Nana Maru San Batsu
9 December, 2017
Question: What is the first anime ever created? They sure can make an anime out of anything. That is why I was curious that they could even make a series out from the quiz bowl itself. That is what Nana Maru San Batsu is all about. A group of students taking challenges from various meets, meet all kinds of quiz nerds, answers lots of questions, experience and learn the strategies on how to even answer and anticipate answers of questions that isn’t even read finished???!!! Woah. It’s too technical. It’s too deep. I have a feeling I might end up with a headache at the end of it but my curiosity is high enough to want to make me check this out. I hope I learn something from all of this.
Episode 1
The clubs are aggressively trying to recruit new members at Busou High School. Especially the quiz bowl association. Shiki Koshiyama is a plain guy who doesn’t stand out and is overwhelmed by all the aggressiveness. He takes a look at the quiz paper he was given. He tries to answer as it starts off fairly easy. In class when the teacher asks volunteers to be the library rep, because he is so meek and a tall guy blocking him in front, Daisuke Inoue takes to post followed by Mari Fukami. A few other girls note this and gossip about him being a loser. He seeks refuge in the library. Fukami accidentally trips over him. Nice shima pantsu… Oops. She leaves in a hurry and he notices she dropped her quiz paper. He sees strange markings on the questions. In the hall where the clubs introduce themselves, the quiz bowl association is introduced by Gakuto Sasajima. He has 3 volunteers to come up to stage and then randomly picks another 3. Koshiyama is that unlucky dude. Not only he has to be in front of the stage, he is next to Fukami and each time he sees her, he only thinks of shima pantsu! Sasajima starts off with a variety of questions from straightforward to trick questions. Fukami then struts her stuff when she buzzes before the question is read finished and answers them correctly. No, she isn’t cheating. This has Koshiyama realize about her advice where there are some questions you can predict its answers (hence the markings on her quiz paper) and literally you need to be fast enough to earn the right to answer. Since you have 5 seconds to answer, you can use that time to think of the answer. When Sasajima asks the last and toughest question, Koshiyama is able to beat everyone and answer correctly without the question being finished reading. Everyone is awed at him. Later when Koshiyama returns Fukami’s paper quiz, she concludes he is a smart person as he got a hang of it in a short time. As the last question was hard, even if she heard that question till the end, she could not have answered it. That’s why she will forgive him for seeing her shima pantsu (?!) if he joins the quiz bowl association with her. Is that a quiz question for him? She believes his abundant knowledge and quick thinking will be his weapons to become quiz king!
Episode 2
Fukami sounds ambiguous asking Koshiyama out tomorrow. Are they going on a date? Nah. It’s a quiz meet at Sekigaoka High School. Inoue is interested and wants to come too (he is probably interested in Fukami). At the train station, they meet up with Sasajima. Yes, the quartet are the only members of the newly formed quiz bowl association. At the hall, we see a few potential rivals like Takumi Niina and Yousuke Ashiya who know Sasajima well. On the girls’ side there is Chiaki Sonohara from Asagaoka Girls’ High. Also from this school is Yuki Kouzuki who is Fukami’s childhood friend. The quiz begins and is divided into 2 groups. The first 3 to have 5 correct answers advance to the next round. Fukami is in the first group and after testing the buzzers, Hajime Sasaki races to become the first one to qualify. There are many close instances of fast buzzers as Koshiyama realizes the 0.01 second of chance of victory needed in pushing the button and answering the question. Since he is so awed, Chisato Mikuriya chides him for that. You can tell they’ll be rivals. Fukami and Kouzuki pass to the next round. Before the next group begins, Sasajima evaluates Fukami’s performance. She might be good in the classics but it isn’t good enough since the next round will be harder. What are classics? Frequent questions. So to have better chances, usually one would memorise them and find a pattern. Koshiyama and Inoue are up in the next group. Mikuriya shows his stuff as he flawlessly becomes the first to qualify. While Koshiyama excels in literature, Inoue does well in the otaku category. It is a neck to neck race for the final spot between Koshiyama and Fumika Kenmochi. A literature question has Kenmochi beating Koshiyama to the buzzer but she is unable to answer. This is also a tactic to stop Koshiyama from answering. Koshiyama is so tense that he buzzes too fast to an otaku question. Thank goodness he learnt what zettai ryouiki was today or else he couldn’t have spit out that answer that earned him the next round.
Episode 3
During the break, Koshiyama seems down because the quiz bowl is a lot more competitive than he thinks. Sasajima motivates him that the classics are updated from time to time so it is impossible for everyone to memorize it all. This gives everyone a chance and it is fun because you’ll never know what can happen next. The next round is a format whereby all contestants have to write their answers. For the one who buzzed, a correct answer earns 3 points but a wrong one means deducting that amount. For those who didn’t buzz, a correct answer earns them a point but no penalty for a wrong one. As it begins, Mikuriya is buzzing at very crucial parts of the question where the rest can’t make head or tail what the question is. And he gets them all correct! So much so he eases off to give others a chance. Koshiyama then realizes it could be because of the accentuation of how the host emphasis the words in the question that might give clues on what the second half of the question is. Koshiyama gets a hang of it although he still misses the mark but Mikuriya notes how close his answers are. In the end, the top 3 to advance to the final round are Mikuriya, Sasaki and Kouzuki. The final round is harder since the questions are longer and the contestants have to wait to hear a big bulk of it before buzzing. Koshiyama also ‘plays’ by answering in his head while watching from the side lines. In a question whereby Mikuriya buzzed earlier but then realize his answer might be wrong, Koshiyama goes deep into thought and when he arrives at the correct answer, he blurts it out! This is clearly against the rules and the question won’t be counted as Sasajima takes him out of the hall. Koshiyama is embarrassed and apologetic but Sasajima doesn’t blame him since he didn’t teach him the proper etiquette. Only those with the right to answer can do so, hence pretending to do so without that right is just inappropriate. His advice is to improve his technique of answering and then store up his knowledge. Quiz bowls are more than showing off one’s knowledge as it includes rules and strategies. It is no surprise Mikuriya wins the meet so he tells Koshiyama to come the next regular meet in June to get his revenge.
Episode 4
Koshiyama tries to greet Fukami on his way to school. He picks her up on his bicycle but has no strength to peddle! No, she isn’t heavy! However Fukami switches places with him and the ride is easier! He’s so light! Yeah, awkward stares at them… With the trio joining the quiz bowl association, Fukami starts off asking Sasajima on how to win competitive quiz bowls. However he tells them they can’t win. He rephrases his words that they should get to know about the world of quiz bowls before thinking about winning and losing. This has Koshiyama re-evaluate his goal. He needs to defeat quiz bowl itself before defeating others. Now we get on to the technical aspect of explaining the category of straight or parallel questions in quiz bowls. I’m dumb. I don’t get it. As they don’t have their own buzzer (one costs a lot) so they use a calculator as substitute. Low class but it works. Fukami meets up with Kouzuki to ask if her school has extra buzzers to lend. They don’t. She suggests working part time to buy time and in the mean time she could broaden her horizons with different experiences. Koshiyama is at his usual spot at the library when a zombie girl crawls up to him! Actually Jinko is just hungry and eats half his lunch! She was so wrapped up in her hobby she spent all her money on it. Because they are so close, Fukami spots them. She gets jealous another girl is eating his lunch when she herself has not and runs away. WTF?! Inoue is crying out loud that Koshiyama is popular with the girls. Please be quiet. This is the library. Koshiyama looks like he has his hand full with these troublesome people but he is liking it? Youth, he calls it…
Episode 5
Koshiyama looks at the book Jinko dropped. It looks complicated but it is somewhat related to quiz bowls. In class when the teacher asks Koshiyama for an answer, he doesn’t find it specific enough and asks if he could word it like a quiz bowl! No wonder the teacher blows his top. Today Buzou will have a joint practice quiz bowl match with Miyaura High School. It is where Mikuriya and Ashiya come from. Miyaura has also new members to take part, Maruyama, Mukai and Kiyosumi. This joint practice means they are using a real buzzer instead of a calculator. Sasajima shows an old buzzer he has that somebody once gave him. It is broken so he hides it in his pocket and just presses it. The quiz bowl will be a team match. A correct answer adds a point while a wrong one subtracts one. Although a team buzzes, anyone can answer. But to test the cohesion of the team, if multiple players from the same team answer simultaneously despite the answer is correct, it will be treated as wrong. So it is better for the buzzer to answer. First to reach 10 points wins. Oh, Mikuriya is staying out and keeping the score. He’ll decimate these rookies if he plays. The game begins with Buzou side making a good head start before Miyaura catching up. A few instances the Buzou team saved each other. Like when Fukami buzzed too early and is unable to answer, the guys manage to answer on her behalf and score. Fukami’s specialty also lies in foreign languages while Inoue is good at maths. With Buzou having a good flow, Sasajima notes they are having fun and should remember this feeling. This is much needed when they play competitively later on. Miyaura has a short breakdown with their members answer wrongly or usurping and then answer wrongly, causing them to accuse each other. But the fight is close and in the end, Miyaura wins by a point. Fukami felt a bit disappointed since she forgot what was important and started panicking thinking about her own failures and abilities. But the most pissed off one is Mikuriya. He is not happy with Miyaura’s performance. He wants to fight the Buzou side 3 on 1 right now! However all the buzzers are being taken apart by Jinko! Oh no! She is Sasajima’s sister! Nobody could guess since they are so different even in their accent. Seems Jinko is an electronic craft nerd and is willing to make them a buzzer each. Cheaper and better. The box might be complicated but it is not an impossible feat for her. That book she dropped was about instructions to make a buzzer system.
Episode 6
Doing a cat maid job with Kouzuki is not what Fukami had in mind to earn some cash. It’s embarrassing and if somebody were to see them… Close by, Sasajima and Jinko are at the electronics store to get stuffs to make their own buzzer. Koshiyama and Inoue are at the arcade playing a quiz game. There are also other formats like multiple choices. Several answers are displayed and you pick the correct ones. You earn a point for each correct one but get entirely zero if a wrong one is picked. Soon they realize they are playing against Mikuriya! Ashiya is also here and decides to help the newbies as part of his service. Another format of quick buzzing is how answers (right or wrong) pop up one at a time and the fastest to buzz in wins the point. Mikuriya is faster in all of them until one whereby no hint pops out and Koshiyama buzzes in and gets correct. I don’t understand this technical stuff of how he did it but Ashiya noticed that Koshiyama isn’t a fountain of knowledge but has also theoretically analysed the rules in order to do better (like coming up with a set of answers to answer easier when a question pops up). A couple of ruffians try to ruin their game so they can play on their machine. Ashiya doesn’t want trouble and takes the guys to retreat. There is this strange devil cosplay girl who was watching them. She didn’t like how they jumped the queue so she challenged them to a fighting game. She instantly defeated them and those chickens run away. Now she wants to play Koshiyama too but Ashiya says they need to get going. This prompts her to mock them as quiz bowl nerds. Koshiyama blows his top about insulting this. So what being quiz freaks? He might have stepped over the line but it made Ashiya happy that somebody is quite passionate about the quiz bowl. When they leave, they are given hand-outs to a store’s quiz event. Oh, it’s Fukami and Kouzuki. She’s dying of embarrassment now. When Koshiyama wants to get Mikuriya’s contacts, he refuses and just reminds him about the meet. Ashiya thought that was mean but Mikuriya’s idea is that Koshiyama has the potential to become a lot better. In that case he doesn’t want to get friendly or show any mercy. Of course Koshiyama won’t be the only opponent and there will other much tougher ones.
Episode 7
As schools around the nation take turn to host a quiz tournament, this time it will be Asagaoka. You bet Koshiyama and co want to enter since the more experience the better. Sasajima has them take a paper quiz first. The last question is always a question of estimation in case of tie breakers. That question is Jinko’s weight! Though Inoue got it correct, he scored the lowest. Koshiyama of course has the highest score. However Sasajima sounds harsh in his advice that this won’t do. Veterans would ace in this and Koshiyama won’t even have a chance to make it to the buzzer round. A point can determine a winner or loser. Koshiyama knows he needs to get better and gain more knowledge outside literature or else he will disappoint Mikuriya. Later Koshiyama asks why Fukami joined the quiz bowl. It was due to Seiji, her brother’s influence as he used to be part of it. She was impressed by the way he owned the competition. He is now in Kaijou High School, a pretty elite school. However he won’t be participating in any more quiz bowls because he quit to focus on his exams. Speaking of the devil, here he is to pick her up. Quite the elite gentleman he is. Seiji notes she has joined a club and when he guesses it is a quiz bowl, she dare not answer. He reminds her competing in the quiz bowl is pointless. Sasajima has a heap of quiz questions he collected from other schools. Yeah, be prepared to read them all. Koshiyama finds a few book on local places of attraction and Sasajima believes such information could be useful. Confused Fukami asks Sasajima why he entered the quiz bowl. He rubbishes that question. Do you need a reason to fall in love? Because Fukami admires him, the guys think she has fallen for him. Is she going to say it out loud now her confession? Well, it’s her love for quiz bowl. Sorry to disappoint. Jinko has finished their buzzer. But it comes with weird animal sounds… What a distraction… Sonohara looks through the list of entries for the meet. Remember that devil cosplay girl at the arcade? Turns out to be Sonohara’s cross-dressing brother, Akira. Why am I not surprised? When he mentions about meeting an interesting person named Koshiyama, Sonohara feels she has heard the name before. Oh, it’s on the list of participants from Buzou. I suppose now a reason for him to join his quiz bowl club that he wasn’t interested in the first place?
Episode 8
The quiz bowl at Asagaoka will be taking place in their chapel. So the girls of this school are dressing up as nuns, praying to God are some sort of distraction? We get a glimpse of a few top contenders from other schools. Currently the top quiz player is Kunimitsu Ookura from Kaijou and although he looks intimidating, he gets emotionally happy that Sasajima is here to participate and now they can face off with each other. The first round is a paper quiz. Koshiyama feels he didn’t do well since it is laced with current events and pop culture. He lets the rest know why he prefers classics because of his late dad. The top 10 of the paper quiz will automatically go to round 3 while others will participate in round 2. Sasajima takes top spot and although Ookura has the same marks but is ranked second because of the estimation question. The rest are: 3) Ashiya; 4) Harumi Konoe (Kaijou); 5) Koutarou Tozuka (Leoneil High School); 6) Hiroki Shibuya (Kannami University); 7) Masaru Shibata (Kaijou); 8) Minoru Hanabusa (Kannami); 9) Atsuyoshi Hosokawa (Kaijou). And propping up the final spot is Mikuriya. For the second round, participants are paired with another. It will be a numerated question as up to 2 participants can buzz an answer. This unorthodox format means there will be 2 answers and the pressure is on the second person to answer as it will be dangerous if he/she only knows 1 of the answers. Only a pair from each group advances. For the first group, Fukami is paired with Yagi from Kannami. They manage to qualify for the next round thanks to Fukami understanding the rules and her partner very well (she was able to answer and cover harder questions for Yagi). Next group has Inoue and Maruyama as a team. They fall behind not because they lack knowledge but the speed to buzz. However they get disqualified after 2 wrongs since either one only knows 1 of the answers and in Inoue’s case, he buzzed in too early and the chances are 2/3 correct. He picked the wrong one. Koshiyama is up next and looks like Akira is also in this round.
Episode 9
Koshiyama and Akira are paired together. As it starts, Koshiyama finds himself slow to buzz in. Then, before the first word of the question can be read, Akira buzzes in! Huh?! It looks like there is a loophole. Because the host will continue to read the question until the second buzzer buzzes in. Of course this is a sneaky plan to catch everyone off their timing. So when the next round comes, some nervous pair did the same trick but couldn’t answer and they get disqualified. Sasaki pair is leading and Koshiyama knows he is too slow. Therefore Akira suggests buzzing both their buzzers together by putting one on top the other. This isn’t against the rules because it does not say how one can press the button. Plus, Akira technically has his hand over his buzzer so it still counts. Sonohara is forced to allow this because it’s not in the rules. She knows her brother views this as a game and his intention is to rile everyone up. So when the next question is asked, Koshiyama and Akira’s buzzers buzz first. They answer and qualify for the next round. The others stare at Akira with disgust so he mocks those losers and reminds them how his strategy was the one that made them win. When Akira returns, Niina who is his club president admonishes him for his bad behaviour. He can go home now. Everyone has never seen Niina this mad before but then Akira then starts crying crocodile tears. It softens Niina’s heart and makes him look like the bad guy. Akira just wants to have fun seeing he is new to the quiz bowl and promises he won’t do it the next round. I guess that’s that. When Akira hints himself at Mikuriya, they now recognize him as that cosplayer from the arcade. They note they have to be cautious of his tricky and sneaky tactics and that’s why they can’t lose to him.
Episode 10
The 18 finalists are divided into 2 groups. Sasajima and Fukami are in this first group. The first question has multiple answers to determine their starting scores. You get a point correct for each correct answer but a wrong answer automatically earns you zero. Sasajima aces this with full 12 points. The next round of questions begins with the system of those buzzing in and answering correctly will earn 3 points or have that deducted if answered wrongly. In this stage they can choose how to distribute the points like keeping it all for themselves or use it to subtract points of others. The first 3 to reach 20 points qualifies for the next round. Sasajima quickly buzzes and scores maximum points. It’s like he is blowing the competition away. The veteran players know who they are up against with so it is wise to let that higher skilled person win. When Sasajima qualifies for the next round, Hanabusa cheers for him about being an ex-Kaijou student. This shocks many. As Ookura explains, he was in Kaijou up until last year and he with Seiji were a formidable pair. However, something happened between that made Sasajima quit Kaijou and Seiji the quiz bowl. Because of that, Fukami can’t concentrate and kept wondering. She couldn’t hear what questions were asked and is lagging behind. Till her teammates cheer her on to concentrate did she really start to claw her way back up. It’s like she got her much needed boost and is starting to kick ass with this revival. She is able to use the points strategy to keep those from coming close to qualify to remain in the competition. But in the end, it is Hanabusa and Tozuka who made it through. Now for the second group in which Koshiyama, Mikuriya, Ashiya and Okura are in, it seems Akira went ‘missing’. Sonohara doesn’t care and will start anyway.
Episode 11
Before the next round starts, Akira returns but cross-dressed as a girl! This shocks everyone and some believe that his intention is to distract everyone from doing well in the quiz. The multiple answer kicks off and it looks like Ookura and Koshiyama end up having the highest points. Mikuriya gets zero since he has an answer wrong. However when the game proper starts, his fast fingers allow him to earn points fast and in no time he claws his way back up. Akira is really being annoying. Because whenever he wins points, he uses it to subtract points from others, causing one of the players to go out of the game. He also messes around by buzzing in before the question can be read, hence nobody gets it right. Sonohara must be up to here and embarrassed with her brother but what is there to do? It’s all within the stipulated rules. With Akira targeting and trying to reduce Ookura points, eventually Ookura is the first to qualify. Niina is next although he subtracts a point from Mikuriya as he sees him as the next threat. With one place remaining, the quiz gets really intense. It looks it might be either Koshiyama or Mikuriya depending who buzzes first and answer it correctly. However that tempo is once again ruined by Akira. And this time the question is some date probability. Well, dig deep into your thoughts and knowledge for the answer. I’m not holding my breath as we wait…
Episode 12
We have everyone presenting the reason why they arrive at that particular day as the answer. Like Mikuriya using maths. I don’t follow Koshiyama’s convoluted method of using some third party relating to history. I would have been like Akira using his guts! Anyway, despite different approaches, these trio answered the same correct answer. Akira mocks everyone again and since Mikuriya tells him to hurry up and not waste their time, Akira subtracts the most points from him. But since he isn’t fazed, Akira just loses interest and walks off! Sonohara wanted to give him an earful but has to finish her hosting duties. So we are left to Niina to admonish him outside. He believes Akira is doing this because he has no friends. He takes him back to the hall to watch the rest. By that time, it is the final question and it would either be Mikuriya or Koshiyama. The question has something to do with Christ’s pilgrimage and Koshiyama buzzed in too early as he was panicking trying to beat Mikuriya to it. Because of that, the question is very wide open and all participants have different answers. Again we hear Koshiyama’s convoluted thoughts on how he deduces what kind of question that befits this round to be the answer. Well, I guess he is still inexperienced since Mikuriya is the only one who got it correct and advances to the next round. Akira leaves again and his sister promises to punish him back home. Niina still throws him hope to come to the club and join them in the quiz bowl. Niina and Sonohara then apologize to the rest for his unruly behaviour. We skip the rest of the final rounds because main character isn’t in. Also, Sasajima won the entire thing by a large margin so I believe it is no fun. With his victory speech for everyone to look forward to the next meet, it motivates our young ones to take on more challenges. Later Koshiyama thanks Mikuriya but he caught him on his bad mood. Mikuriya tells him off if beating him is his only satisfaction. As there are many other better than him, he will not wait. He acknowledges people who are aiming higher. Koshiyama also sets his goal higher and the duo acknowledge each other and rivals. Fist bump.
Buzzer Beater
Oh. So there is the Nationals for quiz bowls now? Okay. I’m out of here. I can’t take it anymore. My brain has always been empty from the start. Plus, all the trivia bits from the questions in here just went in from one ear and out the other. I learnt nothing. My brain has been empty for a long time and somehow it hurts despite nothing sticking to it. Argh! I don’t want to relive my school days of studying, studying and studying! Anyway, before I start complaining about my old life and dumbness, let’s just say that even though this series feels incomplete because of how it ended, there is still a long way to go considering this final arc is just one of the major meets the characters have to go through. But that’s for another time if we all still care to stick around. I guess that is how quiz competitions should end. Less fanfare. Back to more studying.
I find it very strange that despite I know nothing and got all my answers wrong (that is, questions that I attempted to answer), I find this series is quite interesting. I know I’m confusing myself right now. It isn’t the questions asked or the knowledge/trivia/info that I should be deriving from it (heck, I have forgotten it all by the time the next question is popped), but rather the way and the method they make it look so interesting. They can actually drag a particular segment of the quiz with all the drama and thoughts of the characters and it is done in a good and interesting way that made me stick around despite I still don’t understand the finer points of the strategy or the answer. So you see, even when I’m such a blur head and my mind stopped thinking and trying to participate in answering the questions, my mind is still interested to stay till the end of the episode to find out what happened.
Sadly, watching this series at the end only makes me feel how dumb I am. Not that I have always thought that I am a smart person myself. Heck, I have even admitted I’m not such a smart person in my blogs from time to time. Seeing I know nothing and have come nowhere close to even eke out an answer, this proves that my head is just as empty. Can’t blame school. They never teach you all these facts there. Even if you give me twice or thrice or even unlimited time limit to answer them, I’ll never get it right. Not even if I’m just simply guessing and hoping my answer will hit the mark. So should I start reading now? Nah! Why do I need to know such useless trivia and facts if I’m never ever going to use or have some sort of relevancy in my life? That kind of loser mentality… No wonder ignorance is so bliss.
As shown here, having a wide area of knowledge doesn’t guarantee you a winning spot. Victory hinges mainly on the strategy and knowing how the particular set of rules and format of the quiz is being played out. Therefore if you are the smartest person in the world and know everything like as though you are God, you still won’t win because you do not have the right to answer or do not play your cards right. Thus the other interesting aspect of this anime is seeing how the characters use the particular quiz format and their strategies for the best outcome. It is quite enlightening to know that there are so many types and varieties of formats and how freaking technical this competition has become. Remember, you must be both the fastest and the most knowledgeable if you want to have a chance of winning. I mean, by hearing part of the question and knowing where the stress and intonation can actually determine and predict what the question is? Holy sh*t! I thought karuta was the only game where you need to have lightning quick hearing and reflexes. With karuta only being limited to the classic and traditional poems, could you say that the quiz bowl is an even more broader competition and challenge?
One thing I find strange about this series is how many of the characters do not look like they’re of the quiz bowl type. Stereotypes are one thing but when I first look at the whole cast for the quiz meet, of course I am not expecting everyone to be looking like a nerd. This is anime. You need to have different types of characters too for the sake of diversity. With a predominantly male participants, my first thought of seeing the bunch of guys from different schools and colleges were that, are these guys part of the tennis club?! Holy mother of Maria! Perhaps Prince Of Tennis was the only manly guys-only anime that I have watched. Because I sure didn’t watch that volleyball, basketball (the recent one and not the old school one) and diving gay anime. Hence I thought these guys look like they are more suited to play tennis or some sort of physical sports rather than a quiz bowl. I mean, look at Ookura. He is quite a build. It looks like a mismatch that he is participating in this ‘sissy’ game if you compare his size and stature. Of course don’t judge a cover by its book since he is smarter than me anytime. Is it me or is it the guys from Leoneil look like they are arrogant evil characters bent on taking over the world via quiz bowl?
If they expand the series beyond a dozen of episodes, I am sure they could flesh out the characters better. Because right now there are too many potential quiz bowl masters that Koshiyama has to ‘defeat’ (because he is main character, right?) but too little episodes to get to know them. Heck, even our own Busou characters don’t really get much of some background story. So guys like Koshiyama, we mostly know that he loves reading and excels in the literature genre. He gets more and more fascinated with the quiz world because that is where he gets to put his trivia and reading into good use. Otherwise it could have been the uneventful and most normal high school life he has ever had in his entire life. Since he is the main character, many times we hear his thoughts on how he derives the answer. Correct or not his deduction, it sounds so freaking confusing and random that I thought he just read it out from the script. I mean, in all that split second to just answer a question, it took like several minutes for all this dramatization effect to take place, analysing the question and deducing the answer.
So the interesting back story for the Busou counterparts is Sasajima’s past with Fukami’s brother and something that happened between them that caused the split and the end of the legacy. Too bad the quiz bowl won’t be asking that kind of question because nobody is going to give the right answer. Yeah, invasion of privacy. So this is the only thing going that is interesting for Busou’s history as I am sure the other schools too have their own history. Therefore it gives some sort of connection to characters like Fukami and a reason why she enters the quiz bowl world instead of just being one of the few female leads there just to look pretty. Sorry to disappoint but don’t expect any sort of Koshiyama x Fukami romance brewing. The few foreshadowing feels like trolling. Strangely, Fukami’s trademark of lifting her long hair over ear with her hand to hear better as she concentrates to listen looks like as though she is ready to give a blowjob… OMG what the f*ck did I just say?! Inoue feels like the weakest link but he too has his strong subjects, though not often quizzed. If he is here to get chicks, I believe there are other clubs that has better chances of him doing so. Oh well, girls do love a brainy guy, right? Hope he likes nerdy girls…
Jinko feels like an annex to the team. She isn’t part of the active team but as a supporting role. You know when you have a bunch of race car drivers and part of the crew and team member is the mechanic? Yup, that’s Jinko’s role. So far her biggest achievement is to make Busou’s own buzzer (why do I get the feeling the school is a pun named after the buzzer?). Otherwise she is a pretty forgettable character and even more had she not been such a cutie. Sasajima himself is a big mystery since he has his own ways and pace to teach the newbies. He tells you what is necessary since the best way for one to learn is to experience it first-hand. The world should have more senpais like him even if he is a bit eccentric.
Even if this is just a quiz bowl series, somehow I have this feeling it might go the shonen anime route because characters like Mikuriya who is Koshiyama’s current biggest rival, might become his ally in the future. It doesn’t look likely as the quiz format is usually every participant for themselves but I am looking at the perspective of Mikuriya and Koshiyama acknowledging each other as worthy rivals and then they go around facing other tougher challengers together and grow and learn more. Yeah, that kind of bromance feeling I get from them. Oh heck, some girls are already getting some yaoi thoughts over Niina x Akira.
Akira is interesting as an ‘antagonist’ because of how he surprises everyone with his devilishly unexpected ways. Thanks to him, the quiz meet isn’t as boring as it should be although purists would definitely want this troublemaker out. His approach of thinking is different than the rest since his ultimate goal isn’t to win but to have fun. And by that he messes around with others but tries not to make it illegal. Almost. And if he gets scolded, those crocodile tears and puppy dog eyes sure come in handy. I mean, who could be seriously mean to a sissy guy who cross-dresses, right? Perhaps Akira is to Sonohara what I would call a test from God. You can see her patience running thin but since she is from a missionary school, I guess she must learn to control her feelings and not give into rage. Wow. The house of God also has a little devil in it. In the end, perhaps all Akira want is some attention. Because, what better way than to get everyone’s attention on you by deliberately pissing them off.
Art and animation are rather okay. Standard Japanese anime style and nothing too complicated. I know people come in all shapes and sizes but like I’ve said before, it feels out of place to see people from of varying looks to take part in quiz bowls. A reason why I mentioned the Prince Of Tennis reference because I thought some of the characters here resemble them. Like Sasajima whom I thought reminded me of Sadaharu Inui, Ashiya prompted me to remember Kunimitsu Tezuka while Mikuriya closely resembles Akaya Kirihara. I think Niina and Renji Yanagi (or even Shuusuke Fuji) look almost alike since both have closed eyes. Akira? I thought he shares that same craziness as Jin Akutsu even though they don’t very much resemble each other. Do Ookura and Kaoru Kaidou look alike? No? Okay. Must be just me. Lucky for Koshiyama, I don’t see him anywhere close to Ryouma Echizen. I thought he is fitted more to be in shogi like 3-gatsu No Lion’s Rei. While not a must, is it me or do I notice that smart people wear glasses? Sure there are exceptions but it’s like half of the main characters wear them. Sasajima, Koshiyama, Niina, Seiji and that Leoneil guy. Hey, at least they make them look smart.
I didn’t really recognize anybody in the voice acting department. Well, there is only Ayane Sakura as Sonohara but I couldn’t identify with her. Recently she has been voicing characters that sound different than that bratty stereotype that I have known her for like Kaji in Tsurezure Children. Umika Kawashima, the seiyuu behind Fukami’s voice feels a bit raw. I won’t go so far as to paint her as anywhere near Saori Hayami but it feels like as though her voice isn’t refined. Not to say it is a bad thing whatsoever but her anime voicing roles I checked are so far only in Star Diver and Hunter x Hunter movie. She might sound like an amateur (there are hints of nervousness in it, not sure if it is on purpose or it’s part of the character) but I’ll try to look it from a refreshing perspective point of view since seiyuus who overdramatize their character is far worse than this.
The rest of the other casts are Shun Horie as Koshiyama (Hiyama in 12-sai: Chicchana Mune No Tokimeki), Takuto Satou as Sasajima (Tatsuya Yuuki in Gundam Build Fighters series), Satsumi Matsuda as Jinko (Hiroe in Saki: Zenkoku-hen), Tasuku Hatanaka as Inoue (Kaminari in Boku No Hero Academia), Kaito Ishikawa as Mikuriya (titulat character in Kyoukai No Rinne), Wataru Hatano as Ashiya (Gajeel in Fairy Tail), Tomoaki Maeno as Ookura (Junichi in Amagami SS), Tatsuhisa Suzuki as Niina (Ban in Nanatsu No Taizai), Takuma Nagatsuma as Akira (Lacus Welt in Owari No Seraph), Mao Ichimichi as Kouzuki (Papika in Flip Flappers) and Hikaru Midorikawa as Seiji (Lancer in Fate series). Nothing really special about the opening theme, On My Mind by Mrs Green Apple. I wonder if the lively rock music is suitable for a quiz themed series. The weirdly named ending theme, OOOOO by Babyraids Japan is another rock piece. By the way, those are not the 15th alphabet and are circles which means correct.
On a trivial note, I find it funny that the official English title of this series is called Fastest Finger First. Technically that is what mainly the quiz participants have to do and hence appropriate. But if you hear this title without knowing what this series is about, to some it may sound like a porn title or some video compilation of pranks. I mean when you notice its initials as FFF, doesn’t it just sounds funny? Even in Japanese the name of this series can be written as 7O3X, in reference to the quiz format of seven rights and three wrongs to determine you advance or go out. Looking at that title without knowing what the series is about also evokes thoughts that this might be some sort of futuristic sci-fi anime.
Overall, this anime isn’t for anybody or like it will be something that is mainstream. The lack of any physical action and the action being mainly confined inside the halls and the buzzer might turn off many. Even more so when you realize that they could dramatize how to answer the questions, the strategies they used and how their thoughts are dramatically narrated for this effect, then rinse and repeat the entire thing again would only appeal to nerds. But then again, if you’re more interested in accumulating knowledge and trivia, you won’t be sitting around and watching this anime in the first place. The questions asked are just the tip of the iceberg. Oh heck, just a speck of dust from the vast sea of knowledge. No, the stars in the universe! I mean, who the f*ck wants to know or should know what happened specifically on 5 April 1722, 22 January 1905 and 15 May 1932! OR WHAT FREAKING DAY OF THE WEEK THOSE ARE!!! Hell, I know I wasn’t born then. And out I go!
Question: Will this anime have a sequel? Answer: Only time will tell. Zero points for lack of originality!
N/B: Answer for the first anime created? Astro Boy? If you consider it as the first popular anime. Katsudou Shashin? Not officially recognized by the anime industry due to different method and unconfirmed origins. Dekobou Shingachou: Meian No Shippai? Seikai!
Tsurezure Children
8 December, 2017
Looking at the poster at first, I thought Tsurezure Children would be some sort of teen superpower superhero series. You know, a group of tedious children as in what its name suggests but got involved in some sort of national conspiracy and hence bringing forth their latent powers to save the country and ultimately the world from disaster. Oh boy, such vivid imagination I have. I should start writing such stories no matter how cliché it sounds. Anyway, this series is nothing of that sort. It is a compilation of shorts regarding these kids on how they deal with love during their high school years. Yup, just your average romantic comedy of teens discovering and experiencing love.
Episode 1A
Haruhiko Takase is being called out by Saki Kanda. He knows she is going to confess him but they have been standing in the cold for 10 minutes! Then she asks if he has anyone he likes. She is really being picky of the words he uses to say no. Takase is about to leave but she won’t let him. Is she finally going to confess? Well, she wants him to come back here same time tomorrow. So that she can confess. WTF?!
Episode 1B
Jun Furuya doesn’t like how Yuki Minagawa is slacking despite becoming a class rep with him. Her answer is simple: She likes him. She starts teasing him and no matter what issues he throws at her like all the admirers she has, it all boils down to her liking him. Well, this one is quite the brave one in confessing. And any negative vibe Furuya has, she positively brushes it aside and believes he is just shy.
Episode 1C
Masafumi Akagi the student council president catches Ryouko Kaji smoking. He will not report her if she kisses him. Yes, he’s serious. He wants to see if he could fall in love with a woman. No, he isn’t gay. Kaji thought she could brush him off that she’ll kiss anybody for money. How much. 100,000 Yen. He has that much money! When he gets serious, she starts trembling. He points out this is proof she has never prostituted herself before and should value herself more than that. He is still serious about that kiss but the stench of nicotine is killing him. He advises her to give up smoking. What is he? Her boyfriend? He doesn’t dismiss that idea. After kissing, he believes he can fall in love with her. With a condition she quits smoking.
Episode 1D
Satsuki Sasahara is in love with her senior, Hideki Yukawa. Tomorrow he is graduating and tonight is her last chance. Thing is, she has confessed so many times but made a joke out of it that he is sick of hearing it and doesn’t take her seriously. As she tries to set the mood, she can’t help going back to joking about it. So when she confesses seriously, it makes her nervous that he has this serious look. She gets scared and jokes about it. Blew it. She starts crying she’ll never get to confess to him again. He tells her he is still sick of it but would like to hear it for one last time. She confesses but I think it’s hard to take it seriously when she is still crying with that kind of face.
Episode 2A
Hotaru is Furuya’s little sister and she is happy to enrol in the same school as him. As she happily goes to see him, all that turns into horror when she sees Minagawa with him. Immediately this brother complex sister starts clinging on to dear brother. Anything Minagawa says, Hotaru becomes hostile. Even more so when Minagawa says they are friends. For now. Hotaru tries to make Furuya reject her since he hasn’t properly reply Minagawa yet. “I don’t hate you”. Standard middle ground answer. Hotaru continues to brainwash him he doesn’t need a girlfriend. His little sister is all he needs! But Furuya can’t give her a serious answer now because there are serious future things to consider like marriage and kids… More devastation for Hotaru but Minagawa views her too cute to hate. Unfortunately the hate is strong for Hotaru.
Episode 2B
Sasahara tries to recruit Yuuki Kaga to her astronomy club. He isn’t interested but since she is persistent, he tries to ask a few questions and she couldn’t answer! He can tell she isn’t even interested in the club. She sounds impressive when she tells him about the Spica star. But that is ripping off what Yukawa told her before. Still not interested? She goes on ranting about other things and Kaga sees this cute side of her. He realizes he has been a boring normal person for so long, maybe he has been looking for something to like. So I suppose he is joining because he likes her smile.
Episode 2C
Takeru Gouda sits next to Ayaka Kamine. He thought she hates him since she doesn’t say things properly. When he learns she dropped her contacts, he helps her look for it. Thinking she has something to say to him, he gets on his knees and assures he will answer it to his best. Okay. She is hinting how kind he was for lending his book earlier on. Didn’t get the hint? And now she wants his answer? About his feelings. He prostrates and apologizes he isn’t good in telling how girls feel. So please accept him the way he is. Not exactly what you think he is saying but Kamine starts crying. So when he is panicking about it, Kamine finally says it that she loves him. Now it’s his turn to panic.
Episode 2D
Chizuru Takano forgot her umbrella so Takurou Sugawara lends his and goes off himself in the rain. However he tripped. She felt bad and walked with him. She notices his shoulder getting wet and sticks close to him, making him fluster. He worries if her crush so them or anything but she assures she doesn’t have any. So he hypothetically asks if someone were to confess to her, in a straight face she says she will turn him down! Gulp. She sees herself as gloomy so he points out her good points. As he is about to confess, her bus is here. Oh, he gets on with her. He finally confesses he likes her. No reaction. Same deadpan face. Is she a robot? Takano takes it the wrong way he was trying to cheer her up. Heartbroken Sugawara alights and you can see his dramatic collapse. And all Takano could think of is to bake cookies for him as thanks for the umbrella.
Episode 3A
Kana Ijima punches Chiaki Uchimura! I guess when you’ve been dating for a year, physical abuse is allowed? Well, as long as it is not the other way round… However despite dating this long, they have not kissed. Hence their relationship looks more like the sibling type than lovers. So when Kana tries to talk about this, he jokes about it. More abuse. Then this is the real wake up call. Chiaki has never thought they were dating! Say what?! When she confessed to him a year ago, he thought she was joking and so he joked back he loved her more! Time for epic breakdown… Kana feels like a fool for thinking like that so Chiaki suggests they hook up properly. Seriously? Serious. Yeah, he even gives her permission to smack him. So let’s continue be the comedy duo. Ah, there’s your cue smack.
Episode 3B
Ayane Matsuura confessed to her crush but gets rejected. Naturally she is sad but her senior, Shinichi Katori tries to console her. Only if he isn’t talking and posing lamely. The cringe is strong. Very strong. Because of that, you can’t blame her for punching him. Or kicking him. Yeah, it sounds like he is teasing her. Even if he intended to let her hit him to relief her frustration, I think his cringe killed it. Double flying kick when he goes overboard saying she has fallen for it. You deserved it.
Episode 3C
Takao Yamane is panicking because Chiyo Kurihara is asking him out. I guess this is what otakus will react if a cute girl does so. Flashback shows he saved her from being groped on the train. So as they are out ordering their food at the café, Kurihara is telling all his good traits. However Yamane is thinking too much. Overthinking. You can obviously see him nonstop panicking. So negative. So pessimistic. And when Kurihara is about to confess, he hits his panic button. Time to order food.
Episode 3D
Sugawara helps Takano on her cleaning duty. She thinks he is a clean freak. Since he can’t explain himself, she thinks she is doing a lousy job at cleaning! Sugawara is worried about her knowing his feelings so when she says he is helping because he noticed her, he replies he is interested in her. Of course she mistakes that he wants to get better at cleaning with her. Sugawara realizes rushing in won’t do it any good. Take your time. And as expected, Takano thinks it is cleaning related. And about just letting her know his feelings? Yeah, just learn to clean quicker. This is going to take some time…
Episode 4A
Kana finds Chiaki’s porn magazine! Awkward! Being the tsundere she is, she dares him to do it with her. Itadakimasu! He wants to grope her boobs first but somehow she is reminded they never kissed. Right, there is an order to things. Crazy things are flowing through his mind when he suddenly poops! WTF?! It killed the mood. She ups the ante by taking off her clothes. But he isn’t allowed to see?! Okay… It’s taking some time to get the mood right again. Oh yeah. Sexy romantic time is here when suddenly Chiaki’s mom enters to serve some snacks. Oops. Sorry to intrude. Please continue. Then she tells the whole family not to come upstairs. The duo try again but mom had to pop back up to ask if they want to use the pill or borrow hers! WHY YOU RUIN EVERYTHING???!!!
Episode 4B
Kaji confronts Akagi to remind him that they aren’t officially dating and she isn’t quitting smoking for that. He wants to make it official so she gives excuses he doesn’t know anything about her. Then he describes how he has been watching her and knows her habits. It proves he has her on her mind for some time. He teases her she is an easy woman and will sleep with anyone if asked. Had he been a player, she would have been done in by him. She dares him to do it to her now so being the smooth operator he is, he says he wanted to take her for himself before anyone else did. He wants to make her his. Kaji is backed to the corner. There is no way out but to say yes. Sealed with a kiss.
Episode 4C
Furuya thinks he needs to answer Minagawa. It’s like she could read his mind and pesters him for it! Since he is shy, she thought he could communicate via messaging. He thought he is toying with her but it backfires when she says because he cannot answer, she isn’t sure if he is serious or just playing around. Guilt… She continues to teasing him through messaging and he is relieved she puts off the bugging for now. She is happy for now he was looking at her.
Episode 4D
Takano’s friend hands her a love letter to pass to Sugawara. So when she calls him to meet, you bet this happy dude gets the wrong idea. So happy when he gets her letter till he finds out the truth. Disappointed? He tries to hint about confessing to Takano herself but she quickly brushes it off it won’t be fun dating her. They discuss about hugging their loved ones and eventually he decides to give up confessing on her. He doesn’t want to be friendzoned and she won’t know what to do either. She still believes she isn’t the person he likes. As for her friend, he will personally turn her down tomorrow. She had the courage to go through all that (but not in person?) so he wants to honour that. Takano notes he is a nice person but if it were to happen to her, oh well, she doesn’t think it will.
Episode 5A
Kanda thinks of confessing via texting to Takase. I guess after that long winded writing, she just deletes it and writes hi. As they text back and forth, both sides are nervous and fidgeting on what to say. When it eventually takes too long to reply and Kanda finally decides to go all out in confessing, both send their text at the same time. Kanda receives his message that he thinks she has fallen asleep and should meet him tomorrow so he could tell her about the person he likes. Oh, he also hates those who try to confess via text. They’re the worst. Meanwhile Takase receives her full confession and to go out. They’re so dead…
Episode 5B
Sasahara is glad Kaga has recruited a new member, Kaoru Nanase who is his childhood friend and neighbour. It seems they hate each other as Nanase teases Kaga likes someone… When Sasahara leaves to attend a teacher’s call, Nanase accuses him of joining the club just because of Sasahara. There is no way he likes the stars. She wants him to reject her. Then she accuses him of ignoring her since middle school. He argues he thought people would think it would be odd for them to be together but she hints she doesn’t hate that idea. Now accusing each other of hating the other, if Nanase hates him, why would she come to this same school? Still don’t get it? He tries to apologize and console her. But it irks her when he is doing it because they are childhood friends. So more hate you hate me stuff. So if they hate each other, why is Nanase kissing him?! Cliché moment when Sasahara returns and sees this. So awkward…
Episode 5C
Kamine and Gouda are dating but he is keeping his distance. She wonders if they should have stayed as friends and her presence is making him uncomfortable. He drops the bomb when he wants to stop doing this. This is his first time dating so he doesn’t know what to do. It’s not doing them any good. Kamine cannot help cry but finds enough courage to thank him for going out with her. But she is shocked when he suggests holding hands for a start. Wait. Weren’t they breaking up? What Gouda meant was they should stop being so tense around each other. He thought it would be weird to start acting like a boyfriend. He was avoiding her because he was shy and sweaty from club activities. She doesn’t care as she jumps to give him a big hug.
Episode 5D
Nanase is probably regretting kissing Kaga. Nope, she is. Kaga is also embarrassed he was seen by Sasahara. She has likely gotten the wrong idea. When mom wants him to send apples to her, he doesn’t want to and claims she hates him. Mom thinks they got into a fight again and thought Nanase had a crush on him. He is surprised to hear that as mom realized that was still a secret. So he reluctantly goes over to hand over the apples.
Episode 6A
At this rate I think Kaji is going to have a mental breakdown the way Akagi is teasing her and it’s just pissing her off. Like he claims he likes her cute face and boobs but what about her inner character? He doesn’t. Because she herself said so that she is crappy. And yeah, throwing a few kisses to increase that stress. She wants to break up but she gets confused when he continues to say he loves her despite all that. She is so cute that he wants to bully her. As smooth as he is, he has her say she likes him before kissing her lips again.
Episode 6B
Kana feels weird to talk and even think about that cock block incident. Even odder, Chiaki wants her to aid in his FBI-alien comedy skit. While going with the flow, Kana realizes his face came too close. Was he trying to kiss her? Then they reverse the roles and it looks like he wants to kiss her. So she prepares herself but he pulls back. Apparently he isn’t sure about the punch line that is supposed to come here. Both still embarrassed decide to just go home.
Episode 6C
Yamane is being asked out by Kurihara for tomorrow’s date. However his fellow otaku buddy, Tomomichi Motoyama also invites him for a movie tomorrow. Yamane tries to give excuses he can’t so Motoyama suspects a girl. Yamane lies he is a middle school friend wanting to catch up so Motoyama backs out. This makes Yamane to feel bad so he comes clean about the truth. Upon hearing that, Motoyama punches him! So you got a girlfriend?! No more friends?! But the shocking thing is how Motoyama supports Yamane. He is happy his friend has found a girl even though their relationship is platonic. Yeah, lots of manly (otaku) tears. Yamane invites him if he would like to come along. Sure, if she brings her friends. Any of his friends is perfectly acceptable to him.
Episode 6D
Kazuko Hosogawa might have given many others love advice but she herself has never fallen in love before. That is, until she sees Katori saving a cat from a tree. It must be his cheesy lines and poses too that did the trick to steal her heart. She wants him to be her prince but he rejects her since he belongs to everybody. He warns her she will get burnt by doing so. She doesn’t care. And when she tries to hug him, she realizes it was only his after image. Hosogawa is frustrated to she decides to become a cat stuck on a tree. Save me! But she falls and when Katori tries to catch her, she accidentally elbows his gut! Critical damage! Being the ‘cool’ guy he is, he brushes off his injury and continues to play it cool that it is a prince’s job to save a kitten in distress. Looks like she loves him even more.
Episode 7A
Hotaru notices her brother being happier these days. It must be a woman. So without permission she hacks into his handphone and sees his conversation with Minagawa. She thought of sabotaging it by telling her to stay away but instantly Minagawa can tell it is Hotaru. And so it begins as Minagawa trolls Hotaru with some ambiguous words that little sister has yet to learn. She doesn’t even know what sleeping with each other means until Minagawa points out a child in her belly. OH NO! TRAUMA ACTIVATED!!! When Furuya returns, Hotaru is going to tell mom about it. Poor guy is left confused.
Episode 7B
Kamine is nervous as she hints to Gouda to tell his opinion about her. He thinks she wants him to take her out on a first date but after all that flustering she finally tells him she wants him to say in his own words that he loves her. He hasn’t said it to her yet. Kamine feels awkward since it might be forcing him but Gouda declares proudly he loves her from the bottom of his heart. Her face is so red but dense Gouda thinks she is mad.
Episode 7C
Continuing from that texting blunder, Takase things he has screwed up since Kanda seems to be avoiding him. At the toilet, his troubled face catches Katori’s attention. More cheesy lines and poses. He can tell Takase is having woman problems and he understands because he too made a woman cry before. Before Takase could think about asking him for advice, Katori announces he is the dating master. So his advice? He doesn’t know. All he can think about is go to her and hold her tight. Takase is impressed and will take his advice. But the moment he turns around to thank him, he is gone.
Episode 7D
Takano recently feels lethargic and her chest hurts a little. Oh, she can’t stop thinking of Sugawara too. As she heads to the infirmary, Sugawara is also there. She thinks she has a fever so it got him a little worried that her face was a little red. She flusters upon hearing that. However he is cool because he thinks she isn’t the kind who would fall in love. Takano wonders if this isn’t fever, what is it that she is having? She takes her temperature. Normal reading. Oh no. What could it be? I wonder…
Episode 8A
Kamine wants to tell Gouda what she truly wants but is too shy about it. Even if she did, she worries he will worry about her. So she asks if he likes being possessive. Not really. How about in moderation? Maybe. Like holding hands while walking. How about holding hands while sitting? Okay. Kamine gets permission to inch closer to him and doesn’t mind him being sweaty and all. Asking if he would like to cuddle her more since she won’t mind if he says so, Gouda would like to ask her one thing. He suddenly kisses her! Hey! He didn’t ask first! Kamine was clearly unprepared for that first kiss and she is embarrassed because she coughed. Want to have another go at it? Maybe after things calm down a little…
Episode 8B
Rumours of Kamine and Gouda kissing have spread. Because of that, Kana is ‘upset’ with Chiaki because in the eyes of everyone they are a couple and yet they haven’t really kissed. So we have them hinting and arguing using football terms if Chiaki should score or not. When Kana is in ‘stoppage time’, Chiaki thinks this is a good chance for him to kiss her. However at his angle it makes it very hard. When she checks to see what is taking him so long, he accidentally kisses her nose! Missed the shot! Awkward. But Chiaki feels confident with this and wants another shot at the goal! Can he do it? Well, with everyone watching them, I guess the match is over.
Episode 8C
Kaji is satisfied after Akagi helps her study. But now he wants to touch her boobs. Wait. What?! Of course she gets mad and won’t allow. He continues to bug her because he believes she will eventually give in. Then he argues that he is the one holding back, etc. I’m sure the pressure has gotten to her so when Kaji finally allows him to grope her boobs, he doesn’t want to do it. He says it was never his intention as he just wanted to know how much he was holding back all this time. Kaji is left embarrassed because it makes her feel like the needy one and that it implied that she needed something more out of this.
Episode 8D
Hosogawa is sad over her lost love. Till she sees Katori injured by a tree! She wants to call the ambulance (dramatic) but he doesn’t want to as he will be discovered. He blames himself for being famous because he flirted with a girl who already had a boyfriend. He wants to know how to be less popular. Since he needs to go into hiding for a while, Hosogawa is more than happy to let him stay at her place. However he tells her the ones after him are not the scary ones. It is the one who made him popular. You mean God? Hosogawa tries to hug him and this time she manages to keep up with his after image. But he can still break free. He stops her with a finger. How? He kisses it. He warns she will burn if she continues to fall for him. He won’t let her since he is going to find the God of romance and beat the crap out of him to become less popular. Until then, stay clear away from the flames of love. So cool! But cheesy too. Now she loves him even more. Get ready to burn…
Episode 9A
During pool lessons, Sugawara and Takano are stealing glances at each other, each wondering if the other is looking. It gets awkward when they wave to each other but no reaction, thinking they’re waving to someone else. Takano doesn’t think it is her but when she eventually asks him and he tells her straight it was her, she starts pondering why he was doing so and such. So when she finally tells him she was also looking at him, it is the wrong guy! Gouda wonders if he should tell that to Sugawara. No thanks… Hazukashii…
Episode 9B
Kanda wonders if their relationship is over since Takase hasn’t replied her confession since. She is also avoiding talking directly to him and only replying via texting, making him wonder if it is too late to reply. So when they try to talk again, it felt a bit awkward since Kanda misspoke. Because the way she says it sounded like she doesn’t like him anymore. And the way he asks back is like he is relieved she doesn’t have feelings for him anymore. So when they sheepishly agree to be friends again, Takase regrets he was too late to confess to her while Kanda regrets being friendzoned.
Episode 9C
Kamine hopes to try kissing with Gouda again since she baulked the first time. However Gouda thinks she is upset from that sudden kiss and is acting weird since. He thinks he will never do that kind of thing again. Of course Kamine really hopes he would do it. So she tries to recreate that atmosphere again by feigning she is sleepy and wants to sleep here right now. She ends up sleeping on his lap. This is sure to get him in the mood, right? HE FELL ASLEEP!!! Oh my! He really got into that mood. He wakes up, catching himself almost touching her face. Kamine is now frozen in embarrassment. Or was it disappointment?
Episode 9D
Minagawa once again trolls Furuya with more I love yous. He is upset they are not serious. On the contrary she says they are but also aren’t. Are you sh*tting him?! She explains the different type of loves and this one is the kind where he makes an angry face but is cute kind of love. Furuya would love to give his answer but he can’t do it if she isn’t serious about liking him. So she puts on a serious I love you face and then pulls it back since it’s hard to be serious. She thinks she can’t express it in words so she has him close his eyes as her face inches closer to his. Damn curtain blocking our view to see what happened. He is mad that she used her fingers to pretend she was kissing him. But she continues to mess with him that he can’t tell if it was her fingers or if she was serious.
Episode 10A
Motoyama meets up with Yamane. But what is he doing here with Kurihara?! Apparently it was Kurihara who asked to meet but since he was nervous, he thought he called Motoyama to come along. WTF. Motoyama can tell that Kurihara has made pudding for Yamane but since both of them are dense, he is forced to play the relationship manager. Since Yamane is too nervous to accept it, Motoyama has to pretend Yamane beat him up real good (bad acting anyway) just to hint that the girl is more important than his friend and thus he will take his leave. Once he is out of the way, he spies back and it looks like Yamane could accept calmly her pudding as much as Kurihara could calmly give it to him. So was it Motoyama’s presence that made them nervous?!
Episode 10B
Kamine is jealous because Gouda is nice to the other girls. And when a girl says nothing is wrong and pouts, you better realize that it is your fault and start thinking on your own what it is! He can’t put his finger on why she is mad so he meets up to apologize. But she’s back to normal. It’s her logic to make him worry about her if she is a little mean. Since he will hear anything she has to say, she starts listing down the things she doesn’t want him to do with other girls. So she’s being over possessive of him? Now she wants him to call her by her first name. Nothing comes out… Probably that was the hardest demand he has to comply.
Episode 10C
Chiaki and Kana see Kamine and Gouda together at the park. They spy on them since the duo are serious in class and never knew they were this lovey-dovey outside. They comment how people change with love but they themselves didn’t change much. They also observe all the bold things they talk to each other. And then the ultimate when Kamine wants Gouda to kiss him but he surprises her with a quick one. So the clowns now start to reflect on themselves and compare with this. So are they going to do it? It took a while for them to prepare but Gouda and Kamine are just leaving and interrupted. What are you doing here? Oh, nothing. And you, what are you doing here? Oh, nothing too. What a coincidence!
Episode 10D
Chiaki invites Kana to his house to study. Note, his parents are away on vacation. Looks like his plan to kiss her is going well. While studying, he tries to ask permission to kiss her but always chickens out. When he goes get something to drink, he returns drunk. He boldly wants to kiss her right now. Kana refuses as she doesn’t want to kiss a drunk Chiaki but the normal one. Because their first kiss is going to be a precious memory. Chiaki then drops his act and quickly steals her lips! Then he starts teasing her with their usual comedy act jokes but she is not impressed. She punches him and leaves in tears. Oh no. He can’t react to that one…
Episode 11A
Takano’s friend can tell she is in love as she stares into space. Of course she denies it but her friend brings up Gouda and Kamine. Speaking of which, here comes Kamine. She starts asking her about some details of her romance as embarrassed Takano continues to deny she is in love. But as Kamine explains how she would look and think about Gouda unconsciously, the more Takano starts to panic. Are you sure you’re not in love with somebody? She then stares at Sugawara and contemplates he is just a classmate. Too bad they could guess it right that she is thinking about him since there are rumours floating about Sugawara liking her. When Kamine is asked how she did her confession, everyone gets embarrassed and returns to practice.
Episode 11B
Chiaki is in real trouble. Kana has avoided talking to him on purpose and in her books they have already broken up. But is she okay to let this go on? Back home, Chiaki is thinking of texting to her one last time and if she doesn’t reply, he’ll give up. Similarly, Kana is waiting and willing to forgive him if he replies one more time. But Chiaki wonders if he should write a long letter… She’s waiting… And when he finally sends, her handphone drops in the bath! OMG! Hey, aren’t handphones these days supposed to be waterproof? Poor Chiaki thinks she had really given up on him. Kana tries hard to turn it back on. She’s never been so sad and desperate. Then mom comes in and learns her problem. She beats up the handphone back to life! OMG! It really worked! At this point, Chiaki can’t give up on her and calls. Kana to her relief answers but is cut off. Poor Chiaki thinks they are done but Kana’s handphone has died for real. Curse you technology!
Episode 11C
During the test, Kanda is running low on her pencil lead but doesn’t want to ask Takase in fear of him suspecting some ulterior motive. Likewise, he also thinks the same. She tries to ask Minagawa but she tells him to ask from Takase instead. Eventually Takase lends her and their relationship is back to normal. Just as simple as that.
Episode 11D
Kaji is really struggling doing last minute studying. It is one of those I-told-you moments because now she is regretting she should have done better. She even told mom she wanted to go to college but now thinks if that is even possible. She starts comparing herself to other classmates who are definitely looking smarter. Akagi isn’t helping her this time as he believes this is part of her practice since she’ll be alone during the exam. But Katori can tell he is the one who is holding it in and trying not to freak out. During the test, Kaji’s constant review makes her feel confident she can get through this. When she accidentally drops her eraser, she feels embarrassed to ask the teacher, thinking others would think of her as weird. Because you know, delinquents don’t study or take exams. Luckily her friend asks the teacher on her behalf. Everything went smoothly. So much so she starts crying right in the middle of the exam! It’s like life is giving her a second chance.
Episode 12A
The boys are having a football tournament among the classes. So we see some of the girls cheering for their crush. We have Chiaki and Sugawara wondering if they look cool in front of their girl or at least a chance to do so. When a ball is accidentally kicked towards Kana, she couldn’t react in time but Chiaki blocks it with his face! It hurts. He tries to act tough but ultimately they end up arguing like usual. So much about making up. Chiaki’s class is losing so the girls decide to cheer and support them. When they do so, Chiaki thinks only Kana isn’t part of the cheer. Why would she cheer for him? Suddenly all by herself she shouts out to him to stop fooling around and go impress her. It’s like he suddenly powers up on his skill as he waddles his way through the defenders. He is about to score but then is blocked. The other team scores and wins the game.
Episode 12B
As summer vacation is coming up, the girls are inviting some of the boys to go to the beach. Some are unsure. Kana thought this is a chance to make up with Chiaki but Sugawara interjects before her to ask him if he is going to the beach. Sugawara isn’t sure to go as Takano will be there and he thought it will be awkward. He gives an excuse he won’t come due to club activities when in actual fact there is none. Because of that, Takano’s eyes are like dead fish. Kana is waiting for a reply from Chiaki and hence waiting for this chance to patch things up. But that reply never came. Damn his handphone ran out of power again. So when he eventually sees her, he tells her they’ve already broken up. So? He believes if he does so, their relationship won’t go anywhere and break up properly. Heart break? However, once that is done, he wants to confess again. Seriously. He does so and it brings tears to Kana’s eyes. Meanwhile Takano is practising alone in the classroom and admitting she has been thinking a lot on Sugawara lately. She fees sad if he doesn’t go to the beach. When Sugawara enters to take his forgotten wallet, she asks if he would like to come. He still think he won’t be coming when she blurts out it won’t be fun if he isn’t there. Looks like he has to go buy a swimsuit. That made Takano happy. Look at her beaming smile.
Crazy, Stupid Love
And so love goes on for our high school children. Nothing really much. Just some of the troublesome pairs have gotten back on good terms so a happy ending? After all, Chiaki-Kana and Sugawara-Takano pairs are the only couples who were having it rough in the end. One wasn’t official yet and the other have somewhat broken off and there is a threat they could break off and drift even further. Compared to the other pairs who were already going steady, so are these 2 pairs going to break the streak and have a bad end? No way!
Despite there are numerous different stories put together (I believe there are like 9 or 10 of them), each story doesn’t feel too heavy or confusing. Thanks to the short duration of each episode of 12 minutes each and in each episode is divided into 4 mini stories. Each of the lover’s stories might be short and condensed and not all of them will be featured in every episode. It might look daunting at first if you’re worried and wondering if you could remember them all by the time the series ends. By the end of the day, you might not remember every technical details of what accurately happens between each of them but you have a general idea of who loves who and how their relationship is faring. In a way it is good but in some ways it is also bad. While shifting between the stories is good, having been thrown too many different stories makes it look like it is all over the place as the stories take place in a connected universe (the same school, that is) but in a mini world of their own. Therefore the straightforward love story can either be intriguing or boring since no love triangles. Okay, Kaga-Sasahara-Nanase as well as Minagawa-Furuya-Hotaru might look so but there is nothing really serious going on.
Like me, after a while when you get used to the characters, at the start of the next skit, my brain will be like taking some ‘processing’ time to remember who they are and how they’ve been. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to recall their names. But as I’ve said, splitting the stories is also good because for example instead of remembering one long sentence, you break them up into smaller sentences to help easily remember them. Or when you are reviewing your studies, you don’t study a particular subject for long periods of time. You take a break and then try reviewing another subject. I’m not a psychology expert but this mixture of diversifying helps the mind to recall better. Except when you’re doing last minute rushing and cramming in of course.
With so many different characters, each character and relationship has its own quirks and moments that makes them unique. But the only thing in common that I can see in all of the relationships is that everyone has this undecided and uncertain outlook of varying degrees when they are dealing with love. This is what mainly drives the dynamics of each relationship and each story to be interesting, hence making the characters interesting in their own right. There might be a few that looks confident, namely Minagawa, Gouda, Akagi and Katori. Like Akagi he looks like he stringing Kaji around only because her reactions are fun to watch as. Especially a delinquent teen like her, love seems so out of place. So he is just messing with her by playing the cool cat but in actual fact deep down inside he is as nervous as hell and doesn’t show it on the outside. The same can be said for Minagawa who keeps teasing Furuya and just enough so that guy won’t find it annoying enough to never want to see her ever again. Gouda looks like the taciturn type but you often here his thoughts and indecisiveness of whether his actions are right. Katori? I think he is full of drama and that drama covers up nervousness. His is dubbed the love master but not in a relationship himself? Suspicious…
One of my favourite couples goes to Chiaki and Kana because the duo have been a manzai comedy duo for a very long time. They take a jab each other while at the same time trying to properly grow their love for each other but at the same time they get cold feet and use that comedy stint to cover it all up. So much so they couldn’t tell what is a joke and what is love. After all, I believe they are the couple who has been together for the longest and the only ones who have tried to take a step further in their relationship. As in, they almost had sex, right? If not only for mom’s timing… Mom, why you have to go spoil it when the things are getting so good?!
Most amusing couple award would go to Akagi and Kaji. This guy has really strung her and made her dance right in the palm of his hands from start to finish. It is fun to see Akagi being the smooth operator while embarrassed Kaji trying to resist it all due to her pride but eventually caves in. This guy is the Jesus of romance if he could fully rehabilitate a bad girl like her under his thumb. Also amusing to watch is Minagawa and Furuya but only when Hotaru is in the picture because little sister thinks her precious big brother belongs to nobody else except her. She can never beat Minagawa as long as the latter doesn’t see her as the enemy.
If there is one couple that is plain draggy and boring, personally I have to point out Takano and Sugawara. Both are being super hesitant although Sugawara is trying to take the initiative but he still lacks confident. On the other hand, Takano is probably the densest character even with hints pointing right in her face, she just can’t seem to get the hint that he likes her. And when she starts to develop strange feelings (it’s called love), she becomes more uncertain. I believe their relationship is the farthest if you compare it to others. They weren’t officially a couple at the end too. They just started to get better with each other’s company. Watching them feels painful as sometimes you want to scream out to them to just realize it and confess to each other already. Making it slightly worse is the fact that their story is one of the most prominently featured with more skits (hence, screen time) compared to some that are not as notable like Yamane-Kurihara and Kaga-Sasahara-Nanase pairs.
Art and drawing feel pretty standard but plain and simple. But it certainly feels lacking if you compare it to other Studio Gokumi works like Kiniro Mosaic, A-Channel, Seiren, Yuuki Yuuna Yuusha De Aru and Kono Naka Ni Hitori Imouto Ga Iru. At least these had some moe and bishoujo effect. Well, maybe on the same level as the Saki series.
There are a handful of recognizable seiyuus, namely Kana Hanazawa as Minagawa, Yui Ogura as Kamine, Daisuke Ono as Yukawa, Hiro Shimono as Yamane, Ayane Sakura as Kaji and Haruka Tomatsu as Hotaru. Other casts include Kaito Ishikawa as Sugawara (Iida in Boku No Hero Academia), Inori Minase as Takano (Rem in Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatstu), Seiichirou Yamashita as Chiaki (Kakeru in Orange), Akari Kitou as Chiaki (Yonaga in Alice To Zoroku), Kensho Ono as Akagi (Arata in ReLIFE), Daisuke Namikawa as Katori (Italy in Hetalia series), Kouhei Amasaki as Furuya (Takeshi in Mob Psycho 100), Tomoaki Maeno as Gouda (Takeru in Maken-Ki), Kentarou Kumagai as Takase (Aston in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans), Haruka Miyake as Kanda and Souichirou Hoshi as Motoyama (Kaoru in Ai Yori Aoshi).
The opening theme is Aimai Moko by Inori Minase. A decent lively anime rock pop. Not too bad. As for the ending theme, Dear, I had mistakenly thought Yukari Tamura was singing this slow piece. Funny I thought she had no voice acting role here but had a singing one. Then I later found out it wasn’t her but Yui Ogura instead. Up till this day I am still straining my ear to confirm whether it is really her because I still ‘hear’ the sound Yukari Tamura singing no matter how hard I try. Most probably because there is no real ending credits animation so the song is played quiet softly in the background as the skit is still ongoing. Looks like there is going to be another person whom I will be confused with if she starts using her trademark cute squeaky voice to sound similar to another trademark cute squeaky voice.
Overall, this short series is actually fun to watch if you are in the mood for some light high school romance and comedy. Despite the fact that generally each story is just a repetition or copycat of one another but it feels different thanks to the different approach. Sometimes it feels like your high school romance (if you had any) falls into either one or more of the stories featured here. Well, they sure had a supporting love role but they had none on gays and lesbians. It’s a must in today’s politically correct era! Thank goodness it didn’t. Let’s just allow the children to fall in love naturally the way they see fit, okay? That is why, to each their own. Hence, Sorezore Children. Oh, did they subtly make a pun on this?
Koi To Uso
3 December, 2017
Imagine a future whereby your future spouse is decided by a few complex and sophisticated calculations by the government. That’s right. The government selects the person whom you will be marrying with. What the heck is this?! Is this some sort of marriage communism? Heck, it still feels like matchmaking of the olden days but at a government level and with all the ‘sophisticated’ variables to match your partner. While it may seem draconian, this plan is to enhance the quality of life and happiness for the married person’s life and family. But you know how love works in mysterious ways. Not everyone ‘accepts’ this law. So what happens when the person you totally love is totally different from the person the government has assigned you? Well, that’s what happened in Koi To Uso. A guy has liked a girl for a long time. Confesses it. Finds out girl likes him for a long time too. Wow. Super. Happy ending, right? Nope. Government technically shows middle finger to that and assigns him a more ‘suitable’ partner. So you accept this proposal or reject it but with consequences. But don’t worry and take you time because it’s not like we’re rushing you into marriage, right?
Episode 1
As narrated, to combat low birth rates, the Yukari Law was passed 40 years ago. It is a nationwide matchmaking scheme. You are not allowed to marry anybody else as recommended by the government. It is illegal to do so. But thanks to that, birth rates have increased and the average intelligence of the population has gone up. However Yukari Nejima doesn’t like this system. Apart from the fact he likes another girl, it’s embarrassing to know he is named after the law. When his friend, Daiki Takeda gets a notification of his future wife, he protests and vows never to get married. Nejima and a few of the other friends also make the pledge but they are shocked that Misaki Takasaki also joins in. Are girls not allowed in this oath? As you can tell, Nejima is in love with Misaki since elementary school. It started when he broke his eraser in half to give it to her since she forgot hers. She whispered thank you in his ear. That was the beginning of his love. As Nejima’s birthday is looming, he too will be getting a notification and his parents are very excited. Not Nejima himself. Thus he needs to confess to Misaki as soon as possible. He talks to her that he will wait at the park and to make matters worse, she doesn’t remember they were in the same class back at elementary school! So Nejima waits. And waits and waits. So he made some burial grounds from the sandpit to kill time? Maybe she isn’t going to turn up after all.
As he leaves, here comes Misaki catching him. She made it. Now she’s catching her breath. After that nervous long winded talk, Nejima finally confesses he likes her. Yatta! Oh wait. You made her cry! But here is the surprise. She shows him the broken half of the eraser she has always been keeping! Yes, she too likes him. Everything feels so weird but soon they hug. And then they upgrade to a kiss! And another kiss! Yahoo! End of story. Just kidding. Could have gone further had not it been ruined by Nejima’s handphone. His parents. The notification is here. Dang. As he reads the unclear message, it states his future wife is… Misaki!!! OMG! Is this for real?! He is literally hitting the jackpot. Why is it at such crucial times the handphone power has to die? Shortly, a couple from the ministry of health, labour and welfare, Kagetsu Ichijou and Motoi Yajima pop up to hand him an official notice for his future wife. Wait a minute… Who the f*ck is Ririna Sanada?! He tries to argue the notification on his handphone saying Misaki. However they point out it might be a mistake and the black and white makes it official. No doubts about it. Bye. So in all the confusion, Misaki wishes him happy birthday and thanks him for giving her the motivation to live on. Something feels strange. Her hands are cold and shaking. Now she’s crying and running away. He manages to catch up to her as they both embrace amidst the confusing tears.
Episode 2
Nejima is not pleased his parents already arranged for a marriage meeting. So when he ditches and goes to school (he got permission for leave of absence), everyone is shocked. They didn’t think he really believe their oath! He even got detention. Misaki talks to him and is appalled at what he is doing. What she was trying to tell him then was to keep this as memory. Nejima was in shock that he just went with his parents to the marriage meeting. The first time he sees Ririna, OMG he never knew she was this cute?! Anyway as the meeting gets underway, Nejima stays silent while the rest talks. This makes Ririna blow her top for being rude. She storms out and Nejima is forced to go look for her. He finds her alone in a room and looks like she is as nervous as him from it all. Still, he realizes he was running away unlike her who was facing this head on so he apologizes. For some reason, he has to tell her about the girl he likes and Ririna makes him spill everything! In fact, Ririna is very fascinated with their love story! Heck, she even volunteers to help him figure out how Misaki feels for him! They go back to their parents pretending to hold hands. At this point I wonder why Nejima had to point out her button is undone so he had a sneak peak of her bra. She slaps him in front of everyone.
In school, Nejima’s friends are admiring how cute his future wife is. Strangely, Yuusuke Nisaka goes over to Misaki and asks her if she would like to see Nejima’s future wife! She’s giving off that what-the-f*ck face. Nejima goes to Ririna’s all-girls school to meet as requested. He finds her sleeping in the infirmary. When he talks to her how he heard rumours people keep calling her tapeworm (sanadamushi), she starts panicking and then explains the whole damn thing without her skirt on. Really. Something about her being socially awkward since she always have a hard time talking to other girls. They realize they are talking normally but can’t help ponder their relationship. If they are not friends or lovers, what are they? Too late for Ririna to realize she is without her skirt. That’s the second slap for him this episode… On the way out, Ririna wants to know more about Misaki. Speaking of her, look here she is passing in front! I don’t know why Nejima has to point out it is her so Ririna approaches her and introduces herself as Nejima’s future wife! Strangely, the girls talk it over as Ririna asks what Misaki likes about Nejima. She explains a few weird things about him she likes. Even more surprising, Misaki wants to continue talking more about Nejima! See the glow in her eyes. At the end of the day when they part, it’s like they’ve become friends! Ririna is crying thinking she made her first friend! Oh wait. It could have gotten more confusing since Ririna thinks she likes Misaki! We’re not going down the lesbianism road yet!!! In his bid to calm her down, Nejima being the idiot he is somehow spills how he already kissed Misaki. Oh, tell her more about it. But Ririna isn’t mad. She has an idea. Go kiss Misaki one more time.
