Casual Discussion Fridays - Week of January 16, 2026

[New CDF!](#michaelwink)

I’m at the theater to watch the Gundam IBO Urdr Hunt & Wing: Endless Waltz double feature right now! [](#hypeoverload)

Ah, it's still 24 hours from stuff that needs doing and after that, stuff that is moderately contingent on the weather.

[](#mugiwait)

I watch anime whenever I'm done with a romance focused drama. It's like getting a breather from all the feels, hahaha.

Maybe I'll go see All You Need Is Kill tonight. Apparently Monday's MLK day and my work often gives us a half day before a 3 day weekend so here's hoping

[](#mugiwait)

I love organouranium chemistry because I get to put U and Me together.

[](#tiredaoi)

[CDF Stuffs]>!Messing around with AI art is kind of making me want to get back into drawing. Broke out the old tablet today. Wish me luck.!<

[Gundam moobie](#mugiwait)

[I'm going to post horse every day whether or not you like it](https://x.com/click_burgundy/status/2006847282784899527)

[](/u/Amndeep7) [](/u/ZaphodBeebblebrox) [](/u/bananeeek)

[**前回のシー･ディー･エフ！(2026年1月9-16日の週間)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjozo1fh7OI)

[**Last time on CDF! (Week of 2nd January, 2026)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjozo1fh7OI)

--

**1st place**: [Dadnaya's job search is finally over!](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nz5h5ov/)

**2nd Place**: [The 1-week reminder for punching_spaghetti's CDF rewatch of David Lynch's filmography](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzfun8k/).

**3rd place**: [shimmering-sky helped out on /new but relived some bad anime memories in the process](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nyipqqn/)

**4th place**: [Sporadia reckons that some of us are spies](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nytqqou/)

**5th place**: [esovan13 on a subredditdrama comment about vtuber culture](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nza1gcd/)


**Honourable mentions**: lilyvess's [review of Gundam IBO S1](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nyo8q3j/); Btw_Kek [reacts to the new VOTOMS project](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nznhjqx/), and InfamousEmpire [reacts to the new Revstar project](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nz7epfa/); junbi_ok on [interviewing in the current job market](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzrt7mp/); and worm38 [dreamt about](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzgqq3r/) [](#wakarimasu) Here's angryeditor's [follow up.](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzk9j19/)


[](#pigeonbeats)


<-- [Last Time ](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nyij436/)|[Next Week]-->

/u/animayor /u/myrnamountweazel /u/notsosnarky

Locked on

#:12:27

One second late.

Tops of the week:

r/anime: [Watch what you want to watch](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qbkgvj/is_there_a_general_order_of_animes_i_can_watch/nzb9vj1/).

normie: [why we can't have nice things](https://www.reddit.com/r/redditdev/comments/1qdsikx/why_is_getting_api_keys_so_difficult/nzs5ces/)

CDF: [Borking CI at work](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzfz1h1/)

mod hat: [Helping someone not be karma gated](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q90d43/anime_questions_recommendations_and_discussion/nyxjds4/)

This week's daggers: [removing a spoiler](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qbrcwp/konosuba_gods_blessing_on_this_wonderful_world/nze4423/?context=10000)

Who's the oldest person you ever crushed on/who turned you on/etc..?

[](#ama)

This is the week that CDF finally uncovers the identity of the Zodiac Killer, I just know it.

[](#concealedexcitement)

[New thread](#mentioned)

First time in a while that I came to the office on a Friday.

I missed the previous thread's closing. [Top CDF was a writeup on a recent trip.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzjotnc/)

And now, chips and guacamole.

[](#comfortfood)

> https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzrt7mp/

Reminds me of [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgrammerHumor/comments/4k994j/if_carpenters_were_hired_like_programmers/) [](/u/junbi_ok)

[Girl, you're going down a path to madness.](https://x.com/WhoCraved/status/2011498768093311261?s=20) [](/u/lilyvess)

I'm surprised people like CCA Amuro. R/Gundam rated CCA Amuro as the best Gundam Protagonist in the franchise. I just don't understand, nothing about CCA Amuro is interesting. CCA is barely even interested in Amuro.

- Top of the week: [My 'Tis time for torture episode comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qayw3a/himesama_goumon_no_jikan_desu_season_2_tis_time/nz76jyf/), that's rare! It's usually one-liners and stuff hah.
- Top outside of r/anime is funny because it had daggers when I first posted it hah. [Me making a case for Lane Hutson](https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/1qbs0mi/corey_pronman_ranking_the_best_nhl_players_and/nzcvxg1/)
- Top CDF: [Making fun of Isekai/Isekai fans.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nyzan8n/)
- Controversial: Nothing this week apparently. I'll need some hotter takes next week.

