September felt like it flew by with how hectic things were. Hello everyone, this is Kasakiki. How have you all been? Here's my monthly recap post.
September
September was packed with personal events—my mom’s birthday, my brother-in-law’s birthday, and a whirlwind of other things that made the month feel like it ended in a flash.
I went to Yamagata for my brother-in-law’s wedding, and during that trip, I thought, “I wish we had this weather in Kanto…” But come October, it suddenly got chilly, and I’m starting to feel the cold. This kind of temperature would be perfect year-round, but it’s probably going to get freezing soon.
As for anime reviews, I watched 14 shows—about average, I’d say. I was hoping to squeeze in one or two more, but work got unexpectedly busy, and I couldn’t quite manage everything this month.
With that, let’s dive into my September anime ranking recap!
14th: Weekly Light Novel Anime
The absolute worst. This show consists of four short 3.5-minute episodes per cour, which is already an unusual format, but I’d go so far as to say it’s the lowest-ranking anime I’ve ever seen.
They brought in famous light novel authors and illustrators to create each story, but two of them are time-loop stories that overlap, and none of the four stories progress meaningfully. They all end with a “to be continued on the web” cliffhanger.
The 3DCG animation feels lazy, relying on motion capture, and the backgrounds, props, and even food are clearly AI-generated—pure corner-cutting. Everything about the story, animation, and execution is awful, and I sincerely hope we never see anything like this again.
13th: DekiChau Made Kon
A summer 2025 “monk frame” anime (known for risqué content), but it felt like they didn’t put in enough effort. AnimeFesta, the platform behind these shows, has been on a roll lately with titles like Nukitashi, leaning hard into becoming a hub for spicy anime. But it seems like they didn’t allocate much budget to this core “monk frame” title.
Previous monk frame shows often had subpar animation but made up for it with outrageous scenarios that were unintentionally funny, building the brand’s reputation. This one, however, lacks that charm.
The story revolves around an ED (erectile dysfunction) protagonist who enters a “contract marriage” with a heroine who somehow cures his condition, with the goal of having a child within a year. But the protagonist’s inconsistent behavior, like getting aggressive with colleagues, creates plot holes that make it hard to enjoy.
Here’s hoping next season’s monk frame offering is wilder and more engaging.
12th: Strongest New Saga
This was supposed to involve Yokohama Animation Lab, but due to recent issues, they pulled out, and the show’s broadcast was delayed multiple times before finally airing.
It’s a time-loop story where the protagonist, having defeated a demon lord at great cost, returns to the past to change the tragic outcome. However, the time-loop advantage only matters in the early episodes. Unexpected events pile up, and the story gets bogged down in human conflicts, with lackluster visuals and no exciting developments.
The animation and story are both mediocre. It might get better if the plot picks up, but it left a bland impression that I’ll probably forget soon.
11th: SAKAMOTO DAYS 2nd Cour
The second cour of SAKAMOTO DAYS’ split-season run. The first cour at least tried to stay faithful to the source material, but the second cour doesn’t improve much. While the direction is slightly better, the fight scenes remain underwhelming, with excessive use of slow-motion and close-ups that feel uninspired.
The story is just the protagonist fighting assassins nonstop. Despite shifting situations, it’s unclear if the plot is actually progressing. The eventual confrontation with the “big bad” and the assassin school exam arc lack excitement.
The characters feel underutilized, and while a second season is hinted at, its lack of confirmation reflects the lukewarm reception. Unless the production team or director changes, the next season might struggle too.
10th: My Wife’s Lips Taste Like Canned Chu-Hi
Another AnimeFesta title, this one’s a “monk frame” variant. It’s hilariously absurd.
The protagonist drinks “Strong Zero-esque” canned chu-hi with a different beautiful woman each episode, getting drunk and hooking up. That’s it—no more, no less.
Across eight episodes, we get a parade of heroines catering to every fetish: an aunt, a gyaru, a glasses girl, a Russian, a tanuki spirit, a loli, an elf, and a mature woman. Episode 7, where the protagonist isekais to drink with an elf, is so absurd it’s laugh-out-loud funny.
It’s more “monk frame” than the actual monk frame show, and its shamelessness is refreshing.
9th: Overlord: The Holy Kingdom Arc (Movie)
The first Overlord movie (excluding recaps), covering the Holy Kingdom arc skipped in season 4. The early parts feel like classic Overlord, with fun battles and the main characters’ “evil” antics, but the middle shifts focus to new characters.
For a first movie, the main cast is underused, and the story feels choppy, clearly cut to fit the runtime. It’s understandable given the long source material, but it would’ve been better as a full TV season. The battles lack impact, the gore isn’t as intense as expected, and it feels like a missed opportunity. It’s for fans, but even fans might find it lacking.
