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Always a Catch! Ep. 7 Review

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Always a Catch! episode 7 delivers a satisfying blend of comedy, heart, and surprisingly effective action that pays off long-running story threads. This installment finally lets Mimi use her signature hair ornament as more than just decoration, gives Renato a moment to prove himself, and ties together the episode’s romantic and comedic beats with thoughtful direction and expressive animation. ©ももよ万葉・三登いつき・ながと牡蠣／SQUARE ENIX・逃げ釣り製作委員会 Episode 7 recap: brass knuckles, bandits, and runaway love Episode 7 opens with the long-awaited moment so many viewers have been teasing for: Mimi pulls her hairpin free and uses it as a weapon. What follows is a lively sequence of brawling bandits, awkward encounters, and an absurdly timed fart joke — the kind of gag that underlines the show’s willingness to mix lowbrow humor with genuinely sweet beats. Mimi ends up tracking down a missing villager, Veronica, only to discover the “kidnapping” was really a runaway elopem...
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Yū Miki’s The Bateren Tales Manga Returns May 22

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Shonen Jump+ readers have reason to celebrate: Yū Miki's chilling historical-supernatural manga The Bateren Tales (Bateren Kaidan) is set to return from hiatus on May 22 and will launch directly into its final arc. The announcement, posted by Shonen Jump+ editor-in-chief Seijirō Nakaji on X, also confirmed that the manga's first collected tankōbon will ship on June 4. For fans who fell for Miki's eerie atmosphere and period detail, this marks the beginning of the end — and possibly the most intense chapter of the series yet. Image via Yū Miki's X/Twitter account ©Yū Miki, Shueisha What the Return Means: Dates and Details The Bateren Tales went on hiatus on February 6, and the May 22 restart will pick up with the manga's final storyline. The serialized chapters originally launched on Shonen Jump+ on October 3, and with the compiled first volume arriving June 4, readers who prefer collected editions won't have long to wait to own the b...
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You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 7 Review

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Episode 7 of You and I Are Polar Opposites leans into the series’ strongest suit: awkward, character-driven comedy that quietly deepens relationships. This installment balances brief but revealing character moments—especially for Taira and Nishi—with the kind of subtle romantic setup that makes a slice-of-life romcom addictive. Through short, punchy scenes and smart comedic timing, the episode expands the cast’s dynamics while keeping the laughs coming. Rihito/Taira: The resident sad boy gets a rare spotlight One of the episode’s quieter pleasures is the unexpected return of Rihito (Taira). He’s only around for a short stretch, but his presence adds emotional texture. The episode uses middle-school nostalgia as a foil to Taira’s chronic pessimism—where others find fond memories, he sees reminders of loneliness and failed expectations. That bitterness is played for laughs, but the script also drops hints of something more: an allusion to a past relationship that fell apart becaus...
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Warrior Princess & Barbaric King — Episode 6 Review

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Episode 6 of The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King doubles down on the show's darker, more provocative instincts — and not always in ways that serve the story. Between explicit creature design, problematic fanservice choices, and a few surprising moments of accountability, this episode is a mixed bag: fascinating worldbuilding and symbolism buttressed by clumsy handling of female bodies and consent. Below I break down the highs and lows, what the episode reveals about the series' themes, and what to watch for in future installments. ©KOTOBA NORIAKI, KODANSHA/'THE WARRIOR PRINCESS AND THE BARBARIC KING' Production Committee Sexualization, Tentacles, and Narrative Tone One of the most jarring elements of episode 6 is its unabashed use of tentacle imagery to sexualize an otherwise tense combat sequence. The Fiend’s attack on Malcius is framed not merely as a threat but as an explicitly sexualized assault: the creature strips and fondles her while she is i...
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Gyōmuyōmochi’s New Manga Debuts in July

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Anime and manga fans have a new title to add to their watchlists: manga author Gyōmuyōmochi is launching a brand-new Japanese fantasy series titled Mushagakuen in Kodansha’s Monthly Shōnen Magazine. The announcement arrived in the magazine’s June issue (published May 7), and the series is set to begin in the magazine’s August issue, which ships in July. An official X/Twitter account for the manga was also opened on May 7, giving fans an early spot to follow updates and previews. Image via Mushagakuen manga's X/Twitter account ©Gyōmuyōmochi What we know so far about Mushagakuen The official information released on May 7 is brief but exciting: Mushagakuen is described as a Japanese fantasy manga and will premiere in Monthly Shōnen Magazine’s August issue (shipping in July). Gyōmuyōmochi — who has attracted attention for previous work — is both the author and artist, and the series will be available in English through Kodansha’s K MANGA service. In addit...
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Fate/strange Fake Episode 8 Review

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Episode 8 of Fate/strange Fake doubles down on character-driven stakes and moral friction, turning a tense rescue attempt at a hospital into an ideological battleground. Between Flat’s unorthodox loyalties, Waver’s quiet influence, Sigma’s identity crisis, and True Archer’s scheming, this episode sets the stage for a chaotic confrontation that highlights how the modern Grail War inverts the old rules of magecraft. © 成田良悟・TYPE-MOON/FSFPC Episode overview: Tension, loyalty, and a coming storm This episode centers on a high-stakes operation to free Tsubaki from the control of her Servant, and it quickly becomes clear that this is about more than strategy or brute force. What makes the sequence compelling is how personal motivations and fractured allegiances inform every tactical choice. Rather than a straightforward rescue, we get competing agendas: Flat’s surprising restraint, True Archer’s opportunism, and Ayaka’s moral determination. The result is a simmering bu...
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Seven Seas Licenses Pendulum, The Cat Who Didn't Believe in 'What-ifs,' Goetia Shock & More

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Seven Seas Entertainment just dropped a stacked slate of 2027 licenses, spanning cozy slice-of-life manga, tender BL, time-loop rom‑coms, cyberpunk mysteries, post-blackout fantasy, and even audiobooks that bring characters to life. Whether you love feathered-winged romances, pampered cat escapades, or wands forged from meteorites, this wave of releases gives something for every reader and listener. Below I break down each new title, release timing, who it’s for, and why it should be on your preorder radar. Good Night, My Little Bird (Oyasumi, Itoshii Kotori-sama) — BL manga Image via Seven Seas Entertainment X/Twitter account Release: March 2027 (BL label) What it’s about: Set in a world shared by humans and winged beings, this slow-burn BL follows Shu, a human caretaker, and Rai, a shy winged heir who keeps to himself. When Shu catches Rai vulnerably crying in his sleep, a tender relationship begins to bud. The plot thickens when Rai adopts an abandoned winged hatchli...
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