[COMPELTED] SEASON 1 - Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (8/10)
[COMPELTED] SEASON 2 - Overall Rating: ★★★⯪☆ (7/10)
Plot Notes: This was an interesting one! I liked the premise, and that strange supernatural element to it. The Ajin forms were SO COOL. The first season was action-packed and pretty plot-driven, while the second season gets darker and grittier.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍The villain in this show was astounding. He wasn't just a wild, out of control monster but rather a cool, calm and collected leader who was brutal but efficient. It makes him so terrifying. He's definitely the backbone of this series.
👎 My feelings toward Nagai, the main character, fluctuates a lot. He's incredibly smart, but for someone who speaks with so much resolve, he sure flip-flops about sometimes.
Just a little place to put my continuous thoughts as I go on my One Piece Journey.
Two of my friends claim this as their FAVOURITE anime and so I said I'd start the daunting challenge of watching it from the beginning. I now have another really good friend watching at about the same pace I am so it's been fun to exchange messages about it as we watch!
I started earlier this year at am already at episode 500 (I work from home) and I just have so many thoughts and I have ADHD so I'm gonna put below for spoilers.
The story so far:
January 22/2026: I think I started around this time according to some messages I sent my friends. My initial thought: "man this show is so unserious"
East Blue/Entering the Grand Line/Enter Chopper: I love the ragtag collection of characters! So far, Zoro is my favourite idiot (affectionate). Very much anime progression I am used to. Each character had a great backstory and the difference in their roots is really clever. I love when those of different origins band together, it brings variety and great plot/story devices into play later. And, my yaoi lens immediately decided Zoro/Sanji enemies to lovers was happening. [Notable characters mentioned: Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper]
(shout out to the giants in Little Garden)
Alabasta: This is kind of the first big arc that puts the characters to the test and it was fun to see them in action with high stakes. I also like that Nami is getting in on more of the action since Cocoyasi Village. [Noteable characters mentioned: Vivi. Ace!!!!!]
Skypeai/Naval Fortress: It was interesting to see the show go from "super unserious" to hitting some serious moments in Alabasta and I think we keep going in that direction. This is where my feelings toward the show change because the problems they encounter become more and more relatable and it becomes a steady pattern of tackling heavier issues that do and can happen around the world (Enel is really hitting too close to home with his dictatorship)!
The Davy Black Fight was truly so silly, but FUN. I like that the show has a good sense of where to put in a few episodes of good-natured fun amongst the "bad" that's happening! Poor Chopper though, LOL.
Water 7/Enies Lobby: wow. I mean, just wow. This is SUCH a good arc! Robin's backstory is awful and I was so in love with her throughout this arc. It was beautifully done, tugged at the heartstrings, and CP9 was an incredibly difficult opponent for them (kudos to the show for steadily increasing the difficulty of opponents for them). I really wanted to shake Usopp during this arc and tell him to stop being stupid, but I'm glad he did that himself. There was so much to process in this arc and somehow the most devastating part was when the crew got saved by throwing themselves into the ocean. Oh, Merry. I TEARED UP.
Rest in peace, Ohara and Merry.
[Notable characters mentioned: Franky joining the crew after an... underwear debacle.]
Thriller Bark: okay this arc was craaaaaazy! Not just dark for the soul/shadow-robbing, but visually dark and gloomy as well compared to the fairly bright/sunny episodes we've seen so far. Moria's powers are terrifying, straight up. When I saw monster-Luffy I was like "oh boy". My biggest takeaway from this arc was the exchange between Zoro and Sanji when they were both willing to sacrifice themselves. I have never loved that directionally-challenged mosshead more in my entire life. [Notable characters mentioned: Brook joining the crew]
Also huge ZoSan moment for me because what do you mean Sanji wakes up and the first thing he notices is that Zoro wouldn't just leave his swords on the ground and runs to find him. What do you mean he's relieved to see that idiot alive but then notices all the blood and immediately worries?? WDYM??? They're in love, your honour.
Sabaody Archipelago/Amazon Lily: So, fuck the Celestials, right? They are the definition of evil power. Also, have gone through Luffy's backstory, I can't imagine how he feels about these pricks after seeing for himself how shitty nobles can be, or at least hearing Sabo complain about they can be. Celestials are even on a whole new level! If Luffy was capable of processing those parallels I'm suer he'd be even more mad.
[Notable characters mentioned: Camie, Hacchi, Rookie Pirates like Law, Eustass and Rayleigh (so cool), Boa Hancock]
Also: HILARIOUS that everyone has immediately tried to erase the memory of their first encounter with a mermaid here upon seeing Camie.
"Sanji's disappointment is immeasurable in episode 306" - CrunchyRoll
Impel Down: I'm sorry, why did they make Buggy... attractive? I HATE THIS, THANKS. You know what else I hate? Boa and Luffy in any romantic sense LMAO. That's a no-go for me. She's so badass though I love her. I hope there are more female warlords to come, pave the way girlie! [Notable mention: Ivanka]
*CURRENT* June 12/2026: Episode 507
Marineford has been brutal. Just. Brutal. I really, really loved Ace so I am DEVASTATED. Luffy's reaction is so raw. These flashback episodes have me very curious about Sabo, and I'm sure we are going to see him soon but I never really expected a third brother! (Who else keeps thinking "American Sign Language brothers"?)
The fighting here is just. Gut wrenching. Ace. Whitebeard. Oars Jr. FUCK. 😭😭😭😭😭😭 I HATE THIS GET ME OUT OF HERE.
