plan is for the two to carry on the Tendo familyโ€™s dojo, but there are several problems with this. Firstly, Ranma and Akane grow to quickly dislike each other. Secondly, thanks to his fatherโ€™s stupidity, Ranma himself has a curse that turns him into a girl. When he gets hit by cold water, he becomes a girl. When she gets hit by hot water, she turns back into a boy. Chaos ensues.

The second of Takahashiโ€™s works to get a remake in recent years, Ranma 1/2 is every bit as crazed and hilarious as its predecessors. Faithfully recreating the original series art style and tone, the series manages to do quite well for itself on Netflix, bringing the classic romcom to a new generation of fans. While some may take issue with the way some things were censored, the series is pretty faithful to what came before it. Plus, it is funny to see Ranma and Akane go from being at each otherโ€™s throats to caring about each other, only to be back at each otherโ€™s throats again.

My Hero Academia S7

My Hero Academia, the superhero Shลnen series that took the world by storm, returned for its penultimate season, and didnโ€™t waste any time getting down to business. The final battle between the Heroes of Japan and the villains led by All for One and Shigaraki begins in full. As Deku races to defeat Shigaraki before he and All for One can join forces, his friends and allies are forced to fight an all-out war that spans all of Japan. Everyone on both sides is pushed to their absolute limits as the battle to decide the fate of the world rages, and thereโ€™s no guarantee everyone will make it out alive.

Say what you want about MHA, but it knows how to create an effective spectacle when it wants to. With the manga having ended this past summer, people were watching to see if this season would live up to the hype. Thankfully, it more or less managed to do this, with the big moments being as epic as they are in the manga, while the more emotional ones maintaining their weight and importance. The one problem is that the season ends right as the climax of the final battle is about to take place, leaving it up to the next season to settle everything. It might just be me, but I was expecting this to be the final season. Then again, it did have to let the manga finish, so itโ€™s understandable why that didnโ€™t happen.

Kaiju No. 8

If you were to combine the Tokukatsu genre with the Shonen tropes of series like My Hero Academia, then the end result would be Kaiju No. 8. Set in a world where Kaiju attacks are a fact of life, the story is about Kafka Hibino, a 32-year old who has tried several times to fulfill his dream of joining the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force alongside his childhood friendโ€ฆonly to fail each time. Before his next and final attempt, though, he winds up the host of a parasite that gives him the ability to turn into a humanoid Kaiju with super strength. Dubbed Kaiju No. 8 by the JAKDF, Kafka has to keep his new powers secret from everyone while he uses them to fulfill his dream, only for another humanoid Kaiju to start causing trouble for him and other new recruits.

I wasnโ€™t joking when I said this show combines Tokukatsu with My Hero Academia. Kafkaโ€™s dreaming of joining the Defense Force despite repeated failures and lack of skill are just like how Deku was at the start of his story. The big difference is that Kafka starts the series off far older than characters like Naruto, Deku, and Luffy do, giving him a more mature perspective about life. Beyond the unconventional Shonen protagonist, though, what helps Kaiju No. 8 stand out is how drop-dead gorgeous the animation is. Just look at one of the clips Crunchyroll put on YouTube, and youโ€™ll be blown away at how good everything looks. With a second season on the horizon, itโ€™s clear that the powers that be see promise in this new kid on the block.

The Elusive Samurai

From the creator of Assassination Classroom and the studio that makes Bocchi the Rock and Spy x Family comes this delightful historical fantasy-comedy, The Elusive Samurai. Set 700 years ago in Medieval Japan, the anime tells the story of Tokiyuki Hojo, the heir to the Kamakura Shogunate that governs the country. When one of their retainers betrays and murders his family, though, Tokiyuikihas to go on the run as he works to avenge his family. Thereโ€™s just one problem: Tokiyukiโ€™s only real skill is a superhuman ability to run and hide.

