Hey, you want more anime that features adults falling in love? Would you like one where it's a modern-day era where various creatures walk among humans? Funny I've said that, because I write some books that do something like that but the concept is a little more mature than this. Sorry that I've gotten sidetracked for a bit. It's just that the similarities are there whenever I write and I've finished this anime. Anyway, all that I've said is just what you need in the Invisible Man and his Soon-to-be Wife. I know that is a mouthful since fantasy
...
and Isekai always have long titles. This one is just different when it leans more on the romance.
In a world where humans, demi-humans and monsters co-exist, we are greeted with two main characters. We have Shizuka Yakou, voiced by Yuka Nukui, who is a quiet and bashful blind woman working at this small detective agency where the detective himself, Akira Tounome, voiced by Yohei Azakami, runs and can turn himself invisible, especially the clothes he wears. No surprise, Akira is an invisible man himself. Some folks find it unusual, but not Shizuka. She is actually intrigued by Akira as she can always sense his presence. Intrigued and charmed, Akira develops romantic feelings for Shizuka and begins looking for opportunities to grow closer to her. Shizuka is nervous by Akira's approach at times, but she has no fear and would like to feel the same way. As they both go through their daily lives in and out of their job, they receive support from their other co-workers. We have a beat fol bobcat named Luna Jarashi, voiced by Riho Sugiyama, who is like the brawn of the agency when needed and is always there to help Shizuka when needed. Especially going out on a girls outting. Then you have Daichi Kikira, voiced by Masaya Fukunishi, who is a blunt human man who is together with his school sweetheart, Kousuke Madaraito, voiced by Junya Enoki, who is a lawyer and helps out with the agency when needed, too. We also have this recurring couple, Light and Karma, voiced by Kaori Ishihara and Tomohiro Ono, who are elves. Light is a light elf who gives blessings while Karma is a dark elf who delivers curses.
The story is pretty tame as we focus on both Shizuka and Akira working on cases while also becoming closer as a couple. I wouldn't blame some folks saying that they get together early. But you know what? I think it's fine since they are still working on how to get through any situation together as they get to know each other more. They'd even meet each other's parents, too. You're never too old to meet your lover's parents since you want to commit to your relationship, right? Not to mention, we do learn more about these characters such as Akira's childhood and what inspired him to be a detective. For Shizuka's side, we do learn a good bit of her side of the story. Other than that, it's a chill anime when we see Akira and Shizuka not only spending time with one another. They'd also go out with their co-workers such as going camping. The cases they work on are pretty good since we have to be reminded that this isn't just a romance anime since Akira is the detective here. I will admit, a case or two were off putting to me such as this case where they go to this hot spring where the manager had thought that there was a haunting. Plus, we do look into the other characters like Luna feeling down because of her spots when she went shopping until this spotted gecko person came in to help her. Then we have some times with Light and Karma in need of help once or twice. Thankfully, no trouble fell upon them, especially with the final episode. I will not spoil it. Y'all're gonna have to watch it to find out.
I love these characters for how it tackles some real-life issues as well as ending any situation on a good note. What's interesting is that this is one of the most progressive kinds of anime you'll see. What I mean is that the relationships do vary such as Akira and Shizuka being a couple that went through a lot and still tackle a disability. Well, Shizuka's case since she is sight impaired. Give her a helluva lot of credit for doing everything without any trouble while being helped every once in a while. I'm not an expert when it comes to these situations, but I can say Shizuka is the best representation for sight impaired folk. Then you have a gay couple being Daichi and Kousuke sharing how they met and hooked up later. It's kinda funny how the tides had turned for them from school to adulthood. Nice to see their relationship being healthy. Then you have Light and Karma being elves, but one of a light elf while the other is a dark elf. Ironically, as the species go, their skin color makes them an interracial couple. Nice little tease, there. There was also this family involving this case Akira takes involving this interspecies couple with a human woman and an oni man who run a flower shop as well as have a kid of their own. It's nice that we see a variety of demi-humans and monsters behaving as humans like everyday folk.
Which is a good time to talk about the animation. This animation is beautiful and comfortable as Project No. 9 has made here. The background is lively, the characters are varied from human to demi-human. There are also moments when we see what seems to be like what Shizuka sees in her mind. By the time the screen goes grey and some outlines form, thinking that Shizuka also views Akira as. You have to admit, that's pretty cool and you have to give the animators credit for adding something else in the fray for variety's sake. Not to mention how they animate an invisible man. I would have to believe that it was a challenge when you see how Akira and other invisible folk move along with humans, monsters and demi-humans alike. The eleventh episode is of course the best one out there with how the characters are animated, including the time when we meet up with an old friend of Akira in their little village where invisible folk live on how he became a model. Which sparked a really interesting motif at what an invisible person can do. I've seen a few movies where an invisible person can do, but mostly in horror. This anime does it a more humane approach when Akira's old friend went into modeling. It was gorgeous. But of course, I have to talk about the time in one of the previous episodes where Akira and the gang had to help this child who got caught up in the middle of a drug shipping when Luna had to go all out and kicked some ass. My jaw dropped with how that fight turned out. There isn't a lot of action, so don't expect too much since not every case Akira is on leads to violence. Therefore, it's why this anime is more on the comforting side of the spectrum when cases can be solved peacefully. Not to mention, this anime doesn't shy away on some mature themes. Lightly, by the way.
Overall, I love this one. While it's not a masterpiece as I would hope for since the trailer, I do recommend this. This might go up to being one of my favorite anime shows of 2026 for how much of a surprise this was. I love these characters and the world building. While not every case appeals to me and the humor is a hit-or-miss, this is comforting. I do want a little more as I'm being a bit selfish, but it is what it is. If you're in need of an anime that involves adult romance, this might be something for you. I'm gonna give this anime eight adorable Shizuka leaning on Akira during their hike out of ten. 8/10.
Mar 27, 2026 Recommended
Hey, you want more anime that features adults falling in love? Would you like one where it's a modern-day era where various creatures walk among humans? Funny I've said that, because I write some books that do something like that but the concept is a little more mature than this. Sorry that I've gotten sidetracked for a bit. It's just that the similarities are there whenever I write and I've finished this anime. Anyway, all that I've said is just what you need in the Invisible Man and his Soon-to-be Wife. I know that is a mouthful since fantasy
...
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 27, 2026
Romantic Killer
(Anime)
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Recommended Spoiler
I find it odd that I've finished this anime outside of the month of February. Oh, well. At least that'd be another anime off the list when we're going through Netflix exclusive shows. Actually, I have to confess that it was only gonna be done in Japanese, but I was curious to watch it again in English just for the fun of it. All I can say is that this is a pretty great anime when it's making fun of the genre it was labeled to be. Just a heads up, there will be some slight spoilers.
