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Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray easily lands in my top 3 anime of the year (honestly, I’d even argue it’s the best.) I wasn’t expecting such a compelling story from a spin-off, but it absolutely blew me away; every episode flew by, and I enjoyed them so much that I found myself counting down the days until Sunday just to watch the next one.

The overarching plot is fantastic, and the best part is that you don’t need to be a hardcore fan of the franchise to dive in, It serves as a perfect prequel, setting everything up brilliantly; of course, being familiar with the world makes ... you appreciate the nuances and references even more, so I’d personally recommend watching at least the first two seasons of Pretty Derby beforehand.

Technically speaking, I loved it, the visuals are stunning; Cygames Pictures is building a reputation for top-tier quality, and they’re proving exactly why with this project, the soundtrack keeps you hooked, with tracks that deliver hype exactly where it’s needed, complemented by excellent openings and endings: while the characters might seem simple at first, they actually have multiple layers that make them feel remarkably "human”; even though there’s a bit of well-placed comedy, it never undermines the weight of the story, the interactions feel organic, concise, and meaningful.

This review might be fueled by pure fandom, but that’s exactly what this anime did to me: it turned me into a true fan.
I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a story about growth, hard work, and, above all else, pure tenacity.

I did not expect this anime to be so entertaining; I found it by pure chance while browsing the catalog and started watching without any expectations; what began as a simple way to kill boredom ended up being a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

At first glance it looks like a generic isekai; the protagonist dies and awakens in another world with a special ability; what sets this series apart is that it does not take itself too seriously; thanks to this lighthearted tone, the viewer is not required to approach it with high expectations either; the result is a laid-back anime that works perfectly as immediate entertainment.

The ... phrase “turn off your brain” is usually a poor excuse in anime criticism; however in this case it applies rather well; the series is much more enjoyable when accepted for what it is; in my case it even pulled me out of a stage of anime fatigue and managed to hook me enough to watch the entire thing in one sitting, something that had not happened to me in a long time.

While the story itself is quite familiar, the script adds an interesting twist in the way it handles personal tragedy; the protagonist has lost her family, yet instead of drowning in grief she recalls the words and silly advice of her late older brother as guidance to make decisions when the plot demands it; this narrative device is well executed and gives the story an unexpected emotional freshness.

The animation is limited; there are no spectacular battles or highly dynamic sequences; still, the art remains consistent throughout and maintains a stable aesthetic that avoids becoming distracting; the sound design, on the other hand, is largely forgettable except for the opening theme, which stands as the only truly noteworthy element.

The way it is consumed also changes the experience; had I watched it weekly I probably would have dropped it due to monotony; watching it all at once however made it far more enjoyable; the pacing seems designed to work better in binge sessions rather than with weekly breaks.

One particularly engaging aspect is the clash between modern weapons and technology against magic and a medieval fantasy world; this dynamic is a classic within the genre, but here it is handled well and keeps the interest alive; within what the series offers, it is undoubtedly one of its strongest points.

In conclusion, this is an anime I can recommend solely as light entertainment; it does not provide narrative innovation or technical brilliance, yet it fulfills its role in an amusing and consistent way; it is best enjoyed in one or two sittings as a way to relax; those looking for complex storytelling or standout production values will not find them here, but as casual viewing it works perfectly well.

P.S. I still wonder where the protagonist plans to sell all that gold; perhaps the real final boss will not be in another world, but with the tax office.

The Quintessential Quintuplets are back, and I couldn’t be happier!

Unlike other specials that have been released before, this one doesn’t feel like a mere attempt to “fill gaps” in the story; this time, we’re given something that, while not strictly necessary, adds so much depth to the series: the outcome of the characters’ development.

I’ve always firmly believed that if Negi Haruba, the creator of the series, excels at one thing, it’s writing characters; this was proven in the original work and is reinforced in this special. I loved seeing how the girls have grown mentally; beyond the physical changes that reflect their maturity, what truly ... excites me is how they overcame their personal struggles to achieve what they always wanted.

Fuutarou doesn’t fall behind either; seeing how his tendency to genuinely care for others wasn’t just a passing trait but has now become a core part of his personality gives him significant personal growth that’s incredibly satisfying to watch.

As for the animation, Bibury Studios did a good job; while it doesn’t quite reach the visual quality that SHAFT Studios brought to the previous specials, it’s not a disappointment either. It’s a solid effort worthy of the franchise.