/u/_____pantsunami_____ I will have you know that [I drink Diet Dr. Pepper like a civilized human being.](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzu3q0a/)

[Hi everyone!](#salutegeo)

I hope you had a good week!
___

This week's 3x3 Corner will be posted in about 22 hours.

**This week's theme is Blonde Hair!**

I might be too busy to watch new Frieren tomorrow ;-;

Unsalted tortilla chips with regular guacamole worked out well enough.

Oh cool, new chapter of that thing, lets see what its about.

[Yep, sounds about right](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/36e27735cac3.png)

That was a good chapter.

[](#seasonalfoodie)

Because of all the IBO discussion around here recently, when I glanced briefly at the thumbnail for [this image](https://x.com/alejandropupo_/status/2011230720925090032) earlier, I thought that it was not who it actually was but instead others.

/u/lilyvess /u/Shimmering-Sky

[i can't believe i forgot to post this during the IBO posting](https://i.imgur.com/e6Pp3Oc.gif)

I got my tablet out and tried to do some drawing for the first time in like 6 or 7 years. Lots to learn, but I'd forgotten how nice it can feel to draw. Here's my attempt from today.

[Sketch](https://files.catbox.moe/69485k.png)

[More sketch](https://files.catbox.moe/l1zdv3.png)

[4 upgrades to get to the latest verison](#spinning)

[Really Samsung Magician?](#sideeyes)

[Contributing to how some of you were conceived.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1qe1q7h/i_am_a_hotblooded_young_computer_enthusiast_in/)

you will scrash the [umabutt](https://x.com/AMAZlNGNATURE/status/2011921549259837455)

Whats up guys n gals 🫡🫡🫡🫡

Work's a bit more fun today. Got an easy stream of problems and more coworkers to chat with.

Ryu-chan ~~~ sparkling!!! ~~~

[YGOGX]>!Y'know crossing through the filler GX went rather strange what with dueling a monkey and literally Tarzan for some reason. Still not the weirdest filler I've seen though !<

I was in Pokemon mood and have been watching Nuzlock/challenge run video so I decided to quickly pound through a Nuzlocke run of Leaf Green over the week, on a whim.

[Here is how my team ended up.](https://i.imgur.com/MFD3W40.png)

* Sandwich the Sandslash

* 狐狸精 the Ninetails: The joke is that they are collectively named after all East Asian fox spirits.

* Plushy the Venomoth

* Ultraman the Starmie

* Amber the Aerodactyl: I never usually get the chance to use the Kanto fossil mon. I'm very fond of the fact that Kanto just has this third stand-alone fossil mon unlike the later Gens.

* Ol'Ratboy the Raticate: After losing a Pokemon to the rival's Alakazam, I needed a new counter. Needing a new Pokemon that could learn Shadow Ball, turns out the answer was dear Ratboy, the first Pokemon I caught and now brought back into action. Ironically, I didn't use them against Alakazam due to me just using Venomoth's Sleep Powder + stat-boosted Silver Wind. Did have to basically solo Lorelei with my improvised electric rodent because I forgot to teach Starmie Thunderbolt.

* HM to Song Dynasty Vase the Victreebel

[](#smugboard)

Nuzlocke Losses:

* Mad! the Mankey - Random trainer Magemite in Mt. Moon killed them with a series of unlucky confused self-hits.

* Peapod the Butterfree - Same Magemite.

* The Bat the Zubat - Was a sacrificial switch-out.

* Paycheque the Meowth - Picked up a nugget, used Pay Day, didn't make it through the SS Anne rival fight. The game didn't want me with my infinite money glitch.

* O the Voltord - Rocket Grunt's Koffing using Self-Destruct (Oh the irony).

* Irotok the Fearow - Thought I could outspeed Giovanni's Kangaskhan.

* Tokori the Duduo - Oops, I was confident a Fly could take out Erika's Vileploom.

* Kotori the Pidgeotto - Fly didn't finish off a Machamp, which made the countering Revenge hit even harder. Dang it, I went from having 3 birds to having no birds. I had a whole naming bit going on.

* Manzai the Haunter - Was very underlevelled against Rival Red's Alakazam right before Victory Road. This one hurt because I was excited to it because it was in honour of my favourite episode of the original anime series.

Hm, do I, on a reckless whim, jump into another Nuzlocke now?