While he may not fearless or boisterous like many Shonen Jump protagonists, donโ€™t mistake his running for cowardice. One of the main themes to his show is the importance of knowing when to run and fight another day, something that most of the Samurai of his day fail to consider. And when he does stand and fight, he weaponizes his dodging skills to become a nigh-uncatchable menace. Coupled with the gorgeous artwork, fluid animation, and quirky sense of humor, The Elusive Samurai is both one of the best looking anime of the year, as well as one of the best in general.

Dragon Ball Daima

Fans have been waiting for years for the return of Dragon Ball Super, but until then, we can ride ourselves over with Daima. The final project of the late Akira Toriyama, Daima returns the franchise to its roots for its 40th anniversary. Set after the defeat of Majin Buu but before the events of Super, the story begins when Gomah, the new King of the Demon Realm, uses Earthโ€™s Dragon Balls to turn Goku and his friends into kids. With a baby Dende having been kidnapped by Gomah, Goku and the others journey to the Demon Realm on a quest to get him back and return to their proper ages. Along the way, they explore the rarely-seen Demon Realm and gain new friends in the form of newcomers Glorio and Panzy.

It may break my earlier rule due to it carrying over into next year, but Dragon Ball Daima is an exception. With Toriyamaโ€™s passing earlier this year making this his final contribution to his creation, it would be disrespectful not to include it. While the series has yet to hit its stride in terms of action, it more than makes up for it by returning to its roots as an adventure comedy. Given how this is the last thing weโ€™ll ever get from Toriyama, though, Iโ€™m more than happy to wait for the action to crank up to what fans have come to expect from the franchise.

Dan Da Dan

Our last entry needs no introduction but is getting one anyway, Dan Da Dan. Part supernatural thriller, part romcom, Dan Da Dan revolves around Momo Ayase and Ken โ€œOkarunโ€ Takakura, two teenagers who believe in the supernatural. When the two make a bet to prove whether ghosts or aliens exist, they wind up in a world of trouble. Momo gets abducted by perverted aliens and discovers she has psychic powers, while Okarun gets possessed by a ghost and gains ghost powersโ€ฆbut loses his manhood and balls. Thus, the unlikely pair has to team up to get Okarunโ€™s junk back while also dealing with more aliens and ghosts that are after them.

I normally donโ€™t like to pick favorites on lists like this, but this is the exception: Dan Da Dan is easily the best anime of 2024. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, the characters are lovable and quirky, and the story is absolutely unhinged. As in original FLCL levels of unhinged. Between all this and the sheer amount of gifs and memes to be found, Dan Da Dan easily took my top spot for favorite anime of the year. While the first season ended at a bit of an inconvenient moment, it doesnโ€™t detract from the sheer enjoyment for the entire show. And we donโ€™t have to wait long for a second season; itโ€™s coming July 2025!

Let us Know Your Favorite Anime of 2024!

So Many Best Girls in 2024!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews, Blogging , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RJ Writing Ink’s Picks for Best Waifus for 2024

With the year 2024 ending, the time has come for anime fans to look back on what they liked about this year and what they didnโ€™t. One of the topics that will inevitably come up is who we think qualifies for the status of best girls and best boys in anime. Last year, I came up with my list of who I think were the best anime girls of 2023, and I see no reason why I canโ€™t do the same for 2024. Iโ€™m RJ Writing Ink, and in no particular order, here are my picks for best girls of 2024.

As before, this list will include girls from anime that premiered in 2024 as well as girls who gained prominence on returning shows. And since last year set the precedent that an anime can have more than one, I will be combining those with multiple entries

Vegapunk/Lilith-One Piece

For years, fans of One Piece had been waiting to be introduced to the mysterious genius known as Dr. Vegapunk. Said to be the smartest man in the world, the Dr was responsible for many of the tools used by the World Government to maintain their control over the world. Imagine everyoneโ€™s surprise when the Straw Hatโ€™s meet this young woman who calls herself Vegapunk. However, thatโ€™s only partly true. This woman, Lilith, is a clone of Vegapunk called a Satellite. He created them to help do his research faster, with all of them connected via a hive mind and representing a different aspect of his personality. Fitting for a woman named after an ancient demon, Lilith represents his โ€œevilโ€ aspect.