The story is about ... a high school girl named Anzu Hoshino, voiced by Rie Takahashi in Japanese and Deneed Melody in English, who has three things she needs in her life more than anything. Chocolate, video games, and her cat, Momohiki. One day, Anzu gets a package from your local off-brand Amazon that contains a new video game that she'd look forward to. Out of the screen, a wizard that I swear looks like a potato or a chicken nugget for my sake of imagination is named Riri, voiced by Mikako Komatsu in Japanese and Courtney Lin. Riri approaches Anzu to get hooked up with an ikeman, or a cool guy in the dubbing, except Anzu has no interest in romance. So, Riri decides to play hardball and takes all of what Anzu loves the most, including the moment where her parents left to live in America because of her father's business, taking Momohiki with them. So now Anzu is living alone while Riri would rear their ugly head to hook her up with three candidates. You got the cool and reserved boy named Tsukasa Kazuki, voiced by Yuichiro Umehara in Japanese and Jason Griffith in English, who is a popular boy yet he has a past that makes a lot of sense why he avoids contact until his run in with Anzu. Then you have the athletic and kind-hearted childhood friend named Junta Hayami, voiced by Gakuto Kajiwara in Japanese and Aleks Le in English, who ran into her one morning, catching her and Kazuki living in her house for reasons why. (Riri did them). But due to an incident, Junta now lives in Anzu's house with her and Kazuki. And finally, you have the wealthy boy who isn't in touch with the lives of "peasants" named Hijiri Koganei, voiced by Natsuki Hanae in Japanese and Kellen Goff in English. How they met is a very odd as hell kind of romance trope while running her over in a car that his chauffer, Tsuchiya, voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda in Japanese and Matthew David Rudd in English, drove. Least it wasn't Truck-kun this time and it was Hijiri with toast in his mouth. Throughout the show, Anzu has to keep herself together while befriending everyone while avoiding Riri's tomfoolery by forcing romance into her life. Which plays the themes of anti-romance and deconstruction of various romance tropes, which most of them are played in those janky as hell CG characters from a video game as it tackles other tropes involving the characters, including the harem trope. One of them involves consent when we see the backstory of Anzu's best friend, Saki Takamine, voiced by Manaka Iwami in Japanese and Jenny Yokobori in English, who went through a lot and Anzu has to stand up for her when she needed it. In the meanwhile, it shows that respect has to be earned and you can't force your way into a person's love as that episode has shown. There is also the theme of the reality of harassment as it involves Kazuki in the final two episodes. I won't say much about the stalker who made Kazuki what he is. What I can say is that that woman would certainly be in the Epstein Files for what she's been doing towards him. Marking that it's another part of forced romance and potential grooming towards a minor. As it goes with Hijiri, he just needed to know that you can't buy romance with anything even when he's tempted Anzu with the things she loved before Riri took them, which leads him to work at a convenience store alongside her. For Junta, his backstory is interesting since he is childhood friends with Anzu when it comes to video games. This anime is a fun satire of romance yet it shows that romance should not be forced or bought when human connection is important in order to develop a potential romance. Though in the case of Anzu, who is more of an icon of aromanticism and asexuality. It makes sense since I am openly aromantic myself. We have other supporting characters such as Kazuki's older sister, Arisa, voiced by Marina Inoue in Japanese and Gilli Messer in English, who helps her little brother out when needed, including assisting Anzu if such. There's also Makoto Oda, voiced by Hiro Shimono in Japanese and Ryan Colt Levy in English, who is Kazuki's easygoing friend. You also have other side-characters ranging from having a crush on Kazuki until they confront Anzu since she hangs out with him more and the circumstances have been cleared, thankfully. Childhood friends from when Anzu and Junta were kids who got their appearances around the last third of the series. Did I forget to mention that Riri does have the ability to themselves into a human and calling themselves Anzu's cousin? Shapeshifting to a human girl named Riri Fushigi or a boy named Rio Fushigi. Riri has got to be the biggest troll in anime history since they would use their magic to make some folks' lives worse just so Anzu can hook up with Kazuki, Junta or Hijiri. Not to mention, they have a segment of their own before the credits roll at the end of each episode. Hence why I'd skipped them. I know it's rude, but they are one of those characters that you'd get annoyed by at times, to be honest. Why they were doing so is because from where Riri came from, their world is founded by giving dreams and hopes to children, and collecting their pure hearts as energy in return. However, it's going on the decline due to Japan's declining birth rate problem, assuming by the decrease in romance opportunities between men and women. Which is silly, yet gotta make the plot understandable as it's a thing (might still be) going on in Japan. Funny thing is Riri doesn't know the toxicity that romance might lead to, but I digress. The characters are likable as well as funny when it comes to the performances between the Japanese and the English cast. They all work pretty well. Yes, the characters do have their own trope, including the best friends and the potential love interests. Though one of them is obvious as well as the story being predictable at times. I love how the story does look into each of the characters because we can't have them left out when it comes to Anzu connecting with them as well as developing those connections. Which led to a happy ending, and I have to wonder if a second season is in development because there was more to how that ending went without spoiling. I mean, "To be Continued...?" was played at the end of it. As far as the animation goes, Domerica, who was responsible, who worked on The World Ends with You: The Animation and the recent Gnosia anime, did a good job for the animation. Including the janky 3D characters who looked like they are from a video game to display the generic romantic trope. I know it's not well-liked, but I found them just funny. The way the characters move and converse with one another are great, which goes back to why they are all likable for their own kind. The director, Kazuya Ichikawa, did a great job in leading the show. This show is really good when it comes to tackling tropes involving romance and harem and shown the realities of consent, harassment, and why romance can't be bought or forced upon someone. Making the characters likable as well as hilarious in their own right. Yes, the tropes are still there for the characters, yet exploring their backstory doesn't leave them out for Anzu to help out. While not everything ends perfectly whether it's the humor or not every character shares their lives much (Hijiri, mostly), it's worth a watch if you're in need a satirical romantic comedy such as Romantic Thriller. I mean, Romantic Killer. Which is why I'm giving this romantic thriller for the rebel girl nine Anzu beating up a tater-shaped wizard out of ten. 9/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 25, 2026
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
(Anime)
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Mixed Feelings
It's safe to say that I'd never read the manga nor seen the live-action adapted series that's been done before this anime came out. As far as I've read from social media as well as how unfortunate that the mangaka, Hisaya Nakajo, passed away around the time the anime debut, I decided to give it a watch for not only the fun of it, but for honoring the mangaka. So this review is more on my thoughts of the anime itself. Not to mention, it's nice that the anime does honor the mangaka at the end of the first episode. I
...
kinda wished that it would be the case for the whole series, but I digress.