[](#seasonalthink)

What show's episode discussion thread do you think will have the highest/lowest karma **comment** (I'm analyzing comments, not the threads themselves, so the lowest will be like < -100) of all time (in the u/AutoLovepon era) and from 2025?

[](#ama)

Doing some stats digging so tomorrow I'll have answers (but I should have 2025 tonight, only like 60 minutes to fetch the data).

[](#mugiwait)

Edit: I should have the 2025 numbers in about an hour or so.

Work is already picking up pace but I have yet to accept this reality.

I think Im going to stop cutting and start trying to strictly build muscle mass

~~ignoring that ive basically made no change to my cut/strength in months~~

so basically the same but with more of a focused workout

and more chicken


been floundering since i moved and im just using my apartments gym which has less schtuff

[SZA in AMQ](#cinema)

We're almost so back

[frfr](#mugiwait)

/u/nebresto /u/orangebanana38

Top Comment: [Mixed feelings about the new VOTOMS](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qd7zp9/armored_trooper_votoms_new_anime_announced/nznzkmt/)

Top CDF: [Mixed feelings about the new RevStar](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nz7epfa/)

Wordle 1,671 4/6

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛

🟨⬛🟩⬛⬛

⬛🟨🟩🟩⬛

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

So...I finally got around to watching Sinners. It was a pretty good film, and if I didn't hate the theater experience in Raleigh, I slightly regret not going.

But...it needed another edit. 138 minutes is fucking a lot.

[](#tiredaoi)

Today I finished Working! It's a really good anime; I mean, I loved all the characters. It does start off quite introductory and "slow," but I really liked that. I enjoyed it a lot, especially for an anime from the 2010s made by A1 Pictures, and I'm going to keep watching it since I found out it's a complete adaptation, so I hope it becomes one of my favorite anime. I also finished Maoujou de Oyasumi today. I think it's one of the best anime Doga Kobo has ever made and adapted. Princess Syalis is such a character; I laughed at every silly thing she did to try to sleep, and she didn't care much if she died in the process. Its opening has become one of my favorites I've heard this year. I also really liked the secondary characters, the Demon King and the others, especially the harpy and the succubus, who I thought were very cute, to be honest. Even though it's been 5 years since this anime aired, I'd love for Doga Kobo to confirm a second season so we can see more adventures of the sleeping princess in the demon king's castle and the crazy things she does to sleep comfortably anywhere.

What kinds of life choices does one have to make to get into opera

What does the life of an opera fan look like

[](#thoughtful)

Urdr Hunt be like "what if we made F91, but bad?"

the 'Fatal Error' level in the armax arsenal arena of Mass Effect 3 was so fukken fun to beat

Go to site, put tags, two dozen entries, half of them are Tae and Jimiko. And half to the rest the same pokemon doujin.

[](#miyamoriunimpressed)

... OK, I didn't think it could be done, but Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is *miles* better than Gundam Wing itself. It fixes so many things I hated, like acknowledging the shortcomings of the philosophy it seemed to be pushing, and maybe most importantly *actually gives us the backstories of the Gundam pilots*. You had 49 regular episodes to do this, and just refused to. Which leads to actually realistic interpersonal conflicts and makes them feel connected to the world instead of characters adrift and aloof to everything that happens. I feel like I understand Heero more from these 1 and a half hours than, what, the 16 hours I spent marathoning Wing? Wufei is the other huge winner from Endless Waltz, going from possibly the most 1-dimensional pilot to one of the most interesting. I guess Relena as well, she didn't seem like an incompetent hypocrite this entire movie and actually moved into being a good character.

The battles and combat were also so much better - Wing rarely had equal fights, so it seemed like either boring endless slaughter or "oh no, I'm being shot at by like 50 mobile suits, guess I lose now" and it wasn't dynamic at all. Endless Waltz had the fights feel like they were moving and not just static shots of one mobile suit exploding as they move into another one. And oh my gosh they got rid of that stupid anti-energy-beam tech, that introduction into Wing killed so much interest once it was omnipresent on the battlefield and no countermeasures were ever introduced except "I guess it fails when we need it to." Oh, and they got rid of the baffling decision to [G-Wing]>!have a system that drives the pilot mad with hallucinations. And may also be able to tell the future, I dunno.!<

I'm genuinely impressed they managed to make something this good off of Wing's chassis. It's still not perfect; Trowa, Quatre, and Duo felt like they were there but never important or got a real moment to shine, which isn't great for a series supposedly about 5 Gundam pilots. It was also a bit jarring going into the flashbacks at times, as there weren't obvious cues whether we were in the past or in the present and it took me a few seconds each time to figure out when we were. But still, a solid 8/10, *incredibly* impressive since I'm giving G-Wing itself either a 3 or a 4, depending on how generous I'm feeling.

