Golden Kamuy Final Season

Animation has its issues, but very excited to get to the last bits of Golden Kamuy. Ashiripa... stay safe out there...

I'm so glad they decided to split the final act into a separate arc, so this last episode could be truly felt as a prelude to the the story's ending. The animation could have still been better, but Noda's original work really shines through!

I think this is a solid second-to-last episode, adding more meat to some internal conflicts (with Koito specifically) and some... resolutions, to say the least (like with Nikaidō).

The battle at Goryōkaku is getting intense!! The animation still holds up for action scenes (although the almost *too* polished backgrounds are somewhat a distraction). All I could think at the end was: Kirawus... 🥺

This part takes beat for beat from the manga, and it's a really good transposition. Sadly, it is also quite a handful of characters and dynamics to keep track of, so it can result a little confusing and hard to follow at times (or remember who does what where).

I would say the first half of the episode drags a little, as it's an ending to episode 8's segment with Kikuta's encounter with Sugimoto. However, the second half is setting the stage for the last fight and I'm expecting to see some great action scenes. 👀

Probably the weakest episode so far, as we move back in time to tie in Kikuta and Sugimoto's meeting. The animation is fine, voice acting great as usual and fun gags, but it comes as a starking halt in the plot progression (it happened the same with the manga!).

Yet again another great episode but with a little more imperfections in animation (see the poor blending of 3D in vehicles and buildings). We're focusing more on Ariko's story and Asirpa's burden, too.

Much like episode five, this one is mostly without action scenes, but fear not: it's time for Tsurumi's big speech to shine (and a nice amount of gore). I'm enjoying these slower moments, helping some larger story pieces to settle properly.

Probably the weakest episode so far in term of animation and pacing, but it's still well balanced by the plot progression (new information on Tsurumi and Wilk!). All in all a "calm before the storm" type of experience.

Somewhat a Bōtaro-focused episode (although everyone has its own role to play), that still never fail to deliver on action scenes, especially during the car chase!

As a fan of the manga, I was waiting to see this section animated in its full glory and Brain's Base delivered! Besides the usual incredible action sequences, the great voice acting and fantastic comedy beats, we're finally done with the Sapporo arc.

This episode builds up with more fast-paced action sequences in Sapporo. We even get the entire cast of the 7th division back into focus! This is probably the second-to-last section focused on the murder mystery, since it's hinted we're closer to finally see the full picture...

Incredible first episode for this last season: fantastic humour as always (especially when it's about Ushiyama) and great action sequences as the story moves to its final stretch. The show has gone a long way since season 1 and it's still a fantastic adaptation of Noda's work!

I wasn't sure how they were going to end it, but here we are. For at least some of the cast they really got what they wanted, but for others it was a bloody last stand until the end. That aside, I've seen better endings before but I would not scoff at this one, well done.

As the penultimate episode, it seems that there is no holding back any longer. The battle was savage and carnal, no one is left unscathed. They gave little time for anything else by this juncture, and that's fine. By this time, they simply gave the fans more of what they want.

The final battle begins and it doesn't dissapoint at all. The heroes and villains are clearly using everything they have to gain advantage in this conflict, with more than a few surprises in store for each other. It's more than just willpower, it's about strategy and experience.

Surprisingly, our heroes actually accomplished their primary objective before the climatic battle has even started, quite a unique approach. Still, they're up against an enemy that clearly outgun them in every way, would their success be worth it? Excited to see how it plays out.

Did not expect that flashback to be that significant, what a pleasant surprise. Aside from that, all the players are getting ready for what seem to be the moment of life or death for each faction. Now the battle lines are clear, it's going to be one messy fight for all involved.

For some reason, we head back to another flashback of another character out of nowhere. But I'm not one to complain, it's the sort of breather episode you would expect before everything's come undone in the finale. It's also nice to see a different side of the casts for once.