Weekly Seasonal Watches: Winter 2024 Season Week 1

Scott

Jan 8

This season has started with a lot of shows and I have only picked up two so far. Not saying a lot of good for this season, but I know that my mecha shows are starting soon and other things that I am interested in. But for now a weak start of the season.

Table of Contents (Click to see thoughts on a show/episode from last week)

Delicious in Dungeon
Soaring Sky! Precure
Frieren
Daigo
Apothecary Diaries
A Sign of Affection

Delicious in Dungeon (Premiere)

The start of this show is very classic sorts of D&D storytelling with trigger producing it. This is honestly one of Trigger's most restrained things that they've ever produced and I enjoy it just for that novelty alone. There are jokes, but they don't hit as hard this time. But this is the classic story of a group going through a dungeon to save their comrade from being digested by a dragon. I love how this party (Human Liaos who wanted to eat monsters anyway, Marcille as an elf who doesn't enjoy the idea, and Chichulk who seems to be down for anything) immediately run into a dwarf (Senshi) who actually knows how to cook monsters. Also, they are a very well rounded party too. I can't wait for more.

Soaring Sky! Precure Episode 47

This episode definitely started with some interesting bits of happiness and magical warmth. Especially with Ellee getting more magic Cure Noble who has been watching Skyland for over three hundred years. So that little bit of seeing Ellee as a full grown teenager and then some character connecting with Cure Noble after three hundred years so Ellee and crew can defeat the Undergu empire. The last part of the episode was much more sad then I ever thought it would be. The death of Skeargar because he attempted a suicide attempt. Also, the stinger of Cure Noble assassinating the Emperor of the Undergu Empire. What a fascinated episode to start the finale with.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Episode 17

I'm so happy this weird, introspective, and really emotional fantasy series appeared again. I realize that it's only been two weeks but I missed it. It's a favorite over all. But this episode was supposedly Sein's goodbye. Especially when he is asked by Frieren to handle the little bit of drama between Fern and Stark which was very much a kid sort of complaints because the two have gotten closer to each other.

Sein is correct that the two should have dated. In the second part with Sein gone, it was so cute to see Stark and Frieren take care of a sick Fern and Frieren reflect on her long relationship with Frieren. Especially since Frieren sees everyone as kids. It's a good and cute return to the show with all of its emotional, background moments, and character strengths.

Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange Episode 13

I usually like episodes after large events with characters licking their wounds. This episode was handled very badly. The scene with Shun and Toake itself was great, but after that with a random dinner date I don't care about was so frustrating because I didn't know who anybody was. I know that supposedly a new Fire Fighter tournament is starting, but that meet up was so frustrating to watch.

The Apothecary Diaries Episode 13

This show starts up again with Maomao being hired by Jinshi to work at his house instead of going back to the Jade Concubine where she worked with before. Her talking to her dad and the courtesans before she left was very touching honestly because they do all care for Maomao in their own way. It was interesting seeing Maomao connect with the other women in the court as well as Jinshi forcing Maomao to take the lady of the court exam. I am kind of glad that she failed because I don't want her to be the best at everything. So very solid set up episode for this cour.

A Sign of Affection Episode 1 (Premiere)

This show is already starting so strongly. It starts with Yuki Itose, a death college student, on the train and getting talked to on the train by a foreigner trying to find a train stop. That could have been an awkward situation, but a tall guy named Itsuomi Nagi who helps her out and Yuki instantly gets a crush on him. So the romance story starts slow as Yuki hangs out with her friend who has a crush on another guy and wants to go out on a date with someone who works with Itsumoi. I am glad that Itsuomi and Yuki were able to connect in the end. I like the very sensitive portrayal of Yuki in this too. It's so pure and sweat that I almost can't stand it.