Wish I could philosophize over cocktails rn

[](#satisfyingbev)

No tomodachis nearby, so I solo drank a screwdriver that was very heavy on the screw.

[](#satisfyingbev)

This job would be great if I didn't have to deal with my coworker. Dude is currently 40 minutes late from shift change without a message or notification on where tf he is. I could be using this time for slep

[](#deadlystare)

Sometimes I wonder if fate has destined that the entire value of my life will only become realized at the moment of my death.

[](#schemingsaten)

[The numbers are in for Episode Discussion Karma in 2025](#seasonalcool).

Tops:

1. 2,612: [Solo Leveling](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1jbz2te/ore_dake_level_up_na_ken_season_2_arise_from_the/mhy4lmf/)

2. 2,577: [Solo Leveling](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1jhcj70/ore_dake_level_up_na_ken_season_2_arise_from_the/mj66dbh/)

3. 2,205: And you won't believe this one, [Solo Leveling](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1jhcj70/ore_dake_level_up_na_ken_season_2_arise_from_the/mj66169/)

Bottoms:

1. -162: OPM S3: A positive comment about OPM S3 being watchable and generating discussion.

2. -123: Baan: Someone asking if Gigguk has $200k laying around cause they think that YouTube doesn't pay shit anymore.

3. -91 [Lazarus](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1jslq1d/lazarus_episode_1_discussion/mlnj0rf/?context=10000)

[All time still needs like 12 hours to fetch data](#mugiwait)

Edit: [A graph](https://i.imgur.com/RLci5a6.png) the distribution of the top 100 comments by karma, by how many minutes after the thread was posted. Note that if there were no comments in particular minute, then a 0 value is inserted and if there are multiple comments at the same minute then they are summed (to not fuck up the visual closeness)

Just a bit more and I'm back to the weekend.

[](#mugiwait)

[1 hour late!](#chiochanvictory)

I have elected to not call *coworker* just to see how late they can be. If he shows up at all

[](#mug1)

[](#giveuponlife)

Walking through the snow, I feel like Godzilla with all the crunching under my boots

[](#mugistronk)

[Two hours!](#chiochanvictory)

Gundam IBO movie was painful to watch. 0/10 do not recommend.

Oh shit, coworker is alive!

[](#flyingbunsofdoom)[Almost 3 hours late](#takasakiapproves)

[Friday](#spinning "More sleep is not bad.")

Finished another chapter of my Japan trip writeup;

[That's a lot of text for one day](#tiredfate)

This was one of the more fun solo days though. I just need to prune back on the word count and cut stuff of me getting sidetracked and not staying on topic.

I think the rest should be more brisk since it's more of a retread from past trips (and that my writeup posts are not in chronological order lol. Some later chapters were already done and posted)

[](#mugiwait)

I'm honestly kinda pissed that they even bothered to making that IBO Movie. I feel bad even calling it a "movie"

It felt a lot like watching a youtube video game cut scene compilation movie. You'd see the start of a fight with no context and then it'd cut to the fight being over. They show us the cut scene of character's introduction and then just a voice over telling us that they joined the crew.

I'm sure for fans of the mobile game it might have been a cool experience to see the story laid out like that, but marketing this as a movie feels like a cheap cash grab.

I know that's spoilers, but I just think the only way to experience this movie is after being warned. That's the only way it's bearable.

Endless Waltz is still Endless Waltz. Made it worth the price of the ticket

[Very fluffy, very hard-working.](https://x.com/kimama722/status/2012063572675998094)

/u/thecomicguybook /u/MyrnaMountWeazel

[A little Oscar.](https://www.goodsmile.com/en/product/1137341/HELLO+GOOD+SMILE+Oscar+Fran%C3%A7ois+de+Jarjayes)

Oh the IBO anniversary short was actually good. Recommend watching that. It was like 5 minutes, but it was still good.

Genshin Impact has officially went to the moon I guess

If only this was a 32-hour work week because I'm going into today feeling like I have already completed all of the things that I personally am significantly responsible for, but today there's going to be eight hours of miscellaneous general duties and after that runs out along the way, filler.

About to visit my boss' other company for a short tour...

...I *really* hate visiting places for the first time.

