Anime Spring 2025 Weekly Ranking May 2nd to May 8th

These rankings are as of the episodes premiering May 2nd to May 8th

S: Must Watch

Episodes I believe you must watch or are missing out on.

1. Kowloon Generic Romance. Ep. 5

Another great episode.

I really like Yaomei already so an episode focused on her is welcome. Knowing of her past, and why she had surgery adds to her character, but also deepens her relationship Reiko a lot. Both feel like fakes, but they’re trying to be their true self even if it must mean they are fake. I love that they did this as it shows why she cares so much for Kujirai and her allowing Kujirai to look after her was just the icing on top.

The ending was also great. I wonder if Kudou has any connections to the earthquakes, and we may get to see more of the original Kowloon as well. The mystery they are building are just great and I hope the ending will be good as well.

Also, Xiaohei having multiple jobs is a great little gag and I hope we see her in more.

2. Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX. Ep.5

Nyaan linking with the gundam was unexpected, abut it also highlights the major differences between her and Machu. Nyaan seems indifferent to killing, her maneuvers were also much different in that she even used Shuuji as a shield. Furthermore, her release seems to have much more anger to the point of scaring Haro who was ever scared of Machu when she is with the gundam.

For a moment, I was worried about them taking this direction. The jealousy aspect, while it can be effective, often fails to be effective and instead drags a story. In this case, we are on the fine line. It’s clear that Machu wanted this connection to Shuji only for herself, but I do hope they use it to explore the effects of gundam on people and how Machu and Nyaan represent the differences. It could be interesting if done right and I look forward to it.

I’m intrigued, 8.5 free Nyaans out of 10 scared Haros.

3. Lazarus. Ep.5

Not bad!

Popcorn Wizard absolutely destroyed the team today, even though it wasn’t a bad idea. I hope the last line from her was a hint, but we may be back to ground zero and even worse off at this point as Skinner will know they haven’t found an antidote.

MAPPA must really like Axel. Every single fight he is has spectacular animation. The fight in the elevator was incredible, but the ending a little brutal which left me surprised. Axel, as calm and uncaring he may seem, is more than willing to do what he must. His actions have me wondering if we can expect a surprise twist in the ending.

8.5 popcorns out of 10 elevators.

A: Very Good

Good episodes, anime I would recommend to someone looking for something to watch.

4. Wind Breaker S2. Ep. 6

This was a fantastic episode and maybe my favorite of the entire anime.

Tsubaki is a great character. I’m not sure how it is nowadays, but growing up it was very difficult for kids like Tsubaki. I’m sure there are many places and people that are not as open minded to it even today, so it’s always nice when popular medium take the opportunity to address such topics. Tsubaki just being likable in general also helps.

Now, I really enjoyed Ito and his love story. Being depressed after losing his wife is normal, and Tsubaki did wonderful by staying with and helping him. His own doubts are cleared by the end with a wonderful moment from Sakura, and then with the reveal of the meaning of the dogwood tree. Gosh, that’s just so good man, had me tearing up in a club on a thursday.

9 dogwood trees out of 10 red lipsticks.

5. Lycoris Recoil. Ep. 4

Nice bulk! And wait, Kurumi is alive right?

I’m really enjoying these episodes so far. Each gives us some great insight on the family and how they interact such as the pranks, or covering up for each other.

Of course, this only works because the characters as so likable. Although I was never the biggest fan, these shorts do sway in wanting another season of Lycoris Recoil if they can somehow make it work.

6. Aharen-San. Ep. 5

A beach episode! Although my favorite part was the sunrise moment, I did enjoy watching the group having a good time at the beach. Aharen being embarrassed to show her swimsuit was also funny.

Raido has a great group of friends, and he’s a great one as well. Despite his constant overreactions, he’s a standup guy that anyone would be lucky to have as a friend.

Also, for a moment I did think they were stuck on an island and would have to survive like our ancestors, but finding that there is a while city within was great.

8 swimsuits out of 10 sunrises.

7. Apothecary Diaries. Ep. 41

This was a rollercoaster of an episode.

Shisui being a spy was a great reveal, the origins of MaoMao the cat the waterway passage well used as well.

Now, I do wonder why they brought MaoMao along. It may be just so that she can’t tell anyone of the spies, but killing her would have done just that. There may be more or they are just reluctant to kill her.

A baby is coming it seems as well, and it does sadden me that MaoMao won’t be there as it stands. If that is the case I hope everything goes well, I’m not sure I can take the loss of a child again after the heart wrenching cry we got last time.

8. Witch Watch, Ep. 5

A challenger for best has appeared in Nemu. I really like her, though a war for an orge’s heart may be more than she is ready for at the moment.

I remember the days of hiding my love for anime before the great shift. There are many things that led to the changing of perspective on anime and many other hobbies and I believe it’s for the better. That said, I like it when the older generations also embrace what they love, it only makes life better.

I do hope we see more of Nemu soon, perhaps even a witch fight to show us some combat magic. Although, knowing this anime, I’m sure it will be filled with laughs.

B: Good/Solid

Yandere Dark Elf. Ep.5

Nice to see the crew spend some enjoyable time together. I’m surprised the others have jobs, it gives Mariabelle more than enough time to do as she pleases.

Mariabelle continues to show how crazy she is after getting jealous this episode. I wonder if we will get an episode where she does go full release and we get some action, but that may be wishful thinking. At least we know she does care for her friends, just not as much as she cares for Hinata.

7 hot springs out of 10 live streams.

C: It’s ok/Fine

These are shows I happen to pick up but struggle to finish. Still watchable, but not without a good break in between episodes.

Makina-san's a Love Bot?! Ep. 5

Oh hey it’s Rem. Let’s start with a disclaimer, the statements about a man’s bottom region should be fact checked with a doctor.

Now then. just do it man. These are some crazy dreams, and dreams are just a window to innermost desires. I don’t see a reason not to, and it will help Makina believe she has Yuta’s full support. But we can’t have that. So, for now, we’ll settle for crazy dreams.

6 lockers out of 10 stun guns.

D: Do Not Recommend

Shows I do not recommend you watch for various issues.

The Beginning After the End. Ep. 6

Honestly hurts to see the frame by frame animation, the punch on a grieving father was just too funny. There are good ideas as well, but the animation is too weak to make it justifiable to watch. Reading the source material is a choice, but I doubt many will go from the anime to the source which is unfortunate.

We also have a time skip at the end, but they seem to have grown a lot more than I thought or I wasn’t aware of their ages.

5 out of 10 frames total, give or take.

F: Bad

Anime with glaring issues that make them not only difficult to watch, but the watcher angry at times.

Some words

More to come soon!