Donโ€™t let the evil part fool you, though. While Lilith embodies Vegapunkโ€™s manipulative, impulsive, and ruthless side, sheโ€™s actually a very nice person. Sheโ€™s incredibly loyal to her fellow Vegapunks, and as with many characters they meet, she becomes a steadfast ally of the Straw Hats after she gets to know them. If anything, her rough nature made me enjoy her even more. It also helps that her English VA is Madeline Morris, AKA Rudeus Greyrat.

Akane Tendo-Ranma 1/2

One of the earliest anime waifus to make their way to the West returns for a new generation. The main heroine of Ranma 1/2, Akane Tendo is a headstrong martial artist whose beauty makes her the object of affection for many boys at her high school. Unfortunately for them, she hates most men. Unfortunately for her, her unwilling fiancรฉ, Ranma Saotome, not only thinks sheโ€™s not attractive but manages to get on her nerves.

Then again, that seems like the standard formula for one of Rumiko Takahashiโ€™s manga.

Contrary to Ranmaโ€™s assertions that she has no charm, Akane Tendo has plenty of charm to go around. While she may come off as rough and abrasive towards most guys, itโ€™s repeatedly shown that she has a soft side. She has an innocent crush on the boy her older sister likes, and sheโ€™s shown to be very affectionate towards her sisters and those she considers friends. She even starts to be nicer to Ranma after they get to know each other better. Theyโ€™re still regularly at each otherโ€™s throats, but thatโ€™s par for the course in one of Takahashiโ€™s manga.

Alya Kujou and Yuki Suou- Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian

For the first anime on this list to have more than one entry, we have Alisa โ€œAlyaโ€ Kujou and Yuki Suou from Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. Both of these high schoolers are seen as beauties in their series, hut for different reasons. Alya is seen by many as an unattainable kuudere, with her white hair and half-Russian parentage only adding to her reputation. In contrast, Yuki is more of a traditional Japanese beauty, owing to her refined bearing and coming from a distinguished family of diplomats and former nobility.

Anyone who knows them personally, though, would better describe them with two words: tease and troll.

As Masachika Kuze can attest, Alya may seem like a kuudere, but she likes to flirt and tease him in Russian, thinking he canโ€™t understand it. The irony is that he can, and if she knew, she would be embarrassed to no end. As for Yuki, while they act like strangers in public, sheโ€™s actually Masachikaโ€™s younger sister. When theyโ€™re alone together, she loves to indulge in manga-reading, is a total pervert, and regularly flirts with her brother to get under his skin. The bottom line is that both of these young women can be menaces if left unchecked, but are still genuinely good people.

Sylphie and Roxy Greyrat-Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Full disclosure: I initially intended to just include Roxy on this list since Sylphie made it last year. After thinking it over, though, I felt it only fair to put them both on due to how they help Rudeusโ€™ life.

Now that sheโ€™s no longer keeping her identity a secret from Rudy, Sylphiette couldnโ€™t be any happier. The two are young, married, and before the season is over, theyโ€™re parents to a beautiful little girl. However, the reason she made this list a second year in a row is due to how accepting she is of Roxy becoming Rudyโ€™s second wife. She even says that she expected Rudy to bring another woman home one day, and that he wouldnโ€™t do so unless they were very special to him.

As for Roxy, Rudy could spend hours singing her praises, but the reason sheโ€™s on here is due to her helping Rudy recover from the shock of losing his father in the teleportation labyrinth. Whatโ€™s more, despite having fallen in love with her former student, she was willing to walk away rather than risk being a homewrecker. Combine that it was Roxyโ€™s teachings that helped Rudy survive the hardships of his life, is it any wonder why sheโ€™s earned a spot on this list. Keep doing your best to support Rudy, you two!

