Tag Archives: Blue Miburo

Mid-Winter 2026 Anime Ranking

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This is a heavy season for us. So many great shows! Also a lot of content from my favourite seiyuu Umehara Yuuichirou, and a quite a few rock music OPs too. I’ll list some of the ones that caught my attention below.

01. [OSHI NO KO] Season 3 (Ep. 1-10)

OP: “TEST ME” by CHANMINA

(Streaming at HIDIVE and Crunchyroll)

02. Tamon’s B-Side (Tamon-kun Ima Docchi!?) (Ep. 1-11)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

03. Journal with Witch (Ikoku Nikki) (Ep. 1-11)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

04. Blue Miburo: Serizawa Assassination Arc (Ao no Miburo: Serizawa Ansatsu-hen) (Season 2, Ep. 1-12) – I’m so glad I didn’t drop this after the mediocre first season. Now that the set up is done, we can focus on the grown up members of the Miburo instead of the kids, and it is so much better!

Episode 5, “Firefly Glow,” featuring Okiku, was really powerful. It artfully humanized Serizawa and showed what kind of person he is, for better and for worse.

I do have some doubts and disbelief at the actions of some of the characters, namely Niimi and Hijikata, and ultimately I’m not sure if those are character problems or writing problems. But I appreciate that the show really makes me think about their motivations.

OP: “Blue Noise” by Ryōsuke Yamada

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

05. Isekai Office Worker: The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai) (Ep. 1-11) – Kondou is a workaholic with substance abuse tendencies. He wasn’t supposed to have been summoned to this other world, but since he’s here, he might as well balance their books, try to fix their miasma problem, and maybe find love!

This is isekai as I haven’t seen before. It’s BL. It actually has well-written characters and a well-rounded story line. Pretty impressive.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

06. You and I Are Polar Opposites (Seihantai na Kimi to Boku) (Ep. 1-10)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

07. TRIGUN STARGAZE (Season 2 of TRIGUN STAMPEDE, Ep. 13-22)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

08. Hana-Kimi (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) (Ep. 1-11) – I was watching this show just casually, not caring much about Mizuki pretending to be a boy, or whether Sano would high jump again. But at some point, I realized how much I like Nanba-senpai! He’s got the looks, the voice, and he cracks me up!

I bumped this classic shoujo title up quite a few notches, more than it deserves, because I actually found myself looking forward to watching it.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

09. Love Through a Prism (PRISM RONDO) (Ep. 1-11)

(Streaming at Netflix)

10. DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR (DARK MOON: Tsuki no Saidan) (Ep. 1-9)

OP: “One In A Billion（Japanese Ver.)” by ENHYPEN

ED2: “Fatal Trouble” by ENHYPEN

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

11. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Sousou no Frieren) Season 2 (Ep. 1-8)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll and Netflix)

12. In the Clear Moonlit Dusk (Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki) (Ep. 1-10)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

13. A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation (Odayaka Kizoku no Kyuuka no Susume.) (Ep. 1-10) – The way almost everyone who encounters Lizel becomes obsessed with him is admittedly amusing, but other than that, this show is about nothing?

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

14. Chained Soldier (Mato Seihei no Slave) Season 2 (Ep. 1-11) – Still a fun show, don’t get me wrong. But whereas last season they took great pains to justify the sex and nudity through actual plot, this time around it is more graphic, largely gratuitous, and occasionally crosses the line into assault.

OP: “Hikari yo, Boku ni.” by Akari Kitō

(Streaming at HIDIVE)

15. The Villiainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom (Akuyaku Reijou wa Ringoku no Outaishi ni Dekiai sareru) (Ep. 1-10) – Both of the leads are sweet, sure, but maybe too sweet? Over time, Tiara’s voice and face started to get on my nerves. And just in case you thought I automatically love every character that Ume gives voice to, it isn’t true; Aqua here, is way too bland to inspire feelings of any kind.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

16. Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- (Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi) (Ep. 1-8) – I came warned that the CG animation was atrocious, but I think that was an exaggeration. Mostly they just stand around talking, and that looks passable. What’s really lacking is the unimaginative action/firefighting scenes, where they’re still just standing around talking. This ain’t no Firefighter Daigo!

I want to know what tools and equipment were available to them in those times. When there was a fire, they literally just took off running? How did they transport their equipment, get their water? It seems like their main tactic to contain a fire was to tear down the nearby buildings. What support was given to the people who were left homeless? The one guy who complained was knocked down a peg or two, but he had a valid point? And what about that time they broke into a private storehouse for materials to put out a blaze – that was somehow okay?

Seriously, about the only thing this has in common with Firefighter Daigo is how preachy it is!

OP: “Hamidashi Gomen” by Porno Graffitti

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

Mid-Winter 2025 Anime Ranking

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01. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite) (Ep. 15-24) – This second cour, with almost all new characters, is not quite as engaging as the first, but the storytelling remains top-class.

(Streaming at Netflix)

02. Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Romantan- Kyoto Disturbance (Kyoto Douran) (Ep. 37-45) – Saito Hajime, and company, stop the burning of Kyoto.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

03. ZENSHU. (Ep. 1-9) – If you get the numerous references to other anime, I think there’s an extra level of enjoyment possible. To be honest, a lot of them are over my head; but I’m still enjoying this isekai, starring an anime director, a great deal!

