Once more with feeling, we have returned with the November Challenge! After the 10-year mark, I considered maybe making alterations to it or possibly calling it for good, but naaaaah I couldn’t do it. It’s been an annual tradition for a decade now, so why would I not keep the party going! This year followed my traditional format and went as expected. Although, despite being far busier these days, I somehow managed to finish the whole set of shows with a few days to spare, rather than trying to write this post in a frenzied hurry because I completed the challenge at the last minute. I am glad to be back though. While I want to blog more and be more outgoing with creative ideas, it just is hard to find a balance in my life with my other hobbies and obligations. Either way, we are here for this challenge, so let’s get underway with the 11th November Challenge post!
The way this mega-post will work is as follows: I will talk about the shows in order of when I watched them, there will be two splits of non-spoiler & spoiler, and you will get an idea of how I felt about them all through that. Afterward, I will present individual awards for several hand-picked categories. Then the final part comes. I will give the official order of how they all ranked this year, and deem the winner of the 2024 November Challenge! It should be fun, but it will be a lot to read. I will have a large spoiler picture above each section that talks about well…..the spoilers, for people to avoid if they wish.
Before I begin, I would inform the readers outside of Kitsu, what the rules of this tournament are generally when people sign up. Aside from a “first come first serve” to sign up unsaid rule, these are the following rules I use.
THE RULES
-The show’s length must be between 10-30
-It must have full-length episodes.
-No shorts, OVAs, ONAS, films, or anything else aside from standard format shows(Exceptions can be made with a proper discussion!)
-No adult content like hentai
-You must have seen it to completion
-I must have not seen any of it.(Even a single episode seen by me disqualifies it)
Other than that let’s get into talking about the challenge!
2014 Winner: Shinsekai Yori
Other Shows: No Game No Life, Shiki, Bokurano, & Kyoukai No Kanata
2015 Winner: Berserk(1997)
Other Shows: Donten Ni Warau, Princess Tutu, Mawaru Penguindrum, & Master Keaton
2016 Winner: Oh! Edo Rocket
Other Shows: Planetes, Katanagatari, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, & Haibane Renmei
2017 Winner: Fune wo Amu
Other Shows: Kino’s Journey, Aishiteruze Baby, Cuticle Detective Inaba, Food Wars, & Hanada Shonen Shi
2018 Winner: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Season 1
Other Shows: Mob Psycho 100(S1), A Place Further than the Universe, Tamako Market, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Kyousougiga
2019 Winner: Future Boy Conan
Other Shows: Silver Spoon, Big Wind Up, Dennou Coil, Isekai Shokudou, Outlaw Star
2020 Winner: March Comes in Like a Lion
Other Shows: K-on!, F, Aria the Animation, Recovery of an MMO Junkie
2021 Winner: House of Five Leaves
Other Shows: Takarajima, Kobato, Bakuman S1, Banana Fish
2022 Winner: Run with the Wind
Other Shows: Key the Metal Idol, Utawarerumono, Daughters of Mnemosyne, Moribito
2023 Winner: Taisho Otome
Other Shows: Hi Score Girl, Appare Ranman, Senryu Shojo, Servant x Service, Babylon, Kokkoku, Interview with Monster Girls, Symphogear S1, Video Girl Ai
Year Aired: 2023
Studio: P.A. Works
Episodes: 12
Source: Manga
Watched For: Futatsu
If one were to look at the genre tags and the synopsis for Skip and Loafer it would be no surprise to assume I might be the target audience. Anime that tend to focus on coming-of-age ideas with light aspects of romance, comedy, and a strong backing of friendship at the center of it all tends to be a series that hit well with me. I definitely can see why this series was hand-picked by none other than my significant other for a competition no less. I think few people have confidence in guessing what I will like or dislike, her included, but every now and then certain qualities exist in a series that make it seem more approachable to the big bad Doaks. This series often gets labeled as giving off the same aura as Kimi ni Todoke, and well, those are pretty big claims to fill when comparing it to one of my favorite series.
Skip and Loafer starts as unassuming as many other shows in a school setting do. A new transfer student is starting their very first day at school and they cross paths on their way to school with someone who ends up being important to them as they grow closer. The meet-cute is a happenstance like many others, and that is fine by me. It makes sense how it happens and the chemistry between the main two leads in apparent from the very first meeting between the two. Mitsumi the country girl with aspirations to become a city government figure by excelling in school, and Shima, a seemingly aloof personality with good looks and kindness and oodles of popularity yet a penchant for avoiding his school life for some reason. Two different kinds of people but a mutual chemistry that is hard to deny. Something just clicks between these two and it is the catalyst to both of their high school lives changing forever.