Kikoru Shinomiya-Kaiju No. 8

One of the three main protagonists of Kaiju No. 8, Kikoru Shinomiya is considered a genius Kaiju slayer despite only being a rookie. As the daughter of the leader of the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, everyone has high expectations for her, ones that she has strived to meet by becoming the best at fighting Kaijus. And with good sheโ€™s shown to be at fighting them over the series first season, her reputation is one well-earned.

While Kikoru may come off as arrogant and abrasive at first, sheโ€™s actually a very nice and loyal woman once she starts to befriend Kafka and Ichikawa. Case in point, before Kafka chooses to out himself, sheโ€™s the only person the duo willingly tells about him being a humanoid Kaiju. Despite her hatred of Kaiju, the fact that Kikoru chooses to keep quiet speaks volumes about how kind she is.

Himiko Toga-My Hero Academia

While normally a villain wouldnโ€™t go on this list, an exception will be made in the case of Himiko Toga, as youโ€™ll see here.

When first introduced in My Hero Academia, Toga came off as a sadistic killer with a love of blood, and the blood part is a part of her personality. However, as we learn more about her, we realize she only became as bad as she is because she failed to get the help she clearly needed. Instead. She was told to act โ€œnormalโ€ until the strain became too much, making her snap. Anyone whoโ€™s had to hide what theyโ€™re like to the world can relate to how tough that can be!

Ultimately, while Togaโ€™s actions during the final war threatened to cost the heroes everything, itโ€™s what she does at the end of her story that shows that, deep down, she was a good person. After Uraraka finally gets through to her, Toga chose to sacrifice her life to save Urarakaโ€™s. That selfless act feels like itโ€™s earned her a spot on this list. Plus, Urarakaโ€™s right. Toga does look cute when she smiles.

Kara Zor-El-My Adventures With Superman

The only non-anime waifu to make the list is the latest incarnation of Kara Zor-El, AKA Supergirl, from My Adventures With Superman. As is the case for most versions of her, Kara is Superman’s cousin who was separated from him during the destruction of Krypton. Unfortunately for her, she wound up being raised by her universe’s version of Brainiac, AKA the rogue AI of Krypton that destroyed it in the first place. Kara spent her entire life conquering planets in the name of Brainiac’s twisted version of Krypton, but everything changed when she went to Earth to look for her cousin and found out how evil Brainiac really is.

While she may not be from an anime, there are several reasons why this version of Kara is on the list. Firstly, My Adventures With Superman is heavily inspired, in both animation style and story structure, by shonen anime. Secondly, her casual attire is almost an exact copy of Android 18’s clothes from Dragon Ball Z. Lastly, despite being raised by one of the most evil versions of Brainiac ever made, Kara is so nice and friendly. Seeing her getting to experience all the little things that make life on Earth worth living is infectious, and her growing, mutual crush on Jimmy Olsen is pure puppy love.

Jimmy, ask her out! NOW!

Momo and Seiko Ayase-Dan Da Dan

If Dan Da Dan was the best anime of 2024, then Momo Ayase and her grandmother, Seiko, are our best girls. Momo is an extroverted gyaru-girl believes in ghosts, has psychic powers, and swoons at the mention of Ken Takakura. Meanwhile, Seiko is a psychic medium who looks to be in her 20s despite having a granddaughter, loves Hiroshi Abe, and is a talented spirit medium whoโ€™s teaching Momo everything she knows. Together, the two make for a pretty badass pairโ€ฆwhen they arenโ€™t getting on each otherโ€™s nerves.

The reason why both are included on this list are because they each have their own appeal to them. Momoโ€™s quirky personality, sense of fashion, and loyalty to those she calls friends like Okarun have won over many fans. Not to mention thereโ€™s the fact that her psychic powers mean that she can go toe-to-toe with both aliens and ghosts and come out on top. As for Seiko, while she does come off as abrasive at times, she does care about her granddaughter and want the best for her. I even compared to an older, more mature Haruko from FLCL. Itโ€™s fitting, considering how her English VA is Kari Wahlgren, AKA the VA for Haruko.

