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Honestly, when I first started Black Clover, I assumed it would be just another silly little shonen packed with all the usual tropes. And in some ways, it is—but I wouldn’t stick around for 170 episodes just for the silliness.

Let’s talk about the characters, easily my favorite part of the show. What began as a one-dimensional rivalry full of loud yelling slowly evolved into something deeper and more layered. From Yuno and Asta to the eccentric “bah-ha” Knight, each character is given their own backstory, motivations, abilities, and worldview. While I can’t say I relate to any of them personally, Asta’s “let’s talk it out” ... approach feels surprisingly relevant in today’s world. I’m not a huge fan of how some characters are locked into their quirks, like the workout addict, the guy with a sister complex, the Cinderella knockoff, or the clumsy food lover, but I admit, it adds a certain charm. Especially when it comes to Charmy. Absolute cutie.

What I didn’t expect, and found delight in, was how Black Clover carefully blends contemporary politics and classic mythologies into the backdrop of its world. Ancient elves, demons, kings, and queens... There's a lot to the basic premise. The lore grows on you after a while. When those first few episodes don’t seem that original, more like games of catch-up than anything else, once this saga really starts going, though, you see how much painstaking thought has gone into devising rules for its world and tracing its history.

Plot-wise, the first 20 episodes... Well, they are serviceable. The odd training arc, tournament, and monster-of-the-week episode. But after that, the series just keeps getting bigger. The pacing starts to push forward, the stakes keep rising higher and higher...and all at once, there are people on screen that you don’t think you can even bring yourself to like who end up growing into characters whose lives you root for. Villains get better too—not just people who merely lust for power, but whole ideologies and scores with one individual or another. There are layers upon layers of gray beneath the glossy spells.

And speaking of flashy—the animation is a beast. Some of the fight scenes are breathtaking, rivaling those in Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. You can feel the weight of every swing, the opening of new dimensions, the flash of mirrors, the burn of flames. That said, the emotional payoff of these fights can sometimes feel soft, because let’s be honest, most of the “big” moments don’t end in major loss. Death is rare, and sometimes that lowers the stakes. But visually? It is gorgeous.

Now, here’s the thing: I don’t fully buy into the idea of a world where everything is powered by pure-hearted grit and positivity. So no, this anime isn’t a 10/10 for me. It’s too idealistic in some places, too neat in others. But at the same time, I was glued to my screen for three straight weeks. I laughed. I teared up. I cheered. And when a show can do all that, I can’t pretend it’s not worth watching.

So no, Black Clover isn’t perfect. But if you’re in the mood for magic, character-driven chaos, and some of the most hype fights you’ve seen in a while? You’ll find something to love here. Highly recommend.

Laid-Back Camp is a nice, slow-paced show that gives folks like myself who are anxious a much-needed break—a chance to stop for 24 minutes and just breathe.

If you want action-packed scenes or exquisite art and animation, I wouldn't recommend this series. That's not what it's meant to be. This is the excellent show to watch if you want to feel like you have a buddy who loves mountains gently taking your hand and showing you the basics of camping, with funny jokes and unexpectedly useful recommendations.

The tone is serene, the music is relaxing, and the friendships seem real. It's the kind of anime that makes you appreciate ... the quiet times in life, which is something we all need sometimes.

I’ve just finished FLCL in one sitting. And I'm not going to claim I sat there dissecting some coming-of-age symbolism or attempting to interpret the deeper philosophy of adolescence.

Realistically I appreciated it exactly for what it was—chaotic, weird, fashionable. The storyline made absolutely no sense, and somehow that felt perfect. Regarding the animation? Sharp, experimental, all over the place—in the best possible sense. And the soundtrack just filled in the vibe.

It resembled entering a contemporary art exhibition. You know, when you stand before something disorganized, complex, maybe a little unhinged? You sense something even if you truly have no idea what it is attempting to ... express. You don’t get it, but you get it. That was me, eyes glued to the screen, just enjoying the colors, the sounds, the nonsense.

So if you want to turn off your brain and see robots grow out of people's brains midway during a discussion and then dash off to do... I don’t know, chores? Fight scenes? Existential breakdowns? All contained in shifting styles of animation and killer tracks—this one is for you.

But definitely skip this one if you want something neat-cut, emotionally rich, or with a narrative that really fits.

Since this anime deserves much more attention than it has gotten, I really don't even know where to start this review. Not only fanfare but appropriate critical attention—essays, discourse, thorough examination. Still, here we are—just me—with this urgent need to share some thoughts in the space I have.

