I have some stuff later in the year im interested in (including a few yuri titles), but Winter 2025 is pretty dull. Fine for me, cuz I’m aiming to get through various older anime anyway.
とんがり帽子のアトリエ is definitely on my list, tho I still haven’t read the manga
Acc to my friend, anime original
Ok I thought so. I remembered the name but I was thinking I remembered it from watching the anime 
Finished キャンディーボーイ キャンディ ボーイ | L26 - found it very sweet and caring (and funny). Had to check the subs occasionally, but for the most part survived Audio-only. The short episode format worked well
Considering rewatching 青い花 S1 | L24 but I should probably catch up on the seasonals first
So I’ve been watching 秘密～THE TOP SECRET S1 | L35?? as the episodes come out and it’s hilarious. For me anyways. It’s dramatic and over the top with absolutely chaotic plot development. 10/10 so far, I’m having a ball.
That said, check the content tags I added to it before diving in yourself (especially if you’re not already familiar with my taste in media) since some people will find the content disturbing. Nothing really gory is shown on screen though, I’m guessing daytime television?
Anyways, I kind of figured it must be based on a manga due to how chaotic and rushed the plotlines and character types are compared to your typical crime show and I was right! Look at this - fits so perfectly:
In regards to language difficulty I placed it at ~35 since there’s a lot of talk about brains / science-y terms in addition to the usual crime show scattering of legal terminology. I suspect someone could get by in understanding if they’re comfortable with ~L30 shows, but to really follow the conversation you’ll need those two areas of vocab specifically which I consider a bit more niche.
Watched this with EN subs with a family member, and it’s got me thinking of watching part 2 and/or picking up 美少女戦士セーラームーン | L24 again
I probably spoiled myself on a few plot points for the main series, but I don’t particularly care. I got the impression there’s some vocab that’s gonna go over my head, but that’s fine probably
Of course if I pick up the main series again, I have to decide what to do about filler eps. It looks like last time I was just watching the absolutely plot essential ones… That’s probably a good policy. I guess I’ll follow A Filler-Reduced Viewing Guide to Sailor Moon, Season 1 | by Odd Lazdo | Medium and only watch the recommended ones if they seem particularly interesting
I’ve been in a bit of a rut with anime – while the tropes and sameness are excellent for being able to watch without subtitles, most of my recent choices have failed to surprise, delight and horrify me for a little while.
Against this backdrop, I happened to come across ダンダダン on Netflix and decided to give it a chance. I haven’t read the manga, going in blind. Oh boy, the first four episodes took me for a ride. The familiar building blocks are somehow combined in a really fresh manner.
Caught up - Enjoyable as always! I’ve watched it without stopping for lookups, which means there’s a decent amount that went over my head. But I don’t feel totally lost either. I’m looking forward to reading the novels eventually (this year), and seeing what I missed.
Finished ストロベリー・パニック S1 | L25 - a wavering 3 stars for this one (credit where credit’s due, it got less worse, and (slightly) more interesting, as the series progressed). I need to collect my thoughts for a review. But overall I found it very disappointing, especially in comparison to works like マリア様がみてる | L27 or おにいさまへ… S1 | L26
Finished the main plot episodes, plus a number of the filler eps. The final eps felt a little disjointed, but still very impactful. I especially appreciated ep 44 where the villains actually fought quick and to the point, killing 4 of the Sailor Senshi. Not that I wanted to see them die per se, but it was just nice to see extremely powerful beings actually fight like it for once.
I gave it 4 stars despite the extremely variable filler (which is 72% of the season), bc it really won me over (enough to change my profile pic even)! I will probably continue on for now, but I currently haven’t watched: 2-7, 9, 12, 16-18, 21, 29-30, 37, 40, 43. Anything in there particularly worth watching?
I’ll probly start 美少女戦士セーラームーン R | L24 (also quite high on filler) soon… tho I feel weird about a guide telling me to skip the first 12 episodes. So I might try one or two, and see how I feel.
It’s a non-canon arc. It has no impact on the rest of the story, but if you start it you’ll probably want to finish the arc. If you wanted to watch some of it you could do the first 1-2, and the last 1-2. There’s another one I’m specifically thinking of that you’d want to watch that I could look up if you do care.
It also vaguely connects to the Sailor Moon R movie, but not enough that I’d tell you that you need to watch the arc for that. (Honestly, the movies aren’t that good and the S movie is probably the best of the three if you were going to watch any of them).
Hot off the heels of ダンダダン, I found another very interesting series: チ。―地球の運動について― S1 | L32. I was not aware that Netflix has recently or still airing anime these days.
Somehow I’m not even surprised there is an anime / manga about the heliocentric revolution and catholic inquisition. My grin widened the instant I heard 津田健次郎’s voice. A little paean to science during this recent anti science regression feels great.
It is humbling to think about how recent the age of enlightenment is.
“Funny” how much more emotional weight “heretic” has over 異端者.
I watched the first 3 (somewhat distractedly), and honestly I’m kinda fine either way… like you can really tell they’re dialing it in. The guide I linked says Episode 51: Filler. Usagi gets a new transformation brooch and a new rod.. Maybe I’ll skip the rest shrugs
Mm I’ll probably just stick to the Crystal movies then. I’m kinda curious to watch Crystal now that I’ve watched S1 of the original
Netflix has quite a lot of those (tho some are only Netflix JP). It’s where I watch most of my anime these days, tho I’m slowly delving into Amazon Prime JP too
Another seemingly hard, yet interesting anime. Added that to my eventually list, tho my next L30s pick (after trying Utena again) will probably be わたしの幸せな結婚 | L30
Picked this up again, and it’s going decently. Trying to do the jpdb prior to watching the eps… I like it well enough so far, tho I do hope Amamiya gets some development, beyond being a constant target of abuse & bullying
【FLOWERS 春】visual novel playthrough. Language feels a lot easier now (but still hard to read on my own). Enjoying so far 
アオのハコ S1 | L25 latest eps were excellent
https://learnnatively.com/season/62f3f96ada/ - Skipped the rest of the Makai Tree (filler) arc, only to run into… Chibiusa, and Mamoru being a jackass for reasons… which is making me want to go back and watch the filler arc instead 
I’m probably going to watch the bare minimum required eps for this arc (60–61, 68–69, 73–75; 76-77, 82–88 (relative: 14-15, 22-23, 27-29, 30-31, 36-42 )), and then see how the next one is
Also watched ep 3 for 美少女戦士セーラームーンクリスタル Season I: Dark Kingdom | L28 - despite my grumblings, I so far prefer the 90s series. The vibe in Crystal just feels kinda cold so far. Dropping for now, so I don’t get burnt out
The filler arc is fine, these are the real reasons I do not like R.
The first opening absolutely slaps. After that there’s nothing that draws me in. I’ve still only finished watching the first season.
I can already see why. Are there any particular episodes or subplots in R you do like? Or should I just try to get through it ASAP?
I did like the movie (part 1) I watched a lot fwiw, so I assume it gets better eventually. But that’s understandable. Coincidentally that was my intro to Chibiusa as well (tho she is far less annoying there)
For a second I misremembered and thought the Luna episode with the fat cat admirer was in R and I just looked it up and it’s in the first season. In that case, no redeeming qualities in R, burn it with fire.
Edit: damnit, I totally forgot about Black Lady. You have to watch those episodes (even though they resolve in the most obnoxious Chibiusa way… )
This is why I never watched the movie, lol, but maybe I’d reluctantly give it a try. Crystal is just so soulless and makes me want to watch the 90s one again. Honestly seeing you watch it makes me want to watch it again and I did a full rewatch less than a year ago
I consider that the worst episode I watched of S1 
They’re on the list. I pray assume Chibiusa will be gone after that?
It did get me to start the 90s shine again… but I wouldn’t say it’s a must watch or anything. Apparently it’s supposed to be the 4th season of the show anyway, which… from an adaptation standpoint I’ve yet to see a “movie instead of season” that I was a fan of. But idk the source material here (Dream arc?) thankfully
Are the 90s movies adapting any manga parts, or are they all original?
Mm so far it’s in “I’d probably rewatch it eventually” territory, but not within a year… I guess I haven’t hit the really good stuff yet tho? At least there’s only 7 more eps I have to get through (acc to the guide)
All original. And not particularly good. My favorite of the 3 is like, “I mean, the art is nicer I guess”. I think they improve the transformation sequences in some of the movies but then when they do they just carrry over to the next season, so you’re not missing anything.
My ratings on Natively for the seasons are 4*, 3*, 5*, 4*, 5*. I think there are some fans who don’t rate Stars that highly but I think they are wrong. (It’s also the season where they finally change the opening and I feel like some people just couldn’t get over that ).
Chibiusa will always be with us deep in our hearts.
You asked for must watch, not best that episode is wild and you can’t skip it!
Hey I agree with this too except season 2 has to get 2 stars from me instead because I am not a chibiusa fan . Season 3 supremacy!
2* is harsh, but understandable.