Who Were Your Favorite Girls for 2024? Let us Know!

Most Shocking Anime Moments in 2024

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews, Blogging , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RJ Writing Ink’s Picks for Best Moments in Anime for 2024

With 2024 all but over, once again, itโ€™s time to look back on all the anime weโ€™ve watchedโ€ฆand figure out what moment broke the Internet the most. There were plenty of moments that would gain their fifteen minutes of internet fame, and like many people, I have my own opinions on what moments live rent-free in my head. Last year, I recounted my favorite anime moments for 2023, and I see no reason not to consider that tradition.

Iโ€™m RJ Writing Ink, and here are my picks for the best anime moments for 2024. As was the case with last year, Iโ€™ll be limiting myself to the anime I watched.

Sung Jin-Woo Slaughters Hunters, Solo Leveling

If you ever need an example of why humans are the most dangerous game in the world, this is a prime example. When most of Sung Jin-Wooโ€™s party of Hunters use him and newcomer Jin-Ho as fodder for a dungeon boss, they fully expected him to die. When they come back and find the boss slain, they decide to kill them both to cover-up what they did. Little did they know that Jin-Woo was not a man that they should make an enemy of. In one of the coldest anime moments of the year, Jin-Woo proceeds to kill every last one of them without any signs of remorse or empathy.

Solo Leveling had already established itself as one of the first big anime of 2024, but this moment? This moment cemented it as one of its best. Seeing the once meek and powerless Jin-Woo effortlessly kill the Hunters was equally exciting and terrifying. Exciting because it showed that Jin-Woo was become THAT GUY, and terrifying because it represented him losing a part of his humanity. Coupled with the superb insert song, DARK ARIA <LVL2> playing in the background, is it any wonder this broke the Internet?

Muzan is Cornered by Demon Slayer Corps, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba-Hashira Training Arc

This was the moment Demon Slayer had been building towards. After coming out of hiding to hunt down Nezuko, Muzan tried to cripple the Demon Slayer Corps by killing its leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, in his hidden mansion. Little did he know that this was all part of an elaborate trap. Kagaya sacrificed himself and most of his family to blow the mansion up, stunning the Demon long for fellow Demon Tamayo to inject him with a drug meant to turn him back into a human. Driven into a corner by the arrival of the Hashira, Muzan countered by dropping the entire Corps into the Infinity Castle in the hopes of finally wiping them all out.

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Demon Slayer is well-known among anime fans for its superb levels of animation, and moments like this are why the reputation is justified. The slow-motion explosion as the mansion goes sky high. The incredibly well-detailed shot of a dazed Muzan trying to regenerate himself. The sweeping sight of the Infinity Castle as the Corps falls into Muzanโ€™s personal domain. Everything about this moment is meant to excite fans as the final battle between Humans and Demons begins! Itโ€™s a shame that we have to wait until later in 2025 for the movies.

Bakugoโ€™s Sacrifice, My Hero Academia

The penultimate season of My Hero Academia is filled with plenty of epic and emotional moments, but few were as upsetting as this. As the heroes try to keep Tomura Shigaraki contained long enough for Deku to arrive, Bakugo steps up to buy them some time. While he manages to wound the villain, though, all it does is anger Shigaraki for his repeated interference. Fans and heroes alike were thus forced to watch as Shigaraki cut Bakugo down in cold blood, seemingly killing him.

As someone who read the manga in advance, knowing that this was coming didnโ€™t make it any easier to watch. I still remember how freaked out the fandom was over Bakugoโ€™s apparent death, only to grow irate when itโ€™s revealed to be a fake-out. Fake-out or not, there was a very really possibility that Bakugo was dead, and in a season full of shocking moments, this was not one I wanted to relive.  