Episode 3
Apparently Ririna also told him to kiss Misaki once a day. Every day. Since when is she their love coach? Nejima is thinking too much about it that Nisaka remembers the first time they met at cram school. Nisaka was being harassed by a guy whose future wife couldn’t stop thinking about him because of his flirting. Then Nejima saw this harassment and called the cops! Nejima is invited to Ririna’s place. He didn’t count on Ririna inviting Misaki too! It’s really awkward for the 3 of them in there. Nejima might look out of place since the girls are having fun talking among themselves. Then Ririna changes topic and tells Nejima to quickly kiss Misaki. She doesn’t mind. Both of them awkwardly prepare to kiss as Ririna watches it eagerly like some TV romance. Just inches away from their mouths in contact with each other, Nejima pulls back. Misaki finds it funny but Ririna has this disappointed looks on her face. As Misaki leaves, she tells Ririna that she wants her to fall in love with Nejima as she might not be the right girl for him. She might not mind they kissed now but she will soon do. Ririna returns to her room breathing hard. She really wants Nejima to kiss Misaki once a day. Every day. When they are out in the streets, they stumble into Nisaka. Ririna immediately snarls like a cat? Shockingly, Nisaka points out Ririna is a virgin. Erm, aren’t all girls her age are supposed to be? Well, I can say they’re not going to like each other.
During PE, Nejima notices Nisaka and Misaki staring intensely like each other like as though they are rivals. The thought that the most attractive guy and girl in class as an item just worries him. Yeah, Nisaka has his own unofficial fan club in which girls swoon when he just as much walks passes them. When Misaki asks Nejima about Ririna after she left her place that day, he reveals about the daily kiss. So want to try? And here is today’s first kiss. Oh, a second one. And another one! Each time it gets more passionate! Man, they’ve filled up a week’s worth of kisses! Nisaka passing by, is shocked to see this. Later Nejima wants to ask Nisaka something but since the latter has club activities, he has to wait. He must have waited so long that he fell asleep. When Nisaka arrives, he sleeps his sleeping face… Those delicious lips… HE KISSED THEM!!! OMFG!!! DIDN’T SEE THIS GAY THINGY COMING!!! Now I understand why about Nisaka… By the time the idiot wakes up, he asks if Nisaka has someone he likes like Misaki. He brushes it off. The simpleton feels relieved. We all know why and where his true heart lies, right?
Episode 4
You know it is awkward when Nejima’s parents ask the lovebirds if they have kissed. Not only Ririna spilled the entire mayonnaise on her food, she even asks why they kissed! Not that they’re too shy but rather eager to tell them how they’re still so in love with each other. I guess it’s good but it’s just awkward in front of the kids… Ririna enters Nejima’s room. Messy as hell! Glad she cleaned it up. Good future wife. Looking at his old photos she starts asking this thought provoking question if he likes Misaki when he gave her the eraser or because he liked her he gave it to her. Yeah, need to be specific when he fell in love with her. Nejima asks if she has her first love. Yes. An anatomy model. Bear with me. The doctor told her the anatomy model came in a set, a mother and ‘son’. Since the children’s wing opened, they were ‘separated’. So the ‘son’ is alone. Just like her. They clicked. It made her heart beat faster. Yeah… Ririna asks about Nejima’s kiss with Misaki. Sure, he did it. She goes into analytical mode. Conclusion? Kiss her more! Ichijou and Yajima are here to explain about the Science of Red String. It is determined via many surveys and tests they have taken throughout their childhood. So they compile all that data for the best matchmaking. Studies also show that marrying one based on physical looks tend to fail. Therefore the scientific conclusion is that people don’t fall in love with outward appearance. They ask them about their feelings for each other. Of course they’re still confused. More awkwardness when Ichijou says it is fine to even start having sex because they’re going to get married after all so why not make a head start? So pre-marital sex is okay this instance?
As they leave, Ichijou asks for directions to Misaki’s house but refuses to divulge any more information. That’s privacy. It makes Nejima go blank that she too has received a notification. Ririna tries to snap him out of it by asking if this is how far his love for her. Otherwise she threatens she won’t help him anymore. Nejima feels he doesn’t want to kiss Misaki anymore just because Ririna asks him. It just feels weird. She notes it is even weirder for a world to forbid you from kissing the person you like. At school, Nejima is really curious to ask about Misaki’s notification. So he waits for a chance after school to do some errands together. She does confirm a couple of people from the ministry did come to her house but they were dealing with her parents. Big relief? This prompts Nejima to wonder what kind of future husband she’ll get. She replies it doesn’t matter because they’ll all be the same. Nejima will only be the special one. Wow. Before you know it, they start kissing. Today’s quota automatically fulfilled. Back home, Ririna calls Nejima about his family camping trip. As she was invited to join, what shocked Nejima most is that Ririna also invited Misaki to come! Panicking, he wants to bring a friend. Okay. Too bad Nisaka outright rejects him! Oh please, don’t start begging… Eventually Nisaka relents but finds out too late that Ririna and Misaki or on this trip too.
Episode 5
The young ones meet up at the train station. Ririna can’t stop complaining to learn Nisaka is the friend he has brought along while Misaki and Nisaka have this intense rivalry look at each other again, prompting Nejima to really think they like each other. At the camp, the guys make curry. Nejima goes to call the girls but gets super embarrassed to see them in their swimsuit by the river. So he goes to hide and peek?! Ririna spots him but as she approaches him, she slips. She twisted her ankle. Nejima carries her like a princess since she doesn’t want to spread open her legs and touch his body via piggyback. I think this is even more awkward since his hands are touching her skin so I’m not sure if that face is orgasmic or pain. Either way, she looks like she is struggling to hold in her composure. And all the thanks he got for carrying her back is being called baka. Thanks a lot. Nejima sees Misaki and Nisaka chatting together again. Ririna’s dad puts ice on her foot as he learns Nejima has a great interest in burial grounds and hopes to pursue a course in college related to that. That night, Nejima is still bugged about Nisaka liking Misaki. So he goes up to him to ask if he is keeping a secret. Nisaka thinks it is that gay kiss. It is hard for him to keep his composure when his face is so close like that. Nisaka looks nervous and when he is about to confess, Ririna calls them to go do kimodameshi. On purpose she pairs Nejima and Misaki together. So the duo take the chance to hold hands but while being distracted by a light, Misaki slips down a cliff. Nejima tries to catch her but she pulls him down instead. Thank goodness the cliff was just a few feet high. But the fall leaves them in a compromising position. In fact, Misaki wants to stay this way for a while.
While Ririna is lecturing Nisaka to stay a metre from her, he asks why is she so desperate in trying to make Nejima and Misaki a pair. Although she isn’t doing anything that is breaking the law, how does she fit into this relationship? If Nejima chooses Misaki, the arrangement is cancelled and she will be an outsider. She can still be their friend but can she stay so once they get married? Ririna might get a man who is much worse than Nejima. Even if Nejima rejects this arrangement, Ririna will be fine but Nejima will have a penalty to pay. It will be on his permanent records that he rejected the matchmaking and thus it will be some sort of ‘handicap’ if he is out looking for a job, etc. So all Ririna is doing is leading him to a disaster. Ririna starts to feel scared. She is doing this because she loves them both. She just wants them to be happy. Sorry girl. That only happens in fairytales. They see Nejima and Misaki down the cliff. Caught in the act? If Nejima’s guilt look and robot act didn’t give him away… They stumble into a firefly sanctuary. Nisaka is really afraid of bugs. Afraid of one laying eggs on his face?! The quartet enjoy the beautiful scene, forgetting the world of marriage and love for that moment. When they are back in town, Nisaka seems apologetic about the thing he tried to hide and this only makes Nejima worry more that he does like Misaki. Ririna tries to be nice to Nejima by asking him to take her to some burial grounds. That guy is so happy that he can’t stop talking about it… In fact he wants to bring her there as soon as possible. Well, school comes first.
Episode 6
Nejima is aggressive and bold in making out with Ririna. Oh wait. That was just Ririna’s dream?! So she does more research on French kissing and doesn’t like what she finds… Yeah, exchange of millions of germs… She is called by Arisa Mimasaka who wants to be friends with her. Wait. Who the f*ck is she? She is the sister of the intern doctor who looked after Ririna 6 years ago when she was undergoing treatment. Arisa heard stories about her and is amazed. So she wants to hear more? Sorry, Ririna rejects her. It’s not like they have anything to talk about. Heck, she doesn’t even know what friends are supposed to do! Well, you had Misaki, right? Nejima attends the special government programme for the newly paired couples. He thought he spotted his old classmate from middle school, Shuu Igarashi. Takeda is also here as he introduces his future wife, Haruka Yoshiki. Wow. She’s a cutie. But not as cute as Ririna, right? When she arrives, she gives him a haniwa keychain as a gift. He gets excited like a nerd! In return, he also gives her a haniwa keychain but with cat features. It’s cringey looking at them but hey, it’s love, right? For some reason, Ririna is still embarrassed about that kissing dream but why she had to be a tsundere and tell him she has never dreamt of it?
The lecture starts out normally. Till they start passing out condoms. Woah! Are they really trying to shoot some gangbang here?! Naturally Ririna doesn’t know what it is but Nejima had dig his own grave and says he doesn’t too? It gets awkward when the speaker talks about the benefits of having sex. It’s a feel good factor. She’s saying like it’s nothing! Then they even show clips of sex! What is this?! Training for future porn stars?! Nejima feels so weird out he has to start thinking about something else or he’ll start fantasizing about making out with Misaki. Then he looks around. Ririna looks like she is clutching her haniwa and praying to God (huh?). Everyone else looks uneasy too. But Takeda and Haruka are already making out?! WTF?! It gets weirder when Yajima talks to Nejima about the dilemma if he would choose the one the government chose or the one he loves. Did he troll him about watching them in the next room? Super weird. Even more awkward when Nejima heard others saying that if you don’t bang, you get penalized. Woah! If only reality was this easy! And now for the main show. Nejima and Ririna alone in the room. Better look out for hidden cameras and devices. Hope they’re not shooting illegal teen porn. But Nejima decides to screw all that baseless anxiety. Because now he is going to screw Ririna and pushes her over the bed. Well, nothing changes if you don’t take the first step.
Episode 7
Nejima thinks of pretending to make out with Ririna. Don’t worry. Just remember it like the movies. First kiss… Oh no. She’s crying. Screw that. More kisses… Oh sh*t. She’s crying more. It killed the mood. So when Nejima explains that surveillance thingy and his pretending, Ririna shoots it down because it is illegal and the people will lose faith in the system. Nejima must be feeling stupid right now. Because of that, Ririna now feels uneasy around him and is scared to have him touch her so she wants them to keep their distance for a while. For the rest of the demonstration, it’s just awkward that nothing else happened between them. Nejima then confronts Yajima for lying. His reply is that this proves he would have done it with the other girl. Nejima returns to his class. They’re practising a Romeo and Juliet play for the cultural festival. Only, genders swapped. And Misaki and Nisaka are playing them. A minor accident has Nejima got his hand hammered by a classmate making the props. Misaki rushes down to the infirmary to talk to him. She can tell something has happened. He tries to change the subject like how she has gotten more popular without him around. Huh? Misaki says she banned herself from him. What? Eventually she makes him spit out the truth. He believes he has hurt Ririna and he looks very shaken about it. Hence Misaki calls Ririna to hang out and talk things over.
Nejima sees Yajima at his school (since this was his alma mater). He tries to help out with this story of a guy he knows (that’s himself, right?). That guy once dated a girl before. Then she got a notice and told him she will reject the assignment if he loved her. Though he loved her, he did not have the confidence to marry and make her happy. Then he got his own notice and realized she was precious to him. In the end, they broke up. There was only one truth to it all: He should have been honest to his feelings. So for Nejima’s case, he shouldn’t think so much and just act. This motivates him to text Ririna to hang out next time. However she never replied. But one morning he receives a handwritten letter from her. Her feelings are still confused and that’s why she couldn’t answer him yet. But this letter is okay? There are lots of words of encouragement for him especially for him to do best at the cultural festival. That made his day. But it’s not so for Misaki. She remembers Ririna telling her how she didn’t want to see Nejima but felt lonely. That is what love is, Misaki said. She fears she has become selfish because on one hand she is glad Ririna is Nejima’s chosen partner but on one hand she hates it. He might even be in love with her by now. Why is it such a cruel thing loving someone?
Episode 8
The sketch for the dresses of Romeo and Juliet play is ready. While everyone loves it, it seems Nisaka doesn’t and wants to quit. So Nejima tries to convince him to do it for the class, do it for him but that’s not going to cut it. When Nejima tries to touch him, he swats his hand away. A guy pops up before them. Nejima tries to run but is caught. Who is he? Nisaka’s dad! OMG! I thought he was his brother! At the sushi restaurant, dad tells his son not to hit his friend. Nejima thought he could justify that by saying Nisaka has good looks and hitting him may rub some on him. So hit him more. Wait. Seriously? No wonder dad’s laughing. Dad adds that Nisaka doesn’t talk much about school and must have his reasons for building a wall around himself. He hopes Nejima could continue to be his friend. Later when the friends walk back, Nisaka explains he dislikes being the centre of attraction. Nejima argues he really want to see him play Juliet. When Nisaka likens the old play as idiots in love who don’t give any thought about their social position, they fall in love and then they die, Romeo and Juliet are just like them. Others are trying to deny their love but only to them their feelings are the truth. Well, I’m sure Nejima hasn’t got the slightest idea on the dark truth. Nejima likes the old story because it is as old as burial grounds? Let’s not go there… I guess with Nejima convincing him that much, Nisaka is going to play Juliet after all.
We see the double standards when both the lead players take their size measurements .The boys are not allowed to peek when Misaki is getting measured (although they can still hear what’s going on) but the girls can come in and see Nisaka getting his. Some even thinking of putting pads for his chest for the play. Later when Nejima and Misaki talk, he asks her opinion of Nisaka. Trying to paint him as a cool guy, she then asks him has he fallen for Ririna. He can say Misaki is the one he loves but what makes of Ririna then? This makes him ask the question: What is love? No, not that Haddaway song. And so Misaki explains her growing love experience from staring at him in elementary school to thinking about kissing him in middle school and wanting to go to the same school as him. It looked like everything went her way and even the guy she loves also loves her back. This is the best dream. However she wants to end it here. Because in the end, she was not picked to be his wife despite how much she loves him. The more she falls for him, the more she realizes there is no hope for them. As the notice is your destined partner, any other love will seem like a lie. She doesn’t know if he loves her but her love for him continues to grow stronger. With the steady flow of tears running, Nejima hugs her as she continues. She knows she is happy having him touch her but those feelings will one day hurt her and yet she can’t throw them away. So she asks him back: What is love? Why you want to make me sing that Haddaway song so badly?!
Episode 9
Nejima is handing out fliers for the play. He can’t help notice how beautiful Misaki is in her Romeo outfit. No wonder all the females flock to her. He then remembers what she told him the other day after crying about what is love. She still likes Ririna and doesn’t want to see her sad. Nejima sees his old middle school classmate, Mina Koyanagi talking to Misaki. They don’t get along so he tries to tiptoe away. However Misaki’s other friends soon spot him creeping out of here. Nejima talks to Yajima about the investigation about his notice that popped up Misaki’s name. Although there isn’t anything wrong, he did notice some sort of interference. However there is no evidence of that either. Then what made him think there was interference in the first place? Eventually, Ririna is his assigned wife and he checked the calculations again. There were no mistakes. He asks him what he is going to do if the notice is wrong. Knowing he can’t answer, he just tells him to make up with Ririna. Nejima knows Ririna would be coming here. But does he have to look this surprised when they bump into each other? Didn’t know she could be this cute, huh? Anyway she just takes his flier and runs away. Nejima thinks she still isn’t talking to him. So he goes to talk to Nisaka about his fight with Ririna. He is sure she didn’t come all the way here to be mad at him. He worked hard at this and she came to see that. So Nejima tries to make himself useful by helping around but it isn’t like urgent help is needed everywhere. I guess he needs to seek more ‘advice’ from Nisaka. After everything they have done together, Nisaka doesn’t want him to have regrets. Just watch the play. He is going to blow his regrets away and show him proof that this love wasn’t meaningless. The play begins. It is wonderful and amazing that the crowd gives a standing ovation in the end. Nejima is so glad he watched it because true enough he forgot all his regrets. Well, that won’t last long. Because soon he bumps into Igarashi. She asks him what happened to the notice that paired him with Misaki. He is shocked to hear this. She further asks him about the play. Does Misaki look cool as Romeo? She could predict what Nejima would say word for word about her being a beautiful mirage vanishing into thin air. She concludes Misaki is his true partner. Apparently this talk is also overheard by Ririna. Another person in disbelief.
Episode 10
Ririna spams lots of questions so Igarashi says Misaki has something she wants to protect even if she has to break through her lies to do it. Hence Igarashi is going to protect her. Nejima and Ririna are confused as they have more questions than ever about the pairings. But since they are officially paired, they decide to call a truce for now. They thought of asking Misaki but looks like she is busy attending to the swarm of fans. Ririna didn’t know it is Nisaka playing Juliet. She praises such a beautiful person till she learns who he really is. Awkward. Not as awkward as Nisaka’s brother who is here to tease him and can still laugh while Nisaka is choking him! See what I mean when Nisaka’s dad looks young enough to be his brother because I couldn’t tell him apart and thought he is his brother! To thank Nejima for the other camping day, he wants to invite him and his friends to a family wedding next week since some of his other relatives can’t come. Nejima tries to be friends with Igarashi on the social site. Instant rejection! So he is complaining about it to Ririna like the end of the world?! Well, sulk more because Igarashi accepted Ririna’s friendship instead and they’re already messaging each other. They are invited to come to her school where they will talk things out. Ririna asks right off the bat if Misaki is Nejima’s destined partner. Igarashi doesn’t want to discuss so openly and changes the place. A cat café?
Igarashi remains steadfast about protecting Misaki. She learns about Ririna’s reason of supporting the duo, it feels like some sort of stimulation. She wants her to stop being selfish and impulsive because it is hurting Misaki. In that case, why did Igarashi said Misaki is Nejima’s partner if she is not going to support them? She notices a bond between them that is more than just on paper. Igarashi used to hate Misaki as she is popular and cheerful. One day she saw her trying to buy class trip photos of another class and realized she likes a boy named Nejima. Igarashi offered to help buy it for her since Misaki didn’t have the courage. Misaki smiled and thanked her. It was the first time she saw the real her. They soon became friends as Igarashi tries to find out more why she likes this plain if not useless guy. Misaki felt her own feelings are important but they might not be together in the future and wants his assigned wife to understand that he has some good points. Igarashi asked what if she is his assigned wife then. She’ll cry. Ririna and Nejima find out that Igarashi’s grandma is the one who created this notification system. Igarashi isn’t sure about this system of matching people with their love of a lifetime. She wants to know such feelings and Misaki’s feelings shone so brightly she wants to protect her. The talk is interrupted when Yajima is here to stop Igarashi from confusing the kids. The calculations on Nejima’s assigned partner is correct and that’s it. Igarashi ‘agrees’ she shouldn’t have said all this for someone who has no plans to choose Misaki. She will be the sole protector of Misaki. To keep quiet about this, Igarashi has Yajima pay for their bill. Now Nejima and Ririna are even more confused. She wonders if she was wrong in supporting them and if he is going to choose Misaki. Nejima says her being straightforward is one of the things what he likes about her. He takes her hand as they walk along.
Episode 11
Nisaka and his friends head over to his brother’s wedding reception. In the hallway, an event coordinator is searching for couples to be models for a pamphlet. So how does the idea of 2 lovely ladies putting on mock wedding dresses for a photo shoot? Why you asking Misaki for permission, Ririna? She wants to try out. So will you? Nisaka’s brother and his bride enter the hall. Their supervisor plays their life story ever since matching them 4 years ago. This has Nejima wonder if this will happen to him to. It’ll be embarrassing to dig out his love for another girl. Everything in the wedding seems so wonderful so Misaki hopes Ririna would invite her to her wedding when she gets married. After the group photo, Nejima realizes he forgot to take his handphone at the table. There, he sees Misaki overwhelmed by emotions. She is sorry she lied but can’t tell him. He wants to do anything for her. She wants him to say he loves her even if it is a lie. Quickly he takes and kisses her. Ririna happen to walk by and sees this. When they depart for home, Nejima thought it was a careless thing to do and regretted it. He starts thinking he must have been always hurting her when he didn’t need to. Ririna and Nejima’s family head to the hotspring together for a vacation. Ririna tries to act normal but she can’t help think about that kiss. The parents set them up to spend time together and even have them stay in their own private room. This only reminds them of that awkward ‘sex’ scene during the special government programme. Although still technically on a truce, so much has happened since so they just forget about it and start enjoying their stay. When they soak in the outdoor hotspring (separated by a wall of course), they discuss about Igarashi’s words on destined love. Nejima doesn’t understand it but he explains why everything he has done up till now is because of Misaki. She made things fun. It felt like a goddess was directing his fate. That night they can’t sleep as they lie awkwardly facing away from each other. Then Ririna wants to talk. She looks serious. She wants him to choose Misaki over her.
Episode 12
As she explains, her life is one big bore. Nothing but studying and studying until she met him and Misaki. Life has become more fun. She made new friends in her own class. She changed. Their love had the power to change her. Ririna has also researched on a way to get this official assignment dissolved without him getting black marked. Something about keeping up the lie that they’re not compatible and the fastest it would take would be 6 months. But Nejima starts crying and says no. Don’t want what? No to Ririna or Misaki? Yes Nejima, we know you’re in love with Misaki for a long time. Ririna says she loves Misaki’s smile. The smile that looks like she is in love. She wants to protect that smile. Nejima then confesses about that kiss he had with Misaki at the wedding. Just so you know. Good, she’s not bothered. She mentions she would like to fall in love with the next person she is assigned to. So she wants to practice kissing with him. Wait. What?! Whatever. I thought a goodbye kiss was a better reason. Anyway, he kisses her. Once isn’t enough. Another time. And then it descends to a great kissing session. Strange to see 2 sad people making out like that. At this point they’re both confused what love is (cue Haddaway song…) but they decide to ignore it because there is someone more important whom they want to protect.
A week later, today is supposed to be the day Misaki and Ririna attend the bridal shoot. Nejima doesn’t want to go and holes up in his room. Nisaka visits and hears about him being confused over his choice. He finds him pathetic that he is feeling guilty to see either one of them for fear of hurting either one of them. Nisaka tells him it isn’t his problem if someone falls in love with him and gets hurt over it. If they really you, you can make them happy as easy as you can hurt them. This is love. He doesn’t need to be fair. They just want him to acknowledge them. And with that, Nejima suddenly changes his mind and puts on his running shoes. Nisaka remembers Nejima asking him if he had ever lied. At times like these. Misaki and Ririna and getting into the bridal gowns as they talk about the love and lies. Misaki is willing to make the lie the truth just to protect this love. The duo are stiff during the photo shoot. So the cameraman tells them to relax, think of the guy they like. Oops. Even stiffer. And then here comes Nejima. Their face lights up. The moment he says how pretty they both look, Misaki starts crying. Ririna notes she is a bad liar. They also invite him to take a picture with them. Wow. It looks like the most ideal perfect ending if it was real, Nejima flanked by 2 girls he love and marrying them. If only monogamy wasn’t the law…
Nisekoi: Seikatsu Wa Kimi No Uso
Uhm… So did they decide to dissolve the official notification or not? So after a long deliberation in the final episode, they still can’t decide whether to dissolve it or maintain? Can we make it an exception that he marries both of them? Hey, if you can’t choose, choose them both! After all, if their official union is dissolved and they are assigned new partners, assuming they are worst off and they repeat this whole dissolving process again, wouldn’t that take another long time? It would be kingdom come before they get what they want. They’ll be dead! Who knows what algorithms the government used for the matchmaking so Nejima and Misaki may never end up together.
The concept of this sophisticated government level matchmaking seems interesting at first because it potentially sets up love triangles and misunderstandings. You know, the kind of ‘ingredients’ such romantic love comedies and dramas need. However along the way, it starts to get a little boring. Because you see, the entire plot of the series mainly revolves around the main trio who are just confused as f*ck about their own feelings. So they’re like playing the wait and see game to see if there is anything that would change their minds or something. And that is where the drama drags out and the entire series starts to become mundane. Personally if you ask me, had Ririna not been such a cute and technically a nice girl, Nejima would have outright rejected her. Screw whatever punishment he will get because I’m not going to spend the rest of my life with an ugly b*tch. Assuming that she has a not so spectacular personality too. I mean, you have got to admit that Ririna is on the same level of cuteness as Misaki, right? But Misaki has bigger boobs… Whoops! But you get the idea that he has to choose between 2 angels, it is going to be a tough choice, right?
So this system brings up a few questions like for example, what if you are gay or lesbians. I believe Japan is still predominantly a traditional culture so they’re not going to let this western culture seep into it. Too bad Nisaka will never be paired with Nejima, that’s for sure. But what if you’re a minority like gays and lesbians, do you have a say in this too even if straight young people don’t? Also, what if you don’t want to get married and stay single? Or even if you have been assigned but both never get married? Will there be a penalty. Hey, can’t get penalized if you never reject the marriage in the first place. Just keep delaying it till kingdom come. It also brings about the thought of how perfect the system is. We are shown in this anime that the success rate is very high but that doesn’t mean it is 100% perfect. The initial plan for a happy family is good but if the government starts taking control on who you should marry, what’s next? Telling you what kind of job you should have and the way you should live your life? The freedom of the ordinary people is soon being taken away. Therefore sometimes people only put up with this so as to look good in the eyes of the government.
But let’s not stray too far and remain within this Yukari Law system context. By having this system itself, does it show that the government doesn’t trust its people to make their own decisions and hence decide for them? Or is it the people are not smart enough to decide their own future and therefore the government had to step in with this some sort of programme. Either way, it is a good thing that we see many people who have been paired off in this anime to marry happily and give their thanks to the system. But it feels like they’ve been brainwashed… It’s like saying without the system, they would never have met their destined partner, etc. Well, it depends on how you look at it. There is always that question that if they could have met a better person or one that is far worse. And I guess that because of the high success rate of this law, nobody is particularly complaining. That is why they allow this to happen. Wow. The government got something right for once?
The most WTF and mind boggling event for this is the special government programme whereby young kids who are still in high school are being taught about love making. Wait a minute. Are kids too dumb to figure out about sex and go with instincts?! That was my first thought when that episode played out. Of course for plot purposes, it is meant to ‘bring in some excitement’. Too bad no sex scenes ever happened. What about porn? Kids their age in this era would have been experts in using the internet to find out about porn. Therefore the make-out session during the programme doesn’t really make any sense and my Spidey senses are tingling it could be one big scam to film some unsolicited high school porn and sell them to horny gaijin overseas. Or it could be just one big collateral. You know, you made out with me then, now you have to marry me. That sounds more like blackmail…
The main characters aren’t anything special. Like I’ve said, they’re just confused with the entire thing because what your heart wants isn’t necessarily the same as what the government wants you to have. Like Nejima who is just a pretty normal guy with nothing eventful going on his life. They make him have this bizarre fetish of burial grounds so as to give him some sort of character but more than that, there isn’t anything more. Misaki and Ririna are trying to be so considerate by playing the nice girl that they go so far as to hide their feelings. All for the sake of Nejima’s happiness and the other girl. Well, it made Misaki into some sort of walking emotional time bomb. Ririna trying to be some sort of freak interested to watch the ‘illicit’ romance between Nejima and Misaki I feel is somewhat a way to suppress her feelings. Because if Nejima really goes for Misaki then she wouldn’t have to feel so bad that he never loved her before in the first place. I guess if it is a smile that they want to protect and in makes them happy, so be it.
Nisaka was a surprise because I never thought he really liked Nejima on this sort of gay level. There were faint signs but I never gave it much thought. I believe he doesn’t want to lose the status quo of being his friend and staying close to him. When your friend is a straight person and suddenly you confess that you like him as a gay. Super awkward. I mean, Nisaka don’t mind being next to him but how will Nejima react the next time? The guys are always together and knowing the simpleton Nejima is, he is going to freak out and avoid him more than he is nervous to Misaki or Ririna. Hey, at least Nisaka is good looking too. Why does the plain guy like him always get the attraction of hot people?! It’s a good thing Nejima is too dumb and dense to realize this. Arisa might be a very minor character and I feel that she is very much wasted and pretty ‘useless’. I don’t know why they need to introduce her in the first place as the girl who makes friends with Ririna. I guess it’s to tell us that she too has a friend. Isn’t Misaki one? It isn’t like Arisa became her friend before she knew Misaki. Heck, it was after.
Igarashi is being one big mystery because I still don’t get it why she is trying to do it all for Misaki. Heck, I believe she is partially responsible for all this mess and messing with Nejima’s head about that fake notification. Had it not been sent, I believe Nejima won’t be this confused and devastated at first. Like how Nisaka is being gay for Nejima, perhaps Igarashi is being lesbian for Misaki. After all, you can see that she doesn’t like Nejima very much. Yeah, this was all to screw with him but it also ultimately screwed with Misaki. So I don’t really get it why she sent that fake notification assuming if it was really from her. It just made everyone darn confused. Maybe it did some good and maybe it did not but for sure it was one of the weirdest way to mess around.
One of the things that kept ‘bugging’ me throughout the series is the art style. Everything seems simple and plain and for a romantic comedy like this one it is acceptable. However the thing that stands out a lot is how big the characters’ eyes are! I’m not kidding you. Not to say that they are monstrosity big but they are obviously big enough to make you notice that they are. If you thought 12-sai: Chicchana Mune No Tokimeki had big eyes too, but that series covered it up with all the moe and kawaii cuteness. Hence a show which looks like it is technically for kids and it wasn’t that distracting.
However as for this series, it gives the characters this very strange look. Even if Ririna and Misaki are cuties, because of big eye art style, they look cute in the strange sense. Like life-like dolls… Kinda reminds me of that Cyclops girl in Monster Musume No Iru Nichijou. Oh heck. Wait a minute. Doesn’t she look very close to Misaki?! Just take away and eye and you get this… And here is another odd freaky fact I noticed: Doesn’t Misaki look a bit like Kana Hanazawa, the one who voiced the character? Must be the hairstyle… Animated by Lidenfilms who did Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches, Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi To Akashic Records and Terra Formars.
Aside Kana Hanazawa as Misaki, I only recognized Akira Ishida as Nisaka’s dad. I didn’t realize it was Eri Kitamura behind Igarashi’s voice since the last few animes I watched with her in it, she was voicing haughty characters. So this very quiet and mysterious character didn’t really make me think it was he behind it. I also mistakenly thought it was Tetsuya Kakihara behind Nisaka’s voice but it turns out to be Shinnosuke Tachibana (Tomoe of Kamisama Hajimemashita). He other casts are Ryota Ohsaka as Nejima (Marco in Shingeki No Kyojin), Yui Makino as Ririna (Sakura in Tsubasa Chronicle series) and Kishiou Taniyama as Yajima (Jean in Shingeki No Kyojin).
Surprisingly, the opening theme, Kanashii Ureshii by Frederic is quite catchy. At least at the beginning. It has this very playful and prankish tune to it when the song starts off. Quite fun. And then as the song progresses, it gets really monotonous and weird. Maybe it was the drum beats in the background which felt like it was banging something else. Somewhat a reflection of what this series feels like? Starting out great and then it went slightly downhill. At least the overall for the ending theme isn’t that bad, Can’t You Say by Roys. The hip hop beat of this song makes it quite likeable. There are also quite a few nice BGMs to listen. My favourite in particular is the ubiquitous Confession which I believe is the main theme song and overplayed several times in every episode. Because of that, I believe there are a few variations and versions of this.
Overall, this series started out interesting and with an interesting concept too. But unless you are a hardcore fan of shoujo manga type of drama and romance, it will soon turn into a drag with the young ones pondering about their love as they stumble along what is truth, what is lies. Yeah, expect lots of blushing moments here as they stare deeply into each other. After all, they have only one future and have to make it right. If not now, then when? Sometimes it feels like love and lies go hand in hand. You keep lying to yourself you love that person or vice versa and at the same time love is so irrational it makes you do and say crazy stupid things. Yeah, love and lies are like accomplices to mess with the humans’ heart. No wonder men always fail to say “I do” at the right part. No, not the part where the minister tells him to take him as his lawfully wedded wife but the part where he should object by speaking now or forever hold your peace! Haha! Sorry, bad marriage joke. Is it love? Is it a lie? Well, it’s just life.
Alice To Zoroku
2 December, 2017
Little girl with strange powers escaping a lab and ends up in the care of an old man. Sounds interesting a premise for Alice To Zoroku. It’s very rare to have an old man who is a grandpa as a main protagonist. Even interesting to see the people from the lab and various secret government agencies trying to get their test subject back and standing in their way is a normal old man? Make that grumpy old man. A grumpy old man with no supernatural powers whatsoever. Just loaded with life’s experience. I guess that’s why old people are so hard to deal with.
Episode 1
In this hour long episode, the Red Queen is seen escaping from the facility. Her movements are being tracked Kouichi Kitou and his team. He is not panicking to capture her in a hurry since this will also be a good chance to collect data. However some of the surveillance team has trouble tracking her. They blame low budget and outdated surveillance equipment… Eventually Red Queen is discovered. Miriam “Minnie C” Tachibana is dispatched to retrieve her. Though Red Queen is exhausted, a maid character pops up to fight Minnie C. She gives Red Queen some nourishment and tells her to visualize the next town and jump there. By the time the fight ends, Red Queen is gone. Kitou orders the continuation of the tracking but since the bridge has collapsed, he orders their return. Zoroku Kashimura is in a shady business with a yakuza. After he gets his payment, he leaves. At the convenience store, the cashier points out this strange girl (Red Queen) who has been staring at the food for 3 hours! So call the police? Can’t do. The owner hates the cops. When Zoroku tries to talk to her, it seems she can read all his personal data. She gets cocky to make a deal with her and she’ll grant him any wish. He doesn’t understand what is going on so this frustrates her as she just vanishes. Actually, she disappears into his car. She is still bugging him to make a deal. However they have to start running since a wrecking ball is coming their way! Literally, it came in like a wrecking ball! Red Queen realizes the sisters, Asahi and Yonaga Hinagiri are after her. It becomes a chaotic and helter-skelter chase with the sisters unleashing their arrow and chain powers in their attempt to get them. And the bystanders? They must be filming a movie! When the car crashes, the girls confront each other. The sisters are adamant to bring her back to the facility but Red Queen doesn’t want to go back there and instead wants to destroy it. The spat ends when Zoroku beats them for misbehaving. They are having their statements taken by the police. The chief finds it hard to believe Zoroku but when he sees a footage how Red Queen just suddenly disappears, what else left is there to say? Zoroku is given his stuffs back and doesn’t know the police does quick car repair service. They don’t. They found it in good condition. Apparently the commotion and damage created by the chase, all effects have been erased. Like as though it never happened. Zoroku remains sceptical so the first thing he does is to sell the car.
As Zoroku eats at his usual place, here comes Red Queen popping back to bug him. So in addition to wanting his food, she wants him to be her servant? WTF? You don’t mess with this old dude! At least he hears her out. She explains there are many others like her. They are called Dreams of Alice. When she escaped, she realized she couldn’t do anything but looking inside his head, she could tell he is a good person. Then they hang out at the park. He asks her name but she doesn’t have any except being called as the Red Queen. Sana is also her name but that was given by the sisters. Zoroku will let her stay at his place but she must help with his work. He warns her not to use that strange power of hers again. Imagine if she does and she ends up killing other people. Furthermore, she can look into his mind and try to make a shady deal. It’s like blackmailing him. He won’t do crooked stuffs like that. First he wants her to fix her twisted temperament and value her friends. That facility thingy is for the adults to solve. Kitou shows to the committee the Wonderland that the Red Queen created. She can materialize anything she imagines. Anything. As they are continuing to study her, letting her remain in the outside world may create a psychological unstable state for her. Losing her who is a very valuable sample means a massive loss for the country. He would like to conduct her capture in secrecy since it would be detrimental if an accident would bring this light to the public. Sana returns to Zoroku’s place. She is amazed with all the beautiful flowers. Zoroku is a florist. So that shady deal he made with the yakuza is because he is nervous in wanting to make a move to court a woman. Zoroku’s home is a short walk from the shop. He prepares the futon and clothes belonging to his granddaughter but Sana is already fast asleep.
Episode 2
Zoroku watches the morning news. None reported yesterday’s chase. Sanae, Zoroku’s granddaughter returns and is fascinated to see Sana. Not for Sana. Immediately she goes into defence mode. Sanae isn’t surprised since grandpa told all about her. Sanae thought she could break the ice with some lame pig hand puppet show but Sana materializes real pigs to flood the room! Oink, oink! Yeah, they’re all over Sana. Sanae calls Zoroku to update what happened. It’s like a natural reaction that Sana is scared to hear his name. Sanae plays her big sister by giving her clothes to wear and does her hair. Since she is hungry and can’t wait for Sanae to make pancakes, she materializes a huge one and loses energy. Oh no. The pigs are here! Invasion of bay of pigs? I guess Sana has to now wait. While waiting, she explains her time at the facility. That is as far she can remember. The only thing she knew then was hunger. The researchers put all kinds of things into her body (nothing hentai) and she never understood language as she didn’t need it. One day she was introduced to the sisters and that is when her world starts to change. She realizes how different everyone is and starts opening up to them. The sisters taught her a lot of things. It was fun times. Then one day Sana saw something horrible happen to other subjects in the facility. It was then she got scared and decided to run. There were so many things happening there she didn’t know. Sana then takes Sanae on a whirlwind adventure. Literally teleporting here and there! Wow. Real adventures! Even petting the penguins at South Pole! But they have to go home soon. You know how cranky Zoroku can get if he doesn’t find them home. So when Sana teleports them to the flower shop, she somehow teleports the pigs too! Invasion of bay of pigs again?! So now the pigs stampede all over the place! Zoroku’s old friend, Ryuu Naito and Shizuku Ichijou arrive only to see Sana crying. She got scolded… At least the pigs are under control…
Episode 3
Kitou talks to Minnie C on several stuffs. She loves wearing the kimono as it reminds her of her husband. It calms her down as she could feel his warm arms wrap around her. His big hairy white American arms. Ichijou talks to Sana and calms her down. She notes they have met before but Sana doesn’t remember. Then it’s back to this… Zoroku wants Sana to apologize but she remains stubborn and throwing a tantrum. This is going to take a while. Naito takes over to assure they are here to protect her and can’t let those guys take her back. He gives her a pin which is a tracker. More flashbacks from Minnie C spending her times with her husband. He was in the military and they loved each other very much. Till he died in a bomb diffusing incident. Her world came crashing down. She suffered from insomnia but when dreamt of her husband’s big hairy white American arms embracing her, she calmed down. It was then she became a Dream of Alice. Naito asks Sana if she would like to become a family member of Zoroku. Grandpa doesn’t like it one bit despite Naito will make arrangements for everything to be provided for. Knowing Naito, he knows there is an ulterior motive. If Sana is going to live with him, there is something she has to say to him first. Oh no. Not this again. As usual, Sana won’t say it and gives excuse she needs to go to the toilet. While relieving herself, she is suddenly kidnapped by those big hairy white American arms. The rest realize something is wrong when she is taking too long. Yeah, the toilet is ‘missing’. They detect the tracker moving as Ichijou tries to follow it. However they realize they have been tricked when the toilet ends up somewhere and Sana is not in there. She is tied up in a vehicle with Minnie C. To hide their tracks, they hide inside a trailer. Sana tries to struggle so Minnie C uses those big hair white American arms (I should stop saying this) to pin her down and warn she could easily kill her. She remembers Kitou showing her Wonderland. She was amazed at all the stuffs Red Queen could materialize and there is no end to it. Each Dream of Alice has only a Card and even so, getting the power they want isn’t guaranteed unlike Red Queen who can easily conjure anything. Kitou asks Minnie C if she could get this power, what would she wish for. It should be no surprise she would do anything to see her husband again.
Episode 4
Sanae blames herself for bringing Sana here. Naito assures those guys won’t do any harm to Sana as she is precious. Minnie C is disappointed despite Sana’s vast power in Wonderland, she is powerless in the outside world. After all, she isn’t actually human. In fact, she wasn’t even a living thing 13 years ago. Just an unknown being mimicking human stuffs. That is why living outside is impossible and Wonderland is the only place for her. Naito reveals that similar info to Zoroku and Sanae. Of course there are factions that believe they can coexist with humans and others who don’t and just want to confine them. Sana meets a florist who looks like a grownup version of her inside her consciousness. The first thing Sana says is how flat she is and even Sanae is much bigger! The florist hints to her to call out someone’s name. Sana thinks and calls out Zoroku’s name. In a blink of an eye, that old guy is whisked beside her. Minnie C tries to subdue him with those hands but he is stronger! He assures Sana help is on the way. Because they continue to make commotion, Minnie C shoots Sana’s leg! She warns the next one will hit Zoroku. This has Sana blame herself for the troubles she has brought just because she isn’t human. She doesn’t want all this and uses her remaining energy to rewrite the scenario. This means her wound is gone. At that moment, Naito’s team is able to track Sana’s whereabouts for a short while. Minnie C explains this joint research between Japan and America to benefit humanity by researching Dreams of Alice and building an energy base of it. Zoroku doesn’t care about all that. All he sees Sana is a little girl. Even if Sana might be a weapon of mass weapon masquerading as human. Sana still blames herself as a monster and needs to go back to the facility to prevent any more people from getting hurt. Time for Zoroku’s lecture. If Minnie C claims Sana isn’t human, isn’t ironic for her to shoot a child? Who isn’t human? Plus, what defines as human? Sure, Sana might have caused trouble. Everyone does that. She might be a nuisance but she has no malicious intention and has a heart. No matter what she is, in tough times she should be with others. Zoroku has no intention to let her being taken away by these people and doesn’t like shady stuffs. I mean, she left the facility because she wanted to see what is outside, right? End of lecture. Sana, you may cry now. That is short-lived since Ichijou rips open the car’s roof to save the day.
Episode 5
With Minnie C fighting back, Ichijou surprises her by using several different types of Cards. Ichijou hides Sana and Zoroku and gives her a candy to replenish her strength while she fends off Minnie C’s arms. Well, those arms come in mini sizes and invisible as well. Minnie C recognizes Ichijou as that maid who got in her way. When Ichijou is cornered, she is forced to use her trump card. She transforms into that maid outfit and kicks ass. I guess that is why that Card is numbered #1 :-). The more Ichijou fights back, the more desperate Minnie C gets till she eventually loses. Out of energy. Ichijou reveals herself as some walking weapon because her Card absorbed some maid anime on TV that contains 666 weapons and 13 grimoires. Wicked. She arrests Minnie C for several violations. Minnie C can only wallow in regret. Sana tells Zoroku that she might be going to cause troubles but she wants to do a lot of things. She wants to be human. She must be talking for so long that her stomach starts to growl. I guess a candy bar wasn’t enough. Sana takes him for a night flight as thanks. The authorities clamp down and arrest Kitou and all his accomplice. If in real life they were this efficient… Before that happens, he tells them to erase all data on Dream of Alice. In the aftermath, the facility is shut down, the faction opposing Naito quiet down, Minnie C is deported back to US due to some protection agreement and Zoroku and Sanae has an additional family member. Sanae can’t wait to spoil her and Sana just can’t wait to experience all that.
Episode 6
Sana is living the peaceful life. However she still tries to use her power and gets a stern reminder by Zoroku. Sana follows him to the florist where he goes to make floral preparations for his client’s engagement party. It’s that yakuza. And his future wife is a high school kid? Long story. Sana learns the meaning of engagement and being married. Something like being a family. As Sana’s hair is too long and she keeps stepping on it, Zoroku suggests cutting it. Sana is excited to go to the beauty salon (I guess a barber isn’t enough). As it will take roughly and hour, Zoroku goes off to do some errands. Sana is delighted with her bob cut. Because Zoroku is running late, she decides to go look for him. Imagine Zoroku’s horror when she isn’t in the beauty salon. Weren’t the staffs keeping an eye on her? So happy Sana sings and walks around. Not sure if she knows where to look but hey, she looks happy. And nobody else cares. She gets distracted by a cat. Zoroku is running around trying to find her. It’s going to be bad for his heart. Sana realizes she is lost. She wants to use her power but remembers Zoroku’s words. Oh no. Time to start crying… Zoroku eventually receives a call from the police. She is there and a passer-by spotted a lost girl and brought her here. Zoroku carries her home and says next time when this happens, call him out like she did before. It is okay to use her power but to use it wisely. Back home, Zoroku shows her the adoption papers he got from Naito. With this, Sana will become part of the Kashimura family. How does that sound? Like getting married, right? Oh Sana…
Episode 7
Ichijou accompanies Zoroku and Sana. Sana learns how to use the train system for the first time. Meanwhile Asahi is on a spree buying up all the food she can get in China Town. Huh?! Yonaga tries to stop her from spending so recklessly but I guess this is what freedom is about. Then they bump into Sana. Instantly they run and Sana gives chase. Oh, how ironic. Not too long ago it was the sisters chasing after her. So in Sana’s attempts to catch them, they materialize all sort funny stuffs. Others must be thinking how cool those special effects. Eventually Ichijou had to intervene and punish the trio. So while the twins join them at a restaurant, Sana is still acting haughty and frazzled. She has never felt like this before. Slowly, the sisters apologize to Sana for all they once did. They missed her ever since she left the facility. It wasn’t the same. Flashback shows the sisters were abused by their father. They couldn’t take it anymore and killed him. They were sent to the facility and never left the place. It was much more fun when they got to know Sana. They never meant her to be their doll since they never taught her about the outside world. When she left, their world changed. Right now they are going to a local American school where they house those from the facility. They are happy with life now. Sana forgives them and they become friends. That night, Sana wakes up in tears and she doesn’t know why. She still has this frazzled feeling. Sanae talks and comforts her but it feels more like teasing. Maybe that is her love to Sana. Sana and the sisters now frequently keep in touch via messaging. Technology. Not even Dreams of Alice can beat that.
Episode 8
Hatori Shikishima is praying to God. She blames herself for not being smart academically since her parents are always arguing and that she is their source of bickering. One day, suddenly they made up and become good parents like she always dreamt of. Talking to her best friend Ayumu Miho, they wonder what this magic is about since they notice Hatori can actually make people stop dead in their tracks and do her bidding. She thought she was bestowed some magic by some witch but was warned if she used it for evil, she will turn into an evil witch. Of course they have some fun with this power until they realize those affected don’t really turn back but become zombies waiting for their next order. Hatori realizes that her parents are just being nice because of her magic. As long as she is here, this house is nothing but lies. So the best friends decide to run far away. In town, they just freeze everybody like that? Meanwhile Sana must have got used to her florist chores when suddenly Zoroku and the rest cannot move. Hatori and Ayumu talk about things when they notice Sana moving among the crowd. She is the only one not affected. They go talk to her as Sana is trying hard catching her breath trying to find an answer to why everyone suddenly cannot move. Ayumu asks Sana if she knows anything to undo Hatori’s magic so that she doesn’t have to run away from home anymore. However Sana upon knowing they are responsible for this freak accident starts to get mad. Her scream nullifies everything and returns everyone to normal. But that’s not enough. Sana is still mad. So she materializes a giant Santa with hammer?! However it soon disappears. Both girls try to battle each other via their power but it keeps nullifying each other. When all else don’t work, girly fist fight time! Man, Sana is weak. Hatori and Ayumu run away as Sana collapses after running out of energy. Hatori views herself at fault for this incident because it shocked Sana’s world. She believes she has become an evil witch.
Episode 9
Hatori returns home and although mom greets her, she isn’t sure which version of her she is. Sana wakes up one night worried about Zoroku. Nothing has happened to him. In her relief, she starts crying and hugging him. Awkward… Asahi and Yonaga are here to stay over for a night as requested by Zoroku. The little ones have fun as the sisters observe Sana has gotten used in doing daily chores. When Zoroku returns late from work that night, it’s like Sana could sense him coming back and goes to hug him and won’t let go! So now she’s a leech? But the next morning, Zoroku has to go to work to fix some flower arrangements that was messed up yesterday. He is supposed to be off today. So apparently Sana blames this on those evil witches and is going to get them. Wow. She really isn’t letting go of this grudge. Ayumu is shocked to hear Hatori isn’t going to run anymore but stay here forever. She doesn’t mind if it’s a lie as long as her parents get along. Naito and his assistant, Noriko Yamada are outside Hatori’s house wanting to talk to her but her mom answers the call. They leave once they are done. But something is amiss. Naito has been keeping a marker somewhere and realizes they have been had again. This is the fifth time. Hatori seems to have the power to control others and only allows those she approves to go near the house. He thinks perhaps someone close to her might be able to help. Ayumu is going around town asking for people’s help if they have seen Sana. Nada. Ayumu remembers Hatori telling her never to come again for fear she might hurt her. Suddenly Cheshire cat’s face pops up before her and she is sent falling through a rabbit hole (though I would like to think it is a manhole). She ends up in a strange fantasy land whereby Sana as a little queen riding a turtle is going to teach her a lesson. WTF?! What does a turtle have to do with this?!
Episode 10
Sana wants to make Ayumu reflect and apologize. Ayumu will do so but wants her to tell all she knows about this power. Still not satisfied? Sana hears Zoroku calling her. That worried look… She should be. Because she teleported the toilet somewhere else to pull off this crap! Later Sana talks to Ayumu but is confused when she painter Hatori as a good person. Zoroku and Sanae call Sana for dinner but she didn’t answer. When they go check on her, she left a note saying that she went to catch an evil girl. Huh? Hatori is at home when she follows a little rabbit into a magical door and into a magical fantasy world. Hatori is now before Sana (masquerading as some box king). You think Hatori is scared of her? Nope. Starting to panic now, eh? It throws Sana off her pace since Hatori admits she is evil. What’s the use trying to tell her not to do evil stuffs? Didn’t she just say she is evil? Sana is more confused remembering Ayumu’s words about Hatori being nice, kind, smarter, etc. Ayumu is jealous and wished she had those powers. Sana is still bratty but lets it slip she is trying to help her because of her friend. Hatori becomes mad and the tables are now turned as she tries to make Sana spill the beans if Ayumu put her up to this. As she won’t tell, Hatori uses her power to order her. But it clashes with Sana’s. Because of that, the entire world starts crumbling. This also cause some sort of anomaly in the real world. Yamada detects Wonderland expanding. Strange things pop up in reality and certain people start to have Dreams of Alice. Ichijou calls Zoroku to check if Sana is in. It only confirms that she is stuck in Wonderland with somebody else (Hatori and Ayumu’s parents are out looking for her). Zoroku is going to come along because it’s an adult’s job to bring the kids back. Sana is trapped inside a box. She can’t use her power and is too bratty to ask for help. Hatori easily frees her. Awkward moment. Hatori is willing to apologize as long as she is sent home. However Sana can’t do that. They might be stuck here forever.
Episode 11
Zoroku and Sanae are brought to Wonderland. Ichijou goes with them but she is soon plunged into a hole. A rabbit hole? With no leads, I guess they’ll have to follow this little spotted pig to wherever it brings them. This place must be one big abstract memory of Sana as there are many huge monuments of what she did with Zoroku. Sana doesn’t have any power and she is unsure of this parts in Wonderland. Hatori doesn’t give up and tries to follow the path she thinks will lead her back. However the door is nothing but a door. Sana needs to work out as she has been catching her breath for a long time. So resting in a house, they talk about things. Like Hatori believes her mom hates her because of her poor grades and the reason her parents are fighting. She loves her mom but thinks her mom wished she wasn’t her daughter. This talk of existence has Sana reveal she was born from this place and that she has no mom like others. Sana believes after talking to her, she must be some sort of communication device as she is part of Wonderland and humans are curious to know about it. So she ponders about her own existence if it is necessary. That made Hatori cry? Wow. Must be such a sad story. Sana continues she also found joy and happiness and hence there are things she needs. The girls reconcile as Sana messes with her hair (because that’s what Sanae always does) and Hatori hugging her (because that’s what mom always does). Hatori really wants to see mom again and requests Sana help her.
Episode 12
It has been 10 days a relentless search is put out for Hatori. Ayumu also helps look as she remembers a place they promised to go together. She wonders if she has gone there by herself. Hatori realizes her handphone is missing. They notice it is in the hands of the rabbit. After catching it, Hatori realizes there have been messages left by Ayumu. Earlier on she noticed there was no signal. Having such messages mean the rabbit is somehow connected to the outside world. They continue to chase and follow the rabbit. Is it leading them on a wild goose hunt since they’re traversing dangerously? They finally end up in a place where there is signal. Hatori calls Ayumu and it connects. The friends are glad to hear each other. Ayumu is relieved she thought Hatori hated her and had run away. With the battery running low, Hattori and Sana tell her they can’t use their powers and hence cannot get out. As Wonderland is big, it is hard to find the exit from within unlike in the real world which is ‘smaller’. She has to find the rabbit hole. Ayumu rushes back to town to the spot where Hattori disappeared. A door pops up and she enters. The friends reunite and at the same time the pig leads the grandpa and his granddaughter to them. However the place starts shaking. Something is wrong. It is detected Wonderland is expanding into reality soon. Guess what? Zoroku lectures it to stop this crap and the shaking stops!!! WTF?! The expansion stops and everything stabilizes. The rabbit fears him and gives him a button to press. It releases Ichijou from wherever she was, dropping from the sky. The exit leads them back to Sana’s room. Sana is happy but better take off your shoes before you get another scolding from Zoroku. Zoroku and Sana walk Hatori and Ayumu home. They apologize and know they have a lot to atone for. Ayumu lets Hatori know how her parents searched for her every day. When she returns to them, they instantly hug her. In the aftermath, the government makes an official statement about the Dreams of Alice phenomenon and is planning to make a response office. Ichijou and Yamada wonder what kind of change the world is going to have. Naito doesn’t care as long as the children are happy and healthy. Sana leads a happier life. She now goes to school and is good friends with Hatori and Ayumu.
“What A Strange World We Live In”
And so it leaves with this mind boggling narration about a story of a girl who will continue to search for herself so she can become me. Huh? Yeah, almost forgot about that Sana grownup clone. Don’t tell me that is Zoroku’s daughter trapped in some parts of Wonderland. After all, why was she thanking Zoroku for everything to be alright now? Or is this the future Sana? I don’t care anymore. I’m already bored and I don’t have the energy to be further confused with this ending ‘plot twist’.
Initially, the first half of the series was interesting since a small group of people were trying to take Sana back. It might not be the most exciting of such plots and thrillers but it is certainly better than the second half which was just plain boring. Because ever since Sana is freed from her pursuers and living the normal free life, it might be all peaceful for Sana and that is good for her and those around her. However the plot of the story suffers from that. Like as though there aren’t any more threats to her and the producers feel like they have to fill the remaining episodes of the season and come up with this really boring plot of another conflicted girl. It didn’t really did quite live up to the excitement and drama in the first half although I use those terms loosely. Yeah, maybe it was so that Sana could end up having friends her own age instead of being super clingy to an old guy in which if you think about it is just creepy since they aren’t actually blood related. And to avoid Sanae monopolizing Sana as her plaything…
As for the main characters, Sana and Zoroku, I fail to see how they would capture our hearts. Blame me for expecting something out of it but even if there were some close bonding moments of the duo (if that is what I should call it), at the end of the day it still doesn’t make me feel that they are close enough to be a close knit family. Even with Sanae around, it just fails to drum up another sort of emotional factor that they are a close family unit. Yes, Sana is new to the family and her surroundings. But even by the end of the series I didn’t feel they’re as closely knitted as they should. It’s like they’re just together because now Sana shares the same family name.
For Sana, even if she isn’t really human and something that has learnt to become one, personally she isn’t that likeable. She may have this strange power learn things but this doesn’t mean she understands them. Because of that, it feels like as though she is a retard but all that is covered up because of her cute factor. She looks so cute in almost anything she does that I’m sure we wouldn’t mind. Another thing why she is unlikeable is how pushy she was. When meeting Zoroku for the first time, she thinks she can boss him around but usually gets owned. It feels like Zoroku’s hand crushing over her face as punishment is like a running joke of the series. This gets even worse in the second half when she starts holding a personal grudge on Hatori. She just couldn’t let go. Sure, it might be traumatic for her to experience that time stopping incident. But does she have to go all her way out to seek her own brand of revenge? She was becoming annoying and borderline hateful. I thought she was going to be the antagonist. Ah well, all part of learning, I guess. One reason why I think Sana was being such an annoying brat towards Hatori is because if you remember the Alice In Wonderland story, the Queen of Hearts was a menacing b*tch, right? Sana is nicknamed the Red Queen, right? See the connection? Does this mean Sana isn’t actually the hero but the antagonist?!
Zoroku isn’t particularly special as I hoped for him to be. At times he might give Sana some advice and put her in her place but there is nothing more to that. He isn’t the flashy kind and with his grumpy exterior, he is like that one grumpy grandpa or uncle that all of us has. Maybe that is the only thing that makes him stand out. As he is calm and doing things his own pace, he isn’t the kind of character who jumps in flashily using his fists to punch away the baddies and then dispenses his great wisdom in a lively passionate voice. Nothing of that sort for Zoroku. Or maybe it is just his ‘scary’ voice that could even make something inanimate as Wonderland obey his command! Imagine if heaven and hell did that then Zoroku must be God! That was really mind blowing but come to think of it, if Wonderland was created by Sana, then Wonderland is part of her so it could be that Wonderland fears Zoroku is because Wonderland is Sana. Think about it. But at least overall he is still more likeable than bratty Sana. He might not show it but he still loves Sana like another part of his family. Imagine if Zoroku starts fawning and blushing over a new granddaughter. Creepy as hell!
As for the other supporting characters, I guess they’re just rather okay. Like Sanae feels like somebody close to Sana as her big sister so that she will not feel lonely and it won’t make this strange family unit look like a pedo type. You know, an old guy with a young girl living alone together… Naito and Ichijou are watching over them just in case and Yamada must be some sort of freaky fan girl of Ichijou whenever she dons her maid outfit. I understand her. I know I would to. Yonaga and Asahi have become irrelevant when the lab has been taken down but even during their hot pursue of Sana, it’s like they were never that prominent either. Now they are so tame like as though they’ve been friends forever. Well, they are. Only when Sana decided to escape, they became temporary enemies.
The thing that boggles my mind is Kitou. Not this guy entirely. He is very calm in cool in his mission to retrieve Sana. And when he was caught, he went meekly. And everything was over the moment that happened. So it made me wonder that if this is a very large secretive experiment done, would he or other research teams just drop this research just like that? This is assuming they are locked up properly and can’t move the slightest. So much effort has been put into the research and data collecting and it is abandoned just like that? For now it looks like Naito’s faction is taking care of the facility but nothing really important happening.
So for the people who were initially trying to take back Sana so badly, they then got defeated and were never heard of again. Like that strange kid with powers to rewrite everything back to normal again with his sketch. Who the heck is he? He was with Kitou and the sisters during Sana’s chase. He doesn’t talk much. Everything else about him is a mystery. So when Kitou is out of the picture for good, we never hear of him again. I thought another sort of antagonist would appear because this experiment had too much potential to leave it be but then like I said, Sana became the annoying ‘antagonist’ for the remainder half. Think about it. Having a little girl with so much potential power be wasted and live a normal life? You think the government would let that slide? Assuming they are the ones funding the research. Now that it has gotten official (I believe thanks to a little threatening and string pulling by Naito), all isn’t lost. Minnie C wasn’t really the villain. She was desperate to have something she wanted back real back. She failed, so does this make her wrong? Just like Sana, she’ll have to learn and accept reality that there are some things that cannot be brought back to life. Not even Sana’s power can do that, right?
Therefore it is convenient that not much of this Dreams of Alice power is explained. We do not know where they came from all how it all started. Not even why Wonderland is always expanding. Like as though it is some mini universe within Earth but expanding infinitely. Damn, I’m confused. We are also unsure why some people manifest such powers. How it really works and what are its characters are also a big question mark. So we just accept it for now that it is part of the plot device. Well, doesn’t sound like a good one. Heck, I believe there are other specimens in Wonderland, each with their own unique Dreams of Alice power. I mean, Sana and the sisters (and that other kid too) can’t be the only ones, right? With Sana being the most powerful, I figure the rest aren’t as exciting or intriguing and would be more or less like Asahi and Yonaga or worse. So my only conspiracy theory that I can think off why Sana clicks with Zoroku so well instead of any other old guys other than the fact he was there at the wrong place and wrong time, well, you know this anime’s title, Alice To Zoroku? If you take its initials, it sounds like A To Z. From A to Z. The alpha and the omega. They are the ones with the power to destroy and create a new world! They are the gods! That is why Sana could manifest anything and Zoroku ends it all with his hand crush and his voice telling off others! Haha! Just kidding. Maybe.
The art and animation aren’t the best. For one thing, the character designs have this very simplistic look. I thought the characters were taken after Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. Heck, I thought I could see some similarities from both series despite both being written by different authors and animated by different studios. Because of that, at first glance the series looks more like a bit like a children’s cartoon. Then there is the use of CGI especially in the first episode. It really feels odd like that car chase sequence. It makes it feel unreal. So dreamy. Like Wonderland. Like as though some game creator amateur wannabe used this as a testing ground and the producers okayed it because what the heck, it looks passable. Not by today’s standards.
Voice acting, needless to say that Mamiko Noto still owns it as Minnie C. Maybe she is the reason why I prefer the first half of the story. And the reason why the second half sucks… Maybe. Just maybe. Although her character didn’t die, I do feel bad for her character. Other recognizable seiyuus include Ami Koshimizu as Ichijou, Aki Toyosaki as Sanae and Houchu Ohtsuka as Naito. The rest of the casts are Hitomi Oowada as Sana (Tsubame in New Game), Akio Ohtsuka as Zoroku (titular character in Black Jack series), Akari Kitou as Yonaga (Aryabhata in Taboo Tatoo), Natsumi Fujiwara as Asahi (Chihiro in Shonen Maid), Masaya Matsukaze as Kitou (Ren in Jigoku Shoujo), Yuuki Hirose as Yamada (Tomoe in Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-Bu), Shuu Uchida as Hatori and Minami Takahashi as Ayumu (Megumi in Shokugeki No Souma). The opening theme is Wonder Drive by Oresama. Lots of synthesizers used to make it sound as lively as it should. The ending theme is Chant by Toi Toy Toi. Heck, I thought it was Mamiko Noto singing it! This song has this fantasy fairytale-like feel and that dreamy singer’s voice gives off that similar feel of that ending theme in Flip Flappers.
Overall, this series had its potential to be more interesting but falters where it needed to become better. Some heart-warming scenes to tug the heart strings but ultimately it’s like they are masquerading a show about a grandpa and a granddaughter with some supernatural stuffs. And if you want to watch a show with some old people bonding with their younger child, they are better shows out there. Like Usagi Drop. Okay, the parent isn’t an old guy but you get the point if you want to see a good parent and child story. I read Tokyo Godfathers is also good but I didn’t see that movie. If there is a sequel, let’s hope the Dreams of Alice could do something to fix it. Or we’ll never hear the end of it from old people b*tching about those good ol’ days and how it was supposedly done.
Aho Girl
1 December, 2017
They say that smart people tend to have no confidence while stupid people are full of confidence. That being said, I guess this means the entire world is full of idiots either way! Having said that, I guess one can guess the mayhem and chaos to be expected when you have an anime title like Aho Girl. It feels like the Japanese version to the western’s dumb blonde. Even the synopsis tells you the hard facts of how the titular character is one hell of a stupid girl!!! An idiot beyond all belief! How she managed to survive all these years is beyond me. Maybe it’s the bunch of bananas…
Episode 1A
Yoshiko Hanabatake is really dumb! She proudly shows Akuru Akutsu she got all zeros in her proficiency tests! He warns her about not being able to survive for being stupid but as you might guessed it, she’s too stupid to understand. She hints to be somebody’s housewife but Akuru isn’t going to marry a stupid girl like her. Does this means he has a girlfriend? No? When she teases he doesn’t understand girls, he uppercuts her in the chin. More dramatic stupidity when she declares how much she loves him. Especially how he feeds her bananas. Yeah… Bananas… He isn’t considerate following her to the same school since this is the closest to his home. She calls him a tsundere and would allow him to see her panties. Then she remembers a banana shop selling top quality bananas and needs to go get them. School isn’t over yet…
Episode 1B
Akuru sees Yoshiko sleeping in her undies. Don’t even try to pull off that seducing look… Even Yoshiko’s mom, Yoshie regrets her daughter is so stupid. She hints she will be less worried if Akuru dates her. Not a chance. Who wants to date a monkey?! Oh dear, she is begging to him! At least make her human! He will try but if that fails, he plans to make her commit a misdemeanour and get her locked up. In class, Yoshiko calls Sayaka Sumino cute. Akuru agrees so Yoshiko thinks he is hitting on her. Because of his scary face, Sayaka forces herself to agree with him they’re not dating. Yoshiko continues to be shameless about letting him see her undies this morning so he does a German suplex on her. Put on some clothes then! I think Sayaka is totally afraid of him now.
Episode 1C
Yoshiko as usual doesn’t understand a damn thing in class. Sayaka believes she must be good with at least one thing. No, bananas don’t count. Standing above others? Impossible. Sayaka herself isn’t confident of her own abilities so Yoshiko tells her to have more confidence. She’s the one to say. Akuru tells off Sayaka to just tell Yoshiko off whenever she fools around. But he looks so scary it just made her cry. Yoshiko warns her of his temper but Sayaka still believes he has a few friends. Yoshiko shows his handphone’s contacts. Only Yoshiko’s number. With that Sayaka will be his friend. She realizes he isn’t scary once she knows his tragic story. What… It’s so insulting that it’s depressing.
Episode 1D
Yoshiko has this wonderful idea to cut out pictures of her face and paste it over sexy models in a gravure magazine. But putting the bait right in front of his doorstep? Step to crush! There is a spot check at the gates by the discipline committee led by Fuuki Iinchou. Yoshiko can’t throw away the magazine because it is part of her! When Iinchou finds out about it, she blames Akuru for encouraging such. Yoshiko then accuses Iinchou of indecency because her boobs are bigger than hers. She bribes her 10 Yen to grope them. In the name of science! When she wants to bribe bananas, Iinchou gets the wrong idea she meant a dick. Being horrified allows Yoshiko to grope her boobs. She becomes mad they are higher quality than hers. Akuru beats her up till she knocks out. He apologizes to Iinchou and if that idiot ever causes trouble again, please let him know. Iinchou starting to like him?
Episode 2A
Yoshiko invites herself to play with a few kids at the playground. At first they didn’t like her but because she sound so cool with her stupidity, they look up to her. Until Akuru comes to take her away to study. Yoshiko points out he is the bad guy so the kids get scared. The only way out of this stupidity is to play the game so he takes one of them hostage. Yoshiko tries to go rescue but it looks like she is enjoying every moment of Akuru’s swinging until the pain reaches her. When the kids defend Yoshiko, Akuru exposes her stupidity. She even confirms it herself so the kids lecture her about having responsibilities as an adult. Akuru shuts her and takes her away. This makes the kids think they need to work hard and not be like her. A blessing in disguise?
Episode 2B
On the way home, Akuru and co stumble into a delinquent, Ryuuichi Kurosaki. He tries to hit on Sayaka but Yoshiko thinks she is the cute one. Each time he shoos her away, Yoshiko insists he plays with her! Yoshiko guesses he too is a lonely soul who has no one to play with. She understands his pain. When he continues to resist, she slaps him and tells him to shut up and just play with him. Seeing her (idiotic) serious eyes, he realizes his own moronic self and wonders if she will still accept him. Of course. She is an idiot. The idiots embrace with full drama an emotion.
Episode 2C
The girls visit Akuru’s home. Sayaka learns he has a little sister, Ruri. Good thing she hates Yoshiko and doesn’t want to catch her stupidity. She insists she is not like Yoshiko because she studies hard despite the latter’s attempt to convince they are the same. Akuru then sees Ruri’s latest test scores. A big zero! OMG! Another idiot?! The sad part is that she puts in effort but yet she gets this result. Yoshiko is scaring Ruri and tempting her to the idiotic side. Akuru assures that he will take care of Ruri even if she is an idiot her entire life. That’s not a compliment! Now she hates him. Though, she hates Yoshiko even more. Sayaka tries to cheer her up that she will overcome her stupidity one day. Might not be the best but at least it makes her feel better.
Episode 2D
Iinchou spying on Akuru? Definitely fallen for him. With all her flustering, I’m sure it’s not hard to tell. When spotted, she gives excuse that she is here for another spot check fearing Akuru might bring another erotic magazine. Since he tells her she can search all she wants, she misinterprets she can violate his body! Oh no. She is going to do just that. Yoshiko can tell (nose bleed giveaway) and won’t allow it. She gropes her boobs. Iinchou realizes her technique has become better although Yoshiko is distraught they have gotten bigger. Iinchou does a suplex on her to knock her out. With no one in the way, she targets Akuru. He avoids her since she is scary. Eventually she knocks herself out and when she comes to, she is in his arms. I guess that is enough for that and will be back for more next time. The satisfied nose bleed says it all.
Episode 3A
Yoshie is shocked when Yoshiko introduces her to Sayaka. She is afraid this cuter girl will steal Akuru’s heart and put a damper to her retirement plan! She tries to warn Akuru about girls like Sayaka who are the silent type but are actually gold diggers. She knows. She’s speaking from experience. When Sayaka sincerely says they are just normal friends, Yoshie wants her to prove that by showing her panties. Eh? What? She can tell a girl’s intention from the panties she wears. Because of that, Yoshiko wants in and the crazy mother-daughter pair handcuff her to the table. Also from experience, Yoshie? Before they could violate her, Akuru stops them. Sayaka doesn’t want violence so she agrees to show them. The verdict? Yoshie allows Akuru to be friends with her. Shut Yoshiko up before she reveals her kiddie prints…
Episode 3B
Yoshiko plays with the kids at the playground again. This time a huge dog chases them. Yoshiko has this idea to ride it. Even so, it still chases them. Not too sure about this move of hers of doing a suplex with her legs. Eventually the weight of the dog is too much for her and the dog falls on her. Cool scene ruined. They see a note on a dog’s collar and realizes it is a stray. Yoshiko wants to keep it so she can ride it.
Episode 3C
Yoshiko loves the best bananas grown by Satou. So she takes Sayaka to personally go thank him. Yeah, they run the entire trip. So instead of getting refreshments from the store, Yoshiko bought an ugly mascot. No more money. Oh, there is still some. Buy the mascot’s kids. Now they’re out of money. Sayaka is so frustrated that she kept running. Happy Yoshiko follows suit. They finally reach Satou’s farm as Yoshiko thanks him from the bottom of her heart. So are they going to run the entire way back too? Sayaka forces herself to prostrate and beg for train money.
Episode 3D
Akuru despite scoring very high marks is still dissatisfied. Yoshiko got the cheek to even say he is clumsy and not able to finish the job for a perfect score. Because of that, Yoshiko has this idea to cheer him up like what mom does to dad at night. Wait. What?! So she handcuffs him and strips her top to treat him like a baby?! Wait. What?! Then she smothers him in her boobs. And even takes a selfie and sends it to Sayaka! Luckily Sayaka is smart enough to know what is happening and could only pity him. Now that Akuru is so mad, he is able to kick the daylights out of Yoshiko even when tied up. Well, at least he is back to normal. Before Yoshiko ‘dies’, she tells him the key is in her skirt. The torture continues. As he struggles to get them, Ruri comes in and sees this… Death a high school student confirmed.
Episode 4A
Ryuuichi is now Yoshiko’s follower and will do anything to protect her. So as he faces off with Akuru, he loses. He likes his punch and wants to be his friend. That gay look… Yoshiko takes those park kids to a rooftop hero show. Disappointed? Yoshiko is eager to be taken as the hostage but Nozomi was taken instead. Wow. Yoshiko is really eager to fight and save her. The guys are forced to join Yoshiko for fear Nozomi would like Yoshiko and become dumb like her. So with their scary faces, they force the villain to just be defeated. And the day is saved. And Nozomi hugs and thanks Yoshiko instead. Doomed…
Episode 4B
Yoshiko trains Ryuuichi to be Akuru’s friend by having him prostrate to a badly made cardboard of him? Yoshiko continues to fail her test. Even her teacher, Atsuko Oshieda has had it. However she always get dragged into Yoshiko’s flow. Buying bananas for her? When Atsuko has her answer a question, Yoshiko deflects it back to her regarding her empty love life. Her convincing stupidity has Atsuko losing it. Oh no. She has let the stupidity got to her head and is now seriously reflecting about the consequences of Yoshiko’s words! Now she turns to Akuru and wants him to show her love! Too bad he has to beat her up too. He notes if she gives up, nobody will ever teach Yoshiko anything!
Episode 4C
Ryuuichi confronts Akuru as he begs him to be his friend. He agrees. Alright! Because of the way he worded, he realizes too late he became his dog instead. As tomorrow is Akuru’s birthday, Yoshiko has this idea to sneak into his room to find out what he wants. So she’s dragging Sayaka into this? Iinchou hears this and wants in too. Yes, her boobs are as big as her feelings and that qualifies her. So as they sneak in, Akuru has already laid out all the traps expecting them. Poor thing Sayaka is the one who has to pick up after their carelessness. Hang in there. So the idiotic duo fool around with his boxers. When the argument gets too loud, Ruri enters and Iinchou accidentally slams her head! Then they continue to argue sleeping next to him or give him a kiss. It ends up Iinchou sleeping and elbowing Akuru’s gut! The awakened demon is mad… That is when Sayaka blows her top to scold all of them about their real goal here. We’re sorry… Damn Yoshiko already fast asleep…
Episode 5A
Summer vacation is here. Because Akuru plans to study, Yoshiko calls him an idiot. Beat down! Yoshiko has tickets for a magical girl show. Akuru thought Ruri doesn’t like it but seeing the tears welling in her eyes, I guess he is all for it. As expected, Yoshiko is going to get noisy so he has luckily brought tape to tape her down. Even Ruri is starting to sound like Yoshiko and big brother almost beats her up! It gets from bad to worse when the heroine is losing and the girls start crying!!! No choice, Akuru knocks them out and leaves. When Ruri comes to, she doesn’t understand why she is back home. Was she not at the movies? Akuru says she has been studying all day and was just perhaps dreaming. Phew. Meanwhile Yoshiko is back home and thinks she has teleportation powers.
