Oh my god. You have to see this. No questions asked. These short stories are nothing short of incredible. Tatsuki Fujimoto is certainly an incredibly unique and interesting storyteller in the modern day. I have to discuss everything here, in order of the ones I liked best.
1. Nayuta of the Prophecy (9/10)
I actually thought the story and direction of the episode were not that remarkable compared to the other episodes. The environments give off the same feeling as the first season of Chainsaw Man did (pretty cool how this story would actually get referenced in the Chainsaw Man series itself, huh?). The soundtrack was quite
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amazing, too. I loved the music that appeared during the title card.
But this is, in my opinion, the best episode in this series not because of the episode itself, but the allegory that the story could be presenting: caring for a neurodivergent sibling (the sibling in question being Nayuta). There's so much about Nayuta and her story with her brother that just hits so close to home. The struggle with communication, the social stigma surrounding her existence in society, and most importantly, the love that trumps all of it. If those that struggle to fit in fail to conform to our social norms end up harming or scaring us, they shan't be met with judgment, but love, empathy and guidance. Even though we may see the world differently, and act differently, we are all human at heart. We show affection for one another, we care for one another, and it may be in ways that we may not recognise, that we may find repulsive. But once we break through that wall, once we come to an understanding, that is when we can flourish together.
I thought the way Nayuta and Kenji's story was directed was unremarkable, but its message pulled at my heartstrings.
2. Sisters (8/10)
If you aren't the type of person that can appreciate artistic nudity, this episode would probably be a shock to you. It's important to approach this story with an open mind (or at least one that doesn't see nudity as inherently sexual), because artistic nudity is a focal point of this story. It's a story with enough misdirection that makes the main character, Mitsuko, really compelling. It's amazing what these short stories can achieve with so little time, because with just twenty minutes, Mitsuko is already a character with layers. I love the depiction of the sisters' unconditional love for each other. The way the story ended was incredibly heartwarming, too. Overall, it's just a simple story about the bond that an older and younger sister can have, with just a small taboo element to it.
3. Niwa ni wa Niwa Niwatori ga Ita (7/10)
The next episodes are getting tied for quality for me. This is one of the stories that feels like a setup for a long-running series. This episode about an aliens taking over Japanese society and becoming an imitation of it was quite fun. I think the biggest highlight of it was just the Chainsaw-Man-ism you get towards the end when it starts to become more action-packed. The gore in this episode is also quite intense, much more intense than what you'd get from Chainsaw Man itself. That said, I don't like comparing it to Chainsaw Man too much, so I will say that the premise of the story itself seems compelling enough to become a series that would last a few volumes. It would've been even better if the story ended on a cliffhanger so that it can keep its potential as a story to be expanded. The world also has some of the elements of your typical battle shounen, so if you like those, I'm sure you'd want to see more from this story.
4. Shikaku (7/10)
It's a story that's just plain fun. Not a fan of Shikaku's backstory (really, all it establishes is that she's a messed up girl that grew up in a messed up home), but she's a cute and entertaining character that becomes the main charm of this episode. I also laughed quite a lot watching this episode. I love Fujimoto's sense of humour. A lot of the qualities of the previous episode I mentioned can be seen here as well.
5. Woke-Up-as-a-Girl Syndrome (6.5/10)
It's a cute story about staying true to who you are regardless of the body you get put in. The characters and their dynamics were quite cute, and their struggles felt real. However, the story didn't really capture me that much. It's still an experience that I appreciate a lot though. I have to acknowledge how it sheds a light on transmisogyny, particularly the part about how men that turn into women get sexualised like cisgender women do. The representation is something that I appreciate quite a lot (this wouldn't be the first time Fujimoto does something like this either!).
6. Sasaki Stopped a Bullet (6/10)
Really funny story about a really strange situation resolved in a really strange way. It's a story that feels very unabashedly Fujimoto, with wonderful absurdist humour. Every moment had me wondering what strange thing the characters were going to say next. I think the jarring awkwardness might turn away some people, but that's also what makes the story really funny. Overall, it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
7. Love Is Blind (6/10)
This one reads almost like a 4-koma gag manga. There's a lot of build-up towards the big moment and it keeps escalating until it just becomes ridiculous, then it has an ironic, anticlimactic ending. Really cute and funny, does a great job with its gags, but it doesn't offer much story wise.
8. Mermaid Rhapsody (6/10)
Awfully generic, to be honest. It was like the author was asked to make a simple age-appropriate coming-of-age romance. I still like the story, but it also feels like the type of romance story you'd get from a seasonal anime. That said, I LOVED the piano parts. They were absolutely melodic. Everything surrounding the piano was what gave this story at least a hint of uniqueness. But otherwise, it's a story that's really safe and doesn't do anything that interesting.
Overall, even though I enjoyed some stories more than others, I really appreciated this anthology as a whole. Would definitely recommend going through ALL of them to see for yourself, even the ones that might not appeal to you.
Nov 9, 2025
Fujimoto Tatsuki 17-26
(Anime)
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Oh my god. You have to see this. No questions asked. These short stories are nothing short of incredible. Tatsuki Fujimoto is certainly an incredibly unique and interesting storyteller in the modern day. I have to discuss everything here, in order of the ones I liked best.