Nokotan’s Entrance, My Deer Friend Nokotan

If you want to establish a reputation as chaos incarnate, look to Nokotan as an example. After meeting the mysterious deer girl on her way to school, Koshitan just wanted to return to her perfect life at high school. Instead, sheโ€™s horrified when that same deer girl ends up becoming a transfer student in her class. To make matters worse, sheโ€™s the only one to have a reasonable reaction when Nokotan breaks the door with her antlers, sending debris flying into the poor students faces.

Say what you want about Nokotan as an anime, you canโ€™t deny the fact that this moment is hilarious. The slow-motion effects as Nokotan forces her way through the door. The ominous chanting of โ€œshii-kaโ€ like sheโ€™s the boss of some video game. The fact that most of the students keep the same smiling faces even as theyโ€™re pummeled by rocks! I found it so funny that I decided to make a meme out of it, and it blew up.  

Paulโ€™s Sacrifice, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Rudy has had plenty of terrible moments during his second go at life, but few were as bad as what happened when he lost his dad. While Rudeus and his father are fighting a massive hydra to rescue his mother, Rudy makes a mistake that leaves himself open to attack. Paul pushes him out of the way in time to save his life, allowing Rudeus the chance to kill the monster, but the act cost Paul his life. By the time Rudy is aware of whatโ€™s happening, all he and his party can do is watch as Paul quietly dies, smiling at the fact that his son is alive.

I donโ€™t know if it was a coincidence that this episode came out on Fatherโ€™s Day or not, but if it wasnโ€™t, the powers in charge are sick sadists. Just as Rudy thought he was getting his life together, he makes a mistake that cost Paul his life. Had Roxy not helped him to grieve, he might have reverted to his shut-in mentality from his first life. Considering that the alternative meant that Rudy would have died and left his new wife, Sylphie, a widow and their unborn child without a father, though, I think that Paul made the right choice. He protected his child like any good parent should do.

Kafka Punches A Kaiju Bomb, Kaiju No. 8

Even after he became a humanoid Kaiju, Kafka Hibino never stopped aspiring to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. He did his best to keep his powers a secret from all but two of his comrades, knowing that exposing himself could lead to his death. However, when Kaiju No. 9 threatened to drop a massive bomb on Kafka and his comrades, the man didnโ€™t hesitate to transform into his Kaiju form and punch the bomb straight into the sky in a move that would make All Might proud.

Besides being one of several well-animated moments in a series that was already well-animated, this moment marked a turning point for the story of Kaiju No. 8. Now that the JAKDF was aware that he could turn into a Kaiju, they were naturally going to want to apprehend him. The fact that he chose to put himself anyway speaks volumes about his character, and his friends knew that. While Kafka has to face an uphill battle going forward, his friends arenโ€™t going to abandon him whether heโ€™s human or a Kaiju.

One Piece Fan Letter, One Piece (the whole thing)

The year 2024 was a big year for One Piece fans, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the anime. To commemorate this event, Toei decided to release this special adapting a series of short stories released back in 2027. Taking place during the Return to Sabaody Arc as the Straw Hats reunite after two years apart, Fan Letter shows the impact that Luffy and his crew have had on ordinary people. From a pair of Marine brothers whoโ€™s lives Luffy inadvertently saved during the Marineford War to a girl wanting to give Nami a fan letter, this special shows the impact that the Straw Hats have had on the world through the people theyโ€™ve inspired.

Besides the great animation, what makes this special important is the dual meaning behind the title. To put it simply, the title lets everyone know that this episode is the fandom saying thank you to One Piece. The series has entertained and inspired countless people the world over, serving as a guiding light in a potentially dark and chaotic world. While the story has yet to conclude, thereโ€™s no doubt that One Piece has more than earned its spot in the history books as one of the best stories of modern times.

To A Kinder World, Dan Da Dan Ep 7 (the whole episode)

If youโ€™ve seen Dan Da Dan, then you canโ€™t argue with the fact that itโ€™s one of, if not the best, anime of 2024. Itโ€™s quirky characters, balls-to-the-walls levels of insanity, and gorgeous animation quickly won fans over. However, anyone who hadnโ€™t read the manga expected it to do what it did with its seventh episode: make the Internet collectively cry.