This romance anime is about a young woman named Mizuki Ashiya, voiced by Aya Yamane in Japanese and Katelyn Barr in English, who is a cheerful Japanese girl living in the United States. She visits her grandmother in Japan and one day in the summertime witnesses a young man doing the high jump named Izumi Sano, voiced by Taku Yashiro in Japanese and Wyatt Baker in English. Ashiya was amazed at Sano's performance and began following his athletic career. Years later, Ashiya does her research and discovers that Sano is currently attending Osaka High School. Unfortunately, it's an all-boys school. So Ashiya convinces her parents that she will be attending the school while disguising herself as a boy. When Ashiya arrives, she discovers that Sano no longer does the high jump due to an accident with his childhood friend in middle school, Rika Yamashina, voiced by Anna Nagase in Japanese and Kelsey Cruz in English. Ashiya tries her best to cheer Sano up, which doesn't work well at first until he opens up to her. Ashiya gets herself in an accident, which leads Sano to take her to the doctor, Hokuto Umeda, voiced by Jun Fukuyama in Japanese and Reagan Murdock in English. To Ashiya's surprise, the doctor discovered that she was disguising herself, yet would keep it a secret if as long as she doesn't cause too much trouble. Therefore, Ashiya continues to attend Osaka High School while going through several arcs where she would get herself into tight situations. Thankfully, Sano would be there to protect her after discovering her true gender (on the first episode, by the way) and willing to keep it all a secret. Meanwhile, we have this other boy named Shuichi Nakatsu, voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in Japanese and Dallas Reid in English, who falls for Ashiya without knowing her true gender, and would back her up whenever she's in a tight spot as much as Sano is. You could tell that there is a little bit of a love triangle going on. Throughout the series, we meet several other characters who live in the same dorm as Ashiya, Sano, and Nakatsu such as Minami Nanba, voiced by Yuichiro Umehara in Japanese and Joshua Waters in English, who is the head of the second dormitory, and is Hokuto's nephew. Senri Nakao, voiced by Reiji Kawashima in Japanese and Justin Briner in English, who was jealous of Ashiya after she started attending and getting all of the attention. He is actually in love with Nanba. Mokoto Kagurazaka, voiced by Satoshi Hino in Japanese and Tyson Rinehart in English, who was Sano's rival during his time in the high jump and still is despite delivering some encouragement when he and Ashiya have met in person. Nanba Io, voiced by Ryoka Yuzuki in Japanese and Molly Seary in English, who is Nanba's mother and the eldest sister of Hokuto and Rio, voiced by Nao Touyama in Japanese and Kelly Greenshield in English, who is also Nanba's aunt. There are several other characters that are in this anime such as Kagurazaka having a couple of younger sisters when Ashiya, Sano and Nakatsu had to help Io in her little boarding house for the summer. Ashiya's older brother, Shizuki, who is visiting Japan on a business trip and doubts her motive when he discovers it. Not to mention, Shizuki doesn't like Sano. There are other students who live in the second dormitory who become friends with Ashiya at the start to when the school festival has been going on. It's not easy to invest in all of them since the main focus is more on Ashiya, Sano and Nakatsu. The secondary focus when it comes to characters are Hokuto and his nephew, Nanba. The rest are just there for an arc that everyone is going through. As far as the story goes, I couldn't help but think that some bits of the story felt rushed at times, yet they do end on a good note. Not to mention, it does push Ashiya and Sano closer when it comes to their development. Sure, it doesn't utilize their romance much, yet it makes more sense on them starting off as friends. Ashiya doesn't know too much about Sano while Sano has been down in the dumps yet is starting to lighten himself up thanks to Ashiya encouraging him up. In return, Sano does dedicate himself to keep Ashiya's gender a secret. He'd even went so far as to save her from being sexually assaulted by this creep who also works in Io's boarding house. Because this anime has been greenlit for a second season, my guess is that they'll push a little more on the romance between Ashiya and Sano to develop further. Speaking of romance, I did mention that there is a love triangle that also involves Nakatsu. Sure, he doesn't know about Ashiya's true gender, hence how Nakatsu keeps telling himself that Ashiya is a boy. Therefore, Nakatsu is leaning more on playing the buddy system until, in what I theorize, that Nakatsu will discover Ashiya's true gender accidentally in the second season somehow. Again, I have not read the manga nor seen the live-action adaptations in the past. (Unless I'll give those shows a watch when my list is open since one or two of them are on Netflix). I actually egged on Nakatsu that he should embrace his homosexual thoughts. Mind you, this anime is pretty much as LGBTQ+ coded when you have Nakao having a crush on Nanba and Hokuto himself is gay. Hokuto even said it himself in both Japanese and English as well as kissing another man. There have also been teases of Kagurazaka having a crush on Sano and he would blush at times. This anime is one of those moments when it could awaken someone's sexual tension as this is a queer coded anime, which I see no issue whatsoever. Love is love after all. Moving aside from that as I'd gotten side-tracked for a bit, the chemistry and the interactions with the characters are pretty clear as some of the side-characters get their good end like Nanba moving on from a past relationship. The animation is fairly decent despite times when it gets stiff and when some scenes felt out of place like when Sano had to save Rika yet the truck just stops right in front of her. Still, Sano couldn't do the high jump because of that accident. I wonder if it had to do with development troubles over at the studio, Signal.MD when it came to the animators. Like the story, the animation does have some hiccups, yet it's still serviceable for what it delivers. Plus, when looking between the panels of the manga, the anime does feel like an upgrade when we're looking between the character designs. It does honor Hisaya Nakajo's work as the anime goes on. The voice acting is pretty good he it comes to both Japanese and English. Well, I'm mixed with a couple such as Katelyn Barr who voiced Ashiya. I'll give her credit for trying her best. It just sounded like it was rough when it comes to sounding like a boy. Aya Yamane, however, doesn't do much either since her voice is the same when it comes to trying to fit in with the boys. It might come off as negative, yet when it comes to voice acting younger boys, it always has to rely on female voice roles to play their best. Mind you, it's always been a thing for decades since anime has been mainstream. When it comes to the English cast, my favorite has to come down to Reagan Murdock when he voices Hokuto Umeda with how his behavior and sexuality goes. You have to give both sides credit that they deliver their lines well when it comes to the drama and the comedy that was in the script. Overall, I think this is a decent romance anime since I had never read the manga nor have I seen the live-action adaptations in the past. Sure, it's bumpy in the story and the animation. It is still pretty good for how the characters carry the show as well as the voice cast on both ends delver. I enjoyed some of the wholesome moments and I feel sorry for whatever comes in mind. That's how this anime works with by emotions being displayed. I admit the ending should've been a little more, but I think it was just decent enough. When the second season comes around, hopefully it improves on such and it ends on a happy note. Unless a third season gets greenlit. We shall see. I am going to give Hana-Kimi six Hokuto in a samba costume out of ten. 6/10. What? Let him have fun. Being a doctor ain't easy, especially when in an all-boys school. Give him plenty of credit that he's keeping Ashiya's gender a secret like Sano is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 19, 2026 Not Recommended
You know, I wasn't gonna look into this series despite a title that might be a hidden gem. Except when it comes to social media that says that this is good. Well, it tempts me enough to give it a watch. Hell, it's an original IP that's based on a light novel series then turned manga, and I like checking out new IPs for the fun of it. After going through with it, I think it has potential yet it fumbled with so much that it was underwhelming. Just a heads up, there will be some light spoilers.