Watching Chi: Chalkyuu no Undou ni Tsuite seemed less like consuming an anime and more like reading a piece of literary fiction from the first episode. Though naturally the screen held me in place, the story moves with such purpose that I found myself longing I could flick through the frames like pages in a book. The story, the interwoven ... themes, the painstaking character arcs—all of which felt carefully chosen to pull you deeper and deeper, until you were totally absorbed, emotionally and intellectually.

And for that, I really am grateful. Something animated has not made me feel this much, this intensely for a very long time.

What struck me most was the central concept: the birth and resilience of an idea. It's a theme that resonates with me far beyond this series. Inception, one of my favorite movies, brilliantly said, "An idea is like a virus. Resilient. Highly contagious. The smallest seed of an idea can grow. It can grow to define or destroy you".

This anime embodies that truth. It illustrates how a single thought—quiet, fragile, almost imperceptible at first—can take root. And once it does, it refuses to be extinguished. It grows, evolves, and slowly begins to reshape the world around it.

Ideas are seen as both divine and deadly across history and most definitely inside this narrative. And reasonably so. They subvert authority. They sabotage systems. They call for truth. Although I'm not a historian, I will let those more suited handle the scholarly study; what I respect is how Chi combines artistic vision with historical realism. The creators expose the dual nature of almost everything: labor, religion, money, human relationships. The series demonstrates how belief in an idea may lead to persecution—and how that same belief, in the hands of another, might inspire violence, silence, or resistance.

Still haunting me in the series is the first death. It was startling. Though they don't, there is a cruel hope the character would come back. Just as actual individuals do not. The anime reminds us, with devastating clarity, that we are fleeting—tiny dots in the vast, ever-moving arc of human history. And yet ideas linger even as we disappear. They still remain. They become louder, more unquestionably stronger.

This series is, quite simply, beautiful from the poetic opening sequence and dramatic soundtrack to the amazing starlit sky and visceral, blood-soaked fights. Every bit of artistic detail is intentional. Every emotional pulse performs as expected.

I wholeheartedly recommend  Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite. Not only as a piece of entertainment but also as a work of art challenging us to consider what goes on following our deaths and what is worth dying for.

I finished the movie “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” yesterday and didn’t think about leaving a review since it felt kinda blank to me at first. But then I couldn’t stop thinking about it, even while rewatching OHSHC.

The plot felt a bit plain-ish, and I’d say there were several holes in the narrative, which was unfortunate. Yet, the message behind the scenes stayed with me. That’s why yesterday night, I was reflecting on time (obviously), the thing of value, and the fleeting nature of first friendships, relationships, and eventual heartbreaks.

Time waits for no one, truly. Sometimes, it feels like a gift because all you ... want is for these long minutes to pass. Other times, it feels like a curse when all you desire is one more second with your loved ones, when you long to save someone, or when the clock ticking carries unbearable weight.

What we have is never enough, and we cannot have more. But as the movie conveys, the best we can do is live in the present, appreciating every moment, and face the surprises that fate has in store with courage.

This movie may not be perfect and far from a masterpiece (in my Universe), but its message lingers, leaving you with more than what meets the eye

I wouldn’t call *The Elusive Samurai* the greatest anime ever—not even close to the top—but I still recommend watching it, and here’s why.

First and foremost: the art. The visuals are truly exceptional, and worthy of a showcase in the Louvre (well, maybe not the Louvre, probably more in one of the biggest contemporary galleries). Every emotion is captured through the imagery alone, with no words needed. Just by observing the colors, settings, and characters’ expressions, you can feel fear, loneliness, despair, happiness, loyalty, and total madness. And when I say madness, I’m not referring to the craziness of the bandits but rather the thrill our ... young lord experiences from being chased.

The plot presents some challenges. There are moments when it feels weak, yet this is countered by a series of intense, almost surreal scenes. It can feel a bit unrealistic, especially as we watch young characters outsmarting fully developed adults during wartime. As someone currently living through the struggles of war, this element didn’t resonate as much for me. However, at the same time, we can see the parallels, we can sense hidden problems (as in humans abandoning nature and beliefs) and we can follow the story, still being glued to the screens.