[](#everythingisfine)

[**Tamon’s B-Side** manga receiving an emergency reprint!](https://x.com/tamon_official/status/2012102538234150947?s=46) 🥳

[I'm bad at prioritization](#everythingisfine)

[Damn, is that a new Haibara haircut?](https://x.com/frieren_pr/status/2012087427674829184?s=46&t=Ix-22JvP4E4ZyeiMDefuqA) [](/u/KendotsX)

[Gonna be a tough summer for mods](https://twitter.com/MangaMoguraRE/status/2012092212390383962?s=20) [](#modsalute)

**nsfw** [Kikuri at the onsen](https://www.pixiv.net/artworks/140005056)

Apparently the smoking behind the supermarket manga is getting an anime adaptation

I used to read some of the manga and enjoyed it, until one part rage baited me so hard

[Manga]>!So at one point MC's doctor tells MC he might have lung cancer due to his smoking. MC decides to finally quit smoking. A while later doctor calls MC at like the middle of the night "apparently false alarm, you don't have cancer". MC goes "thank god" and starts smoking again!<

What the fuck

>[post hors](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qe09x7/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_16_2026/nzugmsc/?context=3)

> receive 0 engagement

I didnt realize I was in the hors haters subreddit

[](#laststraw)

What Frieren needs is a spell that makes Fern and Stark stop beating around the bush

/u/ha_ck_rm_rk It took me a little time to listen through your Idolmaster 2025 ranking, apologies.

Song | Comment
----|-------
RUMBLE | Fun. I like the drums and shouting.
Taisetsu na Mono | It's sweet enough at first, but I really liked that [Blue Reflection-esque](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zPFXgy-Og) pause around 2 minutes in with the airy ambience and glitching vocals.
Reward Sweets | Yeah I see what you mean. It's quite a competent song, just a bit basic.
Kira Kira | The instrumental is a bit like Choo Choo Choo in some sections. At this point I'm just taking what I can get ;-;
*NAIWA | I really like the tension and energy of this one.
SUPREMACY | The guitar is cool. Definitely feels like a paired song with NAIWA, they even have a "nai wa" at 1:51 lol. Overall I think I liked the former more, but the last minute or so of this one is pretty hype.
Lullaby for Armors | Nice vocals. Interesting setting for the song with the sci-fi armours.
Scarlet Rose |This one's got a cool moodiness to it. I like the instrumental.
Morgana | Nice vibes.
Migratory Echoes (Illumination Stars) & (Shiny Colors)| Catchy, if a tad unremarkable. The Shiny Colors version was more interesting personally.
LOOPYLOVE | Pretty fun. I liked that little sound effect that lead into the first chorus, gives it a nice energy.
*Nisemono | CoMETIK at last. They're as fun and edgy as ever.
contemporary dance | This one's got a pretty unique sound with the bouncy backing track, soft singing and sound effects.
*Alf Layla wa Layla | I like this a lot. Those deep gritty synths in the first half make me think of, like, [The Ooze](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL1q9ZqhC0E) or something.
*Borderline | Really cool track.
*EGO | Banger. Saki doesn't miss, it seems.
Pioneer Impact | Cool music and vocals. I don't think I noticed the style shifting as sharply as you did.
*Eccentric Love | Electro Swing = good song. Them's the rules.
*Break Out Serendipity | I like that the airy intro leads into a gritty rock song. The chorus is nice too.
*Unhappy Light | Catchy.
*Refrain Brain | Electro Swing = good song. Them's the rules. Alstro & CoMETIK together is a crazy pull too.
Summer Night Paradise | Cool sounds in the instrumental. I love those deep synths.
*Luvliminal Image | Ooh, that hits. Cool little piano intro, dramatic segue into that cool synthy sound (I didn't write much for my own comments this year either, I'm trying my best ok). But anyway the music and instruments are real cool, immediately a solid contender for my #1 of the year.
Kimi no Ittousei | Catchy. There's an earnest sense of emotion in this one that I quite like.
Crier | Reminds me of [the Urusei Yatsura remake openings.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFMmSOWPj_k)
*Our Chant | Sena doesn't miss either, it seems. Wow. Her vocals are more aggressive here than they were in Chiisana Yabou, I like it. The mix of orchestra, the new drums and the vocal style definitely reminded me of [His World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBb3QU4r4KY) as well lol. Side note - bit funny clicking onto the most epic track in the list and the first thing I read are her three sizes.
No.8 | Catchy. I like the singing.
Tsuki no Kame | I like the concept but this style of EDM isn't really my thing.
*Try it Now | Something something Saki don't miss. I like that this one went a wholly different direction to Fighting My Way.
*SUNFADED | This one's unique and fun! Idolmaster covers a lot of genres and sounds, but I feel like the vocal direction in this one still surprised me.