The music department is another strong point; as always, both the opening and ending are carefully crafted to represent the characters in their current stage. The internal soundtrack also holds its own; I was thrilled by the inclusion of references to themes used in the first season, animated by Tezuka Studios, which were not reused in the second season or the movie. This was such a nostalgic detail that made me reflect on how much time has passed since then; who would have thought it’s been over five years already?

In conclusion, while this special might not be the pinnacle of the franchise, it delivers and doesn’t disappoint; something I deeply appreciate as a fan. I don’t know if there will be more animated works related to The Quintessential Quintuplets in the future; but if there are, I’d welcome them with open arms. And if this were the definitive ending, I wouldn’t complain either; it feels like the story that needed to be told has been told.

I highly recommend this special, especially to those who enjoy seeing character development that’s consistent and not fleeting; it’s a reminder that The Quintessential Quintuplets remains a series that knows how to connect with its fans.

The anime ends well and is decent, so why all the hate? Is it because of the manga? I haven't actually read it, so I can't say how it compares, but personally, I believe the anime shouldn't be judged alongside the manga, as they're different products despite sharing the same story.

I enjoyed the anime; it's entertaining, and while there are moments where you might dislike certain characters and some interactions don't feel very organic, overall it's quite acceptable (especially compared to the generic trash that comes out year after year). At least it stays true to the characters' personalities.

The soundtrack is good, both the external ... (opening and ending) and internal, fitting well with the anime and conveying what's being shown. The use of licensed songs at certain relevant moments is a huge plus.

In conclusion, the anime is fine; the characters are memorable, and the drama holds up. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something to pass the time; you might be able to take some aspects seriously, but not too much, really.

The Best Isekai Returns (or Maybe Not)

This part of the story happens to be somewhat slow, although, compared to the rest of the work, it comes across as a welcomed respite.

As for Rudeus, I appreciate the significant development in his character. He now acts with more sensibility and less impulsivity, which might be attributed to his peculiar erectile dysfunction xd

It's nice to see Sylphie again, although her role as a man in the plot raises some questions. Why didn't she reveal her identity from the beginning? xdd

Regarding the other characters introduced in this section, they are rather well-executed. They contribute just enough to the plot ... without deviating from their purpose, ensuring they leave a lasting impression.

The animation in this part is adequate, although the quality of the artwork in some scenes raises certain doubts.

The music in this season is outstanding. Finally, we have an opening that perfectly encapsulates the essence of this point in the series, making it, in my opinion, one of the best of the year. The ending is also good, in line with those of the previous seasons. The internal tracks remain the same as always, without any particular standout.

In summary, even though this segment is somewhat slow, it feels like a necessary part of the story. Highly recommended

It is what it is, a DLC xd

It feels somewhat odd to see those scattered bits of the story, like a collage someone put together at school. I'm not saying it's bad, just that it can be a little uncomfortable.

And what can I tell you about the characters? Well, they're basically the same as in the main series.

The opening of the original series is a true classic, and this one is not bad, but there's no point of comparison.

Now, something I should perhaps highlight is that the quality of the artwork in some scenes leaves a bit to be desired, but otherwise, it's not bad.

In ... conclusion: it's okay, I guess, if you're one of those who buy video game DLCs, then you'll enjoy it! But if not, you might fall asleep xdd

I´m surprised.

I didn't expect an anime with such a silly initial premise to turn out to be decent.

The story itself isn't very deep, and the narrative is aware of that. It doesn't try to be overly pretentious or take itself too seriously, which, in my opinion, is a point in its favor.

As for the characters, they are entertaining. It's easy to sympathize with them, whether it's the simple vending machine or the others, regardless of their gender. The world-building progresses at a pace that allows characters to be introduced in a meaningful way, giving them a purpose to appear and interact.

The animation is decent, fluid ... when needed and static when appropriate, all while maintaining a good level of drawing quality (though it's not as if a rectangle with eyes requires much effort).

The internal soundtrack is quite mellow and doesn't stand out much, in contrast to the external soundtrack. Both the opening and ending are excellent for the anime. I'd like to highlight the ending, as it reminded me of those quirky Japanese commercials that used to air late at night in the early 2000s.

In conclusion: yes, the story itself is a bit of nonsense, so don't expect profound depth and seriousness. Still, even within that, it respects its own rules and maintains good coherence. So, if you want to unwind with a more laid-back story compared to other isekai series, I highly recommend it.

