This world they live in is super fucked up the more we learn about it.

That’s basically every game world / fantastical world when taken seriously. That’s why parodies are so fun.

Then again, our world is “tricky” too. There is so much that we don’t understand of our world; I can understand why so many people default to religions which provide much simpler explanations. (Personally, I find the “we live in a simulation” theory fun). Anyway, kudos to physicists, philosophers and the likes; they have my respect for having the tough job of making sense of the world.

Fall 2025

I kept hearing that this is one of the worst anime seasons, but at this stage in my life, this is perfect: a few quality shows to follow, with plenty of breathing room to catch-up on past GOATs.

Spy x Family - season 3

I find that this season to be a huge improvement over the past seasons / cour. A lot less fillers than before, but even then the fillers could have been left out of the mainline series altogether IMO; perhaps include them in OVAs instead.

Umamusume: Cinderella Gray - part 2

I still enjoy it like part 1, but IMO the drama can be upped even more. Also, I am starting to notice powerpoint slides; not a good sign. Doesn’t matter as I am in it for the story though, and Oguri’s is cap - as in peak.

I still like Pretty Derby season 2 the most from the Umamusume franchise, but I heard that Cinderella Gray’s story becomes even better later in the manga. Definitely looking forward to future seasons.

Gnosia

The worldbuilding and set-up has been going on for quite a while, and we are now seeing hints of a climax. If they pull off the ending well, I can see it contending with the other popular shows next season in terms of personal enjoyment.

Wandance

Barring the animation and computer graphics, I heard that this anime (read: its story) is good. I ended up binging it last week and it turned out to be my dark horse of the season. (Gnosia doesn’t count because I’ve been enjoying it from the start.)

I love Wanda and Kabo’s relationship. I love the maturity of the characters and the way the story developed. I wasn’t bothered by the 3D models being used in dance sequences, plus I find CG with animation infinitely better than slideshows. If you enjoy anime mainly for the plot, consider giving Wandance a chance.

Also, thanks to Wandance, there is finally a song from this season that made it into my playlist: Stare In Wonder (Wandance OP)

2025 Overall

In a nutshell, 2025 is the year of sports anime for me, with the likes of:

• Medalist
• Umamusume: Cinderella Gray
• Wandance

being among my top picks. (Also caught up on Haikyuu!!, Sound! Euphonium and the rest of Umamusume.)

Even my favourite episode from 100 Girlfriends is a sports episode.

Also, Cygames has been killing it lately. Everyone has heard of Umamusume, but The Summer Hikaru Died and Apocalypse Hotel have been fantastic as well.

Quick shoutout to a few more anime that haven’t been mentioned:

• Ave Mujica - The most melodramatic anime I enjoyed. It gets quite edgy, but that’s what makes it stands out from the rest.
• The Apothecary Diaries - season 2 - It is now less suspense and more ancient Chinese courtroom drama, which is something you don’t often see it anime. This made it even more unique in my mind.
• There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless… - The spiciest anime of 2025 for me. Say what you will of this anime; I’m in it for the yuri.

If I must pick one anime to represent this year, it has to be Umamusume: Cinderella Gray. It’s thanks to Cinderella Gray that I now find myself deep inside the Umamusume rabbithole.

Not adding anything useful to the discussion, but the “ban” in kanban is board 😅

So kanban board is like chai tea.

Liko’s pretty imposing now, though, with two humanoid Pokemon taller than her.

Good to hear. When her pokemons were still in their base forms, she felt like a single mother of three 😭

Ooh we finally got a tease of the lore behind “Gnosia death” a.k.a. cyberisation. I’m guessing they would expand on this during Yuriko’s arc.

Here’s a bolder guess: I bet Yuriko wanted out from the shrine maiden cult, which explains her being on this ship.

Lastly, I was just joking last time, but it is indeed turning into a harem for Yuri lol. Yuriko better watch out 😏

Banner: looks like a scene from a horror show

@rikka@ani.social

That’s a very cute post credit scene.