The story is ... about this adventurer named Orhun Dula, voiced by Takeo Otsuka, who was betrayed by his childhood friends and cast out of the hero team that was led by that same childhood friend, Oliver Cardiff, voiced by Yoshiki Nakajima. They brand him as the "Jack-of-all-trades, master to none." First of all, that's pretty lame since having multiple skills is a blessing. But arrogance can make the worst of some folk. So Orhun goes solo to forge a new path as a solo adventurer while putting his skills to use such as a mix of swordsmanship, magic, and applying multiple buffs onto himself and others. That catches the attention of the Night White Rabbits clan and invites Orhun to join the clan to be a valuable asset. That sparks his development to new recruits, including this enchanter who thinks highly of his skills named Selma Clodel, voiced by Saori Onishi. Orhun goes through the series by connecting with these new recruits as well as forming rivals with his childhood friend, and later finding out about another childhood friend who shows up later in the show. A simple story when you have Orhun going into the Great Dungeon to teach new recruits such as Selma's half-sister, Sophia, voiced by Hina Tachibana, Logan Hayward, voiced by Yo Taichi, who looks down on Orhun for being kicked out of the Hero's Party until seeing him in action, and Caroline Inglaud, voiced by Mangaka Iwami, who had more to her past than being a cheerful and reckless tank with high mobility. There's also Luna Flockhart, voiced by Masumi Tazawa, who was also formally in the Hero's Party but left after the humiliation the Hero's Party had received when trying to fight the Black Dragon. Followed by this girl named Shion Nasturtium, voiced by Akane Fujita, who is also Orhun and Oliver's childhood friend who is part of this organization who are known for attacking adventurers to prevent them from conquering the dungeons who seek out Orhun because of some prophecy involving this Dragon Slayer. I wish I would tell more, but that would mean more spoilers. There are more character introduced, but I wouldn't invest in them too much. I don't think the story is that bad with how it's simply dungeon crawling as Orhun is getting used to his new family. However, what pulls the story back is how one-dimensional most of these characters are. Most of them are just forgettable at times as some are irritating enough that you'd just wanna punch them in the face. (Looking at you, Oliver). Plus, there are some plot holes, especially at the end of it, that probably needs more explanation. Because I question what the hell they were talking about while rolling my eyes. Orhun is just the most okay for what his character is like, being the jack-of-all-trades kind of guy. Again, it's bad that you would kick someone out who can do a lot. But I digress. Also, is it just me or does Orhun look eerily similar to Kirito from Sword Art Online? Not to mention, he gets a new sword later in the show that looks like one of Kiritio's swords. I might be overthinking here. Character development is paper thin along with their interactions. The character designs are a hit-and-miss with how they are as you would see from other fantasy shows. I could say the same for the monsters that lurk in the dungeons as you'd see in fantasy shows. Then you have this Black Dragon that looks so janky given how it was made with CG. It's not as terrible as Tio in dragon form in Arifureta's first season. But not as impressive as how you'd see Orange Studio's animation between Beastars and Trigun. The highlights with the animation are when the buffs and magic were being cast except that the action is kinda watered down. At times, it wants to be flashy, yet it doesn't shine as much as the magic that was cast during their dungeon crawling adventures. Animation studio42 did okay when it comes to making the animation. The voice acting is okay for how their performance goes. The script doesn't do them any favor, unfortunately. I know there is an English dub, except after going through this show in Japanese, I don't see myself watching this again. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets greenlit for a second season given how there are some unanswered questions in the final episode. Oh, and I also wanted to point out that it isn't just Orhun who gets to interact with the side-characters. For they also have their own time alone in some humorless moments. I rolled my eyes every time a joke was being made and wanted the plot to get back on track. I also can't help but think of Orhun having some moments when a romance can be formed. Except that they were pretty bare bones as the characters are when, again, they are one-dimensional with their given character traits. In a fantasy world of dungeon crawling, a man who is a jack-of-all-trades finding a new home while honing his skills, dealing with cults and adventure killers, this anime has some potential. However, it doesn't really explore well with how there are some plot holes and characters that are just as one-dimensional as their given class. It's forgettable for what it's worth and might have a fanbase of its own. Just not for me when there are better fantasy shows out there. I'm going to give this jack-of-all-trades dungeon crawling adventure four Kirito lookalike buffing out of ten. 4/10. (Great, have I started to think of this becoming a meme like the ol' Buffsuki meme? If y'all know, ya know).
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Mar 16, 2026 Mixed Feelings Spoiler
Well, another movie to look at in-between seasons, if you ask me. On the one hand, these movies are pretty quick as much as I review them. This is also more of a side-story kind of movie as far as any movie being connected to an anime series is canon or not goes. Not gonna lie, I don't think this is terrible. I just think it has some problems when it comes to potential and how it was utilized.
The story is about almost all of U.A. High School working alongside with Pro Heroes working along with the World Heroes Association being ... deployed all across the globe to find the location of this doomsday cult known as Humarise led by a fanatical leader named Flect Turn, voiced by Robbie Daymond, whose Quirk is called Reflect, which allows him to reflect whatever has been thrown towards him back at whatever was thrown in his way. Flect Turn beliefs, along with the cult that he radicalizes, is that Quirks will eventually become so powerful that they would bring extinction to humanity. So, he plants bombs all throughout the world to release this "Trigger" gas that will make anyone's Quirk go out of control until they die. The only ones who will not be infected will be the Quirkless, extending a hand to their new utopia where only humans live. Therefore, it would be considered an act of a world-wide genocide. All of the Heroes found nothing, unfortunately, as the buildings where Humarise resides turned out to be empty. However, one of their own is delivering a sort of key that will shut down all of the bombs in a briefcase yet coincidentally, it was mixed up with this courier doing a job named Rody Soul, voiced by Ryan Colt Levy, as their briefcases were swapped. All of that action between the scientist named Alan Kay, voiced by Brent Mukai, that led into a car crash by one of Humarise's elites with a Quirk of their own attracted Izuku Midoriya to chase after Rody. After one long chase, Izuku and Rody make up and go about their way until the police arrive to arrest Izuku for a Mass murder that he was accused of by Otheon's chief of police, who is actually connected with Humarise and marks him as most wanted. Therefore, Izuku and Rody are on the run until they meet up with Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki to find out about the briefcase containing a puzzle that Rody can crack since he was a child. The little puzzle contains what Alan Key held as a kill code to shut down all of the bombs before the "Trigger" gas has been released. Not to mention, Alan records a message that involves him working with Rody's father, who was forced to make the bombs for Humarise or else they will kill Rody, his little brother, and baby sister. I will be fair, the story is pretty messy with how it's paced along with all of these moments with our heroes. The threat that Flect Turn, which I cannot help but think of it being one of the weirdest names in anime history, along with his fanatical cult is worldwide since it's committing genocide. Hell, we've been talking a lot about ICE throughout most of these reviews except when you think about it, it does make sense on why Humarise has to be stopped. The issue is that the first half was pretty boring as it's mostly Izuku and Rody running from a corrupt authority who are connected with a radical group who are about to commit such a crime. However, I give the movie credit that we learn a bit about Rody, and I think of Rody being okay as a character. I enjoyed his time. Flect Turn, unfortunately, as much as his goal with his cult is something that makes sense why he has to be stopped, his reasoning was not. Then you have the rest of the cult ranging from just humans to members who have Quirks. I'm curious. If they have gone with the plan, what would they do once the gas has been released? Use something that's like Overhaul who has equipment that can nullify Quirks? Best to believe that their scientists would have something in mind since they have an injection that boosts their Quirks upon fighting their enemies. They're just goons. Nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, everyone else, whether it's those who are with the World Heroes Association or just back home in the dormitory, are just there to help people, stop cultists, and find the bombs that contain the "Trigger" gas that are spread throughout the world. While the pacing is so slow, the plot picks up as soon as we get the hour mark when Izuku, Shoto, Bakugo and Rody had found out about the kill code and the location of Humarise's main base of operations was at. The animation is good for what it is, yet there are some moments when some of the animation becomes cheap at times. The same goes for when it comes to the camera making turns. Thankfully, there are only about two or three, in case I'd give it a heads up to anyone with motion sickness. They are mainly when it comes to a couple of chase sequences and one action sequence. The rest of the action is pretty brief, the best parts are right at the last thirty minutes of the movie. Not the best action, yet some of them are enjoyable enough. Also, some of these other Heroes that we may not see again like that one Egyptian Hero that looks like a hieroglyph is just one of the silliest things I'd ever seen. The voice acting is still good throughout the movie, including Robbie Daymond and Ryan Colt Levy being included in the movie. Yes, this movie's story and pacing was a mess. I at least enjoyed it enough since there was reason enough to why Humarise is a global threat and how the son of who made weapons of mass destruction was interesting for his backstory and determined to extend a hand as Izuku has done. Keeping the theme of heroism and extending a hand for those who needed it the most. Especially on how quitting so easily could lead someone become a fanatic that just wants to commit genocide. It might get me in trouble except that I couldn't help but chuckle at what Izuku had told Flect Turn during their fight. Thinking that it made him stupid at one point of his life. Overall, this might be the weakest movie of the My Hero Academia franchise like how I thought of the fifth season being the weakest of the series. It's up to you if you wanna have a look at the movie. I enjoyed it enough because of Rody's inclusion and how much the threat is global. Just that the pacing made this movie suffer as well as how the animation and action in the first half lacked what the second half has. But I digress. Some reviews I've read weren't too big on the ending, but I found the ending pretty good for what it's worth. Better than the humor that they wanted to have in this movie. I'm gonna give it five and a half Pino out of ten. 5.5/10. By the way, Pino is voiced by Cristina Vee, in case y'all are wondering.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 16, 2026
Boku no Hero Academia 5th Season
(Anime)
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Mixed Feelings Spoiler
Another season off the list and it's safe to say that I understand why a lot of folks, whether they're fans of My Hero Academia or not, dropped around the time this season has ended or after. I admit I did drop after this season around the time when this was released during the time of the COVID pandemic. So, I gave it a watch again. I think this is enjoyable enough yet it does have its own set of issues that either work or work against the grain of the franchise. One hundred depends on what your thoughts are with
...