Episode 5B
Yoshiko won a raffle for a free trip to the hotspring. I guess Iinchou wants to come along. Oh, Ryuuichi too? So the first order is to shop for swimsuits. Akuru isn’t impressed when the girls ask his opinion but Ryuuichi too?! Then Akuru drops the bomb he isn’t going. Shock! But why?! Sayaka argues if he doesn’t go, it is pointless because these people want to be his friends. He doesn’t want to be with these weirdoes. But she points out he is also a weirdo because he doesn’t want to make friends. That’s because everyone around him is a weirdo. So if he goes by this logic, it means Sayaka is also a weirdo and hence the only friend he will ever have is Yoshiko! So won’t you be friends with Sayaka? Cue for puppy dog eyes. OMG. You can’t argue with that. Because of that, he’ll go. The trip is saved. They want to wear matching swimsuits but Akuru won’t allow it.
Episode 5C
As they wait for Akuru to arrive, Iinchou has lewd fantasies of him. Iinchou meets Yoshie for the first time. Mom can tell this woman too wants to seduce Akuru. So she steals her swimsuit and draws nipples on it! Yoshiko does the same on hers so she won’t feel left out?! When Yoshie threatens to cut nipple holes, Ryuuichi stops her. She cries molest but still that isn’t enough for him to let go of this old hag. Oops. Taboo word. Yoshie does a judo throw as she lectures them about being a millions years behind her. Because no one gets Akuru except her! Ah, so that’s her intention. Speaking of him, here he comes. Even she is not spared from his pain when she tries to push the blame on Iinchou. She distracts him with her bra and runs away. But she promises to be back. Sayaka has been hiding all the while and wonders if it is safe to come out now.
Episode 6A
Break the watermelon? Yoshiko uses her head! Because Iinchou is trying to hint giving permission to let Akuru see her body (in which he is being gay and won’t), Yoshiko accuses her of trying to seduce him and thus buries her in the sand to ‘flatten’ those tits. Since that didn’t work, she makes a giant sand dick on her! After Yoshiko is beaten up for being too noisy, Akuru sees this abomination. Now don’t look at her? He can’t touch it too because it’s like part of her body? In that case, he kicks it down! The pain must be real… The pain of the heart, that is.
Episode 6B
Soaking in the hotspring, Yoshiko tells how small Akuru’s dick is. But that is because she remembers it as a child’s. She wants to go peep but of course Iinchou tries to stop her by giving reasons how ugly the dick now. Even so, she still wants to go peek. Even though there is a 99% chance she’ll be beaten up, hey, there is still that 1% miracle. And so Iinchou decides to go peek with Yoshiko. Yoshiko immediately gets a weapon thrown in her face. Panicking Iinchou gives excuses that she is doing this out of his wellbeing. He understands and backs down. Phew. She is glad it is a good thing but clearly Sayaka doesn’t think so.
Episode 6C
As Yoshiko will be away visiting her grandparents, Akuru is going to enjoy every second of peace and quiet. Too bad Yoshiko left the dog with him for company. Akuru is disappointed seeing he doesn’t like animals (remember, Yoshiko is also an animal, a monkey). However he notices the dog has intelligence and able to understand him. They even bond with some classical movie he likes. Yoshiko suddenly returns to catch him having an ‘affair’ with the dog. He denies and calls it dumb, hurting its feelings. Akuru feels bad but the dog does a hand signal from the movie so Akuru understands they’ll play again someday. Of course Yoshiko doesn’t get all that is happening.
Episode 6D
At the Bon festival, the neighbourhood association guys are going to stop Yoshiko from stealing the limelight again. Because last year her energy and stamina managed to captivate everyone’s attention. Looks like she is at it again as she is wearing a Brazilian samba bikini outfit. They thought of shutting her out and before they know it, she appoints them as their backup dancers! They try to block her during the dance but she slips out and starts prancing around. Since they don’t want to lose out, the guys strip to their fundoshi and unwittingly help Yoshiko in her dance. They’ve been had again this year.
Episode 7A
Back in school and Atsuko has already being dragged into Yoshiko’s pace. Yeah, she’s asking about how her summer vacation went. She wanted to get some experience in love but no luck. Yoshiko hopes Akuru could practice with her. However he unintentionally breaks her heart when he mentions her age. As Atsuko is being depressed over her loveless life, suddenly she stumbles into a cute boy. Actually it is Yoshiko cross-dressed! With all the cliché and cheesy moves, can’t blame Atsuko for falling in love because as you know, she’s an amateur. The cheesier it gets, the more Atsuko falls in love. Wow. Such heavy drama. And more cheesy lines to go with it. Like Yoshiko can’t accept her kiss because it is so sweet it would cause her diabetes! OMG! Since when was Yoshiko this smooth? Unless that’s a stupid line. Yoshiko leaves Atsuko with confidence to try out love again but has no idea what to do if Atsuko actually falls for her.
Episode 7B
Yoshiko calls her dog, Dog. Appropriate? Shouldn’t there be other better names? So Akuru wants her to properly name it but since she calls it Cat or Car (because you can ride it), I guess it’s up to Akuru to name it. George? So it becomes a competition whose name is better. Dog or George? Whoever the dog goes to, that is the name they’ll settle with. However the pressure is too much for the dog as it runs away! They don’t understand why until Sayaka explains it loves both of them and can’t possibly choose. While the idiots understand this, they go back to insulting and blaming each other. Yeah, doggy is the one most stressful and worried.
Episode 7C
Yoshiko goes to talk to a few gals in her class. They try to ignore her but she just won’t back down. Don’t waste your energy on idiots. When they try to leave, she follows them. Playing tag? So they trick her into playing hide and seek as Yoshiko will show them how to hide. Good riddance. The next day, Yoshiko didn’t turn up into class. The gals think the humiliation of being abandoned must have gotten to her. 2 days later, she still didn’t show up. Sayaka texts her and it seems she is still in the midst of hiding! The gals feel guilty that they might be responsible for her death and go all out to search for her. Eventually they find her hiding in the drain. She still has the energy? She realizes she is hungry and heads home. Play again next time? No way!
Episode 7D
Everyone celebrates Ruri’s birthday. What did Akuru get for his little sister? A book guide on how to get through life without a degree! He is okay for her to give up! So insulting! That’s not helping her at all! No wonder she locks herself up in her room. So after pestering on what she actually wants, this is her reply… A better big brother. Right back at you!
Episode 8A
Time to bug those gals again. This time Yoshiko is asking if they have any boyfriends. One of them has. Oh no. Time to bug her to spill the details. Not sure why she obliges but if you resist, the bugging will get worse. So bit the bullet and tell all. As expected, Yoshiko is so thrilled to hear it all. But when she hears she hasn’t kiss, hold hands or even say “I love you” back, since when did Yoshiko become her relationship manager?! She is forced to call him right now to say those magic words. Of course she can’t do it and runs elsewhere alone to do so. After making that embarrassing call and declaration, she realizes too late Yoshiko and her pals are watching. Yoshiko is so happy for her that she tells the entire school about it. YAMEROU!!!!
Episode 8B
It’s the park kid’s school field trip and Yoshiko is going to buy snacks with them? She notices an expensive deluxe snack and accuses the shop owner for placing it there so that they couldn’t buy other snacks. Oh well, not like Yoshiko had enough money in the first place. As the guys go to get their own snacks, Nozomi chooses that deluxe snack. Then they realize this… Because her snack will stand out from the rest, could it be her scheme to trade other snacks? She can have anything! Wow. So deep… With the idiots feeling they were underestimating all this, kind Nozomi shares the snack with them.
Episode 8C
Yet another delusion from Iinchou… So Sayaka calls her out to talk to her to stop stalking Akuru. Of course she is giving excuses she is only watching over him, blah, blah, blah. Could it be she is a masochist who likes his unfriendly stares? She continues being delusion thinking she is a charming and perfect beauty in Akuru’s eyes. Sayaka’s reaction says otherwise. Iinchou wants to really know the truth of what he thinks of her. Can she handle the truth? After all the misdeeds she has done so far, Iinchou is a crazy maniac! At first Iinchou brushes it off (denial?) but is forced to come to terms with it. Sayaka is forced to lie it was just a joke to ‘bring her back to life’. But looks like she dug the grave deeper with more lies that Akuru is close to falling for her.
Episode 8D
Yoshiko brings Dog to meet Sayaka’s little pet dog, Pome. Of course Dog has fallen in love at first sight but dumb girl thinks he is afraid of her. So acts of romance, Yoshiko misinterprets them to be some sort of showdown. Like Dog giving her bone only to be rejected because she isn’t hungry, Yoshiko thinks it is some peace offering rejected. Could it be Pome is stronger than Dog? When Pome licks Dog’s feet and he ‘collapses’, Yoshiko can’t believe Dog has surrendered. Yoshiko runs away in defeat.
Episode 9A
Yoshiko volunteers to be on the cultural festival committee. And she doesn’t know what that is. Or a cultural festival. Akuru allows it hoping she would fail big time and realize her stupidity. However Akane Eimura disagrees since it is an important event. Hence begin an argument between Akuru and Akane with her pals. The latter mock Akuru for being a study freak and has no friends. Akuru mocks them as ugly. Oh wait. Akane is actually crying?! Oh no. Akuru is looking like the bad guy now. Yoshiko wants to work together with Akane but she punches her in the face. In the end, Akane becomes the committee member with everyone voting for her unanimously.
Episode 9B
Akane and friends are behind schedule for the festival. Yoshiko suggests staying overnight to finish. Secretly. Why do they have to go along with her plan? Because Yoshiko has brought cards and video games to play! They have to follow Yoshiko’s pace because Akane seems to be eager to go night visiting to various places in school. And when they’re playing video games, the friends remind them to finish up the work. A few more minutes. Hours later… Just a little while more. It’s already dawn. Well, there’s always another night. Yes! We have defeated the final boss! And so no work was completed or even started the next night.
Episode 9C
YES! MAID CAFÉ!!! Yoshiko tries to fool around by putting an apron over Akuru but gets punched. Ryuuichi will gladly support their profits. If only Yoshiko didn’t get his name wrong all the time.
Episode 9D
Yoshiko sees Iinchou rejecting a guy confessing. Yoshiko feels bad for the guy and lectures what if the person who likes Iinchou turns her down? Imagine Akuru rejecting her and dating Yoshiko. NO WAY!!! So what do you want as a memory? A kiss. And hence Yoshiko wants her boobs to be fondled. Because for girls it’s a kiss and for guys, boobs fondling. Don’t argue. It’s Yoshiko’s logic. Iinchou is actually prepared to do that and let that poor guy fondle it when Akuru passes by. Instantly she beats the crap out of the poor chap and runs away.
Episode 9E
Sayaka and the gang are at a karaoke party. However Akuru and Akane and co are still hating each other. The ignore Sayaka’s pleas to get along and continue insulting each other. Yoshiko? She’s just singing happily like nobody’s business. Suddenly Sayaka puts her foot down and starts scolding them. Oh dear. Looks like she got drunk. Although her drink order was wrongly brought and she has not drank it, the smell was enough to make her drunk. She’s crying they have no respect for her and Yoshiko makes it worse it is because of her flatness. She thinks she can make everyone laugh if she shows her boobs. She undresses her top. Hey, she has nice proportions. Until the pads come off. So flat… WTF Yoshiko?! Why are you calling it Sayaka Plains?! We don’t know to cry or to laugh… Or maybe cringe at it all…
Episode 10A
Akane wants to pierce her ear but is too scared sh*t. Let Yoshiko do it! No way! Akane even believes Yoshiko’s dumb theory of how she will suffer and die from all the bleeding. Yoshiko teases her of wanting a man and this causes Akane to break down to the truth. So she’s jealous her friends have boyfriends and she wants one too. Yoshiko is touched and so she decides to help her. Because you can’t pierce the ear with unsteady hands, can you? Too late to back out. Akane is freaking out as Yoshiko does it for her. Here comes the pain! Oh. Nothing. Well, that wasn’t so bad, right? How about the other ear? Maybe next time.
Episode 10B
Yoshiko takes a wild ride on Dog. I don’t know how fast Dog can run but he can rival a speeding motorcyclist on the highway! He takes this as some sort of challenge but seeing how stupidly Yoshiko is enjoying this, I guess you could say he lost to this stupidity. Beast defeats machine?!
Episode 10C
Yoshiko joins the park kids to play with their toys. Yoshiko insists on playing Micca while Nozomi plays Michael. Right off the bat, Yoshiko is already playing something scandalous with Micca. The boys want to leave but accidentally stomp their monster toy over Michael. Micca gets all dramatic about his death and vows revenge, only to be easily owned. Now Micca is offering her body for the monster. To her horror, the monster isn’t even interested. Don’t worry, a happy ending when Michael revives and they continue to live a happy life.
Episode 10D
Let me get this straight. For Iinchou to get to know Akuru better, it is vital to get closer to his family. So is this why she is stalking on Ruri?! Pity little sister got all zeroes in her test again. Iinchou is interrupted by Yoshie as mother shows how she could easily console Ruri. Yoshie then proceeds to tell Ruri about this stalker while Iinchou tries to deny all that. Then in a flash faster than the wind, Yoshie steals Iinchou’s panties! Now Yoshie is claiming her as a crazy stalker and an exhibitionist. A few power punches traded as Iinchou tries to get them back. But Yoshie gets the better of her. Now in her stranglehold, Yoshie is going to prove Iinchou is an exhibitionist who doesn’t wear panties. But after lifting up her skirt, Ruri sees she is wearing them. Yoshie then realizes during all that commotion, Iinchou in a flash faster than the wind somehow stole Ruri’s panties! WTF???!!! You mean she can fit in it?! Both ladies leave with that serious look of settling this another day while Ruri is left confused. Ruri cements her status as a stupid girl since only when she returns home and goes to the toilet did she realize her panties are missing.
Episode 11A
Once again… Ruri scores zero in her test! Poor thing. Yoshiko suggests things she should do… She can’t name one! But Yoshiko maybe has a point when she says Ruri is bad at studying! So in order for her not to be a total failure, they try various stuffs like cooking and sewing but in all instances Ruri fails. Can she be this useless?! I mean, Yoshiko looks more capable than her! Say it isn’t so! Ruri decides to master riding a bicycle. Not tricycle! However with Yoshiko as usual getting distracted instead of helping her, she gets injured one way or the other. Adamant to master at least 1 thing, Ruri keeps on trying no matter how many times she painfully falls. Pity seeing her like this. In the end, she fails to master cycling and they end up in some shouting contest. See who can shout the loudest…
Episode 11B
Yoshiko is sad her favourite banana sundae is out of stock. Ryuuichi decides to help find other places but returns from the next town all bruised up. He did find a store selling that but a bunch of delinquents got ahead of him, bought it and ate it. They commented it was ordinary and threw it away. Ryuuichi tried to stop them but got his ass handed to him. Yoshiko is mad. Seriously mad. She will not forgive those who will insult and waste her banana sundae!!! You punks are dead!!! So she waltzes into the next town’s high school and beats up all the delinquents by power stuffing their mouths with bananas till she reaches the last boss, Sudou. Oh wow. Yoshiko knowing kung fu and such?! Don’t mess with her! Sudou thought he punched her after distracting her with a non-existent flying banana. However that punch feels like nothing. Not even close to Akuru’s. He got defeated in the most epic and embarrassing fashion. How many bananas can you stuff in your mouth? With that, Yoshiko is satisfied she has avenged her banana sundae. Nobody cares about you Ryuuichi…
Episode 11C
After forgetting to leash Dog to his kennel, he takes a walk and plucks a flower to give to Pome. However a boy is seen drowning in the river as Dog goes to save him. Now he lost his flower so he has to chase it down and get involved in other stuffs like saving a kid from an accident and running away from dog catchers. He ends up saving a bank from a robbery in progress! Holy cow! Did he do that Matrix bullet dodging trick???!!! A little girl is still traumatized from the ordeal so Dog gives her his flower to make her day. He might not have the flower eventually but Dog is one happy dog even when news of a dog saved a bank reached the ears of Akuru and Yoshiko and they don’t believe it.
Episode 12
We got back in time 10 years ago to see that fateful day when Akuru met Yoshiko. When Yoshiko’s family moved next door, Akuru knew he was going to be in hell. Just look how stupid Yoshiko was! She keeps bugging him to play despite he kept refusing her. He thought of giving her a banana to appease her hungry. However this is the first time she sees a yellow dick (she knows what a dick is but not a banana?) and loves its taste! She takes this as a sign he loves her! Yoshiko continues to harass him in the name of love. After Yoshiko traps and kisses him, that is when he realizes he needs to become stronger. He trains like a boxer to get back at her with his fist. However he trained too hard and falls sick. He learns from mom he slept the whole day and Yoshiko took care of him. For real? She stayed with him hoping to catch his illness. By kissing him the entire time! Look how sloppy his mouth is! That is the power of love! When Akuru receives his test result from the gifted programme, he just got average scores. He fears he will go down the stupid path and forced to marry that stupid girl and bear stupid children. Never! So the next step to keep her away is to learn what kind of people she hates. Uhm, anything else than people covered in poop? Perverts. Now the tables are turned with Akuru being a monster trying to peek at her panties. Hey, it works! Suddenly he stops because Yoshiko is really crying! Oops. Went too far? But it turns out she is so happy he is loyal to her that even though she isn’t ready yet, she will show him her panties! The tables are turned one again and Akuru gets screwed over. Here’s your panties! Take responsibility please… And now, Akuru believes his feelings 10 years then didn’t change a bit. Yoshiko still remembers that day and is now wearing those panties. Oh sh*t! It must be damn tight! This time Akuru is able to land a super uppercut that sends Yoshiko flying sky high! Hey, at least his punch has gotten stronger.
Dumbing Down Of The Dumbest Dumb & Dumber
Oh well, like they always say, birds of the same feathers flock together. I’ll bet that Yoshiko will not learn her lesson and will still continue to receive more ‘love punches’ from Akuru if we had more episodes. Day in, day out it’s the same thing. Ah, all is right when this is the order of the world. Eventually, even though stupidity is endless, this too has to end. Oh my. Did this enjoyably funny series ended too prematurely? I want more of my Aho Girl!!!
Dividing each of the independent stories into mini skits per episode is good because I wonder if the series can hold our attention if it was the same story for the entire duration. And the series itself is already short with only 12 minutes per episode. At least this way we can see more exploits and laugh at the different variety of misadventures our stupid girl and those around her get to go through. It’s random, it’s hilarious, it’s fun.
I guess I could say all the human characters are delightfully likeable because how dumb everyone is. Absolutely right! You think Akuru is the wisest person ever? He is as dumb as the rest too. Don’t be fooled by the fact that he is competent and is academically smart. The fact that he manages to put up with Yoshiko’s stupid sh*t proves that he too is an idiot like her! But it is her who always drags him into her shenanigans, you say? Well, we can clearly see Akuru definitely hates to be by Yosihko’s side and no doubt he has no choice. If he was that smart, he would have found a way to have moved somewhere (I think if he goes to another town, there’ll be another resident idiot to bear with so it’s more or less the same wherever he goes), got rid of her permanently (okay, we’re not going to resort to cruelly killing her or sending her to some war torn country) or in the most impossible way of curing her stupidity (I figure this proves stupidity can’t be cured anyhow). Heck, beating her up many times proves it is not working and might be contributing to her getting worse (disclaimer: Abusing your idiot is not encouraged). Plus, he has got no other friends in his handphone contacts except for Yoshiko! Failing any of which means he is still as dumb as the rest but to a lesser degree! Haha! At least going by the logic of this anime. See, I’m also dumb. Oh wait. I’ve been like that since like forever! Yoshiko, my brethren! The only thing good coming out from Akuru’s meeting is the meeting of Dog. He said it himself.
Speaking of Yoshiko, it is very hard not to hate her despite being annoyingly dumb and that eternally dumb agape smile on her face. She really lives up to her titular name. However the one good thing about that is that she doesn’t look so much like a retard while being stupid. Damn you anime for making 2D girls look so kawaii!!! Every time you want to hate her for being so stupid, each time she makes you laugh with her dumb antics. You can’t help but love her in all her silly ways and even hope to see more of her tomfooleries. Oh dear. Am I addicted to her stupidity?! Oh well, birds of the same feathers flock together… Never change, Yoshiko. Never change. And we all thought of wishing the world to be a better place. Till Yoshiko came along. Can being an idiot be this fun? From her case, it is fun! I somehow feel making Yoshiko a banana maniac is equating her to a monkey in a satirical sense… Also, the way she endures Akuru’s beatings feels like she is immune to all sort of pain because she bounces back like nothing. Reminds me of that Ataru idiot from Urusei Yatsura… So who says life is hard but even harder when you’re stupid? Ask Yoshiko! Ignorance is bliss! Now you know why genius has its limits but stupidity is limitless.
The rest of the other dumb characters are also as lovable. Like Iinchou who is some sort of perverted tsundere and to think she has fallen from grace this far. Yeah, love makes you do stupid things. I hope Akuru putting up with Yoshiko’s stupidity doesn’t turn him gay. Then there is Yoshie who is partially responsible for Yoshiko’s dumbness because all I can say it runs in the family’s genes. Can’t blame her for giving up in trying to make her daughter a better person because like I’ve said, there is no cure for stupidity! Instead, she now tries to shift all her responsibilities to Akuru whom she views as her insurance and future retirement plan. At this rate, I don’t think she can even retire… Yeah, maybe 10 years after she dies! Haha! Oops. Akane feels like Yoshiko’s competitor but she gets strung along all the time. Does that make her dumber than Yoshiko? Sayaka might be another character whom you’ll argue that isn’t as dumb as the rest. She is always so nice and friendly. But what if under all that niceness hides a really idiotic monster? You saw it when she accidentally got drunk. Maybe some things are better left kept hidden. Atsuko fails as a teacher since she always gets dragged into Yoshiko’s pace. The educator getting ‘re-educated’.
I find the most pitiful character is Ruri. She really tries her best but it is like as though fate and God is f*cking up her entire life just because one main idiot isn’t enough. But unlike Yoshiko who doesn’t even view herself as stupid, at least Ruri has the decency to recognize this weakness and tries to fix it. Albeit with no improvements at all. So it is sometimes ‘disheartening’ to see such a cute little sister to not let her hard work pay off. Again, it feels like fate and God is trying to set her future up as the next Aho Girl because once Yoshiko is no longer around, there is somebody to take her legacy. If that doesn’t happen, there is the ‘insurance’ in Nozomi because it looks like she is being influenced by Yoshiko… I don’t know if Akuru is being insulting because he has ‘given up’ on Ruri trying to be smart and tries to console her that it is okay being stupid. See what I mean when I told you Akuru is also dumb? How can you do this to your own little sister but not the idiot girl next door?! Last but not least. I think this is the best and the only character that is not stupid. Hah! You’re pointing out that I am contradicting myself when I said everyone is stupid. Well, Dog isn’t human. Technicalities!
Artwork and animation are pretty straight forward and simple. Nothing really special. But I do notice that obvious potential idiots here tie their hair twintail style. See the similarities in Yoshiko, Ruri and Nozomi?! Yoshie tied half of it so she’s only half bad? There are also a few fanservice scenes here so thank Yoshiko for being shameless and know nothing about a modesty when it comes to girls showing their skin. This anime is animated by Diomedea who did Shiryaku! Ika Musume, Seiken Tsukai No World Break, Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei No Kyoukan, Handa-kun, Akuma No Riddle, Mayoiga, Fuuka, Nogizaka Haruka No Himitsu and Kodomo No Jikan.
Aoi Yuuki is absolutely delightful playing Yoshiko. It’s like she is having fun voicing her character and I believe she has done a very good job in bringing ‘idiotic justice’ to her character. In many instances, Yoshiko will always be screaming at the top of her voice as part of her stupidity. That is not easy if you’re doing it on a regular basis. I hope she didn’t have to get herself high to pull it off. So hats off to her for this amazing job. I hope her throat won’t be sore after all has ended. Tomokazu Sugita as Akuru feels a bit out of place. I don’t know. He voiced goofy and serious characters like Gintama’s Gintoki but in here I just can’t find him to be suitable playing Akuru. Not idiotic enough or too serious? But overall I think he is still passable. Yoko Hikasa is also delightful as Yoshie. Not her first time voicing a maniac or idiots as I remember something similar as Shino from Seitokai Yakuindomo, Aya from Gokujo, Hana from Seikon No Qwaser and Stephanie from No Game No Life. The rest of the other casts include Sayaka Harada as Sayaka (Chiya in Urara Meirochou), Sumire Uesaka as Iinchou (Sanae in Chuunibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai), Sayaka Senbongi as Ruri (Chitose in Girlish Number), Mao Ichimichi as Akane (Renge in Sekai Seifuku: Bouryaku No Zvezda), Taku Yashiro as Ryuuichi (Hayato in Mayoiga).
The opening theme, Zenryoku Summer by Angela is delightfully hilarious. The singer herself is singing in a hilarious opera manner, the lyrics are nonsensical and the pacing of the song is frenzy. And yes, lots of bananas. A big hint as what to expect from this anime. Making it more delightful is how each opening credits animation is slightly different. From Akuru waking up to the nightmare of Yoshiko’s face spamming every space and corner of the screen to just a lazy notice board too lazy to animate anything because they are away on vacation to Dog hogging the limelight to Yoshiko trying to make out with a dakimakura of Akuru and Iinchou fantasizing about Akuru from afar before being molested by jealous Yoshiko. Personally the best one has to be Yoshiko falling off her banana ride to give us free fanservice of her pantsu in our face! The ending theme is Odore! Kyu-kyoku Tetsugaku by Sumire Uesaka. This song is rather okay and isn’t that obvious since it is played in the background while the mini skit is still ongoing (no fixed ending credits animation).
Overall, silly and fun animes like this one remind us that good shows are still around. It doesn’t have to be convolutedly smart and thought provoking to be good. It can still be enjoyable and be mindless and harmless fun but just remember to leave your brains at the doorstep before watching. Or risk getting infected by Yoshiko’s stupidity. I don’t know. It sounds so absurd and crazy that it might actually happen. Yeah, why take the risk? If Yoshiko entered every funniest home videos contest, she would win every category hands down all the time. She would have been the most viewed video on line and will be the longest defending champion of the Darwin Awards. So you see the importance of the need of the existence of stupid people? Otherwise where can smart people shine? Like light and darkness need to co-exist for each other to exist. As I find this series a-peel-ing, I hope they don’t slip up and make a sequel. Otherwise I’ll go bananas!
Little Witch Academia
26 November, 2017
After passing the ‘baton’ in Space Patrol Luluco, Little Witch Academia the TV series has finally arrived. Though there were a couple of movies prior to it in 2013 and 2015 but I didn’t see them. In a time where zombies and superheroes are permeating the entertainment world, it is time to take a little diversion as we focus on witches. They feel so last century. Even in this series’ setting, magic that was once the greatest thing in the world is now on the decline but our main protagonist has this goal of becoming a fine witch after watching an amazing magic performance of a witch many years ago whom she regards as her idol and motivation. With no talent for magic at all, can she fulfil her dreams? Not with a lot of misadventures along the way. I guess that itself is magic? Cliché…
Episode 1
Atsuko “Akko” Kagari was and still is captivated by the magic show put on by Shiny Chariot when she was young. Thus it is her dream to become a witch like her and now all grown up, she embarks on her first step to achieve that dream by finding her way to Luna Nova. Such annoying eager beaver that wouldn’t shut up about it all that it is no wonder that Sucy Manbavaran ignores her and plays a few unsuspecting pranks just to get her off her back. Arriving at the leyline stop that connects to Luna Nova, Akko hears witches badmouthing non-witches recently being accepted into the school. Akko is left stranded since she has no broom to take her there. Lotte Yanson is running late. She has a broom. Time to hitch a ride. Into the dimensional highway they go but the turbulent is too strong. It is because Akko is holding salt that is causing it. Because she tries to retrieve her dropped Shiny Chariot card, they fall off prematurely into Arcturus Forest, pulling Sucy with them. Happy now that her card is okay? Lotte’s broom isn’t. They have to escape a giant man eating plant and a cockatrice. However Akko and Lotte fall into Sucy’s trap. She is going to use them as sacrifice for the cockatrice so she could take its mystical feather. The duo make a run for their lives. Sucy gets the feather but the cockatrice now targets her. Akko stumbles upon a magic staff, Shiny Rod and recognizes it belongs to Shiny Chariot. After picking it up, she lures the cockatrice into a fight with the man eating plant to buy time for their escape. Perhaps having 3 ladies sitting on broom makes it heavy and slow. The cockatrice breathes fire at them. Free fall. Luckily Professor Ursula Callistis is in the vicinity and chants a spell that activates Shiny Rod, teleporting them right in the middle of Luna Nova’s matriculation ceremony. Akko is so happy she made it. According to the strict rules, she would have been booted out but the headmaster allowed it under special circumstances. Akko is shown her room. Guess who are her roommates? Lotte and Sucy.
Episode 2
Happy Akko tries to activate Shiny Rod. Nothing happens. Sucy decides to enrol in Luna Nova to add to her poison collection. Professor Anne Finnelan is not amused that Ursula is taking Akko under her tutelage. Ursula feels the need to guide a student who is of non-magic lineage. Finnelan is worried since Ursula is a bit clumsy herself. Akko in class can’t really keep up. Yeah, she’s literally sleeping through it. Diana Cavendish as you can see is the star and honour student of Luna Nova. As a prodigy and from a lineage of famous witches, you can expect her prideful behaviour. Her first encounter with Akko, she warns her about Chariot who doesn’t hold a high regard in the magic world. It has been 10 years since she disappeared and nobody cares where she is now. Akko won’t accept that and tries to prove it with Shiny Rod by trying to make the statue move. Nothing happens. Diana easily uses her magic to wow everyone. Totally on a different level. Later Akko shows to her friends her Shiny Chariot card collection. It was the craze back then. She collected all except one premium card. Oh, she memorized each one of them by heart. The professors are concerned that the Jennifer Memorial Tree is weakened. Diana tries to use a ritual to provide nourishments to it but soon its roots start uprooting and what it seems like shiny parasites sticking out to it. She tries to eliminate them all but Akko stops her. These are not parasites but some sort of magic fairy butterflies that only emerge once every 120 years. She knows it because it is from her card collection. Akko uses Shiny Rod to hatch them and it worked. The glowing butterflies fly away, painting the sky a beautiful gold. The professors think Diana did a splendid job but as she tries to explain herself, the professors believe no one else but her could pull this off.
Episode 3
Ursula gives Akko her new broom. New students are being taught how to fly a broom. Only Akko somehow still cannot fly. Furthermore, the broom relay race is coming up and Akko wants to win it so she could have her picture next to Chariot (she was once a winner too) in the hall of fame. Akko accompanies Lotte to go pick up her repaired broom. They see a sealed broom, Shooting Star. It is legendary for being able to fly far and wide without the Sorcerer’s Stone but no witch has ever tamed it. Akko wants to borrow it but the shopkeeper will not allow it. Akko tries befriending, threatening and begging her broom but it still won’t fly. Sucy isn’t interested in participating in the race but when she learns the winner will also receive a prize from Professor Lukic, she quickly takes Akko for a Spartan training. Not even all the near-death stunts could still make her fly. Race day is here. When it begins, Lotte only lifts off like normal. The rest are stuck because Sucy put some glue on their brooms. Is this legal?! But it didn’t work on the mechanized broom of Constanze Amalie Von Braunschbank Albrectsberger. She quickly relays the ring to her partner, Jasminka Antonenko. However with Sucy placing snacks in her path, she soon strays. Lotte passes to Sucy who in turn passes to Akko as the anchor. Can her broom fly? Well, it turns into legs and hops. At this time the other contestants have freed their brooms and begin racing. Delinquent Amanda O’Neill stole Shooting Star and tries to ride it. Of course it escapes. It passes Akko as she grabs and holds on for the ride of her life. Oh, she went all around the world?! When she falls off, Diana saves her to repay her debt. Akko won’t lose and fires herself as a human cannonball to ride Shooting Star again. This time she chains herself to it. So it is Akko and Diana neck to neck to the finish line. Who will it be? Just inches before the finish line, the seal on Shooting Star breaks. It turns into some majestic broom bird as it flies away. In the end, Diana wins. Akko took second and as Ursula noted, it is quite an achievement for someone who still cannot fly and has nothing but passion.
Episode 4
Finnelan reprimands Akko for stealing a tart (or pie?) and since she dared talk back, she will make them unload the food truck tomorrow and take extra lessons under Ursula. However Lotte begs any punishment but this. Denied. Dream dashed. It seems Lotte is a fan of a long running novel series called Night Fall by Annabel Crème. Let’s say the story is similar to Twilight… Tomorrow the 365th volume will be released and Annabel who has never shown her face in public will do a face reveal. Akko gets this brilliant idea. After unloading the food, the trio sneak out in the food van. It is a lively affair in town with all the nerds and cosplayers. Lotte is one herself since she can identify every character from which volume no matter how insignificant! Lotte explains how she got into this series. It was her escape from bullying. In the hall, Annabel turns out to be a little girl? She looks disinterested and only looking at her handphone. There is a pop quiz in which the winner will get an item from her. Lotte aces the quiz and wins a fountain pen. To her shock, Annabel reveals this means she will be the next writer. As all Night Fall authors are different, Annabel is the 12th and now Lotte will be the 13th. If she doesn’t write, her favourite series ends today. Annabel then uses an item to teleport away. Lotte realizes she isn’t a witch and needs to go look for her and return the pen. Akko thought Lotte should be happy since she could write the stories she wants. Lotte disagrees. Unlike Akko who wants to be like Chariot, Lotte doesn’t harbour dreams to be like the person she admires. She wants to only support. They manage to find Annabel who says she won’t write again due to the flaming comments about her latest works. However Lotte argues about how good it was and fans were expecting this development. Then they discuss all the interesting chapters and weird trivia. It gives Annabel back her motivation and she will continue writing. The trio return to Luna Nova and surely Finnelan is expecting them. They are punished to clean the bath. Lotte reveals another reason why she doesn’t want to write: It would be spoilers if she wrote it herself and there would be nothing to look forward to then.
Episode 5
Akko and Amanda got into a quarrel that cause and accident in class. Luckily Diana’s magic reverts it all. Then she lectures and puts them in their place. Of course, both girls and even their group get punished doing laundry. They see a group of dragons stealing the Sorcerer’s Stone. They go tell the teachers but it seems they know about it and fears the dragon’s wrath. Lotte deduces the dragons of Rastaban Ruins might have come out of their 100 year slumber to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone. With Diana further chiding their typical behaviour, this gives the perfect excuse for Akko and Amanda to skip out on their punishment and retrieve it. Reaching the ruins, they are attacked by the dragons. Their friends got captured and the duo tumble down a hole. Seeing her friends captured, Akko really wants to have a go at this old giant dragon, Fafnir! She gets caught and fears being eaten. But Fafnir dismisses about that barbaric act and that humans don’t taste good at all. Akko is insulted and argues she tastes good?! Anyway, Fafnir explains her friends got captured by his security system. He wonders if they brought the money owed. They are unsure of what he is talking about till they see the headmistress, Miranda Holbrook and a few teachers at the door. They are as shock to see their students here. Fafnir thinks the girls are a ploy to stall the payment. Holbrook offers some antiques but Fafnir gets mad. He wants cold hard cash.
Akko demands an explanation so Fafnir says Luna Nova owes him a great debt. He received not a single penny for a year and he was ignored when he reminded them. He threatened to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone to get their attention. This isn’t enough to cover a fraction of the debt. There is nothing wrong for a dragon to like money as it doesn’t discriminate. See his online stock broking making money! He is going to repossess Luna Nova and sell it before its value drops. He doesn’t care about Akko’s dreams whatsoever. He is just being realistic. That’s how the world works. Suddenly Diana comes in to show an old contract which states that no interests should have been paid. It was purposely written in an old dragon language as none of the teachers could read it. Diana is fluent in it. Fafnir rubbishes it and nulls the contract. If so, this makes the overpayments of interests void as they have paid more than the base amount. So care to pay back the excess amount? In light of this, Fafnir just returns the Sorcerer’s Stone and drops everything. Fafnir believes magic is no longer the future. Dragons and witches are no longer needed. Akko remains confident it will be. He likes that steadfast look in her eyes although he still remains sceptical that living off dreams alone cannot earn a living. Akko and co get more laundry punishment. Akko and Amanda continue to argue the other as the dumbest.
Episode 6
As Akko has not mastered the basics of metamorphosis, she is forced to stay in her room till she masters it. So no party for her to welcome Earl of Hanbridge who will be visiting Luna Nova tonight. Oh, he has a handsome son, Andrew. During the party, Paul Hanbridge wants his son to tour the place so Holbrook has Diana do the honours. His friend, Frank is trying to hit on Diana but she ignores him. Plus, Diana and Andrew know each other since young and don’t really like each other. Especially their opposing views on magic as Andrew views them as obsolete and useless. Andrew gets separated when he spots Akko sneaking out (must be tired of turning herself into a rabbit girl) so he goes to check her out. He finds her amusing but still badmouths about magic. Akko denies that so he wants proof. She tries to show her metamorphosis. Now he has donkey ears! And tail! He takes it that she can’t fix it. Looks like her only hope is the Fountain of Polaris where she’ll have the power of the stars grant her magic. Too bad she couldn’t read the Latin (not French) warning and breaks in, awakening Arcas the polar bear from its slumber. Run! They end up falling over a cliff but Ursula’s magic floats them down (she went to look for Akko after realizing she’s not in her room). Before the fountain, she enters the magic arc and sees past visions of Chariot studying and using her magic. Despite having good intentions, it has some troublesome consequences. So did Chariot inherit the magic into Shiny Rod and become a phoenix?! Suddenly everything reverts to normal. The fountain is gone. Ursula explains the fountain bestows great power to witches with hidden radiance but disappears when an immature witch is unworthy to wield its powers. Akko is sad as she knows she got her hopes up to be acknowledged a witch but instead it is something you work hard for. Ursula dispels the magic on Andrew and he promises to keep this a secret. When he leaves with his father who has confirmed that witches have no purpose in this era and thus wasted his day, he is only doing this to put enemies in his debt.
Episode 7
Akko continues to flop in all exams. I mean, she can’t even understand classes (yeah, some teachers are animals and talking in animal language) so how do you expect her to pass? Then she gets into a fight with Diana’s underlings because they mock her stupidity too much (since Diana’s 100% prediction predicted Akko will get expelled). Akko is taken to Holbrook as Finnelan warns that if she fails her next exam, she will be expelled. So in the next lesson with Professor Pisces, as expected Akko cannot understand a single word of fish language! So she thought of lapping up to Pisces but pouring some expensive and popular mineral water into her fishbowl. Instantly turn belly up! Trying to save her makes it worse because she accidentally flushes the fish down the drain! So with Sucy and Lotte, they transform into a fish (WTF did Akko transform into?) to go down the sewers to rescue Pisces before the exam begins. Oh, they leave it to Ursula to distract and fool the class over Pisces’ disappearance. Will the fish bait work? Akko has time to help a sad fish look for his family. Even using her limited magic to break them open from the cage trap. It seems Pisces was among the trapped. Akko thinks she has gotten back in time but Finnelan is waiting and Ursula busted. Back to Holbrook’s room again. However Akko can understand when Pisces praises her and gives her an A in magic philosophy. But Finnelan still wants her expelled since the newspaper reports a weird mermaid was spotted. This somewhat tarnishes Luna Nova’s reputation. For once, Ursula blows her top as she stands up for Akko, telling her off all the hardships and failures she went through. Even so, she continues to grow. She approves of Akko. A call from the environment agency comes in. They want to know if this mermaid is from Luna Nova. They want to commend her for saving an endangered fish from poaching. I guess Akko is saved from expulsion. However since she tried to cheat on the exam, she will still be punished. Finnelan watches over Akko and co (even Ursula) as they clean up the place.
Episode 8
Sucy has created some super energy drink that will unleash her abilities. She drinks it but it seems she is ‘asleep’ the next day. Her friends think she wants to skip class so bad. But when they return, she is still asleep but mushrooms are grown everywhere. Fearing they will be expelled this time, they can’t alert the teachers and try hard to wake her up. Lotte thinks it is some witch disease that causes her to go into slumber so the only way is for Akko (who volunteered) to enter Sucy and wake her up. Inside her mind, she meets Sucy’s consciousness in the form of angel and devil. Both are evil. Just their methods differ. They force Akko to sign a contract if she wants their help. The original Sucy is in the mushroom tower and they would have got there faster if Akko knew how to fly a broom. So by foot, Sucy meets all kind of personalities of Sucy that she never knew. Yeah, she even went to court to stop the death sentencing of innocent Sucys but is sentenced to be executed herself. Of course Akko frees herself and the other Sucys before continuing her journey. Then she takes a detour to watch a movie. It’s retro black and white cartoon with Akko being viewed as a total idiot while Sucy plays her pranks on her. So funny that even Akko is laughing! Of course there are some heart-warming moments like the first time they met. When the movie ‘predicts’ the mushroom will overrun Luna Nova and cause chaos, some Sucys start laughing. Akko chides them this is not funny but then turn into Titan Sucy and start devouring everything! It is believed that if this continues, this Sucy will wake up and be the new personality. So let’s go quickly wake her up. After knocking on several doors, Akko finally finds the original Sucy sleeping. She must traverse through vines and fight off a dragon. How do you wake a sleeping princess? Yeah, Akko is going to kiss her! Fortunately Sucy will not have that disgusting thing and wakes up, causing Akko to miss and slam her head instead. Akko wakes back up in reality (which seems to have reverted back to normal). As Sucy is still asleep, Akko frantically tries to wake her up. Maybe kiss again? Same thing. Sucy wakes up. Akko misses. Bangs head. Everything back to normal. Sucy will now have Akko do all those as promised in the contract. Wasn’t that just a dream?
Episode 9
In order to make an amulet charm that will guide them home safely, each student must hand over their most prized possession. This means Akko has to reluctantly give up her Shiny Chariot card. While picking mushrooms with Sucy, Akko’s blunder causes her to spill some potion on a grave that resurrects a dead talkative pirate. Although the effects will wear out by sundown, they have to stop him from causing trouble in town. Plus, you know the punishment if the school finds out you used magic outside especially reviving the dead, right? Akko and Lotte are having a hard time keeping up with him (and out of trouble) since he is running all over the place and has no clue what he is supposed to look for. Eventually the bits of clues come back and he is supposed to find a man responsible in bringing misfortune to a girl named Miranda. Her mom died after she was born and he vowed to turn her into a fine witch. However he broke his promised and left her alone. After all that running, he realizes he himself is that guy. He used to bring her to play at the bell tower and made her a magic staff out of the bell’s tongue. Akko recognizes it as Holbrook’s staff since it has the same design. She uses the potion to bring the bell (and the entire bell) back to Luna Nova. Father and daughter reunite. Holbrook isn’t shocked to see him. She even lets him visit her mom’s grave and then tells him she never resented him. She worked hard and became a headmistress. He kept his promise. Time is up so pirate dude thanks the girls before he disappears. Of course now it is for the trio’s punishment. As they are still in the middle of training, they are to clean the broken brooms and reflect on what they have done. Just a slap on the wrist, right? Well, they never expected to clean thousands of broken brooms!
Episode 10
Sucy ordered some venomous bee but wrongly received a love bee instead. You know what happens when you get stung, right? Akko wants to try it on someone when Diana and her underlings pass by in fancy gowns. Looks like they have been invited to Andrew’s mansion to celebrate his honours received from his school. Because they tease her how she’ll never get to come, this makes her mad and so it is. She’ll be coming. But does she have to drag Sucy and Lotte along too? So first they pick out some dress (in which according to the contract can last for only 2 hours), they sneak into the mansion after Akko uses her magic to turn a squirrel giant and run rampage at the gates. Andrew and Diana look like a perfect couple. Akko looks ‘jealous’ so she keeps eating her cake. When Andrew spots her and wants her to leave because he didn’t invite her, they get into an argument. Sucy then takes this chance to unleash the love bee (remember, it was Akko’s idea to test it on someone). The bee stings Andrew. He sees Akko as a beautiful woman (who the heck is this chick?!) and falls for her. He even kisses her hand! Akko is most disgusted by this. The bee also stings Frank and the other guys. They all fall for Lotte. Sucy gives Akko a swatter to swat the bee and the effects will be negated. But now the bee stings Diana. She sees Akko. Lesbianism! Hanbridge talks to Andrew about allowing witches here. He reminds him how obsolete things are not needed (like his piano play too) as they are statesmen. They need to consolidate their power and Andrew will be the future leader. He warns him to remove the witch.
After he leaves, Akko overheard all that and comes to tease Andrew for being a spineless puppet. Andrew respects his father as the leader of the state as well as the head of the family. He has a duty to succeed him. Akko counters that she might not be a noble or rich, but she has dreams of becoming a witch. Akko returns chasing the bee back in the ball. What a nuisance. Before Hanbridge can kick her out, Andrew returns as he plays the piano to the bumblebee theme so the crowd can watch fittingly how Akko cartoonishly tries to swat it. In the process, more people get stung. Straight love! Homo love! Beastiality love too? Heck, Diana gets stung again and now that she sees herself in the mirror, she truly loves herself! Finally manages to swat the bee. On Hanbridge’s forehead! Everything returns to normal. Andrew is back to his prideful ways. Time runs out and Akko’s dress disappears back to Luna Nova’s uniform. Lotte might be a little heart-broken that the guys are now not interested in her. Except for Frank he seems to want to hang out with her. Too bad she rejects him since it would be rude to date him before she developed any feelings. While Andrew doesn’t show it, Frank can tell Akko caught his attention since ultimately he didn’t kick her out. Back at the dorm, Sucy and Lotte tease Akko about one day Andrew and her will be together. Though she continues to deny it all.
Episode 11
Akko continues to fail in her magic despite tutoring from Ursula. She starts thinking if she would become like Chariot. As she ponders where she disappeared to, Lotte suggests asking Ursula since they might know each other. Might. This gives Akko confidence and she heads straight there. At this time of the night? That’s Akko for you. Well, Ursula is giving vague answers about Chariot. She tells Akko about a word that means the dream that cannot be grasped but if you work hard towards it, it can be yours. She also asks her to take care of Shiny Rod. Diana sees Holbrook for a book not found in the library. She gives her a magic key to the secret archives and since tonight is the blue moon, it might show her something magical. Similarly, Akko remembers her card collection about the blue moon that talks about some apparition. Diana enters the archive and reads up on Grand Triskelion, a great hidden power that changed the world. It was sealed by the Nine Olde Witches within Arcturus. Only a staff with 7 stars, Claiomh Solais may break its seal by reciting the 7 words. Akko stumbles into some secret passage. After running around and getting lost, she stumbles into Chariot! However Chariot tells her to realize her dream will never come true. Akko realizes this is an imposter since Chariot will never say something like that. Chariot then turns into an apparition. Akko wants to ask about her future. She is shown a future whereby Akko is a great witch. However to grasp this future she must erase her past. They are needless for this future. But Akko will not forgo her past despite all the failures, mistakes and bumbling. Those tears and frustration are all part of her. It is her life and belongs to nobody else. Akko vows to work hard to become an amazing witch. She says a magic word to exorcise everything? After she passes out, Ursula arrives to pick her up. She recognizes the apparition as Professor Woodward. She in turn calls Ursula as Chariot. It seems Woodward was testing Akko like how she did for Ursula. Woodward notes Claiomh Solais has been revived. Akko has already said 2 words to revive it (the first in the forest and recently the second). She wants Ursula to aid her in reviving the remaining words. Ursula promises to tell Akko the truth one day.
Episode 12
Akko improves in her transforming magic. Though, she looks more cartoonish. The Samhain Festival is around the corner where invited witches all around the world gather. As this is Luna Nova’s chance to display their mettle, each team is required to display their magic in which the most exceptional one will be chosen and be granted the title of Moonlit Witch. Each time is also assigned duties. Akko’s team is arguing who should draw the lot. I guess 2 against 1. It’s you Akko. She gets the worse duty of becoming a sacrifice! At the end of Samhain, this sad demon Vajarois wakes up and devours the sacrifice and goes back to sleep till the next festival. Don’t worry. Nobody dies. Sacrifices just pass through its digestive system and safely excreted. Everyone is laughing at how fitting a role Akko’s team plays. Akko is red faced and annoyed. More jealous than before especially for Diana as she got the best duty of summoning and becoming the festival’s committee. So while she pouts, she stumbles upon a magic mirror that Diana was helping other students out. The mirror reflects Akko’s jealous heart and turns her into Diana. At first it will be hard to run away from others looking for her assistance but soon Akko finds it hilarious to use her fame and prank them! Real sh*t hits the fan when she is tasked to do some magic but can’t. The real Diana shows up and undoes everything. Akko gets an earful about being irresponsible to her duty and sulk when things don’t go her way. But Akko argues back when Diana says she is just playing Chariot without knowing anything. She vows to become the best and get that Moonlit Witch. Just wait and see. So… All just talk for now? Yeah, more sulking for Akko as Ursula comes to lift her spirits as usual. Shiny Rod lights up and points the way to the Fountain of Polaris. Akko steps in again and sees Chariot happily practising magic. She feels Chariot was doing it not to become Moonlit Witch. With the staff glowing further, Akko now knows what to do.
Episode 13
Akko plans to entertain Vajarois with her magic but her pals aren’t too keen on keeping on with her pace. However watching her practice hard for 3 weeks and with no improvements at all, after reading her Trick or Treat Plan, they decide to help her. The festival gets underway with the Luna Nova teams putting on performances. With some getting into freak accidents, it is no wonder those judges are feeling bored and beginning to realize why magic is on the decline. That is of course until Diana’s team put up a stunning magic display. Now it is time for the sacrifice. Vajarois is brought out. Lotte and Sucy seemingly flee to leave Akko to her own device. Akko looks like she got devoured but she turned into a mice in the nick of time. She transforms into a few more animals to let Vajarois chase her. Each time Akko falls short, Lotte and Sucy are there to back her up. More flashy magic displays and funny animal transformations to make Vajarois laugh but it serves to only piss it off. But everyone else is laughing. Because Akko’s magic is so crappy that it is funny! Meanwhile Ursula has been trying to research on Vajarois’ origins for Akko and finally in the archive she discovers that Vajarois was originally a princess. She ate a seed of sorrow that will make her sad eternally so as not to forget her lost friends. She returns to tell Akko this in the nick of time. The only way is to pull out the seed. Not hard to find once they get swallowed into its stomach. With the power of friendship and stubbornness perseverance, they finally pull it out as Vajarois bursts into a beautiful gust of magic dust. They see Vajarois true princess form for a short while. Akko and friends are happy they did it, so is Ursula because Luna Nova will no longer have any reason for this sacrifice ritual. Diana heard she is leading the contention to be Moonlit Witch but isn’t too pleased to hear Akko isn’t in the running because she broke some rules.
Episode 14
Ursula is nervous as she is about to tell Akko the whole truth. However the teachers call her as something has happened. The fairies are on strike. They are demanding to use extra powers from the Sorcerer’s Stone. However it isn’t possible as it is operating at near full capacity and there is none left to spare. So for now, Ursula is forced to get some energy manually. That will take days… Until she returns, the students will have to bear everything not functioning. The fairies try to barricade the Sorcerer’s Stone but a barrier falls off and almost hits Akko. She is saved by Croix and her magitronics (magic + electronic technology). She is a new teacher at Luna Nova and shows off her hi-tech magical devices. Wow. So futuristic. Akko tries to go negotiate with the fairies and drags Lotte as her interpreter. However she ends up siding with them! I guess she got persuaded. When Diana tells them off that they will all lose Luna Nova in the process, Akko stokes more fire by saying she is an aristocrat and knows nothing about the harsh life of commoners! You can’t win over an idiot… Soon both sides have a negotiation. Unfortunately energy is something you cannot easily create. However Croix has a solution using her Sorcery Solution System (SSS). It sounds very complex how it can create more energy, store them and even apply for government subsidy at zero cost! Wow. We love to have it! However Finnelan disagrees. Luna Nova is about upholding tradition. She tells Croix to refrain bringing her modern devices here. Diana’s subordinates bribe a fire fairy so they can have a warm bath. But somebody injured it. When the other fairies find out, they go on a rampage and attack everybody! Is it too late to accept their demands? Akko is once again saved by Croix’s hi-tech magic. She even uses the devices to absorb all the negative energy and revive the flame fairy! Croix is now loved by all the students and the teachers embrace technology wholeheartedly! SSS is installed and makes life much easier for all parties. From the looks of it, Croix has some ulterior motive setting it all up… By the time Ursula comes back, all her efforts are in vain as it is not needed anymore. As she goes to talk to Akko, she is shocked to see her admiring and being friendly with Croix. Ursula knows Croix…
Episode 15
Almost everyone is embracing technology in magic as Croix is the only sole developer. Diana is not impressed as she tries to do a background check on her. She might not look like much then but she has powers that could rival her and was considerably popular. In fact, Croix is Chariot’s senior. Though Croix put in hard work to improve magic, Chariot prefers to use it for entertainment despite having more natural talent for it. So impressed Akko goes to see Croix with those admiring eyes. Asking if she knows her whereabouts, she could analyse if she had something that belong to her. Shiny Rod? Akko is told to come to her lab as she has the instruments. Croix analyses it and it seems it reacts to high spirit energy and emotions. But the rod isn’t the only thing she analysed. Before Akko knows it, she is put into a trance and analysed too. When Ursula finds out about it, she makes her way there (couldn’t she sit on a broom to fly instead of running on foot?). She fights off Croix’s automations and realizes it was an attempt to test her skills. Ursula knows Croix has never changed as she wants the reconstruction magic all to herself. Croix is confident she can’t stop her but Ursula vows even if she cannot shine again, she will protect Akko. Akko wakes up back in Ursula’s place and is told she wasn’t feeling well and was brought back here. Akko mentions about a strange dream regarding Chariot so Ursula starts explaining about Grand Triskelion. Some infinite power that stretches everywhere but withered in time. It marked the decline of the age of magic. Traces of it remain only in leylines. But its original power was passed down in secrecy. The Nine Olde Witches sealed that great power to reconstruct the world in Arcturus. Seven words that were lost are able to break its seal. However simply reciting them won’t activate it. One must breathe life into its revival only will do. Akko has already breathed 3 of the words. There are 4 words remaining and she has to learn what they are for herself. Akko believes Chariot went missing because she was looking for those words. Now she wants to look for them in hopes of running into her.
Episode 16
Akko is now eager to find the remaining words. How? Search online. Internet too slow! And she said she is going to take whatever it takes to find them when she can’t even wait 3 minutes for the search results… Although Ursula knows that word, Akko says it but nothing activates. That is because she lacks something and she needs to find it herself. Now, now. Don’t be impatient… Akko and Sucy follow Lotte to her home since her family is serving pie given by the neighbour. Everyone is enjoying it. Except for Akko. It must be so disgusting that she spit it out. Yeah, Akko doesn’t even enjoy the sauna. The next day, everyone is shocked when the adults have turned into moss! It seems this is some Greenman disease. Coincidentally everything lined up perfectly for this rare disease to occur. Yeah, including that pie. There is an antidote for it and they have to make it quick otherwise the infected will stay a moss forever and wither away. So as they go collect the ingredients (Akko almost being a dick in trying to get them. Yes, a dick) but they are a couple of ingredients short when Lotte and Sucy now turn into moss. It is up to Akko. After getting the reindeer’s dropping, she has to get a yeti to make the medicine base. However he couldn’t make it exactly as per instructions so Akko had to tell to redo it again. Now he has lost motivation. What’s this? You’re lecturing him now? Even a yeti can be sensitive. See, now you made him cry and run away. She finds out he is a victim of online bullying. Screw all that! Who cares what society says? He is an artisan and genius. The yeti is motivated and gets back to work. Now that the base is done, it is a long trek home. At times Akko wanted to give up but she perseveres. At this time, little specks of moss are growing over her. As she mixes the medicine, she then chants the word. Shiny Rod becomes some sprinkler to sprinkle the medicine and cure everybody. Back at Luna Nova, Ursula is pleased another seal is broken and the key to it all was Akko’s patience. With 3 remaining words left, Akko is in a hurry to get them. I guess she didn’t learn…
Episode 17
Amanda tells Akko that she heard that the Holy Grail is being kept at an elite school, Appleton. They may be keeping it for some whatever ritual. Akko thinks it could be the key to the fifth word. In this school where Andrew goes, Akko can’t let herself be seen so she transforms into a mouse while Amanda masquerades as a man. Amanda picks a fight with Louis Blackwell, the son of Appleton’s chairman who is also the Defence Minister. She doesn’t care and wants to fight. When Louis spots Akko, he believes they are witches and wants to rid them. Till Andrew steps in to handle it. Akko scolds Amanda for starting unnecessary trouble. Amanda wants to go out with a bang before she quits Luna Nova. Akko and Andrew’s ideal clash again with the letter okay in following what fate has set in stone for him. Akko goes off alone to find the Holy Grail. She sees something strange (Croix’s cubes) leading her to a chest in what Akko believes to be the Holy Grail. Amanda exposes Louis for cheating in a card game. She really wants to fight but realizes she can’t use magic because her device is with Akko. She is caught and will be brought to trial as a witch. Black KKK? I didn’t know posters of a wanted mouse is up so fast. Well, they didn’t have to wait long to catch Akko. In fact she came to rescue Amanda but gets caught. Andrew storms in and disagrees with Louis method to execute the witches. At Appleton, they have a tradition to settle disputes as upper class society. A sword duel on top a high bridge? Wow. This is sure civilized. Of course Amanda’s wild style defeats Louis. Being the sore loser, he takes the Holy Grail and breaks it. The cubes then inhabit a knight’s armour in which it fully possesses Louis and goes on a rampage. Akko realizes the Holy Grail is a curse that inhibited a demon or something. Amanda tries hard to fight back. Only if she had her magic. Akko then throws her device in which the knight is easily unarmoured. The cubes fly away. When the adults come, they want to arrest the witches. Andrew explains everything but they think he is brainwashed. However Louis tells the truth that he was saved by them. Andrew will take care the rest so he lets the girls be on their way. The cubes return to Croix who is satisfied with the data she got.
Episode 18
Wild Hunt is an event where hunters hunt ghosts before the year end. Since they are passing by this place, Luna Nova is all abuzz. Akko accidentally breaks Constanze’s Stanbot. She heads to her room to apologize bust stumbles upon a secret passage that leads to her secret garage where she is trying to design a ship to participate in Wild Hunt. Akko wants to help but Constanze is a loner and works alone. Each time Akko is kicked out, she always comes back. You can’t even cage her in. Akko notices Constanze is scavenging parts for her ship. When she couldn’t get them, Akko uses her charm to ‘borrow’ them. Because of that, Constanze allows her to work with her so long she could gather materials for her. On the night of the Wild Hunt, somebody leaked this to normal people so they gather at the spot in hopes of catching something paranormal. Too bad they can’t see all the spirits and action. Here comes Constanze and Akko’s majestic warship into the fray. Things are going well till the culprit unleashes strange cubes that turn ghosts into evil ravens? They attack normal people and even combine into one giant monster. Constanze and Akko transform their ship into a giant mecha! Can you believe this was Akko’s idea and Constanze loved and incorporated it into her blueprint? They fight the monster but quickly run out of power. Most of it was used up during the transformation. Dang. Ursula pleads the Wild Hunt hunters to help them so they lend their power to power the mecha up and fight back for an explosive victory. Later Ursula confronts Croix the culprit and wants to know her goal as she was trying to cause panic and gauge their rise in emotional energy or fuel spirit. She won’t tell and is confident Ursula cannot stop her anyhow. As thanks, Constanze gives Akko a high-tech broom. Very slow. Hey, at least she is flying now.
Episode 19
Diana’s mom used to tell her tales of Beatrix, one of the Nine Olde Witches. Akko is shocked to hear Diana is going to quit Luna Nova. Apparently she is the only one who can’t accept it and goes to confront her before she leaves tonight. It seems her family is having a crisis and she has to go back to become the head. But why now? Some stars aligning and the ritual can only be done in that specific time or else wait again a few years. Instead of worrying about her, Diana tells Akko to just go find the words. She has been researching them herself but it all boils down to the chosen one of Shiny Rod. That’s you, Akko. Not satisfied, Akko bugs Ursula on where Diana lives. Diana returns home and you can sense the hostility with her aunt Daryl. Akko hitch hikes her way. Nobody picks her up but Andrew. Sandwiched between father and son… So awkward. Apparently they are being invited by the Cavendish. Daryl isn’t familiar with Akko as an unwanted guest. Despite badmouthing her for not being of a witch lineage, Diana stands up for her. In her room, Akko wanted to touch a box but Diana won’t allow her. Inside is a Chariot card. Diana’s servant, Anna dresses Akko properly as Akko learns about Diana’s parents died at a tender age. Diana has to become the head of family now because if left under Daryl the proxy head, the Cavendish will perish. So after dinner (Akko being the uncivilized savage while eating), the thing Daryl wants Hanbridge to see are a few of the family’s works. She is hoping he would buy them. One of them is a tapestry of Beatrix. Hanbridge is not interested and leaves. Diana blows her top about Daryl trying to sell out the family’s assets. Daryl argues having pride won’t put food on the table. The reason the family is able to hold out this long is because she has been working all along for free. Aware of Daryl’s true intentions, Diana vows to conduct the ritual and become the next family head.
Episode 20
Akko is still trying to change Diana’s mind. Not working. As Diana begins her path to the ritual, she is ambushed and trapped by Daryl’s snakes. That was easy. Andrew asks Akko why she is so bent on helping Diana. It’s not like they’re friends. Akko may be selfish not wanting her to quit but she can tell Diana too doesn’t want to quit school. She knows Diana isn’t something who would do something halfway and abandon it. Especially if she was researching the words and Grand Triskelion. This prompts Andrew to remember Diana once couldn’t use magic but she persevered. There must be something she wants to do and the only thing she can do. When they hear Daryl has stopped Diana in her tracks, they go help her. Screw the curse that would befall on those who interfere. Rules are meant to be broken, right? Yeah, Akko is this broken in her head. Anyway, Akko is able to fend off the snakes to save Diana. Since she is a little poisoned, Diana takes her to a secret location where her ancestors healed anyone, friend or foe. She is then shown the abandoned library of the family’s medical cures. They became obsolete when science in medicine became advanced. There stands a statue of Beatrix who is the foremother of the Cavendish clan. Diana’s mother wanted to preserve the old traditional way but her weak body means she died after pushing too hard. Diana is proud of her ancestors and wants to continue preserving this home. Oh, now Akko is trying to persuade Diana not to give up and finish the ritual despite Diana has resigned on giving up! Shiny Rod glows and a cue for the fifth word. Diana has Akko repeat after her and Shiny Rod turns into Shiny Volley, Chariot’s broom. It has jet powers! Hold on! They might just make it in time for the ritual but Daryl and her daughters try to stop her. Because of that, they are cursed and turn into trees. Diana can’t let them be and uses her magic to return them back to normal. But that costs her the ritual since time is up. In the end, Diana has no regrets of the failure. But Anna doesn’t want her to forget her old childhood dream as she gives her the box. As she has no reason to be here now, please return to Luna Nova to pursue her dream. Until she can return here, they will protect it in her stead. Diana thanks her servants as she flies home. Daryl might not like Diana still but she now views her of having hope to save the family’s name. Akko is glad Diana is giving her a ride back to Luna Nova. But to her shock, Diana thanks her. That never happened before! Please say it again!
Episode 21
Akko is eager to find the sixth word. Remember, patience. Like what you’ve learnt. As she hits a dead end, Croix talks to her about Wagandea tree where that word might be. Ursula disallows Akko to go there since its toxic pollens will be released. Even her friends feel it is better for her to heed Ursula’s words. Talking to Croix again, she offers to bring her there. They inspect some of the buds and find it hasn’t open yet. This prompts Croix to warn Akko to be wary of Ursula. Why did she lie to her? Is there something she wants to hide? She claims to be Chariot’s classmate but Croix recalls no such student named Ursula. As Akko treks up Wagandea, Ursula receives word that Akko has gone there. She flies as fast as she could only to be stopped by Croix. They remember vividly on that day they were before the tree. Croix was shocked the staff chose Chariot as the one who will find the words to activate Grand Triskelion. Ursula believes Croix is afraid of Akko who might get Grand Triskelion before she does. Anyhow, she won’t get it. Croix thinks the staff has erred in choosing its owner like before. It doesn’t matter to how. She doesn’t need that staff. Ursula tries to persuade Akko to return but she becomes mad for trying to prevent her. Akko doesn’t care about the words and her goal is only to meet Chariot. She did all Ursula said just for that. Croix has Akko trudge further while she ‘convinces’ Ursula. As Akko nears the top, she sees a swarm of pollens released. She panics and falls off. Ursula saves her. A few bruises here and there but they’re safe. Akko feels regret and sorry she said those means things and Ursula still saved her. Ursula remembers apologizing profusely to Croix when she got the staff. But Croix entrusts her to get Grand Triskelion since she was the chosen one. Akko continues to weep all she wanted to say was thank you. Her tears activate the sixth word. Ursula notes Akko has grown a lot. Back at Croix’s base, she comments she has no need for Shiny Rod or the words. She has a more forceful method to take Grand Triskelion.
Episode 22
A controversial goal in a football match has both sides protesting and a war might break out. Politicians think it is inevitable but Andrew wonders if they’re going to put all their efforts of peace to waste. They tell him not to step over his line and even his father tells him to not get involved in this one. Akko sees Ursula who tells her the seventh word. However she doesn’t know what it means accept it lies within her heart. She wants to tell the most important truth but Diana comes in looking for Akko. Andrew has left a message to meet him in the streets. That’s about right now. Sorry. Maybe next time. Diana then asks Ursula about some magic irregularity at Luna Nova ever since Croix installed her technology. Ursula has an excuse to excuse herself since she sees Croix flying away. Andrew returns Akko’s hat she left in his car. They see the street protests as Andrew feels disappointed that both nations who were always at war, recently achieved peace, all for it to fall apart again. Akko thinks they should watch Chariot’s magic show and be happy. Andrew tells her she is always talking about it. Why rely on Chariot when she should be making them happy herself? Akko takes up the challenge. She then sees a cube and tries to catch it. It leads her to Croix and she is shocked to learn she is the one who developed it. She reveals Noir Fuel Spirit harnesses human emotions and converts them to energy. Magic is on the decline and will one day disappear if nothing is done. Using human emotions as the new source is fantastic and what better way than manipulating the crowd. Akko disagrees with her method. Since she sounds so much like Chariot, Croix points out that is why she failed. Her cubes become a giant salamander to pin Akko down. Here comes Ursula to bust her out. At that point, Akko sees Ursula’s true Chariot identity. She cannot believe it. The truth is out. Ursula tries to stop Chariot but is pointed out she did the same thing 10 years ago and has no right. She did something to the moon. As Ursula remains silent, Croix continues explaining. Dream Fuel Spirit converts the power of dreaming into magic. When Akko and others saw Chariot’s magic show, Dream Fuel Spirit took and converted their dreaming energy into magic. That is why Akko lost her magic. Ursula admits she absorbed her magic. Akko hopes it is all a lie. But with flashbacks of Ursula always supporting her, I guess it got to her this time. Her dream has crumbled. Akko runs away in tears. Croix mocks Akko won’t be looking for the final word now and Chariot has failed again.
Episode 23
When Chariot was young, her dream was to make people happy via magic. However she sucked at school but persevered till she got Claiomh Solais and followed Woodward’s advice to revive the words. However the final word did not appear. She is scouted by a producer who made her do magic on the big stage. But soon the people got tired of her magic and she needed to try something new. Jealous Croix introduced her to Dream Fuel Spirit. It was amazing. The crowd loved her again. However when Croix reveal how that magic absorbed magic of others, Chariot becomes devastated and wouldn’t want to use it again. Croix blew her top about Chariot being the chosen one to find the words. Is this what Claiomh Solais has chosen her to do? Chariot continues her magic shows without Dream Fuel Spirit and once more the crowd are pressuring her to show them new magic. She gave in and accidentally unleashed amnesiac magic. Diana learns from Akko’s friends that she hasn’t returned from town. She talks to Ursula about this but she keeps apologizing. This has Diana reveal her research that there was no such student named Ursula in Luna Nova. She believes Ursula is Chariot. Busted, Ursula tells her the truth of what happened to Akko. Since Ursula insists there is something more important than finding Akko now, Diana blows her top. Fine. She’ll find her herself. Diana returns to tell the friends what happened as they all go out looking for her but to no avail. Lotte is most distraught as she doesn’t want Akko to leave school. Sucy assures her that Akko isn’t smart to think of difficult things and will be back when she’s hungry. Is that an insult or compliment?
Diana finally finds Akko sitting out in the cold. Taking her to a warm place, Akko continues not to respond to her until Diana shows her the premium Chariot card. Diana reveals she once admired Chariot. Because of her circumstances, she could only collect them in secret (just one?) and dream of attending her shows. One night, mom managed to let her attend a Chariot show in Japan. It was amazing and she never forgets it. Of course she also lost her magic. However she won’t sympathize with Akko since she was able to get it back via hard work. Diana never gave up not only because she was going to be the head of her family but she knew that she couldn’t keep up with this childish dream forever. The more she learns about magic, the more her heart grew further from Chariot because of expectations placed on her. Hence her true reason enrolling in Luna Nova was because it was where Chariot went. At first she hated Akko for being carefree telling others how much she loved Chariot. But she was able to do the things she couldn’t. She was envious. Thinking back, she left Luna Nova was to run away from Akko. She can’t accept she was closer to being Chariot than her. She gives Akko her card and wants her to believe the magic in her heart as it is stronger than anyone else’s. The other friends happily reunite and what a big relief for Lotte. Meanwhile Chariot confronts Croix to stop her from her final phase of Noir Fuel Spirit. I guess this is the important business she was mentioning of.
Episode 24
Chariot tries to stop Croix but since she is still recovering from the effects of the pollen, she has no magic. She gets trapped but before Croix finishes her off, Finnelan and Holbrook stop her to seek an explanation. Because of the riots growing even more restless, more negative emotions are absorbed. Human hatred knows no end. The machine activates himself and negates all magic at Luna Nova. Croix then rides her machine to Arcturus Forest where Grand Triskelion is sealed. Akko and co return to Luna Nova but because magic is nulled, they fall into Arcturus Forest. Croix uses her technology to activate Grand Triskelion. Hey. It’s just a twig? What’s all this happy-happy magic? This isn’t it. Meanwhile Andrew tells the adults a coup detat is imminent. They want to take this chance to use the military and show the moderates and pacifists the use of force. Andrew is not pleased they are trying to exploit the crisis and is told to gather more information. Oh, now they want him involved? Croix is disappointed the world reconstruction didn’t happen. Even more so when Woodward says this twig is Grand Triskelion. She becomes so disappointed that things didn’t go as planned that her machine absorbs her negative emotions. Now it can’t be stopped. It turns into a monster trying to eat her. Chariot saves her despite everything she has done. Luckily Akko and Diana combine their magic to help out. With Shiny Rod glowing, Akko recites the words to turn it into a bow and destroy the monster, restoring magic to the area. Akko confronts Chariot. She returns Shiny Rod to her as it isn’t hers. She is glad to have met her and describes the wonders of seeing her as a child. Coming to Luna Nova was life changing for her. Since she isn’t used that Chariot is her professor, she hopes she can be Ursula and teach her again. After all, she cannot be Chariot as Chariot is Chariot and Akko is Akko. Time for a big hug. Shiny Rod glows as Chariot wants Akko to recite the final word. It becomes a twig as she uses Grand Triskelion to change the world. Everything becomes so beautiful and happy-happy! Amidst the happiness, a missile is launched into space.