8th: These Days’ Detectives
Based on a manga running since 2016, this show feels a bit dated. It’s a gag anime with a Gintama or Kochikame vibe, but it starts off rough.
The protagonist, a washed-up former genius high school detective, is now a middle-aged slob, joined by a high school girl as his apprentice. The early episodes’ slapstick humor falls flat, but by the midpoint, new characters and their dynamics bring out the show’s charm, especially with detective parody gags.
In an era of one-episode drops, its slow start is a drawback, but I recommend sticking with it until episode 4.
7th: Alice in Wonderland - Dive in Wonderland
An original anime by P.A. Works, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, it follows a job-hunting student navigating a modern take on Alice’s world.
The story is solid, and P.A. Works’ vibrant animation is a treat, but this show gained notoriety for a different reason: it makes you sleepy. Not because it’s boring, but it somehow induces a hypnotic drowsiness. I even passed out briefly myself.
The story lacks big climaxes, and the raw, unpolished presentation might contribute to the sleepiness.
6th: mono
From the same creator as Yuru Camp, this show swaps camping for photography. Everyday anime thrives on showing cute girls’ daily lives, and photography fits this vibe well.
The main characters are well-defined, and the early episodes lean into camera trivia with creative visuals. But by the midpoint, it shifts to ghost stories and Suiyoubi no Downtown-style gags, with a heavy tourism focus by the end.
Like Yuru Camp, it doubles as a self-referential “holy site pilgrimage” anime, which might not appeal to everyone.
5th: Chainsaw Man (Recap Movie)
The Chainsaw Man TV anime was polarizing. This recap movie, directed by someone other than the TV series director, feels like a completely different beast.
By cutting out the original director’s obsession with cinematic “pauses,” the pacing is snappier despite a similar runtime. The re-recorded voice acting is lively, and improvements in sound, direction, and fight scenes make it feel like a new work. It’s a masterclass in how much direction matters.
The original director’s name being scrubbed feels a bit harsh, but in true Chainsaw Man fashion, maybe a devil ate it.
4th: Arknights: Rise from Ember
Arknights’ third season continues its dark, oppressive world-building, where characters carry the weight of countless deaths. After seasons 1 and 2, Amiya and co. keep moving forward despite their losses, a theme that’s beautifully portrayed here as the story arc concludes.
The animation quality is stellar, with flashy combat scenes and dynamic camera work that provide catharsis in this grim world. It’s a rewarding payoff for sticking with the series.
3rd: Nukitashi
Fifteen years ago, late-night anime thrived on “gentlemanly” content—steamy, fanservice-heavy shows like Yosuga no Sora. Regulations have tightened since, but streaming platforms like AnimeFesta have revived spicy anime with dual broadcasts.
Nukitashi is a wild ride. On an island where public intimacy is encouraged, the protagonist and his sister arrive to uphold “pure” values. It’s a crass, pink-tinted comedy, but its witty dialogue and absurdly over-the-top scenes are hilarious. It doubles as a commentary on majority vs. minority dynamics, making it a surprisingly heartfelt watch.
It’s not for everyone due to its explicit nature, but it’s a bold take on Japanese-style “political correctness.” Available only on DMM and AnimeFesta.
2nd: Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway
A product of 2025’s oversaturated entertainment landscape, this 3.5-minute-per-episode short anime stands out. Amidst the flood of content and short-form media like TikTok, it crams rapid-fire dialogue and satisfying sound design into each episode, delivering a dopamine hit.
Watch one episode, and you’ll be hooked. By episode 3, you’ll be humming the OP, “Aitsu Nante Aitsu Nante.” Directed almost single-handedly by 29-year-old Kameyama, it’s a testament to raw talent, and I’m excited to see what he does next.
1st: Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc (Movie)
While Demon Slayer dominated theaters, this movie delivers a “top-tier B-movie” experience. Typhoons, sharks, chainsaws, blood—it’s packed with B-movie tropes, elevated by stellar animation and vibrant characters.
Unlike the TV series, it’s pure entertainment, with a simple yet gripping story: a boy falls for Reze, only to learn she’s his enemy. The slow-burn romance, high-octane battles, and quiet, poignant ending are perfectly balanced.
MAPPA’s high-speed fight scenes shine, making this a must-see in theaters.
A Highs-and-Lows September
Looking back, September was a rollercoaster. I enjoyed masterpieces like Chainsaw Man and Milky☆Subway, but suffered through duds like Weekly Light Novel Anime. Too many great shows can get repetitive, and too many bad ones can be draining, so maybe this balance was just right. Reviewing was fun, at least!
Here’s to October—see you then.