This school has a large focus on showing how Mitsumi impacts Shima’s desire to go to school more, why he has those reservations, and how her generally straightforward nature helps her build bonds with all sorts of personality types who don’t seem immediately compatible. I would say the themes of insecurity, friendship, and moving forward dominate this series. Similar to Kimi ni Todoke, that idea of shedding the skin of outside impressions to see a person really gets a focal point here. If you were or are the type looking for that type of acceptance and exploration of how breaking those barriers can be meaningful to make lasting relationships, then I’d highly recommend the series. It definitely approaches the topic in a very relatable and approachable way that I think most people who have ever struggled with those barriers would appreciate greatly. Mix that with some light romance tension and other elements like drama, comedy, and coming-of-age aspects and you get Skip and Loafer.
My girlfriend is such a genius. First, she mixed bananas with ice cream and then she gave me this to watch. Of course, I enjoyed it! This is the type of anime made for me! The allusions many folks make to Kimi ni Todoke really aren’t unfounded. It scratches a lot of the same wonderful ideas and themes but with wholly unique characters that don’t feel like cheap overlaps or redos of someone I’ve seen elsewhere. At the center of it all is Mitsumi, a quirky yet caring soul from the countryside of Japan. Her earnest nature and impossibly likable personality pave the way for all the good vibes to come. Almost every character in Skip and Loafer finds their place because of her impact. A lot of it comes from her ability to be completely ignorant of many social pitfalls that many high schoolers are far too fearful of to take certain actions. She is just authentic to herself all the time and what you see is what you get. It allows others to see that same value in themselves, stop overthinking as much, and just enjoy life in its purest form. There aren’t a lot of people in the world with this innate skill to have people converge around them just because they are so amiable and charismatic, but Mitsumi is definitely one of them. Thanks to her involvement in so many people’s lives we get a chance to know many souls we wouldn’t have otherwise. Straightforward honesty and kindness are a powerful mixture indeed.
The wonderful thing about how Mitsumi allows others to climb over that wall of social adversity is how it is essentially a vehicle to creating an expansive and relatable cast. No single cast member who gets regular screen time in left out of the conversation here. I love when a series is confident enough to balance a varied cast without relying on the main character to do everything all the time. Yes, she is a catalyst to it all, but these people have their own actions and relationships outside of her that matter too. Three extremely notable examples are Mika/Nao-chan, Yuzuki/Makoto, and Shima/Narumi. In every case, these people get to meet because of Mitsumi and they grow closer initially thanks to her in some way or another, but it is their own interpersonal relationships inspired by her that allow them to form special bonds with each other that they share with no one else. I really love this little way of fleshing out the cast around the main leads by giving more aspects to how they live and connect with people. Whether it is being inspired by an older figure, vibing despite your clear differences, or respecting each other for your artistry, there are endless ways people can grow closer and happier through their relationships.
All of this builds such a comfy and engaging anime. For me, one of the greatest features any story can have is a cast that feels truly alive and real to life. It makes many of the poignant moments feel all the more moving and emotional, and it just brings a semblance of peace to my heart as they grow through their interactions together. It isn’t just two kindred souls in Shima and Mitsumi but every single character that feels like they are one step closer to a future they deserve. That shared journey is the thing that just tickles my heart like none other. I do wish there was a bit more anime so I could get more into Shima’s resolve and backstory more, but that will just have to wait til the story is ready to show it to me. What we do get is really lovely stuff and like a warm hug to the heart. There aren’t a lot of frills to complicate the framework of the series, I am happy that is the case. Sometimes keeping it simple and using those features to the best of your ability is more than enough to make a tremendously enjoyable story for people to consume. I wish I could talk with these people and laugh about this and that. A hallmark of an anime that is worth my time is one where it makes me think of how truly special friendship is, and how great the value of oneself is, never mind what others think. Just be yourself, love your friends, and live your life as fully as you can. A good reminder from an anime isn’t so bad once in a while.
Random Fact: As of 2023 there are anywhere between 9-11 million akiya or abandoned houses in Japan from once populated villages.
Show: Phantom Requiem
Year Aired: 2009
Studio: Bee Train
Episodes: 26
Source: Game/Light Novel
Watched For: cwavs
A story that isn’t as present, especially in modern anime is noire or crime dramas. It might be just a way with the times, but it feels like post-2010, the amount of anime that tackle those ideas are fewer and fewer. I like to imagine this is why Phantom Requiem got picked for me. How many shows these days deal with assassination, brainwashing, and trauma without having some sort of gimmick to make it more fun for the audience? I would say it is fairly rare in my estimations. Phantom Requiem comes from a time period in anime where mature/bloody narratives were more the norm, and for better or worse, the content did not pull its punches at all. This show without exaggeration or spoilers has one of the highest body counts I have ever seen in a series. This isn’t just red shirts either, a significant amount of main characters don’t make it to the conclusion of the story either. Like a true mob story, you never know who is gonna make it.