Favourites are those I put an asterisk next to, with a top 5 maybe being: Our Chant, Luvliminal Image, Refrain Brain, EGO, Alf Layla wa Layla

Seems like most of my shows this season are concentrated on a few days.

[](#schemingsaten)

I should factor this into my planning

I made a robot post.

[](#blushubot)

[Ope](https://x.com/john__uma/status/1997671636439560351)[Doto](https://x.com/john__uma/status/1998443652453118425)

[My](/u/OrangeBanana38) [dudes](/u/laughing-fox13)... [_we are so h*cking back_](https://i.imgur.com/J6mtoXQ.png)

[Ohayo](#firstthinginthemorning)

I should get started on reading my manga pile.

[Hey look it's that thing I mentioned ~~yesterday~~ ~~two~~ three days ago already???](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q7sj6i/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_09_2026/nzetd26/)

TLDR of that: three guys do podcast talking about anime and ranking them. I decided (*very* late) to use it as an opportunity to revisit some of the anime I've already seen and watch the ones I haven't seen, as well as doing my own rankings, accompanied by short write-ups so that I can get better at those.

___

I thought it would've been a slow and easy start to the whole thing with the first anime they covered being **[Frieren: Beyond Journey's End](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52991)**, but I'm going to be honest I feel like anything anyone could say about it has already been said at this point? Frieren is kinda one of the biggest anime of the decade, so almost everyone is gonna have an opinion on it for better or for worse. Add to that ~~my terrible sleep schedule~~ that as a source reader I had to make sure not to let the post-S1 content influence me, and it ended up being a real struggle to write this [](#tiredaoi)

So I'm just gonna go straight to the point of the whole thing, and something relevant to those write-ups too since I'll be ranking anime as I write about them: do I think it deserves to be in contention for that elusive title of "best anime?" For all its flaws I'd say yeah definitely, and I don't think it should even be a question.

It's a master class in how to do a faithful adaptation, for one. Everything from the OST to the consistently good animation to the beautiful background art elevate the source material. It follows the manga closely but with just enough added touch to stand on its own. Then there's the cast, fun and diverse with great chemistry and dynamics; and the themes, of the value of life and the passage of time among others, not necessarily the most unique but very efficiently done nonetheless. A good and faithful adaptation can only go so far if it adapts a less-than-deserving story and this is very much not the case here, at least in my opinion.

Now I *do* think it has some very, very glaring issues, most of which have already been talked about at large. The portrayal of the demons shown in season 1 lack depth ~~something most people active on social media should know by now~~. YMMV on the magic system and worldbuilding too, I'm pretty neutral on those myself but I can see people more into those having issues with them. But by far the biggest problem of the first season is the arc that makes up the majority of its second half. I really can't help but think of the switch from slow paced adventure with the occasional impressive action sequences, to a full-on exam arc that feels straight out of any other battle shonen, as nothing but a severe step down, no matter how entertaining it and the characters it introduced ended up being.

But again, even with all that, I still think it's an excellent show all around that's very much worth the praise, genuinely great television.

___

Believe it or not I didn't mean to post this on the day season 2 starts, it really took me this long to write all that lol. Haven't started it yet but no doubt it's gonna bang [](#mugiwait)

So anyway there's the first one of those things done. [Here's](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/5ecd10a1f65f.png) the tier list I'll be updating after each write-ups, format and placements subject to change. Next one will be on [another niche series](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52299), which should be easier to write about [I hope](#tiredaoi)

/u/junbi_ok

https://x.com/yureru_300/status/2010714159646921166

[Interest Thread for DB Posted, anyone interested please join.](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qev5al/dragon_ball_40th_anniversary_rewatch_interest/)

[**AnimeNYC ticket line**](#mugiwait)

[That is many Japanese Harry Potters.](https://x.com/oricon/status/2012238427895328854)

[                                    ^(It's)                  ^(3x3)                 ^(Time!)                ](#smugboard)

Welcome to this week’s CDF 3x3 Corner! So feel free to make and share a 3x3 (or a 2x2 or 4x4 or whatever size you like). And check out other people’s 3x3s. If you can’t make it because of the time, feel free to share your themed 3x3 whenever!

If you're not sure where to make 3x3s, some popular sites are [bighugelabs](http://bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php) and [BeFunky](https://www.befunky.com/create/collage/).

####**This week’s theme is Blonde Hair!**
___

**Next week’s theme will be Twins.**

*In 2 weeks the theme will be Trios.*

If you’d like a tag for future 3x3 Corners, let me know! If you’d like to stop getting tags, also tell me.