Episode 25
Croix explains those cubes have accumulated into that monster missile. Yeah, she can’t deactivate it since it has grown too big for her system to control. Always like this, right? The theory goes that hatred breeds more hatred so the missile’s mission is to spread hatred all around the world and once it is filled with all the hatred, it will explode. Nothing they can do, right? Well not if you’re Akko. You won’t know if you don’t try. So all the girls pool their brooms into one giant broom ride. The teachers ‘power up’ them with new outfits. Strange. I thought it just felt like colour palette swap. Off they go blasting in the sky to catch the missile. So the 7-witch broom isn’t just for show. They serve as a booster to propel them further. So after a certain range, one by one it falls off like a rocket booster. Akko and Diana are left as they finally catch up to it. However they are losing magic. At this point, Croix and Chariot is relaying videos of Akko’s heroics to the world and Chariot makes a worldwide broadcast to believe in them. I guess everyone is afraid if the missile would hit them and start supporting them. Their support automatically converts into magic to power them even further. A couple of intercept missiles are launched but the monster missile has a mind of its own and easily takes them out. The politicians are still doubtful however so Andrew had to tell them to support instead of interfering. They would not have listened to him had not the Prime Minister tells them otherwise. Akko and Diana have gotten close enough but the missile now attacks them. With great agility and adept transformation magic, Akko is able to evade certain death. Akko gets more boost by reuniting with Shooting Star. Using the wish of Grand Triskelion, together with Diana, the feverish support from everybody, Shiny Rod turns into a giant bow as they fire a giant arrow into the missile. The missile explodes and its magic dust drops drift down onto several parts of the world. I’m sure everyone is having a great time watching this super light magic. Hanbridge apologizes to Andrew of his misconception of witches and wants to learn more about them. Akko is sad when she senses Shiny Rod diminishing. She thanks and releases it as it becomes part of the stars. Croix leaves Luna Nova as she wishes to find a cure for Wagandea’s curse before returning. Life returns to normal. This means Akko still can’t use her magic. Keep trying. I believe it isn’t because everyone is here to watch her defining moment but rather her stubbornness because everyone is now shocked to see Akko flying! Hooray! Seeing is believing!
Magic Tragic: Himitsu No Akko-chan
Wow. Such a great and happy climax and ending. It really makes me feel good because you know, witches rarely have happy ending themselves. Just saying… The world is saved, magic’s reputation is back on the rise and to top it off, Akko can now fly. Well, I hope it isn’t a fluke because if we all know Akko, she’ll shortly drop back down. We certainly didn’t see how long she kept herself in the air after that, right? But I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she finally has some magic that enables her to fly. But what about her magic in other areas? Well, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. For now, it is great that Akko is able to make some improvements no matter how miniscule and basic it looks.
In the first half of the series, it is very fun to watch despite many of the episodes feel like standalone fillers. They are not related to each other and it feels like you can watch them in any order you like. Yeah, it happened to me once. I think I was careless in clicking the wrong episode and didn’t occurred to me till I finally finished watching it. Hence I didn’t lose much considering the nature of it. The adventures are so random and fun that it doesn’t heavily affect the flow of the actual plot slowly building up in the background, which is Akko having to find all the 7 words and revive Grand Triskelion. Of course as the series reaches its second half and with Diana having her own problems, that is where the story and plot start to pick up.
Another thing that one might notice is how cartoonish the overall feel of the anime. Don’t get me wrong. The series still has enough elements to make it feel like a Japanese anime but a few over-exaggerated scenes of magic and action make it feel like everything is quite cartoonish. Especially Akko. I believe this is to enhance her character’s reputation as an idiot and to make her funny. Not that I have any problems with it since it worked well. And you thought crazy series like Teekyuu can only make everything look so stupid and silly. Well, nobody has got a monopoly over that. Even the action magic bits like in the last episode, it is so over the top and exaggerative that it feels cartoonish although it is exactly that why it feels so fun.
As for the characters, Akko is mainly the star and focus of this series because you can bet that she is involved in every misadventure throughout the season. Although her pals like Lotte and Sucy get some episodes of their even, it is very far and few in between. Even Amanda and Constanze have their moments but still not enough. Subsequently as the real plot thickens, they feel less relevant and almost to the point of being forgotten. Because eventually it all boils down to Akko as she is not only the biggest idiot of Luna Nova but the biggest busybody since she can’t leave things as they are and must stick her nose into it. Yeah, sometimes it feels like as though she is virtue signalling because she can’t accept any other way than her way. Despite all the misadventures and troubles they have gone through, it is a good thing that eventually things turn out for the better because otherwise the friends would not have respected Akko in the end.
So we learn of Akko’s secret of why she cannot use magic despite her numerous attempts. Because she is an idiot! Like the legend of how idiots can never catch a flu, right? But it made me think if this is all Akko’s determination because as revealed, Diana got back her magic through sheer hard work and sacrifice. So if Akko actually put in her hard work too, why has not she improved a single bit? My theory is that because she is an idiot and simpleton, she thinks she has worked hard but apparently it is not as hard as it is supposed to be. It has to be even more than that. That’s why sometimes I am in a dilemma to wonder if I should feel sorry for Akko when she can’t effectively use her magic after trying so hard. After all, she has the passion and dream. Or is that not enough? And after all that hard work, the magic that she can ‘effectively’ use is transforming into chibi animals? Being a carefree idiot like her sometimes also makes me want to admire her because she has a simple dream unlike others aiming for higher dreams. To each his/her own. This also means it makes her stubborn and would stick to her ideals for better or worse. She doesn’t give up until she ‘succeeds’. This charm of hers would definitely charm you. Yeah, Akko is everyone’s lovable idiot! Never change, Akko. Never change. Okay, she does have some change but nothing that drastic that it alters her base character. At first I wanted to put her on the same level as Kill La Kill’s Mako because of the same vibe they give off but I surmise that Akko is Akko and Mako is Mako. They may be similar in some ways but are still totally different in many others.
Diana comes across at first as a snobbish and prideful lady with a famous lineage. There is this danger of turning her into this stereotype bully character. However as early as the second episode shows that she isn’t one to tread this path. It is rather her subordinates who are the typical bullies and look down on Akko. Thus if your fan girls act this way, I’m sure we would think the boss is also similar. Diana has more pride and elegance to stoop that low. Despite sharing the same dream and goal, both Akko and Diana are at different ends of the spectrum. Because if Diana were to be like Akko, I think we would have overlapping idiotic characters! This series is not big enough for 2 idiots! So while Akko takes centre stage, Diana diligently does her research in the background. But like any normal human, she too harbours envy for Akko because she gets to stay true to herself unlike Diana who has to mask herself with layers and layers due to circumstances and family issues.
Andrew is a pretty nice and reasonable guy. One look and we sure would love to say there is some sort of romance brewing between him and Akko. But then again, nothing very conclusive because this guy also has his pride and comes from an important family just like Diana. Sure, he finds Akko interesting but is there more to that reason why he continues to side by her with any given chance? So maybe he is trying to keep up his pride and not let his feelings show. Because that would be very uncouth seeing how far we have come to know Andrew as.
Their other friends like I have said didn’t get much screen time so we just know what they show us. Like Lotte who is the brainiest and loves reading. Amanda is a delinquent (nearly overlapping as an idiot character with Akko) and taciturn Constanze loves tinkering with her machines while Jasminka loves stuffing her face with food or at least most of her thoughts are if something is delicious or not (whether it is edible or not). Of all these characters, my favourite is Sucy because she is really an eccentric doom and gloom girl. This in a way makes her a cool character because of her very sleepy-like voice. Her favourites are poison and mushrooms and I believe she has one of the funniest lines and comebacks in the series. Especially those that are aimed at Akko.
It didn’t surprise me that Ursula is Chariot. There were very few vague hints but even before all that and in the first episode I was already guessing she is her. Because you know, why did such a nerdy teacher started giving ‘preferential treatment’ to Akko? Everything about Ursula feels like a big guilt and taking Akko under her wing thinks she can make amends. There is this fear of having Akko hate her if she tells the truth but the truth reared its ugly head in the most unlikely fashion. It is a good thing that Akko and Ursula reconcile and realize what is most importance between them. Akko may have dreamt of becoming Chariot but that was a long time ago and just a few minutes of show time compared to the amount of time she spent with Ursula (despite it’s just Chariot incognito). So it is only right that Akko has more attachment to the teacher than the magic performer. She has achieved her dream of meeting Chariot. Time to move on.
Croix is set up as the main antagonist of the series but I would like to see her as just a misguided and jealous character. It’s like after she failed to be the chosen one, she tried to defy traditional magic by corrupting and inculcating it with technology. It is good if you put it to good use. Even her Noir Fuel Spirit looks pretty decent and good idea because using negative emotions as an energy source feels like you can now vent your anger and put it to good use. Of course there’s the risk. So when Croix’s plans backfire in her face, she realizes that perhaps in the end, she wasn’t fated to be the chosen one even if she tries to carve out her own destiny.
I kept thinking about Croix’s technology mix with magic and wonder how different is it to Constanze. Because the latter also uses some sort of technology, right? But I realized that they are vastly different. You see, Croix uses technology to develop her magic whereas Constanze uses magic to develop her technology. Sounds the same? Confused? Croix develops high technology and infuses it to magic and hence why I said she corrupted it. On the other hand, Constanze uses her magic talents to invent things. She does not alter the nature of the magic like Croix does so I believe there is a big difference there. Because assuming if Finnelan knows about Constanze’s tinkering, why was she only objecting to Croix’s heavy technological use? Should she have warned Constanze to stop too as it goes against tradition?
A reason why the art and animation looks cartoonish is because they are produced by Trigger. The same studio that gave you anime series with their own brand of visual art style such as Kill La Kill, Space Patrol Luluco and Ninja Slayer From Animation. After all, the staffs from here were from Gainax who did crazy shows like Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt and FLCL. That is why some characters like Lotte in particular I thought she came out from that Peanuts comic strip. The overall art style may not be as deep and rich but it works for this series. The cartoonish aspects make it feel acceptable even if the magic special effects are just okay and nothing too spectacular. Is it me but does that monster missile look like it was designed based on that antagonistic alien life form in Kill La Kill?
Youko Hikasa as Diana is the only seiyuu I recognized but that is somewhat later as at first I mistaken her to be Marie Inoue. Haven’t heard the latter for a while so are they starting to sound almost similar? Megumi Han did a good job bringing out the character in Akko. She doesn’t voice such characters and they’re mainly the serious type like the titular character in Mushibugyou, Jeanne in Shingeki No Bahamut series, Benio in Sousei No Onmyouji or the cute type like Ore Monogatari’s Rinko. So I guess it is surprising and hard to picture her here all very lively and loud. The rest of the other casts are Fumiko Orikasa as Lotte (Rukia in Bleach), Michiyo Murase as Sucy (Garie in Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX), Norihiko Hikada as Ursula/Chariot (Kikyou in Inu Yasha), Junko Takeuchi as Croix (titular character in Naruto – this is how she seriously sounds like not in that ninja mode?), Ryousuke Kanemoto as Andrew (Torway in Nejimaki Seirei Senki), Arisa Shida as Amanda, Rie Murakawa as Constanze (Hotaru in Non Non Biyori), Reina Ueda as Jasminka (Shiori in Sakura Quest), Ikuko Tani as Holbrook (Lizzie in Overlord) and Rurika Yamamoto as Finnelan. The list of seiyuus is long since there are tons of other characters just making their cameo in an episode or two.
Opening and ending themes are okay but nothing that special for me. But somehow I prefer the first opening and ending theme, Shiny Ray by Yurika and Hoshi Wo Tadoreba by Yuiko Oohara. The former had this bewitching feel to it despite a lively anime pop beat and the latter is a slower and decently calming pop piece. Mind Conductor by Yurika and Toumei Na Tsubasa by Yuiko Oohara as the second opening and ending theme respectively are a bit faster. Not that I really like it that way. There are also a hand of BGMs that give that magical and bewitching feel to the episode and scenes.
Overall, this series is quite a fun and enjoyable watch and despite certain exaggerated and cartoonish scenes, it doesn’t feel like they are overdoing it. You’ll have a blast if you stop overthinking its minor flaws. Despite being an original anime, it still isn’t a complete masterpiece nor perfect. Though, it still has got plenty of magic, comedy, drama, friendship values and lessons to be learnt, trials to overcome and uhm, more magic. It would have been ground breaking and awesome if it was shown a decade ago or even more in the 90’s. Because with all the fanservice, violence and sci-fi thingy in today’s entertainment media, magic looks like it is really on its way to the exit. Who goes to magic shows these days? Oh wait, there are still… But you don’t really need magic to change the world if you really want it. All you need to do is get up and do something. Because the world changes not by your thoughts or feelings but by your actions. Imagine a small kindness today can go a long way tomorrow and in the future. That itself is already magic. Saying magic is like a lazy term when you can’t explain it in science, huh?
After 2 years a certain coming of age adventurer and his busty goddess ventured into the dungeons and walk their destiny, now we go back and do that all over again. That’s right. Dungeon Ni Deai Wo Motomeru No Wa Machigatteiru Darou Ka Gaiden: Sword Oratoria not only made the ridiculously long title to even ridiculously longer, it tells the story and events then from a perspective of another character, namely the beautiful Aiz. I guess that is why she didn’t make so much of an appearance in the original since she was away doing something else. Hence this spin-off isn’t technically a sequel and not quite a total retelling or remake. Oh well, if we’re tired of Bell and Hestia, I supposed we have Aiz and her Loki Familia to focus on.
Episode 1
At level 50 where leader Finne Deimne and his party are resting, we are introduced to some of the members like the Lefiya Viridis, the Amazon twins Tione and Tiona Hiryute, beardy guy Gareth Landrock, Riveria Ljos Alf and of course Aiz. Riveria talks to Lefiya who is particularly down because she froze during the battle. Bete Loga is much harsher, condemning the mage for being a chicken and all. At the same time, Finne talks to Aiz for charging into battle alone. He acknowledges her strength but she could end up putting others in danger. The place is suddenly attacked by acid spewing caterpillars. Be careful coming into contact. It really burns your skin. With a few taking damage, Riveria seeks Finne’s permission to let Lefiya take care of the enemies as she needs the experience. She begins her incantation but once more fear overcomes her. She can’t do it. Oh well. Time for Aiz to kick ass again. Riveria takes over Lefiya’s place to finish her incantation and burn all the caterpillars crawling all over the place. It is decided that they retreat despite coming down this far since the caterpillars have caused rockslides and that makes their passageways more dangerous. Lefiya is left to reflect on her own actions but she is also troubled that Aiz too has her own trouble but doesn’t show it. On the way up, a group of Minotaurs surround them. They try to get rid of them but a bunch just fled. This part coincides with the first episode of the original series where a Minotaur cornered Bell and Aiz immediately cut it down, leaving him all bloodied like a tomato. She tried to help him up but he ran away screaming. Bete teases he ran away because he got scared of Aiz’s monstrous strength. Aiz isn’t impressed and pouts…
Episode 2
On the way home, Lefiya feels depressed she had to let Aiz save her again. She has got more to worry when she got the short end of the stick as she became victim to Loki’s boob fondling. It’s like déjà vu again because Lefiya once more depressed in the shower before falling victim to Loki once more. Noting Aiz too is down, she vows to cheer her up. So is fantasizing about it half the battle won? Maybe it’s just self-satisfaction? Finne, Riveria and Gareth talk about the benefit of having Lefiya around Aiz because it could make her think about others. Lefiya manages to give some crystal drops to Aiz. As she is pleased, cue for more happy delusions? Let’s hope it doesn’t get to her head. The ladies head out to get new weapons or do some maintenance over the dulled ones. Lefiya buys a potion for Aiz as a good luck charm. Everyone converges at the pub. The familiar scene of Bete getting drunk and starting to mock loudly about that tomato guy causing that poor kid to run away. Aiz felt bad for him and seems to be even more down ever since. Riveria talks to her and finds out about it. Aiz wonders if she should apologize to that boy but Riveria doesn’t want her to be hasty. If she finds him, she’ll have the right words to say to him. Lefiya thought a change of pace would be good. So they take her shopping for clothes. Lefiya and the Amazons argue what clothes will look cute on Aiz. I guess the one that make her look like Hestia is no go. A lovely dress takes the cake. Aiz apologize to Lefiya since she tried her best to cheer her up but she’s still like putting up that frown face. Tiona hints she should use a better word so Aiz thanks her. Now everyone is all smiles. Until Lefiya again becomes Loki’s victim, not even Aiz can help her out of this one. Sorry.
Episode 3
At the banquet of the gods, Loki meets Demeter and Dionysus. They talk about the Monsterphilia that Ganesha is going to hold during the festival. Demeter notes Dionysus has come up with a wicked scheme. Aiz and Lefiya go night hunting in the dungeons. When they get back, Riveria scolds them for going out this late. Loki butts in and as punishment, Aiz will accompany her to the festival. This puts a damper on Lefiya since she already made plans to go with Aiz on that day. Well, that’s her punishment. Can you stop crying and go to sleep already? During the festival, Loki is called to meet Freya. She is not pleased she has to play along with her scheme because of a certain kid who caught her eye. During the Monsterphilia event, Lefiya and the Amazons notice something amiss. So when they head outside to check with Loki, it seems there are monsters unleashed all over the city. Don’t worry. She sent Aiz to do the job. Before them pops out some snake-flower monster. The Amazons fight it but its skin is so damn hard. Lefiya begins her incantation but takes serious damage when whipped away. Lefiya reverts to her cowardly side. She prays for Aiz to come rescue her like always. Speaking of which, here she is. Even after destroying it, 3 more pop up. Seeing Aiz in trouble, Lefiya decides to stop being a loser. If she wants to support her, she has got to do better. So Lefiya starts chanting a rare spell that only she can do. It allows her to duplicate an infinite number of other spells and hence her nickname, Thousand Elf. She freezes the entire place and crushes the monsters. It’s not over yet as Loki wants them to take care of the remaining monsters at various place. Aiz drinks the potion and lets Lefiya drinks the rest. Indirect kiss? Later Loki confronts Freya for going overboard. Especially the snake-flower monster. However Freya says she did not see or release such monster. Could it be Dionysus?
Episode 4
Aiz gets back her sword but because she broke the one on loan, it’s going to be costly. Hence she thinks of doing more dungeon raiding. The rest agree to go with her. When they decide to take a rest at level 30, they feel something strange. The town is less crowded. Finn’s friend, Bors mentions there has been a murder at Willy’s inn. Of course they’re going to check it out too. A horrible murder site as the victim’s head is smashed beyond recognition. Bors went to buy a potion to force reveal his identity. He is Hashana Dorlia from Ganesha Familia and ranked level 4. Bors gets scared when a high level guy could be done in like that. So he suspects Finn’s ladies. But basing them based on boob size? No wonder the Amazons are mad. Looking around, it looks more than just a simple robbery. His items are ransacked and assuming the culprit didn’t get what she wanted, she could still be in this town. So Bors announces he is going to body check everyone. Get ready to be frisked, ladies! Don’t be silly. The girls will do the checking. However they all want Finn to do it and this earns Tione’s wrath since she considers Finn all for herself. Aiz and Lefiya spot a panicked girl who ran away and chase after her. Meanwhile Loki takes Bete to investigate the sewers. At the reservoir, they stumble into those snake-flower monsters. Bete going all out should have destroyed the entire place but the monsters are the only casualties. When they resurface, Loki bumps into Dionysus. Bete smells the same scent underground. As they talk, Dionysus admits he was in the sewers but to investigate. Previously 3 of his Familia members were killed and he believed these monsters are related to their deaths. Loki thought Ganesha is involved since Dionysus notes Monsterphilia is the perfect cover for the murderer. However he reminds her the origins of Monsterphilia. Uranus was the one who started this festivity. Aiz and Lefiya talk to Lulune Louie from Hermes Familia. She fears for her life thinking somebody is out to kill her. She confirms the item in her hand belonged to Hashana as she got a quest from a mysterious employer to exchange it. Aiz takes this item into her care. It is an orb with some monster foetus? It’s alive! Aiz is immediately overcome with fear. Lefiya holds on to it since nothing happened to her. At this time, some hooded guy blows his whistle and snake-flower monsters start popping all over the place.
Episode 5
Loki goes to see Uranus. She tells him what happened during Monsterphilia. She is trying to blame the Guild at fault but he denies. I guess that’s that. The hooded guy tries to strangle Lefiya. Guess who comes to her rescue. Aiz knows this person is Hashana’s killer. Wasn’t it a woman? Indeed. Revis rips off her fake skin. No wonder Hashana was faceless. She used his skin to masquerade as a man to move around easier. She wants the orb that contains the seed. However it breaks and the seed latches onto a monster to become a, uhm, monstrous monster. Everyone else fights and defeats it while Aiz dukes it out with Revis. When Revis recognizes her wind power and calls her Aria, this leaves Aiz shocked. She takes a massive blow and is about to be killed. Guess who came to save her? No, it’s not Lefiya. The rest heal her as Finn battles Revis. Although she injures him a little, she realizes the odds are not in her favour and runs away. They continue searching for clues but nothing. They believe Revis will lie low for a while now and take some time to train new monsters. They notice Aiz has been more aggressive ever since but she’s not saying anything. She requests to stay back alone. And without food? Riveria also supports this. So now everyone wants to follow? Too bad not enough food. Finn allows Riveria to stay with Aiz. He hears her reason. Riveria knows the inevitable will happen to Aiz and will explode sooner or later. When that happens, she wants to be where she can see her. Okay, first up is the floor boss, Monster Rex Udaeus.
Episode 6
So Udaeus wields a sword because it has never done so. Cue for Aiz to be caught off guard and get slightly injured? Udaeus chipping bits of her armour off for fanservice? Of course Aiz refuses to stay weak and fights back till she defeats it. Riveria then asks about her problem in which she finally reveals that Aria thingy. She tells her that everyone in the Familia treats her as part of their family. When they return, they see Bell unconscious after using magic. Aiz wants to know a way to apologize to him. Lap pillow? When he wakes up, he rolls away! Ran away again. When Aiz tells this to Riveria, she can’t stop laughing. Later Aiz has her stats updated. It seems she has reached Level 6. But she doesn’t seem happy. Loki and the rest discuss about the Guild pulling strings behind the shadow. Riveria brings up about Aiz’s Aria so they think it is time they talk to her. Aiz goes to see Eina after she learns Bell is under her and is glad that he isn’t afraid of her but very grateful. They overheard a few guys talking about Bell going to be scammed. Eina knows Bell will be in trouble again so she requests Aiz to go help him. So she makes hastes down the dungeon, asking adventurers if they have seen Bell. She manages to cut down the remaining monsters before Bell gets done in. He runs away again but not before thanking her. Too bad she didn’t have the chance to apologize. Aiz senses somebody nearby as a dark mage then pops up before her. She is the one who contacted Lulune and has a request for Aiz.
Episode 7
The dark mage has a request for Aiz. Head to level 24 to investigate a monster outbreak. It might have something to do with Revis and the orb. Dionysus talks to Loki about the strange swarm in level 24. This outbreak is affecting the adventurers and the Guild has done nothing. Loki receives message that Aiz has gone to level 24. She needs to bring the troublesome girl back and sends Lefiya and Bete to retrieve her. To earn Loki’s trust, Dionysus sends Filvis Challia with them. However elf girl and wolf boy don’t get along. They hate each other from the start. Can’t blame her as she is some lone survivor of some nightmare level 6 years ago. Aiz meets up with the party for the mission. It is Lulune? Also, the other Hermes Familia members led by Asfi are also joining in. Uranus is not pleased Fels sent Aiz on that quest. Her reason is that they don’t want to make enemies out of the Loki Familia and Aiz is the best person to handle this situation. At level 24’s Pantry, they see the swarm marching. Aiz takes them all out with no sweat. Just practice, huh? Lefiya worries about Filvis being cold to them. When Bete almost touches her, she almost becomes a deranged killer. Investigation shows some strange blob blocking the path is preventing the swarm for getting to their food source. As they head inside to investigate, the passage seals itself off. Snake-flower monsters attack and they realize they’re trying to separate them. When Aiz is separated from the rest, she is confronted with Revis. Bete and Lefiya ask Bors about Aiz’s whereabouts. When Bors sees Filvis, he identifies her as a banshee. He warns Lefiya to stay away from her as she is cursed. No one who teamed up with her has ever returned alive.
Episode 8
Aiz corrects Revis that she isn’t Aria. That is her mother. Bors continues explaining about that nightmare level. A dark faction named Evilus led by Vendetta, misled adventurers to level 27 where they were forced to fight a battle royale with floor bosses. Evilus was eventually eliminated but the scene on that floor was like hell. Filvis as the only survivor looked almost dead herself. She tried to reorganize her party but each time her members die and she is the only survivor. That’s how she earned that nickname. Lefiya being the stubborn one continues to talk to Filvis and will not stay away as suggested. She still consider them a team. When you’re so persistent, there is nothing more but to laugh and accept. Asfi’s team stumbles upon a pillar and an orb is embedded in it. As they try to investigate, a Tamer lets loose his Violas (snake-flower monster) to attack them. Asfi fights him but gets stabbed. Before he could kill her, here comes Lefiya’s side to the rescue. He reveals the Pantry is for Viscum (a bigger plant monster) to feed off and produce Violas. Monster producing monsters? This is so he could destroy the city as wished by his goddess. He unmasks himself to be Olivas Act of Vendetta. He is supposed to be dead. He was. Till his goddess revived in. A magic stone is embedded in his chest. He starts praising his saviour like a lunatic and how she is the one who should rule the land. As everyone continues to battle, Aiz and Revis’ battle got too epic that it had to spill over. Aiz shows why she is awesome but Lefiya-Bete combo also prove they are no lesser. They manage to destroy Viscum. Bete beats the crap out of Olivas and in his pathetic state, Revis kills him by stealing his magic stone before devouring it. It should make her stronger but she knows it isn’t enough to beat Aiz. She will lie low and get stronger for now before their next face off. In the meantime, she tells Aiz to head to level 59 where the answers she is seeking for lurk. Everyone flees as the pillar collapses. Finn and Loki receive this report. Knowing that Aiz wants to head to level 59, it’s a good excuse for them to start another expedition. Lefiya tries to research on Aria. From the book Dungeon Oratoria, A spirit, a race most beloved by the gods.
Episode 9
Aiz sees Eina in hopes of apologizing to Bell personally. Coincidentally he is here. Oddly, to stop him from leaving prematurely, she jumps in front of him and his face ended up in her butt! When she apologizes, Bell then corrects her that he is the one who should be apologizing for running away. Leaning he has no one to teach him but yet has improved vastly, she offers to train him although she feels bad it is her plan to see the secret of his progress that she might use to improve herself. Lefiya is practising to ask Aiz one of those things. Failed. Next early morning she thought of waiting for her this early but she was already up earlier. She tries to follow but bumps into Bell. He runs away learning she is part of Loki Familia. Finding him fishy, she tails him and is disheartened to Aiz carrying him away (their training ended). Because of that, she is in a bad mood. She confronts Aiz about it and learns the truth. But she still feels jealous and wants one on one training as well. Okay. Even so, she isn’t happy because she keeps comparing herself to the treatment Bell gets. Better shape up or you’ll lose to that kid. Too bad she wallows herself in jealousy thinking Bell is monopolizing Aiz for himself when she is the one who kept fainting during training. It’s no surprise Aiz wonders if her training is helping her at all and wants to take the next day off. Lefiya bumps into Dionysus who is thankful for helping Filvis recover. Since Filvis is fond of her now, she helps her train. At least it takes her mind off Aiz. Aiz continues training Bell but this time with Hestia watching over as agreed. No funny stuffs… On the way back, they are ambushed and surrounded.
Episode 10
After a short bout, the assassins leave and warn Aiz not to get involved further or die. Aiz recognizes them from Freya Familia. She reports this to Riveria and they wonder if Freya Familia has anything to do with the recent incidents. Loki also mentions they know somebody has been communicating with the enemy but they don’t know who. Aiz continues training Lefiya and she has gotten better. Still trying to compare herself with that kid? Aiz also trains Bell for one last time before her expedition. Loki Familia will be separated into groups for the expedition and Aiz is in the first group. Before she departs, Lulune is here to give portable rations. She also gives a pendant from Fels. She is supposed to wear it when she goes to level 59. After a while trekking into the dungeon, they spot a few group of injured adventurers running out. They claim some Minotaur attack and Bell is handling it on his own. Instantly Aiz rushes to his aid. However she cannot tell where the Minotaur’s roar originates from this maze. She then spots very injured Lily. Unfortunately her path is further blocked by Ottarl the King. He is the only adventurer who is at level 7 and hence the strongest. He wants a death match with her. Aiz believes this is what the warning was. No choice she has to fight him but the longer she drags this out, the more danger Bell will be in. Luckily her comrades come to distract him and she uses this chance to run past him. Finn then confronts Ottarl if this is the will of his Familia and that Freya wants to provoke them. He claims he is acting on his own accord and leaves. Aiz arrives in time to defend Bell. But this time he won’t let her fight. He doesn’t want her to always protect him. He picks up his dagger and continues fighting the Minotaur as the rest watch in awe how much Bell has improved. And as we know, Bell defeats it. Lefiya is in the second group and starting her descent. She sees Aiz and Riveria running out carrying unconscious Bell and Lily respectively. Her heart just broke. The duo bring Bell back to Hestia who can’t thank them enough.
Episode 11
Resting at level 50, Lefiya asks Aiz what is the deal with Bell. She says he is on an adventure. Because of that, she starts spacing out. More so when she hears others who saw awesome Bell in action praising him. I guess after too much sulking, she realizes she can’t compare herself to others now. She has a goal to catch up with the rest. How could she have forgotten it. Uhm, jealousy? Everyone is excited for tomorrow’s raid and can’t sleep so Lefiya gets more motivation about the team’s vow to protect each other from danger. The descent to the lower levels begin. On level 52, dragons on level 58 start shooting fireballs through the ground at them! Well, it’s a shortcut for many of them but Finn doesn’t want Aiz to follow since they have a couple of supports and they’ll take the normal route. Also, those who took the shortcut are here to clear the enemies for them. Yeah, who needs magic when you can cut their fire breath into half or deflect it! Oh right. If you need to destroy multiple targets at one go, here’s Lefiya’s magic. Meanwhile Fels tells Revis that Aiz is closing in on level 59 and yet she is still here eating magic stones. Revis knows she is still not strong to take on them. She doesn’t care if Fels uses her but in exchange she’ll do whatever she wants. In worse case, she’ll just retrieve Aiz’s corpse. Once the monsters are cleared and the rest of the party reunite, they take a short breather as Finn feels odd about the next level. From Zeus Familia’s records, it is supposed to be a very cold place but they’re not feeling the slightest of it from where they are. Well, only one way to fight out. It is a place where no humans have set before. To their surprise, level 59 is a humid jungle. They see caterpillars being devoured by a monster that has been evolved by those orbs. It then flowers open its humanoid version and lets out a creepy shriek. Aiz is shocked to recognize it as a spirit.
Episode 12
The spirit is calling for Aria to be devoured. The rest realizes these new monsters were created to be its food source. Finn has everyone ready to attack but the spirit is able to chant magic! Although they counter it, it has no effect. It pulls off another surprising by chanting another consecutive spell and even faster! The flames are so great that it blows everyone away. Riveria and Gareth take the biggest damage while trying to protect the rest. Finn rallies the rest to continue fighting. Need more motivation? He quotes Bell’s name. That should do it. As they race to take it down, the spirit starts up another chant. Luckily Riveria manages to chant and take down its personal defence and Gareth using his elephant strength to tear through its thick vine defences. With everyone clearing the path for Aiz, it is up to her to deal the finishing blow. The spirit still has some tricks up her sleeve, though. It still has some short range magic ready to fire at her. Luckily Lefiya was fast enough to pull off a magic to protect her. Aiz uses all her strength to finally defeat it. And the greatest reward for Lefiya is when Aiz pulls her in to hug her. Not a dream. The party returns to the surface and of course a big party to celebrate their victory. We see Fels learning from Uranus that spirit is actually a fallen shadow of a fallen spirit. Its true form lies in the deeper levels and the one on level 59 was just to guard a more powerful entity. Spirits were once blessed by the gods to help humans but this one was turned inside out, became a monster while maintaining its identity, consumed by its primal impulse to survive. So those new monsters were created by it too. The irony is how a spirit was once sent to save mankind now threatens the city. Its leader is Enyo who will destroy the city. Loki discusses with the rest about the fallen spirit and why it targeted Aiz because she had blood descended from the spirits. They fear that those orbs will be used to create more of those spirits and then summon those spirits to the surface. Since we didn’t have Aiz-Lefiya personal time today, we have one now with Aiz thanking Lefiya for her magic or else everyone would have died. Lefiya refutes that as pure luck. Still not confident? Lefiya gets permission to always follow her. Time for a hug. Not dreaming. The Amazon twins join in. The more the merrier, right? Well, Loki wants to join in. However everyone avoids. This time Lefiya instinctively does a judo throw on her. At least she improved in this aspect.
DunGirls: Sword Art Oratoria
Sighs… If only the rest of this series was as exciting as the final episode. Otherwise this entire spin-off feels boring and the way it ended only serves to bring up more questions than answers. So I am not sure if that fallen spirit is the answer Aiz is looking for because I thought it was her mother but a quick checking on the internet said it wasn’t so even though her mother is a spirit and hence she is a descendent. I know the adventure is going to be a long road but with this kind of ‘ending’, it is just like completing a mini side quest. Okay, maybe just the first level cleared and there are 99 more levels before you reach the true boss for the true final ending.
I am not sure if we have been trolled because it could have been our fault for expecting that this spin-off was going to be focused a lot on Aiz. It could have been the expectation from the hype. I don’t know. However after watching this season, we only got half of that and the other half was what no one asked for because we got Lefiya instead. It’s like Bell never left us because as I somehow feel she is the female version of him. Sure, there are a few other characters that this spin-off tells but not as much screen time and focus they give to Lefiya. They should have named this spin-off Gay-den or Lesbian-den or something instead.
While it is good to see the events that has happened on the Loki Familia’s side, sad to say that the plot and pacing doesn’t fare well. We are introduced to subplots that make the series feel like as though it is a standalone rather than something that can be added to the original DanMachi series. Because with the introduction of Revis the direct antagonist, Freya plotting some shady scheme and Uranus similarly moving his plans along, it feels like this spin-off is heading towards a different direction instead of merging with the adventure from Bell’s side. Wow. That’s a lot of antagonist for one small series. And I didn’t even mention Ottarl yet (although he is under Freya Familia). Oh, there was Olivas too but he got killed off. And who is this Enyo dude they throw in?! Man, the problems are just getting bigger. I know I’ve said it is a different Familia and hence a different adventure but one would have expected to see how Aiz’s side ties up with Bell’s side. There are some moments that do coincide with the original but other than that, the story diverges differently. It’s like resurfacing from the water to take a short breath before diving back for a long one.
So to start off with the characters, if you’ve watched the original series, you’ll know a bit about Aiz and this spin-off expands a little bit more about her past. Just a little bit. Very little bits. She is always having this poker face so I’m not sure I can tell how deep her problems are because like Riveria once pointed out, everyone has their own problems. We don’t know how deep it is for Aiz except we know it should be the deepest. Because main heroine. We just know that she is the daughter of some spirit and hence her ability to use wind powers and the reason she is interested in Bell is not because of anything romantic or the natural matters of the heart but rather she wants to get stronger and she believes this kid was the right person to that goal. Well, she did level up to level 6, didn’t she?
If the lack of Aiz is already worrying and annoying, imagine putting in a lesbian fan admirer her would do. Yup, it made it even more annoying. That is what Lefiya is. Basically like I said, she is like Bell because she starts off weak and despite improving as the series progresses, she is still weak. I mean, if you want to compare her to the rest of the main characters in her party, she is still by far the weakest. Yeah, her special duplicate multiple spells whatchamalit thingy is something that is one off like how Bell has his own set of unique abilities. Impressive but they can’t spam it always. Lefiya is already annoying as she fantasizes about her one-sided love and dream dating with Aiz (supposedly the running joke of the series for her), it gets even more annoying when she starts to consider herself as Bell’s rival. Oh Aiz, you are sure one popular girl. It should have served as a motivation for her to do better but instead she got blinded by more jealousy instead.
I mean, the mere seeing of Bell with Aiz without fully understanding why they’re together already makes her blood boil. You so scared Aiz will be taken away by another man not part of the same Familia? When is she going to learn that Bell is Bell and you are you. Stop thinking about others and start improving yourself. To show that Lefiya is not all that bad, she conveniently becomes friends with Filvis. A character that has been so traumatized that nothing else would have brought her back and Lefiya is the first one to do so? Well, maybe nobody dared took the chance. After all, Lefiya doesn’t know her background well. She just heard about it from Bors but that wasn’t enough to scare her despite the risky rumours and coincidences surrounding Filvis. So what has she got to lose? In order to not make Lefiya look like a total amateur loser, hence I figure her pure luck in her magic chanting gone right that saved the day and ultimately her beloved. Beginner’s luck. Okay, okay. I also hope Lefiya would grow into a stronger character too and stand by Aiz’s side.
The other main characters of the Loki Familia are also okay but nothing too deep on them. Finn, Riveria and Gareth as the ‘old veterans’ of the Familia make them good leaders and mentors with their vast experience. Then you have the Amazon twins who are partly for comic relief, partly for fanservice and partly for some action variety. Because isn’t it like a joke when you have one sister with a well-endowed body but the other sister is as flat as a washboard? When it comes down to it, they’ll use their boob size as weapons and counter arguments. That is the only way how I could distinguish the twins effectively. Really. Oh, it must be a running joke for Tione too since she has this shameless crush for Finn, would do anything for him at his beck and call and you would be dead meat if you try to even make a move on him. He’s all hers! Nobody touches him! Finally Bete. This dude might need some anger management class but I am sure he’ll rip it apart before the session could start. I suppose being uncouth is his way of interaction because tough guys don’t show their caring via the conventional lovey-dovey way. That’s so gay for him.
Loki is supposedly taken from the Norse God and is very well known for the mischief caused. That is why she is seen here like a joker character and hence my theory why she is turned into a woman is so that she could do some cheesy boob squeezing fanservice. Imagine if Loki was a naughty guy, we would definitely see him as some perverted bastard. The effects seem less and we don’t think too much of it if the gender is switched. But too bad the only girl who ever falls into Loki’s prank is Lefiya. It’s like the running joke of the series as all other girls are smart enough to avoid Loki time and somehow Lefiya gets drawn the short end of the stick. It’s like a punishment for being an annoying character. Not even this fanservice could save you, Lefiya. That last bit there avoiding Loki was just pure luck and coincidence. I’m sure she’ll be back to the usual victim soon. Is this the fanservice we get in place of Hestia? I could hear somebody screaming they want their loli boobs back…
I don’t know. I don’t really feel I missed the other characters from the original series. Not even Bell or Hestia. Welf or Lily. Syr or Ryuu. Ouka or Chigusa. Maybe I’m not a big fan so I didn’t miss them at all. Many pop up and make cameos as part of the overlapping storyline but they hardly do anything that is unexpected because you know, we have an idea what they were already doing in the original series.
One of the strong points of this spin-off is the action parts. I mean, if you compare it to the original, this one fares better (as I have already mentioned the final episode ‘boss fight’ was quite thrilling since it took the might and cooperation of the strongest Loki Familia to finally bring it down). This is because Bell was such a beginner and he is still learning. Here, the Loki Familia are all experienced dungeon crawlers with a vast amount of fighting experience. So fighting vicious monsters whether in town or the dungeons, they make it look like a piece of cake. Except maybe Lefiya. We also get to see more of Aiz in action especially using her wind powers that we did not get to see in the original series.
Yuka Iguchi who sang the opening theme for the original series reprises her role here for the opener too, Re-Illusion. Nothing special about this anime pop in my opinion, though. The ending theme is Day By Day by Kano. It feels like such a happy and calming song like as though this is the song that Lefiya uses when she fantasizes about Aiz. Heck, the ending credits animation is about the Loki Familia having a nice picnic on a nice day. With many of the casts retained, new ones include Sayaka Ohara as Revis and once again she is casted as a villainess. Even though it feels like stereotyping, I find nothing wrong with that. The rest are Hisako Kanemoto as Filvia (Ika in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Mikako Komatsu as Fels (Neko in K), Toru Ohkawa as Uranus (Roy in Fullmetal Alchemist) and Hikaru Akao as Lulune.
Overall, while this spin-off might have been decent on its own right, it didn’t live up to expectations and falls short of what we wanted. I mean, instead of getting more of Aiz, we got half of that and the other half went to an annoying elf. Therefore it is a double edged sword as it somewhat makes this spin-off feels unnecessary considering how it all ‘ended’ but at the same time its consolation is that we get to know what happen on Aiz’s side during the same timeline and events. That’s about it. Therefore I think there will be a dilemma if another season is announced, would it be a continuation of Bell’s side or Aiz’s side? If they’re going to blend in both somehow I think it will be quite confusing seeing that both Bell and Aiz totally have different agenda lest it all overlaps and coincides soon enough. Worse, I don’t want another season telling the perspective of another character during the same timeline! Who you may ask? Freya… Curious what she has been planning during all that time? I’m certainly not curious enough to stay and find out.
Shokugeki No Souma S2 OVA
24 November, 2017
After the very lukewarm season 2 and my very disappointment with how a great season can become so boring with that Stagiaire internship thingy, I didn’t think they would come up with another season a year later. But before all that and to hype things up as well as wash away all that disappointment, I guess that is why we have Shokugeki No Souma S2 OVA. This is supposed to be the bridge that connects the second and third season. Don’t expect much but it is still an important piece if you are looking forward to watch the next season. I know I am now.
OVA 1
Hotspring episode! Sort of. Taking place after the Stagiaire, Megumi invites the whole gang to a hotspring inn. We start off with some ping pong match first. Lots of bounciness between Mito and Ryouko’s match and it isn’t the ping pong balls, get what I mean? Megumi and Isshiki have a very serious and passionate battle so much so she is wearing proper attire to play it and this feels more like a sports shonen show than a cooking genre. As the guys soak in the hotspring, Takumi realizes Souma isn’t around. He heard he went to challenge Hayama and Ryo. Unsettled, he starts running about to find him but ultimately gets lost. Now, the challenge Souma is having is a fishing battle. They are to see who can fish out the master of the river. When caught, the trio have to work together to reel it out because it is really giving them a real fight. Meanwhile by sheer bad luck and coincidence, the chefs are all injured and due to a mis-scheduling, important guests are to arrive soon. This is an excuse for our lesser known characters to fill in and show what they’ve got. Little do they know, that VIP is Erina, Alice and Hisako. Erina’s God’s tongue tastes the amateurs’ dishes but also gives them their due praises since it was carefully prepared and lots of effort were put into it. Megumi and co hear the praises from the innkeeper and they are ecstatic because it’s like they passed, right? Later Megumi soaks alone and discovers Erina nearby and realizes she is the VIP. I guess the victory now means a lot, eh? Souma and co return all messed up. Looks like they’ve lost the catch and the river’s master dragged them down the stream and waterfall. Expensive lesson to be learnt. Meanwhile Takumi is still lost… Luckily he manages to find his way back and this time Souma is there. So now he b*tches about the proper order to call for a cooking battle. WTF.
OVA 2
No rest for Souma. Because back at the dorm, he receives tons of challenge letters. We see him continuously winning streaks in Shokugeki matches. There is even one where he took on 2 opponents at the same time and bests them. Heh. All of them must be weaklings. A strange lady, tastes his food before leaving. From the looks of it, want to bet she is from the Elite Ten? Later Isshiki calls Souma and Megumi because there is going to be a Maple Meet soon and this is where the juniors get to meet their seniors. However it is special for the Autumn Elections finalists as they get to meet the Elite Ten face to face. That grin on Souma’s face… He is already thinking of doing Shokugeki with them! So we see the gang taking their seats and as expected, they don’t get along with each other. Rivalry is already so intense. Oddly, despite Erina is part of the Elite Ten, she is joining their side as she considers herself a junior and thus it is proper to get to know her seniors. The Elite Ten show their faces. Another bunch of weirdoes. Some of them don’t get along either. Like Terunori Kuga, Nene Kinokuni, Eizan and Isshiki. You think the Autumn Elections finalists are bad, just take a look at them. Oh, that strange lady is Rindou Kobayashi and is ranked second. When Eishi Tsukasa who is currently the 1st seat of the Elite Ten calls out to Souma, Takumi and Mimasaka, you’d think it would be something very important. Unfortunately he goes into depression that because they called a Shokugeki during the Autumn Elections that he wanted to end early, it cut out a lot of work for him!
Souma then gets straight to the point and shocks everyone that he wants to join the Elite Ten and is willing to do Shokugeki with any of them. Of course nobody is going to do it. Kuga mocks his simple mindedness since in this case he wants to challenge just for the sake of fighting stronger opponents. He tries to drill it into his head the Elite Ten is a completely different world but Souma is just more impressed how cool it is. Basically, the higher your seat, the more privileges you have and hence the more resources to broaden yourself. Momo Akanegakubo has made sweets for all of them. This maple-apple-caramel-cheese dessert thingy looks like an item you can get off from an RPG quest… Seriously… This is cue for the best confectioner in Totsuki to let them taste it and have our dose of exaggerated reactions. I know. It’s that good, right? Kuga then carelessly throws down a challenge to Souma that if he finds that there is one thing he can beat him at, feel free to challenge him. You better hold on to you words. The Elite Ten take their leave and this fires up our young ones. Those deadly auras of challenge… I wonder if meek Megumi will be okay. Don’t worry, later she gets assurance from Souma that despite how different level they are and they may not be able to match it, they should take their time and move slowly towards the Elite Ten. No rush, right? Yeah well, I don’t think they’re even halfway there.
Okawari? Why, We Haven’t Even Got To The Main Dish Yet!
Certainly the couple of OVAs aren’t that bad. The first one is quite light-hearted while the second steps things up a little as we get to see all the faces of the current Elite Ten. So the OVAs did make my day and my hopes for the next season is renewed. There are a lot of things I would love to see in the third season but I’ll try not to get ahead too far of myself. As far as these second season OVAs are concerned, they are satisfying in their own right and it whets the appetite for fans and viewers alike for the next season. It is a step in the right direction and suddenly the disappointment of the second season has all been forgotten. Yeah, must be that dessert thingy they presented. Looks so good to eat…
The surprising thing that I noticed is that some of the Elite Ten making their debut here, all of them are voiced by popular and well-known seiyuus. I instantly recognized them the moment they speak. They are Akira Ishida as Tsukasa, Yuuki Kaji as Kuga, Shizuka Itou as Rindou and Kana Hanazawa as Nene. I thought Momo was the combo breaker as I didn’t recognize her voice but upon discovery she is voiced by Rie Kugimiya! Holy sh*t! Is that really her?! Too soft spoken that I couldn’t recognize. Well, I thought she sounded so different in the recent Konbini Kareshi but at least there were some parts of her voice that was recognizable but this one, not so. Maybe not enough lines. Hearing them again, yup, that’s her alright.
Like I have already said, these OVAs are a nice bridge to connect the second and third season and to whet the appetite for the next season. There will be more interesting Shokugeki (because calling it food fight makes it sound so childish and unglamorous) with a lot of parties trying to vie for the top sea. Even within the Elite Ten, there are still battles among each other to get to higher rankings. Because food is everything, right? It has gotten to a stage where it is no longer as simple as a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Only at Totsuki where food has become majestic works of art and an aphrodisiac drug. Who’d knew that popping something into your mouth can be this convoluted and annoyingly delicious at the same time.
Hajimete No Gal
19 November, 2017
I thought this was some sort of sequel to Oshiete! Galko-chan but apparently I’m wrong. The main protagonist is a busty gal who looks pretty similar to the main character in the aforementioned series, that is why I assumed it would be so. But other than that, everything else is different for Hajimete No Gal. Sometimes I feel series like this is to pander to lonely single plain otaku guys like us because the main character is also a plain chap and somehow lands this gorgeous gal as his first girlfriend while slowly accumulating a harem of his own as well as a series of other ‘first experiences’.
Episode 1
Ah. Nothing tells you the start of a new school year like couples dating everywhere! Wait. Is this school some make-out association because they’re blatantly flirting everywhere! Unless you are these bunch of losers who can’t get a date and are still virgins: Junichi Hashiba, Shinpei Sakamoto, Minoru Kobayakawa and Keigo Ishida. Junichi still wonders why he is a virgin. Maybe there’s a reason to it… Herald Nene Fujinoki. Junichi’s childhood friend who sees him as a big brother. She might have a body of a loli but hentai tits! WTF?! Then there is Yui Kashii who seems to be wanting to talk more with Shinpei despite having not many chance last year. Oi, Junichi. What’s this harem you’re getting?! His 3 stooges loser pals start reading porn in class just to ruin the mood for those idiotic couples. They try to tempt Junichi to join them. When he does, Yukana Yame chides him for being a loser. Please do that stuff at home. Loser. Wow. It really scared the sh*t out of Junichi. Later the friends converge to talk about how gals like her are just b*tches who want sex. As stated in the magazine. This has Junichi fantasize making out with her. While he is doing that, his friends set him up to go ask Yukana out by placing a love letter in her shoe locker. Junichi realizes they really screw him over when she actually turns up! Awkward. Since he has come this far, he prostrates himself to beg her to date him. Yukana is not impressed… He starts worrying about his future where everyone calls him a loser for prostrating. But since he has a foot in the grave, he continues to prostrate so he can see her pantsu. Nice view… She asks him what he likes about her. Oh, don’t lie. She knows what you’re thinking. You want sex, right?! Busted! Now imagine a future where girls run away from this virgin who is looking for sex. For some odd reason, it’s like Junichi’s hentai kappa took over his consciousness to continue looking up her skirt. But wait. Yukana knows he is doing so! Then she really gets close and asks if he wants to see more. Turns out she is teasing him and loves the reaction of a virgin. It’s too hilarious. Junichi thinks he won’t be tricked anymore when Yukana looks serious in wanting to go out with him. Imagine his shock when she says she likes him. Is she trolling?
Episode 2
It’s no surprise Junichi is confused that Yukana actually agreed to go out with him. Why think so hard? Screw that! Time to have your hentai kappa fantasize f*cking this gal! Just don’t fall off the bed. Junichi’s pals regret setting him up. They vow to always be friends. Suddenly Junichi receives a sexy morning selfie from Yukana. Suddenly friends turn into enemies. All because of tits. Shinpei at least still have the heart to tell him to go for it and kiss her. I don’t know about this Karaoke XXX Rule whereby going karaoke with a girl will end up having sex with her. In class, Yukana clings on lovingly to Junichi. Everyone is shocked to see this and even more shock when they learn they just started dating. Even Nene is left in tears when she confirms so. I guess it shows it doesn’t necessarily mean the biggest tits guarantee a guy. And now his friends-cum-enemies really wish he would die. Great friends… Junichi is surprised when Yukana and wants to go to a place where they can scream out loud and feel good. It’s the karaoke. What were you thinking? So as his fantasies start to take flight, he sees a management notice for patrons to stick to singing and nothing else! To say that it did happen before… With her boobs too close to his face, naturally he goes off on another fantasizing of her ‘testing his mic’. The events that transpired seem to be too coincidental to Shinpei’s Karaoke XXX Rule. Is Yukana really daring to have sex? So as his consciousness stat debating about this, another inner conscious in the form of a handsome guy comes to give his advice that all real men must give his lady something before indulging in the desires of the flesh: A passionate kiss. Junichi realizes the true potential of this karaoke as he faces Yukana and prepares to kiss her. However, all ruined when she points out his nose hair sticking out! That really ruined his day. And possibly his future reputation. She excuses herself and it seems she knew he was going to kiss her but she was too embarrassed to go through with it. At the end of the day, she really felt fun and would love to go karaoke with him again. At least all is not lost. A distance away, Ranko Honjou watches them and is not too pleased seeing this development.
Episode 3
Junichi gets a love letter in his shoe locker. See how his friends go crazy about it… So when he goes meet this girl, he didn’t expect her to be the tanned gal type. Yeah, it’s Ranko. She starts flirting all over him. So cliché that you’ll expect Yukana to walk in and see this. Yes she does. So it’s over? Turns out Yukana and Ranko are childhood friends with the latter being a year her senior. Junichi gets more fanservice with Ranko fondling Yukana’s boobs. When Yukana walks home with Junichi we hear Ranko’s true intention. She intends to break up their relationship. Junichi gets a call to go out with Yukana and Ranko. Nene sees this and once more is in tears believing he has multiplied his girlfriend. Shopping for clothes, Yukana asks him which dress suits her. I don’t blame him as a guy for thinking which clothes she get f*cked in the best. On the way back, a couple of punks try to hit on Yukana. Junichi tries to stand up for her but he is a wuss. So Ranko solves this problem by dating them both. And by that she meant beating them up quickly in the alley. While Junichi is depressed thinking how weak he is, Ranko invites herself into his home. As you can tell, she is flirting all over him in an attempt to tempt him to lose his virginity with her. Luckily the temptation in Junichi is strong so he rejects her. He only wants to lose his virginity with Yukana. And this makes Ranko mad! She chides him for being a failure and doesn’t care about his virginity! Don’t he dare dirty Yukana with his filth. It is then Junichi realizes Ranko likes Yukana. Like in a lesbian way? Ranko can’t understand why Yukana picked him. So she is going to f*ck him so hard that he won’t get another girl! Junichi’s virginity is saved when Yukana comes in. She thought Ranko was acting weird and followed her. They are both afraid she might have heard everything but she is just jealous Junichi invited Ranko to his home when she didn’t get invited first. Ranko then switches tone that she was just testing him. Yukana might not like how far she went with the test but when Yukana still loves her as a friend, Ranko starts crying. Next day, Ranko threatens Junichi not to tell Yukana about her true feelings. Seeing how cute Ranko looks like this, Ranko gets violent and beat him up. And won’t you know it? Yui is watching while seething her teeth. She cannot believe Junichi likes other girls than her! OMG! Yandere?!
Episode 4
We see from Yui’s point of view that to her everyone is her maid or butler. But it looks different for Junichi. That guy is watching sexy online gal videos. He calls it research to know gals better for Yukana’s sake. Really? In class, he hears his friends talking about this sexy gal named Boa who has many followers online. You can say they are totally into her. Junichi would have had wilder imagination with his lunch with Yukana had not Ranko joined them. Yeah, that smirk still indicates she is hell bent in stopping Junichi. When Yui comes to talk to Junichi, Ranko tells her she is bothering and to go away. Yui apologizes and will do so another time. Ranko’s experience and guts tell her this is a dangerous girl despite her innocent looks. Later Yui manages to get Junichi to help out with some school errands. However they end up dating at a café? Suddenly starts flirting all over him! Oh, just his imagination. When Yui asks him about Yukana, he can’t stop talking about his girlfriend. In class, Yui purposely flirts with Junichi in front of Yukana. Meanwhile Shinpei has discovered something on Boa so he meets up with Minoru and Keigo to tell them Boa’s true identity: She is Yui! Take a closer look. The damning evidence is how she makes references about ‘dogs’ that are actually about them. Ranko heard this and wants to know more. Yui seeks Junichi’s help again. This time it is private. So at the rooftop, she reveals she likes him and wants to go out with him. So please break up with Yukana. However he rejects her because he still likes Yukana. I want to say Yukana’s boobs beat hers flat (pun not intended) but with this virgin guy it’s not likely. Now Yui blows her top. Am I seeing a pattern here? Girl gets rejected and she gets mad? She reminds him he is her dog and is supposed to do what his master says! WTF?! She threatens to show this secret clip she recorded of their ‘date’ at the café to Yukana. What is Junichi going to do? Don’t worry. Herald Ranko and the 3 stooges. Ranko whispers to Yui she wants to be part of her royal guard. She knows she is Boa. Yui is forced to back off. She gives the memory chip to Junichi who is clueless. Ranko tells him this is to prevent Yukana from being sad. As Junichi walks home with Yukana, he tries to assure her nothing funny happened between them. She believes him because she knows he is head over heels over her so there is nothing to worry about. His goddess is looking more beautiful today.
Episode 5
Junichi is dreaming of fondling Yukana’s delicious boobs! Only, he is really some busty girl’s tits! OMG! Who is this girl who has monster tits like Nene?! She is even trying to speak like a gal but obviously fails. Since Junichi isn’t able to figure out who she is, can you? Believe it or not, it’s Nene! What a total makeover! So holding his arm and her boobs rubbing against it while walking to school, it’s no doubt his friends are going to make noise again. Just run away in jealousy… Yui manages to get back on good terms with Junichi but she smells another girl’s scent all over him. Nene comes into the picture and doesn’t hold back in shooting off her mouth insulting Yui as having a mental age of 30. If this catfight was real, it’s going to be real nasty… Yui leaves but not without stepping on Junichi’s foot. Yeah, it’s so early in the morning and he is already worn out by all the drama. Thankfully he has some Yukana love to replenish it up. He could have a great fantasy while having lunch with her had not Ranko always being there to remind his place. More complication when Nene drops in to feed him cookies and even lick his face! Oh, Yukana hasn’t even licked his face yet… Junichi has every right to be worried. But must his imagination be so over the top that the breakup is reimagined as Ranko pulverizing him with wrestling moves? However Yukana isn’t mad. She thinks Nene is Junichi’s little sister. Yukana isn’t cowed with her threats. Is it because her gal language isn’t strong? Nene tries to size things up by comparing their boobs. Even Ranko joins in and you can tell Nene’s boobs beat theirs by miles! It’s hard for any straight guy to remain unstimulated. Nene then puts down her foot. She believes Yukana is keeping him as insurance in case she doesn’t get any other guy. There is no reason for a girl to go out with him. Oh, she’s going to use that I-know-him-longer-than-everybody-else card? Even so, Yukana points out that doesn’t mean Junichi can’t get a girlfriend. Besides, since she knows him longer than everyone else, she should know it better he has his good side too. Out of argument? Cue for cliché loli cry and run away while throwing insults.
That night, Nene crawls into Junichi’s bed naked! How did he not feel something so busty creeping up from underneath? Was he too engrossed trying to research about gals? She is trying to seduce him. Please take her virginity! I guess when you’re desperate it’s the only thing to do. Typically, Junichi is trying hard to control his libido so we see his inner hentai kappa rampaging only to be defeated by his handsome guy in which a consensus is reach among all his inner conscious representations: They’re going to lose their virginity to Yukana! This means in the end, Junichi refuses Nene and covers her up. His reason is that he doesn’t want to use her feelings so he could lose her virginity. Nene doesn’t mind but Junichi doesn’t want to see Yukana sad. But seeing Nene sad is okay? Flashback shows as kids, Nene wanted to be his bride. He told her if he is not cool in the future, then she could be his bride. I suppose Junichi has become cool now. Poor Nene leaves broken hearted. Next day in class, Junichi gets more Yukana (boob) love. Only to be separated by Nene because she hasn’t given up on Junichi yet. She’s going to be a cooler gal than Yukana to steal him away from her.
Episode 6
Shinpei is telling Junichi about this popular king game. You know what this means. He wants Junichi to gather Yukana’s friends to gather at her house. Easier said than done. How is he going to ask her? Oh well, nothing like asking her straight in the face. Yukana is blushing and nervous when Junichi asks if he come to her place today. When she agrees, he asks for permission for Ranko and Nene to come along and he’ll bring his pals too. That killed the mood. Oh, Yukana is not angry. Really. She’s not. So while Junichi is fantasizing losing his virginity to her, he is caught in his silly act by Yui. Since she is so imposing, he has no choice but to invite her too. If you insist. Junichi enters Yukana’s room for the first time. Is she on purpose trying to show too much cleavage to him? Then she starts flirting and hinting naughty things. When she whispers her parents are not home, it is at this point he realizes why she was mad earlier. He must be cursing himself for being stupid. What a way to cock block. Things are about to get hot when the other girls drop in. Ruined. Yukana explains she was only teasing him because a guy like him has no balls to do it in the first place. That really hit home… When Junichi’s pals arrive, they are dressed in suspicious looking attire!
Shinpei announces the king game so Yui is quick to point out if they have something perverted in mind. Of course not. However the other girls have their own agenda and want to participate. At first it starts off normal so Junichi is relieved but Shinpei notes there is an order to things. So we see crazy ‘normal’ stuffs like Ranko slapping Junichi, Yui talking like a baby and Nene doing a sexy gravure pose (more cleavage the better). It is time to step up things as Shinpei whispers to Junichi how he is going to rig the game. He will have Junichi and Yukana kiss and at the same time the rest will also kiss their respective targets (since the sticks are arranged in a manner they will know who gets which number). But Junichi wonders what Yukana will think of him if he sets this up. So when the game is on, it turns out all the guys have to French kiss each other!!! OMFG! Junichi betrayed and rigged the game just to save the girls. But at a hefty price… Now, now. A king’s order is absolute. And so get ready for Junichi x Shinpei and Keigo x Minoru! I guess it would be traumatic for us to watch so please view sexy poses of the girls while the kissing is underway. I hope the girls won’t have some strange awakening in them. The guys are so dead after this. Junichi is starting to regret this when Yukana whispers to thank him for saving the girls. I guess all was worth it. Yukana then suggests all of them go on a trip together for the summer vacation. Why is Junichi looking so shock and disappointed? Karma, right? Because many are broke, Yukana then suggests they all work together part time to earn money for it.
Episode 7
Shinpei is so kind to find jobs for his pals. So Junichi will work at a cosplay café. Don’t worry. He won’t be putting on girly outfits. He is the kitchen staff. Apparently all the girls are also working in this same café. We see the girls in their natural character like Yukana and Nene being totally moe while Ranko is more aggressive. Unintentionally Yui is clumsy and naturally it makes her embarrassed. Super moe! Junichi thought he could get an indirect kiss from the bottle Yukana drank. However Ran’s entrance startles him. He drops the bottle and she steps on it. Is this some sort of an omen? Meanwhile Shinpei and Keigo are working at a manga store. Shinpei looks so dedicated in his job that he becomes so efficiently doing everything in a breeze. Like as though he is gunning for employee of the month, no, to become manager of the store? And Minoru is at the day care centre. Why do I have a feeling they want this guy arrested? The café has a special event whereby they will read light novels to the customer. As Yui reads one, it turns out to be an erotic novel! She can’t do it. Nene reads it but because she sounds monotonous, Ranko finds it interesting and reads in a very erotic way. Turn you on? Not sure if Yukana is jealous or embarrassed but she won’t lose out and starts reading one too albeit quite embarrassed about it. Shinpei can’t take it anymore so he tells her to stop. Junichi protests to the manager about forcing these girls to read what they don’t want. The manager brushes him off until Yui hands him a call from the owner. Looks like the event is cancelled. On the way back, Yukana expresses her wonder to Junichi for standing up for them. She suggests doing other part time jobs and hang out more often together. Although this trip is a group trip, she hopes they can have a trip just by themselves.
Episode 8
Beach episode! Our girls are looking dangerously sexy in their swimsuits. Especially Nene… So while Junichi has fun with the girls, how come the other guys just sit out and watch their stuffs? Well, they get to secretly film the other beach babes… Don’t worry. There are little girls for Minoru’s taste too. When Junichi sees Yukana and Ranko being hit on guys, he thought of going to save them. But he sees them happily chatting with them so he starts thinking he shouldn’t be jealous of them having their own male friends. They spot Junichi and go to him. They thank him for saving them from those man sluts. Is his reward to put sun lotion on their naked backs? They’re making ambiguous noise so does this mean Junichi is that good? That night, Shinpei and Keigo dress up in full military gear to go peek on the girls. They want Junichi to join them. At first he refuses but after some twisted logic to see Yukana’s boobs, he is in. Minoru will be at the men’s section because apparently single fathers can bring their daughters in. Paradise… So we see our girls having fun soaking in the outdoor hotspring. As usual we have all of them fondling each other’s boobs and Nene becomes the main victim because of her melons. Yui feels left out but it won’t be long before Yukana starts messing with hers to make her part of the fondling family. The trio trek through the forest as Shinpei points out a trap. Junichi thinks he can use this to foil their plan and purposely triggers the alert. However this trap was set up by Shinpei to test Junichi since he betrayed them before. Now he is at it again, they shoot him down till he falls over a cliff! Don’t worry. Guys like him always survive. Now they try to go peep on the girls but it seems the forest has real traps too. Nothing like a man’s charged libido to make him charge through all the traps. But Shinpei gets hit by a (toy) arrow. He is ‘dying’ a dramatic death and passes the baton to Keigo. He won’t let his ‘death’ be in vain but he too steps on a bomb. It becomes a beautiful firework for the girls to watch. Later Junichi wakes up on the beach next to Yukana. He learns they found him sleeping here. The other guys passed out and were taken back to their room by the inn manager. The duo chat and get closer to each other. They also talk about their next plan to go somewhere just the 2 of them. The other girls could only sadly watch how close they are. When Yukana and Junichi walk back, there is this handsome dude whom Yukana recognizes.
Episode 9
Dai Mitarai is her old middle school friend and it seems they know each other well to casually talk and joke about. Junichi feels so left out that he almost disappears into the background. Yukana did manage to finally introduce him but Dai is having that evil stare. Junichi cannot help think how Yukana and Dai are so compatible with each other. So he speaks his mind to her about it. This makes Yukana in a bad mood as she leaves. Junichi is so down in class that his buddies can tell. When they learn what happened, they know he is done for. Shinpei starts explaining about NTR and cuckold. And what the heck does he mean that Dai has a magical dick?! Wrong person to ask for advice… It’s about to get worse since Yukana blatantly ignores Junichi. Even when he manages to talk to her, she comes up with some sort of excuse that she is busy. So Junichi’s friends are happy that they take him to karaoke? I guess this means the virgins are united again. Shinpei then brainwashes Junichi to prostrate himself and apologize to Yukana. That always works, right? Maybe. When they leave the karaoke joint, they see Yukana and Dai happily talking in the café across. Junichi instantly turns into ashes. The next day, Junichi is still down but Yukana is back to her normal perky self. She was just acting like that so he would reflect upon his actions. I guess not because he starts having doubts that they have lined their answers together, the reason she could answer so quickly. Then he lashes out at her to stop messing with his feelings, accusing her she is just messing around with a virgin like him. Yukana’s sad look. You’re so screwed…
Yui can tell Junichi is down and talks to him. When she learns what happened, she becomes mad. He was being selfish and not thinking about Yukana’s feeling. She doesn’t even consider him worth to be his servant now. Oh no. Is his harem falling apart?! Next, Nene learns about it and is also not pleased. Because at this rate he is so uncool. Oh dear. It’s falling apart quickly!!! Junichi watches a video on Boa as she rants the guy she likes broke her heart because of his selfishness to his girlfriend who is also her friend. Despite all that, she still feels drawn to him and wants things to go back to normal. Yukana then calls the girls for a meeting. It won’t be so much of a meeting because she starts off crying. Ranko is visibly upset as she leaves to take care of business. The virgins are too having their own meeting. Ranko barges into grab Junichi by the collar. He admits he is dumb, stupid, perverted and selfish. That is why he is going to face Yukana and doesn’t want her to have anyone else. Just then, Dai and his gang of delinquents waltz in. Dai starts talking how easy a girl Yukana is and once he is done with her, he is going to let them all have a go at her. Junichi won’t take this and makes his way to confront him.
Episode 10
Junichi wants Dai to take back all the bad things he said about Yukana. Since he is willing to get rough, let’s take this outside. Junichi throws the first punch but is lame and gets gutted. Then he bites Dai’s leg! He won’t let go till he promises to stay away from Yukana. Dai lies about it and makes him put his guard down. That’s when Junichi gets beaten up real good. Time for Ranko to pop in. Dai and his guys are going to bust her ass too but she gets back up by Junichi’s pals. For once they have balls. They stay behind to handle the punks to let Junichi go to somewhere more important. Junichi tries to call Yukana but she isn’t picking up so he leaves a message to meet behind school. Yukana isn’t purposely picking up as she talks to Yui and Nene about her uncertainty if Junichi likes her. So her rivals have no choice but to support her. Meanwhile, it’s amazing Dai’s delinquents all get defeated. As usual, Dai is faking pleading for mercy. A little girl happen to be nearby. Does she not know they’re fighting?! Why is she so intrigued at what’s happening?! Dai uses this chance to escape but not after bumping into her. This causes Minoru to move into action. After saving her, he turns into the Hulk!!! Minoru, smash! Dai is cornered by Ranko who kicks him in the balls! Because guys who treats girls like objects deserve no balls! Then she sets Minoru on him to make him learn the hard way about staying away from them. They send a victory selfie to Junichi who is still waiting for Yukana to pop up.
Eventually Yukana turns up and instantly he goes down on his knees to beg her to go out with him. He admits he is weak, stupid and a pervert. He initially wanted to date her to lose his virginity but now he really likes her. He describes all the things he likes about her like her smile, being nice to everyone, etc. She brushes it all off. Because they are already dating, right? Since Junichi is free, she has a place she wants to take him. Remember that amusement park date? She remembers. She even changes into the outfit he picked for her during the shopping. They have fun there but it looks like Junichi is a bigger wuss in rides and in the haunted house. At the photo booth, they’re supposed to kiss as per instructed. Nervous Junichi does so but sly Yukana backs off at the right timing as the photo captures a funny pose of him trying to kiss! Embarrassing! Before they part, Yukana surprises him by giving him a quick kiss! The day was worth it. Next morning on his way to school, Yui and Nene can tell how something good has happened. I guess everything is settled then. But they think they have gone even further seeing the very good vibe between them. Ranko threatens to kill him if he isn’t still a virgin… Thank goodness he is. Yukana takes Junichi’s hand as they run towards school while the other girls happily chase them. Happily ever after.
Episode 11 (OVA)
It’s the school cultural festival and Junichi’s class is doing a café whereby the girls dress and act the opposite they are. While Yukana is polite and proper, Yui is kinda a b*tch. Wait. Isn’t that her real personality? No wonder so convincing. We take a break to get your 2 cents worth with some locker room fanservice. Ranko fondles and analyses sizes of boobs. And the official results are in. Yukana being G-cup, Nene tops with her H-cup (possibly I-cup) while Yui is C-cup (I thought it looked more like B-cup but heh, I’m no expert). As Yukana invites Junichi to go around the festival grounds together, she learns of the school’s legend whoever dances together at the bonfire dance will be together forever. Also, there is an experiment going on around the school with 3 holes randomly planted and whoever falls into it gets prizes. Huh? After Junichi and Yukana visit Nene’s animal maid café, it seems Nene and Ranko are in cohorts to break our couple up for their own nefarious goals. The same too for Yui and Shinpei. First, Shinpei interrupts Junichi’s outing with Yukana and brings him to a room to witness some sick lolicon sect led by Minoru! WTF did I just see?! I don’t know how these events led to Shinpei stealing Junichi’s handphone (so he can’t contact Yukana) as he starts chasing the thief around. Yukana waits for Junichi but looks like her handphone is out of battery. Nice timing for Ranko to hang out with her. Meanwhile Junichi bumps into Nene who insists they go to the haunted house. It is her who get spooked and ran off. The ‘ghost’ turns out to be Yui who needs a favour from him. Yeah, to help build the campfire for the dance. She starts thinking this is just part of an experiment instead of believing the legend. She is startled when Junichi calls her as she falls on him. WTF moment as she enjoys fondling his chest? Junichi gets up when he sees Shinpei and resumes the chase. Yui tries to catch him but falls into a hole. Shinpei also falls into a hole that allows Junichi to get his handphone back. Too bad, out of battery. Yukana ditches Ranko to go look for Junichi. Ranko tries to go after her but falls into a hole. Seriously, nobody else but these unlucky people fell in there? And all they got was a stupid trophy? Maybe it’s a loser’s trophy… Anyway Junichi and Yukana manage to meet each other and apologize just in time before the last bonfire dance.
Still At First Base
So the obvious lesson is to be true to yourself because at the end of the day, you’ll definitely nail yourself a cool girlfriend and a potential harem. Man, I love good happy (harem) endings. And so begins their path to true love. With Junichi and Yukana dating each other, maybe it will be tough for the others to steal him unless they slip up somewhere. But that is another story. As far as this one is concerned, medetashi, medetashi.
Obviously this anime is geared towards the male demographics and although I won’t say its fanservice is super heavy as in comparison to very heavily fanservice laden anime series like Sin – Nanatsu No Taizai, there are still enough fanservice to please all you horny otaku guys. One look at Nene’s boobs obviously says it all. Like as though she retired early from porn and ended up in this anime. Can a girl as young as her grow so rapidly in such a few years? Because hell, I’m sure she wasn’t this busty during the flashbacks when she was young. My only realistic explanation is that she underwent boobs enhancement surgery somewhere in between and then later realized this makeover wasn’t enough to win Junichi over and hence and round of makeover.
However the ‘sad’ part is that many of the boob shots and pantsu shots especially fantasy delusions of the girls in erotic and compromising solutions are heavily censored. Oh ho. Time to go buy the DVDs if you want to peak at them. And there aren’t even any bare tits exposed here. With a variety censors getting in our way of enjoyment, the ‘best’ one has got to be what I call the ‘Hand of God(dess)’. Because you’ll see a gal’s hands covering over those parts while they moan, “Dame~”…
I guess the plot and storyline are pretty obvious and cliché. Normal guy gets hooked with a pretty hot chick. I know it happens in real life to. But it happens more frequently in the world of television. It usually starts out as the guy like him obviously getting one hell of a pretty girlfriend with the intention to bang her because seriously, if you don’t harbour at least such fantasies, YOU ARE NOT A GUY! And also, why the heck are you getting into a straight relationship if otherwise that points out you are totally gay! So it started as a joke for them and slowly it evolves into nearly a true blue love. So why the harem too at the same possible time because before this Junichi was like a loner like his buddies and now he has got a few other girls trying to get his attention? Well, it’s not like these girls suddenly just have a crush on Junichi. It was a long time ago and perhaps status quo and having things stay the way it was. Until Junichi gets hooked up, that status quo is threatened so they moved in. And since this show isn’t about NTR, I guess the rest have to wait in line and play good until they break up or something instead of stealing him.