Banner:

@rikka@ani.social

Do check out the rest of it, especially Pretty Derby season 2!

Isn’t this just copyright?

People give the manga shit for the ending, but I have read way worse and I think it is a bit overblown. It doesn’t change the fact that this show has consistently elevated the source and produced some gorgeous animation sequences.

Preach

Witch from Mercury would be my biggest priority, been stalling that for a long time, maybe MHA Vigilantes S1 after that since the premise is interesting.

Nice picks. Make sure to watch the prologue for WfM!

Past Seasons

I completed Trigun Stampede and am one-third of the way through Hell’s Paradise. Honestly, the stories are nothing new, but they are interesting enough to keep my attention for now (and to continue with the sequels next season).

Trigun Stampede is yet another Final Fantasy / Land of the Lustrous / Heavenly Delusion clone. Hell’s Paradise is basically a John Wick prequel in a historical + fantasy setting.

Upcoming Season

Next season is insane.

Continuing

from the current season

• Gnosia

I am also planning to catch up with Pokemon Horizons but I am not sure if there’s enough interest in this community for discussion threads.

Sequels

• There’s no freaking way I will be your lover - part 2
• Trigun Stargaze
• Hell’s Paradise - season 2
• 'Tis time for torture, princess - season 2
• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes - season 2
• Chained Soldier - season 2
• Medalist - season 2
• Frieren - season 2
• Oshi no Ko - season 3
• Jujutsu Kaisen - season 3

Familiar

with the source material or other adaptations

• The demon king’s daughter is too kind!!
• Roll over and die

New

to me but their premise is interesting enough to give them a shot

• Sentenced to be a hero
• The Darwin incident

That’s 16 tv series💀

(and that’s not counting movies!)

But I figure it’s better than having to play catch-up.

Thank you @rikka@ani.social

Edit: If Beastars is considered part of the season, then it’s included too💀

All dinosaurs are birds

All birds are dinosaurs

I guess I am getting old. The only Pokemon I recognised is Diancie😔

deleted by creator

They deadass used an interlude as the final episode😭

First Comet and now SQ, it’s turning into a harem haha.

Quick list of characters whose backstories have been sufficiently covered (listing for my own benefit really, because my memory sucks):

• Stella
• Shigemichi
• Chipie
• Comet
• Sha Ming
• SQ

Still too many unknowns IMO:

• Yuri
• Setsu
• Jina
• Racqio
• Yuriko
• Jonas
• Kukruska
• Otome
• Remnan

The finale would likely require a few episodes, so with less than 10 episodes remaining to cover the remainders, looks like the pacing won’t slow down (i.e. won’t be boring). I guess they would cover related characters together e.g. Jonas and Kukrushka’s; Yuri and Setsu’s would be part of the climax.

Banner: the ‘S’ in SQ stands for “sexy”?

@rikka@ani.social

It’s a close fight between the rainbow rares but if I must pick one, I would go with Mega Venusaur for its detailed background.

By the way, you can find the full collection of textless art here: Pokeos

Also, please include some pictures people.

as someone who loved the OG games and hasn’t kept up with the show or other games and the associated lore

Same here to be honest 😅 I had to look up the wiki pages of these new characters and mons.

Going forward, I’m thinking of doing some crossposts with the main pokemon community - I am guessing that’s where the more serious pokemon fans are - to do some board-building together.

For example, I am unsure of which 6 pokemons should go on Lana’s team. In the anime, she has plenty of ride pokemons in addition to her main team, but somehow she’s missing her signature Araquanid!

Looks like people appreciate pokemon lore. I’ve been getting the most showcase likes from non-friends to-date since showcasing this May display board.

Before this, Lillie and Nebby was what net me some likes from non-friends:

This^ can be a legitimate complaint, but Yor wouldn’t know since she’s in a sham marriage🤷