Hello again, and welcome back to another Friday’s anime Seasonal Catch-Up! I’m so happy you’re here, whether you’re casually browsing or deep into the Spring 2025 season with me. There’s something so comforting about slowing down at the end of a busy week, grabbing a warm drink, and chatting about the stories that are unfolding across our screens. This week’s anime gave us a lot to smile, think, and sigh over — from emotional stumbles and messy friendships, to small villages hiding big secrets, and mystery cases that are just as much about the people solving them as the mysteries themselves. With a dazzling starry sky above us (thanks to Teogonia for the beautiful inspiration), let’s dive into how Friday’s lineup shaped up this time around.

The three Friday seasonal anime I am watching:

Here are three of the seasonal anime shows that air on Fridays, and I watch and review them on Saturdays. Each title below is linked to its respective section, so feel free to jump straight to the one you’re following or most curious about:

1. Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive (4/5)
2. Teogonia (4/5)
3. The Dinner Table Detective (3/5)

This lineup will shift as the season progresses, as we have seen between last week’s catch up and this week’s. Some shows might drop off, and others could be added as more anime is released in the coming weeks. Each week will be a little different, and to me, that is part of the fun!

The scores you see above reflect my overall impressions of the latest episode I watched for each anime. In the sections that follow, I’ll break down what stood out (for better or worse), from story progression and animation quality to character development and emotional impact.

Let’s break down this week’s trio of titles and see where the chaos, confusion, and cleverness led us.

Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive?

• Episode 4: Hydrangea and a New Seed
• Release date: 25 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

This episode took a more serious turn this week, showing how badly Himari and Yuu misread each other while still somehow learning more about their own feelings, and each other’s. It’s clear Rin is unintentionally putting strain on their bond, even as she tries to be supportive, and although things seemed to settle by the end, there’s still a lingering tension that suggests it’s only temporary. Himari, with her stubborn streak and sensitive heart, fell into emotional manipulation territory when she threatened to run off to Tokyo, a frustrating move that undercut what could have been a really sincere moment. Despite the toxic edges to her behaviour, there were touches of genuine vulnerability too, like when she cried for real after accusing herself of crocodile tears. Yuu, for his part, acted recklessly, even ready to drop everything for Himari, highlighting just how much they both struggle to communicate maturely. The whole ‘snack trap’ plan with Rin was hilariously dumb but weirdly adorable, and it’s hard not to feel a little sorry for everyone involved, even as they create more problems for themselves. Himari’s brother, Hibari, was once again the real MVP, giving some much-needed hard truths without sugarcoating it, though his antics with Rin’s sister were hilariously over the top. Ultimately, while the purple tulip’s symbolism of admiration and enchantment reflects Yuu’s growing view of Himari, it’s still clear that neither of them is quite ready for a proper confession. For now, they’ve returned to being “best friends,” but with deeper, messier feelings bubbling just under the surface.

Verdict: Himari’s emotional breakdown, Yuu’s rash loyalty, and Rin’s clumsy interventions weave a bittersweet atmosphere where miscommunication reigns supreme. The episode still delivered strong character work, good humour (the ‘snack trap’ especially!), and subtle thematic layering. Overall, it was a heartfelt, messy episode that captures adolescent confusion beautifully, even if some character actions frustrate.

Teogonia

• Episode 3: Arbitration God
• Release date: 25 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Although the animation in Teogonia isn’t the flashiest compared to modern standards, there’s something so earnest about its slightly rustic, earthy style; it really suits the grounded, village-life atmosphere and brings out a nostalgic, almost ’90s anime charm that feels incredibly comforting. The anime’s momentum is strong, with Kai’s experiments in magic turning unexpectedly wild (a molecular blade?!). The god who bestowed his powers on Kai is no benevolent watcher either; their brutal, forceful nature leans closer to demonic possession than divine blessing, creating an ominous tension that feels fresh despite familiar fantasy tropes. The sudden flashes of past-life memories, hinting at scientific knowledge Kai couldn’t possibly know, added a surreal twist that caught me completely off guard in the best way. I actually love that the arbitration god doesn’t plan to sit back quietly but is willing to take control and unleash vengeance or at least, it’s version of punishment; it sets up fascinating potential conflict, especially because Kai, despite his kind heart, isn’t some passive hero. His rescue efforts this episode were honestly amazing, and now he’s carrying a blessing that feels as much of a curse as a gift. There’s even a sweet budding romance teased, with a certain girl clearly harbouring feelings for him, which promises to bring even more heart into the story. Plus, that cliffhanger about the older villager? Absolutely did not see that coming!

Verdict: Overall, this episode really made me feel that Teogonia has true potential, it’s a rare series that balances mystery, isekai, and kami-powers with real soul, and I truly hope it catches on and gets the love (and maybe even the multiple seasons!) it deserves.