Therefore the characters themselves are pretty cliché and predictable. If you have seen many genres like this in the past. Like yours truly. But hey, disclaimer, that doesn’t mean I’m an expert in this area. So like Junichi whose main character traits fall into the generic normal plain ordinary regular average Joe type, it must have been done to death in many series in the past. He struck the winning lottery after landing Yukana as his girlfriend. Was it out of sheer luck or fate? Usually this kind of character who isn’t mostly driven by his libido (read: horny pervert), has some good side to him and thus a higher chance for us to make his character more likeable as he tries to respect his girlfriend and be more considerate to her instead of taking any chance to outrage her modesty just to satisfy his lust. I guess that is what his inner selves are for. Junichi is also primarily a weak character due to his nature of trying to be nice and not offend his girl so at times when punks try to hit on Yukana, Junichi is very much a pushover or ignored. But in a way it is also good since you can’t jump in blindly and then get beaten up yourself just to prove something. Not that I know Junichi has some martial arts knowledge. But as long as you stay true to your ideals, you’re pretty much invincible. Hey, at least he got the girl.
I suppose I could also say him betraying his friends on a couple of occasion is firstly, I don’t think they are really friends. They are just friends of convenience since as far as this anime is concerned, they are the only ones without any decent girlfriends. So it’s not like he is betraying them, right? I mean if you think about it, if you had to choose what kind of friendship you want to improve, would it be with your girlfriend or these so called ‘friends’? Therefore Junichi’s buddies are there to make him look better because these ‘best friends’ are even more losers than him. With Shinpei being the ‘relationship master’ and the ‘brains’ while Keigo is the unfortunate type with good looks but ends up being a loner too most probably of his stinking personality and Minoru who might be the most docile of the pack but is quickly established as a lolicon. Why is it that big guys like him have an affinity for little girls? Because Green Green’s Tenjin also had this same tendency.
Junichi’s harem is also cliché and fall into certain tropes. Like Yukana who is busty, pretty and sporting herself. She isn’t a typical airhead just because she looks like a gal. Not perfect but she’s the kind of the closest dream girl any guy would want. Definitely Junichi and Yukana seem so out of place because of their very different behaviours. Junichi is more reserved and being the amateur he is and his first time dating a girl, Yukana is more outspoken and frank. Though she does get jealous sometimes and you can see that when she pouts a little. It is just a little mind boggling that when she first accepted him as her boyfriend, I thought she had some low standards and expectations. I know it is good to give others a chance but naturally you want someone with better traits like good looks and rich, right? You know what they say about opposites attract. So did she fall in love with him after he first confessed to her? Because her body language indicates so. If that is the case, why hasn’t she fall for him before that? Maybe it goes to show all you need are balls and the initiative to go ask a girl out. Yup. That’s all it takes. While still very far away from the initial plan of banging her, at least Junichi has that chance. Better than no chance when he was an outsider.
Completing his harem is the childhood friend, the tsundere and the lesbian. They do have their allotted screen time but not as much so as not to divert many of the screen time dedication between Yukana and Junichi. Nene like any other childhood friend is banking on past childhood promises to make her dream come true. If boobs don’t work, maybe this will. After all, she is the closest to Junichi and one who can easily get physical with him (even more than Yukana) using the onii-chan trope. Yui like the classic tsundere might tell us she considers Junichi her servant but we veterans know better otherwise. That is why I figure the reason she has this other online personality Boa to express her true feelings. Lastly for Ranko, I guess for diversity purpose, we always must have that one girl who is lesbian (see Watashi Ga Motete Dosunda). I was predicting that her role is to prevent Junichi from being a couple with Yukana at first and hence justifying her presence but over time she will slowly become straight and fall for him. Well, it doesn’t seem to be the case at least for now.
There are also a couple of other characters who are their classmates, Kokoro Shiina and Ayumi Uesaka whose ‘appearance’ are mostly confined to the next episode preview (included are illustrations from various artists with some looking normal and some definitely for fanservice). What they do are just mess around while the time runs out as they complain about their lack of presence and lines in the episode proper or even here even right till the last episode still b*tchng how they haven’t make their proper appearance and it has all ended. They even once complained how Junichi’s 3 Stooges buddies have more lines and roles in the anime when they don’t have names in the manga. Truly background characters… Don’t think sexism, please…
Art and animation are pretty standard at least for this genre. Mostly hot looking girls and mostly plain looking guys. But sometimes the animation quality dips and it is quite obvious. Especially the last episode I thought it felt like a bit of a rush job. I can’t help notice how many of the characters here when I first set my eyes on them, they somewhat looks like characters from other anime series. This isn’t my first time doing so for an anime as you probably have guessed over the years I have watched tons of animes so there are bound to be a few characters from different series to look like twins in another. But for this anime, it seems I noticed a bunch of them. Take for instance Yukana herself. I thought she looked like Galko from Oshiete! Galko-chan, the reason why I initially thought this was some sort of sequel or spin-off to that said series. Of course Yukana doesn’t look exactly like her as I also feel that she is a cross with Fairy Tail’s Lucy.
But the very obvious physical similarity of this character design goes to Ranko. The first time she appeared, I instantly went, “What the heck is Shokugeki No Souma’s Mito doing here in this series?! Has she dropped out of Totsuki and quit being a chef to just be some lesbian gal?!”. Oh dear. Both are such busty tanned blondes that sometimes it is hard to tell them apart. Well, if you don’t look very closely, that is. The other very familiar looking characters include Junichi’s plain guy looks reminds me of Green Green’s main plain guy protagonist, Yuusuke. Or any other plain looking guys in other animes; Shinpei having this uncanny resemblance to Angel Beat’s Takamatsu; Keigo looking like a watered down version of Kodaka from Boku Wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai; Minoru is what happens when Astro Boy has grown up and let himself loose; Nene’s new look was it what you get when you turn Inu x Boku SS’ Karuta lively as well as mix it up with Philuffy of Saijaku Muhai No Bahamut? Did Yui and Suzune Horikita of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi No Kyoushitsu E copy each other since both animes aired in the same season? Last but not least, why does Dai have this creepy and strange semblance to Kuroshitsuji’s Sebastian?! Wow. It’s like they didn’t need to think so hard to come up with original character designs. Or maybe they did and coincidentally they all happen to look somewhat similar somewhere…
Voice acting is pretty okay with me recognizing Yui Ogura as Nene and Eri Kitamura as Ranko since I was just fresh off watching a similar haughty character she voiced in Sin – Nanatsu No Taizai: Lucifer. However I didn’t realize until much later it was Ayana Taketatsu behind Yui. It didn’t occur to me if her voice sounded familiar. Not that she sounded too different. Maybe I haven’t heard her in quite a while. At least the first time this year. (The last I heard her was in 2016’s Okusama Ga Seitoukaichou sequel). Because of that, paranoia also got a little to me since I thought it was Nana Mizuki behind Yukana’s voice. She wasn’t. No wonder it sounded a little off. Yukana is voiced by Yuki Nagaku who did Arisa in Akiba’s Trip The Animation. The other casts are Shintarou Asanuma as Junichi (Tsuda in Seitokai Yakuindomo), Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Shinpei (Tsukumo in Nanbaka), Kenji Akabane as Keigo (Arashi in Triage X), Minoru Shiraishi as Minoru (Sakamoto in Nichijou) and Tatsuhisa Suzuki as Dai (Ban in Nanatsu No Taizai).
The opening and ending themes are nothing special. They sound so generic like these days’ pop music whereby one can easily churn out tunes and tunes from a music making software on your PC. Hajimete No Season by Junjou No Afilia has this upbeat and lively pitch to it that is befitting for an all-girl idol group. I can’t tell the difference with Gal Chikku Love by Erabareshi for the ending theme. It sounds as similar if not more dramatic and heavy on the use of synthesizer effects.
Overall, if you are a fan of such ecchi and romantic comedies (if I can go so far as to call it that) and don’t mind the clichés and tropes (because why stray so far when the test and tested formula has proven to work so many times), then this anime is for you. Unlike in some shows where the hero gets the girl in the end, our main guy here already gets the girl at the start. The odd couple of normal Junichi getting hooked up with typical gal Yukana proves once again that we cannot judge a book by its cover. Yeah, it is the inside that counts. But what counts even more is getting inside her pants. Haha! Oops… Looks like there are going to be quite a lot more of firsts before he could finally land at Hajimete No Sex…
Sin – Nanatsu No Taizai
18 November, 2017
Holy holiness! I thought this was somewhat the sequel to that action fantasy adventure, Nanatsu No Taizai! Then I realized something is wrong when I saw the promotional poster. Sexy busty ladies?! Wait. Am I seeing it right? Shucks. What a misleading title. Again. Because in that same season we had Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho in which I mistook it for another anime sequel thanks to its suspiciously similar title. Thus it is the same too for Sin – Nanatsu No Taizai. It has nothing to do with that series about a group of former baddies trying to take over a kingdom now taken over by corrupted knights who were once the heroes. The only thing in common is the use of the seven deadly sins as its theme. Everything else differs so much. Oh, sexy busty ladies, huh? I can see where we’re going with this one.
Episode 1
Crucified Lucifer falls from heaven as she blames Michael for this betrayal. She crashes into a church. Maria Totsuka, a normal human seems to be able to see her. Before she plunges into hell, Lucifer gives her an angel’s life. Down in the most bottom depths of hell, the demon of envy, Leviathan is excited to see Lucifer crashing down. She has always looked up to her and starts caressing her body. She suggests they take over hell by defeating the other Mortal Sins but Lucifer will not follow orders from anyone. This makes Leviathan mad as she attacks her. Her weak attack has no effect as Lucifer remembers Michael telling her God’s punishment to her to atone for her pride forever. Lucifer breaks free and I think her transformation into some cosplay made Leviathan adore her even more. She vows to follow her. Bringing her to the castle where the Mortal Sins rule, Lucifer is attacked by the demon of wrath, Satan. Of course she is no match for the fallen angel and gets busted. We are introduced to the other busty demons like Mammon (greed), Asmodeus (lust), Beelzebub (gluttony) and Belphegor (sloth). The leader of them all is Belial (vanity – what is Bayonetta doing here?!), she believes Lucifer is here to invade hell. Lucifer takes up Leviathan’s suggestion to beat the crap out of everyone and rule this place. Belial orders the rest to fight her. Nobody moves. Okay. She’ll do it herself. Too bad Lucifer easily destroys her family sword and rips her clothes in the process. Gnosis offers Belial to use him. She unleashes some restraining attack on her. Lucifer tries to escape but the other Mortal Sins attack and ground her. Belial torments her by cutting one of her wings. However this severs her restraints to God. She declares as the one who goes against God and the demon burdened with the sin of pride. She and Leviathan escape back to Earth. Right back at the same spot where Maria found Lucifer. First thing Lucifer does is to stab Maria’s heart! And she corrects her that she isn’t an angel, but a demon lord.
Episode 2
Maria isn’t dead. Lucifer has stolen her heart. How can a person live without a heart? Well, as long as Lucifer has it, she is immortal. Unless she crushes it. Since Maria continues to whine in disbelief, Leviathan wants to get rid of her. However Lucifer wants Maria as her servant. Because normal humans can’t see angels and demons, I guess they need Maria to do human business. Like booking a presidential suite of a hotel for an indefinite stay. Maria continues to resist her so Lucifer with a snap of her fingers is able to make her do things against her own will. Like stripping and taking a bath with her. Maria wants to be normal again but Lucifer doesn’t care. All she needs to do is obey her. Despite the abuse, Leviathan is envious that Maria gets all her attention. Leviathan thought she could try cooking for her but Lucifer still has her attention on Maria. So when Lucifer has gone out, Leviathan takes out her frustrations on Maria. If only she is gone, all of Lucifer’s attention will be on her. Maria tries to run but Leviathan outrages her modesty with some water tentacles. Don’t scream too loud or others will think you’re a pervert. Maria insists she has done nothing wrong to deserve this and this makes Leviathan mad. She envies her for having what she wants. Why could it not be her? Those words remind Maria of her friend Mina who said exactly the same thing. It’s like Maria has found enlightenment as she comforts Leviathan it isn’t a bad thing. She is able to break free from her shackles. The show ends with Lucifer putting a stop to it. She had been watching them. She chastises Leviathan for giving in to her own envy sin and losing to a human. She warns her not to lay her hands on Maria again. Now Lucifer molests Maria’s boobs and wants her to focus. Not on the groping, I suppose. Maria then screams out Miami. This is where they will be heading next.
Episode 3
Because Maria took Lucifer’s blood before she went to hell, the reason why she can sense the location of other Mortal Sins. So they’re taking a plane there instead of teleporting? Oh well, got to enjoy your time on Earth. Asmodeus is trying to gather followers (and by that means making a contract that sends you to hell!) by having everyone lust and gaze at her sexy body. It’s such a depraved beach with everybody making out with everybody. Lucifer steps in to announce she will take down the Mortal Sins one by one. Leviathan tries to fight Asmodeus but Lucifer realizes the people lusting at her will only make her stronger. What now? Retreat! That night, they visit the nightclub where Asmodeus gathers her followers. Asmodeus is such a hot pole dancer. Leviathan thought she could challenge her but her pole dancing sucks. Asmodeus is interested in Maria but Lucifer warns nothing will happen to her no matter how much she tries. That night, Lucifer sends Maria out to buy food but Asmodeus captures her back to her place to begin caressing and making her feel good. What is this?! 50 Shades of Grey, lesbian version?! It took Lucifer a while to drop in. Asmodeus fights Lucifer using her sex appeal. This means Lucifer gets captured by her plant tentacle trap. Her entire body is now one big sexual pleasure. Lucifer is ‘disappointed’ in her since desire is all she has. Love is all dressed up in the base desire of lust. However she doesn’t see a sin in sex and should go preach about its benefits instead. Ironically this turns on Asmodeus and loses to her own power. Lucifer is freed as she comments about pride being pride because it doesn’t yield to others. Asmodeus admits her defeat to Lucifer and promises not to get in her way. With Asmodeus’ magic dispelled, Miami beach is back to normal. Maria apologizes for getting into trouble but it was all part of Lucifer’s plan in the first place to make her as the bait. You sly devil… It makes Maria wonder if it is okay to believe in a demon lord. Somebody’s faith in God is wavering…
Episode 4
We’re in London now. At the library, they see an article of a potion that can grant anything. Definitely fake. So they head down to the store where it is sold. Nobody’s in. Maria sees a coin on the floor and picks it up. Too late. A trap. Welcome to Mammon’s store. She and Lucifer go have a ‘chat’. Mammon shows off her properties but Lucifer isn’t interested and fights. Although Lucifer loses, not without property damage and this pisses Mammon off. Now Lucifer is being tortured on a triangle horse and being forced to sign a contract for property damage. Leviathan summons her bat familiar, Behemoth to cut them out of the cage. Looking for clues, they see real estate papers. Leviathan believes Lucifer is being held in one of Mammon’s many properties and leaves Maria behind to go find her onee-sama. Maria looks around and seeks soul contracts but is caught red-handed by Mammon. Maria witness Mammon having a woman sign a contract and letting her drink some potion before she enters a secret room. Mammon is interested to know why she is with Lucifer. Is there some sort of secret between them? Mammon lets Maria suck on her breast milk. Oh, so calm… Leviathan has found Lucifer. She wants to help but is told not to because there won’t be any meaning if she doesn’t overcome this herself. It is painful to watch so Leviathan joins her. Damn she can’t last 10 seconds and faints on Lucifer! It’s heavier! Maria sees many people inside a room taking care of demon dolls in which they see as their own child. Of course in exchange for this, Mammon has them transfer their assets to her. It seems Mammon’s husband left her with debts and she has to raise 500,000 kids! Maria lectures her what the kids need are not babysitters but their mom. Lucifer breaks free and at the same time Maria is freed from Mammon’s cursed breast milk. Maria believes everyone is just lost and running away from their painful memories. Mammon thinks it is that pity that made them lose their place. That is pride. Speaking of which, here comes Lucifer to come kick her ass. This time more property damage and the entire place is razed down! My investments! With Mammon’s defeat, I guess everyone is freed from their debts. However thanks to the endless human greed, Mammon is soon back in operation via crypto currency. More money for her children, suckers!
Episode 4.5
WTF?! Why do we need a recap episode summary after 4 episodes?! Did production fail to keep up with the schedule?! No new scenes. Recycled scenes of what we have seen so far and the only difference is that some parts are narrated. The only thing brand new is the ending theme with this demon lord, Astaroth rocking away.
Episode 5
Back in Japan, Lucifer and co notice Astaroth as an online idol raking up the views. By the way, Astaroth is the demon of melancholy and hence her songs have depressing lyrics. So when Lucifer confronts her back at her home, Astaroth freaks out. Every answer she gives is in rap mode? So Lucifer records and uploads her own video and it is gaining more views. Belial then visits Astaroth. She wants her to accept Lucifer’s challenge and will help to beat her. So Astaroth records a new video. It isn’t anything special and looks so freaking boring but it garners more views than Lucifer. At this rate she is going to lose. What’s this? Lucifer sinking into depression thinking about it? Of course she busts those blues in the nick of time before Belial pays her a visit. Belial wants to know her goal when she fell from heaven. Since she isn’t telling, Belial will defeat her and make her reveal all on her knees. Lucifer gives Maria another chance to make another hit piece. With this computer synthesizer heavy denpa song, I’m sure it did. Of course Astaroth comes up with another to counter that. It’s that rocker video we see in the recap episode. Sex. Blood. Gore. Weirdness. Makes no sense. I guess all that sells. Could you believe the video is made by Belphegor who is Astaroth’s closest friend? Thanks to that hit, Astaroth now have sell-out concerts and TV interviews lining up. As the fans wait for her to go on stage, Lucifer is confident Astaroth will not appear. She knows she is afraid of people and the more people in the audience, the more she will retreat to her shell. Speaking of which, it is true as she is cowering inside the toilet cubicle. With the crowd growing restless and losing faith, demanding their money back, Lucifer takes this chance to take centre stage and steal the crowd’s heart. Belial is trying to get Astaroth to come out. Belphegor tells her the audience is on her side and to tell them her feelings with her songs. Astaroth gets the courage needed to go on stage. The duo sing a duet which is a mix of both their styles. Weird but fun. In the end, Astaroth admits she lost. Though, she loves singing and will continue. She wants to perform again with Lucifer but too bad she calls it quits. It’s too much trouble dealing with fans. Astaroth says she is on Belial’s side so the next time they meet, they’ll be enemies. Assuming if she isn’t this timid, that is.
Episode 6
Lucifer asks Leviathan about Belphegor. Just a shut-in. When Lucifer picks up a ringing call, she is sucked inside the mobile. Belphegor wants to play a game with her. Since Lucifer chooses to be the demon lord, Belphegor will organise an event where everyone can defeat her. As expected, Lucifer easily steamrolls the heroes. So Belphegor promises the heroes someone to come help defeat the demon lord. And so she drags Maria into the game as well. After making her test a heavy armour, she puts her in a lingerie armour that has her move faster. And with her magic sword, she is now known as the hero Maririn! As she faces Lucifer, of course Lucifer isn’t going to take her seriously about saving the world. Heck, even Lucifer defeats Maria. Maybe it’s the hotspring power of disintegrating lingerie and enhancing boob size. Belphegor can’t have her lose now so she takes her away for more training. Why do they look like torture or hentai potential? Once her training is done, she is tasked to get a legendary equipment from an angel. Isn’t that Leviathan?! And the legendary equipment is just a lingerie in different colour? Cheaper to re-skin, I suppose… As Maria is ready to face Lucifer again, the other players feel it is time to logout since they have to work, sleep, etc. Belphegor has them stay by offering them special weapons (because you can’t defeat the demon lord with free weapons). Maria faces off with Lucifer again. It might look like history repeating itself but her legendary armour requips itself to become something better to defeat Lucifer. With that, everyone is satisfied and logs off. Belphegor panics as this isn’t in her scenario. She tries to defeat Lucifer herself but Lucifer fights back to the point where it could destroy her game world. Belphegor has had it. She admits defeat and doesn’t want to play games with her anymore. Back in reality, Lucifer is impressed Maria could tell she was in a game world where Belphegor collects her followers. Had Maria defeated her, the game would have been restarted and everything will go back to square one to defeat the demon lord again. After Lucifer teases Maria as the lingerie hero, now she is going to punish Leviathan for being an angel…
Episode 7
Lucifer and co crash in on Beelzebub’s gourmet party to challenge her to an eating contest. Both looks like they’re going strong till Lucifer suddenly has pain in her stomach. Is this it? Although the contest ends in a draw, Lucifer immediately rushes to the toilet to vomit till she passes out. The next thing she knows, she is in hospital. Maria is forced to play her relative to fill the paperwork. It is pathetic to see the strong Lucifer in this weak state. It’s like she lost to some stomach flu virus. She continues to recuperate in hospital but her living conditions aren’t ‘ideal’. The neighbour is snoring loudly or vomiting and the bed is too cram. Complaining it to your subordinates won’t change a thing. When her illness remains the same, the doctor gives her suppository. OMG! It looks like Lucifer getting raped from the back???!!! Oh dear. Really pitiful to see her in this state. Of course the doctor turns out to be Belial as she tries to unlock Lucifer’s secret. She sees Maria’s heart and takes it. When Lucifer wakes up, she knows she has been had. Though she is confident Belial won’t realize its secret but the problem is how to get it back. She can’t tell Maria about it. So when Lucifer acts all nice to her, Maria thinks she is still sick. Get well and go back to your prideful self! Lucifer is surprised that Beelzebub is also hospitalized next door for gastric dilation. She teases her about not being able to eat but Beelzebub views food isn’t evil and the best medicine to put a smile on your face. Before you know it, they both become friends! WTF?! Cue for Leviathan to throw her usual tantrum while she is bathing Lucifer. So she gives her a chance to let her sleep with her. Too bad she wet the bed and escaped, making it look like Lucifer was the wetter. As Lucifer and Beelzebub begin to heal, they eat and appreciate better food. They get discharged on the same day as Lucifer treats her to some tasty treat. Beelzebub is willing to give Lucifer her throne. She doesn’t need it. When the time comes, all will change. After everyone leaves, Maria is kidnapped by Belial.
Episode 8
When Belial tells Satan how meekly Beelzebub turn over to Lucifer’s side, she is engulfed in rage. Of course she goes to fight Lucifer but Leviathan takes on her first. Satan is puzzled that she herself is feeling envious since Beelzebub is on Lucifer’s side. Leviathan ‘understands’ and that is how she is feeling. Leviathan’s water power causes damage everywhere but the chaos only further to strengthen Satan’s power. So she thought if fighting over the ocean would increase her power but she got defeated for real this time. Time for Lucifer to step in. Beelzebub wants to help her but Lucifer notes herself as currently weak to save Maria and will lose at this rate. She has Beelzebub return to hell for now. In some Pacific island, scores of military jets and ships attack Lucifer. Of course they are no match for her as she cuts them all into half. Military budget this year is going to skyrocket. Beelzebub awakens slumbering Leviathan at the bottom of the ocean (what the heck is that open sesame-like recitation?). She revives with a new set of sexy bikini armour? With the soldiers supporting Satan, she still is most powerful. So powerful that her blasts could cut the world into pieces!!! OMG! Haven’t seen anybody cutting water like that. Not even Moses. As Lucifer finally fights her head on, Belial and Maria are watching this from her castle. Maria continues to root for Lucifer so Belial shows her heart. Is this why she is rooting for her? Maria looks interested when Belial suggests she can have her heart back and even freed from Lucifer if she helps them defeat her. Now the epic battle takes place on the moon. Earth too puny for them? Satan did the most unlikely thing by releasing her curse on Lucifer so she could fight with all she’s got. In the end, the space battle ends with Lucifer stabbing into Satan. As agreed, Satan will follow her orders by opening the gates to hell. She’s coming for your ass, Belial. Belial maintains her confidence she still has Maria as her trump card.
Episode 9
Belial is seen making a deal with Michael. Belial tortures Satan for losing when she had the overwhelming advantage and Lucifer lost almost all her power. She gives her one last chance to protect the gates of hell and prevent Lucifer from coming through. But when Lucifer and Leviathan come waltzing in, they are easily able to walk through. This is because in that short span of time, Lucifer was able to gather followers from all over the world. Looks like every human is guilty of some sort of pride from judges to idol fans! As humans care themselves more than others, pride is the ultimate sin they are born with. Lucifer could send all humans to hell if she wanted to and knows this is what God is afraid of. So with 100 million followers, Lucifer makes her triumphant return to hell as the demon lord. Belial summons the Mortal Sins to go stop Lucifer. However they claim they have no more reason to obey her since they have been defeated by Lucifer. Only Astaroth remains by Belial’s side. Lucifer and Leviathan ride the ferryman, Charon. However he wants his payment. Care to share some of the souls of the living? No way. Then show me your pantsu! So we have this strange scene of Lucifer trying to fight off this dirty old man and getting tentacle raped by his tongue. It ends when Leviathan manages to overturn the boat and shows her pantsu to satisfy that lecherous pervert. They meet up with the other Mortal Sins as Lucifer reveals God’s plan to purge hell and Earth. Hence it isn’t Lucifer’s plan to destroy hell but God. Lucifer’s plan is to turn the tables by bringing God down and make a new world order. Hell always flourishes when humanity matures. But it happens over and over again so Lucifer got tired of this and brought this up. Look what happened to her by just commenting on it. And yes, Belial knows about this. Don’t believe? Ask her yourself. Astaroth is the only one who can’t believe it. Leviathan stays back to fight her while Lucifer moves forward.
Episode 10
Asmodeus confronts Belial about her betrayal. Come to think of it, she believes she has been lying to them ever since she became their leader. Flashback shows Belial requesting Asmodeus to be the leader of the Mortal Sins. She has sought everyone’s permission since she wants to defeat heaven. For Asmodeus’ punishment to defy her, she is being cut by razor sharp winds. Because she can heal, the process repeats. Is this ultimate paradise for a masochist? I wonder how many times she has climaxed. When Lucifer arrives and wants to rescue her, Asmodeus tells her to go forward. The other Mortal Sins are in danger and she has chosen Lucifer to be the one. Down the next level, Lucifer sees Beelzebub being force fed. Why does this look like a porn scene? Belial thought she could buy her loyalty by giving her more meat but since she refused, this is what she got as punishment for defying. Beelzebub won’t accept meat from anybody but Lucifer. Is there a sexual connotation there? Mammon tells Belial that she is betting all her next penny on Lucifer who is a better investment. Belial then turns her fortune into a golden triangle horse and torture her. She wonders why she is doing this seeing she comes from the famous Byrnedale family. Flashback shows she inherited it. Speaking to Gnosis, she was told the family was famous but now in ruins. Gnosis sensed she isn’t from hell as she explains why she wants to inherit it to preserve its vanity. She will make the Byrnedale name known throughout heaven. Her real reason to inherit is to use its name so the Mortal Sins would trust her. Would they believe her if she was an unknown demon lord? What is the best way to torture a lazy person? Exercise! So poor Belphegor running on a burning treadmill forever. Not even Lucifer wants to bat an eyelid.
Satan fights Belial and accuses her of betraying them since she won’t tell whether she has connections with heaven or not. Belial says that it wasn’t a lie when she told them she wanted to bring heaven down. However the circumstances have changed and there is no choice but to wait for it to come. Satan is punished by being covered by goo of the dead. Meanwhile Leviathan and Astaroth’s fight has turn into some naked slippery pathetic battle that has them falling down a long waterfall. When Belial cuts Maria, she realizes there is angel blood in her. She realizes Lucifer’s plan to hide it inside Maria so she could return to heaven again. See girl, she’s just using you. Lucifer has reached the final depths of hell. I don’t know how Leviathan and Astaroth got stuck in those icy pillars but since they got here so fast, shouldn’t have Lucifer taken a similar path? Unless she doesn’t know about it. Too bad Lucifer has no time to save them. In this area, there are dormant giants who once fought God and lost. Their punishment to be imprisoned here forever. Now under Belial’s command they are attacking Lucifer. She knows this is Belial’s plan to wear her magic out. And now she has already used them all up.
Episode 11
Belial tortures Lucifer as she reveals her plan to use her angel blood to return to heaven. It seems Lucifer doesn’t remember who Belial is. She was once the angel Satanael but was sent to hell for being accused of spreading non-existent miracles to humans. She believed she was doing the right thing as more humans prayed to God. However Lucifer told her she was wrong and Michael kept her silence. Satanael is crucified and sent down as she vowed revenge on Lucifer. Now that Lucifer remembers who she is, she adds that after what Satanael did, humans began to rely on miracles and fall into depravity. When they realized their hopes were unfounded, they abandoned God. So she played the demon lord than an angel. Belial doesn’t care for all that now as a new miracle will happen. She will be reborn as the new Satanael and discard her wretched and humiliating life as the leader of the Mortal Sins. However by saying that, Lucifer knows she has lost. Because by abandoning that title, she is no longer their leader and thus no more authority over their penance. The Mortal Sins are freed as they rush to Lucifer’s side. But Belial believes all of them won’t defeat her since she has absorbed Lucifer’s power. True, even if they all attack at once, she crucifies them all. She is going to kill Lucifer in the cruellest fashion. She wants Maria to stab her with the silver stake. Maria won’t do this but Belial threatens to crush her heart. Even in pain she won’t do it so Lucifer orders her. Still can’t? Lucifer runs towards her to get stabbed. While it might look like Belial’s victory, that is just short-lived. Maria’s heart enters Lucifer and Lucifer’s heart enters Maria. This was just an elaborate plan to switch hearts. Now the final epic battle. Lucifer chides Belial for being petty, having a grudge over something that has happened so long ago. Has she no pride? Besides, it is God who sent her to hell as He is the only one with powers to do so. Belial is in disbelief as Lucifer kicks her ass to defeat her again. Belial might have admitted her defeat but the battle is not over yet since Michael has crashed into the place.
Episode 12
Belial wants Michael to take her back to heaven in exchange for destroying hell. However Michael tells her God doesn’t negotiate with demon lords. Betrayed. More salt on her wounds as Lucifer chides her that God never planned on pardoning her. Or maybe someone never let God know of this plan in the first place. Michael claims she wanted to help Lucifer before she was sent to hell but Lucifer never recalled such. It’s like she knew of God’s mistake and accepting it is like accepting His error. So Michael’s attack form is a military cosplay? Well, her holy light wings are devastating. Belial attacks Michael out of rage. She manages to destroy a wing before being thrown out of this world. Astaroth follows her. Because of that, it seems Leviathan is promoted to one of the Mortal Sins and Lucifer takes Belial’s place as the leader, the demon lord of pride. The other Mortal Sins are motivated to take down Michael. Although each manage to break a wing, it is at the cost of their life. Not that they regret it. It’s finally time for Lucifer and Michael to clash. Since hell is done for, I guess they’re going to fight on Earth. It sounds like Michael has always liked Lucifer. But the need to be God’s absolute angel means she has to put on a façade like any other angels to suck up to Him. That’s why Lucifer cannot stand God’s tyranny. She could not accept God’s plan of destroying everything and then recreate it again. It’s like destroying something you create partway and then destroying it because it didn’t turn out to way you wanted. If that’s the case, stop being God! Maria realizes Lucifer has always been the only one trying to protect humans. When she was young, mother always told her this angel named Lucifer was always watching over them.
However Lucifer is defeated when Michael stabs her with her holy lance. Maria and Leviathan are crying over her dead body. If prayers are for God, how to reach a demon lord then? You offer a sacrifice. Yes, Maria sacrifices herself and uses her blood to revive Lucifer. Lucifer is sad she lost Maria. She notes she has always been enchanted by her and watching her in heaven. She always prayed to her and didn’t want to destroy the world she lives in. Now she swears to bring down heaven with all she’s got. Confronting Michael again, Lucifer’s revival means she also revives the other Mortal Sins. Maria has given her life to her so the lance doesn’t work now. As a fallen angel who is the leader of the Mortal Sins and having a human giving her life, she possess the holy trinity of all the worlds. Call it a miracle but God isn’t the only one who has a monopoly over it. She is able to defeat Michael who wants to be killed by her. However just this once Lucifer forgives her as she is being called back by heaven. With the Seven Virtues before her, looks like they are Lucifer’s next target to bring heaven down. In the aftermath, Leviathan isn’t sure to be sad or happy over Maria’s death. Lucifer sheds a blood tear and this revives Maria! Holy cow! Another miracle?! Something about the little angel blood left in Lucifer that allowed this to happen. As of now, Lucifer doesn’t have any more angel blood nor does she want any speck of it. Because she is the demon lord now. Lastly, Belial is seen living a normal human life with Astaroth on Earth.
Better To Know The Devil Than The Angel
Well… This is… Sinfully good! I know, despite the sleazy fanservice shots, this series actually has a pretty decent (oh, the irony) plot and pacing despite being cliché in the sense that a betrayed anti-hero goes around to defeat mini bosses or make them submit before having finally facing off with the big one but then plot twist! The real big bad guy is the one who is from your own former side! So yeah, I did enjoy watching this series not because I am a perverted otaku (that is partially a reason why one would watch this series but that isn’t the point) but perhaps I set my expectations low enough, anticipating it would be nothing but a slew of fanservice. And surprise! It is indeed pretty enjoyable. Wow. A miracle for what low expectations can really do :-).
I’m going to get the fanservice out of the way here because this is the most obvious element ever in the series and motivation why one would even pick to watch this anime. Since you’re dealing with demons and angels who are mainly busty chicks (why are there no men versions of devil and angels?), in every episode it is guaranteed there will be lots of boobs shots and crotch shots. Heck, there will even be parts whereby the characters will be totally naked thanks to all that ripping from the fight. Heck, why do demons and angels need to even wear clothes since they are already so skimpy and sexy. The biggest offender has got to be Belial. You think Asmodeus is sexy? You haven’t seen Belial yet. Ever since she started wearing Gnosis, she is practically walking around naked! I’m sure those freaking huge shoulder pads serve as a distraction. Not! You can’t help stare at her lower half because there’s just this one tiny patch covering her vagina area and the oddest part is that sometimes it looks like pubic hair if you don’t focus too much. Oh sh*t!
As the fanservice is so in-your-face because every few seconds there will usually be spamming those boob shots and crotch shots, hence there will be these annoying black insignias hovering over them. Lots of them. There are other types of censors like streaks of light and strategic coverings but the insignias are the ones forming the majority. Hence there are uncensored versions of the episodes but I didn’t see them. I use my creativity and imagination to picture them!!! After all, why should I rewatch the whole series again just to see tits? I know how (2D) real tits look like. Might as well go for real porn. Whoops! So anyway, I am fine with the annoying round things covering certain areas for most of the time. Until they start covering the entire screen, that is! Still not tempted to watch the uncensored version. Not feeling greedy, lustful, envious, gluttonous or wrathful for more boobs. Must be my pride, huh? Just kidding… Maybe I’m just slothful…
During the initial episodes of the series, I was a bit confused on the composition of the Mortal Sins. I mean, if I counted them, aren’t there 8 of them? Notwithstanding the final episode that pieces everything in order, was vanity one of the 7 deadly sins? Wasn’t it supposed to be pride? I know they reserve it for Lucifer and thought maybe both were overlapping in this area. You know, Lucifer beat the hell out of Belial and taking over her sin’s representation? Hence it was not. And since when was melancholy part of the 7 deadly sins? I was indeed confused. It is definitely 7 not 8 if you do not count envy in this anime’s context but wasn’t envy one of the deadly sins? I thought Leviathan was a Mortal Sin but as the series progresses, I realized she wasn’t part of it. So I guess they right the wrong by ‘kicking out’ vanity and melancholy in the end and replace it by pride and envy eventually. That sure cleared things up.
Also confusing me once the series ended are the ‘extra episodes’. I have not watched them but from what I read are just a couple of minute specials to go with the DVD. The confusing part was how they labelled it as unaired episodes 13 to 19. Or are they supposed to be specials 1 to 7? Since I have not seen them, I am not sure it is a continuation or at least the events these short specials are taken place after the series has ended. I believe they aren’t anything pivotal to the main storyline as I read summary about the first couple of episodes to be Lucifer fighting Belial again in a battle of strength and Leviathan going to the toilet (?!). More fanservice but of course…
On to the characters, the main character who is a force to be reckoned with is Lucifer. Watching her prideful character go all the way to exact her revenge makes it feel like you want to worship her instead of God or the big devil himself of hell. Really. I can see why she obtained so many followers so easily in a short period of time. Because I too feel that she is the best character to follow! Oh dear. Have I fallen for Lucifer’s charms? Because of her pride, she does not yield to others. At times where she looks like she ‘lost’ (like that stomach flu case), I believe she was just faking it and being a great pretender. After all, you can’t always just fight the Mortal Sins head on. Some needs subtlety. Because she bosses others around like a boss and does not compromise her ways, that is what makes her likeable and respectable in that sense. She doesn’t want to become God and has reminded us many times that she is the demon lord. Because with this title it allows her to do as she wishes instead of being a hypocrite virtue signalling. That’s acceptable, right?
I don’t want to say that Maria is a useless character and just a character who is there as a plot device. Because remember, what is the name of this anime again? That’s where the main focus is. But sometimes I can’t help think that she is just a side character who got mixed up in everything for plot convenience since we mostly see Lucifer as the one who mainly deals with the Mortal Sins (Maria was just as bait or something like that) and in the second half, Maria’s screen time is further reduced thanks to her being kidnapped. As for Leviathan, she is made to look like an annoying idiot who sucks up to her onee-sama. I suppose every great leader has a loyal underling who is an idiot. I won’t go so far as to say she is a comic relief character but sometimes it feels like she is going to cross that line. And her pet Behemoth is supposed to be the cute mascot but with so little appearances, he is hardly memorable.
As for the other Mortal Sins, they do represent their deadly sins well at least to current modern times. Like Mammon’s greed and fortune coming from real estate investments and Belphegor who just loves to play online games. Eventually the thought provoking thing about them is that these Mortal Sins seem to be better people than their angelic counterparts. They might prey on the immoral desires of human but that is only because that is what they are supposed to do. On the other hand if you compare them to the angels and heaven, these goody-goody beings are the worst. Could you not see how scheming and vengeful Belial was when she fell from heaven? Heck, the same can be said about Lucifer. What is it that makes fallen angels so vengeful towards God once they have been kicked out from heaven? Even angels like Michael from this perspective looks like a sneaky b*tch and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A two-faced double agent.
This brings me to my next point about God. As I have said, with Lucifer being shown and painted as some great anti-hero, it makes God at least in this anime’s context to be the primary villain. If God is omnipotent and omniscient, why and how the heck does He let all this happen? And should not He know what everything is going on even if you don’t tell Him? That is why when this series ends, it feels like God is the main antagonist and it makes us more inclined to support Lucifer. For obvious reasons, Lucifer is there in the flesh. God? You don’t see Him. You don’t know He exists. Lucifer’s actions can be seen whereas God you can’t. Because he works in mysterious ways, right?
That is why Maria who has always been a hard faithful prayer ‘defects’ to Lucifer. She might be a fallen angel but she has done more good than God. At least from what she can see. Lucifer might have dragged her into this mess but she is also the one who saved her life. Where was God in time of Maria’s need? Was He there to free Maria when she was Lucifer’s lackey? I rest my case. Like Lucifer said, God doesn’t have a monopoly over miracles. This could also mean that God isn’t necessarily the only being who can resurrect, destroy, etc. Besides, if God really wants to destroy and recreate everything, He could have easily done so (assuming the almighty is powerful) but choosing this method, it makes you ponder if God really exists in the first place or not. I can see purists fuming in the mouth over this but that’s blind faith for you. Or maybe everything is a part of God’s huge plan because He allows Lucifer to go on a beat ‘em up spree and then purposely lose to her because He might have been bored of destroying and recreating from scratch the same way. Hah! God thinks like a Japanese anime and manga character!
Art and animation feels okay. Busty and scantily clad babes as all part of the fanservice as mentioned earlier. They look more like beautiful porn stars than anything scary, even Satan herself. She might look the meanest but even in the context of anime, she is still hot looking. No wonder people choose to go with the Mortal Sins because when you have angels covering up themselves like suspicious hooded people who look like they want to mug you, might as well go with your desires and then go to hell because it is all going to be worth it. Really. At the end of each episode is an illustration by others. Now you know where to get more sexy fanservice… This anime is jointly produced by Artland (Tantei Opera Milky Holmes series, Ichiban Ushiro No Daimaou, Senran Kagura, Umisho) and TNK (High School DxD series, Kenzen Robo Daimidaler, Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor, School Days), both of which have produced popular ecchi series before.
For the voice acting, kudos to Eri Kitamura and Shizuka Itou as Lucifer and Belial respectively. They do bring life into their character since they naturally have this prideful feel in their voices. It is no surprise since Eri Kitamura has voiced a handful of similar prideful characters like Ami in Toradora, Odagiri in Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches and Akane in Rewrite. Same for Shizuka Itou who did Bitch-sensei in Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, Meiko in Prison School and Luvia from the Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Ilya series. Other recognizable casts are Youko Hikasa as Mammon and Yui Ogura as Beelzebub. The rest are Megumi Toda as Maria (Hajime in New Game), Akane Fujita as Leviathan (Sagiri in Eromanga-sensei), Arisa Sakuraba as Satan, Chiaki Takahashi as Asmodeus (Nanami in School Days), Ai Kakuma as Belphegor (Julis in Gakusen Toshi Asterisk) and Azusa Tadokoro as Astaroth (Fino in Yuushibu).
Both the opening and ending themes are sung by Mia Regina. If there is a church choir singing its worship to the devil mixed with devilish rock music, you get My Sweet Maiden as the opener. Devilishly revering… If feels the same for the rock ending theme, Welcome To Our Diabolic Paradise. Only the male voice sounds like he is doing a take from Michael Jackson’s Thriller’s spoken verse. For an anime laden with fanservice, surprisingly there are a few good insert songs and BGMs. Really. Like Astaroth’s hard rock piece infused with rapping is surprisingly catchy. Not to mention that hip hop Goddamn Critical that is both cute and catchy. For the background music, I notice there is one that sounds very closely to the main theme of Beverly Hills Cop. It feels odd when that is played. Then there is that military-like marching BGM during that military battle over the sea which feels like a tribute to the Third Reich or something. Yikes. Weird.
Overall, if you can put aside and don’t get riled up by the fanservice of tits and crotch flashing every few seconds or minutes, this is quite the entertaining series. Of course, please turn off your brain and heart as well. We don’t want people to start blaming this series for making them lose faith in God and become infidels now, do we? After all, this isn’t the first series that is non-hentai and filled with fanservice (Valkyrie Drive ~Mermaid~, anyone?) nor is it one that questions the faith of the heavens (think Junketsu No Maria and even Shingeki No Bahamut series). A little guilty pleasure is acceptable. That is what makes us human. Not angels, not demons. A moment of desire on Earth in exchange for an eternity of suffering and regret in the deepest circles of hell. Was it worth it? Goddamn, better start praying to Lucifer from now on.
Skirt No Naka Wa Kedamono Deshita
17 November, 2017
OMG! WTF???!!! Is this really going to be a trend???!!! Just a season before, they had this short anime of a monk f*cking his pretend girlfriend. It is borderline hentai and I theorized that they are testing the market by slipping in a very questionable anime to see if the general viewers would accept it. Because this season they have done it again with something similar, Skirt No Naka Wa Kedamono Deshita. No monks this time but a cross-dressing college guy! Is this some sort of warning to lesbian wannabes to really make sure your onee-sama has a vagina before getting screwed all over? Anyhow, whoever this poor college girl here is really getting screwed by a hentai (strange) hentai (pervert).
Episode 1
Shizuka Kominami meets up with her friend at a mixer. Since this is her first time and she is nervous around guys, she excuses herself to the toilet. There, she meets a beautiful woman, Ryou Kirishima who calms her down. They blow this joint and go drinking elsewhere. Shizuka enjoys Ryou’s company and they both like the get to know each other better. It is getting late so Shizuka wants to stay at Ryou’s place for the night. Suddenly Ryou pushes her down on the bed and starts making out. Shizuka realizes Ryou is a man since his voice changes. And the fact his dick is rubbing on her stomach. Maybe Shizuka is a bit drunk and didn’t fight back as Ryou continues to masturbate her until she climaxes. Next morning, Shizuka’s head is heavy like as though she had a hangover last night. She reads a note by Ryou. He went out for an errand and they’ll do more later. So last night was indeed real.
Episode 2
Shizuka can’t help feel tired at university. Her friend is worried she left the mixer by herself. Shizuka can’t tell her what happened but it seems she saw her left with a beautiful woman. Speaking of which, Ryou is here and hugs Shizuka from behind. Is he from the same university? What exchange university programme is he talking about? People are starting to see them as a lesbian couple the way Ryou is hugging her. Shizuka doesn’t like this one bit and is about to reveal this cross-dresser so Ryou takes her away to the toilet. Inside the cubicle, he warns her about men being wolves. That’s right. Time for another sexual harassment. He masturbates her like the last time but this time she has to keep it down because the other girls outside are worried if she is sick from making all that ‘funny’ noise. Ryou won’t stop and continues his fingering and boobs sucking so Shizuka really has to control her voice and not screw things up. Either way, she’s screwed, right? After the girls leave and the masturbating is done, Shizuka slaps him.
Episode 3
Back in class, Shizuka’s classmate, Sousuke Kuratani is worried about her after seeing her went off with that ‘woman’. Shizuka can’t tell him the details when she gets a call from Ryou. He knows her number? Apparently she gave her contacts when she was drunk then. He wants to apologize in person and hopes to see her at his place. So he didn’t give her a chance to reply? When Shizuka enters his place, he sees Ryou coming out from the bathroom naked. First time seeing him as a man. Naked man. Shizuka feels weird because Ryou as a man looks good and has a nice body. She tries to stop herself from thinking too much because it will remind her of all the sexual harassment. Ryou dresses up as a woman again as Shizuka fears the harassment will start. Surprisingly he takes her to a shop. He wants to buy her clothes as apology. Seems like nothing till she realizes she wants to help her change! She threatens to call the staffs but Ryou says he knows all of them so they won’t listen to her. Apparently changing her clothes is the same as molesting her crotch and licking her ass.
Episode 4
I suppose Shizuka has been making weird sounds for so long that Ryou decides to stop. Enough for today. Till next time. She tells him to stop fooling around and go find someone else but he asserts he is serious in her. He doesn’t want anyone else. She thought he is going to kiss her but he just compliments her hair. He teases after buying the clothes, they’ll go buy her underwear next. The harassment hasn’t end yet. While Shizuka waits outside, a couple of guys try to hit on her. Shizuka is so scared that she is close to tears. Luckily Ryou is here to save the day. He has taken off his cross-dressing since the makeup was starting to run from the sweat (due to the harassment?). When a few girls spot Ryou, he takes Shizuka and run. They are hiding from them as Ryou explains those girls are supposedly his fans. They will flock to him in his guy form. That is why he cross-dresses. He can’t let them see Shizuka for who knows what they’ll do to her. Their only option to hide is in a hotel…
Episode 5
In the hotel, Ryou takes this chance to convince her that he is serious about her. If he wasn’t he would not have approached her like this. Yeah, I thought guys will do anything just for sex. So to prove he is serious, he starts to molest and masturbate her?! And the reason she can’t resist is because he is distracting her with his good looks?! WTF???!!! And so he masturbates her until she climaxes. Probably all that feel good means he now confesses he loves her and wants her to love him back too. You can’t blame Shizuka for being confused. He does weird things to her but yet he still protected her. He isn’t a terrible person and can’t bring herself to hate him. I think it’s because he is good with his hands inside her… Haha! He tries to be considerate about her fear of guys and would stay as her boyfriend candidate until she is sure of her feelings. But she suggests if he cross-dresses… Oh dear. Why you give him the green light?! Oh… That satisfied face. I think she’s already hooked.
Episode 6
Because Ryou paid for the hotel and room service (the genuine hotel room service, that is), Shizuka repays him by going out on a date. When the train gets packed, Ryou covers her. However his knee got in her crotch. Oh dear. You mean she gets turned on like this too?! Try not to scream. Well, she is holding it well. Her training must have paid off ;p. Ryou notices this and teases her further by rubbing her crotch. I don’t know how long the train ride was but it’s a good thing she held it in. So in the end all Ryou got was a meek scolding? Well, can’t disrupt the fun at the amusement park. As they rest, she asks why he cross-dressed at the mixer. Because women like him for his looks, he wants to see whom will like him for the way he is. Shizuka wonders why she was chosen instead but she feels nervous to hear his answer. Then it starts to rain so they start finding a shelter before she gets wet. Heck, Shizuka gets wet easily in some other area. ;p. Haha!
Episode 7
Inside the Ferris wheel, he lends his shirt to her. But since he is sneezing, she shares it with him. Cue for him to have her sit on his lap. It’s time for making out but first he replies her question why he chose her. When they first met, she didn’t flatter him and treated him normally. Despite all the harassment he did to her, it would be normal for him to be hated but yet she is still here with him. He tells her she is much more wonderful a woman than she thinks. So please don’t put yourself down like that. That’s the clincher for them to start their make out session but this time Shizuka willingly kisses him. Until he starts caressing her bottom before moving on to his signature fingering. Ferris wheels are supposed to make you feel good about the ride, no? It’s a much more different ride for Shizuka… ;p. Haha!
Episode 8
The sex act continues with them upping a level. This time French kissing and Ryou wants her to say his name when she climaxes. Man, this is too easy… Despite Shizuka feeling embarrassed, she still continues doing it and kissing him. Yeah, the thrill… Then she starts thinking back all the times she was with him (not the sex scenes). Before she could confess, the Ferris wheel has completed its run. Too late to worry if others saw them but better hurry and fix your clothes. Shizuka feels indebted to him because of all the nice things he has done to her (why can I not attribute this to his love making?). As she hasn’t told him her feelings yet, how should she repay him? He wants to go on another date. I was thinking he wants to finger her again but that’s too obvious. There is always that chance whenever they’re together, right? It doesn’t matter know since Shizuka has totally accepted him.
Episode 9
Shizuka and Ryou are dating at a café. She wonders if she can make the same food here as Ryou finds out she likes to cook. Eventually she did make some cream puffs for him but is pondering how to give it to him. Making excuses she made too many? At the gates of his university, she calls him the first time but it looks like he is ‘busy’ being swarmed by other girls. He tells her to meet him in the room he is hiding. Man, I wonder if the girls at this university ever get any studying or research done since they’re chasing him for most of the time. Anyway, in the room, Ryou surprises her by giving a surprise hug. She lets him eat her cream puffs and is happy he finds it delicious. Accidentally its fillings drop on her lap. Oh no. Your excuse for this week’s sex act. And so he starts licking her lap. But I believe there is another more delicious part that he prefers licking that tastes even better, wink, wink. Get what I mean?! Shizuka is of course embarrassed. She is trying to ‘blame’ him for always doing this to her but he puts it in a way that she is considerate of him and makes it sound like she wants it. Now he wants her to lick his fingers…
Episode 10
Wow. Shizuka is sucking his fingers and describing them ambiguously. Hard and long… Is this some sort of practice for future blowjobs? She must like it so much that she allows him to take off her panties and start fingering her. But then ‘saved by the bell’ because it’s time for Ryou to attend his class. I believe he really wants to stay for this more interesting lesson. Don’t worry. Please attend your class. Shizuka will wait. Happily wait. As she walks around, she accidentally bumps into this beautiful lady, Sumire Sakurai. At least she didn’t think he is another cross-dressing dude. Then she hear rumours that she might be dating with a guy that could be Ryou. As Shizuka waits in a classroom, she sees Ryou rushing to meet Sakurai outside. They look so perfect for each other that Shizuka starts crying. From the pain in her heart, that is. Why so sad? Are you saying you’re accepting all his modesty outraging? I don’t know how long she was crying but Ryou enters the room to see her in tears.
Episode 11
Shizuka says it hurts to be with him and leaves still crying. And she starts thinking how good he has been treating him and yet she told him off like that. Man, she must be really be confused with her feelings. Ultimately, she realizes she is in love with him. Kuratani sees her and talks to her. He wonders if she had a fight with her boyfriend since she looked so happy recently. If you think Shizuka is surprised by that, wait till she hears Kuratani confesses he likes her! At least he doesn’t waste time. He asks if she would like to go out with him but she says she already has someone she likes although not officially dating yet. In that case, why not try dating him for the time being? She remembers about that boyfriend candidate thingy so she apologizes and rejects Kuratani. Well, that guy took it coolly. Now here comes the tough part. After Kuratani leaves, Ryou overheard all that and takes her to the back of the building. Shizuka can tell he is mad and needs to apologize. Ryou heard her saying she has someone she likes. He can’t accept that and can’t let her go. He angrily starts kissing her and then fingering down her ass while interrogating her about that person she likes. WTF???!!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SEXUAL HARASSMENT???!!! IS THIS RAPE???!!! Oh right. We haven’t had our hentai scene this episode yet. He is so rough that he is hurting her. Not his usual, eh? Wow. She knows…
Episode 12
Ryou immediately stops when he realizes she is in pain. He feels bad and walks away. But plot twist! She hangs on to him. She doesn’t want him to apologize and since she is the one who is at fault. She admits she was jealous and the person whom she loves is him. Yeah, I’m not surprised. Ryou assures he would never hate her and confesses he loves her too. So back at his place, he makes her spam like a broken recorder that she likes him. We know how broken Shizuka already is because she says she loves his cross-dressing ways as this is how she came to like him. And I’m sure she loves that other ‘special skill’ of his too. After they agree to be each other’s lovers, let’s cut the crap of this cheesy poor romance and get the sex going! After a wet sloppy French kiss, Ryou fully undresses Shizuka and is going to try something different. You bet! He is going to f*ck her!!!! The moment we have all been waiting for???!!! Even if it hurts, Shizuka still wants him to f*ck harder and harder!!! Is this what you call love hurts so good? In the end, we have one very happy and (sexually) satisfied couple.
Like A Virgin; Touch For The Very First Time
What a disappointing ending? Because it feels like the entire goal of this series is to end up with them having sex. And then that’s it. So having sex is proof that they are truly in love with each other forever? Oh screw it all. We got our sex. We should be happy and shut up. What do you expect from this kind of genre anyway?
At first, the one thing that I wanted to say that makes this mild hentai series different that that hentai monk series in the previous season (its real name is so long and a bother to type) is that there is no dick penetration from the guy. Till the final episode happened. I know it is still pretty much hentai but without that kind of penetration, it isn’t exactly penetrative sex. All we see is Ryou giving Shizuka a great fingering for most of the time and sometimes getting oral on her. So technically is Shizuka still a virgin? Not by the time the final episode aired. By that time I thought this hentai series was just being unique whereby the girl gets fingered from start to finish. Too bad that penetrative sex in the end was like some sort of combo breaker. Besides, that first sex felt awkward in a few ways. Shizuka was totally naked while Ryou is fully clothed and cross-dressed. Usually it is often to other way round in porn, right? I guess nobody really wants to see a guy’s dick.
Hence my earlier conspiracy theory why Ryou never started pulling his pants down and bang her is maybe because he has got a small penis and his fingers are bigger than them even when fully erected. Holy sh*t! What did I just say?! Even if his penis was mosaic out and we barely get to see anything in that 2 second clip of his dick, if he can make her orgasm like that, he must be damn good. Oddly, Shizuka is the only one who climaxes but I believe Ryou also gets his kicks seeing her orgasmic face. You know how ‘messy’ it is when the real deal is done, right? I don’t see him wearing a condom in the final part and he looks like he cum all inside her. Unlike a family temple, they usually conduct their unholy act in public places from changing rooms to Ferris wheel to even at the back of his college block. I wonder if Ryou masturbates somewhere alone after the business is done.
You know this is equivalent to porn when a girl like Shizuka always gives in to Ryou’s harassment and enjoys every second of it despite she says otherwise. Because it gives this unrealistic impression that if you finger your girl long enough, she will eventually come to like and accept it all without any resistance. And that how girls like her allow guys she barely knows to screw her over just because he is good at it. Basically this is what this entire series’ ‘plot’ revolves around. Even if it hurts, her twisted thinking has caused her to accept that this is all part of the love. This is such an effective brainwash tool…
Shizuka feels confused and conflicted for most of the time ever since she got her first screwing by the cross-dresser and sometimes I feel that the reason she is sticking around is to ‘try out’ more to ascertain if this guy is worth sticking around with. After all, which girl wouldn’t want to hang around a guy who makes her feel good? It may not be materialistically but hey, it’s the inside that counts, right? Oh sh*t! Technically. You think your wife or girlfriend will let you violate and humiliate her like this? Only in porn and anime this could happen. Rare cases of nympho maybe… So is this lust or love?
Ryou can be easily passed off as a sick pervert with a twisted sense of love. But ask any guy if you were in his position and given the ‘authority’ to do that kind of stuff to Shizuka, would you not do it? You might think it is love but I theorize that if this hot guy has tons of girls chasing after him and how easily he could get any way he wants with them (I believe if he wants to get in their pants, they would easily let him), the only reason why he targets and falls for Shizuka is because she is submissive. Oh, which man doesn’t like his woman submissive? And going by the logic I said in the few paragraphs prior, the more he fingers her, the more accepted it will eventually become and hence Shizuka is now his sex slave minus the f*cking. Potential boyfriend candidate is just a nice way of saying it. And when Shizuka fully opens her heart (and pussy), then perhaps the real sex will occur. So it isn’t just a monster underneath the skirt after all. Because he makes her feel good, it’s a reason why she lets him get away with it instead of crying rape.
The other supporting characters feel so irrelevant and just convenient plot devices. Just like in that monk series who had a brother who also somewhat loved the main girl, here we also have a fellow college student who is in love with Shizuka. The only reason Kuratani exists is because so it will reinforce Shizuka’s misguided love for Ryou. Because when a seemingly normal guy like Kuratani confesses, it makes her think and count what she’s got. Sure, we assume Kuratani is decent but that is because we don’t know about him. For all we know, he got be a bigger pervert than Ryou. But let’s just assume he is a good guy. Eventually Kuratani goes out of the picture after lurking in the background for so long so that Shizuka would eventually choose Ryou. It goes to show that girls prefer bad boys. Or at least those who finger them real good. Sakurai also feels the same kind of plot device to stir some up some emotions in Shizuka and ultimately Ryou. Heck, she could have been a nameless side character for all we care. So what is Sakurai to Ryou? We’ll never know. But do we care? We got to see Ryou and Shizuka f*ck each other.
Overall, this anime feels like what I have said in the beginning, a gauge to see the viewers’ reaction and acceptance of such genre into the main mix every season. Strange, because if horny otakus want to watch hentai and porn, they should have just head straight there. I’m sure there are lots of everything and anything to please anyone of every kind of sick fetish out there. Like as though this series is to lure you in there when your curiosity peaks. Or those not ready enough for the real thing can start off with this guilty pleasure.
Because this fingering hentai is made by a different studio than that monk hentai, it’s like somebody got curious and wanted to try something similar out. Time will tell if there would be more similar series in the future. As of why it comes here instead of the underground porn, well, if you noticed the short duration of this series, porn flicks lasts over an hour!!! Yeah, too short to be considered real porn anyway. So the only thing good about all this fingering your girl theme in this series is that you don’t have to get worried about pulling out and getting her pregnant! Best of all, you can make your girl climax while at it. If everyone was this good in real life, porn is no longer needed… :’(.
Guin Saga
12 November, 2017
After watching Zero Kara Hajimeru Mahou No Sho, it then dawned to me there was an anime about a main character who has a head of a beast, more accurately the head of a leopard. So this prompted me to check out an old fantasy adventure, Guin Saga. Before reading the synopsis, I had this conspiracy theory thinking this might be some sort of back ancestral story of a character in that Japanese fighting game, Tekken. I know it’s impossible to think that Mexican pro wrestling King who wears a jaguar mask had anything to do with this. But you’ll never know… Okay, it isn’t. Never was. Instead it made me wonder if Tekken took some inspiration from here when designing King…
Episode 1
The Mongauls invade and attack the kingdom of Parros. Twins, Rinda Arudia Jeina and Remus Al Jeinus Aldoros run for it. To their dismay, their parents got slain to let them escape. They are supposed to be teleported to their aunt at Argos but the coordinates were off. They end up in some forest and the Mongauls are fast to try and track them down. Because Remus is being a complaining wuss, the Mongauls catch up and caught him. The struggle with Rinda and the commotion wakes up a sleeping leopard guy. Who dares disturb his sleep?! He beats the crap out of the soldiers. Woah! Hitting them into the ground like a whack-a-mole! His punches are so strong that they fly away! Once there are no more soldiers to vent his frustration, he starts writhing in pain. Remus wants to get out but Rinda needs to do something to help their saviour. She touches him and finds his body temperature high. After letting him drink some water, he feels better. They ask about him. He is Guin. He thinks. From Aurra. He thinks. Heck, he doesn’t remember anything or why he is here. He doesn’t even know why he is wearing this leopard mask or just fought the Mongauls. Whenever Rinda mentions Guin’s name, she feels something flowing through her. Remus discloses they are considered the Twin Pearls of Parros. Rinda is a prophet and is destined to be a sorcerer while Remus would be the ruler. Suddenly they are attached by ghouls who possessed the bodies of the dead Mongaul soldiers. Guin tries to fend them off but they keep regenerating. He tells the kids to keep the fire lighted but it soon rains. They finally escape by diving into the river. They manage to swim out alive to a better place. Guin’s goal is to find out about himself.
Episode 2
Now they are confronted with the Mongaul soldiers. They believe they are the Parros’ twins and will bring them to see their master at Stafolos. Guin wants to deal with them but Rinda doesn’t think he can handle such a big group and wants them to release Guin who has nothing to do with this. Guin sees some coin vision that messes with his mind. He agrees to be captured as long as they treat the kids properly. Along the way, Rinda tells Guin about Gohra, one of the 3 powerful realms of the Middle Kingdom. They always envy the rich and advanced Parros so they sent one of their allies, the Mongauls to invade Parros. Parros being accustomed to peace wasn’t even prepared by the ambush. Outside the castle, Rinda sees visions of noxious gas and refuses to go in but eventually they were made to go see Vanon the Black Count. He wants to know about Parros’ secret, especially how the twins ended up in a faraway forest in a day when it supposed to take 10 days. Rinda is willing to die than live a humiliating life so Vanon projects some scary magic only to be diffused by Guin’s roar. Vanon wants to see what power Guin has and throws him into the arena to fight a grey ape bare handed. Guin is able to stand his ground until Vanon ‘cheats’ by distracting him. The monkey fights back and strangles him. Even so, Guin is able to break free and continue fighting. But he is still at a disadvantage. One of the guards, Orro who sympathizes with Guin throws him his sword. Guin uses it to kill the ape. Normally Orro would have been put to death or thrown into a death match with Guin but Vanon has a better idea. Guin’s next opponent would be a mercenary in prison and on death row who insulted Vanon. He is the Crimson Mercenary, Istovan Spellsword of Valachia.
Episode 3
Because Vanon suddenly doesn’t feel good and leaves, the match is postponed tomorrow. They are imprisoned but Rinda is taken to a different cell in which she befriends this Monchichi girl, Suni of the Sem race. Istovan is imprisoned in the next block next to Guin and Remus. A loose block allows him to talk to them and demand their blanket so he can make a rope for himself and escape. Guin asks if he knows what Aurra is. Istovan believes it sounds like a name of a woman. The alarm is sounded. Looks like the Sem race is ambushing the place. After Istovan escapes on his own, Orro comes to free Guin and returns his sword. He believes leopard guy can’t die in this place. As Orro is going to lead them to Rinda’s cell, he is struck by some liquid by a stealth assassin. Guin fights and defeats him. In Orro’s last breath, he laments he was on his last lap of service and would have returned to his home, Torus. If Guin ever goes there, he can seek help from his father who is a great man. Guin calls Orro a brave warrior. Rinda learns that the attacking Sems are not here to rescue her. They are from a different tribe. The Raku and Karoi tribe are enemies. They are here to exact revenge for their captured comrades. Rinda and Suni are brought before Vanon who wants to feast on their blood. He doesn’t care if this place falls apart since he considers his own existence a curse and will disgrace the gods of this kingdom. Guin arrives in time to deduce Vanon’s true form. He is a ghost and feeds on blood on others to prolong his life. Guin easily defeats him by lighting his sword with fire and throwing at him. Do ghosts get burnt and explode?! With the tower on fire, there is no way to escape but to jump down. Hey, they might not survive but it’s better than staying here and getting burnt for sure. Everyone holds on to Guin as he dives down deep into the abyss. See, there’s a river to cushion that long drop.
Episode 4
Istovan helps pick them up from the river. He assures them he is on their side because the Mongauls are also after him. The plan now is to find some rafts from the castle and ride down Kes River. It is dangerous as it contains monsters and serves as the border between the human and demon realm, Nospherus. After that they will book a passage on a trans-sea merchant ship. Riding down the river, Guin is able to fend off the monsters trying to take a bite out of their raft. I wonder if the oar is made out of something very stronger because it can’t break no matter how much Guin uses it as a weapon. Rinda learns Istovan is looking for the Princess of Light as from the legends. He thinks Rinda is it but what will he do once he finds her? It is believed she will bring him fortunes. Lady Amnelis, the representative of Archduke Vlad enters the castle of Count Rickard. She tells him she saw a strange party floating down a raft on Kes River. She has sent her men to meet them. Since riding the river at night will be dangerous, they need to camp on land. But here are the Mongaul soldiers greeting them. Of course they won’t stop so the soldiers start shooting. Bad timing or not, the monsters attack. Guin tries to fend them off but ultimately their raft breaks. Luckily they manage to get on shore but on the side of Nospherus. Amnelis is furious of her men’s failure. She will personally take charge of a new troop to head there and chase them down. She is not afraid of Nospherus. Explaining the recent attack on Parros was her father’s sole decision to prevent some kingdoms forming allies to attack Mongaul, that is why Nospherus is needed as their defence. Istovan is thinking of change in plans. Their raft is destroyed and they can’t walk through Nospherus without supplies. Guin translates Suni’s words that she intends to bring them to her Raku village as thanks for saving her life. Then they can show them anywhere they want to go. Rinda suddenly receives vision that something will happen to Istovan. Something about some lion star or something. Can she not speak in riddles?
Episode 5
Amnelis tries to cross the river but the monsters keep getting in her way. She is soon joined by Lord Marus who have been instructed by Lord Rozan to be her reinforcement. When Guin saves Istovan from a demon, it reminded him of Landock. Though, he doesn’t know what it is. Istovan thinks he might. During his travels as a pirate, he saw a ship with a beautiful lady statue bearing that name. Marus has found the twins’ location but wants to gauge Guin’s strength. So when dawn breaks, he charges in to fight Guin who tells the twins to run. The power fight is evenly matched but soon interrupted when Reagan puts a stop to it. His troops have captured the twins. They are taken back to camp to see Amnelis who questions Guin’s existence. The way Guin answers and mocks her makes her angry though Marus believes it is just a distraction to hide a secret. Amnelis will bring them back to Avalon Keep for further interrogation. Istovan has been following them from the shadows as the trio are made to trek on foot the entire way to the next base. While resting outside, they see the beautiful cluster of stars in the sky. Legend has it that they are Angel’s Hair, wandering souls of the dead. Then there is some polar star that is used to lead voyages called Star of the Gods. Also, the Eye of Jarn, the Star of Dawn, the god of fate who reigns over the land. Istovan unleashes some sand worm to attack the camp while he saves Guin and the twins. Marus realizes it is a distraction to free the prisoners. Astreas offers to chase after them. The twins apologize to Istovan for calling him a traitor prior. Istovan says he is doing this for his own reasons. A prophet once told him he will be a king of kingdom and that the Princess of Light shall bestow him that followed by darkness.
Episode 6
Astreas’ and his red knights quickly caught up. Istovan suggests hiding. Guin somehow knows there is a village of the Raku tribe ahead and to meet there. Guin turns back to fight the red knights. It could have been silly and awesome for one guy to take on all of them but for more realism, I guess that is why Suni returns with her Raku tribe to come help even the odds. Istovan also returns to face Astreas. Istovan lost but with Guin intervening and defeating Astreas, he spares his life but warns not to pursue further in Nospherus. Astreas orders his troops to retreat. Guin and Istovan tail them for a while and they are surprised to see a huge Mongaul reinforcement. 15,000 troops! Is this too much to hunt down the Parros twins? Guin and Istovan reunite with the twins at the village. They are met with Loto, head of the Raku tribe. He welcomes them to the village and thanks them for saving Suni his granddaughter. However Guin wants them to gather all Sem tribes here now. After the Karoi and Tsubai tribes gather, Guin tells of the 15,000 Mongaul troops. He wants them to fight. Some feel they stand no chance and want to flee. But where to? That is why Guin wants them to unite. But even their numbers will be at most 5,000. Can they still win? Yes they can. It’s called a miracle. So leaving it down to luck? Amnelis gather the leaders of the troops to her tent to tell them of their mission. This mission that requires so many troops is because they are going to find this Valley of Death that the Sems call as Gur Nu and erect a keep loyal to Mongaul in it. She has a valid reason for it as she introduces them to Kar Mol, the only sorcerer who has crossed the badlands of Nospherus and returned alive. He has no face! He explains during one of his journeys, he encountered a land with strange gasses. He approached its source and when touched it, the turned into some living dead. Thus Amnelis wants to unravel Gur Nu’s mystery and make it theirs. This will allow them to dominate the world. Marus is sceptical but Amnelis will hear no more of it. He fears and knows men can be easily controlled by outside forces. The Sems give Guin a sword and armour to fight in. Then they all rally before their supreme commander.
Episode 7
The first wave of Sems attack. The Mongauls are ready for them. A WTF moment when Astreas keeps staring and admiring Amnelis’ beauty?! Even she takes notice and tells him to not stand around and do nothing! Soon the Sems retreat. Marus believes it is a surprise attack to lure them to be attacked by the main force. Guin’s next plan is to have Istovan dressed up as a soldier of Mongaul and lie about the numbers of Sems. So when report comes in that a large number of Sems are coming their way, Amnelis orders her troops to stand and fight and assigns her men to all positions to counter the Sems. Another round of fight with Guin now entering the picture. Astreas is so bent on proving himself to Amnelis that he leaves his post to fight Guin. After many repeated calls, Guin just knocks him off his horse with 1 punch! Pathetic! He even tells Astreas he is not strong enough to fight him. Come back in 20 years. After Guin signals the Sems to retreat, he is faced by Marus. He easily steals his weapon after wounding his chest. Then he throws his weapon almost hitting Amnelis and scaring the sh*t out of here. Did she just scream like a little girl in front of her troops? Anger soon takes over as she orders her troops to go after them. Marus tries to reason with her about the odd strategy of the Sems. If they were trying to shake them off, they’re taking too long. If they’re trying to fight them, they’re retreating too early. Amnelis is blinded by rage and brushes him off. When the Mongauls are in the valley, Guin signals to the Sems to release the Ido. Not sure about this liquid monster but it devours and absorbs all those in its path. Lots of Mongaul casualties with Reagan being the top casualty. Even Astreas is crying for him right now?! Shouldn’t they be running? The Mongauls manage to retreat. Amnelis learns more about this Ido creature. The only way to destroy it is via fire. She has her troops gather coals and then warns Astreas if he fails again, she will strip of his captaincy. No rest for the Mongauls as the Sems continue their ambush attack and the Ido is back too. Does Guin has to rub it in by showing his face to Amnelis?
Episode 8
Amnelis changes her strategy from finding Gur Nu to the extermination of Sems. Istovan kills a guard and takes his place. Under the name of El, he goes to talk to Marus that he may know something about Guin. Something about a man named Gandarl challenged a large man wearing a black hood. When refused, the hooded guy whispered something that left Gandarl in fear. The hooded guy then disappeared. Istovan saves Marus from a poison Sem arrow. Marus is impressed and wants him transferred to his platoon. Just as planned… Another reason Marus easily does this is because Istovan resembles closely to his son. When Guin receives a message from Istovan that all preparations are done, he tells the Sems that they need to hold out for 4 days while he is gone. He is going to seek an alliance with the savage giants known as Lagons. Believe in him and wait for his return for he never fails! I wished Rinda would write him where to go and what needs to be avoided instead of just shouting when he is already well on his way. Along the way, Guin could hear a woman’s voice calling him. He then falls asleep and finds himself in a strange world. He wants to use a coin to decide but sees rune letters on it that reads he will become king. As he treks on, a voice tells him 3 women will help guide his path. When he meets them, be himself. Guin thought he sees one of them and when he tries to touch her, he feels excruciating pain. He wakes up with his horse gone but is near the supposed place. He is attacked by a pack of dessert wolves but its leader howls them to retreat. Then he guides Guin to wherever he needs to go. At the salt mountains, Guin finds a strange crystal and keeps it. The wolf then part ways and as Guin continues his journey, he is stopped by a Lagon. Meanwhile Istovan manages to convince Marus to recommend him to be part of Amnelis’ advance troops to fight the Sems. Her army is now prepared for the showdown.
