I am honestly looking forward to watching Tuesday’s anime releases. Last week, I said the anime I was most looking forward to watching this week was Once Upon a Witch’s Death. As I sit here, I am actually most anticipating the no-stakes, low-effort watch of Catch Me at the Ballpark. I finally caught up on Saturday’s releases that had piled up and had become a mountain. I also happened to work until 6 am and had multiple phone calls interrupt me at 8 am and 9 am. I am now sitting at my desk after getting a few hours of unbroken sleep, starting at 11:48, and eating two-minute noodles for breakfast. The air is damp and chill, and once again, my dog is fast asleep next to me, upset that I had gotten up from the warmth of our bed.

I am going to treat myself to an episode of Tuesday’s anime selection before planning my work day, and then see how it goes from there.

Four Tuesday’s anime I am watching:

Here are the four seasonal Tuesday anime that are airing, and I’m watching and reviewing them on Wednesdays. 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. Apocalypse Hotel (4/5)
2. Catch Me at the Ballpark! (4/5)
3. Once Upon a Witch’s Death (4/5)
4. The Shiunji Family Children (4/5)

Tuesday’s anime lineup may shift as the season progresses. Some shows might drop off, and others could be added. Each week is a little different, and that’s 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 dive into the episode impressions!

Apocalypse Hotel

• Episode 3: A Smile Is the Ultimate Ambiance
• Release date: 22 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
  • A bold and emotionally resonant episode with standout animation and clever folklore integration.

Episode 3 delivered a wild ride with an unexpected fifty-year time skip that hits surprisingly hard, both emotionally and thematically. The episode opens with Yachiyo still dutifully maintaining the hotel, her resolve fraying after half a century of waiting in eerie silence, until the sudden arrival of the Tanukians, a rowdy, chaotic alien species with shape-shifting abilities drawn straight from Japanese folklore. Initially mistaking them for humans (in one of her most hilariously delusional moments), Yachiyo’s desperation for guests clouds her judgment, until their bad manners spiral into a full-blown disaster. Her reaction? A fiery uppercut, literal fireworks from her head, and a menacing T-pose that’s as funny as it is unhinged. The art style really shines here, fluid animation, expressive character design, and a blend of whimsy and desolation that makes every frame feel part dream, part post-apocalyptic reality. The Tanukians, dirty and destructive at first (with some disturbingly accurate behaviour pulled from real-world tanuki lore), somehow win a second chance as staff. The episode also subtly deepens the mystery around the human crew of the ship the Tanukians found, presumed dead before they’re even mentioned. It’s quietly tragic, but the show never dwells too long in sadness. Even the tiniest post-credit scene carries weight, leaving us wondering how aliens keep finding the hotel and why Yachiyo didn’t even try the rule book this time. Have they been digging for a hot spring since before the humans left? I doubt there is a hot spring there.

Verdict: With rich character animation and thoughtful worldbuilding, Apocalypse Hotel continues to be one of the most underrated series this season, quirky, heartfelt, and brimming with gorgeous visual storytelling.

Catch Me at the Ballpark!

• Episode 4: Soul Announcer / The Suggestion Box Incident (Pt. 1) / The Suggestion Box Incident (Pt. 2)
• Release date: 22 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
  • A sweet, funny, and fast-paced episode full of flustered charm and expressive animation.

This intro is just what I needed, upbeat and boppy, perfect for gloomy weather and sleep deprivation. We get to meet that announcer today. Running into pressured stress to successfully light-heartedly tease a player and have that player look forward to it is a skill. I ship Nagisa and Nokogiriyama. Yay for Ruriko helping her out, and I adored how Nagisa basically, in a roundabout way, said she would take his surname. Ten letters of feedback towards a single employee are intense. Nice to see the cast from previous episodes making an appearance here. The letter mystery was fun, and I liked how it unfolded. This episode was over way too quickly. This continues to impress with its crisp, clean character designs and expressive facial animations. The colour palette leans bright and lightly saturated, which adds to the show’s overall cheerful, slice-of-life energy. The backgrounds—especially the detailed stadium and crowd scenes—strike a nice balance between realism and stylised simplicity, making the setting feel alive without being overwhelming. One thing that really stands out is how well the character expressions are used for comedy and emotional beats. Whether it’s Nagisa’s flustered, red-faced panic or Ruriko’s unimpressed eyebrow raise, the animation hits all the right comedic notes.

Verdict: Episode 4 keeps the good vibes rolling. The episode also subtly shows the behind-the-scenes pressures of stadium life in a way that’s light-hearted but grounded in human connection. Visually, the show remains sharp and clean, with a cheerful palette and excellent use of facial expressions for humour and emotional beats.