[Link to past 3x3 themes](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fYp_LmnwxkAHU5AwdvW5DRp7LGbItgfjyjm4oL4MzCc/edit#gid=0)

[Have fun!](#salutegeo)

/u/dadnaya https://x.com/akira_hjk/status/2007131366501347497

[Tonight's libation.](https://i.imgur.com/RWiGwnH.jpeg)

And [Tuesday's](https://i.imgur.com/ZHjTrrW.jpeg), which I forgot to share at the time.

I was reading on this because reasons, but it's crazy how many deaths happen in boxing matches...

22 deaths since 2021. (And I imagine it's even more than that but some aren't recorded... Or happened a bit later, like most of the deaths on this list were 'Declared dead' days or even a couple weeks after the match).

I guess boxing isn't talked as much as the main sports league, but it's kinda weird that all the major sports are talking a lot about CTE these days, but 4-5 boxers die every year and no big deal.

[](#bigthink)

[Photo booth lenses.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_RqAck4t2U)

[**seconds remain**](#mugiwait)

Hello once again everyone, and welcome to another week of AMQ! The lobby name for this week is "Roche Limit" and the password is "Megumin"! We will be starting around five minutes from when this comment appears.

As always, I hope you all have a wonderful time playing, as well as a great day and weekend!

[](#skyhype)

If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list for future games be sure to let me know in a reply to this comment!

/u/ameteurelitist /u/shimmering-sky /u/Tetraika

[On a related note.](https://bsky.app/profile/aleos696.bsky.social/post/3mckvrrzcvc2c)

[Fern doing what we've all fantasized about.](https://i.ibb.co/1fSvyTMk/frieren-floof.png)

[Some Nao](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F6CIlrM5OI)

/u/dadnaya

I need gif comment faces back for [this](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/c78b3b77b356.gif)

[](#happyclap)

I'm kinda tired of (You) pandering

[](#tiredaoi)

the governor of texas is saying that the grid can withstand the coming winter storm, but local blackouts are still possible. i sure hope nothing happens that interferes with my action taimanin login streak…

[](#watashiworried)

[do NOT open this spoiler]>!i warned you. whoever reads this will die within the next 1,000,000 days.!<

[The He-Man and his pink shirt.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmEx7wQI6RY)

oh shit it's thursday

Is Nakasu Kasumi birthday. Fan art.

[](#smugboard)

[Kasumin number 1!](https://x.com/nekoneko_nyako/status/2014352363063296387) Also, [the style sheet for the outfit.](https://x.com/nekoneko_nyako/status/2014353926536286677)

[HBD KSMN](https://x.com/moriryuuuuu24/status/2014352447230353596)

[The yellow of the rainbow.](https://x.com/haruruhaharur/status/2014352761564148086)

[Kasumi going beyond the fourth wall.](https://x.com/1026syoma2/status/2014352362400514134)

[Super cutie believer.](https://x.com/ytskai00/status/2014352363742802022)

[Go Go Kasumin!](https://x.com/yozora1kawaii/status/2014352442536996941)

[A nice one](https://x.com/ruoguiling/status/2014353993963876643)

[Magical Girl Kasumin.](https://x.com/yuuki_04clover/status/2014352397276258642)

[A surprise present.](https://x.com/abukero_rainbow/status/2014352407363539098)

[KasuKasu striking that funny meme pose.](https://x.com/yaya88000000/status/2014352359972012467)

[](#seasonalcool)

u/Lezoux u/dadnaya u/OctavePearl

Today, I saw the original of a manga page by Osamu Tezuka.
I also saw some ero guro manga pages framed on a museum wall. Though, that was pretty soft compared to things I've had the misfortune to see on the internet.

I'm feeling the flu creep up on me.

[](#watashiworried)

Had a funky little headache on Tuesday and Yesterday, but thankfully its cleared up now.

Does mean however I had to cancel on D&D, which took me away from Magic - and I've not started on Iruma-Kun like I wanted, which is sad.

In other news, I had lots of Magic stuff arrive, I've booked cinema tickets for my next date on Wednesday, I've finally started sleeving my Eriette deck and I've got draft tomorrow. So there' silver-linings!

I'll try to catch up on Iruma on Sunday perhaps.

Experimenting with iOS VoiceOver (the screen reader functionality on iPhones). When I highlight the text "Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight" it has the English voice horribly mispronounce the Romaji, but in the middle it randomly switches to the Japanese voice to read the ☆ character as "shiroi hoshi." Except then if I have it read it letter by letter, the English voice will read it as "white star."