The story begins with a young man put in a fight for his life. He has no memory of anything and is in peril, and must kill to survive. Or at least that is the idea to test if he is as deadly as they want him to be. It ends up being a mere test to create the next super assassin. His name is now Zwei and he has been chosen to apprentice under the Phantom killer Ein by a doctor who works for a black market company who do all manner of shady things. Neither have memories and have been brainwashed to be perfect killers who just follow orders. As you can imagine, it isn’t quite that simple but if the whole setup and potential ideas around it sound complicated, it is because they are. The show follows assassinations, bodyguard jobs, and espionage as all part of the grander scheme of the people in control having their own machinations. The main focus that matters most is how their ideas use our main leads and the impact it has on them until things get messier.
I’d say the demographic for this is the same type of people who like things that push moral boundaries to attempt to tackle the extremes of those themes. Intense portions of violence, sexual content, and other criminal behavior populate each episode regularly as this is the world this story thrives in. If you find worlds that are dripping with blood and tears not your cup of tea, I’d stray away quickly. If you like the ideas of such moral quandaries and hyper-adult content, with particularly darker tones, you might just be missing out on a new favorite though. This premise really tends to be make or break after just a few episodes for most folks thanks to how explicit it is.
And a swing and a misssssssssss. This show does do some things right, but in general is falls flat on its face far too often. What we have is a very serious show about assassination life, and the futility of trying to escape that world of death. That is cool and all, even if that isn’t especially a thing I particularly was looking for in my life. What doesn’t help is just how this series can’t seem to make its mind up on what it wants to do. There is also a severe lack of respect given to any female characters in the series either. If you are a woman, and are in Phantom Requiem, no matter if it is for exploitation or not, you will be shown in a sexy outfit, or have the camera pan on you sexually at least 3 times during the series. I can even count a handful of scenes where important dialogue is being said but the camera is just fixated on a pair of boobs or a tight ass. If you want me to feel bad for these girls or respect them, you really aren’t doing yourself any favors here. It’s details like this that pop up consistently to break any sense of immersion in Phantom Requiem. If you want though, my next paragraph will just be examples of issues the series has and it never bothers to explain them in a logical sense.
Why do bullets have zero impact? Really funny how many people just slump over and die without any sense of proper impact. How does a girl become the best-trained killer in the world by just suppressing her emotions and shooting bricks and being trained by a doctor who isn’t a professional killer? How do Ein and Zwei both survive fatal gunshots after falling into water. Surely they would either die of bloodless or drown no? For a company that leaves no liabilities they sure conveniently left the doctor alone who betrayed their company so he could fuck things up again later. He is fine to let be but they had to kill the main character at the end to make a point. Makes no sense when one is still actively doing stuff behind the scenes and the other is peacefully leaving the world behind. Apartment blows up? How about both characters assume the other is dead and never look into whether they actually are or not. This is especially hilarious considering he is the world’s greatest and most observant assassin. She holds a murder grudge based on this too, for some reason? You think she would be happy to see him since he assumed she was gone but no, she just hates him suddenly thanks to the doctor who should be dead but isn’t stirring the pot again. There are like 20 other examples but you get the point I hope.
For each layered mystery and emotional episode about the weight of being a killer explored, we get dozens of questionable narrative choices that harm the story flow or logic of character actions. Things just either happen super conveniently or have the weirdest convoluted reaction to the events. It’s a shame because there are some decent parts. I also really like that one song that sounds like it is from Bad Boys. When they do the mystery aspect or just explore what it means to be a human killer, the series is at its best. It just fails to capitalize on those best elements and squanders them time and time again. And while I assume the ending is meant to be a poetic sort similar to a Shakespeare play, I gotta say it left a sour taste in my mouth. I generally dislike endings that are about a tough journey to survive resulting in the main lead dying anyways. It feels anticlimatic and it makes most of the time spent to get to that end result feel absolutely wasteful. This show is no different in that regard and I was like….cool, guess that is it then. What was the point of it all? It has more potential to be a thematic piece that moves than it is, and honestly, it just falls straight on its face.
Random Fact: Almost comically Salary.com lists the average wages of an Assassin in the USA as around 53 thousand a year.