Once Upon a Witch’s Death

• Episode 4: Blessings With the Opening of the Gate
• Release date: 22 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
  • A surprisingly heartfelt episode that gives Meg a real win in emotional growth

Episode 4 brings another strong character moment for Meg, whose usual chaotic, Yuri-tinged antics somehow manage to change the worldview of Sophie, one of the famed Seven Sages, in record time. Sophie’s backstory is genuinely tragic, cast out by her own family for powers she didn’t ask for, and the show treats her loneliness with surprising tenderness, even if it’s wrapped in Meg’s relentless barrage of “marry me” gags and wildly inappropriate one-liners (yes, that one about Fine… still insane). Despite the mismatch in skill, it’s Meg who plays the emotional anchor here, showing that heart can match power, and reminding us why she’s the protagonist, even if she’s dying and dodging it with humour. Their fight against the magical creature is stylish and satisfying, and the bond between them, though chaotic, is real. The episode mixes genuine emotion with absurd comedy, leaning into expressive character faces, warm pastel tones, and sparkly effects that contrast the heavier themes beautifully. It’s another step in Meg’s personal journey, even if the show’s whole “gather tears before death” plot has momentarily taken a back seat to character-driven side stories.

Verdict: The episode rides the line between melancholy and absurdity. The art style remains clean and expressive, filled with warm hues and sparkly backdrops that enhance the fantastical atmosphere.

The Shiunji Family Children

• Episode 3: For Now
• Release date: 22 April 2025
• Crunchyroll
• Episode Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Great
  • A lively, emotionally charged episode that blends slice-of-life warmth with slowly escalating romantic chaos, all wrapped in beautiful visuals and standout character expressions.

Episode 3 of The Shiunji Family Children might’ve started as a simple birthday celebration for Kotono, but it quickly spiralled into a heartfelt and hilariously awkward rollercoaster of emotions at the amusement park. Between Banri’s teasing flirt energy and Arata’s moment of heroic big-brother instinct, the mood swung from silly to surprisingly sweet in seconds, and let’s be real, Banri absolutely stole the show. The animation remains clean and polished, leaning into soft lighting, warm tones, and charmingly expressive character designs that really sell the comedic beats and emotional flickers. Ouka’s reaction to other girls crushing on Arata was priceless, full blush and stammering denial, and by the time that post-credits scene hit, it was clear the sibling dynamics are only getting messier. With Seiha stirring the pot by pointing out Kotono’s feelings, and the other sisters now quietly (or not-so-quietly) watching Arata with new eyes, it’s clear this is more than just a blended family romcom; it’s a slow-burn emotional minefield disguised as a wholesome slice-of-life. The tone balances its morally dicey premise with humour and earnestness.

Verdict: Episode 3 offers a charming mix of birthday fun, romantic tension, and hilariously awkward sibling moments, with Banri and Ouka stealing the spotlight in this steadily intensifying family romcom.

Final Thoughts on this week’s Tuesday releases

This week’s Tuesday slate felt steady and satisfying across the board—nothing wildly unexpected, but each episode offered its own flavour of delight. Whether it was Yachiyo uppercutting a guest in Apocalypse Hotel, Nagisa’s adorable panic in Catch Me at the Ballpark!, Meg tugging heartstrings and sparkles alike in Once Upon a Witch’s Death, or the tangled sibling tension in The Shiunji Family Children, all four shows delivered with polish and purpose. Visually, the day was especially strong—expressive animation, warm tones, and excellent use of space and background design gave each episode a feeling of intentional craft. And emotionally? There’s definitely a trend this season of leaning into soft chaos with a meaningful edge, and Tuesday’s offerings are nailing that balance.

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

Next week, I’m most excited for Catch Me at the Ballpark! The show’s low-stakes, high-heart vibe is the perfect breather mid-week, and I can’t wait to see how her dynamic with Nokogiriyama and Ruriko develops. Honestly? The comedy’s sharp, the visuals are expressive, and I need more of those flustered pink-cheeked reaction shots in my life.

Any, I’m considering binge-watching instead of watching weekly or dropping outright?

Right now, nothing’s in danger of being dropped—yet. But The Shiunji Family Children is kind of teetering on the line between “fun to follow weekly” and “maybe I’ll just let it build up for a binge.” It’s engaging, sure, but the emotional pacing might hit harder in a marathon format. That said, the post-credits cliffhangers are keeping me reeled in.

Not So Hopeless: Spotlight on This Week’s Header Image

This image from Apocalypse Hotel was chosen as the header because it perfectly captures the reflective, slightly surreal tone of this week’s blog entry. With its abandoned-modern-meets-overgrown-eden vibe, it mirrors the feeling of waking up after very little sleep, surrounded by quiet and starting the day with comfort anime. The hotel itself is central to one of Tuesday’s standout episodes, and the scenery elegantly reflects both emotional solitude and visual serenity, exactly the tone the post’s introduction evokes. Plus, it’s a visually stunning frame that sets the scene for thoughtful, yet low-key, seasonal anime musings.

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

As I look back on this week’s Tuesday anime releases, I’m struck by the gentle rhythm they’ve found; there’s a softness to the emotional arcs, even when chaos breaks out or romances get messy. These shows don’t feel rushed or performative; they feel lived-in. Whether it’s a magical hotel tucked into the ruins of Tokyo or a baseball stadium brimming with awkward first crushes, each world feels just a little closer to home this week.

Thank you for spending this quiet Tuesday with me. Whether you’re deep into every episode or just skimming the vibes, I hope this check-in helped you find a moment of peace, humour, or connection in your own anime week.

Until next time, take care of yourself, and keep watching stories that make the world feel just a bit more magical.

Follow along with Tuesday’s anime releases here: