Also, wasn’t the Witch Hat Atelier anime supposed to drop this summer? Do we just not have an exact date yet? That’ll be a must-watch to me.

Delayed, maybe? I mean, it is animated by Bug Films, the studio behind Zom 100, so I don’t have much faith. I will take the delay if that means they can finish the production before airing and doesn’t end up like Zom 100.

Despite the staked season, there’s only a several series caught my attention

Can’t Miss

• City The Animation:
  This will be THE anime that I won’t miss. The spiritual successor of Nichijou, not only from the same author (Keiichi Arawi) but also by the same studio, Kyoani. The short teasers [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] posted on Kyoani’s channel already solidify this as AOTY for me. Just look at how vibrant and expressive it looks.
• Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku:
  I’ve read the manga. It is a sweet romance that can’t make you stop grinning. On top of that, it will be animated by Cloverworks.
• Dandadan 2nd Season:
  Pretty well known, a continuation of an already popular anime last year. Also have read the manga

Will Watch Some Episodes

• The Summer Hikaru Died:
  The trailer seems interesting. Heard a lot of buzz about the manga as well. Animated by CygamesPictures, so the quality will be top-notch. Don’t know about the BL theme, though.
• New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT:
  Haven’t watched the original, but the art style pulls me in.

Waiting to See the Reception First / Waiting for Full Release

• Arknights: RISE FROM EMBER:
  I’m yet to finish the first two seasons. I’ve played the game before, so I hope I can just jump right into.
• Turkey! Time to Strike
• Secrets of the Silent Witch
• Ruri Rocks:
  Studio Bind (not because of MT but onimai)

I’m still open to suggestions. Like other seasons, probably going to follow r/anime first 3 weeks reaction. Still open to the possibility of a dark horse this season.

Meta Question

On the topic of Kaoru, since Netflix JP has exclusive right to stream a week ahead, will the discussion thread follow Netflix JP release or global?

Wowee, that was another intense episode! The race was really hyped. Despite the true main character is Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, the other horses got their own moment during the race. Like, Top Shunbetsu late start, Lord Royal confidence in taking the lead, Dynam Heroine closing the gap, Sirius Symboli overpowered by Oguri’s pressure despite finding an opening.

I love the new horse, Lord Royal. Another tomboy added to the growing list of side characters I like. Unfortunately for her, this is the story of the Beast. There is no chance for her to win.

Also, cute March got another screen time!

I want to highlight this adorable moment of Oguri gripping the doll Kitahara made.

Place your bets - who do you think would win the Tenno Sho?

my reaction knowing that it’s ending next week

I thought CinGray is a 2-cour

Even though Karakasa was beautifully animated with vibrant colors, the cut was sometimes really hard to follow. It also relied a lot for the audience to piece all the story together. I’m still not yet get the full picture of the first movie, though partially because I decided to use JP sub. I hope the next one could tone it down a bit.

Which Yokai would be the next movie focus on?

Pretty intense start! The downside of being in the spotlight is having a target in your back. Despite being targeted by everyone, Oguri was able to get the victory. Truly the beast of Kazamatsu, even outclass her senpai. There’s only Tamamo Cross left to be Oguri’s worthy rival. She already has the aura farmed for several episodes now.

Kitahara also finally make a comeback, bringing presents from Kazamatsu’s cast. He even made a doll for Oguri (his best effort).

There’s also March’s present, a keychain

Can’t wait for the next episode. We will finally be able to see Oguri and Tamamo competing.

@rikka@ani.social

This week episode is a calm one. A deserving break after weeks of peak, just like what Roppei said we have to pace our race in order not to tire ourselves. While Oguri is having a break, they decide to use this for Tamamo Cross intro. Will she be a promising rival for our girl Oguri? In the meantime, Oguri still have two more rivals she has to beat in the next episode.

I’m happy we got to see March and Norn again. Sad that she didn’t win Tokai Derby. Oguri doing her best consoling March here. Also, what a goofy phone just to reach their high ears.

We also got to see Oguri in her casual wear, looking cute as ever, while devouring the whole Harajuku food stand.

Sorry, I have to put March in the spotlight whenever I can

As someone who also only get into Uma Musume franchise thanks to Cinderella Gray, I’m happy seeing another comrade also enjoying Uma Musume through the same route. Now, I have high expectation for S2, because BoaNE was phenomenal.

