Anime Buzz

Episode 8 of Journal with Witch pivots from small, quiet moments into a deeply resonant exploration of grief and the limits of companionship. The installment uses restrained storytelling and a handful of intimate beats to trace Asa’s slow, painful approach to accepting loss — and to show how another person’s work can offer the fragile scaffolding we sometimes need to take the next step. This review breaks down the episode’s key moments, themes, and why the show’s subtlety pays off. ©ヤマシタトモコ・祥伝社／アニメ「違国日記」製作委員会 Episode recap: Facing the wolf inside The episode opens with Asa watching a nature documentary: a lone wolf stares back from the screen. That animal becomes a quiet emblem for two different kinds of solitude in this chapter — Makio’s calm, self-contained loneliness and Asa’s more volatile, terror-laced grief. From that image, the episode traces Asa’s resistance to processing her parents’ deaths and the ways she lashes out when confronted with tenderness she...

Wash It All Away's episode 4 quietly builds on the show's gentle rhythm, introducing new faces, nudging existing mysteries forward, and leaning into the cozy slice-of-life vibe that defines the series. This outing avoids dramatic excess, instead opting for small character beats — a festival rehearsal, a moldy laundry cliffhanger, and a subtle nod to Kinme's amnesia — that keep the episode comfortable, but intriguingly open-ended. © Mitsuru Hattori/SQUARE ENIX,Kinishite Committee. Episode 4 recap: Small moments, subtle momentum The episode opens without the contrived shock beats of earlier installments and instead centers on everyday interactions. Kinme meets Wakasagi — a bubbly new girl whose overenthusiastic use of spray deodorant results in a wardrobe mishap — and we get reintroductions to Kyuushou, the high schooler from episode one, and Nairo, the endearingly earnest child practicing taiko for the town festival. The episode uses these encounters to stitch to...

Hell's Paradise Season 2 Episode 7 doubles down on what has made the series a standout: fluid, inventive action and a willingness to fold heavy thematic beats into even the most kinetic encounters. This episode balances jaw-dropping choreography with quieter moments of characterization, especially around Tao Fa and the Tensen, while Yamada and Tamiya's duel becomes a revealing clash of philosophy and method. Below I break down the episode's best sequences, the character work that elevates them, and why the animation choices make this installment one of the season's most memorable so far. ©YUJI KAKU/SHUEISHA, TWIN ENGINE, MAPPA Episode Overview: Action Meets Character in Perfect Proportion This episode is a study in contrasts: blistering, continuous combat sequences are paired with small but emotionally resonant beats that deepen our understanding of secondary cast members. While the animation carries most of the spectacle, the script ...

The long-running supernatural manga Shiyakusho (Death Office) by Azumi has quietly become a standout title for readers who crave dark, procedural mystery wrapped in philosophical questions about life, death, and the systems that judge the departed. Below we dive into what makes this series compelling, explore its publication journey, and highlight the adaptations and reading options for newcomers and long-time fans alike. Image via Amazon Japan © Shinchosha, Kishi Azumi Overview: What Is Shiyakusho? Shiyakusho centers on the operations of a bureaucratic — yet otherworldly — department often translated as the "Death Office," an administrative body that adjudicates souls as they transition between life and whatever lies beyond. The manga blends crime procedural beats with supernatural horror and ethical inquiry, presenting each case as a window into human frailty, social systems, and the moral complexity of judgment. Plot and Themes Procedural Meets the Supe...

Isekai Office Worker: Episode 4 Review – Love, Relationships, and Office Dynamics In the vast landscape of the isekai (another world) genre, "Isekai Office Worker: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter" manages to carve out a unique niche, combining workplace dynamics with fantasy elements. In this enthralling fourth episode, we delve deeper into the complexities of relationships that drive the narrative forward. With emotional stakes rising, the question becomes not just about work but also about the budding emotions between Seiichiro and Aresh. The Relationship Dynamics Aresh's Obvious Interest As the episode unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that Aresh's feelings for Seiichiro are genuine and deep-seated. His longing glances and protective demeanor illustrate a character that’s torn between professional obligations and personal sentiments. Aresh’s struggle to express his attachment highlights a common trope in romantic narratives—the ...

PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku: Maki Marukido’s New Manga Tackles a Future of State‑Managed Happiness Maki Marukido, known for emotionally charged works like Pornographer and The End of the World, With You, is set to launch a brand‑new manga titled PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku (PAX — Happiness Management Bureau). According to the April issue of Afternoon magazine, the series will begin in the magazine’s next issue on March 25. This new title moves Marukido into a near‑future, policy‑driven thriller premise that explores how a government system designed to enforce happiness collides with human complexity. Image via Afternoon's website © Kodansha Premise: What Is the PAX System? PAX Kōfuku Kanri Kyoku is set in a future Japan governed under the National Happiness Management Act, commonly called the “PAX System.” Under that law, companies and public organizations adopt a centralized framework that trains and evaluates citizens on prescribed concepts of happiness. The story follow...