Konbanwa, minna, it has been a while, has it not?

If you’ve recently taken your head out of your own blogging and anime whatnot, then you might have noticed my lack of content. No, I haven’t been caught by the mafia (yet), nor am I being held ransom by some third-world pirate. I’ve just been occupied with all of the great anime I received last month. Also, it’s pretty hard to run a review-based blog when you have nothing to review! I suppose I could have written another “Cafe Talk,” but my ideas are currently in the wash – soon to be in the dryer – so you can probably expect one sometime soon, fingers crossed.

Fall has abruptly shoved its way into life here and I have no qualms about that! 60-degree weather, cloudy days starting with rain, setting my car to heat rather than fan – It’s all good stuff. This kind of weather is the best to snuggle up with some anime, and I’m going to maximize this potential before the snow falls (where I live, it’s pretty much summer-winter, no intermediates).

But you’re probably reading this for my usual update, so let’s get to it already!

Recently Finished:

selector infected WIXOSS (English dub) – While I wasn’t blown away by the voices of particular characters, I was still overall satisfied with the results. Ruko, Akira, Hanayo, Iona, and Kazuki had really nice fits, albeit Akira sounding a bit mature for her age. Yuzuki’s actor really threw me off. I was expecting Luci Christian or someone with a less “stuffy” voice, but at least the acting was fair. FUNimation really needs to get on that second season; such a cliffhanger, a true joy to revisit this hidden gem after what feels like forever!

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) Season One (English dub) – Now this one was just freakin’ epic! I admit, it took me a couple episodes to get used to hearing Rin’s voice, but once I adjusted, man, such a phenomenal dub! Just hearing Kari Wahlgren as Saber once again rouses my spirits. 🙂 I just might do a dub reaction/review like I did with ALDNOAH.ZERO just because I think it was so well done.

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma –  IT’S FINALLY OVER, and I’ll be missing this one for sure. Even though the last couple of episodes were somewhat tedious and lacking, it’s unbearable to think that I won’t be tuning in each weekend to chill with Soma and the crew as they pass their trials and work hard to become master chefs. I’ll find a way to fill this void (besides by eating and trying to cook professionally). Y’all can expect a review coming within the next week or two!

Currently Watching:

The Heroic Legend of Arslan –  Yeah, I’m definitely burned out with this one; stick a fork in me, I’m done. Sh*t animation, a story moving away from the main character’s development, and the exiling of one of my favorite party members. Geez, what else could go wrong? I have two episodes left, so unless Arslan pulls his pants up, there won’t be much of a hearty review from this cafe.

Hyouka – A little over halfway through and LOVING IT!! It’s everything I thought it’d be and MORE! Wah, I’m captivated by the various mysteries surrounding the school and Oreki’s nonchalant way of dealing with the day-to-day schemes of his gray life. “I’m curious!” Give me all you’ve got, Hyouka! A review will be arriving to the menu within next few weeks 😀

I’ll be starting up A Lull in the Sea English dubbed as soon as these others are over. I’ve also picked up Baccano! because I had a $5.00 off coupon from my local bookstore (hooray for parental memberships). But I’m saving that one for a rainy night hehe, cause I foresee another grand marathon coming up! I’ve managed to persuade my siblings into “diving into the heart of terror” with Another for a Halloween celebration binge-watch. It’ll be one night of pants-wetting and eye-covering that they’ll never forget hehehe 😉 Good luck, guys.

Last but not least, I’ve read the first two of four stories from Sword Art Online Aincrad Volume Two, which encompasses Kirito’s meetups with Silica and Lizbeth (best girl kinda sorta) from the anime. Silica’s story was particularly better than the adaptation’s, or maybe it’s just been a while since I last saw the show. Probably both. Anyway, I plan to zoom through the novel so that I can read the infamous Fairy Dance arc. Why? Because there’s a stereotype that goes “books are much better than the movies that spawn from them.” I won’t lie to you guys, I actually liked this arc, and I’m one of the few to say this. I loved the first, don’t get me wrong, but the second half – to me – wasn’t all that bad. I want to see if the books provide a much better case and back up the laughable arc.

And I think that’s it. I got an old younger friend (ironic IKR) of mine into Attack on Titan just last night, so that’s always fun. Where do the days go?? September flew by and here’s October! School kids are bundling up and neighbors are putting up their ghostly decorations (and assorted pumpkins). Meanwhile, here I am still trying to reach out to the last few days of “shorts season.” Am I depressing or what (rhetorical don’t answer). Well, I suppose I’ll keep tagging in on you guys, dropping my thoughts here and there for those who care! How was your September? You ought to let me know so we can catch up in the comments below ^.^ Until next time, this has been

– Takuto, your host