this one. I am gonna describe this season like I did with season three as it centered around three arcs of the Rise of the Villains Saga. Just a heads up, there will be some spoilers. With that said, you have been warned.
The first arc is the Joint Training Arc. This arc centers around U.A. High School's Class 1-A and 1-B compete with one another in a Joint Training Battle. How it works is that both classes run by Shota Aizawa and Sekijiro Ken, or Vlad King, whose Quirk is Blood Control, voiced by Ben Bryant, in teams of four in five rounds. However, both classes are not alone. Hiroshi Shinso, whose Quirk is Brainwashing, voiced by Jarrod Greene, participates to prove himself worthy to enter the Hero Course. The catch is that Shinso will partake with both teams depending on which of the five teams of Classes 1-A and 1-B he draws. Yeah, remember Shinso from the second season? He does make a return as we learn a little more of his backstory as well as why he's determined to partake in the Hero Course. The first quarter of this season is just both teams working together on how they can work with their Quirks in order to take the dub. Later on, Izuku Midoriya discovers a new secret about One for All by awakening one of the Quirks that was held by one of the previous wielders of One for All called Blackwhip, owned by Daigoro Banjo, voiced by Andrew Love. The second arc is the Endeavor Agency Arc. This one is pretty short as it's about the Hero Work-Studies being back in effect and Shoto Todoroki invites Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku Midoriya to work with his father, Enji Todoroki, or Endeavor, whose Quirk is Hellflame, voiced by Patrick Seitz, at his agency as sidekicks. Meanwhile, Endeavor undergoes an uncharacteristic epiphany with his family as they resent him for the abuse that he's given his family. Which led to his wife, Rei, voiced by Morgan Garrett, to be sent to a psychiatric ward after hurting Shoto as a child as flashbacks from precious seasons go due to the abuse (mentally) she receives from her husband. Both Shoto and his older brother, Natsuo, voiced by Adam Gibbs, resent their father due to Shoto's abuse (through their training) growing up. Of course, Rei, the only daughter of the family, voiced by Kate Oxley, is trying her best to bring the family back since Shoto has been exchanging letters to their mother as well as seeing Enji visiting Rei from time-to-time. At times, we also see other events happen such as Ochaco Uraraka and Tsuyu Asui teaming up with a Pro Hero named Selkie, whose Quirk is Spotted Seal, voiced by Ray Hurd, along with the agency they work through their Hero Work-Studies run by Ryuko Tatsuma, or Kyukyu, whose Quirk is Dragon, voiced by Katelyn Barr, for stopping a Trigger smuggling operation along with Nejiro Hado. Then we have the third and final arc of the season called the Meta Liberation Army Arc. This one is interesting since it isn't U.A. High School being the center of attention. Instead, we have the League of Villains being given by All for One's personal doctor and confidant, Kyudai Garaki, voiced by Mark Stoddard, a near-impossible challenge that, if Tomura Shigaraki can beat it, will be proven that he is worthy to be All for One's successor. One of the most interesting parts about this arc is that the title of the series temporarily shifts to "My Villain Academia" since the League of Villains are central to this arc. Before we go further, I will lay out who the Meta Liberation Army is. It is a group that opposes the government's Quirk restriction laws as they follow a philosophy of free usage of Quirks as a basic human right as said and led by the infamous villain named Destro. Destro even wrote a book that is titled that before committing suicide in prison. However, it has been refounded and led by Destro's own son, and descendant, named Rikiya Yotsubashi, or Re-Destro, whose Quirk is called Stress, voiced by Sonny Strait. With the help of All for One's faithful servant, Gigantomachia, voiced by Chris George, and Kyudai's guidance, Shigaraki and the League of Villains fought against the Meta Liberation Army while they have their information broker, Giran, hostage. One other attention to detail that I will add as this was shown throughout the season is that Keigo Takami, or Hawks, whose Quirk is called Fierce Wings, voiced by Zeno Robinson, is working undercover as suggested by Madam President of the Hero Public Safety Commission, voiced by Meli Grant. Therefore, Hawks highlighted a code to Endeavor to crack so he could learn about the Meta Liberation Army themselves. The issue that I do have with this season is that it does jump around on what was going on and we do see little bits of Hawks interacting with members of the Meta Liberation Army, or as it's revealed later with a new name by the end of the season such as Twice, who now considers themselves best friends. We also get bits of backstory with not only Shinso in the beginning. We get back stories of some of the Villains such as Himiko Toga, whose Quirk is Transform, voiced by Leah Clark, having a deranged life before she ran away from her family to become what she wanted to be. However, I feel that there is more to Himiko's past, though I assume we'll learn a little more down the road with the remaining seasons. We also see Twice, or Jin Bubaigawara, whose Quirk is Double, voiced by Newton Pittman, having a past that involves him having a normal life yet went through trauma involving his Quirk going out of control as well as his emotions. The highlight of this particular season is that we see the origin of Tomura Shigaraki, when he was a child, revealed to be the grandson of All Might's mentor, Nana Shimura, who had One for All before passing it onto Toshinori Yagi (All Might). Witnessing the life Tomura growing up through abuse from his father in particular before his Quirk, Decay, awakens and is adopted by All for One. On one hand, I do feel bad for what Tomura has been through, yet I always had to keep in mind what made him being feared upon as a villain. I don't mind a villain that I can sympathize with and a villain who is written to be just a villain being one as long as it comes to the writing. With Tomura Shigaraki being written that way, I think he is a well-written villain being a combination of both sympathizing yet fearing him since he is he successor to All for One, making him the opposite of the Symbol of Peace. The Symbol of Fear. At times, the story does go all over the place and some moments feel rushed at times along with things out of nowhere. For example, when Uraraka and Tsu are on a mission with Ryukyu and Selkie, out of nowhere, we get a scene like it was one of them mandatory beach episodes anime would have. In the middle of the mission to find drug traffickers, by the way. We have a moment where Enji feels discouraged whenever he sees his family together with his wife home, having dinner without him. I will give them credit for giving Enji a redemption moment despite all of the times when he was abusive towards his family. It's just that