Show: Akiba Maid War
Year Aired: 2022
Studio: P.A. Works
Episodes: 12
Source: Original
Watched For: Feethebunny
If there is a type of anime that I don’t immediately associate with recommending to me it would be one starring maids. While yeah, I like a cute maid outfit as much as the next person and enjoy anime like Maid Sama, I am far from a practitioner of Maid fever. I leave that to my friend Soleil who has enough unhealthy enjoyment for 8 people combined of maids. Even with all of this consideration, I look at the person who gave it to me, Feethebunny himself. If there is one thing I consider my friend, it is a virtuoso in finding hidden gems that are off the beaten path. What others might dismiss or outright call worthless anime, Fee finds a way to bring them out of this place of hate for a new lens to look at. As much as it is a gamble, that is the kind of bunny Fee is. He would much rather play the game of taking a chance than letting a show continue to fall into possible obscurity. Of course, this show is far more recent so I wouldn’t say it is quite as obscure as it is very different from the average series. Which in the same vein, I think that is something Fee, and myself to an extent get excited by. Few things give me hope for a memorable experience than a series that takes an idea that no one else is doing and just rolls with it.
Akiba Maid Wars is a timepiece anime set in the 90s. In a time when Akihabara was plagued with violence and gang wars. The catch? The organized crime of the time weren’t your typical Yakuza but every single Maid Cafe connected to different families in a similar way. It is as silly as it sounds but the series 100 % commits to the bit of telling a gritty mob story using maids as the centerpiece. If there is one thing I never thought I would see, it would be maids talking like street thugs and shooting each other up over the most trivial matters because of their pride as maids. Somehow this series is the most violent one I watched this month despite the above series being about a literally phantom hitman penned by the Urobutcher himself. I’m actually unsure if there is an episode without someone getting killed by a gun or a knife in this show. It drives pedal to medal with the concept and never lets up on it. Despite that, it maintains a quirky side to the whole concept as well.
The series references all sorts of things like Ashita no Joe, Silence of the Lambs, and just plain old Yakuza films on the regular. It is as silly as it is violent. If you are wondering if it is historically accurate, I would assume it is pretty close. Sometimes those hidden stories are the ones the history books avoid the most. If you are looking for something bombastic and different, this is probably the anime for you though. It has zero reservations with using everything in the genre at its disposal and if you have always wanted a grittier maid anime, then look no further. Obviously, if naughty words and actions make you grimace easily, just watch those dime-a-dozen idol shows instead. This is the type of series made for those cut from a different cloth. Just how moe moe-kyun are you?
This show is so stupid and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s maybe the series that surprised the most out of the bunch. I didn’t expect it to be as funny and cleverly dedicated to homages as it was. This is a fine example of how not knowing much about a show but looking at the basic cover gave me a false impression of what I was actually in store for. While I wouldn’t say I outright loved it, I did have a lot more fun than I would have ever anticipated. The show does a much better job than most of balancing the fine line between the drama and the comedy. The only problem it really suffered from was it got too serious towards the end. It came to a point that it really undercut the fun stuff and then the jokes were not complimentary to the content that was happening. This is mostly a huge issue in the second half of the series, and most notably the last two to three episodes. They would still do silly shit like have Nagomi be a serious grieving black maid after a major death or her become a ninja but save everyone despite everyone saying ninja constantly. Sometimes this was funny and other times it just didn’t mesh well sadly. It’s a hard balance to find when your show is as aggressively committed to the idea as this one.
I will say the stand out of the show is Ranko though. Most of the cast really only functions to help make certain plotlines happen properly, but Ranko was the best part of the series hands down. I thought Nagomi was going to go a Vinland route and prove nonviolence was the answer no matter the cost but it only sort of adjacently did this after she wanted to kill people. It really found itself at an impasse with how they handle the death of Ranko and I find the series never recovered from her loss. Ranko was the funniest and most earnest character Akiba has going for it, and honestly, she is worth the entry alone. If you get anything out of this series I would hope it is an appreciation for Ranko and her storyline. Ironically she has a story that is eerily similar to a major theme in Phantom Requiem and they managed to do it better her and in half the time. Both shows are a bit too trigger-happy though and kill people way too often which makes investment or desire to rewatch a pretty low priority. I commend the choices but it just doesn’t always work to the benefit of the final product I feel.
It is pretty amusing though that I called this being a “true” story of the history of made at like episode 3. It sure went one heck of a route to get there but hey sometimes you gotta make a few pitstops for the sake of adventure! I think while the show loses a lot of points for imbalancing of its genres, it makes up for a lot of those shortcomings with just pure entertainment. One of the best reasons to watch anime is when it just is really fun to sit through and see what happens next. I was always eager to see how they would tackle the next part of the story or what crazy reference they would pull out of their hat next. That is definitely the thing I took away most from this anime. I had a good deal of fun with what it was trying to do. It is something that really can only be found in anime, and I can’t complain about that too much. Sometimes fun things are just fun yeah?