After defeating the Yokai Acrobatic Silky, the characters and audience are treated to a silent, extended flashback to Silkyโ€™s life as a human. Without any dialogue, we are shown the life of a single mother who struggled to provide for her daughter, only for her to be ripped away by a group of loan sharks. Left in despair, the mother performed one last ballet dance before jumping off a roof to her death. When a younger Aria mistook Silky for her deceased mother, this led to the ghostโ€™s obsession with seeing her as her lost daughter. Ultimately, this led to Silky sacrificing herself to give Aria a second chance at life.

Sweet mercy, this episode was an absolute tear-jerker. Everyone who watched this episode of Dan Da Dan agreed that it was the series’ finest moment to date. I was barely able to keep myself from crying as we witnessed Silkyโ€™s tragic life story. This entire episode virtually cemented Dan Da Dan as the best anime of the year, garnering acclaim from fans and critics alike for how poignant it was. If youโ€™ve seen it, then youโ€™ll understand why!

What Were Your Favorite Anime Moments of 2024? Let us Know!

Deku Beats Up Anime Homelander in My Hero Academia: You’re Next

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My Hero Academia: You’re Next Review

When I first saw the trailers for My Hero Academiaโ€™s fourth film, Youโ€™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. Iโ€™m glad that I did, because while it doesnโ€™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, Youโ€™re Next is set amidst the backdrop of a Japan thatโ€™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 Mightโ€™s successor, but nobody buys it. Especially not Deku and his friends. It doesnโ€™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, theyโ€™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. Itโ€™s pretty telling how messed up this man is when Midoriya openly hates his guts. And I donโ€™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 isnโ€™t that interesting. We all knew that he wasnโ€™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. Heโ€™s just a criminal who only cares about All Mightโ€™s power and not his ideals. And as strong as he is, heโ€™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 filmโ€™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.

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As for the story itself, itโ€™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. Heโ€™s got a cool cyborg arm, an eyepatch, and a motorcycle. It wasnโ€™t hard for me to be reminded of Hajime from Arifureta. He also happens to be one of those movie characters thatโ€™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 doesnโ€™t really add much to My Hero Academia, but to be honest, it doesnโ€™t need to. Whenever I see a movie for a popular anime, the majority of the time, I know that itโ€™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 thereโ€™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.

I Give “My Hero Academia: You’re Next” a 4/5

2022 Was a Great Year for Anime

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The Best Anime of 2022

Another year over, another year closer to anime fans achieving pop culture hegemony. All jokes aside, 2022 was a particularly good year for Japanese animation. Not only did we get some incredible films and series in 2022, but several of these ended up breaking the Internet. As the year comes to a close, it’s time for us to look back on the best anime to come out of Japan.

Full disclosure: in addition to anime series, we will also be counting movies. Considering the success that several anime films had at the box office this year, it’s justified.

Attack on Titan Season 4, Part 2

Just when you thought that Attack on Titan couldn’t get any bigger, it does just that. The second part to the hit anime’s final season premiered in January 2022, and the Internet went crazy over it. Given how this part saw series protagonist/antagonist Eren Yeager enact his plans of unleashing an army of Titans to wipe out all humanity beyond his island home, that was to be expected. In addition, when the opening for the new part, “Rumbling” went up on YouTube, it wound up trending. Given how the part ended on a massive cliffhanger, fans are chomping at the bit to see the grand finale in all its animated glory. 

Spy x Family

It’s the spy comedy that’s taken the anime world by storm, Spy x Family. Making its anime debut in 2022, Spy x Family combines all the action and escapades of classic spy films with the kind of comedy that will leave you in stitches. Set in a fictional world locked in a cold war, Spy x Family follows Twilight, an agent tasked with spying on an enemy politician to stop a potential war. To do this, he builds a fake family with a little girl named Anya and a woman named Yor. The twist is that Yor’s secretly one of her country’s best assassins, and the only one aware of this is the mind-reading Anya, whose desperate to keep her found family intact.