That was a clever misdirection. They make it looked like as if Oguri was racing in Nippon Derby. I genuinely thought the immovable Japanese would actually do an exception for Oguri, that’s just how goated she is, but alas, reality is often disappointing. I guess there’s only one thing that can stop Oguri Cap, and that is Japanese bureaucracy. Though the journalist effort wasn’t in vain, they were able to make the organizers to change the rule to enter Nippon Derby, even though Oguri still wasn’t allowed to enter in the name of fairness. Stand proud Oguri Cap, your presents actually change Japan.

Even with the misdirection, I was pretty invested with the race. They actually highlight Oguri’s rival and classmates pretty well. Sucks for Dicta Striker not performing well because of her injury, she was my favorite (what can I say, I love tomboy).

There’s actually several hints before the reveal. Like how Oguri rather than wearing a costume like the other horse she wears her gym clothes. When Rudolf reminiscing her racing age, we can see a newspaper just outside the focus with Sakura Chiyono O on the cover (probably covering her winning Nippon Derby). When they do a sweeping shot, Oguri Cap couldn’t be seen in the pack. Also when they do a transition from Dicta Striker to Oguri Cap the transition time actually far longer than the others because it was on a different track.

Can’t wait for the next episode titled peak! They can’t stop peaking

That was rough! Not only had Yachiyo been stranded for millennia, but she also no longer had her original body. Didn’t know a robot could go through a rebellious phase. I guess a by-the-book robot like Yachiyo would go through a lot after seeing such changes to her routine.

Meanwhile, Ponko has grown into such a beauty. She even got a boyfriend.

You really can’t never predict what will happen next with this anime. We haven’t seen the rest of Ponko’s family after the timeskip, I wonder what they look like now.

If you’re okay with Movies:

• Liz and the Blue Bird: (technically part of Hibike Euphonium but works as a stand-alone) A masterpiece film by Yamada Naoko, about a timid girl’s struggle with her relationship
• The Colors Within: Another Yamada Naoko film about finding your own color, super low stake drama, more on feels good anime
• Silent Voice: Yet another Yamada Naoko film about forgiving yourself and finding strength through each other (CW: suicide attempt)
• Look Back: The love and struggle for doing art
• Uma Musume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a new Era: (Just finished this one) An anthropomorphized race horse’s struggle to rise to the top, beautiful animation and drama

As for series:

• Hibike Euphonium: band drama
• Hyouka: a highschool detective solving mundane every day life through clever deduction, more character driven story
• Keep Your Hands off Eizouken: about making animation (not a real life representative, lean on the whimsical and creative aspect of animation)

I don’t think so. Each installment of uma musume seems to focus on different horses’ so they work as a stand alone

which of the other Umamusume anime is similar to Cinderella Gray? Would enough context be given to watch a season as a standalone series instead of starting from season 1?

You could try the movie Uma Musume: Road to the Top and Uma Musume: Begining of a New Era. Haven’t watch either, but I’ve hear a lot of praise for them

I kinda doubt they would do that. Cinderella gray’s story is based on real life story Oguri Cap. I’m not familiar with Japan’s horse racing scene so this is just a guess, but I don’t think they would do a one of race like that. Japan is land of bureaucracy, so exception like this needs a lot of paperwork and valid reason.

This soundtrack is what makes it so exciting during the races.

They definitely know how to hype the races. Not only the soundtrack, but also the pacing. Like how every race is introduced with a title screen, and how they gave empty space during the race. There are moments during the race with no soundtrack, and let the scene filled only with galloping sound. They also went into complete silence to give the twist more impact.

That was a race-full episode. We got three races in a row, though Oguri was only in two. So hype!

I know Oguri would win the first race from the last episode cliffhanger. Black Ale speaking politely was cute. Despite her loud mouth, at least she could keep her promise.

The reporter seemed really determined to get Oguri to enter the Nippon Derby. He not only made a lot of articles to rile up the discussion but also put in the work to fill out a 10,000-signed petition for Oguri.

Will Oguri get an exception to get into the derby? Or will Rudolf uphold the rule? The audience has voiced their opinion, and they (including me) want Oguri in the Derby! Can’t wait for the next episode, it’s titled Nippon Derby after all.

@rikka@ani.social

Finally, they animated the super-high-speed Kanshi suffering. I’ve been waiting to see it animated since they teased it in the opening. God speed, Kanshi, this is only the start of your many more suffering 🙏.

How lucky these girls were to have the beach all for themselves. The pizza also looks so tasty.

What?! They can’t just leave us like that. They shouldn’t put a cliffhanger on my comfort anime T^T. Stay safe Yachiyo, I hope Ponko and the rest will be able to rescue her