Random Fact: There are roughly 200 maid cafes that compete in the current climate of Akihabara.
Year Aired: 2020
Studio: Doga Kobo
Episodes: 12
Source: Manga
Watched For: RulenneClarissa
Cute fluffy comedy is sometimes a risk when considering a competition like this. Of course, knowing someone like Ru, she doesn’t play to win as much as she wants to share something to see how I would react to said series. The victory would just be gravy on top of it all. Either that or I am talking straight out of my ass and she fully intended to sweep the rest of the group with pure confidence in her choice. I honestly don’t know either way. What I do know is this anime is certainly not only her type of show but deftly crafted with the intent to make people feel cozy and laugh a lot. It really makes sense when you consider the entire show is a revolving door of jokes focused on sleeping as peacefully as you can.
That is all folks, sleep is key. Watari in the live-action Death Note was on to something after all! The story is literally the same as Dragon Quest 1, and even homages the game with a hero and friends trying to save the kidnapped princess from the demon lord. If you are going to show respect and honor a franchise, it might as well be the most famous RPG series to ever be made. The thing that sets this series apart? This princess really isn’t all that worried about her predicament. Nah, she just wants a damn good night’s rest and will work out the most creative solutions you’ve ever seen to make that a reality. It is actually impressive the variety of ways the author used fantasy-based creatures and linked them to ways to help improve a young girl’s rest. You wouldn’t ever consider have of them until they happen and show you the brainstorm coming to fruition. It’s light, it is silly, and it is meant to make you laugh often. This anime doesn’t make the monsters scary, and all in all, never takes itself too seriously. It’s essentially a straight gag comedy with sleep jokes meet fantasy world as the concept front and center.
I mean I think most people, other than those with no taste in light-hearted comedies would probably gleen some sort of enjoyment out of Sleep Princess. It uses relatable concepts like an uncomfortable pillow or chilly change in the seasons to launch innovative solutions to these problems time and time again. It really is meant to make the audience just be in a good mood. It is a small task or two per episode and keeps a snappy pace to try and never bore the viewer to sleep. I almost gotta feel that is intentional by the writer but it could just be the perfect coincidence. So yeah….outside the anti-comedy crowd, this show is bound to bring at least a small smile to your face if you watch it. The amount of enjoyment will most likely vary depending on your patience for the sleep jokes being used again and again or just how funny the jokes actually are to you. Comedy is the king of subjective experience so you know, take it as you will. If you like cute demon teddy bears in a fluffy princess aesthetic with a dash of unstoppable gremlin child, then you know where to go!
I will be honest, I did have moments where the one note nature of the comedy did wear on me ever so slightly. I think this show is very cute and consistent in nature but I found my attention wane a few times with how predictable certain sections were. I think that isn’t really all that surprising considering it is a straight comedy and set itself up for having times of having moments blur together. I normally find the start to be the best in these type of shows. The concept of the main joke is fresh and the really goofy ways they implement it are hard to not be a little impressed by. The princess is more of a demon than anyone in the castle and it is all in the pursuit of the a good night’s rest. It’s a very simple and amusing concept and when it works, it does just fine. There were just plenty of small moments in the middle of the show where I could definitely tell my attention was not fully being grabbed by the comedy on screen. That is absolutely a demerit but not a deal breaker of liking other aspects. Very few things are void of my criticism, especially in the world of comedy so me liking the general execution is good enough for me.
I did like the cast, setting, and visual design a lot as well. The bright colors amongst an eery and “evil” place made for a nice contrast that aided Sleepy Princess in keeping the comfy atmosphere it was aiming for. Plenty of references like things to Ashita no Joe, Resident Evil, and Dragon Quest all tickled me in their own ways. I also find it funny I watched back-to-back anime that referenced some of the same old anime media. It really shows how impactful it is to a general Japanese audience when you do that. I am very disappointed with the eggplant seals though. Why are they NOT IN IT MORE!!!! I swear, I love the demon teddies, but anime is always cheating me on a surplus of cute seals in big amounts. Someone has to take a stand against this tyranny, and I will gladly lead this cause if more raise their banner with me! The show is very adorable in general, but just what fool doesn’t use the cutest aspect more than a handful of times. There is definitely a separation between sparingly using something to keep it fresh and just plain idiocy. FOR THE SEALS I STAND!
