Summer 2025 season was an intense season for me, and one that I put myself into a pretty overwhelming predicament. I watched around 15 shows, and even dropped one 2/3rds of the way in. I struggled at times to keep up, and was behind on multiple series going into the last week by 2 or 3 episodes. Still I managed to knock them out and here are my thoughts on the shows I watched. I did my best to not be too spoiler heavy in these quick reviews, but there may be some there, so this is your warning.
Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra: World Conquest Starts with the Civilization of Ruin – Rating: 3.5 / 5
Some middling animation quality aside, this show was interesting enough during this season. I really enjoyed the fact that the show has someone isekai’d into a strategy game. The twist is that it turns out to be a different world that at least 2 games, but probably more, along with various game genres have been brought together. The show tries to jump between dark and lighter moments and story beats, and it mostly works. I do think it needed to present some moments with a much darker tone, but it seemed like the studio never wanted to take the chance outside of a brief moment in episode 12. In the end the show was interesting enough for me to get pulled in, but it still left me wanting for more.
Call of the Night Season 2 – Rating: 4.5 / 5
What a fantastic follow up season. SHAFT continues to nail aesthetics of anime like this one, and not to mention the stunning visuals and ways they showcase certain scenes and action sequences. I really enjoyed a lot of the backstory we got surrounding Nazuna, as well as the progression of her and Kou’s relationship. Really need a season 3 like now! Also Creepy Nuts still killing it music wise.
Dealing with Mikadono Sisters is a Breeze – Rating: 4.75 / 5
My favorite shows of Summer! All the main characters are just amazing and brimming with personality and great emotions. I love how the 3 sisters try to act like could not care less, and they continue falling deeper and deeper in to Yuu’s clumsy and awkward charms.Niko is best girl, and that’s barely over the other 2 sisters. That is just how good their characters are. I love how Yuu has proven that not everything for the sisters’ efforts to be the best needs to be 100% focused on the task at hand, and that down time, and relationships can make you stronger as well. The show looks absolutely gorgeous, and I need a 2nd season!
Detectives These Days Are Crazy! – Rating: 4 / 5
This show caught me so off guard from the jump. It’s gag humor is just super in your face, and fast paced. It will keep throwing jokes at you, and hoping they stick. Thankfully throughout this show the jokes constantly hit more than they miss for me. There were a couple episodes that felt a bit like the humor dipped a bit, but the show tends to rebound fast with the next. Definitely turned out to be one of my favorite and more anticipated non-sequel shows to watch this season.
Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube – Rating: 3.75 / 5
This show was mostly an excellent reboot of a classic anime series, but the choices in the last few episodes to revisit and continue the story from the first 2 episodes kind of didn’t hit for me. I found myself pretty uninterested in not just the return of a certain villain, but the monster they brought in as the conflict Nube has to face. It really cooled off what was a fantastic run up to that point.
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability Season 2 – Rating: 4 / 5
A very good second season here. It does go a bit long with the final arc, but we get some really great moments throughout. The quality of the show didn’t diminish at all, and it still looks great. I really enjoyed the episode that featured Mega Meat. I won’t spoil it, but that’s definitely the must watch episode of the season. After this one ends, I’m really hoping we get a 3rd season, because I just love the cast of characters this show has.
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 – Rating: 4.25 / 5
An overall great second season, that had me screaming every episode for a damn confession!! That’s all I wanted! Still the cosplaying moments and genuine interaction between Marin and Gojo are still absolutely amazingly adorable. I really liked how this season wrapped up in the last 3 or 4 episodes telling a story of Akira and how she thought she wasn’t allowed happiness due to how her mother treated her anime and manga hobby. The ending to that story was beautiful and funny in a way this series knows how to be.
New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt – Rating: 4.5 / 5
15 years since the first season of Panty & Stocking aired, and thankfully Trigger gained rights and finally blessed us with a season 2. This season was filled with less continuous story, and more multi-segment episodes featuring constant parodies, but I’m not complaining. The parodies were so great that I think they are more memorable than the story at times. Some truly amazing ideas Trigger came up with. We were left with another cliffhanger similar to the one 15 years ago, but hopefully we won’t have to wait nearly as long for season 3.
Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter – Rating: 2.5 / 5
Oof this show is probably my biggest disappointment in how it looks. The characters are so obviously not blending in with the environments around them way too often. Not to mention how lifeless the characters would seem at times, like they were staring off into a void until they moved. Also I had only read a bit of the light novel, and the manga, so I was a bit surprised at how much of this show is Allen dealing with everyone but Lydia, who is supposed to be his closest friend, and partner. I almost dropped this show.
Puniru is a Kawaii Slime 2 – Rating: 4 / 5
This second season is just more of what made the first season of Puniru so good. It helps by adding a few other characters, without trying to jump the shark. There are some genuine moments amongst all the absurdity as well, especially as we learn more about Kawaii himself, and his younger self. The final couple episodes really delve into how Puniru and others view her.
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon 2nd Season – Rating: 3.75 / 5
I love the wacky premise of this series, and I love that we are getting more of the show. Still I felt like while season 2 brings us more of the stupidity we love from a vending machine isekai, it felt like a slight step down overall. This season was steeped heavily in plot, and kind of didn’t give enough of the wacky downtime hi-jinks I hoped for. Still, we’re getting a season 3, and I look forward to more of the Boxxo shenanigans.
Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer! – Rating: 2 / 5
Usually once I make it past 4 episodes in a series, I’m almost guaranteed to finish it. Sadly I could not do that with this one, and I tend to like the lesser quality junk food shows. The problem here is that there are too many characters I just don’t give a damn about. The main character Lloyd is dull and stupid. I’m fine with a character underestimating their strength, but this dude 8 episodes in still barely gets it. The female characters around him are the only ones with a bit of depth to them, and that’s not saying much. 8 episodes in, it got dropped.
Secrets of the Silent Witch – Rating: 4 / 5
I almost didn’t check this show out, but glad I gave in and did. Monica is absolutely adorable and relatable in how socially awkward she is. Thankfully we see a lot of growth with her character by the end of the show. There are also a lot of interesting mysteries going on surrounding the plot to assassinate the prince. Hoping for a season 2 because there are definitely some plot points still left wide open that I need some closure on.
Welcome to the Outcast’s Restaurant! – Rating: 3.5 / 5
I really enjoyed the first four volumes of the manga this anime is based on, which is what this show adapts into this 12 episode anime series. Sadly though the anime was not made with the best budget, and some minor story elements were removed for obvious time. The lack of budget was definitely the biggest gripe of mine, and is why my score is a 3.5, and not higher. I still really enjoyed seeing the characters in anime form, and as I stated in the preview, Atelier is to be protected at all costs.
Witch Watch – Rating: 4.5 / 5
This show kicked off in Spring and I was a bit nervous at first because I tend to not enjoy a lot of Shonen stuff. This series actually surprised me on how much it focused on the comedy aspect, even more so than any action. Through out the 25 episodes, I spent most of the time absolutely laughing out loud. The characters are all super fun, and the chemistry between them is absolutely nailed in this series. The fact that season 2 is already announced has me super hyped to continue this one!