it'll be really hard to forgive Enji with all that he's done, honestly. Even Enji himself says something towards his whole family at the end of the arc does prove my point of going a long way to not be forgiven. For me personally, I don't think Enji could be forgiven so easily with sending his wife to a psychiatric ward, some event involving his eldest son, Toga, which will be explained later unless my theory is true, and pushing Shoto too hard to become just like him. We'll see where it goes as the rest of the series goes on. The animation quality is still good. A little improved than how I criticized it from the last season with the action and the Quirks being used throughout the series. At times, it does lean on the goofy side. I laughed at some of them, yet thankfully, it doesn't get too much in the way as we explore the story and the characters. The Meta Liberation Army Arc is honestly something that leaned more on being dark while the Endeavor Agency Arc leaned more on the drama between the father and children of the Todoroki family. I will always appreciate when some series will take itself serious when it comes to family, heroism, how it's being commercialized to the public and utilized by government officials for good or bad, fighting against oppression even if it labels you as a villain as the Meta Liberation Army was being looked upon, and how passing the torch can improve you as either a hero (Izuku Midoriya) or a villain (Tomura Shigaraki). The voice acting is still pretty good for how they perform, especially with the new characters with their given voice actors. The action is still great for how it delivered between Hero and Villain. Oh, and if you want to know which character has so much of an ego that it would get under your skin, Neito Monoma is your guy. He's just as worse as Mineta before Kendo would backhand him to keep his big mouth shut. I understand why a lot of people tapped out either in the middle or by the end of this season since the story does derail at times, which kinda made it suffer along with its pacing and little character development this season. Looking into specific character backgrounds does carry it along with how I enjoyed Tomura's backstory as well as enjoy Class 1-A and Class 1-B using each others' Quirks to perform better teamwork during the Joint Training Arc before the Hero Work-Studies resumed in effect. I enjoyed this season enough for what it is. To me, this would have to be the weakest season of the My Hero Academia anime as a whole. Would the show decline more within the next season after this next movie I'm about to see? We shall see. For now, I'm gonna give this fifth season of the show six Re-Destro enjoying the view out of ten. 6/10. It's funny we've started binging My Hero Academia since January of 2026 and here we are in March. Free time from work can do that sometimes when watching episodes of recent shows along the way.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 15, 2026
High Card: The Flowers Bloom
(Anime)
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Mixed Feelings
So, this was just one extra episode after the second part of High Card as well as the finale of the show as a whole, huh? Well, sure, why not? It's gonna be a short review. The Flower Blooms is more of an episode where it's a coronation for Leo Constantine Pinochle takes over his father's company after the events of the show's second season. Theodore, Leo's father, is retiring. I don't blame him after losing an old friend as well as dealing with the Royal Family and San Golgono. However, a gang led by Wily Weinstein, voiced by
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Hirofumi Nojima, kidnaps Leo and uses his card to manipulate Leo's age. Changing him into a baby. Yes, that's the premise of the show. Vijay Kumar Singh and Wendy Sato finds the last place they were in to this building where orphans reside while Finn Old man and Chris Redgrave have to look after baby Leo until they find Wily to reverse the effects. Vijay demands that they get this done because the day of the coronation is within the next day. With the help of Sugar Peace, who is now lead detective of the police, as well as the three goons who were actually children who reside in the building where orphans reside thanks to Wily's X-playing card.
There is an irony to how the episode plays out because Wily radicalizes the children to hate all adults when he was a rotten adult himself. Especially for who he really is. I would say who he really is, except given how his last name is Weinstein as I'd just discovered, I couldn't help but think of Wily being a jab at Harvey Weinstein given his crimes. if y'all know, you know. I kinda laughed at that one. So, the whole episode is usually the time when Finn and Chris had to stay behind to raise baby Leo until Wily got captured by High Card and the cops. For the most, this episode is mostly leaning towards humor while we get some backstory of Vijay. As it turns out, he was Leo's tutor. For someone who hasn't shown much love, I enjoyed this enough to look into some of his past experience with the Pinochle family. There was little development done with Leo and Sugar has done some good performance with assisting High Card like how her superior has done with Theodore and Ban when they worked with High Card. The action, animation, and voice acting are the same as I've said in the previous parts of the show. I enjoyed this episode enough when I see Wily getting his comeuppance since he was radicalizing the children. I would've seen them being attended to the orphanage Finn grew up in for a happy ending along with Leo's speech. Oh, well. All's well that ends well, amirite? Well, what is funny is that there are more X-playing cards out there in the open after the finale of part two. I also wish that there would've been more time for character development. Like this could've been a movie. But I digress. With that, that's the end of High Card as a whole. Sure, there were some bumps in the road. I enjoyed this show enough with its themes, lore, characters, and action sequences. It's not perfect. It's how something original can come into the open even when it's flawed. I will give this particular episode six baby Leo spitting milk on Finn out of ten. 6/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 14, 2026
High Card Season 2
(Anime)
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Mixed Feelings Spoiler
Last season, or rather the first part of this show, I was invested with how this anime has played. Funny thing, I'd never seen the second half back then. Either it was around the time Funimation and Crunchyroll merged or because I didn't get around to watching this until seeing this mostly during my lunch breaks at my job or when I'm in between rounds, taking a break when I'm not in the mood to read. I'd finished this, and well, let's say there was still some good investment, yet it was pretty bumpy when we got to a certain part of
...
the show. Just a heads up, there might be some spoilers as much as I can minimize. You have been warned.