Even though it’s the new kid on the block, Spy x Family has already won the hearts of millions, and it’s not hard to see why: the characters are so likable. Anya’s a precious little cinnamon bun who only wants to have a real family and will go to great lengths. Despite only taking them in as part of his cover, Loid comes to genuinely care about Anya and Yor. Lastly, Yor’s dual nature as a deadly assassin but clumsy and caring housewife makes her one of the top waifus of the year. If you haven’t already watched it, you should check out Spy x Family.

One Piece

This year was a good year for One Piece, period. On the manga front, the series completed its biggest and longest arc to date, the Wano Country Arc that saw Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates go head-to-head with one of the strongest pirates in the world. Meanwhile, that same arc continues to be adapted into anime to great fanfare. When Crunchyroll posted some of the best clips on YouTube, they trended several times. 

Lastly, the series latest film, One Piece Film: Red, saw massive success in its native Japan and overseas, with its soundtrack trending on iTunes. With the series entering its final saga and Eichiro Oda promising it to be more epic than ever, now’s a good time to be a One Piece fan.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero 

After so many years of getting the short end of the stick in favor of his dad, Dragon Ball finally made Gohan great again. When the remnants of the Red Ribbon Army come out of hiding (again) while Goku and Vegeta are away, it falls to Gohan to deal with the threat. However, Gohan’s neglecting his training again, much to everyone’s disappointment. Frustrated by this, Piccolo uses this chance to force Gohan to reawaken his fighting spirit.

Even though this movie sees the franchise use 3D animation as opposed to 2D, it doesn’t make the film less amazing. The film brings back much of the humor from the early days of the original manga while carefully balancing it with a ton of action. In addition, the film sees Gohan and Piccolo gain new forms that put them in the running for strongest characters in the franchise once more. The former gets a form that, for all intents and purposes, effectively canonizes the popular fanmade transformation El Blanco. El Blanco is canon, people!

Chainsaw Man

Yet another newcomer to the Shonen anime scene, Chainsaw Man has also taken the anime world by storm. Set in an alternate 1990’s Japan where Devils exist, the series follows Denji, a young, teenaged Devil Hunter whose life’s cut short by a group of Yakuza. However, Denji gets a second lease on life when he fuses with his Devil friend, Pochita, becoming the infamous Chainsaw Man. Now, Denji hunts down even more Devils. Not for the sake of humanity or for justice or revenge, but for the simple goal of living a normal life. That, and to get lucky with a woman.

Chainsaw Man is one of the most popular anime on the market right, and it’s not hard to see why. The characters are quirky and the series is filled with so much blood and over-the-top violence that it would leave Attack on Titan jealous. If you haven’t been watching it, then you need to be. It’s a slow burn at first, but once it picks up, you’ll see why it’s so popular already.

My Hero Academia Season 6

While the fifth season may not have been that exciting, it was just a prelude to the real show: My Hero Academia, Season 6. With the villains growing more powerful than ever, the heroes make their move to put an end to the destructive plans of Tomura Shigaraki. However, what should’ve been a decisive victory for the heroes turns into an all-out war that pushes both sides to their absolute limits. Characters die, heroes and villains unlock new abilities, and shocking revelations emerge. This is My Hero Academia at its absolute best, and the season’s only halfway over.

JoJo : Stone Ocean

Netflix ruined the hype for this. JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure is one of the greatest shonen series ever. The last decade’s seen the anime inspire countless memes as it finally achieved worldwide popularity. However, the decision to have Part 6 air on Netflix prevented it from reaching the heights it should have. Netflix made the decision to release the season in batches, which is good for streaming but terrible for building up hype. As a result, the final act in the original JoJo timeline almost flies under the radar.