I guess that is really the place where the cookie crumbles with me. This fine line between the show being funny regularly but also at times making me zone out with the lack of variety. Yes, the inventive ways to resolve her sleep plight did make me chuckle often but I would say I was almost as unimpressed by the humdrum of how by the book it goes at times too. It’s a bummer because I think the series is very fun but it lacks the true comfort levels of some series and the quality of comedy selection that makes it an all timer. It is just amusing. Almost like an amuse-bouche. My mouth perks up, and I enjoy a taste or two but it makes me not feel like I am having a meal worth sharing with others. It’s just another snack that I’ll forget about when I wake up tomorrow. Truly the worst dilemma is liking something but not loving it, isn’t it?
Random Fact: Being awake for 16 hours straight decreases your performance as much as if your blood alcohol level were .05%(the legal limit is .08%).
Show: Apothecary Diaries
Year Aired: 2023
Studio: Toho/OLM
Episodes: 24
Source: Novel/Manga
Watched For: BYtheHORNs
For all the times I expect a heavy hitter in popularity to show up in these things, they actually very rarely do. I guess I should be thankful since the spirit of this competition is less about picking a grand winner anime and more about trying series I might not try soon or at all. It’s all about broadening my scope, and with that comes also watching one of the most liked anime of the current decade. This one did however make it in here by a weird technicality of BYthehorns picking an anime that was meant to be in my library that wasn’t. How often have I gotten sub-picks in this challenge over the last ten years? Probably only a handful of times if I am remembering correctly. Irregardless of all of that, Apothecary Diaries was a series I was indeed curious about but was more than likely gonna put on the back burner for a while. You know with all my current engagements there are just a small selection of modern hits that I am in no hurry to see until the mood just strikes for whatever reason. This is nothing against the shows themselves, just very much a me thing.
Apothecary is another example of a show having adult themes throughout, but unlike Akiba and Phantom, this series handles that with a consistent tone rather than mixing other types of genres to combat it. It is interesting to see a mystery series like this be lauded to critical acclaim like it has, but if you look at past examples like Death Note, Monster, and Cowboy Bebop, it is clear that a show doesn’t have to be a plain action show with flashy super moves to make audiences pay attention. If you get enough word of mouth about a series and the storytelling, people will come to watch it, and they will all start to either further that praise or be contrarians because it’s cool to be different. Whatever the reason, Apothecary has transcended the average popularity of most shows with a dedicated team that wanted to not only adapt this work with as much polish as possible but help show off why the manga/LN are so popular in the first place.
This series is about a young woman who gets kidnapped(huh I wonder if these five shows all have some weird degrees of separation to them) and ends up in the rear palace of the kingdom. As an apothecary she notices the reasons behind some current sicknesses in pivotal people in the kingdom, and despite trying to help with incognito methods gets discovered and from that point forward her role intermixes greatly with important folk in the palace world. It hits all the notes of a K-drama set in the Josean period but with a Chinese setting instead. There is drama, comedy, hints of romance, loads of mystery, deep characters galore, and tons of payoff for all of it if you are willing to be patient for it. I think the universal appeal is simply because Apothecary covers a plethora of ideas that make up many of the same core components of successful live-action television as well. Sometimes we look so much as what other anime do, but this is a case of what many of them don’t do, and what makes another media outlet hit it big as well as it does. Whether you like that or not it is really entirely up to you, but based on the high scores and hype around Apothecary I would say it is doing all the same things that audiences adore in their dramas.
Well shit, it really is as compelling as everyone says it is. This series is a spectacular mixture of genres and definitely earns it’s place as a top dog in the modern era. Maomao is a tremendously complex lead character, the mysteries are clever and actually solvable as you go while not being braindead obvious, and the overall setting works wonders with the many themes and ideas present. I think this series really doesn’t have a particular weak point when I stop and consider all of its elements. I do have some critiques for the second half of the season and I’m not overly fond of Jinshi, but they are small issues in an otherwise fantastic experience. As soon as the 3rd episode reached it’s conclusion, I knew this series was something of a different breed. I truly think this series handles many of the delicate topics it presents with a very mature and superb execution. There aren’t a lot of anime that have a ton of sexuality in them that use it purely from a historical and narrative sense rather than trying to sell a waifu or to be crass. Apothecary really is built different even with the small misgivings I felt with it.
So my small grievances, and I guess they mostly come from just not being a huge fan of Jinshi mostly. His selfish and at times pushy behavior is just not my cup of tea and I often find his jealousy annoying rather than comical. The second half of the season starts by taking Maomao to the Outer Walls in his residency and I found myself missing the Rear Palace and all the charm of the ladies of the Jade Pavillion. Mix that with I wasn’t as nearly intrigued by a few of the smaller mysteries in the coming episodes and the show lost a little steam. Now, those small strings all eventually connected into something really cool on the macroscale but unfortunately that story thread has yet to be completed either, so while we got a stopping point, it did make me feel a little underwhelmed as I await to see what comes from it. Luckily season 2 is right around the corner! The stuff after that though with Lakan and the wrap up of the season was some of the best content of all so you know…I didn’t really lose ever, I just wasn’t winning as much at certain points. Maomao backstory, more Gyokoyou and the ladies, and wonderful mystery elements made the finish especially strong.