The characters also feel somewhat flat to me, though this could be because there’s more to come in future seasons. This anime is not designed to wrap up in one season, so I’d advise some patience. However, I must highlight Yorishige Suwa and Tadayoshi Ashikaga (even if he only appears briefly). These two are so complex and layered that they invite you to examine them deeply. While the younger characters are fun and cute, Yorishige and Tadayoshi feel almost too real, adding gravitas to the story.

In summary, *The Elusive Samurai* is a great choice for a one- or two-night watch. If you appreciate art, it’s especially worth it for the visual inspiration alone.

If I were an ambassador of mangas, webtoons, and books that showcase healthy relationships, *Romance 101* would be a must-have recommendation. This was a refreshing read that left me feeling light, happy, and understood.

As we follow the story, we witness the relationship between the male and female leads develop and blossom. There’s no excessive drama, no foolish actions—just pure sympathy and care. It’s giving a bit of an enemies-to-lovers trope, but not in a simplistic, black-and-white way. Our protagonists simply needed time to understand their feelings.

One of the aspects I loved most about *Romance 101* is how it uses various characters’ stories to present multiple ... perspectives on dating, friendship, breakups, and other relatable experiences. As you turn the pages, you realize it’s okay to take time for yourself after a big breakup, it’s okay to have some drinks with your friends and feel angry, and it’s okay to feel down or happy—communication is key.

While of course not all characters can form their emotions into words (as we saw in the chapter where while people might think that the mental state of the person is shallow, the well of it is still as deep as the ocean).

In Romance 101, we encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with different backgrounds and approaches to life. The narrative doesn’t pass judgment, reminding us that being different doesn’t equate to being wrong or bad.

Deep thoughts aside, Romance 101 offers a bit of an emotional rollercoaster (thankfully not forced), cheesy love scenes, genuine friendships, and a dash of everyday worries. It's a 100% recommend!

"My Happy Marriage" is a prime example of an anime with stunning art but a lackluster narrative. I wish I could find reasons to recommend it, but unfortunately, I cannot. The characters are extremely flat: we have the self-conscious Miyo, the cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside Kiyoka, the selfish and arrogant Kaya, and so on. They fail to develop throughout the series, and even in the final scene, where the main characters are supposed to reach a climactic transformation, they merely continue playing their assigned roles. I was hoping for a strong romantic element, but it fell flat. It’s not a slow burn; it’s more of a slow ... fade, as there was no spark to ignite any real passion.

However, the grotesqueries—the eerie creatures—offered me that missed "spark". The artists captured their malevolence and deadly aura beautifully. The overall animation is visually pleasing and a highlight of the series.

In summary, if you’re looking for aesthetics, this might be worth your time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Chichi to Hige-Gorilla to Watashi was such a wholesome read! I'm gonna be short since this story doesn't have any complex plot development, BUT it doesn't make the story poor or bad. It's a kind of manga, that shows how it is important to move on and live your life in the present, not keeping tied up to your past. Even now, writing this small review I feel like crying because the topic of death is so hurtful to me, but with stories like this one I can feel gratitude to be given a chance to live, to gain memories over memories with different people ... and places.

But not about me! You should read this manga simply due to:

- relatable characters
- peak humor
- deep topics and easy explanation
- heartfelt messages
- happy ending

This is exactly that ray of sunshine we need in the dark place.

P.S. - I was in a reading slump, and it got me back.

Freshly right after finishing the last episode - I'll be honest, I don't know how to feel. So let's analyze each aspect.

1. Plot: This is the main point that unsettles me. On one hand, we have a rather toxic entertainment industry and fandoms mixed with the regular lives of rising stars. But on the other hand, there's this thriller-kind-of-feeling, mystical moment of being reborn and remembering past lives. It might seem thrilling, but I felt lost while binge-watching the show.

2. Art: This is a straight masterpiece! No comments needed: the colors, the animation, the fluidity - everything is on point. 10/10

3. Music: I feel ... like this is standard for such kinds of shows, so the OST also had no misses.

4. Characters: This is another aspect that gave me mixed feelings. It felt like in order to show the depth of the characters, anime creators had to add traumatic pasts to each of them: as if you hadn't lived through suffering, you are not an interesting person to observe. While surely it might be true to some extent, in this particular case it's felt far from the truth, artificial even. Not every character needs tragedy to develop - that is solely my opinion.

Basically, to get the gist of it I surely have to watch the second season. The problem is that I don't want to proceed with shows, that weren't at least 50% successful to lead me to the point.

Would I recommend watching it? Probably yes.
Will I watch the second season? Yes, I need to find the answers
Was I satisfied? Surely no