Episode 9
Guin wakes up in a dungeon cave. A Lagon girl, Rana feeds him and talks to him. Lagons think he is an evil spirit. Learning that the Lagons are guided by Doudou the hero and Kaa the wiseman, Guin wants to challenge Doudou and claims he is stronger than him. Guin is brought before them as Guin is interrogated about his origins. They believe because he doesn’t have memories of where he comes from, he must be an evil spirit trying to get revenge on them. Guin must be coolly pulling fast ones as he claims he is sent from heaven to guide them. They calls his story BS since they don’t know of the God he speaks. Since they are guided by the God known as Akura, Guin thinks he is sent by him. As Kaa makes him describe what Akura is, his vague answer of he is everywhere but nowhere has them believe he doesn’t know a thing. They now think he is a thief who is out to steal their salt. Guin proves he isn’t because he didn’t resist arrest. Everyone calls for his death when Rana speaks up about his fight with Doudou. She wonders why he wouldn’t fight Guin despite being smaller size. Guin says because he is scared! This angers Doudou as Guin continues the fact he wants him elimination without justification is proof. And so Doudou challenges him. If Doudou wins, Guin will be killed. If by any chance Guin wins, he will be recognized as the messenger of Akura. The fight begins and it looks like Doudou is stronger than him. Guin is about to be crushed when the strange crystal then gives off a bright light. The Lagons recognize it as Akura. So now Guin is like showing off his power with this crystal? Might as well go with the flow. Meanwhile the Mongauls being their fight with the Sems. Istovan tells Marus and his platoon he has found the Sems’ village. When they head there, it is empty. They realize it is a trap when they drop rocks and oil. Marus is mad to learn Istovan is siding with the Sems. He is burnt alive as he curses and condemns Istovan. Too bad Istovan tells him to curse Guin. This was his idea. With Kaa recognizing Guin as Akura, the Lagons will go to wherever he leads them, fight the enemies he fights and befriends the friends he has. Wow. A second ago, they were baying for his blood. Guin tells them to fight for Nospherus and drive out the evil that greedily seeks their land. He thanks Rana for giving him a chance but the problem now is to lead the reinforcements back to Sem in a day.
Episode 10
Amnelis cannot believe Marus is dead. Is this time to cry? A survivor tells that a traitor was among them. Marus left a scar on his ear. Astreas wants to redeem himself and find this guy. Amazingly he finds the Sems’ hideout and reports back. Amnelis will use this chance to eliminate them once and for all. The weirdest thing happened during Amnelis rallying her troops is when a strand of hair floats towards Astreas, he grabs and smells it! WTF???!!! SICK!!! So as they quietly surround the area, good thing Istovan wasn’t asleep as he spots the incoming Mongauls. He then goes to warn Rinda to warn the rest while he goes back to recon. When Astreas realizes the Sems are getting restless and their presence might be discovered (he is being good for something once), he reports back to Amnelis who then orders a full attack. Istovan in reality is running away. He doesn’t want to do this but can’t risk the Mongauls know his face if he is to become the future king. The raging battle carries on. The Sems try to use smokescreen to escape but Astreas cuts them off. Suni tries to save Rinda by attacking Astreas. I know he swung his sword and miss but how the heck did Suni fall into the abyss?! Istovan returns to fight Astreas. At least Istovan has got the brains to wear a mask this time. Though Astreas recognizes him, he does a dirty trick to escape since Istovan outmatches him. The ground rumbles. It is Guin! He is leading the Lagons to battle! They might be few in number but a single punch can send many flying far away!!! The Mongauls want Amnelis to give the retreat order but she is stubborn and wants to remain fighting. Yeah, a few of her close aides got killed. Even Kar Mol. Just push him off the cliff in his carriage and he turns to dust! Finally Astreas orders for the retreat as the Mongauls run away with their tails between their legs. Rinda is glad Guin is back. He explains the Lagos leading him through some shortcut and that’s how they made it back in time. If the Mongauls return to attack, as long as Sems and Lagons join forces, they are no match for them. They want Guin to be their king and he doesn’t dismiss the idea since he likes Nospherus’ dessert.
Episode 11
Amnelis returns to her father. She reports her failure and will resign from her position as well as accept whatever punishment. However he doesn’t mind all that and has something more important. He wants her to try a few dresses as he wants her to prepare getting married. She agrees without hesitation but suggests putting a few commanders in charge for Nospherus and one of them being Astreas. Back in her room, Amnelis is frustrated with everything. Her little brother, Miail is worried she is being married off and blames himself. She tells him not to worry as she is just fed up with things. Especially how Guin told her to wear a dress and slay men in the ballroom! Guin talks to the elders of the Sems and Lagons. He plans to leave this place to find his identity and destiny. At the gates of Crystal, once a city of Parros but now under Mongaul control, a merchant named Runan is seeking approval to get in to open his store. But the guards are suspicious as they are on the lookout for Parros’ prince, Aldo Naris who is still alive and wreak havoc during the Dark Dragon Crusade. The guard inspects his carriage to find beautiful women as his maids. One of them, Regia (Runan’s daughter) decides to flirt with the guard and this allows him to enter through. One of the maids is in fact Naris in disguise. They will not let Regia’s effort go in vain. Doudou challenges Guin to a fight since he won’t let the Lagons follow him wherever he goes. Guin’s strength surpasses him. Guin promises to return and hopes they will wait for him. Naris is seeking refuge in a minister’s house but a traitor has leaked information he is here. He will leave and seek refuge elsewhere but the minister’s daughter, Sara refuses to let him leave. She is willing to sacrifice her captive father and herself. Yeah, it sounds she is like a yandere. So she’s threatening to kill him too? It has got that bad that she even called the Mongauls to surround and capture him! This woman is crazy! No choice, Naris is forced to surrender as the captain of this quad, Karthron greets him.
Episode 12
Karthron tortures Naris in an attempt to make him reveal the secret of using a Parros machine that can send anybody anywhere. Naris keeps his mouth shut while trying to provoke Karthron that he can’t report this to anybody because General Tairan will usurp his credits. Speaking of the demon, here comes Tairan to admonish Karthron. He has his men release Naris and will treat him as Mongaul’s guest of honour. Naris notes their friction and will someday use it to his advantage. Meanwhile Astreas has some serious issues. He is distraught Amnelis is leaving and will belong to another man. Oh, he still keeps her strand of hair in his locket and smells it! SICKO!!! He is going to disobey all orders and save her. We move over to some short romance in the Gul tribe of the prairies, prince Skarl with Li Fa. Seems he is going with Beck to save Naris. Then there is report that the rival Kaulos tribe has joined the Mongaul side. Time for war. Remus is sinking into his lonely loser feeling again when he starts seeing a vision of a strange man. Tairan tells Naris there will be a ball to introduce him to Mongaul’s princess. Naris would like to attend and knows this is Mongaul’s sly ploy to marry him off to Amnelis and control Parros as well as calming the people’s uneasiness. More Astreas drama. He plans to kidnap Amnelis and believes she is in love with him! PUKING!!! Then he meets a wandering minstrel, Marius who seems to have the answer he is looking for regarding the man who will marry Amnelis. He says the most likely is Naris. Astreas gets tricked when Marius knocks him out with some perfume. Marius’ real identity is Aldeen, Naris’ younger brother. Naris attends the ball and reunites with Runan. When Amnelis meets Naris for the first time, she isn’t impressed how girly he looks. But when she looks at his whole face, she didn’t realize he is this beautiful! You mean she is this dumbfounded?! WTF?! Oh, I can see she is in love… More drama for Remus as he dreams more strange visions. A strange tower with lights rising up to the sky and shooting UFOs?! Yeah, they explode. He thinks the vision is trying to tell him that it is something he himself can only do. Because of that, he will be no longer afraid. It’s like he has a sudden change in character like as though he has embraced his dark side and wants to see more of the vision.
Episode 13
Arriving at the sea town of Ross, to avoid gaining unwanted attraction, Guin and the twins will wait outside while Istovan tries to secure lodging and boat. Guin has been thinking he will only bring unwanted chaos to the twins and wants to part ways. Rinda is against it but when Remus thinks it is for the best, she slaps him?! That’s what he get for speaking his mind? Well, how can he say this to someone who has saved their lives countless times. She doesn’t want Guin to leave their side so he promises to be their knight until he delivers them to Argos. Naris works his charms on Amnelis like calling her the Princess of Light, etc. He intends to show her the Parros’ machine so meet him there tonight alone. Astreas is taken to Marius’ hideout where he is interrogated about the twins’ whereabouts. He doesn’t know but it leads to Marius knowing about Guin. He finds that leopard guy dangerous and needs to save those twins. He sends his messenger to let Naris know. Naris gets that message just before he starts to show Amnelis around. Naris explains the origins of this tower is unknown and great Parros magicians have created a barrier to protect it. That is why Mongauls were unable to find it. Even if they do, they can’t operate it. Well, it is hardly a secret seeing Amnelis now knows about it. Suddenly Naris pushes her into the machine and threatens her to send her to dangerous places. She is actually screaming, crying and begging to be released as he mocks the naïve girl who doesn’t know anything. She even admits she is afraid of him to be released! He warns her never to behave like this again because she killed her heart in the process. He had to resort to this so that she could open her heart? He wants her to submit to his true love despite this being seen as a political marriage. And she threatens to kill all of Parros if he deceives her again? WTF. He shuts her up with a kiss. I guess that seals it. Istovan has gotten a boat but must leave by tonight since he heard Argos has declared war against Mongaul. He also heard about Naris and Amnelis’ marriage. This shocks Rinda since she was supposed to be his fiancée. Remus (with that dark smirk) assures her when he becomes king of Argos, Amnelis will only become a lead successor like Beck. The gang tries to wait for Guin to board the ship. Thankfully he joins them last minute as it departs.
Episode 14
Rinda is not pleased this is a pirate ship. Considering their circumstances, was she expecting some luxury liner? When the captain comes in early to give food and booze, Istovan knows it contains sleeping drugs. He tells the rest to pretend to eat it and then throw it away. That night, the pirates come in to kill them, thinking they are asleep. Guin and Istovan take the captain hostage. The second in command doesn’t mind him getting killed since he will be the next captain. So the pirates attack anyway as Guin and Istovan fight back. The pirates unite upon seeing Guin’s leopard head and believe he is some sort of curse. Guin is willing to get off this ship if the captain can promise the safe delivery of the twins. Suddenly a ship of light swiftly passes by. Guin recognizes the word on it as Landock. When the ship disappears, so does Guin. Meanwhile Astreas is outside the gates. He is so dumb that he thinks he can convince the guards to let him pass without a special note. Even dumber when he reveals his name! The guards now know he is a deserter and is about to attack when a mysterious sorcerer, Varelius hypnotizes them to help Astreas go through. When the storm is over, Istovan finds the ship a mess. Unconscious Rinda is trapped underneath some wood. The odd part is how he needs her to drink water but transfers it via his mouth?! Does he want to kiss her that badly? And miraculously she wakes up! Oh, first thing she says is Guin’s name. Disappointed? Apparently the other pirates are okay too but they let this drama played out before resuming their fight? Istovan does well till Rinda is taken hostage. Although Istovan does a sneaky trick to get her back, the biggest badass is Remus. He pours oil over the pirates and threatens to burn them! OMG! He tells them it is better to cooperate with them than to die and he makes them swear to that! OMG! Is this really him?! Naris is delighted when Regia returns. It seems she has gotten close to Karthron’s right hand man, Dallas and manage to investigate the Mongaul’s movements. It is dangerous but Regia swears her loyalty to him and will do anything to see him become king of Parros. I hope she isn’t another one of those crazy fan girls. Maybe not. Because her wish is for him to be king instead of Naris himself suggesting a kiss. Flirting failed… Amnelis passes by Regia on her way out. Call it a woman’s intuition that she isn’t going to like her. Yeah, Regia has bigger boobs than her. So she is already questioning Naris about this woman. Naris is as smooth as ever using his charming words. I wonder if she came all the way here to kiss him.
Episode 15
It has been 10 days since Guin is missing. Rinda continues to believe in him. When an island is spotted, Istovan tells the twins they need to escape from this ship tonight. They are running out of food and water as the pirates have been eating and drinking since they lost their captain. You can guess where this is heading. On the island, Rinda despite still thinking about Guin, can’t help feel being more attracted to Istovan. As they talk, she starts blaming herself as powerless since she has nothing. Even if they reach Argos, she will still have to rely on their aunt, Queen Ema. Wow. So sad. I wonder if Istovan took advantage of this because he swears to protect her. Oddly, it’s like Rinda suddenly switches alliance! It’s no more Guin! She now wants to be with him! OMG! It just shows she really wants a strong man to lean on. Heck, they even kiss! So is Guin forgotten already? Meanwhile Skarl wants to go save Beck from Kaulos. He sees his brother Stark the king but he is talking to Yarue, a sorcerer who serves Naris. It seems he is here to borrow their army. Skarl is not amused and doesn’t want any part in this dirty tactic. He will not rely on the army but the people of the plains to save Beck. Yeah, they easily defeat the Kaulos army and take over their fort. We move over to more cheesy romance between Naris and Amnelis. Lots of love assuring and kissing. Boy, she sure has changed a lot. Runan wants to know Naris’ true intention but it seems he is in love with Amnelis for real! So if he truly cares for him, tell others to pray for their happiness. Back on the island, not only Istovan and co think there is a monster living in a cave nearby, they have to escape from the pirates who are on their tail. The plan now is to lure them to the monster and steal their ship. Istovan is overwhelmed when he tries to be a hero. Don’t worry. Guin returns! And an awesome one because he jumps down and breaks the boulder in half! We are reminded how strong he is when his punches can send others flying away! The pirates are scared and flee. Rinda is glad to see him. Oh, now she is back to his side? Guin has no memory of how he came here. After that Landock incident, the next thing he knows, he was on this island. All the while, Remus has been checking out the cave and instead of explaining what is inside, it is better they take a look for themselves.
Episode 16
While trekking inside the cave, Guin gives advice to Remus about using his power wisely. They arrive at an abyss with a ball of light deep inside. While the rest can only see it as a ball of light, Rinda sees it as something else. Something alive. It’s like that thing that powers the Parros machine. After she faints, the island starts shaking and they flee to get out. But those idiotic pirates are back. Don’t they ever learn? I guess they won’t because a giant monster kills them all. Rinda prays so they can get off in time. They see the mountain split and the ball of light emerging out from it. Remus recognizes it from his dream while Guin has seen something similar at Nospherus. Meanwhile, Vlad isn’t happy she truly has fallen for Naris. So he orders his men to kill Naris secretly after their wedding. WTF. Then he summons Miail. After Amnelis gets married, he will be sent to Keironia where he will get married to Sylvia, the daughter of Emperor Achireus. Because of that, he can’t stop crying in his room. Man, this kid should have been born a girl since he looks like one. Marius enters a bar. The owner is the father of Orro. Learning how sad he is for losing his son, he sings for him. Passing by is Yunas, Miail’s attendant. He brings Marius to Miail to play and cheer him up. It worked. Guin and co have been drifting for days on the pirate’s ship. Remus talks to Guin about a strange creature living in Nospherus. He plans to learn and control Parros’ tower so he can rule the world. He is telling Guin all this because he views him as the key to these secrets and believes he comes from that world. A military ship is spotted. They are from Agraya and the kingdom should be acting very carefully regarding the war with Mongaul. Istovan goes to signal for rescue.
Episode 17
Miail is now very close to Marius. However, he is still very sad he has to get married after her sister’s wedding. Marius promises he will always be with him. That night, Marius is visited by Rorca, Naris’ attendant. He brings orders from Naris for Marius to eliminate Miail and Vlad. Marius is against killing a child but is reminded he is still a Mongaul. So as Marius prepares to kill Miail, he thinks of killing himself after that. But when he hears Miail sleep talking, he changes his mind. He can’t do it. Linas talks to Varelius about Remus still being alive. He is being told not to tell other Parros retainers about it. Varelius deduces even if Naris marries Amnelis, Parros’ throne still belongs to Remus. But if Vlad is assassinated, Naris will inherit Mongaul’s throne. And if by then Remus dies… See where this is going? Linas dismisses all that and says their loyalty is to neither rulers but to Parros. However Varelius claims his loyalty is only to Linas since he saved him. Marius tells Rorca there is no need to kill Miail because that kid will listen to what he says. Once he ascends the throne, it will be easy to manipulate him from the shadows. More cheesy romance from Naris and Amnelis. She trusts and loves him so much that she drinks something without question before passing out. Then Naris meets a few shady cloaked guys to put forth their plan. The day of the wedding is here. Astreas is really eager to kill Naris but Varelius tells him not to rush. Because the royal family will be plated in armour for protection, they cannot be assassinated to easily. Hence this sword is laced with poison and he will die with just a scratch on the arm. Amnelis dresses up beautifully. The plaza is filled with people to catch a glimpse of her riding through to the antechamber.
Episode 18
The people of Crystal are protesting loudly as they want to save Naris from this marriage. Naris stands up to address the crowd. He thanks them for loving him and if so, trust him. For everything he does is for the sake of Parros. That changed their mind and now they are praising him as king of Parros. Meanwhile Miail can’t sleep so Marius goes to get his lute. When he returns, he sees Rorca beside Miail. To his dismay, Miail is dead! I can’t believe Marius is so dumb to pick up the knife that killed him. Naturally Yunas walks in and sees this. You think he is going to listen and believe you? Marius uses the knife to kill Yunas in self-defence. Then the guards come in. Oh boy… But some black smoke engulfs him. The wedding is proceeding well and we hear more of Astreas’ cheesy jealousy that Amnelis is all his. All his!!! Varelius signals to Astreas so he stupidly charges and stabs his sword into Naris. Amnelis is horrified. But that dead look on Naris’ face… Looks so fake… That’s because he is still alive and it was just a scratch. Astreas is apprehended and unmasked. Amnelis is shocked to see him and he is still ranting about saving her. I hope he learns this time she isn’t into him because she wants him taken away forever. He is locked up in a prison but a sorceress bails him out. Looks like he is going to get fooled again? Amnelis’ joy is short-lived since Naris is now dead from the poison! There’ll be more tears to flow once she learns Miail is also dead. So sad… And then what’s this?! Naris is still alive?! Apparently this was Linas plan to fake his death. However they were to use some sleeping drug. Naris sensed somebody switched the poison and hence used a body double. Wait a minute. There is somebody else who is as handsome as him?! Yeah, too bad the body double is the one dead. With Mongaul now thinking Naris is dead, he will move on to his next phase of his revenge plan. He is now a ‘ghost’ and can move freely and stealthily in darkness. Sad Amnelis leaves Crystal vowing never to love again. Marius realizes Rorca saved him. He was under orders by Naris to do so and wants him to return to Crystal. However he will not do that and departs on his journey to a faraway land.
Episode 19
At Agraya, the twins see the king. Remus requests to borrow a platoon of his army for their journey to Argos (because 2 mercenaries aren’t enough) as well as their kingdom’s relationship to remain friends. In exchange, the king wants him to marry his eldest daughter, Almina. Remus will only do so when he reclaims the throne of Parros. Meanwhile Karthron rubbishes reports of seeing Naris’ ghost. When he goes home, he is shocked to see this pretty but familiar woman. Oh wait. It’s Naris! He isn’t a ghost. Naris wants him to defect from Mongaul as their fall is imminent. He explains all his men are already preparing and heading to several places to gather the army. Knowing that his relationship with Tairan isn’t good, Naris believes that he will not report this. After all, he is dating Regia and since she is from Parros and serving under Naris, Karthron will be deemed a spy. For now, Karthron need not to anything and when the time comes, he will marry Regia and become hero of Parros. Well, that sounded good enough for him to take the bait. The twins have arrived at Argos. Ema and Stark are glad to see them. Remus wants to get down to business to reclaim Parros. He has them witness make his claim as legitimate king of Parros and until then he will not cut his hair. Just his hair? We haven’t seen in a while the cheesy romance between Istovan and Rinda. After he shows her a beautiful mirage of the city, he then tells her he won’t follow her to Parros. Didn’t he devote his sword to her? He realized his status that prevents him to speak to her intimately. Since when is he concerned about status? She is willing to make him the prince or king once Parros returns to its feet. However it is because Istovan is truly in love with her, he cannot use her power to become king. He must become that by his own power. So wait for him for 3 years and he will come back and take her. He cuts his hair for her as symbol of his pledge. And now for a goodbye kiss. The Agraya army on their way back are being attacked and killed by a group of assassins who are seeking to find Guin.
Episode 20
The council of maritime provinces vote unanimously to send troops to stop the Mongaul advance as they fear they will be targeted. Istovan sees a guy being beaten by soldiers. So after he defeats them, the dying victim learns he is a mercenary and wants him to deliver a letter to Mongaul. In exchange he will be rewarded anything. So he accepted the task just like that? Karthron hears Tairan addressing a few men about the gathering of Parros reinforcements. Karthron realizes what Naris predicated has come true. Their plan is to crush the rebellion before they gather steam. But leaving Crystal would mean leaving the place undermanned. Tairan orders Karthron to go to Yuno for reinforcements. He rejects as he is in charge of ensuring Crystal’s safety. Tairan sends his other men to do the job. They suspect something amiss with Karthron’s behaviour and believe he is trying to betray them. Remus will borrow and lead an army allied to Parros to reclaim Crystal. But once they enter Crystal, Remus wants to be the only one to take it back because he is the king. Because of this, he orders Yarue that he cannot report to Naris anymore for he is just a mere retainer. As Remus talks to Guin, they are being attacked by an assassin. Guin easily cuts him down. They notice his crest that he is from Kitai. They wonder if Mongaul has hired Kitai to hunt them. Stack and Ema see off the twins. Rinda feels sad she just arrived at Argos and will now be returning to Parros. She feels eventually everybody will leave her and will be alone. Istovan reads the letter and realizes this could change the fate of Mongaul or Parros. He thinks if he could use this to become Mongaul’s noble but something feels off. Then he remembers. He did kill Marus, right? He believes he can get a better offer elsewhere. So storms off in the middle of the night on a horse and those soldiers thinking he is a spy of Mongaul are hot on his tail. Heck, they even killed a woman who sheltered him for being a traitor!
Episode 21
Even the townspeople are starting to rebel against the Mongauls. Regia rallies the people to fight. With the Mongaul soldiers at Crystal thinning out, this is a great chance to storm the place. The Mongaul soldiers are clearly outnumbered but the people don’t have the skill and weapons. Before the complete slaughter of the Parros people can take place, the Holy Knights of Parros arrive to lend their assistance. The top knights unmask themselves to be Regia and Naris. This boosts the people’s morale. Karthron tries to lead Tairan to escape when he mentions the leader of the rebellion is Naris. But this only makes Tairan suspicious that Naris is Karthron’s backer. Tairan escapes himself so Karthron chases him down. Karthron realizes this is a setup because Tairan’s men corner him. They know he is the traitor and wants him to give up. Dumb guy tries to fight back and obviously gets killed. After Tairan has fled to Yuno, Naris reclaims Crystal. He then has Regia summon a few students whom she brought for the rebellion. Among them is Ran whom Naris hears his thoughts about magic and science and his fascination with Parros’ machine. When Naris informs Regia that Karthron is dead, she cried?! I didn’t believe she loved this guy but it’s true. I guess when you’ve spend some time with somebody, you see the good points to. And I suppose because of Karthron’s betrayal, it allowed the people of Parros to rebel. Just as planned… Remus is frustrated that he is stuck in a skirmish with Kaulos when he should be already taking Crystal. He orders his generals to come up with a better strategy and Rinda to divine a winning date. She tells him to wait before attacking as the tide will turn in their favour soon caused by a messenger from the north. That messenger soon arrives to inform that the maritime provinces have allied and led by Borgo Valen to begin their attack on Mongaul’s base at Ross. Rorca is also here to deliver a message that Naris has taken Crystal. Then he hands him a personal message from Naris. Remus is surprised there is such an option but if he takes it, he will lose his authority as king. He burns the letter and will decide on what to do. Rorca as instructed by Naris is to assist Yarue. Remus believes Naris wants to observe his worth as king. Rinda talks to Guin as she is worried about Remus. A couple of assassins pop up.
Episode 22
OMG! Guin easily kills the assassins! Mongaul should hire better assassins for the job. Meanwhile Amnelis is still mourning over Miail. Vlad has been sick ever since his son’s death. He wants Amnelis to marry and bear a successor. However she will not be a tool anymore. Then news come in that Crystal has fallen and Naris is alive and has setup everything. Imagine the shock. It’s going to be war. Amnelis must be confused. Is she supposed to be happy that he is alive? Maybe she has gone crazy laughing. I guess she is serious now. Because she dons her war armour and cuts her hair. What she hates the most isn’t Naris betraying her but the fact she still loves him despite all that. So wants to lead an army to suppress Parros and kill Naris. Vlad loves the vengeance look in her eyes and approves. Istovan hears Skarl talking to his army that their plan is to subjugate Mongaul’s suppression army. If not, they will strike the heart of Mongaul. Istovan is taken to see Naris. He gives him the letter. It reads the maritime provinces will move to seal Ross but in exchange they are requesting the Mongaul side to kill Borgo Valen. Naris views this a serious matter and chooses to believe Istovan. Thanks to this, Parros will avoid being cut off from behind. Istovan also tells about Skarl. Then he wants Naris to hire him as his sword. At first Naris wanted to put him in the Holy Knights but decides he will remain by his side. Tairan’s squad serves as the vanguard. However his side is losing when a few soldiers defect. It is Varelius and his sorcerers. They surround Tairan and kill him with their magic. Amnelis’ main force comes into Skarl’s side. They are about the fight when reports of Tairan’s death reaches her. Time to retreat. Amnelis is boiling with anger that this might all be part of Naris’ scheme and that he won’t face he hatred head on.
Episode 23
Istovan tells Naris of his destiny to become king. Naris feels they both are the same because they are chasing their own ambitions. Istovan doesn’t mind all the suffering and pain in his quest to become king. Remus seeks Guin’s advice since he is in a dilemma. Naris wrote a letter to him to spread the word of Mongaul’s defeat. This will make Kaulos worry and that’s where they’ll go offer a peace talk in which they will most likely accept. It is a good plan but by doing so, Remus fears he will be Naris’ puppet. Guin advises him on being a great king doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything on his own. In short, let his men do all the achievements while he reap the rewards. An assassin takes Remus hostage. I guess she is so confident of killing Guin that she reveals her employer’s name, Sid. After Guin throws down his sword, another assassin tries to kill him from the back. Suni does something useful for once, shooting poison darts at the assassin and freeing Remus. The other assassin must be such a slow poke that Guin is able to pick up his sword and stab him. Really, low quality assassins! Naris tells Istovan his ambition to become God. What he meant is to know the secrets of the world. For that he need God-like powers. Secondly, he needs a goddess by his side. And the closest to that is Rinda. Istovan is worried as he asks if they love each other. From Naris says, it’s yes. So Istovan starts thinking and doesn’t like one bit of it. While he struggles to become king, she might become Naris’ wife. He decides to screw being a retainer. He is a demon soldier and will carve his own path. He will take Rinda by force. If she has become Naris’ wife, kill him and take her! So much about his loyalty to Naris. Bye. No need to report. Naris even knows he has fled. Guin intends to go to Torus alone. Since assassins are after his life, it will be dangerous to hang around them. Plus, there is a possibility that Sid knows about his identity. Naris and Skarl’s side meet. They discuss their army size as well as the enemy’s. It is decided to face Amnelis head on at Zaim where she is currently camping. But Zaim is close to Khum of Gohra and could be a problem since they are allied to Mongaul. Naris tells to send a messenger to request troops to Parros instead. Amnelis briefs her generals of the next battle. Learning Naris will attack at Zaim, she’ll gladly take him on. But her sorcerer warns her the tide doesn’t favour her and should return to Torus. However she refuses to do so seeing the enemy has come this far. Her decision stands. Guin says goodbye and gives his final advice to the kids. Promise to be back? If Jarn wills it. Yeah, keep praying to Jarn then. Then off he goes galloping on his horse as Rinda tries to chase him. Hey. She in love with him now?
Episode 24
After a war meeting, Vlad coughs violently and dies! WTF?! Guin confronts Sid. The latter claims he knows Guin. He is the reincarnation of Doal, the reincarnation of evil that shall destroy the world. Guin wants to know his sins but he is told to ask his own heart. Who is Sid then? A hero who shall slay the evil. Sid uses his magic to paralyze Guin and then knock him out with a punch. Amnelis is ready for battle when she receives word of her father’s death. She is torn to return to Torus since she really wants to fight Naris. However she believes Naris will bring the fight to Torus and thus she decides to return. As expected, Naris intends to do just that. As Mongaul retreat, they are blocked off by Khum. They might have learnt about Vlad’s death and have defected to Parros. Surrounded, Amnelis orders they will barge through and return to Torus. The odds are against them and the only way is to surrender. Amnelis then sees Naris. Her blood is now boiling. She would have wanted to rush to fight him had not Captain Lentz knock her out. After Mongaul has surrendered, Tarue the prince of Khum seeks an audience with Naris. Guin is captured and held captive by Sid inside Torus. Sid’s plan isn’t just to have Mongaul destroyed but every last man kill each other. Guin thinks his aim is the Parros’ machine. He is about to kill Guin but the siege from Parros and Khum interrupted and ‘freed’ Guin. Rozan who is in charge is firm to defend the place but when he learns Amnelis has been captured by Khum as well as all the other squadrons have surrendered to Parros, Khum and ,the maritime alliance, they are forced to unconditionally surrender. Amnelis wakes up inside a room in Khum. Her personal maid, Flori explains what happened. Amnelis is sad she lost her brother, father and now her country. She tries to search for something to kill herself but Khum has been careful not to leave any sharp things. Flori remains positive that things won’t remain the same. Just like Parros. Amnelis says Parros had Naris. Mongaul had no one. What about her? Flori will always view Amnelis as her light. Amnelis accepts reality. She needs to be stronger for Mongaul and herself.
Episode 25
Skarl talks to Admiral Cameron of one of the maritime provinces. He is going to Nospherus as he saw from Vlad’s room a book that states there is a weapon that could destroy the world. After Skarl leaves, Naris knows where Skarl is doing. He observed him shut himself in Vlad’s room yesterday and upon inspection, the log describing Amnelis’ exploits in Nospherus is missing. He wants to know Skarl’s intention for he doesn’t make enemies of him. Amnelis is brought before the king of Khum, Taryou. He tells her that she will be put on trial. However it will be a waste for her to be executed. He offers Khum to help in rebuilding Mongaul but all their power will be handed over to Khum. Amnelis knows they will become a mere puppet and will be disposed once their purpose is served. She would rather go on trial and die as apology to the people of Parros. Taryou is impressed so he promises he won’t kill her as long as Khum retains authority over Mongaul. Amnelis also knows Taryou has 3 unwed sons. Taryou will discuss this when Tarue returns from Torus. Remus’ guards capture Sid as a suspicious person. He digress and explains he was attacked by bandits and a man with a leopard face saved him. He is now injured in the cave. Remus and Rinda of course would like to go see him but soon realize it is a trap by Sid as he hypnotizes them. He is interested in the royals who can only activate Parros’ machine. Sid tries to enter Rinda’s heart. She cries for Guin’s help. Oh, here he is! Sid explains this is the ruins of an old kingdom, Kanan. One day it was destroyed by a meteorite that was brought forth by Guin. The twins refuse to believe that but Sid points out that danger has only befallen them ever since Guin joined them. Guin counters that by saying all he knows he is the root of evil. That is all. Guin might not know his past but he knows he has been walking the path he believes in. Sid and Guin clash. Guin’s Akura power gives him some reprieve. Sid then turns into his true monster form. He looks more evil than the evil he proclaims Guin to be. Sid might be stronger but soon Guin is able to turn the tables. Guin hears a voice he heard from Nospherus to head north. The place collapses killing Sid. A ball of light like the one they saw from the island emerges and disappear. Naris notes Rinda, Remus and Amnelis has ventured into Nospherus and now Skarl. One day he too must go there. Istovan sees Guin and co emerging unscathed from the ruins. He notes he has finally found Guin. Why left in the first place, duh?
Episode 26
Remus finally returns to Crystal as Naris and his team greet him. But Remus is ‘jealous’ that the crowd chants for Naris more than him. Even more so when they see the beautiful Rinda, they call her name. None for you, ex-cry-baby boy. Rinda immediately runs to hug Naris. She wants to introduce him to Guin who had guided them through but he is already gone. Meanwhile Amnelis has come to terms and accepts reality. She blames herself for the fall of Mongaul. Even though she was following her father’s orders, this is the reason why she failed. She will now use this time to find what she has left and feels she can do anything. Honestly, she is still in love with Naris. Remus sits by his dead parents’ portrait ‘complaining’ how nobody called his name because of his previous wuss reputation. It’s been a while we’ve seen him going back to emo. So yeah, he is somewhat lost without guidance. Guin stumbles into Istovan. The latter begs for his help as he needs his powers in order to realize his dream. However Guin cannot help him even if he wants to. He is heading north and promises once he finds his identity, he will come to help him. Will it be too late then? So the only way for Istovan left is to fight him? Guin warns him of his dangerous way he is living to achieve his ambition and to only face him when he is stronger. Since Istovan doesn’t consider him his friend anymore, I guess it’s time to throw punches. It’s no surprise Istovan gets pummelled and flew far away! Bye. See you next time. Meanwhile Remus attends his coronation and trial to be king of Parros. Everything looks fine until horrified Rinda sees a dark figure possessing Remus. She tells Naris that Remus is wearing the blood stained cloak of Kar Mol. Of course he cannot see what is happening and doesn’t know who that is. Remus is back to his dark side with that evil grin. Remus is now officially king of Parros. Guin continues his lonely journey north. Skarl and his Gul men attempt to cross over to Nospherus but the Sems and Lagons are waiting. Astreas is seen bumming out in a cell. Marius wonders if Guin is the light or darkness.
Come All Without, Come All Within, You’ll Not See Nothing Like The Mighty Guin
I guess the ‘ending’ is pretty okay. If it sounds like a pretty old cliché because it ends where their next chapter of adventure will begin, well, it can’t be helped since the original author passed away the same year the anime was produced. I wonder if they decided to animate the story after her passing in 2009. But they did dedicate it to her at the end of the series. After all, I believe this story holds the Guinness world record of the longest ever story written by a single person. The story started way back since 1979. Yeah, that is one really long time. It is sad that it was never finished. At least by its original author. The works did get a continuation a few years after the author’s death by a different author but it wouldn’t be the same ever again as what the original would have envisioned. We can only speculate but the true ending will never be known. So could One Piece please finish its story before the inevitable happens!
I am going to limit myself in commenting just the anime since I didn’t read the original works. Even if this anime is almost a decade ago and the story written from even longer than that, from today’s perspectives, it feels campy and cheesy. Because it feels like the story is all over the place. It’s like there are things going on everywhere with more and more elements and plots being added as the series progresses. I am sure that everything has its purpose and will converge somewhere in the middle or end and all will be tied up in the end. But as far as this anime is concerned, the 26 episodes feel like it couldn’t do justice to it all. Had it run up to 50 episodes, I’m sure I would have that dilemma of prolonging this problem. Because more plots, more confusion. So by the time this anime ends, all the earlier plots and whatever mysteries, I have already long forgotten. And new ones emerged… Who the f*ck is Yondaruzoku, Sid???!!! That name of your big boss you scream before you die?!
I have to admit that the earlier episodes when Guin led Nospherus to battle against Amnelis’ Mongaul army had by far been the most interesting of the stories. Because after that, it turned into some cheesy romance-cum-betrayal and that is where I felt the plot started to meander and go all over the place. It became a bit boring as we see some underhanded power play between king wannabes and when Mongaul fell, it didn’t felt that exciting. I guess this is why it wasn’t as exciting because Guin as the main star of this series didn’t really have a direct hand in bringing down Mongaul. Instead it was that pretty boy Naris whom I suppose some would love to hate because of his seemingly sneaky ways to bring Parros back for the Parros’ people. Sighs, why does it seem so interesting when everything is ending? Perhaps everyone has a new direction now and this gives off a fresh but sad feel. I mean, the Parros twins have returned with Remus becoming king, Amnelis is now a prisoner in a foreign land while Guin who has been accompanying the twins from the start has gone solo. Interesting but sadly that is where the anime ends.
Another thing that made this series a double edge sword is the characters. Too many of them! Major and minor ones. Like I have said before, each will have their role to play and will converge somewhere (assuming they haven’t been killed off) but for this anime, there are too many to remember. I can’t even remember them if they appeared before or not and the minor ones I have problems remembering their name. Some feel like just playing a very small part like Marius who appeared just so he could be set up to kill Miail. Then he is gone forever. I know they want to link him on later since he is related to Naris but some unnamed assassin could have just taken Miail’s life. Need someone to get close to that lonely boy? You think Mongaul’s security is that good?
I suppose when you are going to have a long epic story, you need many characters. Even towards the end of the anime they are introducing ‘new characters’. At this point I was like, thank goodness it is going to end so I don’t care anymore. Some introduced but then forgotten like that student Ran who led the rebellion against Mongaul. Some characters get killed off as part of the story. They aren’t important characters, not that I can see their bearings in this anime but at least the characters aren’t dying Game of Thrones style. Hence, there are so many names and places and terms that when I try to re-read my blog for some older references, I had already forgotten about it and dared ask myself if that was what I wrote before. Damn, I’m not cut out to remember so many things.
Guin as the main character is interesting as well as intriguing. His mysterious past and an amnesiac character are what makes him fascinating. Although bits and pieces are revealed over time, you wonder if they are red herring or they are for real. Is he really some evil reincarnation? Somehow it doesn’t make you feel impatient to want to know more about him. Maybe because he is such a cool and calm guy that we accept him for whoever he is now and whatever new information comes to light, we’ll learn it by then? Despite the title being named after him, I feel Guin has been particularly side-lined during Naris-Amnelis romance arc. He is mainly travelling in the background bringing the royal twins to Argos. Maybe that is why the series started to lose its excitement since he makes lesser appearances. Even towards the end when Mongaul fell and Guin is back, it just doesn’t feel exciting anymore.
For many of the other main characters, they have their ups and downs. Let me start off with the Parros twins. For Remus, he was particularly annoying because of his negativity. It doesn’t help he sounds more like a whiny pessimistic coward than anything. He is practically useless. It’s like they realized we can’t have such a loser for the rest of the episodes and suddenly Remus is transformed into some dark character! OMG. I know this makes his character totally different from what we first knew him as, but I believe I like this Remus better even if he is on the verge of walking into the dark side. At least this dark Remus is more useful and is fitting to be king even if he is seemingly being manipulated by an evil force.
Then there is Rinda whom I can say is a very dependent woman. Dependent on a guy. You see her pandering to Guin at first. Not surprising. He is strong and reliable and always saves the day. She staves off Istovan’s advances at first but soon finds herself falling for him. It made me go what the f*ck happened because suddenly she is all over him? I remember she wouldn’t want to marry this jerk but then makes a total u-turn later on. Proof that consistent bugging can make one change her mind. And when Istovan is gone, she’s gone back to Guin. Oh my. What a fickle woman. And now Guin is gone, she is in Naris’ arms. See the pattern here? I believe Suni is supposed to be the mascot character for furry cuteness because she does mainly nothing but follow them. Because why the hell does she need to leave her tribe once Nospherus has been saved to follow them? Gratitude is one thing but following them to wherever they go for how long it may take? I guess it is better to take one monkey than to take a whole bunch of them plus a few giants. After all, she lacks any proper dialogue besides saying her own name for all of the episodes. Except the final episode in which somehow in this ‘plot twist’, she stopped being a retard and sputtered a few words, stringing a few sentences. I can’t say she has learnt to speak the language because we should have seen her trying to communicate in that instead of her retarding way.
Istovan. This guy is also a bit fickle in his quest to become king. I noticed he has this tendency to quote different types of gods in his sayings. I don’t think he is the kind who prays but really. Istovan is also as clueless as Guin on his quest. Based on some vague prophecy to become king, we see him trying all sorts to make that come true. Well, won’t know if you don’t try. So from hanging out with Rinda long enough to seduce her to promise her to be her sword and then breaking that oath to part with her (because a man is worthier when he comes back a winner from a grand adventure) and then his short-lived pact with Naris, man, this guy can’t stay still. Maybe he feels suffocated and always a second fiddle as long Guin is around. And then he goes on a short journey before he realizes he needs Guin. I thought he said he would take and snatch whatever he wants if he is to be king? I guess he couldn’t even snatch Guin, not so much as to even scratch him. So is he going to make an enemy out of Guin now just because he is mad he didn’t get what he wanted? Yeah, like his prostrating was such a big deal. Big mistake. If you can’t be friends with leopard head, don’t make him your enemy. I don’t know, that final fight between ‘friends’ feels like a parting gift to them and to us.
One of the weirdest is Amnelis. Weird I say because she was such a tomboy and a ruthless Mongaul general. Till that crazy little thing called love started to mess with her head. It was quite fun to see her being ‘bullied’ and finally succumbed to Naris’ charms because who wouldn’t love to see a b*tch like her submit to someone who is much greater than her. It is also one of the cheesiest moments in the series. With all the events that transpired to her, it’s like the gods are playing around with her and slapping her in the face multiple times. They took away her family and country and now she only has a little dignity left. Vengeance is not hers to take yet. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and wiser.
But nobody can surpass Astreas as the cheesiest and cringest character of them all. This guy is so full of himself thinking Amnelis loves him and you can see him to the most sickest of all sickest things from smelling her hair and putting on that orgasmic face while fantasizing about his delusions. This guy can actually make your hair stand on ends! This guy is a real lucky loser. He lost so many times and yet he is still around. I don’t know what happened to him after he killed the fake Naris but it is a good thing we never hear from him again in this anime. He should have been killed off during that failed assassination so I fear more cringe will befall on us in the future. At least we didn’t see him for the rest of anime. It would have been f*cking annoying just to see this guy keep screaming Amnelis name. Honestly, this guy should have been killed in place of Marus. I think he is the only dead character that I would want back as he is mature and wise but unfortunately on the wrong side of the fight.
As for Naris, he might look like the beautiful good guy who could do no wrong. However I can’t shake this feeling in my gut that he might have some sort of ulterior motive seeing he knows all. Or at least almost everything. He always thinks many steps ahead and no matter how you plan it, he is always better than you. And he does it all calmly behind his beautiful smile. That’s how Amnelis got wrecked. That’s how Mongaul fell. I suspect with Naris and Remus aiming to be king of Parros, they’ll be on collision course and their allies would be forced to choose a side then. Let us not forget Amnelis seeking revenge (haven’t you heard how hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?), the other Gohra kingdom and possibly other smaller kingdoms who might be plotting something of their own in the future.
The action and fight sequences are just okay. With the exception of Guin and Nospherus taking on the invading Mongauls, they one on one fights aren’t lengthy but I figure that battles are necessary as part and parcel for such stories. But the most disappointing ones are those Kitai assassins. I thought they would put up a fight but they go down so fast! It was truly a let-down. I think they are hired by Sid who didn’t even bat an eyelid when they were all so easily defeated. I guess that is what you get when you hire cheap assassins. You don’t expect much. Not even more if you are dealing with a leopard head guy. Oddly, it feels fun to see Guin punch and kick his way because they do pack some power. It looks unrealistic but Guin himself isn’t normal. Yeah, I prefer watching this guy using his limbs instead of his sword.
Art and animation also feel okay. Some of the characters look similar to each other that I couldn’t tell them apart. Thankfully they are minor characters and nothing important. Some group of people have this one kind look like for example the sorcerers all have this sneaky look on their face like as though as though they are playing double agents and have ulterior motives. Animated by Satelight who did AKB0048, Log Horizon and the Senki Zesshou Symphogear series.
The opening theme is Guin No Theme by Nobuo Uematsu. It is an instrumental piece and it befits the epic saga being told because the song itself is epic. Whereas the ending theme is Saga ~This Is My Road~ by Kanon. It feels like a church hymn and prayer, singing and praising your glorious god. Not bad with some Latin words in it and considerably epic in its own right.
Overall, this series as a fantasy genre is still a worthy watch despite some cheesy moments and characters as well as the story shifting its focus away from Guin’s side halfway reducing its overall epic. But not by a great margin. It’s a story of everyone trying to fulfil their destiny that fate has thrown upon them but alas it is a long journey. It might not be anywhere near the end yet but at least it is closer than where it first started. And when that adventure ends, a new one begins. Either you let Jarn lead you or you carve out your own destiny. But was it fate that this story was never meant to be originally finished in the first place? Maybe because everyone will have different opinions on how it ends for Guin and the other characters. That multiple conclusion is perhaps their fate? Everything and anything can exist together at the same time! By the cursed breath of Yondaruzoku, I swear…
Saenai Heroine No Sodatekata Flat
11 November, 2017
It happened so long ago that I almost forgot that Saenai Heroine No Sodatekata Flat had come out as the sequel. Oh heck, it was only 2 years ago. I must be really that busy watching as much anime as I can, huh? But now that the sequel has come and gone, I guess it is my obligation to see if Tomoya and his harem will get to not just finish the game but obtain positive results as well. Oh heck, who am I kidding. I’m just here to see the cat fight between the yandere and the tsundere. And perhaps the world’s most normal girl.
Episode 0
Just like in the previous season, your shameless fanservice episode with Tomoya and the girls in a private pool party! Babes in bikinis! Wohoo! It all started when Eriri wanted to sketch a picture of Megumi in a bikini as part of the game’s illustration. She would agree to that with a condition that everyone else also does the same. So even if Megumi did wear the swimsuit, she isn’t going to bend her bodies in erotic poses to suit Eriri’s perverted needs. Then we have Michiru and Eriri arguing who has better childhood memories with Tomoya. Eriri is shocked when Izumi turns up in a swimsuit. Looks like Megumi invited her. The more the merrier. Isn’t she their rival? Whatever. Izumi ‘knocks out’ Tomoya when she jumps to hug him. During the blame game confusion, Utaha looks like she is trying to take advantage by kissing him. I don’t think CPR starts like that. In the end, everyone retires to their room and Utaha has took the liberty to book Izumi a room. As the girls gather to decide either to have fun or finish their work, they realize Utaha isn’t around. Because they share rooms, they thought Utaha would be bunking with the other. Oh no… They should’ve known better… Sneaky Utaha in her sexy night dress is trying to flirt with Tomoya over a drink. I think Tomoya knows where this is going and tries to chicken out but Utaha hints she has spent lots for all this so he better play along. Tomoya is literally saved by the bell. His handphone ring, that is. The girls call Tomoya knowing Utaha has turned off her handphone. Game over, Utaha. Eventually they all join up at the karaoke box as Michiru demonstrates her new songs for the game’s scenes. Tomoya and Megumi sneak out and talk about hoping for the best for their game. Izumi is motivated seeing the other girls work so hard so she lets them know she is looking forward to their game at winter Comiket. She hands an autographed self-portrait to Eriri.
Episode 1
Eriri and Utaha continue to clash and argue like always. This prompts a flashback of how they met a year ago. It all started when Eriri confronted Utaha after realizing she has been spending a lot of time closely with Tomoya. So it all boils down to if the other likes him. Eriri believes Tomoya is only close to her because he likes the novel Metronome of Love so they’re just like friends who like the same book. Until Utaha reveals herself as the author of that book. More frustration for Eriri the more research she does on her. And yeah, Utaha continues to hang out with Tomoya. Similarly, Utaha also finds out more about Eriri but via Tomoya. Tomoya might have said something she didn’t like. This makes her barge her way through the private room of an art club Eriri is in to find some more clues about her. The next day, Utaha summons Eriri about what she found. She now knows Eriri is part of a doujin circle, Egoistic-Lily and most of her work are 18+. Eriri somehow sees this as a threat and starts predicting a hentai rape scene upon herself? Utaha isn’t hiding the fact she is a light novel author. Just that nobody asked. But Eriri is different. She tried to hide hers because of her experience of being discriminated as an otaku since young. She was also betrayed by her only comrade then. So guess who is the guy who understood her and is able to talk freely about the things she loves? Utaha views her motivation to draw is for revenge. That kind of work won’t make people happy. Likewise, Eriri comments Utaha’s writings look down on others and doesn’t move them because of empathy. What she does is just manipulate feelings. That means there is no motivation and she is a heartless author to begin with. Utaha replies whether their work is for revenge or calculation, the one who is moved first loses. In present time, looks like both have ‘settled’ whatever differences and ready to move on. It’s so tiring… Tomoya announces an illustration with their signatures to promote their game at winter Comiket. They are reluctant at first but when Megumi wants one too, they get motivated to make a few copies for themselves.
Episode 2
Utaha has finally finished her scenario and Tomoya must now date her this weekend as promised. And Eriri dragged Megumi along so they could spy on them. Eriri you looking so suspicious… Tomoya is forced to accompany Utaha reading at a bookstore, carries all the books she has to buy and wait patiently as she catches up on more reading. Not sure if Eriri’s tailing got distracted because she read the synopsis of a movie that continues from the TV series that had ended and became so moved about it. Tomoya is worried after hearing Utaha might not be around next year. Well, she is considering going to a faraway college. However she hints there is also one nearby. It’s not like she wants to live independently but doesn’t mind it either. She is in a dilemma picking which. Hint, hint. So you’re going to let Tomoya decide? I thought it is pretty clear cut… As Tomoya sees her off at the train station, he tells her he wants her to go to the nearer college. At least they can still make games together. But if she doesn’t want to make games with him anymore, that is a different story. Even so, he doesn’t want to be the one to rule out the possibility. Seeing his genuine reaction, she decides to give him a chance. She hands him the latest scenario she rewrote which is completely different than the one for the game. So he has to read it and decide which version is better. For their future possibility. Eriri is worried if Tomoya ever came home last night. Well, Megumi has a key to his place… They see him emotionally crying after reading Utaha’s new scenario. Instead of the hero ending up with his current day lover, suddenly a total switch to his sister from the past. I don’t play such games so I don’t see the emotional value it has… Eriri is not impressed. Not only this means new scenes to illustrate (like starting from scratch), this would also change the interpretation they have of everything they’ve been making. This makes the previous heroine nothing more but a window dressing heroine since their story and route will be totally different than the one they have been promoting. Tomoya wants to hold a meeting to discuss which scenario to be included but Eriri believes this is for him and the scenario writer to decide. And she’s not here. They join Megumi in playing a demo doujin game which is supposed to be released at this winter Comiket. They find the genre similar to theirs and more surprisingly it is from their rival circle, Rouge En Rouge.
Episode 3
There is some dramatic tense showdown between Tomoya, Eriri, Iori and Izumi. Till Megumi drops in to thank Izumi for joining this ‘meeting’. Tomoya isn’t happy that Rouge En Rouge is basically ripping off their game. Iori reminds him that they challenged each other and despite Rouge En Rouge is a bigger and more famous circle, there are still ways Blessing Software can win. What irks Tomoya the most is how he dragged Izumi into this. However Izumi says she is doing this so she can challenge Eriri directly as they are both illustrators. Indeed, Izumi has advanced a lot in just a few months. Then it descends into a girly fight… Tomoya is confident he has Utaha as their scenario writer but is surprised when Iori is even more confident that this is the part he will never lose out. Megumi is at Tomoya’s place to help make their game playable by the end of the week. However they hardly make any progress and she feels a bit down. As they take a rest, Tomoya gets a rude awakening when Michiru wrestles him. She has this misconception they were sleeping together! Sleepyhead Megumi explained in an ambiguous way that they were already doing it here since last night (the programming, that is). Tomoya is relieved that Michiru can help out. How? She can only play the guitar. He calls the rest of her Icy Tail band members. They realized they have been duped into helping Tomoya with his game. He ‘threatens’ to help out or as their manager he will quit! But why them? He knows that each of them has got some ‘experience’ in computing (except Michiru). In order words, he wants them to pull an all-nighter doing computing odd jobs. Well, I guess one of them is forced to forgo her date for this… Yeah, whatever boyfriend problems they have is not of his concern! Hidoi! But does he have enough computers? Megumi is on her way to borrow more laptops from Eriri. Don’t worry about sleeping over at Tomoya’s place. Lots of girls have been sleeping here too… So ambiguous… The game is done eventually and Tomoya realizes something. He confronts Utaha to tell her of his decision. Which scenario will he choose? Neither. It needs another take. This is a crappy game.
Episode 4
I think Megumi figured out something wrong and goes to see Tomoya. However he is in the midst of being beaten up by Utaha. Come back later. So Tomoya and Utaha are arguing loudly on what is wrong with the scenarios that they’re scaring the maids away. When he claims this is not the game he wanted to make, it broke her heart. Oh, she’s crying… When everything calms down, he talks to her about fixing it. If she won’t do it, he’ll do it. He is the director after all. With Tomoya pitching in to write, of course he isn’t going to get everything right at first go as Utaha checks his work and there are lots of mistakes including typos. Tomoya needs a game that doesn’t follow the conventional rules. Because Utaha is a novelist, her scenarios end up making the game look like a novel. In the end, Tomoya suggests a third route where everyone will be happy (the other routes seem to sacrifice happiness of others). Utaha disagrees as it is not her literally style. While it might be rude for a creator to say this to a director, it won’t be if a fellow creator says it to another creator. So I take it, Tomoya for the time being is as of the same position as her. Tomoya is so focused and working hard on his scenario that he doesn’t realize how sexy Utaha in her undies as she sleeps on his bed… Until he tries to cover her with a blanket. The scenario is done and Tomoya apologizes to her for breaking her characters and all. She believes they have lived instead of died. She is happy they had fun writing their own original scenario. Tomoya moved to tears? With this, Utaha has finished her part in the game and will no longer be involved. Megumi points out a character in the game is similar in one in Metronome of Love. Utaha admits in a way they are and the way she describes the source she based them on seems to sound a lot like herself. Yeah, who else? Something about her being lonely and she would like the main character to choose just this once. During the bonfire dance, Megumi’s acting of the main character is impressive enough that Tomoya sees her in that form.
Episode 5
Everyone is spying on Megumi being confessed. Tomoya must be relieved to see her rejecting him, right? The reason being, the deadline is near and there are lots of things left to do for the game. Aww, how considerate. However Utaha is hinting the blame on Eriri since she is behind schedule. It seems Eriri is obsessing about quality and hence not getting her anyway. It doesn’t add up she spent so much time improving but not producing the results. Though, Eriri deflects the blame back that they added a new route and hence additional work. Later Eriri tells Tomoya that she will be holing up in a villa to complete her work. This means skipping school. She’ll make it before the deadline. Just trust her. So when he tells the rest about this, Utaha is warning him about the signs that could signal she would be dropping her work and running away. Although it starts off on a promising note, it doesn’t take long before Eriri starts showing those signs. I’m sure Utaha is going to lecture him on I-told-you-so. With Tomoya continuing to believe Eriri and that she won’t run away, Utaha reminds him that is not faith. Has she nowhere to go further as creator? She can’t change her art style or make any progress. When faced with something to overcome it, she will back off without trying. It gives Tomoya the dilemma if he wants Eriri to finish her job by the deadline or improve as a creator. Then more of the signs start to show. She talks harsher, submits less and less works, blames herself, replying much later and the final straw came when she says she has found a new way to do her art. She is going to draw the backgrounds and characters separately. This means she is changing her art style at this point. Tomoya is in shock if she can do it. As long as he expects it, she can do it. In the end, she manages to finish it all but she sounds like she used up her entire life force for it and ‘dies’. So dramatic…
Episode 6
Eriri has fallen sick. Tomoya is in a hurry to head there so he calls Iori for help. He is so kind to give him a personal car ride. Iori gives his opinion about Tomoya’s position of leaving his home since he is on a tight deadline. Tomoya will not allow that burden to fall on other members. Iori sees it as him wanting to keep Eriri all to himself. When they arrive, awesome illustrations on the floor. Eriri on the floor. She is put to bed and Iori gives him the necessary contacts should he need further help. Next morning, Eriri is better. She is glad he likes her illustrations. They were her best. She thinks the game is completed since he is here. When she finds out it isn’t, she becomes mad and starts crying like it is the end of the world. It meant her efforts were in vain. At this point he could only choose either Eriri or the deadline but she thought he would have chosen both. She feels better when he says her artwork is better than Izumi’s. She is glad he has become her number one. But not in terms of his harem, that is. Tomoya apologizes for not being able to meet the deadline but Eriri also does the same for obsessing over quality. That fault of hers is because of her pride. At Comiket, the gang is busier than ever. Because they had so much free time, Tomoya added more content which in turn made them busy. Eriri did apologize to all the other girls but Utaha thought she acted arrogant and bragged after that. However Megumi refuses to blame anybody as everyone did their best. Later Eriri apologizes to Izumi for all the mean things she said because she was scared of her, especially how much she grew as an artist. She has to admit her loss here or else she cannot move on. Izumi looks forward to their next challenge. Blessing Software has become a hot topic ever since they released their trial game and it took only 30 minutes for it all to be sold out! There is an after party after that but Megumi goes home straight. Tomoya thinks she is mad because they didn’t have a complete version at Comiket. However that is not the reason. He never told her about Eriri’s case and the deadline. She told him she was free and would be able to help. Yet he never said anything. She thought she chose the same thing as him but yet he took all the burden on himself. Although he did the right thing, she can’t forgive him. Tomoya notes Megumi wasn’t sad. It was a new emotion he has never seen that hurt so much.
Episode 7
The game is popular enough that they see a rise in orders for it. Tomoya thinks of having a thank you illustration art. Eriri is already working on it. A rare sight of Utaha walking with Tomoya to school that it dumbfounds everyone else. This is her last chance to walk with him since she is graduation. Cue to get very close to him. Also expected, Eriri coming in to cut in and blame Tomoya for going ahead and wasted her effort of coming to his house and walk together. Also cue for the ladies to start b*tch insulting each other causing everybody to witness this shameful drama. However Megumi still ignores Tomoya despite he tries his best to talk about the circle’s next meeting. The cut is deep. Easily misinterpreted, Iori is giving Tomoya Valentine chocolates?! Fujoshi fans rejoice?! Actually it is from Izumi and she couldn’t give it to him since she is busy taking exams. Iori and his circle has played his game and noticed the vast improvements. However Iori can tell he went to write on the last scenario since he recognized his style which never changed from some infamous copy he wrote 3 years ago. He still has that copy… Tomoya wants it back! Iori advises him not to lose his circle and not let go of Utaha and Eriri. Tomoya calls Megumi but she blatantly doesn’t answer. After Eriri gives her chocolates, she learns Tomoya and Megumi still haven’t made up. She wants to blame herself but Tomoya won’t let her. He talks about getting started for their next project but she wants to hold it off a little since she worked hard. Tomoya congratulates Utaha in releasing her new novel. Then she teases him as usual with sexually ambiguous words like signing on his body and gives him her chocolates since they are at a relationship point where they spent many nights together. Writing scenarios, right? Utaha mentions she won’t be coming to school anymore since she has to write the second volume and prepare for university. So will she participate in his next project? She asks who is going to do the art then. Because Eriri hasn’t drawn a single picture the entire year. She doesn’t consider that art she completed after the deadline as it. If possible, he wants Eriri to work with him again and create a game that surpasses Cherry Blessing. Tomoya finally texts Megumi about his plans for the next meeting. She’s still pondering about it. Tomoya replays his game and notes how well it is done. He realizes Megumi has been putting a lot of effort into it. Not just the game but other minor productions as well. I don’t want to jump the gun but does it mean that she was interested in more than just the game? He starts crying and can only apologize.
Episode 8
Tomoya finally catches Megumi to talk. She can’t run now. It looks like a rape scene since he locks the door and his hands approaching her. Turns out he just wanted to print some stuffs. Megumi was pretty scared at that point. He shows her his proposal for their next game project. So he is assuming she will join? She didn’t feel like she was really participating in the last one. He rants about how he will make it so but all she sees is just him making a game based on his delusions. Plus, he plans to make this game with this minimal staff. Is he going to do everything? That’s why he roped her in as the assistant. Again. Oh, she doesn’t want to do something this troublesome again. He pleads to help take care of this circle so she asks has she told Eriri about making her the heroine again. Not yet. The way he explains makes Megumi give out that killer eyes because it’s like saying he is doing this thinking she is in love with him. He blames this on playing too much galge. Maybe that’s why all galge are twisted in this sense since otakus don’t have real 3D relationship. When Tomoya thanks her for all the hard work and apologizes for it, Megumi cannot contain her emotions and starts crying. The more he says sorry, the more she sheds? There has got to be a limit because it’s making her mad now how cheap his sorrys are. She just wished as friends there would be no secrets or decisions without discussion among them. They talk about Eriri who is still in a slump. Megumi wonders why he doesn’t find another illustrator as good as her to join. Back at his home, he explains the kind of game he wants to make. No more all that sci-fi, supernatural and cliché stuffs. Just a normal high school game. As he rants about heroine being humans, once again Megumi has to show her mad side and lecture him. As she is a heroine herself, she too is human. She is mad because they have been close enough and yet he doesn’t understand how she feels. I mean, with his next game title as How To Raise A Boring Heroine, it is trying to say her character is dead. Megumi still has issues with his insensitivity but they have other issues to deal with. Like Utaha who has graduated and the possibility she won’t work for him again. Not to mention Eriri’s slump. No use talking too much deep into the night. Just sleep on it for now.
Episode 9
Tomoya goes to congratulate Utaha on her graduation. Then he lets her read his proposal of his next game which everyone wants to participate. After reading, she gives it high marks despite how cliché it is and lacking originality. When Tomoya says he hasn’t asked Eriri yet, this makes Utaha worry. She wonders how to tell it to her. Hence she cannot continue with her. Tomoya is shocked and desperate as she explains his work isn’t something to die for. Then there’s this reasoning of how he failed as a producer because he doesn’t crack the whip and push his employees to the brink to bring out their best abilities. Wouldn’t that be like workplace abuse? Then she shows him a proposal she got for an epic RPG game, Fields Chronicle. It is by the legendary Akane. At this point Utaha is already shaking as Tomoya goes through the proposal. Apparently it is not Akane who is scouting her but Eriri. Utaha could only apologize. Flashback a month ago, Utaha and Eriri talked and various issues. The latter is still in a slump and hasn’t been able to produce such quality art since then. Utaha is told by her editor that their company will have staffs working under Fields Chronicle for the story. Her editor believes Utaha still has unlimited talent and believes she shouldn’t be hand over to Akane yet. Later Utaha and Eriri are invited to meet with Akane herself. She lets them read her proposal and wants them to decide if they will be on board or not. When they ask what they’re supposed to die, she tells them straight they are to die for this game. Devote themselves to nothing but it for a year. Akane has played their recent game and noticed Eriri’s out. Because she noted Utaha was the only one who could keep up with her deadline, hence Utaha’s role is to draw out Eriri’s mental and technical skills. She does think highly of Utaha’s skill but if Eriri isn’t joining, there is no point having Utaha. When Eriri complains she is in a slump, Akane blows her top. She tells her to stop insulting artists. She made an amazing piece of work once and is now in a slump? She is nowhere near her peak! She isn’t in a slump. She is just a crappy artist! Her skills aren’t there yet. Akane then gives her look at the art she drew. Eriri is in shock seeing Akane could copy her unique art style.
Episode 10
Eriri is annoyed that Utaha is supportive of Akane’s plan. However Utaha points out that Eriri has not decided on anything and merely complained why she can’t. She has not decided on what to do in the future, what to become. So when Eriri starts praising the positive side of all this, now it is Utaha’s turn to let loose some steam as she rants how annoyed it is for a doujin artist to get this job compared to a professional novelist. She hopes Eriri could accept this project so she can fight her head on. Iori goes to talk to Akane about what happened. Seems he is seeking her permission to quit her circle. Utaha’s editor must be trying to joke around about Tomoya trying to cling on to Utaha after she graduates. Utaha asserts she won’t get feelings in the way as she is a professional. Oh really? Next afternoon, Eriri breaks Utaha’s slumber by calling to meet her. It seems she has her groove back after she kept drawing all night. As her sketches are back home, there is a faster way to show it to her. She’ll sketch it for her right now. Beautiful enough for Utaha to be in awed. Eriri then starts laughing since she has recognized her. But it’s just hysteria since now she starts crying her heart out. She is sad this is the art Tomoya wanted. He supported her but she couldn’t produce the results. But Akane mocked and laughed at her, she managed to pull through because she didn’t want to lose. She can’t draw with Tomoya and Tomoya can’t make her draw. She won’t progress if she stays in his circle. She can’t become his amazing illustrator. After calming down, Eriri notes Tomoya will hate her for this second betrayal. Utaha believes so but at least this time she has an accomplice. They vow they will both defeat Akane. Iori speaks to Tomoya and he feels bad he lost 2 of his circle members. Tomoya looks on the positive side that they could develop further. But he doesn’t look happy? Iori also announces that because of Akane’s new recruits, he and Izumi quit Rouge En Rouge. But his main reason is because there is something new he would like to try. Izumi has found a place where she could put her skills to the best use. He advises Tomoya not to stop pursuing his dream. So a forlorn Tomoya walks home. Before him is Megumi. She wants them to go out on a date. If this isn’t trolling, I guess this day isn’t that bad after all.
Episode 11
Tomoya doesn’t want Megumi to blame Utaha and Eriri. He dragged them into this and they have no reason to stay in a small circle in the first place. They should be aiming for bigger opportunities. So they’re back at the mall where they first dated. Could it be Megumi still kept a grudge how he stood her up the last time? Well, he has to accompany her this time. He buys her a hat as present for the glasses she gave the last time. On the way back, she asks if his heroine story is like what he wanted. That suffocating and exciting feeling when he had fallen in love with a real girl. Tomoya realizes this is her way of telling him she won’t give up. Even if Utaha and Eriri aren’t here, Blessing Software will still be around as long he is here. Tomoya agrees and wants her to become her main heroine again. She adds a heroine that everyone would envy. Tomoya becomes hysteric. He laughs at first before crying his heart out. Tomoya makes a surprise appearance when he sees off Utaha and Eriri at the train station. He wishes them all the best and is excited to see Fields Chronicle to become a god tier under them. Megumi might not be here but she can talk via handphone. With both sides giving each other motivation, Eriri steps up and hopes to take Tomoya’s glasses as a token. Then she really wants to kiss him but Utaha usurps her and kisses Tomoya instead!!! So while nobody cares about Eriri screaming in the background, Utaha boldly flirts with him until her twintail smacking breaks them up. They realize they have missed the train. At the start of the new school term, Tomoya is wearing Eriri’s glasses. Megumi is trying real hard to not laugh. Maybe not. So he decides to not wear them. They are surprised to see Izumi enrolling in this school. Tomoya realizes this is what Iori had meant. Eriri and Utaha are ‘stalking’ from afar as Michiru points out the outsiders cannot go back now that they left. Michiru wants to nonchalantly go to Tomoya but the duo restrain her like she’s some criminal. Being so noisy, I guess Tomoya already spotted them.
How To Treat Your Harem Well
Just like my sentiments from the first season, I can’t seem to determine if this sequel is boring, just like in its title. That is why I was wondering if I should make a pun with the sequel’s title of Flat. You know, as in boring and dreary. Or maybe it refers to Tomoya’s subsequent plan falling flat. But they used the musical note flat… Lower pitch? Sounds like… Lover b*tch? Wait. What did I just say?! Or maybe the symbol looks like a side boob and some of the girls are busty and some are flat… Oops! Don’t stray too far thinking irrelevant things.
There is a lot of high stakes drama in this sequel with things going up a notch. Fans may be able to appreciate all the drama and deep character development in the sequel but for a simpleton like me, it is hard for me to grasp in detail the deeper aspects of what is going on. I do have the basic gist of what is going on but not something on a profound level.
With time running out, Tomoya has to play relationship manager as well as trying to complete his ideal game in his maiden attempt. This sets up a few episodes to be given focus to his girls and the problems they have to currently deal with. Like Utaha who has her graduation looming and the possibility of going to a faraway college. Then there is Eriri who suddenly gets into a slump and it gets a bit more complicated since she is trying to be a perfectionist for herself and ultimately Tomoya. Lastly there is Megumi who also have her own drama because she felt disappointed Tomoya didn’t trust her completely despite they have done so many things together. Though these problems are somewhat solved, they aren’t the optimum solutions that Tomoya would hope. However they aren’t so much so to be considered bad endings. Utaha and Eriri might not be around for Tomoya’s next project but it’s not like they’re gone forever. At least you can count that they will be somewhat around and close in proximity.
The banter between Utaha and Eriri is still amusing to watch due to their contrasting characters. They really are frenemies and the strangest of bedfellows united and conflicting at the same time because of their connection to a certain guy. Utaha being the novelist certainly has a way with words while Eriri being the typical cliché of a blonde twintail tsundere always fails to keep her emotion in check and falls for Utaha’s bait. Not to mention Utaha still has got her touch in making her flirting with Tomoya sounding so scandalous that it worries the guy so much. Then there is the deadpan and brutally straight-in-your-face comebacks by Megumi. Sometimes it’s like as though she is born lacking emotions. Even when she was mad at Tomoya, she wasn’t looking like your typical angry girl. It’s just weird. Also it’s good because imagine if Megumi becomes full blown emotional, that will be just too shocking. Yeah, like the time she actually cried. Emotion holder full. Time to unload some. Or maybe she is just a master of suppressing her feelings to catch everyone off guard one day… She might not show any emotions but that does not mean she is completely emotionless.
Sometimes I feel that this sequel has forgotten about Michiru since she lacks screen time. Not to say that she has a lot of it in the last season but I feel she has even lesser appearances in this season. It’s like the first prologue episode was her most prominent episode. No joke but I feel that the breaking of the fourth wall in the final scene that she was ‘missing’ for the latter half of the series makes fun of this. And then the one with her Icy Tail members helping out with computing odd jobs, they went ‘missing’ after that as the series starts focusing on the deeper issues of Tomoya’s other girls. Like as though there were no issues in the music department in the first place. Maybe not assuming Michiru is a very talented songwriter. Shouldn’t she be scouted already by some famous talent agency instead of continue to be managed by Tomoya? This means no sexy time with Michiru as I remember her as the girl who loves to wrestle Tomoya so as to give us viewers sexy fanservice shots of her submission moves. I guess you can’t date and marry your cousin anyway.
Hence it isn’t a perfect or ideal path or perhaps route to an ending that Tomoya wants. Both of his greatest allies of the most important elements of a game have gone over to a better rival. He tried his best the first time round to keep his team together and at least from the sales of their first game, it was encouraging. However it wasn’t enough to keep them around for the second game after the trouble they went through for the first one. Things change. Maybe he could get others for replacement but at this point it is best you have people you are familiar with to work with. So with Utaha and Eriri jumping ship, maybe it is all part of a bigger scheme to surprise their lover boy that they will destroy the enemy within before coming back to him. Assuming he hasn’t gone steady with Megumi at that point… Or Izumi, considering she is now enrolled in his school.
He might almost look like a cliché male protagonist otaku with beautiful girls around him but at least we see him grow as a game creator and director and facing his problems head on instead of running away. The choices he had to make have its pros and cons and I believe he chose the best outcome in the long run. Like when Eriri was depressed and in a slump, it was either her or the game’s deadline. He can’t have both. He chose. Like I said, not the most ideal of results but at least it isn’t totally a bad ending. After all, he keeps his relationship with his female team members professionally and doesn’t see them one bit as his love interests-cum-harem. At least, not that I can see he has any from his perspective.
Love it or hate it, this sequel as well as the overall series has both its ups and downs. Very deep and heavy character development between the main characters but some feel a bit of a let-down (Michiru is one thing but Megumi to a point too feels underutilized this season). The art and animation are still good and the lack of fanservice may be a good or bad thing depending on your stance on it. It might not be as much as the first season since Utaha didn’t try as much to be funny with her ambiguous seductions on Tomoya. To top it off, the bittersweet climax and ending may not be the kind of conclusion that viewers might be hoping for. But you know, it is somewhat like reality and real life itself. Better to try and fail than never starting or do anything. It might be a painful road with suffering and distress but for sure it will make you stronger and push ahead even further. When you have experienced all the best and worst in life, returning to normal doesn’t look like a bad thing. A boring heroine maybe, but she is still a heroine nonetheless.
Koyomimonogatari
10 November, 2017
Oh dear. I have forgotten about this. Initially I thought Koyomimonogatari would be some sort of a recap series. I didn’t even know how I ended up coming to that conclusion seeing I had no information or done any research whatsoever. Perhaps it was the synopsis that is about Araragi who goes around helping his female characters and solve their problems at hand. You know, their oddity problems that we have seen throughout the Monogatari Series? Of course I realized I was wrong. Had not the second season of Owarimonogatari series came out, I would never have remembered to watch this. Besides, each episode is only 12 minutes long. A departure from the standard half hour episodes of its prequels.
Episode 1: Stone
Hanekawa talks to Araragi about a stone statue in school that could be the school’s ghost story. The thing is, the stone was there all the while and not the altar. Over these 2 years, it’s like somebody turned this stone into an altar and something like something to be worshipped. Could it be an oddity? So Araragi talks to Oshino about this and the question is not whether it is an oddity because it is being worshipped but rather it’s being worshipped because it is an oddity. Araragi is confused since they mean the same to him. So as Oshino has him draw the shrine for him, Araragi mentions it looked familiar but can’t put his finger on it. Oshino tells him to ignore all ghost stories at the moment and try looking into the school’s curriculum. Araragi goes back to talk to Hanekawa for more explanation. She mentions a few art clubs in school and one of them being woodwork. Apparently a student created a little house but it was deemed a failure after something went awry. Instead of bringing it home to only be thrown away, he decided to sneak it in to the school’s garbage. Speaking of which, it is near that altar. Hence that house became the stone’s altar. Because of that, the house and stone complement each other. The house became a shrine and the stone became a worshipped object. Hanekawa is relieved and thanks Araragi for it. It seems Araragi is that student who made the house and put it there. Immediately he properly throws away the house. He thought his thoughtless actions turned this stone into an oddity. Perhaps it turned from a normal stone into the stone statue he needed and from there into an oddity. Then he realizes something amiss. The stone is actually just a piece of concrete.
Episode 2: Flower
While walking on the streets together, Senjougahara spots a bouquet of flowers on the roadside, an indication an accident had took place. However she saw the same bouquet on the school’s rooftop. The funny thing is, throughout its history, there has been no deaths whatsoever. Talking to Oshino about this, from what I understand that such places where high accidents and deaths occurred could be due to geographical and location reasons instead of the supernatural. While no deaths may have occurred at school and it might look like the bouquet is like a curse asking for future accidents to happen, could it not be the opposite? Araragi thinks about this and tells his conclusion to Senjougahara. It is some sort of control or protective charm to prevent accidents. When people go up and see it, they would think that some sort of accident occurred and would be careful. Hence, something like a warning. Also, they misunderstood the whole thing. If something had actually died, the flowers would be placed on the ground instead on the rooftop. Because Araragi dangerously climbed to the rooftop to ascertain the bouquet as per instructed by Senjougahara, the school has taken drastic safety measures. They’re really spending to establish a new fence. He hopes the school would never find out as in addition to his expulsion, they might link it to Senjougahara who suggested it. So instead of making this a secret between them, she wants them to forget about it.
Episode 3: Sand
Araragi stumbles into Hachikuji in the streets. He tells her Oshino has left town and they talk about Araragi’s debts. He claims he has cleared them all or at least returns the money he borrows. Hachikuji decides to sell him a ghost story for 50 Yen. So cheap? Well, that is all that story is worth. She tells him a sandbox at the playground has a face of a demon. No matter how you mix it up, it will eventually return to that demon face. Could it be the work of an oddity or human? So he goes to investigate it. The demon face is there as he messes about with the sand. Nothing happens so he goes home. He then gets a follow up call from Hanekawa who just got a report from stalker Senjougahara on what he was doing. She is ‘mad’ at him for not following this up thoroughly. There is a third option on what causes this: Natural phenomenon. Not just wind or rain. So Araragi goes back and digs the entire sandbox and he finds a fissure at the bottom. This crack is what made the demon face and the reason why Hanekawa was ‘angry’ was because of the danger if the crack gets bigger and kids continue to play in it. Time to alert the park’s manager. He notes the scariest isn’t oddity or human but nature. Because it is both as scary as the oddity and human.
Episode 4: Water
After cleaning Kanbaru’s messy room, Araragi takes a bath. She teases him about some erotic stuffs but then tells him a mysterious story as it isn’t so much of an oddity story. The bath he is in, apparently when his father was young, he would see the face of his fated one in the water’s reflection. Back home, Senjougahara calls him and her first words are for him to die for being at Kanbaru’s house. But since he says how much he loves her and all that, she rescinds her death sentence. Telling her what Kanbaru said, Senjougahara comes up with her interpretation. As the surface of the water reflects but not as perfect as a mirror, it could be possible that Kanbaru’s dad mistakenly saw a reflection of himself as a woman. Of course when he grows up and he becomes more aware, that reflection stopped showing up. So it is when he met his wife he remembered about this. Hence in romance, you tend to look for someone who resembles you. To summarize, if Kanbaru’s dad’s explanation was right, Kanbaru would have seen her fated partner. If Senjougahara’s explanation was right, then the image could be her mom. He calls Kanbaru to ask what she says. Her boobs. And she is excitedly explaining how it always thrills her. Hang up…
Episode 5: Wind
Sengoku is at Araragi’s place to party. It’s just the 2 of them… As this takes place in the aftermath of Sengoku being conned, they talk about how rumours spread. Because from what she heard it wasn’t from the conman himself but rather the wind. You mean in that literal sense? They further discuss if you want to spread rumour, it is faster to let someone do it because if you leave it on its own, won’t that just be a coincidence? So Araragi goes to talk to Kaiki about this. He confirms he doesn’t have any wind power or that sort. In fact, it is not the wind but a windless condition that is important for rumours to spread. When something is popular, something else isn’t. A conman targets not the wealthy but those who are dissatisfied. Those whose hearts are in disarray and nothing to rely on are easy targets. That is why he came to this town to prey on school girls. However it is not because his conned them into buying into his charms and caused deterioration in human relations. But rather they feel their human relations have deteriorated and jumped into buying his charms. Now that Kaiki has let him know his trade secret, he wants a fee for it. Did he just get conned?
Episode 6: Tree
After rubbing her boobs on her brother’s head, Karen takes this as a chance that he must listen to what she says. It’s so nice being a woman… At first he isn’t interested but with her fierce personality showing up, he’d better. It seems that there is a tree that popped up behind her dojo. The funny thing is, nobody noticed it until recently and because of that, they feel it is something ominous and want to chop it down. Of course Karen is against this but she has no power to overturn this decision. So Araragi sees the tree and assures he will help Karen solve it. And by that he means begging to Hanekawa for help! Pushing his responsibilities, eh? He will allow her to do anything with her own boobs! WTF?! Hanekawa likens this panic to pandemic-like level. There is one way to solve this. In the end, the tree is not cut down because Karen told everybody that tree is the same wood that made this dojo. So when you consider a pandemic spreading, it will spread until it cannot spread anymore. So what they did was shift the goal post. The next step of fear is reverence. Now that everybody thinks the wood is what made the sacred dojo, nobody will be foolish enough to cut it down. They feel bad it is a lie because in actual fact there is no way that tree’s wood is the same as the dojo’s. Because of that, there is a possibility they might create an oddity out of it. An oddity that watches over those undergoing training.
Episode 7: Tea
Tsukihi tells Araragi that there is a ghost in her tea ceremony club however there is no evidence of it. Well, duh… If no evidence, no ghost! If you want Tsukihi to stab your eye with her pen then you better give her a better answer. You see, her club has only 7 members and everyone insists that there is this ‘eighth member’. They laugh at her for saying it is a ghost so she fells insulted that they believe the ghost more than her. It all goes back to her asking him if he believes in ghosts. He doesn’t. He believes her club members are wrong. She should stay the way she is and stay true to her own correctness. Tsukihi accepts but she doesn’t look satisfied. Later Araragi talks to Kanbaru about it. She wants to help Tsukihi because they deal with oddities so they understand what it’s like. After all, Tsukihi who is trying to deny oddities is sacrificing herself for reality. There is a way to satiate her although it involves deceiving her. So Araragi tells Tsukihi that everyone believed in the ‘eighth member’ for Tsukihi’s sake. As Tsukihi often takes the club’s inventory as she pleases and so as not to make this a big fuss where they will get club activities suspended, hence they hypothesized and ‘eighth person’ to account for the shortfall in inventory. Tsukihi immediately buys it and is satisfied that it was her selfish attitude that was the ghost. She’ll let herself fall for it. After Araragi tells Kanbaru about this, she wonders whom Tsukihi let herself being deceived by. Is it Araragi or her club members?
Episode 8: Mountain
Ougi and Araragi are trekking up the stairs to a shrine on a mountain. It is believed the shrine built there was a mistake and Ougi wants to fix the problem of its balance. This is the shrine that Araragi and Shinobu were last summer and they tore up the place. Ougi talks about snakes being gods as well as their nature and what it represents. Also, this shrine used to be in a different location but it was transferred to this place. However the issue is how the people relocated the shrine here with minimal construction since the steps to this place did not exist before. Also, no supernatural powers were used. Just normal humans. It was the ‘moving’ that was very annoying. Back at his home, Araragi tells this to Sengoku and she is able to deduce the answer right away. The spot where the shrine was built, they cut down the trees there and used the wood to make the shrine. That way, they didn’t need to carry heavy lumber up the mountain. Wait. Wasn’t the shrine relocated? What ‘moving’ meant was the bodies of worship. Basically it’s like shifting to a new building and keeping its original name. They ponder if the shrine would be rebuilt again. Araragi doesn’t think a new faith will be born then but rather it will continue. Sengoku maintains optimistic if it is rebuilt, it would stop being a place for bad things to gather and the snake god would return to it.
Episode 9: Torus
Shinobu is delighted there are doughnuts for her to eat. However, they look different from the ones she usually gets from the store. Well, these are handmade by Senjougahara for Araragi is motivation for him to study for his exams. Shinobu then asks weird questions like the doughnut’s hole. Not really trusting it, Shinobu eats one to test for poisoning. Tastes good. However she thinks it has delayed effect and wants to experiment on the rest. At this point, Araragi believes it is her ploy to eat all his doughnuts. Hand it back or else. Then it turns into some talk about negotiations and secrets. Hence a game is suggested. She will hide the doughnuts somewhere in his room for 5 minutes and he has that same time to find them. He can it the doughnuts he finds and those he could not will belong to Shinobu. Of course he is sceptical that she can eat all of them in that time span and he will never find them. Shinobu assures she will stick to her word. In the aftermath, Araragi calls Hanekawa and tells her about this. He found 3 of them but the last one was never found. He could only think Shinobu ate them. Hanekawa points out that the doughnuts were of different size. It could be that she hid the smaller one in the larger one and used the fillings as adhesive. After all, the evidence is now in his stomach. Why did Shinobu do this? Wasn’t her goal to eat the doughnuts? For her to abandon that goal and being selfless were the points she was trying to teach him: Love.
Episode 10: Seed
Yotsugi wants Araragi to help her find something or she’ll not stop harassing him. Fine. So what is it that she is looking for? Well, she’ll know when she sees it. So the reason she roped him is because he is comparatively taller than her and she might need to look at a view from a different perspective. However they are not going to piggyback ride one another. She makes him stand on her finger like as though she is hoisting a flag! Some chatter I don’t really get it as they walk around town looking. Yotsugi mentions something one is looking for but may lose sight of it when you start looking for it is a smile. In the end, they couldn’t find what she wanted. Araragi calls Hanekawa for answers. She asks him a question what is hardest to find. But his answer doesn’t matter. Then she asks what is easiest to find. Same thing. So what Yotsugi wanted to find was nothing. You can’t find something that doesn’t exist. This is linked to what is easiest to find and for that, something needs to stand out. Nothing stands out more than a person searching for something. So why was Yotsugi trying to make him stand out? Earlier in the year, there is a person in town he shouldn’t have met. Same thing for that person. So by making him stand out like that, people avoided him and hence Araragi avoided contact with Kaiki. Yotsugi didn’t want him to worry and nothing happened thanks to somebody’s consideration. Thus it is possible that the nonchalant consideration is the hardest thing to find of all.
Episode 11: Nothing
Araragi calls out Kagenui to fight but gets his ass handed to him! Apparently he wants her to train him but she notes he will die before he gets to learn anything. That is why she sent Yotsugi to his place. He feels uncool for girls protecting him. That’s why he can’t move carelessly and so do the girls. Araragi asks why Yotsugi always refers to Kagenui as her sister. She will not tell. However if he manages to land one shot on her, she would. So he goes back and seeks Karen’s help. He’ll fondle her boobs if she does. I mean would she rather let her boobs be fondled by someone she doesn’t like? Anyway, based on him being a useless person, the only right way is to run. She points out that he has been thinking on how to hit this person instead of whether or not his question will get answered. So it isn’t about him winning but how to lose gracefully. He should think about that himself but if Karen was in his shoes, she will try to think of a way that won’t make it so obvious. And so Araragi comes up with this dumb plan of getting a toy gun. After all, Kagenui did say one shot, right? Be it a punch or a bullet. He is expected to lose as he makes his way to face Kagenui. However he realizes she is gone.
Episode 12: Dead
Kagenui has been missing for a month but Araragi continues to visit the shrine every day. Also, ever since all oddities, rumours, gossips, ghost stories, urban legends, you name it, all has stopped. Like as though everything just died. One day Araragi sees Gaen before him. She tells him Kagenui has been defeated. Rather, she had been eliminated in order to render Yotsugi powerless since she is her master. There are 2 possibilities now. Either Yotsugi continues to serve him is an ineffective bodyguard-cum-doll or Yotsugi will wake up to her human side and protect him on her own free will. She then points out about Shinobu. Recently she has turned nocturnal, a sign that she is moving away from being an oddity and can’t protect him 24/7. Talking about shogi how if you try to protect all pieces you will lose as pieces except the king are needed to be sacrificed to win, since Araragi doesn’t consider himself as king, the problem is that this town has no king now. This means nobody wins or loses since there are no more rules. That is why many problems are happening. With that vacant spot, Araragi believed Kaiki was to fill it. Oshino could have filled it with his spiritual stability and Gaen by only her appearance. She entrusted this to Araragi but he failed. Putting Yotsugi close to him as a restraint also failed. Kagenui is missing, Kaiki isn’t showing up, Oshino’s whereabouts are unknown and the situation is at a dead end. Thus she has no choice but to act. So she is going to stop it by putting an end to Araragi’s actions. Araragi may not have intentions to act but without Yotsugi, he has that potential to act. Besides, he has his other side that is most likely to act. Either way, that potential for him to act makes it dangerous. But she has a solution. He must die. She cuts him down with the original Oddity Killer sword that was supposed to be eliminated a long time ago. Araragi wakes up in a strange place. Before him is Hachikuji who jokes that today’s punch line is about him failing to go take his exam and thus he failed.
Paranoid Story
Oh well. What a fine mess that Araragi has gone into. Since this is relatively a Monogatari Series, there are some parts which I don’t really understand. It is perhaps more ‘enjoyable’ for me compared to the other series is because it is short and each episode are not related to each other. Even the penultimate and final episodes are not technically related to one another. Each stories are standalones so if you don’t really see them in order, you won’t lose much. Of course if you haven’t seen the entire Monogatari Series, you’ll still be at a lost. I guess I’m the worst since I have been following it since Bakemonogatari and still can’t come to understand the deeper aspects. Although I did find out that each of the stories here are actually in chronological order throughout the Monogatari Series’ timeline and they do play important roles in the Owarimonogatari instalment. Too big of a gap for me to put the pieces together.
Now, the other aspect that makes it much different than the other entries in the Monogatari Series is that how each of the ‘problems’ are not supernatural or oddity based. While it might sound and look like one, the eventual answer (or punch line-cum-epilogue as narrated always by Araragi) has nothing to do with the supernatural but using common sense. In fact, some of the answers I could actually guess correctly and because of that I feel smart and proud! As though like it was trying to tell us that we might be just overthinking stuffs as the solution is just a simple one. Making us paranoid, huh? So perhaps this might be the point that either fans will love or hate. As Monogatari Series has been dealing with great supernatural and oddity stories all the while, to have an entry that has nothing to do with it feels like a slap in the face. On the other hand, this non-supernatural solution gives a fresh take and twist and easier for dumb people like me to understand and enjoy.
I would love to dub this series as Koyomi No Harem No Monogatari (Koyomi’s Harem Story) since each episode dedicates a ‘problem’ to a girl in his unofficial harem. You can tell which girl is featured from the opening credits animation (more about this later). Though, the some of the girls do appear more than once later in the epilogue punch line segment to help Araragi answer the question at hand. With that said, I noticed that there is a girl that hasn’t popped up. Remember Sodachi Oikura who made her debut in the first season of Owarimonogatari? Remember that childhood friend of Araragi? Not a single appearance of her. I guess this means she wasn’t meant to be part of his harem since at the end of her story, she transferred away to another school. Also, there was another girl, Rouka Numachi from the Hanamonogatari section but I suppose she was more involved with Kanbaru than Araragi so it’s understandable she isn’t in here. So these cute girls aren’t in his harem but Kagenui and Gaen are? Oh wait. Why am I assuming they are part of his harem?!
Speaking of the opening credits animation, they are nothing new as they are taken from the openings from previous instalments. Some of the catchier ones I remember vividly like Senjougahara’s Staple Stable, Sengoku’s Renai Circulation, Tsukihi’s Platinum Disco, Shinobu’s Mein Schatz and Yotsugi’s Orange Mint. There are no opening themes for Kagenui and Gaen since I suppose sh*t was going to get real. Ah, so I suppose they aren’t truly part of Araragi’s harem anyway. Wait. What the heck am I thinking? The only new song is the ending theme, Whiz by Trysail. Sounds like your typical genki anime pop. Just average and nothing extraordinary.
Overall, this series could be a hit or miss depending on how you like your Monogatari Series. It is somewhat like a light appetizer before the main dish that would see the end of the entire series. This little series entry did give me some motivation and hope that I will be able to enjoy the final instalment although in reality I doubt the opposite will be very much true. Unique or confusing, every story is up to each of us to interpret and come to our own conclusions. If only the solutions to the supernatural are as easy as this, the story itself would not have been so interesting in the first place. Araragi getting into all sorts of troubles and hence making the stories in all the series amazing and interesting, is that an oddity itself?
Granblue Fantasy The Animation
5 November, 2017
Time to adapt another RPG fantasy. Although fantasy genres are one of the top categories in my anime preferences, Granblue Fantasy The Animation might look like a typical and ordinary RPG game being given the anime treatment (it goes all the way back to Ragnarok The Animation over a decade ago) and nothing really extraordinary that stands out. At least from a synopsis point of view. A young adventurer who is in his teens and his merry party going on an adventure of a lifetime. From fighting the forces of evil to saving the people along the way, infused with lots of magic and fantasy elements, what made me really look forward to it was its game developer, Cygames. No, I have not played any of its games, mind you. So? They also made that freaking awesome Shingeki No Bahamut: Genesis which was also adapted from a game they made. So this has also got be so awesome, right?
Episode 1
On an Empire army’s airship, Lieutenant Katalina Alize is taking Lyria to flee. Lyria’s pendant glows and blows her out of the ship. Conveniently the forests below cushion her fall. Seriously, can anyone actually survive a fall from that height? In the sleepy village below, Gran and his dragon (or is it lizard or fox) pet, Vyrn see the airship’s explosion. Gran tries to be a hero to investigate. He finds Lyria nice and in one piece. They quickly get to know each other because we have to move the plot along. Like how a couple of Empire soldiers have found them and wants Lyria handed back to them. Any normal kid who doesn’t want the wrath of the government would definitely do so but remember, Gran is main character material. So he fights and takes Lyria to run. Those guards must be useless for them to even lose to a kid like him. Of course there are more competent ones and that is why conveniently Katalina finds them in time to give them her much needed battle aid. Katalina briefly explains Lyria is a special girl that has been held captive in the Empire for a long time and is now chasing her down. Katalina doesn’t want Gran to get involved further but you know, main character. It is his duty to see them safely off this island. Whatever. Doesn’t it boil you blood to see those soldiers threatening and forcing villagers to help in their search? Yeah, time to really establish them as the bad guys. A few ass kicking here and there till the big boss of the ship, Captain Pommern finds her (typical baddie sex maniac look). He uses his trump card, the multi-headed dragon, Hydra to get things done. And that’s the problem with Gran trying to be a hero. He gets killed! OMG! Main character dies in first episode?! Game over?! Not so fast. With everyone so sad and Pommern commenting this casualty will be the only thing they’ll get off lightly compared to countless chaos and destruction when a certain person unleash her powers, Lyria then uses her power to bring Gran back from the dead! Together they summon a badass dragon, Bahamut!
Episode 2
Feel the awesome might of Bahamut because its blast almost destroys the mountain! Pommern is so scared that he orders the retreat. Reprieve for now. Once the threat is gone, Bahamut which is part of Lyria’s power, vanishes. Then Gran collapses. Don’t tell me he died again. Flashback to young Gran. He treasured a letter from his father that he has reached the ends of the skies, the Island of the Astrals. It is Gran’s dream to be a skyfarer like him. Gran wakes up much to Lyria’s relief. Katalina now expands her explanation of what is going on. The Empire has been researching the power of primal crystals to expand its domain. Lyria is that key. Katalina pitied her for being locked out and wanted to show her how big the sky was. Lyria’s power comes from the primal crystals as she is able to control Primal Beasts, relics of the Astrals. Unfortunately she has no prior memories before the Empire woke her up. How convenient and expected. So if it wasn’t Lyria’s magic that revived Gran (because apparently no magic in this world can do that), what did? Lyria merged her life force with his. Erm, doesn’t that sound like magic? Heck, it isn’t science that’s for sure. In short, they cannot be separated too far from one another or they’ll die. Geez, I guess this gives him a big excuse to go adventuring with her, eh? Especially of his dream to head to the Astrals and solve the mystery of the Astrals. And also take responsibility thingy. So that’s why when the villagers throw them a feast, he tells them he will be going on a journey with these beautiful ladies (and his lizard pet is coming too for the sake of the series’ mascot). Well, everyone agrees as it was to be expected. Except for his old friend-cum-rival, Aaron. Yeah, who is going to be around to pick on? Thankfully it is solved since Gran promises he will come back. So the next day, the quartet being their adventure. If Katalina wasn’t such a terrible pilot, they would have had a smooth take off. And it will be just hilarious if she didn’t climb in time and they crashed into the mountains! End of adventure! Holy sh*t!
Episode 3
I believe Katalina is really a bad pilot. She crash lands on the island of Eingana. The plane is a wreck though luckily they are in one piece. This guy passing by, Rackam even complains how a perfectly good ship is ruined. They head to the main town to find a passenger ship for their next journey but everything is fully booked. As Katalina tries to look for more available flights, the rest look around town. Gran’s fascination with airships attracts Rackam’s attention because he too loves them. Though, he has his reasons why he can’t fly them anymore. Currently he spends time fixing them. He has taken the liberty to haul back their wreck and if he manages to fix it, they can fly it. Free of charge. His only condition is to find a better helmsman. A couple of weirdoes, Drang and Sturm approach them. It seems they know about Katalina. Immediately they think they are part of the Empire despite not in uniform. They start running while being chased through the maze-like alleys. Gran wants to be a hero again by fending them off so Lyria could go find Katalina. I’m not sure how big this town is or how far they should be separated but don’t you think it risks them dying? Luckily they won’t have to since Rackam guides them through the underground sewers. Conveniently they pop out where Katalina is. Rackam doesn’t want to get further involved and leaves. Katalina learns what is going on and feels the need to make haste off this island. Then this petite Harvin kid, Siero knows an offer of a used airship on sale. Even if it is affordable, no one knows how to fly an airship. Well, there is a free helmsman sitting around. That’s Rackam, right? So they go find his base outside town. You can’t miss it. It’s that huge used airship sitting there. They have to start hiding when this bratty Harvin, Furias and his army planning to blow up town for humiliating him! Those opposing his intention gets killed! This horrifying sight gives Gran and co’s position away. Furias orders to fire there. Luckily they have escaped but now that they are known, Furias is pleased to see Katalina the traitor in the flesh. He can tell she was trying to escape this island on that used airship and mocks that piece of junk can’t fly. He isn’t laughing when Rackam is taking pot shots at them from a distance.
Episode 4
Gran and co retreat down the old underground passage. Rackam leads them back to his home. When Gran tells of their request, he has to turn them down. He points out to that used airship, Grandcypher. It was abandoned for a long time and it was his dream to fix and helm it. Over the years, he scavenged parts and repaired it and when it came to fly it, a storm took it out. Ever since, he couldn’t get it to start. Superstitiously it could be that Grandcypher didn’t choose him to fly it. Until he takes off with her, he has no intention to fly other airships. When they go to town to look for other options, Drang and Sturm once again offer to give them a lift off this island in exchange for Lyria. Once again they turn them down. I guess the only way is to fight. However a freak storm hits the place. Drang and Sturm retreat knowing that this is part of Furias’ plan to destroy the island. The storm is wreaking havoc all over as everyone takes shelter in the sturdy town hall. There is one airship left at the dock enough to carry women and children off but the helmsman is injured. Rackam has no choice but to fly it. However it is shot down by Furias! He then arrogantly explains how this place has a wind goddess named Tiamat. After prodding it, Tiamat got angry and unleashed her stormy fury as the people had forgotten about her by reaping its benefits without returning any offerings. Lyria believes she can stop Tiamat although her powers cannot reach her from here. I guess somebody needs to fly an airship close enough. Is there any available airship? So what makes Rackam think he can operate Grandcypher now? He believes Grandcypher was trying to teach him that he shouldn’t be arrogantly operating it alone. Perhaps it was for a time like this. And miraculously it starts up. Time to appease the heavens.
Episode 5
As they head closer to Tiamat, she senses them and attacks them with… Lasers? You bet with Rackam at the helm, Grandcypher can easily dodge them. When they’re close enough, Lyria tries to communicate with Tiamat but it seems she isn’t listening. It could be that pendant on her chest controlling her. Lyria wants to use the power of Bahamut. So what does Gran do? He jumps off the ship and heads up to Tiamat and strikes that pendant! Tiamat is free as she saves Gran from free-fall. When the wind calms down, Tiamat gives Lyria a stone gift. They return to the island and remind the people to reflect on their actions so as not to let this happen again. When Lyria and Gran touch the stone, they see visions of a certain location. Siero says it is a piece of a Sky Map, legacies of the Astrals. You need to gather all pieces to pass through Grim Basin that divides the skydoms. The location they saw could be Fremel Island on Valtz Duchy. Gran talks to Rackam and hopes he could be their helmsman. Learning Gran wants to go to the Astrals, he agrees. Katalina is worried she got another person involved but since Grandcypher is now moving, he wants to show it different skies. But their next destination is Valtz Duchy as Siero informs a client there wants to meet them for a job. The Empire doesn’t have influence there so they can decide after meeting the client. Oh, Gran is made the captain of this new merry crew because why not?
Episode 6
At Valtz, why is Siero also here?! Because she is everywhere and nowhere at once! So deep? It it’s just creepy. Siero brings them to meet a guy from the government intelligence who hopes they would lend him a hand. Their archduke Tzaka is missing and rumours has it that he has been kidnapped by the Empire and hence they cannot move so freely. But the people are starting to get suspicious. And because everyone is so nice wanting to help, Gran agrees to take up this request. First they ask the townspeople for information. They get a lot of contradicting detail. Tzaka is loved by the people as he works hard for the country. At the same time, some say he is making a mass weapon of destruction as he has been gathering resources lately. Next day they decide to venture to the outskirts for further investigation. They know someone has been tailing them yesterday but don’t need to bother to flush her out since she is being ‘bullied’ by the trolls. After saving her, Io explains she is Tzaka’s mage who taught her magic and she thought they knew something about his disappearance. She knows her master’s kindness and doesn’t believe he is capable of doing something bad. She decides to join them in their investigation. The more helping hands, the better, no? Io could sense Tzaka’s magic at some old stone quarry. It reveals a hidden underground factory. But guess who they find? Drang and Sturm! Don’t worry. They’re not here to fight. They are here only to accompany their master, the supreme advisor of the Empire and one of the 7 Luminary Knights, the Black Knight. The armour looks heavy… She claims they have been wrongly accused because the Empire funded a joint research proposed by Tzaka. They are looking for him since he disappeared with the research results. It has something to do with incorporating primal crystals into a machine. She warns them it is Lyria who is being targeted by him. Sounds familiar? A machine beast powered by Tzaka’s magic attacks them. Io tries to speak to her master but I don’t think he is listening.
Episode 7
They get away via a small passage. Io laments her voice isn’t reaching Tzaka so Lyria plays the motivational speaker not to give up. They follow Tzaka’s magic that leads them to a giant armoured creature, Colossus. Lyria could sense some Primal Beast within. When Tzaka shows himself, he is ranting about protecting Valtz. Thus he wants Lyria with the power to control primal crystals to activate Colossus. Watching Black Knight orders her doll, Orchis to infuse her power into Colossus to test. Colossus activates and attacks. I believe normal attacks can penetrate its armour. Not even summoning Bahamut for Gran put a scratch. Lyria then summons Tiamat to power up Io. The weapons of the rest also power up as now they have a fighting chance to take down Colossus. In the end, Io’s power takes it down. Tzaka is distraught over his failure so Io lectures him about protecting Valtz this way. Tzaka regrets doing so. As Tzaka recuperates, Io explains how after her parents died, she stopped caring. That is when Tzaka picked her up and brought back her smiles. He introduced her to magic and became her father figure. Wait. Lyria is crying over her story? Well, she is sad she doesn’t even know her own parents and feels for Io what it’s like if she loses Tzaka. Tzaka was ‘obsessed’ with Io’s smile because he views a nation has no future if its children cannot smile. With so many problems, how can one keep smiling? That’s why he wanted some kind of power to protect his people. Someone approached him and gave him this so called power source. His memories aren’t clear after that but he knows he did a mistake. It is his fault since he made the choice. Lyria gives him a Sky Map fragment from Colossus but he wants her to keep it. Touching it, they see visions of a blue island in the middle of an ocean. Could it be Auguste Isles? Next day as Tzaka sees them off, looks like Io is also coming along with them. She is going to be the best magician, as strong and dependable as Tzaka to protect the smiles. Since everybody agrees with it, welcome aboard our new party member.
Episode 8
The gang stops by an island for supplies. Siero thanks them for letting her hike on their ship and tells them about a client who has a request to find some ruins. Maybe Gran sucks reading the map. Finally they are at the entrance of the ruins when the ground caves in. I wonder how Vyrn can ‘fall’ since he is always flying. The party is separated. But Gran and Lyria can somewhat sense each other thanks to their shared life force. However, in their bid to reunite, they seem to be sensing each other all over the place. Luckily Lyria has Katalina by her side. You don’t know how many times she has been saved from all the traps she fell into. On Gran’s side, they stumble into a couple of treasure hunters, Mary and Karva fighting a sand golem. Care to join in? All their attacks are useless since it is made of sand and it regenerates quickly. What is the only way to deal with sand? Io summons her water magic to harden it before Mary tosses her bomb. Because she misses, Gran slam dunks into it! Conveniently Lyria comes sliding down to him. Now that everyone is here, they enter the chamber that the golem was guarding. Wow! Lots of gold! But what attracts Gran is a sword in the middle. When he pulls it out, it is shining shinier than all the gold! Then poof! All the gold turn into sand. Boo hoo! Because the ruins ‘disappeared’, Siero apologizes she can’t pay them because technically it isn’t found. Gran thought he could cheer up the treasure hunter duo by giving the sword but they don’t need it. Besides, they have got to keep a better treasure: Their lives and their friendship. But Karva didn’t learn her lesson as she plans to drag Mary into their next dangerous adventure.
Episode 9
Lyria dreams of all her comrades died. And the culprit is… HERSELF! Landing on Auguste, the beach could have been picturesque if not for some smelly blobs polluting it. They are told to stay away from it by an old guy, Eugen. Seems Rackam knows him from a long time ago. Eugen thought Rackam is here with his family. So wrong. As he takes them back to the beautiful capital of Mizarea, he explains Auguste is currently at war with the Empire as they have been dumping their experiment wastes here. He is confident they will win since they have the guardian deity Leviathan on their side. Our party makes themselves useful with Io volunteering to heal the injured, Katalina will train the people to fight better and Rackam (reluctantly) help tune some ships. What about Gran and Lyria? Why, they probably got the best job ever: Going out shopping. Well, if it doesn’t look like a date and if they’re too shy to admit it, I guess we’ll settle it as sightseeing. Nothing really much happening with today’s most ‘explosive’ thing is Katalina in the kitchen. Yeah, it’s really a disaster when she’s there. Never let her cook… Gran has time to even buy Lyria a blue charm. More precious moments, more special memories, I guess. And then he made the mistake of going to finish the last chore himself instead of taking her along. She gets kidnapped. Gran rushes to find her and when he does, why the heck does he need to shout her name and give himself away?! Chase all he want but the waterways are pretty much like dead ends to those not navigating on boats. Yeah, she’s gone. And all you can do now is scream her name.
Episode 10
The Empire’s ships led by Pommern also attacks the place. Lyria is brought to him as he tries to put some guilt in her mind that all this happened because she ran away from them. Lyria still resists him so he continues to remind her that she is a tool that destroys. He jogs her memory of her being some test subject and there were many other test subjects with her. What happened to them? They all died. Therefore as a weapon that destroys, she cannot walk in public or go travelling with her friends. They’ll all end up dead because of her. Hence the only safe place is in the Empire where they can control her destructive nature. You think Lyria will give in this time, right? Nope. But what makes her closer to that? Pommern destroys her blue charm. By the time Gran comes in and kicks all the soldiers’ ass (the entire troops are just useless), he gets even angrier seeing Lyria’s tears. That’s it. You’re gonna pay. At the same time, Leviathan wakes up and wreaks havoc by gunning down the Empire’s ships. Gran charges towards Pommern and not even a shot to his shoulder could slow him down as he gives a flying kick in his face to send him down into the sea!!! Leviathan then causes a massive tsunami engulfing everyone before returning to the sea. Thanks to Rosetta, she pulls out Gran and Lyria.
Lyria is in a comatose state and not responding as Rosetta explains to the gang that she has blocked off her mind like as though she is trying to protect something. Trying to force wake her might make it worse. This state of hers has nothing to do with the awakening of Leviathan as it became aggravated from the Empire’s constant pollution. Right now the only thing they can do is talk to Lyria but their words aren’t reaching her. You know what? Only Gran will be able to do it. Not because he is just main character but remember their lives are linked. She can tell them how but since some are sceptical about Rosetta, they need time to think. Katalina tells Gran about Lyria’s state before they met. She saw once the army conducted some dark research on Lyria as a weapons development programme on an uninhabited island. Some monsters as test subjects went berserk when received some dark essence. She isn’t sure what Lyria summoned but it was enough to destroy the entire island. It was deemed that she be confined and isolated so she wouldn’t lose control again. Katalina was then put in charge to look after her. At first Lyria acted more like a robot than human. But with Katalina spending time with her, she soon opened up herself and became interested in knowing more about the outside world. The rest is history. Safe to say that after meeting Gran, she changed tremendously. Gran blames himself for not being able to protect her. But Katalina feels it is her own fault for letting this happen to them. After Gran talks to the rest of his crew, he finally decides to take action. He talks to Rosetta he wants to save Lyria (obviously) so she will take him to the Primal Beast with the power to help him. So early next morning, they depart to the lush jungle in the Lumacie Archipelago.
Episode 11
Arriving at a tree in Lumacie, Rosetta brings them to a Primal Beast, Yggdrasil. They are quite acquainted with each other. She will help Gran enter Lyria’s mind. Before he dives in, Io gives Gran the blue charm. She fixed it back with Vyrn. Can he bring that into her mind? Gran finds Lyria reading books inside a huge library. She claims they contain her lost memories. The reason she doesn’t want to remember them is because they all bring misfortune. And so begins the ‘debate’ of Lyria blaming herself and at fault for everything (examples cited: Katalina lost her position in the Empire and Gran was killed the first time they met) while Gran tries to argue otherwise. So now Lyria thinks she has to disappear in order to ‘save’ everyone from future disasters. She is going to eject him out of her mind and will give all her life to him. Bye. The charm drops out and it calms her down. Really, how did that get into her mind? Chance for Gran to persuade her she didn’t destroy but created their bond, this journey. As simple as that, Lyria goes back with him and an oddly coloured rainbow as cue to make a vow they’ll always be there to protect each other. With Lyria waking up and Yggdrasil becoming part of her power, time for an emotional reunion. But it is cut short since Pommern is hunting Lyria down. Another round of argument that Lyria is a weapon versus Lyria is human. Pommern uses his crystal to control the wild animals and target them. But they are held down by Rosetta’s vines. With Lyria powering up Gran and the rest backing him, he is able to destroy the crystal. Lyria then summons Tiamat and blow all the baddies away. Rosetta is nowhere to be seen but Gran has a hunch they will see her again in the future. Lyria explains she heard Leviathan’s voice it wants to protect its land and the people but the pollution made it too weak to protect even itself and go berserk. I guess it’s decided. Next mission: Return to Auguste and save Leviathan.
Episode 12
Just in time. Leviathan is attacking the city and unleashing an army of, uhm, flying demon fish? Lyria can feel that Leviathan is trying to purify the sea but in order to do that, it is forced to take life of others, something it doesn’t want to do. But summoning the monster fish has only made it weaker. So I guess we have to keep those fish at bay, huh? How is Gran and his little merry company going to destroy all the fish? Don’t worry, there are other heroes who will help them. Aside Mary and Karva, the rest of the debutants look like weirdoes worthy enough to join an RPG party. Among them include a twin sword wielding sexy bikini furry, a twin sword wielding chibi uncle, a sword wielding butterfly girl, a sharp shooting lady, a cannon shooting lady, a strong manly uncle, a young lad who shoots lightning out of his fists, a short princess with a tall crown and a holy spear lady. Wow. Really diverse casts here. With Leviathan turning the monster fish into deadly whirlpool attacks, Eugen believes there is a commander among the monster fish. Easy to find out because it acts differently from the rest. So after he shoots it down, all other monster fish disappear. Cue for Lyria to use Yggdrasil’s power to help power up Gran as he destroys that cancerous crystal beneath Leviathan’s throat. There. The day is saved. Leviathan is absorbed into Lyria and what do they get from all this? A Sky Map. However the Black Knight has Orchis steal part of Leviathan’s powers from Lyria. Lyria wants to know more about Orchis but the Black Knight doesn’t feel it is that time yet. Bye. Naturally with the city saved, everyone celebrates a job well done. Eugen comes to ask Gran if there is any recruitment in his crew. Yeah. He wants to join. There is someone he needs to deal with and after witnessing Gran in action, he believes he can do it. He promises not to get in their way. Okay. You’re in. And so our heroes leave Auguste with the happy crowd cheering on them.
Episode 13
This is a filler episode and definitely an alternate setting. Instead of Gran, it is this cute girl, Djeeta who found Lyria instead. So all the adventures so far are the same, except replace scenes of Gran with Djeeta. I guess we need some lesbianism. Plus, they have recruited a whole bunch of new members from Mary to Rosetta and that bunch of weirdoes in the previous episode. They are on Auguste and Siero thanks them for helping with the opening his new shop by allowing them to go on vacation here. And so we have got our swimsuit fanservice fix with the ladies playing on the beach as well as seeing Lyria being a big eater. Yes, she has big servings of food and still wants more! But it’s down to the main ‘plot’ for this episode. Seems the resorts are running out of ice and the supplier isn’t telling why. As usual, our gang has to go investigate the cause because goodwill. So they investigate the cave where the natural ice comes from. There are lots of low level drones obstructing them but Djeeta cuts them down like as though it is training day. It makes you think those drones are made in China… To their horror, they discover Pommern and his soldiers trying to steal ice. What else? Fight! When the other female members arrive, I guess they get so violent that we can’t even see how they beat the sh*t out of their enemies. It must be. Because Katalina covers Lyria’s eyes and we can see from Pommern’s face how shocked he is from what he saw. Yeah, it scares the sh*t out of them as they run away. And so the day is saved. They have their shaved ice reward while watching the fireworks. Life is good. Adventuring is good.
Adventuring For Life
Well… It wasn’t all that bad but it wasn’t all that good either. Nothing really extraordinary that makes it feel very different from other similar RPG adapted into anime since the adventure is just taking off and lots of potentials and developments are abound from the way I see it as the series ends. At least this coming from a casual viewer and one who doesn’t even play the game. Heck, I never knew it existed until I heard of the anime. Not that I am interested to play after watching it either even knowing this came from the same creators who made Shingeki No Bahamut. Even I didn’t even play that one. So honestly if you ask me, Shingeki No Bahamut still is a better fantasy action adventure. Sure it has another season but the first season was much more awesome than this anime so to speak.
I don’t know but I’m starting to see a pattern here despite its short single cour season. Every time Gran and his party land at some destination, they try to help out the locals with whatever trouble. So once they solve the trouble and usually there is some Primal Beast involved, Lyria will absorb it into her crystal. And then they’ll receive a Sky Map as clue for their next destination. In the meantime, they obtain a new crew member. So if this trend keeps up, Gran will have hundreds of crew members and Lyria possessing powers of hundreds of Primal Beasts by the time he reaches the Astrals! I’m sure Grandcypher can accommodate them all. Or Rackam is going to need to build a bigger ship.
Well, it is going to be a very long journey after all. A journey that may last a lifetime and Gran might never return back to his hometown. Assuming his hometown is really at the far end of where he is heading. So why is it when some adventurer choose a destination to go, it must be very far away? Of course. If it was close by and easy to access, it wouldn’t have been such a legendary place to be. And yes, this is your basic plot to stop on all the different towns and locations along the way for all sorts of adventure. It wouldn’t be so fun if everything ended so quickly, would it?
The characters are a great potential to turn this series interesting and it is unfair to judge everything with just over a dozen of episodes. I didn’t play the game but I am very sure that the characters would be better fleshed out there. And with so much more potential characters as seen, things are going to be a lot lively. Some would be a hit and some would be a miss but Gran’s party would definitely be in the highlight because you know, why have a game/series named after somebody then? Alternatively if you have too many crew members as seen in the alternate setting of Djeeta, many would just make their cameos and nothing much is focused on them. After all, it is just only a single episode and there is hardly anything to develop and pack it in.
For Gran, it is very hard for me to truly look at him as a genuine character because he just reeks of typical main character material and cliché. He is young, he has got his set of justice and ideals to believe in and he is racking up friendships and crew members wherever he goes. The more the merrier? I believe Gran doesn’t have the best fighting ability in his crew. Even Rackam who shoots his gun feels like he is a better fighter in this sense. Heck, I don’t think Gran is even a very well trained swordsman. He gets some little power up help from Lyria and his awesome luck seems to have him defeat Empire soldiers. Yeah, speaking of which, it makes them look like ridiculous fools. Fully armoured from head to toe and with at least basic training, how the f*ck can they lose to such a greenhorn kid? Yeah… Because main character. See how hard it is not to stray away from that? I can’t say much about Djeeta since she makes her appearance in the final episode. She looks pretty decent and a bit retarded if you ask me as she is more of the brawns kind of character as you can see how easily she swings and destroys with her sword. But it is too early to judge her.
It is also hard for me not to see Lyria as a useless damsel in distress. Basically she needs to be so protected especially by Katalina and Gran because you’ll never know when those sneaky Empire bastards would just pop up and take her away. Without them, it’s as easy as taking candy from a baby. It’s like an entire game with that dreaded escort mission, know what I’m saying? I know she has a terrible past in which it unfortunately becomes her life sentence. I really do sympathize with her and hence to prove she is not a weapon and is just as human as any ordinary one, we see her grow her emotions and bonds among the crew members. Otherwise she is more of a support role during fights. Other than that, this cheery lady (when she’s not in gloom mood, that is) feels more like a side character whom viewers are waiting for the day when Gran x Lyria romance would materialize but know better it will never happen. But come to think about it, since Gran shares her life force, wouldn’t it be weird if they start making out because it’s like masturbating, playing with yourself? Oh sh*t! STOP!
The other crew members are okay, each having their own reasons to join Gran and his journey. Like Katalina feels like a big sister and big mother for Lyria. It’s like to show that the Empire aren’t made up of all bad people (despite many of them are as we are shown to believe they are big dicks – heartless Pommern and cruel Furias as your cliché examples) because with Katalina’s defection, at least we have this diversity of someone who knows a bit of the in and out of the Empire. I feel there is this odd relationship going on between Io and Rackam. Could it be there is some sort of romance sparking off between them? Gasp! Sure or not? Well, they often quarrel and make a mountain out of a molehill. What does this kind of sign tell you? It feels weird because their physical appearances don’t match their age. Rackam is a young man but looks a bit like an ossan while Io is a grown lady despite looking like a loli. I can see the danger if they ever get into a relationship because it would look like some sort of sick pedo thingy. Yeah…
I believe that Eugen joined Gran’s crew is because he is trying to hunt down his daughter which is greatly hinted as either the Black Knight or Orchis. I’m betting my money on the former. So it’s some family thing. Same thing with Rosetta. It is greatly hinted that she was on Gran’s father’s crew, thus the reason she helps him out without hesitation. As the most mysterious character in Gran’s crew (at least based on the opening and ending credits animation), Rosetta is shown to have popped up from time to time even way back at Eingana. She often watches over Gran. Why is she doing this? Could she better off somewhere else or at Gran’s father’s side? I don’t know, could it be that she is a ghost? And that Gran’s father is also dead? I mean, he is conveniently ‘missing’ despite the letter saying he has reached the Astrals. Come to think of it, if Astrals is such a faraway place and the letter reached Gran when he was young, would he be dead by now? Oh f*ck all that logic. Just send Siero to do the impossible. That Harvin kid defies all logic. He is like the unofficial crew member of Gran because he goes wherever he goes, pops up wherever and whenever he wants because apparently this entire world supplies are supplied by him. Yeah, everywhere and nowhere… Mind blown? More like mind f*cked. Since he is opening shops all over the place wherever the crew goes, will the Astrals finally have a shop there? Only time will tell…
Speaking about animal mascots and comic relief, I guess that is what Vyrn is. Basically he is the most useless character, even more useless than Lyria. I feel that his main roles is primarily to complain seeing that he has a bit of pessimism in his personality. I guess everyone doesn’t mind because he is cute. Wait. Nope. Not in my books. Man, he looks ugly this dragon or lizard whatever. The other comic relief is Drang who often reveals more than he should and thus often gets poked by Sturm. It’s their running joke. Heck, she even pokes him for no reason. It’s like she enjoys it. So whatever the Black Knights and her subordinates’ plans are, are yet to be seen and from my guts they aren’t the real antagonists despite that menacing and ominous looking armour.
Action wise, I feel it is pretty decent although somewhat predictable. Not to say that it is boring but it is anything hardly exciting because Gran and co basically use the same moves over and over again. I mean, how much more can Gran swing his sword? He has it only powered up if Lyria does so and even so that just makes his swing have more power. Then we have Rackam shooting his gun, Io using her magic and Katalina using a mix of her sword and magic of it and that’s about it. And of course they’ll prevail over whatever monsters and especially the useless Empire troops because they are main characters. Otherwise game over, no? It’s a shame that with Lyria accumulating lots of Primal Beasts, I believe I remember seeing Bahamut only once and that is when it first appeared. Maybe it was bidding its time in the other series, Shingeki No Bahamut? Just kidding. No, seriously. I thought both series are going to have some sort of connection with this dragon and maybe a crossover somehow. The more Primal Beasts Lyria has, the less she uses Bahamut because it’s like the big bad beast and using it would harm others, right? Well, with great powers come great responsibility. Now that Lyria knows her past, all the more to be cautious in using it.
I need to mention something about the art style visuals. Personally… It’s not that good. Okay, let me try to explain. I have this feeling (though it may be wrong) that they might be trying to emulate that pencil colour style visual trademark of Senjou No Valkyria. But it isn’t close to that here. The artwork of the characters looks very sketchy at some points and it is quite obvious. Like as though they were rushing to get this episode out or they were short of hands and employed some amateurs to do the job and thus some of the unimportant scenes are left unpolished and rough. Otherwise, it is the background and sceneries that steal the limelight as they look gorgeous with all those fantasy elements. Some may look sketchy too but it is better looking than the characters. CGI is also used sparingly especially on the bigger monsters but they don’t seem as bad or disrupt the blend with the 2D animation.
Also I want to add that the character designs feel a bit average and plain. Like Gran whose outfit is just really plain. Just slap on a few armour here and he is ready for a lifetime adventure. And why does Lyria look like she is going to dangerous places in her sleeping negligee. Oh, Katalina’s armour might look plain just to show her curves. Because you don’t want to be so overdesigned like the Black Knight whose armour is so intimidatingly ‘heavy’ that you wonder if it is for aesthetic rather than practical purposes. I guess that’s why Io’s dress doesn’t really make her look like a mage with just simple designs. Rosetta’s dress makes her look like some Spanish/Latin girl who is just ready to go tango. And Pommern’s dress… Is he like, wearing a skirt?! No wonder he looks gay.
Voice acting feels okay with a few recognizable seiyuus like Rie Kugimiya as Vyrn, Miyuki Sawashiro as Katalina, Nao Touyama as Lyria, Yukari Tamura as Io, Romi Paku as the Black Knight and Tomokazu Sugita as Drang. Heck, I recognized a lot more of them making their cameos especially those heroes making their cameos fighting Leviathan such as Kana Hanazawa, Ai Nonaka, Rikiya Koyama, Shigeru Chiba and Kana Ueda. It has been such a long time since I heard Rie Tanaka so I didn’t know it was her as Rosetta. Did she come out of retirement? Then there is also Minori Chihara as Orchis but I could barely hear her so I didn’t pick her out. For the rest of the other casts I didn’t recognize, they are Yuuki Ono as Gran (Isami in Shokugeki No Souma), Hiroaki Hirata as Rackam (Sanji in One Piece), Kazuhiro Yamaji as Eugen (Jabberwock in Beelzebub), Kanae Itou as Sturm (Sanae in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Emiri Katou as Siero (Akatsuki in Log Horizon), Akiko Hasegawa as Mary (Rena in Ro-Kyu-Bu), Juri Kimura as Karva (Kyouko in Seiren), Hisako Kanemoto as Djeeta (Ika in Shinryaku! Ika Musume) and Wataru Yokojima as Pommern (Alexander Lloyds in Tiger & Bunny). There is a whole bunch of much more seiyuus lending their voice to the many characters in the series despite many of them just make their cameos.
Hearing the opening theme, Go by Bump Of Chicken for the first time, because of all the bells, it made me feel like Christmas time! It doesn’t sound like a typical Christmas song but just hearing the bell sound effects just somehow remind me of Christmas. The ending theme, Sora No Parade by Haruhi feels like the singer is a bit sleepy while she was singing this song. This song in a way feels odd because the lyrics alternate between English and Japanese. If the first line is sung in English, then the next would be in Japanese. Repeat pattern. It’s like for people who are bilingual because if you understand your basic Japanese enough, you can tell that the lyrics are continuous, just that it is sung in a different language every alternate line.
Overall, another one of those typical and cliché RPG game adapted into anime. If you love fantasy, that would be its greatest selling point to watch the anime. Otherwise, I have this feeling you would be better off indulging in more and have more satisfaction by playing the game. So with Gran and his merry crew setting off an adventure of a lifetime and achieving his lifetime dream, it made me think in the end what if all the bad guys in video games and series were actually once young adventurers with dreams but they failed to achieve it? Holy crap! Just like how all evil queens in Disney movies could be young girls whom the hero or prince failed to save. The price to pay for a failed adventure…
Sousei No Onmyouji
4 November, 2017
Time for another exorcism anime. I wasn’t impressed the last time I watched an eastern style exorcism in Tokyo Ravens so I didn’t expect myself to catch Sousei No Onmyouji. It must be this hope thingy I had that it would be different. World has some sort of supernatural contaminant wreaking havoc. Exorcists purify them to protect the land and people. Young talented main protagonists with troubled past forced to be together. In fact they are forced into an arranged marriage because they will produce the most powerful Exorcist ever so to speak. Fight more evil supernaturals. Bond closer. Plot revelation. Plot twist. Plot filler. Conspiracy. Current world will soon be cleansed-cum-destroyed. Our heroes fight big bad final boss. The day is saved. I hope that is as different as it can get.
* Kegare: Literally Impurities. The so called antagonists of the series because they try to kill humans. Think of them like Bleach’s Hollow. The only way to fight them are for Exorcists to enter a gate called Magano to an alternate reality to destroy them.
* Rokuro Enmadou: Main lead male character. Fang boy. Loser in love. Hot tempered. Has a tragic past. The only survivor of Hinatsuki Tragedy. Because of that, doesn’t want to get involved or become an Exorcist. But sometimes he has to because of circumstances. Uses his powerful right arm to fight.
* Benio Adashino: Main lead female character. Stubborn, cold, quiet and distant. Has a tragic past. Comes from a respected family of Exorcists but her parents were killed while on duty and she witnessed it first-hand. Because of that, tries to become stronger to exact revenge. Uses twin blades and a mask to fight. Loves those sweet ohagi treats.
* Kinako: Benio’s fox familiar who helps sense Kegare nearby. Totally loyal to her to a point you might say he ‘carries her balls’. WTF did I just say… In additional to being a mascot character, also a comic relief character because his ‘sparring’ partner is Rokuro.
* Arima Tsuchimikado: The big boss of all the Exorcists in Japan. Quirky guy. Makes his first appearance only in his underwear. And yes, a pervert.
* Twin Star Exorcists: Arima had a vision that he saw the advent of a Miko who will once and for all end the endless war between Exorcists and Kegare. After pitting a ‘fight to the death’ battle between Rokuro and Benio, since both are equal in strength, this means that they are the Twin Star Exorcists who will marry and give birth to that said Miko. Oh yeah. An excuse for Rokuro and Benio to be put together and live together. See how they hate each other at first before learning and understanding each other and then… Well, you get the idea.
* Seika Dorm: Currently where Rokuro lives with his other Exorcist family members like Ryogo Nagitsuji, Atsushi Sukumozuka and Shinnosuke Kuzaki. Also old farts living there include Zenkichi Otomi and Kinu Furusato. And after the Twin Star Exorcists were announced, Benio is now made to move in and live with them. Boy, every day is going to get livelier. However subsequently Arima has the duo live in a big villa of his to further deepen their relationship. Well, it’s going to take some time…
* Mayura Otomi: Zenkichi’s granddaughter and Rokuro’s classmate and childhood friend. Busty. One-sided love. Now that Benio is in the picture… I can see where this is going…
* The Twelve Guardians: 12 most powerful Exorcists serving under Arima. They inherit the names and powers of the shikigami of Abe No Seimei.
* Shimon Ikaruga: The first of the Twelve Guardians to show up and also the youngest. Because of his similar age to Rokuro and Benio, Arima has him demonstrate his powers to motivate Rokuro.
* Seigen Amakawa: Can you believe it this guy, one of the Twelve Guardians who looks old enough to be your brother and with bags below his eyes is Mayura’s father?! He is also Rokuro’s mentor. Might come off first as a non-likeable person as he doesn’t mince his words and very harsh. But that’s the truth…
* Yuuto Ijika: Benio’s supposedly dead brother who was killed in an exorcism event. After their parent’s death, Yuuto was adopted into a different family, hence his different surname. His shocking return shows us he is now on the dark side and making it worse and more traumatic for Benio is that he confesses how much he hated her.
* Hinatsuki Tragedy: Rokuro and Yuuto once lived in this dorm with other Exorcist kids their age. 2 years ago, a tragedy struck the dorm and it is widely believed that Kegare attacked and killed everyone. However the dark truth behind was that Yuuto was dabbling in the dark forbidden arts. With the pretence of helping them get stronger, he actually used them as human experiments to turn them into Kegare. Yuuto is forced to kill and exorcise his friends and in the process gained that right arm of his. This trauma made him leave the exorcism profession. Until today. When he realizes he doesn’t want to lose his dorm family guys, his best bet is to get back into the exorcism profession and protect what is important to him.
* Stronger together: Benio’s eyes are now opened to the truth. Rokuro goes out of control while making his futile attacks against Yuuto. It took Benio to put a stop to Rokuro’s rampage. After calming down, Benio apologizes for all the misunderstanding. They vow to get stronger together as Exorcists with their new partnership. Though, marriage still not in sight yet…
* Subaru Mitejima: Another of the Twelve Guardians (along with Tatara – speechless bread crumbs loving fox guy whose emotions can be seen on his paper mask via emoji) sent by Arima to train the duo. If you smell something fishy about her ‘training’, then probably it is because they seem to be like stuffs you do on a date. Of course at the end of it all, it is to test and see how strong their bonds are and how much they trust each other.
* Basara: A more powerful and humanoid form of Kegare. Able to think and act on their own as they are mostly born out of humans’ negative emotions and sins. Think of them like Bleach’s Arrancar. Their powers are on par with the Twelve Guardians.
* Kamui: First Basara to appear. Apparently he is the one who killed Benio’s parents. Emotionless girl now goes into rage trying to get her revenge since this is what she has been living her life for. Too bad she is too weak. Then Rokuro steps in. They do a double power combo thingy enough to drive him away.
* To Love-Ru’s Momo: What the heck is she doing here? Actually, Mayura turned into a Kegare for some reason (probably out of jealous). No hope to save her, you say?
* Resonance: Apparently the ultimate spell that only the Twin Star Exorcists can pull off. By touching each other, they are able to hear Mayura’s inner voice crying for help. Resonance also amplifies and boosts their combined powers. It’s the only chance they have to save Mayura. And guess what? They pulled it off with also the power of love!
* RIP Seigen: Once again Yuuto is here to cause trouble. That Mayura thingy was part of his plan to make Rokuro stronger. Sorry to disappoint. As the Twin Star Exorcists have no power left, Seigen is all that left to fight Yuuto. At the cost of his life and orders from Arima to protect them (to the point he had to play the villain and strict ass to them), he self-destructs with Yuuto. Too bad all in vain because no damage to Yuuto. While Rokuro may have saved Seigen from death, he is in critical condition. Even if he survives and recovers, he can never become an Exorcist again.
* The choice is yours: Yuuto sees potential in Rokuro and offers him to join his side. Since Rokuro refuses, Yuuto threatens to turn everyone into Kegare like he did to Mayura. He gives a day for his answer.
* Exorcist Union: A group formed to defeat Yuuto. Consists of the Twelve Guardians. Oops. Make that 11 since Seigen has ‘retired’.
* Red Master Star Armour Talisman: A cool Exorcist suit that Seigen wore that Rokuro would love to have when he was younger. Now that he is ‘gone’, he passed it on to Rokuro. For the first time in a long time, Rokuro is hell bent on becoming a true Exorcist and kick Yuuto’s ass and end it all.
* Hinatsuki revisited: The battle with Yuuto at this place of memories. Even with new Resonance moves like World End Overlay and Crimson Meteor Smash, Yuuto still comes out unharmed thanks to his high levels of Kegare.
* Deal with the demon: After Yuuto destroys Benio’s legs, mocks her uselessness and leaves her to die at the hands of other Kegare, she is saved by Kamui who is willing to give her powers. Why? For fun. Seeing Yuuto getting beaten to a pulp by Yuuto, her options are limited. She wants the power to defeat Yuuto. The power to defeat Kamui. She has to fight her inner demons and flaws before getting a power up that looks anything more like beautiful than impure. Benio is now able to beat Yuuto to a pulp. Too bad it has a time limit. She reverts back to being a handicap. Who’s next for a beat down?
* Screaming punching bag: Yuuto and Rokuro start punching each other while screaming at the top of their lungs. Of course Rokuro has to win because he is main character and also this weird scene of dead Hinatsuki kids supporting his back. WTF… So powerful their punches that it could be bigger than an atomic bomb explosion, leaving a huge crater. Don’t worry. Nobody dies.
* Sealed fate of the unborn: Apparently despite their ‘victory’ the Twelve Guardians (technically 11 of them now) want to punish Twin Star Exorcists for doing something dangerous. Yeah, they think they could have handled it themselves had they waited for backup. After being told off all they need to do is marry and have a kid, Rokuro trolls everyone by wanting to marry Benio and make a kid right now! His point is, he isn’t going to let his kid bear that burden. He will end it all before that happens. So Arima gives him 2 years to achieve that since his premonition told him a big catastrophe will occur. Otherwise, back to making babies.
* New look: Rokuro spent all his money trying to win a prize just to get Benio a new hair accessory to replace the ones from Yuuto. The cutest smile ever seen.
* Debutants: Mayura debuts as an Exorcist. Expect lots of clumsiness. Also joining in is Haruka Kaibara, Ryogo’s girlfriend.
* Playing house: Well, 2 years is enough to change people. Rokuro is working harder, has more friends at school and even girls who rejected him are starting to look his way! And there are some things that don’t change. Like Benio’s poison cooking… Benio is even mulling the thought of having a baby with him! One mission in the Magano, they find a cute little girl unharmed, Sae. She learns things fast and takes a liking for Rokuro whom she calls him papa. And so with her living with them, they’re looking pretty much like a family now, eh?
* Dragon Spots: Holes in the Magano that allow Kegare to just walk into our world like a big parade and unleash miasma that either kill or turn ordinary people into their kind. And yeah, only Twin Star Exorcists can seal them. Only them.
* Ecto-1?: Apparently Kinako can possess some caravan do give Twin Star Exorcists a ride all over Japan to seal Dragon Spots.
* Suzu: WTF is this hip hop hard punk metal rapping Basara?! Currently her mission is to observe Sae. Nice to meet you, ‘jan!
* Moro: Another Basara who is super strong, super fast, super tough and likes eating delicious people.
* Yamato: Why is this Basara looking a lot like One Piece’s Do Flamingo?! Just make him dark skin and turn him into someone younger.
* Momochi & Chijiwa: Not exactly Basara twins but 2 people who make one whole.
* Kuranashi: The big bad Basara boss who wants to free Magano. So badass that he killed Momochi and framed it on Twin Star Exorcists so that he could fuel Chijiwa with anger and revenge.
* Shimon x Mayura?: He just helping this weakling to get stronger…
* Kinasa: Why does this Basara remind me of Yugioh’s Pegasus? Only, he doesn’t use cards but rifles and whips. WTF is he talking about hospitality?!
* Tenma Unomiya: The strongest of the Twelve Guardians. You mean he is a guy?! With that girly looks and cockroach-like hairstyle?! So powerful that all he has to do is open his mouth and say simple words (as easy as Open Sesame) to close the Dragon Spots!!! Heck, they should send this guy to do the sealing instead of Twin Star Exorcists.
* Ame No Mihashira: The HQ of Exorcist Union houses and protects this giant and powerful tree underground which is the barrier keeping apart reality and Magano. However one of its branches broke off and the reason Dragon Spots opened everywhere. The simple solution is to of course fix the branch and guaranteed no more Dragon Spots. But you know there is a catch, right? So where’s the missing branch? Sae! It’s going to be a tough decision for the ‘parents’. Save their ‘daughter’ or save millions of lives.
* Heavenly Blue Earth Ritual: Nobody wants to sacrifice a little girl, right? Plus, the tree won’t be stable if they force her. So we’re going with this method whereby the Twelve Guardians are going to be stationed at 6 different spots to seal the big Dragon Spot. As they will be paired, one will do the ritual and the other will fight off the hordes of Kegare trying to stop them. But since they are short of one member, Rokuro and Benio are tasked to help fend off for Tenma.
* Don’t count your chickens: Apparently the ritual backfired. It was just an illusion as the power they used to seal the Dragon Spot is used against them. All of them are now sealed. Rokuro and Benio try their Resonance but they ran out of power and it had no effect whatsoever.
* Back to your roots: I guess the only way left is for Sae to return becoming a branch. Lots of don’t-do-this from her ‘parents’ but Sae now remembers this and that and thanks them, blah, blah, blah. Once the branch is fixed, everything instantly reverts back to normal. Cue for more crying.
* Final gift: Sae also left a picture story book as her present to Rokuro and Benio, detailing all the smiles and things they do. How touching… NOOO!!! Why you have to make us cry some more???!!!
* Arima dead?: It is believed that Kuranashi killed Arima during their fight. Knowing he wouldn’t die this easy, the Twelve Guardians mount a search for him. However to no avail. Therefore Arima’s aid, Mikage Tsuchimikado will now become the new head of the Exorcist Union. Later he receives a vision from the oracle ‘confirming’ Arima is really dead. Time to go out on a revenge spree.
* Who am I:? Rokudo finally gets the courage to ask Seigen about his origins. He doesn’t have memories prior coming to Hinatsuki. So where did he come from? 10 years ago Seigen picked him up wandering inside Magano. No wonder Sae clicked so well with him…
* So you think you can dance: Suzu makes her appearance after a while as she reveals her new objective is to observe the Twin Star Exorcists. Not too sure about their talk regarding elegance and life goals, but when Suzu starts to scream to her death metal hell song, Benio takes this ‘hint’ as to try something never done before. So the Benio and Rokuro start dancing to this song?! WTF???!!! It looks so weird???!!! So out of place!!!!! If this was a reality TV, I bet they’ll be the first to be eliminated.
* Sakura Sada & Miku Zeze: Both from the Twelve Guardians have a grudge against Moro because she was responsible in killing the man who was Sakura’s father and Miku’s crush many years ago. With the power of love and perseverance, they finally get their vengeance.
* New kid in class: Shimon becomes a new transfer student in Rokuro and Benio’s class as he is under orders to protect Twin Star Exorcists. I guess they are still as weak as they are so much so they can’t even protect themselves. Yeah. Time for Rokuro to bug/harass him for training.
* Mass disappearance: One night, many Exorcists all over the country just suddenly disappeared. During the Dragon Spots incident, while the Exorcists were helping people, they unknowingly absorb miasma and accumulated them in their body. Now that the time is right, Kuranashi summons them all into Magano and has them write talismans that serve as natural armour for the Basara to be able to fight in the real world without the need of filling the surroundings miasma.
* Puppet master returns: With this ‘armour’, Chijiwa returns to avenge his twin on the Twin Star Exorcists. Sadly they’re so weak that Shimon had to intervene and fight him singlehandedly. Could have kicked his ass had not Chijiwa took the entire school as his puppet hostage. In fact he is going to kill everyone to make them feel the despair he felt before granting them death. But of course, he won’t have his way since Shimon transformed into his ultimate phoenix form to defeat him. And if Chijiwa is going to blow everything up, this is where Rokudo comes in to simultaneously attack and stop all the explosions. Huh?! There’s some explanation for this but still, huh?!
* Be careful who you call ugly: What’s this? Rokuro receiving a love letter? And from a girl who once rejected him? And now she wants to go out with him? Not to say Rokuro is having his last laugh. He feels awkward. Too bad he has to reject her. Maybe there is someone he likes… Wanna bet Benio and Mayura are spying over this?
* The proposal: Ryogo finally pops the question to Haruka. In short, they’re getting married. Nice kiss to go with that. Wanna bet the rest of the gang are spying over this? So are Rokuro and Benio inspired to do the same? Maybe after a lot of staring and blushing… But damn this next disaster had to strike…
* Rikujin Shinka: Thanks to all the Kegare distraction so far, Mikado realizes too late that strong spell powers has been placed around town. Enough to form a barrier around it. All electronic devices go kaput. The only way to stop this is this ritual, Rikujin Shinka that requires all Twelve Guardians. But remember, they are short of one. Mikado will step in as replacement. As they start the ritual, giant Kegare appear to stop them. However they cannot be cut down and regenerate easily. It is revealed it is all thanks to the kidnapped Exorcists’ extracted power and then infusing it into these giant Kegare. That power culminates causing a huge earthquake across town and causing he centre to rise up like a floating island. Though Kuranashi is behind this scheme, the main power source behind it all is Yuuto.
* Kingdom of Noto: Apparently that floating island isn’t something new and happened before. You guessed it. Kuranashi was behind that one too. So it sprouts a giant creepy flower with many creepy eyes, shoots tentacles that steals your life force (why does it have to be tentacles?) and also laser beams that will destroy the town. Such a fine mess…
* Kuranashi unmasked: For the first time he meets the Twin Star Exorcists, he unmasks himself. He has normal human eyes. The more Kegare absorbs those powers, the more human they become. So apparently Kuranashi is treating this like a game. Hence he tells them they have 2 hours to save the day or kingdom come early. Even explaining the mechanics of how the ‘game’ is supposed to work. You have to destroy the bulb that is buried underground to permanently destroy it otherwise any destroyed parts are just going to regenerate, wasting your efforts. This is going to be so much fun…
* On to the next generation: As Kuranashi takes down Seigen and Mayura who are supposed to destroy the bulb, Seigen is not as powerful as he used to be and fast running out of steam. So he has to reluctantly transfer his Byakko powers to Mayura to end this game. So when you’re young and you have those same feelings of wanna be strong to protect, naturally deities like Byakko would instantly accept and give her the divine powers. Oh, she also rescued her mom from Kuranashi’s clutches. Wait. I thought she was dead?
* Falling: Rokuro and Benio kicking ass and talking like they’ve fallen for each other. Like it should have been? They destroy the mean Kegare as it disappears and now they are free falling. Don’t worry. Rokuro has some sort of spell for safe landing. With the Kegare gone, now the city is also falling. Don’t worry. The Twelve Guardians unleash all their might for it for a soft landing. And then it’s like Kuranashi got everything planned out from the start because at the end of it, he traps the Twelve Guardians again. A trap they will find it tougher to get out. Yet fallen for the same trick again.
* The real game begins: Kuranashi lures the Twin Star Exorcists to where he has the Twelve Guardians in his grasp. Rokuro can’t do anything to get them out because any attacks are absorbed and weakens them. He explains the plan he has been orchestrating for over a thousand years. He filled the land with miasma so the Exorcists could cleanse them but actually they were absorbing it. Once enough, he mind controls them into the Magano where he uses up all their power to create powerful Kegare. With all the small fries out of the way, he is able to concentrate on the Twelve Guardians who are the only threat to Basara. That floating island was a distraction to lure the Twelve Guardians out. He knows how to use Rikujin Shinka against them thanks to Yuuto. Kuranashi absorbs their powers while turning them into stone. He has left the Twin Star Exorcists alive because he realizes their growing powers. He will devour them when they are ripe and then become the king of this world and Magano.
* New look: Kuranashi is more powerful than ever since he has all the abilities of the Twelve Guardians. He has also got a new tight suit which makes him look gay…
* Tatara unmasked: Because Tatara is a shikigami and not human, it took time for him to break out from the spell that affects humans. Now we get to see his (angry) face, there’s lots of screaming, flashy powers and overkill in his bid to bring down Kuranashi. In the end, Tatara used his life to curse deterioration on Kuranashi. But he won’t stay weakened for long because he plans to absorb Yuuto’s power.
* Yuuto’s return: Once Kuranashi absorbs his power, his joy is only short-lived. He realizes he has been manipulated by Yuuto all along since Yuuto takes advantage of the situation to return in his body. Look who’s back?
* Here, there, nowhere and everywhere: So we’ve got the kids fighting each other again. They’re at a place between reality and Magano. How does Yuuto know all this? During his recuperation, he linked his senses with the founder of the Exorcist Union, the one and only Seimei. Apparently you can prolong your life by suspending your vital organs. So Yuuto is the most powerful Exorcist because he has absorbed the powers of Seimei and the Twelve Guardians.
* Wife beater: Yuuto still wants Rokuro as his gay buddy and hates his sister. So he beats the crap out of Benio to work up Rokuro’s anger so that he could turn into his ultimate beast mode.
* Rokuro’s true original form: He is a Kegare, you know.
* Arima’s return: You don’t think this pervert would be easily killed off, did you? He is back in time to distract Yuuto and save his precious Twin Star Exorcists. I guess they’ll have to have their rematch another day. Again.
* Pursuit of Ages Ritual: For Arima to perform this and go back in time to observe and learn whatever he needs, he needs to perform this ritual which makes him close to death. That’s why he used Kuranashi to ‘kill’ him. Back in the era where Seimei was still alive exorcising Kegare, to cut a long story short (some yin and yang thingy too), humans’ negative emotions created them. Seimei’s attempt to contain it but with those emotions kept increasing, it exploded into something twisted known as Magano. So by forming Exorcist Union and the Twelve Guardians to counter it, he also put forth his plan for Twin Star Exorcists to give birth to a powerful Miko that would end it all.
* Cataclysm King: Apparently Rokuro isn’t just Kegare. Apparently Seimei also tried to create this to cleanse human of this world. So that powerful incarnate yin energy known as Cataclysm King is Rokuro. So the only way to rid this is to bring forth the Miko. Something about his yin energy combine with Benio’s yang energy. Well, Rokuro is trying to be the considerate guy now. It’s like the perfect excuse he won’t bang Benio because he is not human. WTF. So now he sinks into some sort of depression, so much so Suzu had to even tell him it doesn’t matter he is Kegare, Cataclysm King or human. Rokuro is Rokuro. Wait. She knows he is Cataclysm King too?
* Yuuto’s bugging again: Oh geez… This guy too now knows about Rokuro being a Cataclysm King? I won’t be surprised if the whole world knows by now. Anyway, he is once again here to bug Rokuro to join him to destroy mankind since he has the power to do so. If he doesn’t he’ll destroy the world himself. And you guessed it. The only way to stop this is to beat him. Obviously. Don’t make him wait too long. He is itching to destroy the world. I mean, who else is there to fight him? The Twelve Guardians are out of commission, Arima and Seigen are powerless.
* She finally said it: Benio finally confesses she loves Rokuro! Well, if she only said it to him in person instead of Mayura.
* It’s over: Just when you think Rokuro wants to have an important talk with Benio, it turns out he wants to break up! WTF?! Well, it’s not like they’re really married or anything. So why break up as Twin Star Exorcists?! After that beating from Yuuto, he fears the next time would be fatal. That’s why he is going it alone. She would only slow her down. At least it isn’t because he is gay and decided to ditch this cutie pie. WTF did I just say?! Oh poor Benio, looks like she has to start crying again.
