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Technically, the new anime season really gets going in mid-July, with most of the new series starting then. However, I’ve recently finished up a few things, and am starting new things, so this is feeling more like the season switchover to me. So, here’s what I’ve seen over the last three months, in rough descending order of recommendation:

Lower Decks — We finished off the third season about a month ago. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments for all of us. The writing continues to work as humor and drama and character exploration. The only sad news, is knowing our schedule, it’ll be a while before we get to season four.

Delicious in Dungeon — Smudge and I finished off showing this to the guys in the first half of the season too, so now they’re stuck at the same cliffhanger as us. Once again, extremely good, highly recommended, and the second best anime of the last year, right behind Frieren.

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu — We’ve hit second season now. So the guys are though the “backstory” and on to the second half, which is really a separate story, but you couldn’t have it without the first part.

Apothecary Diaries — This, I am still a little behind on. I’m about caught up with the dub, and we’re pretty much at the end of the latest story, but there’s probably a couple more episodes to do.

Apocalypse Hotel — Smudge and I just started this, and are only a handful of episodes in. It is successfully taking what should be a very depressing subject and doing a great series that only tangentially looks at that background. Really nicely done, and will probably move up the recommendation list when I’ve seen more.

The Owl House — Dave got this, and we’ve watched about half of the first season now. On the down side, it is aimed at kids, and there’s a simplicity in the plots and production because of that. On the other hand, it is well done, and has a lot of good things to say. The main characters have all been great, and we’re expanding out into a wider cast nicely.

From Bureaucrat to Villainess — I’m only a few episodes into this, and its been a hoot. I am a bit disturbed that the balding elderly bureaucrat is younger than I am. I’ve just hit episode four, where the series transitions from pure isekai to the twist of his wife and daughter being aware of what is going on with him, even if they aren’t sure what it all means. At any rate, it’s having a lot of fun with the high concept.

Beastars — Um, wait. That’s the end? No, that was part 1 of the final season. Gaah. Okay, very good, and a heck of a cliffhanger for the next several months.

Nier: Automata — Woo. Okay, the second season was quite a ride. After the wrap-up of the first season, I was not sure what they could do for the second season. Surprisingly, this one carries the emotional weight of the world on its shoulders, and does a good job with it.

Pokemon: Horizons — Smudge and I just caught up to what’s released on Netflix, which is up to Florigato’s evolution. Still being very good (it’s position on the list is more about how everything else is excellent), and can’t wait for the next section to go up.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime — We’ve seen Scarlet Bond, and are now catching up on the latest series. As usual, the series is subsisting off of fun characters, and not a lot else. The general plot lines are good,

Ping-Pong: The Animation — Okay, this turned into a good story, but it took a lot of time and effort to warm up from a very cold start. I am really not sold on the very ‘messy’ art style with masses just kind of sliding around. I will say that they pull off a lot of scenes that are presented purely through graphic design and layout, and more productions should consider that technique.

Moonrise — Big budget production, but the story isn’t up for it. I think Smudge is right, and this might have been better with a smaller budget that forced the team to concentrate more on the story rather than animation and visuals. As it is, it’s a bit of a mess. On one hand, I want a bit more explanation of a few things, as the technology and politics and the like feel all over the place. In a better series, that would still be nice, but not feel needed. Because on the other hand, I have a suspicion their world book just isn’t that solid.