The Dinner Table Detective

• Episode 4: Please be aware of two-timing affairs File 1
• Release date: 26 April 2025
• Prime Video
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆(3/5)

We’re leaning fully into its chaotic charm, giving us a summer festival packed with silly antics, like Kageyama the butler being roped into playing the villain for the local Sentai show, complete with smug grins and surprising energy. The slightly soft, bright art style fits perfectly here, giving the show a warm, playful feel even when things turn a little more serious. After the festival, a new mystery kicks off when the victim is found in a… less-than-dignified state, in just their tighty whities, and once again, Reiko and Mamo’s “detective work” is hilariously clumsy. The clues this time, yakisoba stains, dating apps, a mystery girl from a goukon, and suspiciously shifting heights, had all the right pieces, but it’s clear the butler once again carried the whole investigation, quietly nudging them in the right direction. The clever twist about elevator shoes messing with the height alibis gave the case a fun layer, though some deductions relied on leaps of logic that the show didn’t fully explain on-screen. Still, character moments made up for it: Kageyama was priceless as he gently (and smugly) coaxed Reiko into admitting she completely depends on him, while Kazamatsuri having himself as his own phone wallpaper was on point character comedy.

Verdict: Even though the mystery plotting isn’t super tight, the series shines with its cosy, slice-of-life atmosphere and quirky character dynamics, and that nostalgic anime visual vibe really ties everything together. With hints that more complexity might be coming, especially around Kageyama’s mysterious talents, there’s still plenty of heart and humour to keep tuning in for.

Final Thoughts on this week Friday’s anime releases

This week’s batch of episodes felt like a gentle but definite shift in the season’s tone, we’re moving from setting the stage to stirring the emotions underneath. Can a Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? gave us bittersweet miscommunication and heartfelt vulnerability, while Teogonia pushed forward into darker, more thrilling territory with a powerful twist of fate. Meanwhile, The Dinner Table Detective leaned into its character-driven humour, even if the mystery itself stayed light.

All three shows had their own kind of glow this week, like stars beginning to sharpen against the deepening night sky. It wasn’t a flawless week, but it was a full one, and that, to me, makes it satisfying in its own unique way.

Friday’s Anime I Am Most Looking Forward to Next Week:

If I had to pick just one to highlight, it would be Teogonia! After Episode 3’s revelations and the chilling scene of Kai awakening with that eerie divine power, I’m beyond curious about how the story will handle the tension between his human heart and the god’s brutal expectations. There’s an ominous beauty to it that really hooked me, and I’m hoping next week continues to build that quiet dread and wonder that the series is so good at hinting toward.

Any I’m considering binging instead of watching weekly or dropping outright?

At this point, I’m considering moving The Dinner Table Detective to a “binge later” pile. While I still enjoy the humour and Kageyama’s smug brilliance, the detective plots feel a little too loose for a weekly watch where I’m craving stronger momentum. It’s the kind of show that might actually be more satisfying marathoned, where the little character moments can stack up more naturally without the weekly wait in between. Nothing’s been dropped outright yet, but I’ll definitely keep an eye on how it evolves.

Beneath a Thousand Stars: Spotlight on This Week Friday’s Anime Header Image

For this week’s Friday Seasonal Anime Catch-Up blog header, I selected this breathtaking starry sky from Teogonia Episode 3. After last week’s warm, sun-drenched theme, this vast, twilight-drenched sky felt like the perfect evolution, a reminder that the Spring 2025 anime season is beginning to deepen, both in tone and in emotional resonance. The stars glimmer like hidden stories waiting to unfold, echoing the growing mysteries and heavier themes emerging in series like Teogonia. The art style, slightly rustic yet deeply atmospheric, captures that perfect blend of wonder and foreboding, a visual mirror to the quieter, more powerful shifts happening in the anime I am following. It feels like standing at the edge of something vast and unknowable, a perfect metaphor for this stretch of the season.

What have been your thoughts on Friday’s anime releases? Are you following along with the season?

As we sit beneath this week’s starry sky, it feels like Friday’s anime lineup offered us a little bit of everything: laughter, tension, heartbreak, and quiet hope. Each show, even with its flaws, brought a distinct emotional flavour to the table, making the week’s journey feel textured and real. There’s something truly special about sharing this evolving season together, watching characters fumble, grow, and sometimes even surprise us. Whether cheering on Kai’s strength, fretting over Himari and Yuu’s stubbornness, or laughing at Kageyama’s outrageous smugness, every Friday feels a little brighter with these anime.

Thank you for spending some time with me here, it’s always a joy for me to reflect on the anime I am watching and share it with you, opening the floor for discussion.

Let’s keep following the stars and see where next week’s anime journey takes us!

Follow along with Friday’s anime releases here: