Anime

I think this premise can work, but this feels very fumbled. A tearjerker-of-the-week format doesn't really need the buildup this got - just jump right in to Meg helping people out and fill in the why later (hell, that could be its own tearjerker episode). Instead it has this wonky tone that isn't really conducive to making me cry. I give the premiere a 2/5, but it's possible it could right the ship and end up being a great show (I'll check back in later in the season)

Also, 1000 tears in a year is WAY too many to take seriously if she only gets one per person. She's seriously supposed to average almost 3 people crying with pure joy per day?

The production team is basically showing their hand and saying "yeah, our goal is to make you cry every episode for the entire season". That's ambitious and I like it.

Maybe I'm just easily manipulated, but this first story got me (even with them having to take the time to establish the premise first). It could've hit harder, sure, but it (subjectively ofc) felt like a pretty promising start to me. If I have one thing to nitpick it's actually the soundtrack when she goes into town--it feels out of place? it doesn't mesh and feels frantic. It's entirely possible that it was intentional--I'm willing to trust the story for now.

I loved the cold open! It really efficiently establishes the mood, sets up the magical aspect with the single "tea brewing" shot, and shows us Meg's personality through how others (Ms. Faust and all the animals) interact with her. When people say "show, don't tell", this is what they mean.

This show was never in my radar.

Looking at this discussion, then the MAL synopsis and discussions too, my heart wavers if I should watch this or not. Based on the stuff I liked best, it really feels something I might like very much. However, melancholy/drama shows similar to this tend to be absolute gems (A Place Further Than The Universe) or trainwrecks (The Day I Become a God—didn't see it yet, that's my impression based on what I read about it). There's no in-between.

Fellas, should I watch it and run the risk of dropping an airing show for the first time? Whatcha think?

This was competently directed, and didn't feel slow at all.

The plot feels like it was stolen right out of a classic shojo manga, but the protagonist's attitude is very modern.

@rikka@ani.social

It wouldn't surprise me if it was revealed as all being a trick by the old witch as a character building exercise.

Emotional manipulation turned up to eleven without the expert story crafting of the likes of Violet Evergarden or Natsume's Book of Friends. This one just feels cheap to me.

Not a bad first episode that shows what to expect further on. I feel like it will be an enjoyable watch and curious to see which story turns to be my personal tearjerker.