The show continues where the last part left off with High Card continues to gather the X-playing cards for the Kingdom of Fourland, as it was revealed that the king himself, Julius Fourland, voiced by Kenta Sasa, is holding a coronation ceremony for one of his sons to take a crown. However, it turns out that one of them was on cahoots with the Klondike family who'd actually taken the X-playing cards since the first episode of the last part of the anime before they were all scattered. Later on, we learn why that was the case so he could take over the crown for his own selfish gain. I wish I would spoil which son it was, but that's a major spoiler. On one mission, Finn Oldman comes across the Black Knight, who is actually a member of the Klondike family named Tilt, voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga, who holds the King of Spades called San Galgono, who turns him into the Black Knight. He always has Burst, voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, who holds the Ace of Hearts known as Faceless, which makes her copy the appearance of anyone who keeps close to Tilt. There was more to Tilt as revealed later in the show when it involves another member of the Klondike family named Zenon, voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who wields the Jack of Diamonds known as Out of Five where he affects anyone's five senses and cognition of anyone that hears the sounds created by scratching his gauntlets on any surface. But that's not all, there is a very interesting twist with this character named Lala Valdenklien, voiced by Akira Ishida, who shows Finn about the origin of the X-playing cards including a fifty-third card known as the Joker, which has a lot more that has to do with the cards as well as the foundation of the Kingdom of Fourland. Alright, I will be clear. Yes, this part of the show still continues with the formula of Finn, Chris Redgrave, Wendy Sato, Leo Constantine Pinocle, Vijay Kumar Singh, and Bernard Symons of High Card continue to hunt for the cards up until the story becomes complicated when Leo's father, Theodore Constantine Pinochle, gets kidnapped by the Klondike's. We also get some backstory with not only the foundation of the Kingdom of Fourland, but we also get to see some backstory of Theodore and Ban Klondike being good friends until an unfortunate event has happened. We see more of both Detective's Greg Young and Sugar Peace share information as well as getting involved with both High Card and the Royal Family. We see what has happened to Finn's family home that was burned down, including Tilt's presence as the Black Knight. Not gonna lie. The story does get complicated as to what everyone else has been doing since High Card disbanded temporarily, and by the time Finn learns more from Lala. The story is kind of a mess with how some of these characters start to annoy me. Owen, for example. I know he is loyal, but he lost me when Leo negotiated with a character later in the season. The ending of it all is kinda bitter sweet, yet I couldn't stop thinking of it being a little anti-climactic, to be honest. But I digress. The characters are still fine for how they are. Chris actually has to go through the most since he now holds the same genetic illness that his sister had after he'd played an X-hand before Finn had stopped him. We see Leo go into this school, and he had to deal with this character, who has a really annoying voice that I just couldn't stand. I don't like picking on voice actors except that voice tilted me a little. However, once it was resolved, I unfortunately didn't have it in me to be invested in how he is just an obnoxious character. Wendy has to help Chloe Jones help this young woman who has a card of her own while running away. I do give the episode credit for seeing Love-P get a little bit of character development when fighting a member of the Klondike family who uses a card that manipulates shadows. Finn is still Finn as he would stop at nothing even when High Card has been disbanded. I actually enjoy Sugar a little more on this second part with her character development and her pursuit before her superior gave in and shared his side of the story when he was young and associated with Theodore and Ban. Speaking of Theodore and Ban, their past is fine. However, I stopped caring about Theodore even when he'd developed just a little bit for how much of an absent dad he's always been until High Card confronted Ban. I find Tilt and Burst okay, too. With how they have their own agenda outside of what the Klondike family have in mind just for the sake of Tilt being cursed by San Galgono itself as explained by Lala. The voice acting is still fine for how they deliver. The animation is still good for what it is, whether it's by character drama and the action. However, the way the Black Knight behaves is pretty janky. Most of the second part is CG, while at times, he will be 2D. Kinda makes the action against him kinda awkward at times. Despite the story being a little bumpy at times, especially when we see that anyone who holds an X-playing card can do some good like this one character being granted super speed and helping others being targeted by High Card under orders no matter what. I enjoy the moments when the lore of the show itself expands a little more. I was invested with how the Kingdom of Fourland came to be and why the Royal Family had to be involved with the Joker card. It also makes sense why San Galgono is a major threat and why he had to be stopped. Thinking that it was more of an investment than why Ban wanted to gather all of the cards with one of the sons who was in cahoots with the Kondike family. As far as one of the princes being the inside man, his goal was as much of a generic motive as any greedy side-piece of a villain behaves. Overall, I still had much of an enjoyment from this second part. I really enjoyed the lore expansion and how the X-playing cards came to be. The story still sticks to the same formula until we get to the last five-four episodes after Lala's explanation about the Kingdom of Fourland's foundation, where the show gets more complicated. Some of the moments had me rolling my eyes. Some of those I invested in. All leading to what seems like a bittersweet ending as well as what I think of it being a little anti-climactic. But I digress. I say it's worth checking out if you've enjoyed the first part of High Card as a whole. I am gonna give this second part of High Card five Finn and Black Knight confrontation out of ten. 5/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Mar 12, 2026
Metallic Rouge
(Anime)
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Mixed Feelings
I kinda forgot that I had this saved in my Crunchyroll playlist. So, I decided to give this a watch because why not get it out of the way? I kinda wanted to like this since this was a mixed bag for everyone here. I do see why that's the case yet I do understand what they all man after going through with this series.
The story takes place in the far future, following a war with aliens known as Usurpers. Humanity has colonized the inner Solar System and coexisted with androids known as Neans, who were created by using technology from ... another alien race known as Visitors. However, both humanity and Neans don't cooperate with one another since Neans are forced to live as second-class citizens under Asimov's Laws that are programmed into them to be felt subservient. We meet up with our main character, Rouge Redstar, voiced by Yume Miyamoto, a Proto-Nean who is not bound by Asimov's Laws. She is accompanied by Naomi Orthmann, voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa, who was sent on a secret mission to assassinate nine other Proto-Neans known as the Immortal Nine, who some of them are hostile towards humanity. The more both Rouge and Noami progresses with their mission, they are met with a handful of characters as well as exploring the world building planet-by-planet, and some plot twists surfaced into their path through conflict. The story is kind of a mess. I'd give it credit that it wants to break the barriers of oppression and finding equal ground between humanity and Nean like how you'd see it from other science fiction when it centers around humans and synthetic beings. Reminding me that it's a mix of Mass Effect meets Cyberpunk. Just that it doesn't land well with how it was being directed towards besides exploration of the world and the action between Rouge and the Immortal Nine. I will say, though, the world building itself is pretty cool as well as the aesthetic of the series. Which was inspired by various cyberpunk and science fiction works such as Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner. Not to mention, the designs of what Rouge and the Immortal Nine give off that style of tokusatsu and Power Ranger vibes when you have robots changing into their Gladiator form. The designs of the characters are unique, making this show just unique for being an original IP. The animation boosts the world building up as the action is decent at times. There are times when the animation does become a little hyper in some scenes while the rest feels normal for how the narrative goes. I don't know if there was something going on with the studio who was animating this or not. Bones, the studio involved with the show, did okay for what they were bringing as well with the show's creator, Yutaka Izubuchi. What I also like about this show is the music. It does have a nice vibe to it as it fits well with the aesthetic of the show. This would've been a hidden gem if the story itself was stable, unfortunately. Not to mention, what else holds this show back is that the show lacked character development. It doesn't help when the plot goes all over the place when something like unexpected moments pop up every episode or two. But what about the characters, you ask? Despite how there was a lack of character development, they're okay. I enjoy Rouge and Noami for how they work on their chemistry. There was also Jean Yunghart, voiced by Shunsuke Takeuchi, who tasked Rouge and Noami with the mission to hunt the Immortal Nine. Then you have Eva Cristella, voiced by Yoko Hikasa, who was involved with Rouge's creation but disappeared suddenly. The Immortal Nine are unique on their own for their given role as well as having their own personality and weaponry. Some wanted peace such as Eden Vallock, voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu, who was introduced as an archaeologist studying Usuper ruins until there was something more about him much later. He is probably one of my favorites. Then you have this character named Ace/Alice Machias, voiced by Minami Tsuda, who shares the same body who has their own separate personality. Some of the Immortal Nine, however, are part of this terrorist organization called Alter such as Jaron Fate, voiced by Hiroyuki Yoshino, who is a manipulative trickster who loves to screw with Rouge at times. I will go ahead and say that he got on my nerves more than once. Thought there are other characters such as Ash Stahl, voiced by Atsushi Miyauchi, and his colleague, Noid 262, voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi, who are investigators who are always around the corner wherever Rouge and Noami go. Oh, and there is also this character named Puppet Master, voiced by Hiroshi Yanaka, who is a mysterious leader of this organization called Carnival who seeks to free the Neans from Asimov's Laws until a plot twist happens down the road of his true intentions. Unfortunately, I don't have anything else to say about Metallic Rouge. I wanted to like this show yet I unfortunately felt lost most of the time when something new pops up every time we jump into a different destination with our favorite duo, Rouge and Noami. I really love the aesthetic and design of this world building. However, the lack of character development and the lack of direction muddles up the story. This anime is an example of why less is more is what could make this show more engaging. Someone has pointed out that you'd have to pay attention to the concept. You'd probably need to have precise, laser focus to pay attention. This had potential, yet it didn't really hit the mark for me. I'm gonna give this anime four Rouge noming on some chocolate out of ten. 4/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Mar 11, 2026 Recommended Spoiler
As planned, taking a break from the anime series to see the movie as they're released canonically. Accordingly, this was meant to be the last film of the series until images of the third film leaked online. Having the elements to its story as a finale. But I'd guess that would be too soon for My Hero Academia to end like this, especially with how the finale of the movie played out before the credits rolled. I admit that I'd never seen this movie around the time of it being released. Maybe it was because I fell out of the
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series around the time before committing to the grind and with the series that ended last year. Well, there is a true finale being released this year, as the news goes. Plus, the anime series is ten years old. Just a heads up, there will be spoilers as I can minimize them. With that said, you have been warned.