I somehow don’t know what else to say here haha. I guess I just am marveling at the fact that we got another anime that is so whole in what it is capable of. I’m unsure why it is, but the amount of anime that manage to have adult content in them and tell stories with it to this nature are so rare. When done right it is just so compelling. I guess being in my 30s in makes sense that more sophisticated approaches to telling a story appeal to me. I can only watch so many high school anime with the same old tired ideas before I want to see some adults dealing with real problems that rarely get adapted into the medium. By proxy alone series like this deserve some level of commendation for that, but it isn’t about just having it either. It is doing it well, and that is what sets series like Apothecary apart. It has the skillful mystery writing of Sherlock Holmes mixed with all the great aspects of a Kdrama and romcom anime. Sometimes too much of a good thing is just impossible to describe in words. It’s not perfect, and has minor issues, but in general, Apothecary routinely covers mature topics in a way that scratches that itch just right in me. While I could do without some of the weird bits like Maomao’s almost perverse love for poisons, the overall package is just magnificent in what it manages to achieve.
Random Fact: Concubinage was still legally permitted in China until 1949 when it was banned by the Chinese Communist Party.
Awards!
Favorite Character
Mitsumi Iwakura
Skip and Loafer
Honestly, there were a few great characters in this set of shows, but I found Mitsumi has that X-factor very few can match. If I would want to be your friend in real life because of how earnest and kind you are, you’ve got a great chance of winning my heart over. Mitsumi is the core of her series, and that straightforward personality pays off in so many rewarding and enjoyable ways.
Least Favorite Character
Claudia McCunnen
Phantom Requiem
If one type of character grinds my gears more than most, it is the type like Claudia. Selfish, arrogant, and manipulative but people forget it because she has a nice rack and gets a tragic end to her plotline. Not here, I seriously dislike this type of character as a person and as a narrative tool. It is so tired, and rarely adds anything other than fishing to sympathy at the end.
Best Cast
Skip and Loafer
If there is one thing Skip and Loafer excels at, it would be how it spends time regularly giving every single person in the cast a chance to shine as an individual. Flawed but likable/relatable kids who are just trying to find a place where they feel welcomed and comfortable. It’s a hard thing to come by in real life and in anime, so I love when a story can make everyone feel like they could be the main character of their own story, just like how it is for all of us readers.
Favorite Visuals
Apothecary Diaries
The magical combination of lighting, setting design, and color really goes a long way to making a vivid and memorable visual experience. Apothecary stands out for this skill and while the soft tones of Skip & Loafer are nice and the pastels of Sleepy Princess are notably cute, I think this series has the most artistic flair with how it brings it all together. Never before has old-time Asia felt so lush as it does here.
Best Soundtrack(Click on the picture for a listen!)
Apothecary Diaries
It looks pretty and sounds like you are actually living in the period. What more could I ask for?
Favorite Drama Scene
Episode 3 Conversation
Apothecary Diaries
The moment Gyokoyou asks Maomao to tell her the real story and the reveal happens, you know you are in for an emotionally resonant and satisfying payoff for the current mystery. It may have happened early, but it was still my favorite moment of the entire series and drama moment of the month,
Favorite Comedy Scene
Vibrating pillow talk
Sleep Princess
There is something to be said about how simple comedy of noises can carry a typical joke to new places. The voice actor for the Demon King Yoshitsugu Matsuoka has an uncanny ability to make these guttural noises with his throat that just tickle me so hard. Him talking through a vibration was my best example of that and the highlight comedy moment of the month.
Worst OP
Phantom Requiem OP 2
A toss up between this tonally dissonant choice and the ear-destroying Maid Wars Op, but that one was at least fun and creative visually despite my dislike for its actual song. This is boring, barely has anything to do with the arc it is in, and just plain forgettable.
Worst Ed
Phantom Requiem ED 2
Speaking of boring, a slow chanting song with people walking slowly naked with their gun arm pointed out doesn’t really invite me to be impressed by what is happening. Definitely a top example of why most people either forget or skip EDs.
Best OP
Skip and Loafer
How fun and quirky! I think the dance sequence and the head bobbing song come together to make it run away with this award. The second Apothecary OP was the only other notable choice, but I just find this more enjoyable to listen to.