[](#rengethink)

Edit: also it reads "少女☆歌劇" as "Shoujo Hoshi Kageki" (without the "shiroi") in the Japanese voice, and by character it reads it as (Japanese voice) "shou" "onna" (English voice) "white star" (Japanese voice) "uta" "geki"

[gacha pull in 10ish minutes](#seasonalfoodie)

In unrelated news, holy Fuck is Mage going to be *shit* once the new year rolls around in Hearthstone. Like, they've got *fucking nothing* at the moment. Losing so much of their good stuff to the season rotation.

[Fumikane presents Nice.](https://x.com/humikane/status/2014380463264301120)

[And now for something completely different.](https://x.com/KasaiSuizokuen/status/2014216459413537251)

[You get the slightly-NSFW version for free this time.](https://bsky.app/profile/aleos696.bsky.social/post/3md26oxxcds2o)

Fanbox: No pleats, only pantsu.

"...which established the legal precedent that five-and-a-half-inch, squat, grotesquely-muscled Neanderthal men were *not* a legally-protected class."

[It's continuing to look bad for Vimeo.](https://www.theverge.com/news/866238/vimeo-layoffs-bending-spoons-acquisition)

/u/Puddo

They made some changes to the NYTimes Capture game, so I imagine they'll go worldwide soon...

Sadly it seems it will be a watered down version; They dropped the # of levels from 8 to 5, and they significantly lowered the difficulty too, especially for the 'advanced' level.

I imagine they recorded the stats and saw that most people were awful at it so they made it easier so average people can solve them ≈100% of the time (like their other games).

I used to be a bit 'stumped' once in a while (even failing once or twice), but now they kinda feel trivial, there's maybe 1 or 2 levels that require some thinking, but still far less than before.

[Various hors](https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/93173735)

the spirit is willing but the flesh has been obliterated

[](#deadtired)

Saw a funny tweet saying that “Japanese mangaka don’t mind piracy”

[F/ACE Supernova](#listen)

I get the in-universe Ouri fanbase now.

I find it fun that there seems to be a universal style guide for anisong lyrics videos. Always character image on top, white background on the bottom. If it is a character group song, then you colour-cordinate and highlight whoever is singing. Bonus points if there are additional translations by the Spanish/Southeast-Asian pillars of the community.

[Ohayo](#firstthinginthemorning)

I miss not having to deal with the undercurrent of tension whenever mom's around.

[Meanwhile, at Korg.](https://korg.berlin/products/phase8)

[CDF stuff]>!Tell me something cool about engineering!<

[](#mugiwait)

Started watching *The Summer Hikaru Died*. Maybe I'm actually getting back into the groove of watching anime again...

Very cool first episode! [As someone said in the episode thread,] >!this does seem like the first entry into the new genre to be known as "eldritch yaoi". Pretty wicked!<. Exquisite summer vibes too.

[](#mug7)

man, it's so hard to get used to Kimura as Franky. Something about his voice just seems so...off for the role. Like I get Kimura plays a lot of lovable dorks like Iida and Todo, but they seem to be a different breed than Franky.

It's not like Sawashiro and Ootsuka taking over in Lupin: their voices were distinctly different but they just FIT.

I think to some extent, the voice acting from Kazuki's generation largely didn't get passed down to the younger generations, so it just feels so off listening to someone from the new generation take it on. I would like someone from that era to take it over, but those guys are getting on in years too...

Maid Dragon movie is apparently not set for release here so time for..

[](#piracy)

now that it has already released somewhere.

Guess at least we god idol Kaguya

oh fuck it's that day when the cdf thread does that thing

I have to go soon.

[](#toradorasalute)

[Top CDF was a coffee-addled Mako trip writeup.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qe09x7/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_16_2026/nzx2k36/)

[It's Europe and I'd like a reason to not stay up](#seasonaltired)

Top CDF: [Karma images](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qe09x7/casual_discussion_fridays_week_of_january_16_2026/o06ools/) (I rarely move the needle above like 3 on comment karma and was looking for something but this last week was an exception) but top comments was double-digits:

- [Boruto's Dad question on Jeopardy and other anime occasions](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qips9u/anime_category_on_jeopardy/o0u0nnq/)
- [Ep 1 > ep 2 karma of the last few seasons of ecchi/erotica, is -47% normal?](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1qg9pqa/ranime_karma_ranking_discussion_week_3_winter_2026/o0b8fd0/) [(that was pretty fun, would research further)](#notlewd).