This one takes place between Seasons Four and Five. It starts off when the League of Villains are being pursued by several Pro Heroes while driving a truck carrying a life support capsule. They were stopped yet turned out to be clones created by Twice as it crashes. What was in the capsule was a villain named Nine, voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, who allowed himself to be experimented on by Daruma Ujiko, voiced by Mark Stoddard, who is All for One's personal doctor, granting Nine a copy of All for One's Quirk. Nine reunites with his team of villains to fulfill their dream of creating a society where the strong rule over the weak with their Quirks. Nine's team consists of Kiruka Hasaki, or Slice, voiced by Lydia Mackay, whose Quirk, Slice, enables her to harden and sharpen her hair. Hoyo Makihara, or Mummy, voiced by Brendan Blaber, whose Quirk is using the bandages that wrapped around his entire body to ensnare anyone with the bandages under his control. And Chojuro Kon, or Chimera, voiced by Greg Dulcie, whose Quirk enables him to have characteristics of any animal, making him like the chimera of Greek mythology. Nine's actual Quirk is Weather Manipulation, yet with the duplicate of All for One given to him, he can hold up to eight more Quirks. However, it will cause cellular damage. Hence why Nine has to wear a special life-support system that pumps special drugs in him. What he needs is a Quirk that can repair his body, leading him to target the father of a couple of kids we'll talk to in a bit, yet it was temporary due to their blood type, until Nine goes after the son who has a Quirk similar to his father. Which leads to all of U.A. High School Class 1-A being sent to the remote Nabu Island as part of the safety work program granted by both Yokumiru Mera and Principal Nezu, where they partake in assisting the islanders with whatever they need help on. Even for the most basic of needs at times. Izuku Midoriya meets up with both Mahoro and her little brother Katsuma Shimano, voiced by Dani Chambers and Maxey Whitehead, during a call. Aside from Mahoro being hostile towards Izuku, he and Katsuki Bakugo bonds with them and discovers that Katsuma wishes to become a hero, yet Mahoro wishes to dissuade him, fearing for her little brother's safety. Nine and his team of villains arrive on Nabu Island, which I triggers everyone of Class 1-A to take action while evacuating the islanders to safety. Nine's target is Katsuma since his Quirk, Cell Activation, allows its user to activate the cells in anyone's body through touch, which increases regeneration and improves their physical condition. Not to mention, Katsuma's Quirk matches Nine's blood type along with Type O, A, and is compatible with Type B blood as Nine stated. It's far different from what Katsuma's father's own Cell Activation Quirk who only works for those with Type A blood as he'd stated with Hawks's, voiced by Zeno Robinson, visit to the hospital stated. So now Deku, Bakugo, and the rest of Class 1-A have to team up, separate, and fight off Nine and gang for the safety of the Shimano children and the rest of Nabu Island on their own. The story itself is pretty straight-forward and it does a lot better than how in the last movie has done. One of them being that everyone, aside from the Pro Heroes who are still on the mainland of Japan, is here. Which means all hands on deck for Class 1-A. Not to mention, one of the better moments when Bakugo, who was always looked at as someone with no chill throughout the series, becomes a better person, especially when teaming up with Deku. Therefore, the chemistry between the two improved in just a bit from when they were fighting Nine up to the climax at the end. What was impressive was when using One for All proves more to how Izuku and Bakugo's teamwork has been utilized against Nine when Nine has more than just his Weather Manipulation Quirk. Nine also has Air Wall, Scanning, Bullet Laser, Hydra, and the Shimano father's Cell Activation. Don't worry, everyone else of Class 1-A also gets some action against Nine's gang, including their teamwork. Even the Shimano siblings provided some assistance such as Katsuma's Cell Activation helping out Deku and Bakugo's recovery after their loss with Nine in their first fight. Mahoro's Quirk is Hologram, which doesn't do much, yet you can't blame her for being protective of her younger brother since their mother passed away as explained. Granted, the Pro Heroes only made brief appearances like the League of Villains have done, yet I give this movie credit as directed by Kenji Nagasaki that it's the new generation's time to go all out against a much bigger threat. Also granted, yes, Nine is played out as a generic villain who would rule over society with his strong Quirks as experimented on like the second coming of All for One, yet he is a literal threat for how he plays as a villain of the film. Both the action and the animation has been amped up to eleven and I enjoyed every bit of them whether it's Nine against Izuku and Bakugo along with the rest of Class 1-A providing back-up or fighting off against the rest of Nine's gang. However, I have a couple of questions such as what happened to that Mummy fellow after his fight against Bakugo, Kirishima, and Kaminari? Was he completely gone after using up all of those bandages or just ran straight off? Yes, not everyone member of Class 1-A doesn't get much screen time. At the least they have a better role than how they were set aside like how most of them were in the last MHA movie. There are some occasional running jokes like how they are in the series like Tsuyu reminding her friends to call her Tsu and Mineta being the usual "ladies man" despite being tricked on occasion just to help an islander for their time of need. Thankfully, they weren't too much in the way as the story is more focused on Deku, Bakugo, Nine, the Shimano siblings and their conflict on Nabu Island. There are other times when I've laughed at the humor and no, they don't get in the way of the story too long. Kid characters are pretty tricky as most of the time, they can be annoying. Not the Shimano siblings, honestly. I actually like them for how their role plays out. Overall, it has a couple of hiccups, yet this is a much more improved movie than how Two Heroes has done. Not to mention, this movie does well as it gives a new generation being inspired by a generation who strives to become Pro Heroes, showing that anyone can be a hero, and Katsuma has shown himself to be a hero despite his age. His passion is as how Izuku possesses before getting as far as he is right now before we continue the main series. So far, this is the best of the My Hero Academia movies. I haven't seen the other two. So we'll see how it goes like how we're going with the series. I will give this second My Hero Academia movie nine Iauku and Bakugo combo smash out of ten. 9/10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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