Best ED
Skip and Loafer
I think this ED encapsulates why this show is so nice to watch. It feels comfy and relaxing and eases me out of the episode like I am being swaddled by a huge raccoon with gentle hands and a maternal streak of care.
5. Phantom Requiem for the Phantom
Rounding out the group at the bottom is the clear loser of the bunch. 3 & 4 were neck and neck and the same applies to the top 2 as well. Phantom Requiem just has too many pitfalls to ignore. There are numerous plot issues with how logic is applied to the cast and story, the second half just falls apart at the seams, and it is so trigger happy there is little reason to get invested in anyone for too long. Add in an ending I find to be pretty weak and lackluster, and this series just can’t seem to find its footing half the time. The lead-up to the end of the first half was compelling but handled very clumsily and the fallout of it all pretty much makes the second part of the story never flow believably. The story lacks impact, the gunshots lack impact, and the experience lacks impact. The potential is definitely there in the skeleton of it all, but I find this show doesn’t have the right writer behind the helm to make it all come together. It made for a below-average time, where I felt like I was asking questions constantly on why that would be this way or that way and instead of good answers just got more silly nonsense.
4. Akiba Maid Wars
I find it a shame to put this series at #4 because I did enjoy a decent amount of it. It does a commendable job parodying classic mob stories in a ridiculous setting and is filled with tons of homages to anime in general. It just ends up sort of tripping on itself a few too many times with how it tries to balance the insanely goofy cast and premise with very gorey and serious topics. At times they lend to each other quite well but there is a lot of specific parts where I find it is at odds with itself because of it. Having a huge character death followed up with someone pretending to be a ninja is humorous yet undercuts the drama they were going for. It never really found a proper tone to balance the comedy vs the drama and that is what holds back an otherwise fairly entertaining series with lots of creative spunk in it. I am also proud of myself for calling the ending at like episode 3.
3. Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle
This series is cute fluff with lots of light-hearted antics. It is the bread and butter of many omake-type series, and this one consistently holds the ground of fun and silly times. It does hold it back from true greatness as well though. It tends to be a little samey at certain junctures, which made my attention wane here and there. When it was successful though? I found myself very pleased with the show and laughing or snickering often enough. It just suffered from the typical issue of too much of the same thing can cause slight staleness. I can only eat hotpockets so many times this week before that taste becomes old and I desire a fresh new meal. As much as I adore the cute aesthetic, fun nods to popular games like RE and DQ, and the overall comfort levels, this show rarely exceeded that base level of enjoyment.
2. Apothecary Diaries
Le gasp I am sure some of you are saying. How could I not pick this to be the winner!? I mean yes, it looks amazing, sounds incredible, and is brilliantly written/directed. I won’t deny a single one of those claims. It is far from perfect though. I personally find myself rather indifferent to Jinshi as a person despite his role in the story being interesting, and the second half isn’t nearly as strong thanks to some plot threads left open and just overall less interesting smaller mysteries. That and I much prefer the Rear Palace to the Outer Walls. Despite those nitpicks, I find this series to be thoroughly engaging and a standout in recent memory with its ability to write complex adult-themed storylines. It’s really as great as most people say it is. Well worth the time to sit down and get invested in.
This year’s winner is Skip & Loafer. You know, many folks equate this series to Kimi ni Todoke with its vibe check and I really get why. It has a similar aspect of comfyness it brings with the main two getting closer through genuine friendship and support. Mix that with the cast that feels so robust and alive and the series doesn’t really have a notable weak spot outside just being an incomplete adaptation. Every character is very rich and likable, the budding romance is sweet as candy, and it’s just a heartfelt and inspiring coming-of-age tale that very few high school anime nail the feeling of. This manages to be funny, relaxing, thought-provoking, and still unique despite having many elements other series also have. The combination is what matters and it does it spectacularly well. It’s not the most impressive anime in some areas but I think the overall consistency is what makes it stand out so much for me. While it lacks the depth and complexity of parts of Apothecary it more than makes up for with its general relatable nature. It helped make for an experience that was equal parts relaxing to moving, and that just clicks with me in a way few things can do. It is the series that I wished I had more of more than any other and would gladly rewatch first, which in the end was the separation factor I needed to pick an overall winner in this tight race. Congrats Futatsu for defending your title! I shall see you in this post again next year, soon enough in real life as well 😀
Another year and another champ! It has been a very rewarding experience to have as usual and I am so happy I once again took part in this challenge. I really love how many unique experiences I get from doing this every year. Once again, congrat Futatus, we will talk prizes soon! I look forward to seeing what you bring me next year as the defending champion! Happy Holidays to everyone and…..
Until Next Time!
See ya, My Little Wanderers!
