S-ranku Monsutâ no "Behîmosu" Dakedo, Neko to Machigawarete Erufu Musume no Kishi (Petto) Toshite Kurashitemasu

As an ecchi anime fan, Beheneko caught my eye when it was announced. The promise of charming girls paired with a medieval epic infused with J. R. R. Tolkien-esque flair had me hooked from the start. I pictured a world of grand battles, deep lore, and playful fan service-everything I crave in a series like this.

When 2025 rolled in, Beheneko arrived, and I was ready to dive in. Is it bad? Not quite. Is it good? I wouldn't say that either. It's like rooting for a sports team tipped to win the championship, only to see them fizzle out in the playoffs. The potential was there-Aria's quest, Tama's mysterious power, a kingdom teetering on ruin-but it never ignited. The narrative stumbled, feeling flat and uninspired. By episode 5, I could've walked away without a second thought.

The characters intrigued me at first. Aria's determination and the quirky harem had charm, while the world hinted at a rich history of ancient relics and shadowy foes. Yet, the storytelling failed to capitalize on this foundation. It dragged, lacking the excitement to pull me in, leaving epic battles-like the demon lord clash in the finale-as rare bursts in a sea of mediocrity.

The fan service? Average at best. There were moments-Tama's transformations, a few playful scenes-but nothing memorable or applause-worthy. For an ecchi fan, it barely scratched the itch.

It pains me to say Beheneko is an anime that "could have been." It's not terrible, but it fades into the attic of forgettable series, lost among countless others that never rose above the crowd. The finale was decent, yet it couldn't salvage the unfulfilled promise.