OG’s Halftime Fall 2019 Impressions

Here we are again checking out how the other anime I’m watching but not covering weekly are progressing in my eyes. As expected my thoughts on some of them have changed.

Didn’t expect Null Peta to have a beach episode. Girl on the left looks nice.

Let’s start with the show that’s been consistent with what it set out to do. Null Peta. It’s still a bunch of 5.5 minute episodes about a super genius girl, her revived robo sister and their Dexter’s Laboratory style shenanigans. It’s good fun. There are dramatic moments here and there as we see Null being annoyed by Peta’s “motherly” care like any child would feel whenever their parental figure scolds or guides them. Of course no matter how annoyed Null gets she can’t deny how much she loves and misses her onee-chan. She treasures her resurrected form, sure, but naturally it can’t replace the happy times of when Peta was human.

The most recent surprise beach episode had a Non Non Biyori Vacation Movie feel to it. Readers who saw the movie will know what I’m referring to. Whether the trip was real or an elaborate simulation I’m not sure. We’ll find out sooner or later. It’s an interesting question but I’ll preferably wait and see what answers we get rather than burn out my head over it.

Bless Episode 5.

Next we have the show my thoughts on changed a lot. Looking back Episode 2 was nothing more than a small bump in the road as the ones that came after were all smooth trips. It’s still a Girls Club show about cute girls playing board games. The show’s appeal depends on two things:

1: Whether viewers are interested in learning about different kinds of board/card/tabletop games.

2: Whether they find the main trio (soon to be quartet) and side-characters fun.

If one or neither don’t appeal to you from the start then don’t bother.

Midori’s drama.

Currently the two main plots revolve around Miki trying to overcome her social anxiety bit by bit and Midori’s goal to become a board game author. Both are fun to watch unfold. Aya’s role so far is to put smils on her friends’ faces. It may not sound like much but it’s very important.

This is from Episode 1 but Miki and Midori have had some moments here and there.

Hana and Maki.

Another potential couple are Aya’s older sister Hana and her “best friend (HEAVY QUOTATION MARKS HERE) Maki. She’ll return in Episode 7. Fingers crossed Hana won’t be far behind.

Hikari and her wife Izumi.

I mentioned in my Episode 1 coverage of Rifle is Beautiful/Chidori RSC that it would be difficult to talk about the show because there isn’t much to say. That’s why I’m not talking about it weekly. HAVING SAID THAT, RiB is one of my top 3 favorite Fall 2019 anime. Why? Because it reminded me of why I blog in the first place. Yes. My mission statement has always been to spread the love of yuri media to the interested (KEY WORD, interested)…However, the #1 reason I blog is because it makes me happy. Rifle is Beautiful makes me happy. The rifle shooting itself is not visually interesting. The show knows this as it was mentioned in an episode. Similar to Houkago Saikoro Club whether the viewer likes the show or not depends on how invested they are in the girls. If you don’t like these characters, move along. I LOVE THESE GIRLS, especially Hikari. She’s 2nd only to Rin from Kandagawa Jet Girls as one of my top 3 anime girls of Fall 2019. She fills my heart with great joy and her relationship with Izumi melts my heart every time I see them together. Damn it all they’re destined to wed! So yes, the sport is understandably not very interesting but the girls are so into it I can’t help but root for them. It’s like Anima Yell. Cheering is a far more interesting sport, yes, but if the girls weren’t interesting I wouldn’t be as invested. Get the picture?

Rigel about to embrace Azumi.

Z/X: Code Reunion at its core is another “7/10 Battle Girls” anime based on a mobile game similar to past shows like Schoolgirl Strikers, Ange Vierge, Battle Girls High School, Circlet Princess etc. Whether the shows are subjectively great they are objectively 7/10 at best or “that Space Fishing show”/10 at worst. Having said that this is one of the better ones. Like other shows of its ilk the main plot is of little importance compared to seeing the girls working hard, being cool in battles and growing closer together. Best example is the main couple shown above, Azumi X Rigel. Azumi is still more open about her love for Rigel whereas the sexy blonde Z/X (pronounced zex) is still tsundere but opening up more as she realizes how important and precious Azumi is to her. She ain’t protecting her because it’s her job. That mindset went out window long ago. Should there come a time later on where she thinks like that again don’t expect it to last long.

Matoi X Ena.

In the latest episode (5) we got a 2nd couple in Matoi X Ena. It was Matoi’s turn to get a character episode. Matoi was super close to her older sister. However, during the Z/X war as they were running away from an attack her sister disappeared. A voice called out to her while she panicked and then fainted. Later when a concerned citizen tried to help Matoi she was still in a state of panic and…

Matoi’s Z/X

…let’s just say it didn’t end well for the poor guy.

Matoi telling Ena her backstory.

Ena being the potential strategist of the the “Rank E” team took the time to listen to Matoi, surprising the gloomy loli considering what happened in their previous team battle. Matoi activated her Super Mode but she did so in a panic. She was out of control and hurt Ena. Even so Ena assured they’d be okay in their next battle. As the pic of Matoi declaring Ena her (new onee-chan) girlfriend shows their battle went well.

Rank D Team.

By the way these were their opponents. Don’t know anything about the girls on the right as I don’t play the game but they’re obviously dating. Nuff said. Good stuff all around.

Fall 2019 is seen as a weak season by some but to me it is my 2nd favorite. I may not be watching as many shows this time around but the ones I am following haven been quite good to me. As usual these are all my opinions not meant to change readers’ minds. Just saying what I want to say.