What I’m Watching During The Winter 2019 Anime Season

Hey guys! I know what you are thinking. Where have I been?! Well not really, but some of you are, so I’ll answer that question. Many of us over at BAYOG have been taking somewhat of a last minute break. Some people have been travelling and just enjoying their winter break while some of us just finally got a breather from life and decided to enjoy it. We are still deciding on what we want to do with BAYOG in 2019 but we will probably have a post sometime soon explaining how we want to continue in the new year.

Since things are kind of falling back into place and my semester at school is a bit lighter, I will likely go back to some weekly post. A few weeks ago I started watching more anime again and it really put me in a better place as far as mood goes so I’d like to keep this going PLUS I missed all y’all! So I thought this would be a good time to talk about what anime I am watching during the winter season. BOY is 2019 starting out right with anime! So, let’s jump right in!

Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) | Boogiepop and Others (2019)

There is an urban legend that tells of a shinigami that can release people from the pain they are suffering. This “Angel of Death” has a name—Boogiepop. And the legends are true. Boogiepop is real. When a rash of disappearances involving female students breaks out at Shinyo Academy, the police and faculty assume they just have a bunch of runaways on their hands. Yet some students know better. Something mysterious and foul is afoot. Is it Boogiepop or something even more sinister…?

[From MAL]

So for those who don’t know this series is based on a novel that came out back in the 90s and also had an anime series in the year 2000. I knew absolutely nothing about either so I thought it would be weird to jump into it. I then talked to a friend who recommended it since he read the novel and told me that it would be something I would get into. So, I tried it and yeah… he was right. This is totally up my alley. Big fan of stories with mystery and psychological elements.

As much as I really like this series, I can see where many others wouldn’t. I’m going to predict that many people would only drop it after episode 1. BUT DON’T. This series requires you to go further down the rabbit hole. Which is why they release episode 1 and 2. Though I think I would’ve appreciated it more if they gave us episode 3 since that seems to complete the first arc and give the viewer a good idea of what they are walking into. Also a big fan of the OP. I’ve grown to become a fan of MYTH&ROID and this was definitely a hit for me but also great visually.

Domestic na Kanojo | Domestic Girlfriend

Natsuo Fujii is in love with his teacher, Hina. Attempting to forget his feelings towards her, Natsuo goes to a mixer with his classmates where he meets an odd girl named Rui Tachibana. In a strange turn of events, Rui asks Natsuo to sneak out with her and do her a favor. To his surprise, their destination is Rui’s house—and her request is for him to have sex with her. There’s no love behind the act; she just wants to learn from the experience. Thinking that it might help him forget about Hina, Natsuo hesitantly agrees.

After this unusual encounter Natsuo now faces a new problem. With his father remarrying, he ends up with a new pair of stepsisters; unfortunately, he knows these two girls all too well. He soon finds out his new siblings are none other than Hina and Rui! Now living with both the teacher he loves and the girl with whom he had his “first time,” Natsuo finds himself in an unexpected love triangle as he climbs ever closer towards adulthood.

[From MAL]

I believe I wrote an entire post on the manga for this series so you guys really shouldn’t be surprised that I’m watching this. I mainly started the series out of curiosity to see if the series would be adapted well. The series is being done by a studio I don’t really know much about so I figured it would be amiss more than a hit. Though, I was pleasantly surprised. I feel like they really hit the mark with some pivotal early scenes and picked some voice actors that were fitting to the characters.

Once again we got a great opening. I heard it initially in the PV but man I really loved it. I thought everything about it was great and gave little to no spoilers. I also really think the animation is solid, there are many cool things they do that I didn’t expect regarding animation, the colors and the music is very fitting to the tone of the story.

The only issue most people will have is when you first look at it, it does seem like some crazy harem but there’s so much more to this book than the cover lets on. So, worth a shot.

Kakeguruixx

Hyakkaou Private Academy. An institution for the privileged with a very peculiar curriculum. You see, when you’re the sons and daughters of the wealthiest of the wealthy, it’s not athletic prowess or book smarts that keep you ahead. It’s reading your opponent, the art of the deal. What better way to hone those skills than with a rigorous curriculum of gambling? At Hyakkaou Private Academy, the winners live like kings, and the losers are put through the wringer. But when Yumeko Jabami enrolls, she’s gonna teach these kids what a high roller really looks like!

[From Kakegurui Season 1 on MAL]

I was super excited to watch the series but unfortunately, it’s not simulcasting in the US… Am I surprised? Not at all. Pretty bummed about it but I really don’t want to wait because the last time I waited for a series to come to Netflix after I aired was Violet Evergarden and did I finish it? Absolutely not. So, I’m being a pirate for this one. I always try my hardest to support when I can but just sick of the shit.