Somewhat Disappointing.

I think there's no better way to describe it. Initially, the plot seemed very interesting, but unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way.

It starts well; the introduction of the initial characters and their development is very good. However, after the third episode, everything seems to lack coherence. They introduce characters without a clear purpose, which doesn't contribute to the story's development; the romance gets caught in a constant push and pull that promises to progress but ultimately remains stagnant.

The animation is quite simple, which is understandable given the work's style, but the quality of the drawing is questionable at times, affecting the visual experience. ... In many instances, the strokes seem like they were made by an 11-year-old.

Regarding the soundtrack, it only stands out on the surface. The opening and ending are excellent, but the internal tracks used throughout the episodes are easily forgettable and lack distinction, often sounding like generic music found in YouTube videos without copyright.

In conclusion, from a personal perspective, I feel quite disappointed. Despite the novel and anime synopses generating initial interest, I cannot recommend it at this time.

My expectations for this anime were rather moderate.

Although the initial synopsis seemed intriguing, unfortunately, my final impression was less than positive.


The main plot revolves around various games and their complex mechanics, leading to numerous explanations of how they work. Regrettably, these explanations become tedious and, at times, even more challenging to grasp than some concepts from my university studies xdxd


However, the standout feature of this anime is its characters. They are surprisingly well-developed, with solid personalities and coherent character arcs.
Yet, in some instances, the interactions between them may feel forced and convenient.
...

(An important clarification that doesn't constitute a spoiler, as it's presented in the first few minutes of the initial episode):
The most significant drawback of this anime lies in the script's conveniences. The protagonist, on multiple occasions, triumphs in an almost implausible manner and is saved thanks to the sudden appearance of abilities that provide substantial advantages over opponents.


The animation displays a noticeable inconsistency.
While some scenes shine with fluidity and quality, others resemble slides from a PowerPoint presentation. It's perplexing to observe how backgrounds and background characters often appear static, as if they were simple duplicate PNGs xdd


The internal soundtrack is mostly forgettable, with no particular highlights, except for specific tracks.
On the other hand, the external soundtrack is impressive, featuring an incredibly catchy opening and a comforting ending, the aesthetics and background music blend effectively in these aspects.
(The opening easily enters the top 15 of the year's best).


In summary, I don't consider this anime inherently bad, as it presents a solid narrative and an intriguing core plot. However, its execution could have been better.
The anime is entertaining at times and can provide enjoyment if one overlooks the intricacies of the script and the ups and downs in animation quality.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't recommend it to those seeking a deeper and more coherent experience.

This is what the quintuplets should have been from the beginning.

I dare say it's the best-animated work related to the quintuplets to date.
You can clearly see the love and care poured into this franchise; the details are meticulously handled, to the point of being surprising.

As for the plot, I can only say that with this expansion, there should be no doubts about why a certain sister is the winner. This element should have been present in the second season or, at the very least, mentioned in the movie, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. I'm glad they didn't overlook it.

Furthermore, the rest of the ... girls also have their development, just what I hoped to see: Miku's growth after her confession in Kyoto, Nino's determination to fight to the end, and Itsuki's efforts to avoid discomfort to protect her sisters.

Personally, I think some important elements were missing, but that's not a complaint. Perhaps there will be more animated projects in the future, or maybe not, which would be a shame.

Regarding the animation, words fall short to describe how magnificent it is.
Shaft Studio has done an incredible job, from the color palette to the quality of the artwork, camera movements, and, of course, the fluidity of the animation. However, I must mention that the backgrounds are quite static, which takes away some magic from certain scenes, as it feels odd to see one or two characters animated so well while the rest remain as still as stones.

The soundtrack, both principal and the background music, is exceptional. I would dare say the opening is the best in the entire franchise, and the ending is very comforting. The background music tracks fit perfectly and evoke the essence of the first season, which I greatly appreciate.

As for the characters, they haven't undergone significant changes, but their thoughts and the reasons behind their actions have been delved into, something I missed in the movie. It's fun to see the sisters getting along without constant fighting, and, of course, Fuutaro acting like a high school boy and not a bitter guy who only studies.

Without a doubt, this is a special that I highly recommend. It's made with love and preserves the essence of the franchise.
If you're a fan of the quintuplets, you'll enjoy it immensely, regardless of which sister is your favorite.