With the ink barely dry on one season finale, the end of Winter 2017 is finally in sight. Which series are destined to be shelved alongside other captivating anime and which are slated for the bargain bin?
WeekendOtaku’s shows
KimmieKawaii’s shows
It doesn’t feel like 10 weeks have passed since this all started, but with one series wrapping up this week and the rest well on their way, we’re taking a closer look at how these shows are measuring up to our expectations and whether or not they look like they will reach a satisfying end.
The lineup is unlikely to change at this point, but the shows in the Still Watching category will still have to show some focus to be considered favorably at season’s end.
Fully Invested:
WeekendOtaku
- ACCA 13: I suppose a district audit or two was still pending, but I’m dying for the coup we have been waiting for all week to unravel. I can’t even consider moving this out.
- Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: Why let a theater show go to its predictable sad end when you have so many creative minds at your disposal? The entire cast helps make this week’s episode a lot of fun.
- Onihei: Wasuke’s story was tragic, but his story ended as gloriously as it could. The lesson? Never count an old thief out. Or don’t hire them to build your house.
- Scum’s Wish: An odd choice to focus so heavily on Akane at this point, but this show continues its incredible character work by showing viewers how even her warped views can be challenged.
KimmieKawaii
- ACCA 13: Despite the slower paced episode and stagnant flashback sequence, it was inspiring to witness the distinctly different districts rising up in support of Jean.
- Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: Fafnir has returned! With Dragon’s Maid continuously providing the perfect mix of humor and heartwarming moments, it has become a series I look forward to watching each week.
- Onihei: You would think with all the recent episodes centering around thieves, this series would start to feel repetitive and uneventful. Each week Onihei manages to offer up intriguing tales heavily influenced by moral value vs. ethics.
- Scum’s Wish: Another Akane driven arc lends more credence to her warped thinking. What is missing, however, an explanation for Kanai’s motives and actions.
Still Watching (but not sold):
WeekendOtaku
- Masamune-kun’s Revenge: The show is getting a little odd with the drama around the school festival, but at least we know what Gasou is up to. I’m holding out on Masamune finding out how horribly mistaken he is about everything.
- Saga of Tanya the Evil: Dr Schugel’s return brings the series back to making life difficult for Tanya – a plus point as we head into the final arc of the series and a possible fateful confrontation.
KimmieKawaii
- Masamune-kun’s Revenge: With the return of Neko and shift back to a more light-hearted plot, this series is falling victim to every single rom-com trope imaginable. Chances for recovery are slim… send in the rescue party!
- Saga of Tanya the Evil: Mad scientist + V-1 rockets housing mages being dropped into enemy territory? This was the invigorating boost needed to captivate the audience once again.
Completed
Only one of our original 10 series have finished thus far. After only ten episodes, Spiritpact becomes our first completed series from Winter 2017.
WeekendOtaku
- Spiritpact: This show never quite got the polish I hoped for, but pulled off a better story than I ever expected. This final episode resolved the major season’s threads amid plenty of excitement and meaningful character moments.
KimmieKawaii
- Spiritpact: While some loose threads remained after the series finale this week, Spiritpact was truly an engaging, worthwhile viewing experience. Despite the inconsistent animation and a few translation mishaps, the unique narrative, thought-provoking execution, and powerful dynamic between Ki and Keika more than made up for it.
Dropped
No new drops this week. Here are the ones we stopped reviewing earlier this season:
- Hand Shakers: after 3 eps
- Gabriel Dropout: after 3 eps
- ēlDLIVE: after 8 eps
This post is part of our seasonal episodic review series. To view all the posts in this series, click the following link: Viewing Party
Weekend Otaku 
So far this season is pretty good
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Which ones are you enjoying the most?
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Tanya, Gabriel, Little Witch and Tales
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Oh and Blue exorcist
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Nice, the first series complete. And one that I have now added to my own to watch list, seeing as it is now finished (I usually start watching series when they are fully completed ). Spirit-act really has an interesting premise, and after reading your weekly thoughts on the series, I have gotten a pretty good picture of this anime. Looking forward to seeing it, and ofcourse the rest of your weekly reviews. You guys or on a roll, just so you know 😀
Completely off topic, but I have finally started on Moribito Guardian of the Sacred Spirit. After having seen 4 episodes I can really say that I am really enjoying this series a lot. Thanks for the great review you did on that one, because that is really the reason I have started watching it in the first place. Keep up the great work you are both doing (but who am I kidding, you already are doing that 😉) .
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I sometimes really hate autocorrect: spirit-act = Spiritpact 😊
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Haha, yeah autocorrect really is the worst.
That’s cool that you found Spiritpact interesting enough to watch after seeing these reviews. We grew to like it after a little while and at just 10 episodes it doesn’t take up too much of your life either way.
Also, I’m happy that you’re liking Moribito! It took me a while to warm up to it myself, but once I did I really liked it. It does feel like it loses focus a little after those first four or five episodes, but I would say stick with it because it’s a pretty good story.
I always love hearing that I inspired you to try a show. Thanks for the kind comments, my friend.
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