[Notable mention: Sabo, Dadan, Jinbe joining the crew (sort of)]
Post-War Arc:
Nami is in the sky studying weather - will this strengthen her weapon by chance?
Usopp gets fat??
Brook is leading a cult
Franky: we discover he NEEDS cola or else he turns into a DIFFERENT PERSON ENTIRELY
Chopper: playing peacekeeper between humans and birds? Sounds about right
Robin is having the WORST TIME. Also sounds about right. She is in literal Nazi hell rn.
Sanji is in a world that is truly meant to torture him. Good.
Zoro - at first I was like Perona? Wtf? And then Mihawk showed up and now I am so excited for his Rocky training. LET'S GOOO. No wonder all the fics I read have Perona as his sister and Mihawk as his adoptive dad.
Zoro/Sanji, Explicit Fic Rec
Plot Notes: I was so hooked immediately! The writing is superb and the smut is SMUTTIN'! We love a little identity porn, don't we?? I love the idea of Sanji being assured through his sexual exploration and Zoro being the confident, experienced one ensuring he satisfies Sanji.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍writing was beautiful and I loved that we got a look through both character's eyes in the same setting - it just really felt like I could connect with the moment as a reader. This is a LOVELY version of Zoro and Sanji!
>> LINK <<
[COMPLETED] SEASON 1 - Overall Rating: ★★★★⯪ (9/10)
[COMPLETED] SEASON 2 - Overall Rating: ★★★★⯪(9.5/10)
[COMPLETED] SEASON 3 - Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
[COMPLETED] SEASON 4 - Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10)
Plot Notes: This is a well-balanced sports anime that gives a ton of character development, funny moments, and feel-good ones. A story of hard, hard work, dedication and friendship turning into something beautiful and conquering fears, challenges, and past setbacks!
Likes/Dislikes: 👍LOVED the characters in this story and their development - someone learning there's more than just being the best and learning to rely on his team/friends, someone overcoming their physical shortcomings in the sport, someone overcoming their fears, someone learning to stop being afraid of giving it their all - I mean!!!! Who doesn't love Haikyuu!!
One thing that really sets this anime apart is the growth of the side/supporting characters - I was really invested in the whole team, and also really enjoyed their opponents!! That's something I find very rare.
Personal Notes: Surprisingly, I grew to really love Oikawa even though I thought he was an ass at first! He kind of reminds me of Aomine from Kurko's Basketball. Kageyama was my favourite from episode 1 but I can't say I really dislike anyone on the team!
[COMPLETED] Season 1 - Overall Rating: ★★★★⯪ (9.5/10)
[COMPLETED] Season 2 - Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10)
Plot Notes: Pretty much what you would expect from a dungeon-crawler shonen. Lots of action, pretty animation and an ascending plot. It was a little predictable, but still fun. This is the epitome of OP main character - Sung Jin-woo is turned into a hero, and grows steadily stronger and stronger, and if you can get behind that, this is a great show.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍This is overall a very fun, and the building tension towards the finale is quite something! I felt adrenaline rushes during the big fights. Very satisfying!
He doesn't really come across setbacks/challenges in my opinion - he never really loses a big fight for that traditional "get back up and keep going" moment in a lot of other animes. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but just something I noted.
Personal Notes: Aleks Le was stellar as usual - the cocky, confident voice was perfect for his transformation.
[COMPLETED] Season 1 Overall Rating: ★★★★ (8/10) so far
[COMPLETED] Season 2 Overall Rating: ★★★⯪ (7.5/10)
Plot Notes: This is a very light plot and very reminiscent of one of all-time favourites, Inuyasha! Involving spirits, familiars, shikigami - this show has it all! It was well-paced, the characters are varied and designed quite fun.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍Classic anime tropes/plot, not serious/dark so you can just enjoy an easy watch. I especially liked Tomoe's character, very similar to Inuyasha in that he's a fierce fighter/demon but has his soft side come through eventually!
👎 Nanami, the main character, can be a little infuriating sometimes, but she does develop as the episodes go on.
[COMPLETED] Season 1: Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10) [COMPLETED] Season 2: Shibuya Incident - Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10)
[COMPLETED] Season 3: The Culling Games - Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (10/10)
Plot Notes: I love this plot! I am a sucker for action-packed, beautifully animated shonen. This show deals with a lot of dilemmas, questioning personal morality and alignment and often makes the character development take turns you don't quite expect. Season 1 lays a strong foundation, Season 2 takes us through immense action and Season 3 is unlike anything they've done before.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍This show has a lot of highs and lows - moments of humour sprinkled into a plot that is otherwise serious and at sometimes quite dark. I love the character developments and animation in this show.
👎 The Culling Game rules can seem a bit cnofusing at first - lots of information to take in.
Personal Notes: I cannot wait for the new season even though I know it will be devastating :'(
[COMPLETED] SEASON 1 - Overall Rating: ★★★★ (8/10)
[ONGOING] SEASON 2 - Overall Rating: ★★★★ (8/10) so far
Plot Notes: I like this plot! I love an isekai and anytime we enter a video game, it opens up so many fantasy/fictional opportunities. The plot is so far straightforward and light-hearted (unlike SOA, for example). Season 2 starts to introduce new characters, so I am curious to see how that will change the dynamics established so far.
Likes/Dislikes: 👍This is overall a very fun and light show with a wide variety of characters and lots of humorous moments. The difference in characters means you will almost certainly find someone to relate to.
👎 For a show that feels very fast-paced, the plot progresses somewhat slowly at times.
Personal Notes: Currently on Season 2, episode 7 on Netflix
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