Episode 4 was a stand-out. How true that having an oshi can be a life-affirming experience!

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

04. The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) (Ep. 25-32)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

05. From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! (Akuyaku Reijou Tensei Ojisan) (Ep. 1-10)

(Streaming at HIDIVE)

06. Unnamed Memory Act.2 (Ep. 13-20) – Still as ridiculously fast-paced as the first season. Still I like it regardless of its significant flaws.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

07. Blue Box (Ao no Hako) (Ep. 13-21) – Props to Hina for being so forthright and decent. But the love triangle is dragging on a bit.

(Streaming at Netflix)

08. Blue Miburo (Ao no Miburo) (Ep. 13-20) – A younger Saito Hajime, and company, stop the burning of Kyoto.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

09. I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time (Guild no Uketsukejou desu ga, Zangyou wa Iya nanode Boss wo Solo Toubatsu Shiyou to Omoimasu) (Ep. 1-7) – I enjoy this more for the relatable and sweet characters than the one-note plot.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

10. Übel Blatt (Ep. 1-9) – The storytelling is poor and many plot developments in this revenge tale seem unintentionally funny. But who cares, right? My sister’s oshi, Hirose Yuya is voicing the lead character (and doing a fine job of it!) so we are watching avidly, and laughing when we feel like it.

(Streaming on Amazon Prime)

11. HONEY LEMON SODA (Ep. 1-8) – Shy, bullied Uka finds her saviour in heartthrob, and high-school Jesus, Kai. Full-on shoujo romances are not my thing, clearly. Kai doesn’t seem like a real person to me; and the pair of them have no chemistry.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

Also watching, sort of:

My Happy Marriage (Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon) (S2 Ep. 1-5) – Whatever my thoughts on this potato of an MC and her wish-fulfillment protective fiancé, wow, the incredible scenery and all of Miyo’s gorgeous kimono are enough to make this worthwhile! (Streaming at Netflix)

Baban Baban Ban Vampire (Ep. 1-5) (Streaming at Netflix)

Mid-Autumn 2024 Anime Ranking

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It’s a season of blue-coded anime, apparently. I am watching Blue Box, BLUE LOCK, and Blue Miburo. If I was still following it, I could have been watching Blue Exorcist as well!

01. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite) (Ep. 1-12) – A fictionalized account of the perils faced by astronomers who realized the truth of heliocentrism during a time when the powers that be (ie, the Church) were politically and murderously committed to geocentrism.

The concepts raised here are surprisingly timeless. We might expect that we no longer have our heads in the sand when it comes to scientific progress, but clearly it has been shown time and time again that misinformation and mistrust are prevalent in any century.

(Streaming at Netflix)

02. Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Romantan- Kyoto Disturbance (Kyoto Douran) (Ep. 25-35) – The Kyoto arc, unabridged. What more needs to be said?

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

03. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict (Sennen Kessen-hen -Soukoku-tan-) (S3 Ep. 1-10, Overall Ep. 27-36) – This third instalment of TYBW has been my favourite yet. Lots of major revelations and developments for the Soul Society Squad Captains and really nice animation to boot.

The OP is also remarkably gorgeous; I never skip it.

(Streaming at Hulu and Disney+)

04. Blue Box (Ao no Hako) (Ep. 1-11)

(Streaming at Netflix)

05. Nina the Starry Bride (Hoshifuru Oukoku no Nina) (Ep. 1-10)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

06. DAN DA DAN (Ep.1-11)

(Streaming at Crunchyroll and Netflix)

07. Blue Miburo (Ao no Miburo) (Ep. 1-8) – I’m no stranger to historical dramas about the Shinsengumi. This is right up my alley.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

08. BLUE LOCK 2nd Season (BLUE LOCK VS. U-20 JAPAN) (Ep. 25-34) – The Blue Lock project is put to the test in a pivotal game against the U-20 Team. It’s a shame that the animation quality is so very lacking this season, but the soccer is still as tense and over-the-top as always.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

09. Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii (Ep. 1-10) – Right off the bat, I found Kirishima to be a toxic and off-putting love interest, and I nearly dropped the show because of him. However, I did like Yoshino’s tough yet vulnerable personality. And maybe I was a little morbidly curious at how things would go.

Yakuza Fiancé is certainly an unconventional romance, to say the least. However, I did warm up to the characters and their relationships, even if I still had difficulty supporting the main romantic pairing.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

10. NEGATIVE POSITIVE ANGLER (NegaPosi Angler) (Ep. 1-11) – This one would normally be off my radar, but the word of mouth was good and plus, one of my sister’s oshis, Hirose Yuuya, has a role in it.

I don’t know, there’s something about fishing stories, they always put me to sleep. So the only way I can pay attention is if I’m multi-tasking, such as having dinner, at the same time. My sister, on the other hand, cannot eat while watching anything gross and slimy, so it has been interesting fitting this show into our schedule!

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)

11. The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest (Party kara Tsuihou sareta Sono Chiyushi, Jitsu wa Saikyou ni Tsuki) (Ep. 1-9) – Okay, out of the dozens of fantasy/isekai series on offer this season (and every season,) I selected this one to check out because of the voice talent. Specifically, Umehara Yuuichirou plays a supporting role. I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but it is pretty forgettable, and the animation quality is about on level with BLUE LOCK 2nd Season.

(Streaming at Crunchyroll)