Kikô shôjo wa kizutsukanai

I am a sucker for these kinds of anime. They're fun, with enough action and innuendos to keep it funny and entertaining, without being overly long and doing the whole mindf**k thing. Raishin is a 'puppeteer' who manipulates his 'doll' Yaya to fight battles for him using magic. Yaya is super cute and, of course, in love with Raishin and doesn't care that human/doll relationships are not cool. They are enrolled at a magic school and their fighting ability has them ranked (and called by everyone) '2nd last', despite being more powerful than half the school. Raishin has an agenda for being there - he is looking to exact revenge on the man who killed his family, who is 'number 1' at this school. The animation is great and the characters are all interesting. Raishin has a whole harem of girls after him, but he doesn't seem the least bit interested in any of them. Without spoiling the ending, I can say, I think they may be planning a second series, which is cool. Watch this show if you're looking for escapism that isn't mentally taxing.

After viewing a promotional image of this, I became pretty intrigued by the anime series. I gave watching it some thought. But I had some doubt. Firstly, the TV show is an adaptation of a book series. I need to buy the series. However, no one has translated the books into English yet. Also, I thought the series might resemble "Battle Doll Angelic Layer." Fortunately, it doesn't, for the story takes place in an alternate, "steam-punk" universe where mechanics and magic combine, known as "Machinart." One lad who dabbles in Machinart, named Raishin Akabane, came to England from Japan with his "doll" Yaya to enroll in an academy specializing in Machinart to build up his skills, to enter a festival's battle competition, where the "dolls" battle each other, and to defeat his enemy afterwards. I really loved the ending theme. Overall, this series is an awesome "harem" fantasy with humor and superb animation. I also wish there was a second season because, let's be honest, cliffhangers are the worst.

Really liked the characters, the fake English accents, the humour and its storyline. It wasn't all about a handsome smart guy having a cute baby doll girl for a puppet, it was all about teamwork, adventure and most of all badass battles! I give this anime a 8/10!