Back to the series itself. The first episode was a great way to help the viewer jump back into the setting and story after the break we had from it. The OP and ED aren’t as great as season 1 but I’m still a fan. If you were a fan of season 1, you will definitely want to catch this one as well.

Mob Psycho 100 II

Eighth-grader Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama has tapped into his inner wellspring of psychic prowess at a young age. But the power quickly proves to be a liability when he realizes the potential danger in his skills. Choosing to suppress his power, Mob’s only present use for his ability is to impress his longtime crush, Tsubomi, who soon grows bored of the same tricks.

In order to effectuate control on his skills, Mob enlists himself under the wing of Arataka Reigen, a con artist claiming to be a psychic, who exploits Mob’s powers for pocket change. Now, exorcising evil spirits on command has become a part of Mob’s daily, monotonous life. However, the psychic energy he exerts is barely the tip of the iceberg; if his vast potential and unrestrained emotions run berserk, a cataclysmic event that would render him completely unrecognizable will be triggered. The progression toward Mob’s explosion is rising and attempting to stop it is futile.

[From Season 1 MAL]

Alright, I’m just going to say this. If you’re not watching Mob Pscyho 100, go watch it now. It is a great series and it really doesn’t matter what kind of anime you are into, it’s just good. From the mind of ONE, creator of One Punch Man, we have this great story animated by Studio Bones. What more can you ask for?

I’m honestly super impressed with episode 1. I heard many rumors from manga readers that this season was going to be a lot of development for mob and the other characters but we got so much in that one episode that I was caught off guard. So, if you have the free time to binge season 1, do it up and catch up for part 2.

Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari | The Rising of the Shield Hero

Stories of old tell of four otherworldly heroes—wielding the sword, spear, bow, and shield—who defended the land from wave after wave of calamity. With the fate of the world in balance, the kingdom of Melromarc summons these legendary figures; in modern-day Japan, the call is answered, and the unwitting heroes are transported to this fantasy universe.

Thrust into Melromarc and given the title of “Shield Hero,” otaku Naofumi Iwatani is labeled the weakest due to his lack of offensive capability and apparent inexperience. When the heroes part ways to start their journeys, he only has one willing companion: the beautiful princess Malty Melromarc. However, she soon betrays him, steals all his money, and accuses him of taking advantage of her.

For his alleged crimes, Naofumi is branded a criminal and made outcast of society. With hatred filling his heart, he sets out alone, vowing vengeance against those who wronged him.

[From MAL]

A friend told me about this series a month or two ago. My initial thought was “Not another isekai dude.” Before I even said it, he gave me a small explanation that is was different and that I should at least give it a try. I wasn’t going to initially but then Crunchyroll hit us with the preview of episode 1 before it was released. So… yeah… I watched it.

Initially, didn’t think anything about it, nothing was very special and I thought that it was predictable. I was proven a wrong a few times which surprised me but that second half really hooked me. So if you are like me, someone who is sick of the isekai genre that wants to stay far from this thing, it’s a series that only takes one episode. If it doesn’t grab you by that point, then skip it.

Yakusoku no Neverland | The Promised Neverland

At Grace Field House, life couldn’t be better for the orphans! Though they have no parents, together with the other kids and a kind “Mama” who cares for them, they form one big, happy family. No child is ever overlooked, especially since they are all adopted by the age of 12. Their daily lives involve rigorous tests, but afterwards, they are allowed to play outside.

There is only one rule they must obey: do not leave the orphanage. But one day, two top-scoring orphans, Emma and Norman, venture past the gate and unearth the harrowing secret behind their entire existence. Utilizing their quick-wittedness, the children must work together to somehow change their predetermined fate.

[From MAL]

Going to start this by saying I have awful friends that spoil things for me. So I already knew what was going to happen when episode 1 was released. BUT DAMN. It was still super chilling to experience these series of events. I was very impressed and happy to see I’m not the only one. It’s currently sitting at rank 30 on MyAnimeList and has a score of 8.81. FOR EPISODE 1! Insane.

If you don’t know anything about this series, go in blind and if you have any friends that haven’t seen this, it’s even better because you will try to call out what you think will happen and be dead wrong.

Also a great OP from our boys UVERworld and ED from Co Shu Nie who did that one OP for Tokyo Ghoul:Re Part 1.

Other than these series, I’m continuing Run with the Wind, JoJo and Detective Conan. So if y’all ever want to talk to me about those, you can hit me up on twitter @Blackatron_ or here on WP. Thanks for taking the time to read this and please let me know what you are watching this anime season. I will also be writing up some first impression articles for most of these series to give you a more in-depth review of the shows and let you know if any of them are worth dropping. I miss those. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!