1. Nayuta of the Prophecy (9/10) I actually thought the story and direction of the episode were not that remarkable compared to the other episodes. The environments give off the same feeling as the first season of Chainsaw Man did (pretty cool how this story would actually get referenced in the Chainsaw Man series itself, huh?). The soundtrack was quite ... 
Nov 8, 2025
Yano-kun no Futsuu no Hibi
(Anime)
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I dropped this show, even though I liked it a bit. It just isn't what I'm looking for right now.
The writing style seems to stay consistent throughout the first three episodes I've seen, and unfortunately that's just the part that turns me away. The characters are quite upfront about their morals and conflict. They tend to say the narratives out loud rather than showing it and having the characters FEEL like real people. Of course, that isn't inherently a bad thing. This is just a cartoon, after all. I liked the way Yano's character was initially presented, given his condition. But because of the writing ... 
Sep 28, 2025
Kaijuu 8-gou 2nd Season
(Anime)
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Thank you Unremarkable No. 8 for being one of the most forgettable shows of the season. If I knew the show was going to be this one-note, I would've never picked it up in the first place. But I will have to commend you for not being the most boring show of the season. I liked your action and your monsters.
If you're here for the characters and character arcs, you came to a place where they sell only one type of character. Every single character boils down to "I HAVE TO GET STRONGER" one way or another, even the background characters have time to establish ... 
Sep 28, 2025
Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku
(Anime)
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I think we've finally found it--White Bread: The Anime. This has been one of the most overhyped shows I've ever seen, but it's also representative of what the current market wants: shallow, generic and overused tropes without any substance. They only want to indulge in what comes of romance, the cute moments of puppy love where characters blush even at the smallest amount of eye contact. But none of that holds a candle to actual romance where characters learn to grow and change with each other. Everyone loves white bread. Everyone eats white bread. But it's far from what you can call a fulfilling meal,
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Sep 26, 2025
Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze-hen
(Anime)
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The worst part of this movie was seeing the end credits, because you know that this breathtaking anime movie has come to an end. God, it's good enough to get you wanting to do a rewatch. You'll be invested for the entire movie's run time, from the very first introductory shots to the final scene that concludes this arc. There won't be a moment where you won't be absolutely hooked on what's happening on screen. This complete cinematic experience is well-paced and elevates its source material tremendously.
The art and animation is definitely a step up from the anime's first season. The quality is almost reminiscent ... 
Sep 20, 2025
This series is more fitting for an episodic style rather than a serialized one. Like, most of the season was focused on cosplay work, which is what the show is about, I guess. But the focus on our two main characters has basically dwindled, and our attention is brought towards the supporting characters instead.
I like the theme of self-actualization and just doing what makes you feel good without worrying about how other would perceive you. I like seeing how it varies from character to character (or, just two characters, at least). These are values that the main character himself could apply. Unfortunately, the show still ... 
Sep 20, 2025
Yofukashi no Uta Season 2
(Anime)
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Going into this season, it always felt like a "go with the flow" kind of show where you don't really have to pay that much attention to what's going on and just indulged in the fun moments it had to offer. It started to feel like a drag towards the end, even though it's supposed to be the climax of the season.
I loved learning more about the other vampires and getting a look into their lives. Seeing Yamori and Nazuna's dynamic is always funny too. The semi-sarcastic gags usually never fail to make me laugh, but that mainly applied to the first half of the ... 
Sep 19, 2025
Dandadan 2nd Season
(Anime)
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Well, I came for a party, and I got one. Dandadan's 2nd Season maintains the same fun and energy the first season had. It's less geared towards the dark, emotional moments the first season had, but I don't think that affects the experience in any negative way. When you're watching Dandadan, there's one core appeal: watching the cast of characters grow. The Dandadan family is where each character gets their own chance to shine, and it's something I always love seeing. You can say this series plays into a lot of tropes, but it does it well enough to almost make you feel nostalgic. Season
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Sep 15, 2025
Sakamoto Days Part 2
(Anime)
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I stopped liking the Sakamoto Days manga towards the later chapters, but I did find this cour quite fun. Maybe this would help reawaken your enjoyment of the series if you're in a similar position. In fact, I think anyone would find this somewhat enjoyable. This series definitely plays into a lot of the generic battle shounen tropes, but it doesn't seem to act like it's anymore. If you aren't looking for anything deep and just want some fun action, Sakamoto Days might be the series for you.
There's definitely a step up in the visuals compared to the first cour, which I believe is warranted ... 
Aug 9, 2025
Gachiakuta
(Anime)
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The rule of cool can only get you so far, unfortunately.
Gachiakuta is supposedly one of the rising stars of the new generation of action shounen manga. However, it's also one of the anime with the weakest beginnings so far. If you ever feel inclined to press the fast forward button during these first four episodes, don't blame yourself. These episodes are riddled with nothing but exposition. I'm hoping things will pick up soon, but it's seriously that bad. You'd probably like this if it were, like, your first anime ever. I can certainly praise the art quality and production value. But again, that can only bring ... |