* Bromance: While Rokuro fights Yuuto, it seems Yuuto has been hinting some bromance with Rokuro all along?! He is happy he ditched Benio to come fight him alone like as though he has chosen him over her! And when Rokuro thinks of Benio, Yuuto gets mad and beats him up for doing so! In the end, what Yuuto wants is to enjoy the moment of fighting with him. He doesn’t care about the future or the results of the fight. As long as he can enjoy fighting to the death with him. Man, this is one sick twisted bromance.
* Burial Ritual: Rokuro is so considerate. He sought Arima’s help prior to implant some spell in his heart. If he ever turns into Cataclysm King, the spell will activate and kill him. Are you sure? You’re both turning into Super Saiyans in this ultimate fight.
* Masochist: Yuuto loves the pain and wants to get beaten up more by Rokuro! Oh well, it’s a ploy to make him so mad that he will turn into Cataclysm King. If Rokuro won’t fall into this trap, Yuuto beats himself up for more tremendous pain so he could turn into his Super Saiyan form. Wait. Does he not look like Frieza?
* Mikado’s true original form: He is Seimei, you know.
* Unaccounted factor: There is this crap explaining how Ame No Mihashira gave the yin and yang powers to Rokuro and Benio as part of Seimei’s big plan. However that plan didn’t take into account Yuuto. So his existence somewhat messes up all that plan since he wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place. Because of that, that’s why he challenged Rokuro to a final battle?
* The price to protect: More rage for Rokuro when Yuuto threatens to kill everyone. Because of his desire to protect them, he beats up Yuuto so hard that he starts losing his memories. Sure, Yuuto’s done for but this activates his Cataclysm King form. The end of the world begins. So Cataclysm King is a giant human torch?
* Survival of the fittest: So now the human torch is just standing there, causing big rains and sending out light signals? Yeah, whoever has weak spiritual power gets turned into stone. All part of the natural selection for the perfect world of Seimei.
* One woman showdown: Benio confronts Seimei herself because she wants him to turn Rokuro back. Well, you do know you’re no match for Cataclysm King who absorbed Yuuto’s power who absorbed Kuranashi’s power who absorbed the Twelve Guardians’ power, right? Seimei can guarantee he will return to Rokuro’s human form once he has done judging which humans are worthy for the next world. Because by then, Seimei will take over Cataclysm King’s body and continue his grand cleansing ritual.
* A boring world: So the world that Seimei intends will rid of all the yin power and hence no more Kegare. This means everybody will be like the same freaking zombie robot. Hey, but it’s peaceful, right? What do you mean you don’t want that kind of world, Benio? Are you saying you prefer this more corrupted and dangerous world because it is more dangerous and different?
* 2 become 1: Too bad Benio won’t see Rokuro even if he becomes human because Seimei needs 2 things to complete his ritual: Ame No Mihashira and Benio. Benio is supposedly the yang powers that flowed out and accumulated in her. So in order to give it back to him, he must consummate with him. Oh sh*t! Is this some sort of excuse to get pervy with her? Heck, even Kinako hates to admit the only one for her is Rokuro! Since we have some time, Benio wants to think about it. And so she decides she will join with Seimei. That was quick. Yeah, some tears to show us it wasn’t an easy decision.
* The merger: The results of Seimei x Benio are in. Ame No Mihashira is uprooted, Cataclysm King gets absorbed by it and Seimei just got whiter. Sorry people. No sex was engaged. In spite of all this, we only got lousy Rokuro back? Oh well, it was part of the deal.
* Blame: We’ve seen this coming. Rokuro blaming the hell out of himself and can’t understand why Benio chose to sacrifice herself despite knowing he is a Kegare. You should know better at this point. If Kinako has to point it out to you, you’re really useless.
* Kegare the musical: WTF???!!! Suzu singing a musical to get Rokuro back on his feet?! WTF???!!!
* Rescue Benio: What’s left of the Exorcist make a race against time to rescue Benio stuck inside Ame No Mihashira. The odds are close to zero but it isn’t zero. It gets cliché enough as everybody else gets owned by the obstacles and passes their power to Rokuro just so he can move on. The hero must always save the princess, right?
* The power of love: Long story short, let’s say the bond between Rokuro and Benio is that what busts her out. Also cue for quarrelling and blaming each other for being ‘stupid’.
* The most effective way to shut up: What happens if your woman can’t stop b*tching? You kiss her! If she doesn’t like that, what should she do? Kiss him back! And she dared complain she would have preferred it under romantic setting…
* Kamui returns: Because we have started to forget about him, he is back to fight Seimei and relishes fighting a strong opponent. Too bad he lost.
* Petals: Apparently in the final stage of the cleansing involves this huge flower and all its petals to drop. What about Benio’s union? Well, Seimei already absorbed all her yang powers. Why didn’t he do this before? At least we can be rest assured no unwarranted sex will ever happen between them.
* The power of more love: Twin Star Exorcists are using this excuse of protecting and love despite all the bad things they went through in this screwed up world. They don’t like his one-sided view of what the world should be. Yeah, your opinions don’t matter. In that case, your feelings don’t matter either! But that isn’t enough. Seimei has put his faith in humanity to change but he was betrayed by that faith.
* Kegare is good!: Apparently when Seimei says a good Kegare is a dead Kegare (not exactly but I surmise it is along this line), Rokuro argues Kegare isn’t a bad thing. He himself is a Kegare and a few other Kegare and Basara they fought did show some sort of compassion. So they’re not all that bad! So you’re telling based on this logic, the Ebola virus isn’t bad either?
* The vicious cycle: Rokuro and Benio think they might be doing some good exorcising Kegare. But they have gone through periods with negative emotions and that gives rise to Kegare. Because of such, Kegare is born. Thus the only way free from all that is Seimei’s ideal world.
* Home team support: Well, Twin Star Exorcists lost again and being put to sleep. However all those who were previously absorbed by Ame No Mihashira pop up to support them. This means from Sae to the Twelve Guardians, other Exorcists and possibly the entire townspeople cheering on for them. Why do they sound like cheering for a sports event?
* Aurora: Thanks to Rokuro and Benio reviving and putting a stop to Seimei’s plan, all souls are released back to its original place. And the entire world get to see a beautiful aurora phenomenon.
* See you again: With Rokuro and Benio spouting about love and wanting to be with other, I guess Seimei for once could laugh at his own failure. So he decides to give humanity a chance to see if they should go through this sh*t judgment again in a thousand years. Oh boy. He is making a big mistake putting faith in humanity once more… I suppose he hasn’t heard about once bitten, twice shy…
* Hitched: Ryogo and Haruka got married. Rokuro and Benio give their speech about fighting and living every day for the future. Wow. It’s like they’re veterans in life.
* Just get married already: Rokuro gives back Benio’s hair accessory. Puts it on for her. Benio smiles. Benio is happy. Kiss. Wedding date when?
Rewrite: Twin Star Weaklings
Oh boy. It’s like saying the world is beautiful because of its flaws and imperfection. Okay. Beauty is so subjective and depends on the eye of the beholder. Because exorcising Kegare is better than not exorcising any? Yeah, it’s like saying killing something is much better than having nothing to kill. Even if the world didn’t end in this anime, I’m glad the series did. Not too sure if I can handle it anymore if it has twice this number of episodes. It was really getting boring. So much so when the whole series ended, I came up with this conspiracy theory that Twin Star Exorcists were so adamant in preventing the cleansing of the world despite all the virtue signalling BS crap they spout is so that Ryogo and Haruka could get married and everybody lives happily ever after doing their normal daily routine. Uh huh. If the world is cleansed, we won’t be having a wedding ceremony… So that’s what we’re fighting for!!! Oh yeah! And of course, one day, just one day Rokuro and Benio will walk down the aisle together. All this would not be possible had they not stopped Seimei. Damn right it was worth it. Phew. Now to get back on track.
I have to admit that I wasn’t placing much hope on the plot and storyline and was expecting cliché stuffs. However the early episodes especially during the Hinatsuki Tragedy and the revelation of Yuuto being an antagonist was interesting. However when that first fight was over and they introduced Sae so they could ‘practice playing family’, I thought that was where it went downhill. It became boring and was just uninspiring as well as cliché and predictable. You know, going around defeating and exorcising Kegare, which is pretty much what the entire series is all about no matter how different setting or façade they put up. Sure, Seimei’s world cleansing and attempts to rewrite the world back to a clean slate was another twist in the plot but at this point I have already become so numb with the story that I didn’t feel anything. It was like I expected something of this sort to happen although I didn’t see this exact plot twist coming.
Character wise, personally I feel Rokuro and Benio as the main protagonists are also uninspiring and cliché. You get the feeling that when they are forced to get married and produce a child, it is predictable that they are so against it and to the point that they dislike each other. Thanks to the many episodes and the need of them having to cooperate to fight Kegare together, this serves as a mask to slowly turn their relationship around. Before you know it, they are like having good opinions for each other and they can’t live without the other. Like as though those early bickering never happened at all. Like it was all a dream. At this point you might just start asking when did they turn into this. I figure it must be around Sae’s time because that girl feels just redundant but for a particular plot in the story (aside for being the series’ cute loli mascot) and once she’s gone, it somewhat opened Rokuro and Benio’s eyes that they need to do this for everyone they love and possible the world.
In addition to that, I have this view that the Twin Star Exorcists are a bunch of weaklings when it comes to fighting Kegare. Just because Rokuro screams out with angst a lot and quiet type Benio has her pride, it makes them seem capable till you see them getting easily owned by the enemy. I know this is a catch 22 situation because if you make your characters overpowered from the start, it wouldn’t be fun and the fans won’t like it because it’s boring. But I didn’t think they are this weak because on many occasions they need their asses to be saved by somebody. Really. Sure, it is to show that there is room for improvement and that they can grow stronger or unleash some hidden power, blah, blah, blah. But from the rate I see them doing so, if they have improved, the others especially the Twelve Guardians have improved even more. Do you not believe that they are still lacking around 3/4 of the series? They’re just too freaking weak! And what was it again that Rokuro promising Arima in 2 years he will be the strongest? Look at all the sh*t everyone has been through since then! What a joke! Even making a baby seems to be a much better probability to save the world. Even in the last episode they fail to overcome Seimei themselves after giving all they’ve got. Even to the point of thinking about giving up when they have exhausted everything. So it’s like they ‘cheated’ when everybody boosted them up. So you get my idea why I view them as weak?
Talking about saving the world and everybody, the ideals they have because they are the main heroes can be said to be controversial and mind boggling at times. We hear Seimei’s goal to purify the entire world with no Kegare at all. No Kegare whatsoever. The price to pay is a world void of emotions, a zombie world, pure peace and tranquil. Sure, it might sound boring but isn’t peace and harmony the ultimate goal? And then you have clichéd heroes like Twin Star Exorcists who oppose that view because they prefer this corrupted and bad world. So you like to see more kids starve to death in Africa, eh? You want to see more child soldiers die for fat evil dictators in oppressed countries? I know that what they mean is that all the bad things they have gone through makes them who they are but do they not miss the point of the overall picture? The big picture of what mankind needs. But then again, if you put me in their shoes, I wouldn’t know which world to choose either. After all, when everyone is living like a zombie, you wouldn’t know anything at all. Just like if time stops, nobody would know a damn thing. So wanting to maintain this wretched world is like because they are afraid of taking the first bold step into the unknown. You know we won’t get anywhere if we stay in our comfort zone (tainted world in this case), right? And hence the reason why Rokuro and Benio best Seimei in the end so this is ‘proof’ that the current stinking world sucks. Imagine Seimei who was confident and invincible in his plan suddenly bows to those young punks in the end just because they had the better support and power of love. Dang it’s like they’re just delaying the inevitable because I believe human will hardly change and it’s back to the same thing again. So like pushing the problem to the next generation? Yeah, reality and logic is like love. So confusing and doesn’t make sense.
So the other characters are just rather okay. Nothing really too special or memorable. Like those Exorcist guys in Seika Dorm feels like to give that feeling that Rokuro and Benio aren’t alone in their quest exorcising Kegare. They are not as powerful and do battle less dangerous Kegare so as to give us the illusion that the Twin Star Exorcists are better. Remember what I said about them being weak because compared to the Twelve Guardians and some of the Basara, Twin Star Exorcists are that weak by comparison and that they are just above the average level of these average Exorcists. Get what I mean? If Sae is the cute loli mascot, Kinako is the cute animal mascot. Though I find his main role is to complain and b*tch about Rokuro (just to prove he is a staunch Benio supporter) and a signal to detect Kegare but often at times fail at his job because some of the more dangerous Kegare he can’t detect. Yeah, just stay cute and at most yap your mouth at Rokuro. Please don’t even possess a car or something. He did a freaking bad job in even keeping Sae in because she always lets herself out and for some reason he can’t catch her. WTF. Then you have Seigen with his tough love, the very casual and laidback Arima (because such characters are always as the head of something) a couple of old geezers sitting around Seika Dorm… I think that’s about it.
Special mention needs to be said about the Twelve Guardians. While some like Shimon and Subaru have decent screen times albeit still very lacking, others felt like they are there just to make up for the numbers. Heck, I don’t even know their names. I mean among them we have one robot loli who loves to spell or at least with her limited vocabulary she spells out letter by letter of that word, a woman who literally screams every word in her sentence (somebody forgot to lower her volume dial when she was born), a goth loli queen who is the oldest member among them all, a quack doctor, an accountant who only thinks about time is money and an emoticon face familiar. Wow. They sure look like an interesting bunch of weirdoes. However they don’t have too deep of a story to tell and some are just scratching the surface which makes it a little worse because it just makes it feel like fillers. And because of that, all of them got ‘killed off’ in the final arc. Good riddance? Nah. Just to show that Twin Star Exorcists can manage the final boss with them. Sort of.
Because Rokuro and Benio took too long with their romance and dragging their feet with it (because exorcising Kegare feels like an excuse to interrupt and put it off) and heck, they only get their double first kiss at the penultimate episode, that is why we have Ryogo x Haruka despite their very minimal screen time as ‘part time’ romance until the big one finally happens. Yeah, their big wedding day. Too bad I was hoping for some love triangle with Mayura but in the end I figure she is just there for fanservice since she has one of the biggest busts among the female characters. Oops! So what happened with her fascination with Shimon? Is something ever going to materialize out of that or is she still going to hopelessly pine for Rokuro despite knowing her chances are close to zero?
If there was a character I like, it would be Yuuto. Yes, this annoying bratty teaser is one of the best characters in the series because of the way he bows down to no one and how he enjoys the hell out of tormenting Rokuro and to a point Benio. This kid sounds so gay each time he talks to Rokuro like as though he might want to get into some big bromance with Rokuro as his end goal. He literally has Rokuro dancing in the palm of his hand because he makes him mad, beats him up, gets beaten and he still mostly laughs at all the farce. Yeah, this guy just really want to have a good time before the world ends. And even though he is rightfully defeated for plot purposes in the end, it was all worth it. You did well, Yuuto. Rest in peace. The other amusing character is Suzu because of the hilarious songs she sometimes sings. Especially that death metal rock and that musical. They’re so out of place that it’s funny. Even funnier how she sometimes gives Rokuro advice like as though she is his ally or something. I don’t understand what her role in this anime is. Unlike Kamui, she just bums around observing Twin Star Exorcists from time to time. So? We see her holding a concert for the Kegare. Do they go to concerts too in Magano? Heck, with the exception of Kamui, all the other Basara that appeared in the series are anime only characters. So much about staying faithful to the source. No wonder this series sucked…
Speaking of which, the next episode preview is a segment whereby the characters quote a famous line from famous people all around the world. Not that I can see how it relates to the next episode or the series overall. I think they’re trying to be funny but I don’t really get it. Even without resorting to these quotes I believe the usual banter will still be there. The famous quotes just makes it looks out of place. Because of that, I am beginning to wonder if this quote borrowing thing was borrowed in another anime series that sucked: Hand Shakers. Oh yeah. If you watched that show, you’ll know there is an annoying character who often spouts words from famous people as reference when she fights. So it’s decided. Having a series that tries to use quotes from other people is bad.
This series is supposed to be action battle but I hardly find myself enjoying them. They don’t really use confusing terms or skills but most of them are just chanting a talisman and then let its effect do the job. Then you have Rokuro’s Kegare arm and Benio’s feet to do some close combat quarters but how far and how much a variety can they offer? Apparently a few especially their Resonance combo but I don’t really remember them. That is why I am thinking maybe the flashy and colourful effects during the battle are some sort of distraction to divert you from the plain battle to the flamboyant effects.
I have mixed feelings for the art style and animation. At times they are rather okay but at other times they drop in quality. The characters do look a bit one kind and because I have seen so many animes over the years, many look like I have seen them from somewhere before. For example, Ryogo looks like Momoshiro from Prince Of Tennis, Atsushi looks like Grount from One Piece, Shinnosuke looks like Nodoka from Negima series and Benio looks like Ririchiyo from Inu x Boku SS. As for the Kegare, the Magano world has this sketchy-like art so in a way it is a bit refreshing from the usual 2D anime style. And it is funny that the Kegare have this large net emblem on their body because at first I thought they look like some huge tic-tac-toe that one could play over it if they ever get bored of killing each other. Just kidding. One more thing to point out. When Dragon Spots first made their appearance, I thought its shape look like a hamburger from Burger King! No kidding! Every time it appears, I would go like, “Oh, it’s burger time already”.
Speaking of Kegare, I can’t help bring this out. I am very sure that the producers have no skin colour issue because Kegare and Basara are always dark skinned. I believe the original presentation for this is to represent light and darkness, good versus evil. However in today’s politically correct world, I’m sure racist people can point this out. OMG. Am I a racist? Heck, I thought Kuranashi was Mikado in disguise because of their dark skin. Although both turn out to be different characters, but they are both still antagonist for the series, right? I know there is one dark skinned strong uncle among the Twelve Guardians but he is forgettable. Then Seimei turned white in the final arc and it’s like if you’re from the west, you’re going to blame white people that everything was their fault to begin with.
With a huge number of casts, a handful of recognizable seiyuus for me include Natsuki Hanae as Rokuro, Jun Fukuyama as Kinako, Junichi Suwabe as Seigen, Miyuki Sawashiro as Subaru and Daisuke Ono as Mikage/Seimei. The other casts are Megumi Han as Benio (Akko in Little Witch Academia), Ayumu Murase as Yuuto (Kazuo in Hatsukoi Monster), Daisuke Namikawa as Arima (Rock in Black Lagoon), Yuu Serizawa as Mayura (Tenma in Mushibugyou), Kaito Ishikawa as Shimon (Iida in Boku No Hero Academia), Kazuhiko Inoue as Kuranashi (Gildarts in Fairy Tail), Yuuki Ono as Kamui (Isami in Shokugeki No Souma), Tomoaki Maeno as Ryogo (Schubert in ClassicaLoid), Misako Tomioka as Haruka (Maria Himesato in Aikatsu), Yuuki Wakai as Suzu (Reona West in PriPara) and Hitomi Sasaki as Sae (Shiozawa in Urara Meirochou).
Many of the themes are rock based like Valkyrie -Ikusa Otome- by Wagakki Band (first opening), Re: Call by Iris (second opening), Kanadeai by Itowakashi (fourth opening) and Hide & Seek by Girlfriend (fourth ending). There are slow ballads like Eyes by Hitomi Kaji (first ending), the slow rock of Yadoriboshi by Itowakashi (third ending) and a special episode 30 ending, 15 by Girlfriend. These aren’t too bad. But the one that I prefer the most is the third opening, Sync by lol (yes, that’s the band’s name). The techno hip hop is quite catchy. It somewhat reminds me of one of the anime Beelzebub’s ending theme, Shoujo Traveler. It makes you want to get up and dance a little. But the weirdest one is Hotarubi by Wagakki Band. Although this is mainly a slow rock, it is some lines of this song that makes it feel weird. Because the singer sings like a computer slowly pronouncing syllable for syllable at certain verses, it sounded like a retard singing! But overall, it isn’t that bad since it has this frenzy traditional flute/fue playing and crazy shamisen picking in the background which are the catchy parts of the song.
In the end, the predictability and overused trope of its characters and plots that made it so cliché from start to finish is a huge disappointment for a casual and ‘veteran’ anime viewer like me. If you are new into this anime industry, everything is going to be wows, ahhs and oohs. I’m not sure if I can put this series on par, better or worse than Tokyo Ravens. It’s far too long and I’ve mostly forgotten. If you really want to watch a good exorcism series, I highly recommend the western influenced one like Ao No Exorcist. Can’t say about Nurarihyon No Mago, Kekkaishi or D. Gray Man as I have not watched them. I heard they are great but… If I was Rokuro and Benio, I would have just get over it and f*ck each other and bring forth the Miko. Leave your problems to the next generation! But then, history might repeat itself because parents with young kids always die and leave their kids in their grandparents’ care. And the whole cycle repeats itself again… It doesn’t matter how many stars you have, as long as you are born under a bad star, you’re screwed.
Amanchu
3 November, 2017
Initially I gave Amanchu the slip and really did not intend to watch it for the foreseeable future. Mainly because it is a scuba diving theme. Hah. Scuba diving. How boring. Right?! Plus, looking at the promotional poster, I thought some of the characters had this ‘scary doll look’ like that Zatch Bell character. I know, I know. I didn’t look close enough but at that point I didn’t want to scare myself despite knowing this diving themed anime would mostly be a very calming series. All that changed when I learnt that this series is somewhat a spiritual successor to the Aria series because they are written by the same author! OMG! Instant nostalgia hit! Must see this!
Episode 1
Just before Hikari “Pikari” Kohinata goes scuba diving, she smells her grandma boiling pork soup. Later, Futaba Ooki arrives at the seaside via her scooter. She seems depressed as she has just transferred here. As a newbie in the area, everything is new for her. Grandma talks to her and treats her to a drink. She realizes Futaba will be enrolled in the same Yumegaoka High School as Pikari. Futaba is awed by the waves of the sea and it lifts her spirits. Pikari returns and the other guys in her group are so freaking awed by the sea it’s like they’ve turned into a new character. At the point, Futaba has left on her scooter. Next day is the new first term of the semester. Pikari sure knows how to attract attention as she marches in with a whistle in her mouth and lets this strange cat, Aria ride on her head. Pikari and Futaba’s shoe locker are next to each other. They see a fancy card in it. Pikari is excited as it is some sort of map designed by their teacher to make it more exciting. It leads them to their classroom. Futaba is amazed at the beautiful chalk drawing on the board that indicates their seat. Pikari says it is their teacher’s love. Guess what? They both sit next to each other. Their homeroom teacher is Mato Katori as she has the class introduce themselves. Futaba is very nervous. What will she say? She flusters and just says her name. Pass. When it is Pikari’s turn, she starts whistling! Is this her way of leaving a first impression? She needs to get smacked by the teacher. Then she passionately introduces herself including her passion for scuba diving. While the students line up to get their textbooks, Pikari admires Futaba’s beauty, making her blush. Because of her thin eyebrows, she decides to nickname her Teko. In return, she wants her to call her nickname. Teko notices Pikari’s zipper open. She denies it while zipping it up. Teko notes even she can get embarrassed. Teko might still be anxious of the many firsts she will experience but is confident she will get used to it.
Episode 2
It’s going to be a lovely day for Pikari to go to school. Riding the bus, she doesn’t realize Mato is sitting behind her. So she opens the window and the wind messes with her hair. Pikari wants to press the stop button but Mato beats her to it. Mato gets down with her and wonders why she stopped at the shopping district instead of riding all the way to school. She woke up early so as to see the lovely route to school. Then it descends into a race to see who can walk to fastest. Pikari takes a big lead but then Mato has the last laugh: She hitches a ride with a motorcyclist. Is this cheating? Pikari won’t lose out and takes the shortcut through the woods. So imagine Teko’s shock when she is taking a picture of the sky only to see Pikari suddenly entering her frame. The landing is painful so when Mato tends to her, they realize they are both enthusiasts in scuba diving. Now they are best friends! Teko is left wondering how weird Pikari is. With the club recruitment drive next week, depressed Teko believes she’ll join none for the rest of her high school days. That is, until Pikari drags her along to the scuba club. Looks like somebody is already there. Aria? Pikari nicknames it Tea and believes it isn’t just an ordinary member but the club’s advisor. Pikari then explains the difference between the wet and dry diving suits. Before Teko knows it, they already try on the suit. Pikari dives and floats in the school’s swimming pool as Teko ponders how she has been dragged into her pace all the while. But she notes the fun she has while watching her do stuffs. It makes her heart beat in excitement. Teko takes a deep breath and dives in too. Pikari mentions about how the border of the body and sea cease to exist when diving. When that happens, she would like to think they were all born from the sea. She hopes Teko would try diving with her. Those sparkling eyes in her looks of anticipation… Well, no harm trying. She’s already gone this far.
Episode 3
Teko tries to make friends with others but since she is still scared, I guess another day. Luckily she still has Pikari around. On their way to school, Teko tells Pikari she came from Tokyo. Everything is still new to her so that’s why she is afraid to make new friends. She finds it strange herself that she is usually bad with talking about herself to others but yet can tell it so easily to her. Pikari admits she too is bad with talking to others. Probably this explains about her being scatterbrain. Because Teko is still worried if she can make friends, Pikari takes her to a street filled with sakura trees blossoming. She quotes from grandma about thinking to be happy then you’ll forever be happy. Besides, doesn’t Teko have her as a friend? Teko feels much better. The duo are now trying the scuba club as trial members. Mato as the club’s real advisor is waiting inside. First, she asks if they know something about last week’s intrusion. Somebody intrude here. Gulp. Teko is scared but Pikari quickly admits it was her. She gets smacked by Mato. Even more afraid, Teko also admits she was here. I think Teko looked so meek so Mato smacks Pikari on her behalf! Mato starts her first lesson by explaining about external and internal air pressure. The deeper you go, the less air you have in your lungs and other areas with air as it will be crushed. So the key is to keep breathing. But like the ear which cannot breathe, how do you clear it? There are a few ways as Mato has Pikari demonstrate them for beginners. Mato tests Teko about the most important rule in diving. At first she doesn’t know the answer but thinking harder and from the hints she just learnt, the single inviolable rule is to keep breathing. Teko starts breathing and it calms her mind while thinking the new experience she will have in this new town. This in turn makes Pikari excited and hopes Teko could join her diving together. Even happier when Teko calls her nickname for the first time. Teko narrates she was always waiting and praying for someone who would call out to her. She hated her cowardly self who could only wait. But even those feelings became a piece with meaning.
Episode 4
Teko will be observing Pikari dive with a couple of customers, twins Ai and Makoto Ninomiya. She learns of Pikari’s dream to become a full fledge diving instructor one day. Teko observes how everyone checks each other’s gear before diving into the sea. She talks to Pikari’s grandma and learns that the visibility of the sea at this time of the year isn’t good. She gets worried but luckily Pikari and co return safely. They swap their tanks and go back for another round. When they’re done, they start washing their gear. Pikari is embarrassed to see she left her panties out. She tries to telepathically communicate with Ai about letting her have it (since she doesn’t want to Makoto to know about it). Not that she understands but she allows it. Then it turns out to be a head hood for diving. Pikari frantically calls grandma for the customer’s number. Teko will have her first dive at the school’s swimming pool. Pikari and Mato will dive with her. After putting on the full gear, of course it feels heavy but it won’t be once she starts diving. Teko finds she is floating and it proves that the buoyancy works. After a while and a few dives, Teko can’t help emerge since she is not used to water getting into her mask and panicked. It also causes her a bit of breathing difficulties. Although she remembers Mato’s lesson on how to clear it, the water quickly seeps back in. This makes her scared and lose motivation. She wants to get out but Pikari continues to believe she can do it. If she doesn’t try, she’ll never do it. But Teko continues to remain scared so Pikari calms her down she is here with her. They go back underwater and Pikari helps her get rid of the water seeping and this gives Teko her confidence back. They manage to dive to the deeper end of the pool. When they return to the surface, Pikari is very happy they did it together. But when Teko tries to leave the pool, she has no strength because the suit has absorbed water and has become heavier. Time to work on those muscles.
Episode 5
Teko’s muscles were aching since but has recovered. They are expecting to do more scuba diving but Mato tells them to go job and build some muscles. I suppose Teko needs lots of practice. She’s slow and even catching her breath. Pikari runs ahead first and bumps into the twins. Ai is impressed with Pikari as an instructor and even wants her to join the diving club. Pikari remembers they are the senior members Mato told them whom they have never met yet. When Pikari tries to tell them this and Makoto reminding Ai that the club has already 2 new members, Ai starts to beat him up! She will not forgive those members for trespassing the club! Oh sh*t. By the time Teko catches up, Pikari fears things will get worse so she takes her away to explain. Ai remains stubborn she won’t meet her new members. When Mato says they are nearby, she runs off to find them! Teko and Pikari arrive to explain themselves so Makoto tells them to go home and won’t be blamed. Too late. That monster has returned! RUN!!! Hey, Teko is running pretty fast this time. Eventually Ai catches up and realizes who they are. How will the showdown end? Pikari prostrates herself and apologizes. Teko explains how Pikari brought her to the club that sparked her interest in diving. This leaves Ai in a lurch because it looks like she is the bad guy now. Ai might not admit it but you can tell she accepts them as she is going to beat the basics of diving into them by calling their first emergency meeting. In the classroom, Pikari asks straight up if Ai is still mad. Not really. To prove her sincerity, lunch is on her. Or at least Makoto is paying. As they discuss, Ai wants Teko to get her open certification as her first step to become a diver. This will allow her to dive with a buddy even without an instructor. You bet Teko is motivated to do that. When Pikari doodles sea animals in a chibi form on the blackboard, Ai counters that by drawing a surreal version! Makoto joins in and adds some effects and eventually Ai is roped in to colour. It turns out to be a masterpiece. Ai claims this is the first sea that they dived together. Sea of colours? After taking pictures, they erase it.
Episode 6
Today Teko will be having pool lessons with Mato. Alone. It only makes sense since the rest already have their licence. Feeling lonely? Well, the rest are actually hiding and watching from afar so once this is over they will give Teko a surprise congratulation. Teko is scared when Mato wants her to fill her mask with water and then discharge it. She is made to do it many times and it is to help her overcome her fear. Once she is done, she is now stripped all her gear and is told to go swim laps. However there is 1 big problem. SHE CAN’T SWIM!! WHAT???!!! Oops, Pikari and co got busted. So they realize why she is always afraid of water leaking into her mask. So as Mato test her to swim with fins without sinking, she sank immediately! End of today’s lesson. Teko feels down as she believes she is holding everyone back. Mato then suggests taking them for a drive. Actually Mato just wants to take her car out for a spin… At the station near the port, Teko talks about her gratefulness to get into the world of diving. They get embarrassed when Mato comments about their self-discovery and friendship. Teko feels she still isn’t as good as she should so Mato advises her not to take her own wish or ambition too seriously. It’s good if she has it but there is also nothing wrong about following someone else’s suggestion at first. As long as she keeps moving, she’ll be sure to find something. Pikari has found some ribbons whereby they can write their wishes and hook it up along the shrine. Teko writes her wish to dive 150 metres and pass her pool training. It might look simple but at least it is a wish she can grant by her own power. Pikari won’t let Teko see hers because it is embarrassing. What did she write? Her wish for Teko’s wish to come true.
Episode 7
It is the rainy season and the humidity is messing with Ai’s hair. Look at how many pins she has. But has she got to take it out on Makoto? He has more pins on his head… Mato watches Pikari seeing off Teko to her pool training. Then she notices Pikari sneaking off in the wrong direction. She tails her to the train station. Since she is deep in her thoughts, Mato is discovered by Pikari. So what is the meaning of this? When the time is right, the train passes by a lovely field of hydrangea flowers. It’s only for a moment so hope you see all its beauty. So Pikari just got this train trip just for this? Yup. It is the only season where they bloom best. Now that the rainy season is over, it is hot like hell! Is the end of the world coming? Club activities are out since it is a time for students to study for their exams. But the diving club quartet are bumming around in school. Pikari leads the gang to stretch their hands in the sunlight to test its warmth. Mato isn’t impressed so she has them play Red Light Green Light with Makoto as It. In this heat? We see Teko is really good at the game. She survives and wins most probably Makoto had to choose his sister. Not thrilled, Ai decides to play again with her being It. Again Teko is naturally talented in this game. Ai can’t even get her! Finally Mato decides to join in the game. It looks like Makoto and Teko won but Mato throws her slippers at them! Anything the It possess and touches you counts. Was this part of the rules? Mato is so happy with her victory, it prompts the rest to think she is the most child-like among them. So this is a lesson that even as adults, searching for answers can be still fun.
Episode 8
Makoto sees a letter in Ai’s shoe locker. She takes the letter and quickly runs! So when he finally manages to ask her about it, she points out to some baseball guy who wrote the letter. She finds it odd because they don’t talk much so why did he write that letter? She hasn’t read the letter yet but what are the chances it is a love letter? Makoto is shocked to see Ai blushing. So when she starts to read it, suddenly she has this unimpressed looks. She runs away! Actually puts the letter back. It seems the guy have put it in the wrong place and was meant for the other girl sharing her shoe locker. Ai claims she didn’t read the rest of the letter and stopped once she read who it was addressed to. Makoto fears for that guy’s life as you know what his sister can do. But he can’t be worried about him, Ai is going to take it out on him! Surprisingly she did not. Instead she acts cool and deduces that guy must be so nervous thinking about the letter that he put it in the wrong place. It takes a lot of strength to do all that. Ai is glad seeing others putting effort to make others happy and in a way grateful to him. Makoto notes that he is able to see the other side of Ai he never sees. However she returns to her old self beating him up. Back to worrying about her future. Later Ai cleans up Makoto’s messy locker in which he hordes stuffs from long ago including a magazine about diving. She notes worrying about his future. Teko hates the physical examinations. In the hall, she gets separated from Pikari. Because of that, she becomes clumsy during the examinations. So with Pikari around, it looks like she could do it decently. During the 50m race, Teko starts great. Wow. It’s like she can run now. However halfway she loses steam. Like as though she gave up. When it is time for the 1000m race, Teko gets scared and starts thinking negatively. But Pikari has a solution. First they start last and run slow to conserve energy. When the final lap is announced, they sprint all their might to surpass those ahead. In the end, they achieve quite a decently high position. As they catch their breath, Pikari realizes something about Teko. Could it be she is a sore loser? Even so, she is a lovely sore loser and respects her more. Uhm, is that supposed to be a compliment?
Episode 9
Teko continues taking pictures. Each one of them carries precious memories and she sets it up so each time she on her handphone, a random photo will pop up. When Ai suggests a group picture (Makoto is excluded of course – he need to take the picture), the memory card is full. As suggested, Teko should transfer out the data for more space. However it’s not that simple. It’s like the end of the world for her. Don’t laugh. You don’t know how deeply attached and important each of those photos are. Unlike us who keep taking and never once see them anymore :’(… Teko further remembers when she moved here, her friends sent her a handphone strap as a birthday present. Even if Teko was happy, she couldn’t help felt sad because it marked the start of separation. She felt lonely. Teko was a lonely girl who just existed until a couple of girls in middle school became her friends. Middle school? That late, huh. So she learnt the wonderful things of friendship and came to appreciate how precious it is. That is why even with the simple push of a button to transfer her data, she just can’t do it. She gets a call from her diving club to meet. There, Pikari then hands her a present. Ai takes her away to lecture her about suddenly giving a belated birthday present and putting Teko in a spot. Well, we can all hear you. The present is a digital photo frame. She can put her memory card here and display all the photos she has taken. Problem solved. Geez, I thought they would have got her a new handphone… Nah, this is cheaper. Now that she is able to snap more treasured memories, looks like life will continue fine and dandy as usual. Oh, Teko is crying? Tears of joy. You’re welcome. Teko continues snapping as usual. She picks up a call from her old friend. Looks like they have lots to chat and catch up. At this rate, it’s going to be full soon…
Episode 10
Teko and Pikari are at Ai’s house to pick her up so they can go out together. They are at the bookstore to pick out a log book. The designs are too cute and they are spoilt for choice. Then they go buy swimsuits. Once done, Pikari invites them to her grandma’s place so they can have fun in the sea (and probably test their newly bought swimsuits). After that, Teko talks to grandma about her treasured memories and how grateful she is for meeting Pikari. But she feels sad she has nothing to give her in return. She advises about the blinding light when stepping out from the darkness after a long time. But the light isn’t the one making the scenery. Everything has been there from the start. The light didn’t do anything. As long as she doesn’t block out Pikari, she will shine on her own. Later Teko talks to Pikari about feeling lost. Even if she passes her pool test, she isn’t sure if she will be ready. But she is really excited to go diving with everyone. She wonders if she’ll hold everyone back or worthy to be her friend. Pikari replies she sometimes get lost too. That feeling means you are dissatisfied with where you are. Therefore feeling lost is a good thing because is an opportunity. A chance to have more fun. So if you’re lost, then let’s go. Teko takes the pool test. Mato times her. After clearing 100 metres, she manages to float on her back for 10 minutes (this is her specialty?). With that, Teko passes and can now go diving with everyone. First stop, the sea!
Episode 11
Teko and Pikari see Aria walking off a path. They try to follow it but the path becomes blocked. At least for humans. Wondering if cats have their own secret path to walk and that Pikari doesn’t know every inch of the area as Teko thought she would, they decide to have their adventure of discovering new and unknown places together. So as they travel the path less taken, they see a crow bullying a little kitten! Shoo! Shoo! Time to squeal our hearts because the kitten is so cute rolling around! But time to head back to reality because they wonder if it is lost or abandoned. They notice it is hungry. Nothing like the internet to help search what cats eat. They head to the convenience store to buy milk and then go back to grandma’s place to make it. Kitten is crying tears of joy? Of course the problem now is what to do next. Teko’s place doesn’t accept pets and Pikari’s mom is allergic to cats. Oh, grandma can’t keep it here too. They could ask their classmates to adopt it tomorrow but for now, Teko will secretly let it live in her place for tonight. Next day in school, Mato senses something strange when the duo anxiously keep going back and forth from the club. Then they got busted for hiding the kitten there. Mato reminds them about the responsibility needed if they are to save it. Teko starts thinking how the kitten is just like her. Lonely. Because Pikari pulled her out of that, she wonders if she can be the kitten’s Pikari. Of course she could. As they try to look for anyone who would adopt it, the principal (black afro guy?) pops up. He is the owner of Aria and noting that Aria needs a bride and the kitten is female, he wants to adopt it. And since the cats like each other, case solved.
Episode 12
The diving club members head to a beach where it is the holy land for first time divers. This is also for Teko to do her sea practical. After checking the gear, the swim out to the buoy. While getting ready to dive, Teko realizes one of her fins is missing. Is it already over? Luckily a kind diver found it and returns it. Sliding down the rope to the bottom, they see lots of other divers there too. After experiencing and watching the marine wildlife, it is time for Mato to test Teko for her sea practical. From mask clearing to buoyancy to hand signals, Teko looks like she’s got it all under control. Surfacing back up, Teko can’t stop talking excitedly about her experience. Later Mato informs Teko about her sea practical’s result. She passed and is now presented her very own C-card, the badge of an open water diver. Of course, we must have that Teko-Pikari talk with Pikari describing her past self as one who was afraid of love and empty. She hated herself for that. Now she has totally changed and a complete opposite. She wants to find out more things to love and show them to Pikari. Because now Teko has come to love herself, this Pikari means Pikari will love her too. I hope that isn’t in a yuri sense. They look forward tomorrow. Fun for all, all for fun? What the heck. Let’s just go!
OVA
Teko’s friends, Chizuru Himeno and Akane Mizunashi visit her. They are happy to see each other after a long while. When Teko introduces them to Pikari, she is in fact very eager to be their friends. Pikari will be their guide today and guide them around. During lunch, the friends can tell Teko is fitting in nicely and their worries were baseless. After touring a few scenic spots, Teko asks her friends if they would like to do guided scuba diving. It felt like they’re waiting for this moment and eagerly say yes. Pikari calls Mato for it. When Chizuru thinks about this diving thing, she starts to lose her balance. Pikari catches her. However Chizuru feels something wrong. A tingly feeling in her heart. Something uneasy. She decides to hide it for now. Next day before when they go diving, Mato has them sign a form. They are not too pleased they have to fill in their weight… And a contact number in case something happens… Teko assures them everything will be alright because there are 3 certified divers here. After putting on their gear, Chizuru learns from Pikari about Teko’s nickname. She is not impressed. After diving in, Chizuru starts to feel pain in her ears. She stars panicking that she is going to die! Luckily Pikari tells her how to clear it. Pain instantly gone. However, it is panic once more when Chizuru starts spinning uncontrollably. Till Pikari takes her hand to join everyone else. Here she sees the beauty of the deep sea. It is like a piece of heaven. Back on land, while Akane enjoys every bit of it, Chizuru takes this chance to complain how it was hell! But everything was worth it in the end. She then explains at first how she was worried that Teko was a different person than she knew. She was jealous that Pikari had stolen her friend away but realizes Pikari is a great person. In fact, she realizes the Teko here is the real Teko. So yeah, it was fun. Thank you. As they leave, Pikari hopes they would come back again. Even if she did not ask, they will. So until then, please take care of Teko for them. Ai is full of regret when she learns Teko’s friends went diving with them. She really wanted to join in. Please don’t kick your brother for that missed opportunity.
ABZU: The Depths Of Calmness And Friendship
Well… Yeah… While writing this, I am having mixed feelings if I am bored or just filled with calmness. It’s a bit of both and that is why I am having trouble of deciding if it is one or the other. But you know me, it can be both. So honestly, this series didn’t really inspire me or anything because I am not really interested in the world of diving (the thought of sea creatures still scare the hell out of me) and there were many times I caught myself being distracted by something else that is not on my monitor. Therefore the only reason why I have this calm and ‘satisfied’ feeling is perhaps because of the nostalgia factor and how much it brings back memories of the Aria series. So in a way you could say that while I was watching this series and in the midst of being calmed by its overall theme, it was more of the unconscious thought of relating all this back to Aria that made me continue to watch this series to the end without complain. It’s like I’m watching Amanchu but my mind and heart is actually seeing it as Aria. Uh huh. Amanchu, the HD version of Aria, so to speak.
Forgive me if you are going to hear me compare a lot of Amanchu with the Aria series. Both series have so much in common but yet they are so different and unrelated to each other. For starters, the Aria series is more of fantasy as its setting was on a colonized Mars that looked very much like modern day Venice. Whereas here in Amanchu, the setting is based on the real location of the Izu peninsula. I believe there is a website out there that compares a few scenes from the anime with its actual real backgrounds and locations. Therefore even if both series had the same calming theme of friendship and overcome one’s fears, Amanchu feels more relatable and realistic as it is set in a real place. You can visit Izu any time you want but you can only visit Aqua and Neo-Venezia in your head. Or rewatch the Aria series again, that is.
There is basically no real plot in such healing anime series like this. Therefore its drive focuses mainly around the main characters and what they do. Hence the drama of friendship and overcoming your inner obstacles might a big yawn fest to those who aren’t into this kind of genre but hey, you have been warned or at least guessed when you read the synopsis. You did read it, right? So just like in the Aria series, the real charm is in its characters as they slowly transform and learn from the bond and everyday interaction that we see. So a big portion of the series ironically isn’t underwater but above ground and on dry land.
It might look like nothing much because Teko for start is just a new girl in town and naturally like everyone who has left a place they were so comfortable with for something new, there are fears if she would find her place and settle in. Well, Teko must really be a lucky girl for finding eccentric Pikari. Thank goodness she didn’t get into any bad company. I know it is impossible for this series since basically everybody are good people. Assuming that. Although Teko still has her fears and worries, she slowly opens up thanks to Pikari’s ‘guidance’ but that is only half of it. You might want to guess the other half is the other people but I lump them in the same half as Pikari. So this other half I am talking about is Teko herself. She gave herself a chance to change for the better. She might not have drastically changed and she is overall the same Teko we know at the start but she is better off in the end since she has lesser insecurities or at least more positivism than before. And yeah, Teko is like the Akari of the Aria series…
Pikari is in the same boat as Teko. But because she shows a lot more exuberance and confidence, it feels like she knows what she is doing. But then again, maybe not. I feel she is like the mix between Aria’s Aika and Akari since she can be cheeky but at the same time an airhead. Teko and Pikari make a great pair not for yuri reasons. They are like best friends who complement each other. Because at this point it is just odd to see one without the other. So could it be that their meeting was God sent? I mean, we don’t really learn the reason why Teko transferred here. So for them to meet each other has got to be the work of God and miracle, right?
The other characters are pretty okay in their own right. Like Mato the nice teacher and diving instructor. Then you have Ai who feels like she was ripped off from Aika because of her cheeky personality. It’s like a running joke and the only thing you’ll remember about the twins is how she loves to kick Makoto for absolutely every and no other reason. Everything is his fault. Kick him. If nothing is his fault, then kick him too. Please people, twin brothers are not meant to be abused like that. If this was the real world, Makoto might have murdered her and dumped her body in the ocean! Yikes! That’s why I say everybody here in this anime are so goody-goody.
Last but not least, Aria. Somehow I feel they want to leave some sort of Aria series legacy by having a cat named after the president of a gondola company as well as suspiciously looking as lame (sorry) as him. Aria doesn’t really intrude or interrupt the flow of the series and is just there for some cute factor, hence its very minimal appearance throughout the series. Though, ever since the kitten joined them in the final few episodes, Aria seems to be hanging out almost everywhere with them. Speaking of the kitten, I thought she was going to be like some sort of a running joke with reference to the Aria series. You know, President Aria was always trying to impress Hime but never gets her heart. Sad. I thought the same thing here because in the ending credits we see Aria ‘chasing’ after the kitten. So it turns out they really do like each other. Well, now it seems the kitten has this habit of sneezing. Is this a running joke too? I’m sure we’ll all goo “Aww…” when it sneezes because cats do it so cute, right? If it isn’t sneezing, it likes to suck on something…
Now, the biggest thing that hit me for my Aria’s nostalgia is the background music. They have this very similar and hence nostalgic feel to the many songs in the Aria series. Especially those gentle and calm acoustic guitar pickings. Oh man. I instantly fell in love with them when I first hear them. These background music are the ones that take the cake and the part which I love the most in Amanchu. I really need to scour the internet for its tabs so I can play them on my guitar too! Even if the guitar style is similar, they aren’t composed and played by Choro Club. Instead, they are composed and performed by Gontiti, a pair of Japanese acoustic guitar guys with lots of their own original compositions a decade ago. Also, there is a song in Amanchu that uses the voice as its instrumental piece, thus further reminding me more of Aria’s Barcarolle. In line with the calming theme of the series, both the opening and ending themes are also calming as you can get. A song worthy to be part of Aria’s theme if Amanchu never happened and Aria got another season. Million Clouds by Maaya Sakamoto as the opener and Futari Shoujo by Tekopikari (Teko and Pikari of course) as the ending are calming enough to complete your peaceful day.
Voice acting isn’t anything particularly special. Ai Kayano is the one of the 3 casts who played a role in the Aria series who also got a role in Amanchu. As Teko here, she was Anya in Aria The Avvenire. I think she did a good job in voicing Teko and make have that sound of insecurity in her character as well as the hope that she can overcome it. It feels like they want to pay homage to the Aria series because they had Erino Hazuki who voiced Akari returning as Akane and Chiwa Saito who voiced Aika returning as Chizuru. No wonder they sound a little familiar. Heck, their character’s names also suspiciously sound related to their Aria character they played… Hmm… Embarrassing remarks are not allowed! No, they didn’t say that but I wished they did. The other casts are Eri Suzuki as Pikari (Chinatsu in Flying Witch), Saori Oonishi as Ai (Aiz in DanMachi), Yuuichirou Umehara as Makoto (Mitsuhide in Akagami No Shirayuki-hime) and Shizuka Itou as Mato (Hinagiku in Hayate No Gotoku). Even Aria has his own seiyuu, Yurika Kubo (Hanayo in Love Live). Easiest lines ever. Shockingly I discovered Kikuko Inoue as the voice behind Pikari’s grandma. Hey wait a minute. I thought she is always 17???!!! Why does she sound like a real grandma here! No wonder I can’t sniff her out! Whoops…
As for the art and animation, nothing really too special. I would like to point out that the sceneries and backgrounds are gorgeous although I won’t go so far as to say they are masterpieces that should be displayed next to Mona Lisa. They are indeed nice to look at but not so much that it puts you in a trance that you really want to go live there now. At least not for me. Oh, remember what I said about the ‘scary doll look’ in my opening paragraph? Well, turns out it is this series ‘Pac-man’ look. And boy they sure have a lot of them. So it isn’t that scary once you get used to it. But it feels a bit odd that they put up this face for almost half the time since Pikari is being her usual idiot so that’s her Pac-man face and Teko is being nervous so that’s her Pac-man face. And yeah, the others too have their own Pac-man face.
Overall, this is beautiful series about friendship but with a scuba diving theme. There are a few lessons you can learn about scuba diving but it is just the very basics because if you are really interested, there are proper channels to pursue. Otherwise the series would be just one big bore. Personally, I still prefer the Aria series over this because of nostalgia and the fantasy setting although this isn’t too bad either but like I have pointed out, I’m not really into scuba diving. Also, Aria had more episodes and seasons so there was time for proper development and pacing to give it a proper ending as well.
I recommend that all of us watch such calming and healing animes once in a while. Because we definitely need some inner cleansing after watching Titans eating humans, females bumming out each other with their bums into the pool, lonely people trying to steal each other girlfriend/boyfriends, high school kids trying to lose their virginity, noisy rock music, warring kingdoms trying to outdo each other and a hell load of other anime controversies that could only be so because anime. So it’s like this series is trying to tell us sometimes we need to take a dive deep enough where it is quiet to clear our minds. Then we find our true inner peace… Embarrassing remarks aren’t allowed! Oh yeah? Screw that because when in doubt, let’s go!
Akagami No Shirayuki-hime
29 October, 2017
While it might sound a bit misleading like as though this is some anime version of Snow White, Akagami No Shirayuki-hime is nothing like that. Not even a mash up between Snow White and Red Riding Hood. I don’t blame you if you literally translate the title and thought so since that was my first impression too. So there are no evil queens or magic mirrors or seven dwarves or big bad hungry wolf that you will come across here (although there’s a poison apple…). Though, it is still a fantasy genre. If you want a true romance love story that is hard to find in today’s era, this is a show that you need to watch.
Episode 1
Shirayuki is an herbalist working happily in a small town of Tanbarun. Till one day a guard from the royal came to her to tell her to become a concubine of Prince Raj Shenazard. Being an independent woman who determines her own destiny, she decides to run away and cuts her long beautiful red hair, leaving it behind as a sign of refusal. She travels to the next kingdom and while resting in an abandon hideout, her presence startles Zen Wistalia Clarines, tripping and injuring a bit of his hand. She would like to treat it but he is cautious if it is poison. She uses it on herself to earn his trust. Zen introduces himself and his retainers, Kiki Seiran and Mitsuhide Rouen. He soon learns the reason why she ran away. He believes she made a good call and although her red hair might cause her trouble, it might be connected to something good. Soon, a basket with apples is sent to them. It has Shirayuki’s hair in it. Looks like Raj is hell bent in getting what he wants. Probably Shirayuki is too preoccupied to think the apples are poisoned. Luckily Zen takes a bite on her behalf and gets poisoned. Raj’s guard knocks on the door and realizes Shirayuki didn’t eat the apple. But if she wants the antidote, she has to come with him. No choice, she follows him to see Raj. The usual cocky bastard that everyone would love to hate. He keeps changing the subject each time she asks for the antidote. He feels embarrassed by her rejection and to atone for being a laughing stock, he wants her to become his concubine. He tries to touch her but she smacks away his hand. Zen and co has barged in to rescue Shirayuki. Raj tries to boast his status but Zen shows his crest on the sword. He is the second prince of Clarines. So if Raj doesn’t want this incident of him poisoning another prince, he better make a deal to stay away from them. After Zen takes the antidote, Shirayuki apologizes for becoming his poison. He rubbishes this joke. Although both are the kind of people to choose their own fate, they believe their meeting was brought together by fate.
Episode 2
Shirayuki tries to find a job as an herbalist but no openings. She learns there is a very young boy who is appointed as the royal court’s official herbalist and is given the details on how to become a court herbalist if she is so interested to be one. As Shirayuki is considered as Zen’s guest, she is allowed access to the castle. She is here to tell Zen she will be going on a day trip to gather some stock for her herbs. After a boat ride to an island, she is knocked out by a young lad named Mihaya. She wakes up tied up in his dungeon. She thinks he is one of those people who wants to sell her because of her rare red hair. However he would like to keep her and ‘display’ her for money. He doesn’t mind waiting to let her hair grow out. Zen knows something is wrong when he visits Shirayuki’s place and is told she never came back. Shirayuki isn’t one to sit idle and let her prince come to rescue. For the entire day she has been trying to cut her ropes so when Mihaya checks on her, she surprises him by escaping. The place is a maze so she easily gets lost. But when she is cornered, she concocted some herbs to temporarily paralyze Mihaya. Although she manages to get out, Mihaya is still hot on her heels. Luckily at this point Zen has arrived and put a stop to this shenanigan. Mihaya explains he was once a noble. But all that richness fell apart and his family fallen on hard times. This castle was where they once lived. Mihaya would do anything to make money but Zen chides him that she is not anyone’s tool. Mihaya is arrested back on land but he asks Shirayuki the place she longs to be. Later she answers Zen this. She decided to come to Clarines to see how he lives his life and the place where she’ll be will let her see that. He hopes he can see her from that place too.
Episode 3
One of the royal retainers, Haruka isn’t happy about Zen’s relationship with Shirayuki. He hates that red hair colour. So he tries to warn him about this girl without any social status just using him to his advantage. Because Haruka claims she lacks any power to proof her own worth, Zen asks back what if she is just a girl who never had such expectations. Haruka isn’t amused about this game but Zen is serious too. Shirayuki returns to the castle to retrieve a book she left behind. Then she heard orders going around about not letting Shirayuki in freely anymore (realizing she relies on his power to see him) and almost shot by a warning arrow that carries a message not to see Zen. She is not cowed and continues to trudge ahead. Eventually she stumbles upon Zen and he learns what is going on. She didn’t go to him directly because she wants to talk to the culprit directly who might be willing to talk if she is by herself. When Shirayuki is stopped by Haruka who views her as a suspicious person, Shirayuki can tell he is so certain about her despite meeting for the first time. He draws his sword, threatening to strike but Shirayuki dares him. As she pushes forward, Haruka becomes hesitant, Zen’s words about her ring through his mind. He puts back his sword after realizing she is no threat. Obi pops up to reveal he was the one who shot that arrow and give those orders although Haruka’s pride won’t allow him to acknowledge all that and instead admits he planned it himself. Zen also pops up. Now he has heard everything, it is a good thing nothing untoward happened or else there would have been an uproar in the castle. Haruka still doesn’t like Shirayuki being this friendly with Zen so Zen asks if titles and status are important to him. Yes they are. So please treat it as such. Haruka leaves and Obi is taken away by Kiki and Mitsuhide. Shirayuki tells Zen she is here to tell him that she is applying to become a court herbalist.
Episode 4
The exam for the court herbalist is here. Garak Gazelt, the chief herbalist gives each candidate a plot of garden to tend and care and they’ll have to write a report in a few days. During the first night, Zen comes to see her but it seems somebody locks them inside the greenhouse. Zen is afraid this might affect her exam but she wonders why he is here in the first place. Oh, did he really wander here? Shirayuki notices some plant that if wrongly planted could become toxic to others. So she has Zen stop the aqueduct while she removes the surrounding plants and replant them from scratch. They are done when morning arrives. Garak is shocked to see them both inside. She asks if Zen helped her with this which might affect her examination results. Shirayuki answers she did so because these herbs may one day save his life. Garak further adds there was an examinee who was mistaken for an intruder last night. Possibly to reduce the competition. She will continue to investigate this. Zen explains he is here on his own will. Garak reminds him because of that status, his word is law. So why not make her the court herbalist then? If he does, she will never come back here again. Garak is amused by their relationship and passes her. Apparently the poison plants were on there on purpose. Part of the exam is to spot it. That is more than enough but for Shirayuki to replant the garden? Just wow. She puts Shirayuki under the supervision of their youngest court herbalist, Ryu. There is a customer who needs medication for his chest pains. But when Ryu refers him to others, he is also relieved. People know Ryu as one who studies poison plants and uses others as test subjects. This makes Shirayuki mad about this baseless accusation. Don’t you know plants produce poison for self-defence? But Ryu also gets scolded for brushing this off. First time somebody called him stupid. No wonder he looks so shocked. Garak soon gives Shirayuki a medical history of Zen since she is close to him. She is shocked to learn he is a subject of poison testing. Now she knows why he has immunity to certain poisons. So sad she starts crying! Ryu is shocked to see this and calls Zen for help. He goes talk and comfort her and when she’s done, she goes to apologize to Ryu for scaring him. They reconcile and talk more about plants. Zen felt jealous and won’t lose out and joins in too.
Episode 5
The gang head off to the town of Laxdo. After dropping off Shirayuki, Zen and co head to a nearby fortress for their routine check. However only the guard on duty, Shuka is well and the rest are out ill. He believes the fort is haunted. As they take a look around, they notice the armoury empty and nobody knows about it. It could be that bandits took advantage of this and stole the weapons. Obi will investigate this. Of course, who better than to heal the soldiers but Shirayuki. Zen is worried about her getting sick and insists to stay by her side. She can take care of herself as Mitsuhide reminds him about his responsibilities. Shirayuki realizes that the symptoms vary from soldier to soldier. Then she notices those deeper inside are more serious than those near the door. It then hit her the firewood is the culprit as its particles cause harmful effects if you breathe them in. Next morning, Shirayuki doesn’t feel well. She has overworked herself. Luckily Obi was there to catch her before she falls. She doesn’t want him to tell Zen or anyone since everybody is feeling better, she doesn’t want to ruin that. But Zen is sharp and can tell too. Because he knows she has not slept ever since. He forces her to rest. Just in time Obi returns after discovering the bandits’ hideout. Apparently they are the ones who gave the firewood as part of their plan to steal their weapons. The bandits underestimated the kids and get owned. Just in time to return to recovering Shirayuki to ‘lecture’ her about not keeping secrets from him again. Then he thanks her for being by his side and kisses her hand.
Episode 6
Shirayuki now has her own uniform and ID as the court herbalist. When Zen notices many guards stationed at different places, he knows something is off. He tells Kiki and Mitsuhide to get ready and soon enough he gets an order. The first prince of Clarines, Izana has returned and summons Zen. He heard about the Laxdo incident and wonders why he didn’t mete punishment for the guards. Because of that, Izana will punish him by relieving his responsibilities over Laxdo for 6 months as punishment in their place. This forces Zen to reconsider his decision. Izana dismisses him right after he ushers Shirayuki in. Zen quickly hugs her and whispers he will see her soon. Izana talks to Shirayuki about being by Zen’s side. She must have been something of great value to him. Though, she dismisses anything noteworthy about herself. Soon Izana holds a garden party and he invites Raj over. Man, that Tanbarun prince is sure panicking. Obi sneaks out to take Shirayuki to eavesdrop on their conversation. Izana starts off with Raj’s infatuation with a certain red head, he can hold a banquet for them if he still likes her. Raj barely can lie while keeping a straight face. When Izana asks what is stopping him from seeing her, Raj had to say Zen told him he considered marrying Shirayuki. Everyone is shocked to hear this. Zen takes Raj away to talk. Raj may have screwed up but in that situation he has no choice but to say that. He knows Zen likes Shirayuki and if he doesn’t say that, Shirayuki has no justification to stay by his side. But if he does not have such intentions, Raj wants his permission to court her then. Over his dead body. Zen returns to tell about Raj’s misunderstanding and that Zen hasn’t even considered proposing to her yet. Shirayuki has a lot weighing on her mind. She wonders if Izana is implying he doesn’t want her in Clarines.
Episode 7
Shirayuki looks for Zen and finds him. Instantly she hugs him. After telling him the warning Izana told her, he tells his past of how Izana is always a step ahead. When he was 17 and to commemorate his birthday, he wanted a castle built on the borders of 2 infamous feuding lords. Both send him tributes to fund the castle. They also send retainers to secretly meet with him. However the retainers are worried as they reveal their lords have been taxing the people for the tributes. Izana then goes to meet the lord and tell both the same story. They stop the taxing but then resort to shadier means of getting the funds. Izana made an inquiry into the misdeeds they have done and removed them. He believes lords who weaken their own people should be disposed of swiftly and silently. He reinstated their retainers as successors. He returned all the tributes and never spent a single coin. It was then Zen wanted to become like him and knows he is the kind of king Clarines needs. Zen tells of Raj’s statement that might cause her to be uncomfortable. She takes it on a positive note that she can stay. Then he hugs her. Now that everyone’s attention is on her, the more reason she should continue following her chosen path. Later Zen talks to Izana about being rude to Shirayuki. He claims he doesn’t have time to observe one girl. And it didn’t take long for him to know Zen has fallen for her. Zen vows not to let spending time with her hinder the life he wants to lead. Izana suggests why not leave her then? Raj continues his tour over the palace grounds. Since he has been nervous all day, his stomach cramps are starting to show. He has his assistant, Sakaki go fetch medicine. Then he has the bad luck to bump into Shirayuki. Awkward. He tries to keep cool but apparently the pain got worse. Thinking she brought him the medicine, he is about to drink it but she slaps it away. That medicine is to apply on the skin. Shirayuki thinks Ryu would be mad for this waste but Izana saw everything. He thinks Raj is suited for her. Would she want to live in this country with a man like him? It’s the place where she met Zen. A short stare down and Izana realizes she isn’t going to back down. So pecking her forehead as intimidation? She doesn’t feel that way and will continue staying here.
Episode 8
With rumours really spreading that the people are really thinking Shirayuki is Zen’s fiancée, Zen wants Obi to be Shirayuki’s retainer. Obi makes himself useful helping her. But when he asks her opinion if Zen would be better if he wasn’t a prince, she warns him not to say that again or she will take this as an insult. As Zen overheard it, this brings back memories of the past. Izana assigned Mitsuhide to him as his retainer. At first Zen didn’t like him because he has this feeling Mitsuhide would prefer to serve Izana than him. Despite some hurtful words, Mitsuhide isn’t going to be his yes man and advises him to watch his words. He continues to keep watch on him and notices Zen often sneaks out to hang out with a boy named Atori. Zen considers him as his best friend because from his position he isn’t allowed to make friends. Mitsuhide tries to do research on this kid but couldn’t find much detail. He reports to Izana about this archer boy whom Zen always sneaks out to go see as he will definitely not be allowed into palace grounds. But recently Atori has been put on night shift. Izana immediately understood what it implies. Zen sneaks out to meet Atori but sees him wounded. He is attacked by bandits. Apparently Atori is one of them too but they think he was going to turn tail on them and attacked him. Mitsuhide comes into the scene so the bandits tell him to bring Izana out as they have a grudge against him or else Zen would not be guaranteed back in one piece. Don’t worry. Izana is here. He realizes these are the rebels from the town whom he removed the lord. They claim Izana’s act has ruined their livelihood but he sees them no more than scums lining up their own pockets. Izana and Mitsuhide hack and slash the rebels while Atori gets ready to kill Zen, jealous and blaming him of his royal life. Mitsuhide quickly strikes him down. Zen is still worried about Atori at this point as he hears Atori’s last words that it would have been better if he wasn’t a prince.
Episode 9
Shirayuki wakes up but is still drunk. Luckily Obi is around to keep watch as she isn’t steady on her feet and mind. Obi also intercepts a spy spying and noting records of her. With Shirayuki blaming herself over her uselessness especially that Laxdo incident, it dawned to Obi that she is trying to go there by herself! He also realizes she is the same like Zen in which she would take actions without considering the consequences if she is by herself. Obi tells her he has stopped by Laxdo on his way back from his duty and gives her herbs and notes from the fort as proof. After that Shirayuki passes out as Obi carries her back. When Zen receives a message from Obi about this, he immediately goes to look for them. Flashback to a month after Atori’s death, Mitsuhide gave Zen a memento from Atori. He had no grave. Zen was sad he suspected Atori at first but wanted to trust him. Mitsuhide advised him that allowing his doubts to show won’t help gain anyone’s trust. Instead of protecting himself from enemies, why not identity who are his allies? Mitsuhide vows to protect him and Zen got his motivation to become a better prince. But first he needs to get stronger. Zen finds Obi and hears everything that has happened. He drinks a toast to Obi for doing a good job. Then he gives him his own tag. Obi is now Zen’s messenger. It is his title. But it isn’t an easy job and there’s more to it. Especially Obi is supposed to remain by Shirayuki’s side and report to him if anything arises. This way, Zen doubts anybody would attempt to get near her. He notes he needs to get better in protecting what’s important to him.
Episode 10
While working in the herb garden, Shirayuki meets Kiharu Toghrul and her bird pet, Popo. She isn’t exactly Zen’s guest. You see, she lives in the southern islands of Clarines where people live among the birds. However, the local lord Viscount Brecker has been calling his friends to hunt them as sport and gloat about it. When Kiharu protested, Brecker dared her to go see Zen and even taunted he would bring her to see him. She doesn’t have a very good impression of the royalty. Kiharu and Brecker have an audience with Zen. To stop the hunting, they need to discuss the island be turned into a nature preservation. Because the island is under another territory’s jurisdiction, the affected parties should solve this themselves. Brecker arrogantly laughs at this expected decision. Shirayuki thinks that if herbs are protected for their medicinal value, would those birds be protected if they had a similar value? Then it hit her. She goes to talk to Zen. Zen then summons Kiharu. If that bird can be used as an effective means communication, he is willing to make the bird official. As the islanders are all well trained in using the bird, this gives Kiharu an opportunity to show him in tomorrow’s test. Picking Shirayuki as her assistant, Shirayuki and Brecker will wait at a watch tower. Kiharu will send Popo to pick up documents there and return. If Popo doesn’t return within a stipulated time, the test is deemed failed. As Shirayuki waits, Brecker comes up to her with a proposal. He wants to support her from the shadows in exchange for this test to fail. Of course she will not allow it and this upsets him. After ripping her walnut stone (natural homing device for the birds) and throwing it into the lake, he locks Shirayuki up. She won’t be submitted yet as she jumps out into the lake from her window! Though a bit injured, she tries to find the stone. Popo has arrived but it seems it is circling around a certain area. Shirayuki dives there to retrieve the stone. Brecker’s guard arrest him for violation. Soon Popo returns and Zen officially announces the bird as Clarines’ official communication means. Zen notices an extra document from Popo summarizing what happened. He quickly rides over and rushes to see Shirayuki. She apologizes that she didn’t have any intention to hide this from him. But after seeing her sweet smile, he kisses her!
Episode 11
With Shirayuki in shock, Zen realizes too late what he did without permission. He will ask her the next time if he has to touch her and hopes by then she will speak to him honestly. Subsequently, Shirayuki cannot bring herself to face Zen. Obi senses something amiss. Zen and his retainers accompany Kiharu back to her island to negotiate for the birds to be official communication and thus trainers to be sent to the royal palace. But the village head is sceptical. He wants Zen to show his goodwill by making Brecker apologize to them as well as a large sum or reparation. Zen will double that amount because he believes he will use that money wisely. The village head apologizes for his rudeness. The village has a feast that night. Mitsuhide can tell something happened to Zen and asks him. Zen reveals he kissed Shirayuki. No, it’s not a dream. Shirayuki still has her doubts so Obi brings her for a walk in the woods. He wants to hold her hand but Zen suddenly returns. With Shirayuki strangely hiding behind Obi, Obi then signals for her to run. Which she did. Then he has Zen go after her. Shirayuki knows she did the dumbest thing but can’t help continue running when Zen calls her. When he catches up, he brings her to a spot he used to relax. He tells her of their breakthrough with Kiharu. It is at this moment Shirayuki realizes she is in love with Zen. In tears, she confesses she loves him. Well, we figured that out a long time ago. Shucks, it’s hard to be sarcastic when she is crying like that. Shirayuki worries about looking at him the same way she always has. Zen says his title may not protect her or if he could ever repay her. He wants to be with her and vows to protect her with all he’s got. He also asks her for her help since she gives him strength. It ends with a true tender kiss shared.
Episode 12
It is public visitation day when the castle grounds are open to the public. Zen masquerades as a guard to bring Shirayuki (hiding her red hair too) around. Obi wins a prize money from a fight under an alias. He gives a hair accessory to Shirayuki so that she could show it to Zen later. Later in the day, Zen sees Ryu in a hurry. He says that somebody is injured. There is a play going on and the main actress fractured her foot. She is bent on going back on to win the prize but it seems the director wants Shirayuki to take her place. It could have been just that but it looks like the director has ulterior motives. Shirayuki is on stage with the main actor who is hesitating. When Obi busts the director to spill the beans, it seems he wants to reveal Shirayuki’s red hair to the public and believes it will make them famous. With that, Zen jumps into the performance to ‘rescue’ the ‘princess’. At the backstage she learns what happened as Obi teased how Zen had that sour look on his face when he went all out to protect her hair and perhaps a kiss on her hand. Later Zen and Shirayuki have a moment together. She shows him the hair accessory and he compliments her. Shirayuki explains how her grandparents taught her to be independent and how she could do anything as long as she worked towards it. She then asks him to hold out his hand in which she surprises him by kissing it. They go outside to watch the mark of the end of the public visitation day with the people releasing lighted balloons (jellyfish?) into the sky as a symbol of their wishes.
OVA
Zen suggests to Shirayuki on her next day off, he would like to accompany her shopping in town. Just the 2 of them. No matter how you see it, that’s a date, right? Wait a minute, Zen. You really don’t know what a date is?! Mitsuhide please explain. Walk around, shop together and then kiss. Oh Zen, you looking stiff. That day comes as Zen and Shirayuki go to town together. They think of what to get for their subordinates. This has Zen remember the first time Mitsuhide and Kiki met. Well, Kiki sounded and acted like a robot. Not to say she is any different now but back then she really seemed like one as she would do what is told of her. Like to drop the formalities with Zen. Speaking of them, Obi suggests to Mitsuhide to date Kiki. He is actually mulling that idea. Too bad Kiki doesn’t like it and locks them in the room! I thought she was shy… Nah! When Zen asks Shirayuki if she has been receiving letters from Raj (of course not), we focus on him now as he is appalled as all his desserts are apple based! Bad memories, eh? Here, have some apple tea. Sakaki wonders why he doesn’t hold balls anymore. He is bored. This reminds Sakaki that Raj being raised as a spoilt prince always gets bored of things fast. Except the fine arts. Back to Zen, he wants to get Shirayuki something that will remember this day by. She looks around and then he buys her a necklace. They walk the rest of the day holding hands. And for a special gift to commemorate it all in the end, Zen kisses her. Hey, this is part of the date, right? Back at the palace, Zen gives his subordinates the souvenirs. Clearly they are all so weird and out of place that it definitely shows this is his first time getting them gifts.
Season 2
Episode 13
A page is stuck on a tree and Ryu can’t get it since he has never climbed trees before so Obi lets him ride on his shoulders. As gratitude, he gives him some flower seeds. Zen is working hard and gets a paper cut. He wanted to brush it off but after being warned to snub off something small, he goes to get treatment. He quickly falls asleep after his finger is bandaged. Shirayuki comes to see him. He must be sleep talking as he takes her hand and kisses it. I hope it is a good dream. Soon Zen gets word that Mihaya wants to have an audience with him and Shirayuki. Zen is still mad about that guy. After Mihaya was bailed out, he started working on a ship. He met a good looking kid named Kazuki who claims he saw a red haired woman. Mihaya told him all about her. So you can say he is trying to make his way here. Zen blows his top when Mihaya wants compensation for this information or to work in the palace. Mihaya reveals that Kazuki feels Shirayuki doesn’t fit staying at the palace and has a fitting place for her. Soon the duo are called by Izana. Actually this only concerns Shirayuki but he thought it would be Zen’s interest to be in the know. Raj has invited Shirayuki to a ball at Tanbarun. It seems word has gone around that Raj has become a better prince ever since. It would be good for them to ascertain this. Of course it would be bad if Raj is still the incompetent fool since he is going to ascend the throne. Izana wants her to undergo training to conduct and carry herself before leaving for a week’s stay at Tanbarun. Therefore he hereby orders her on a 2 weeks’ leave for this. However Zen adds a condition that he wants to send a trusted subordinate to accompany her or he won’t allow her to go. Agreed. Zen has Mitsuhide accompany Shirayuki.
Episode 14
I hope Shirayuki’s training goes well. She destroyed the dance instructor’s feet… Obi accompanies Mihaya but no sign of Kazuki anywhere. Later Obi duels with Zen and if he wins, he will accompany Shirayuki to Tanbarun. It might look like it ended in a draw but Zen admits his loss since he realizes Obi can fight better unarmed. The night before Shirayuki departs, Zen goes to talk to her. And all that they just hug each other? Okay. Not bad. Before Shirayuki leaves, she hopes Zen could give something to her to bring to Tanbarun. Maybe this old watch? Zen talks to Izana as he didn’t expect him to see them off. Izana says there is something else that caught his eye about Shirayuki. It is the colour of her eyes. Hopefully when she returns it will be unclouded. Haruka accompanies Shirayuki but only up till the border. He reminds her to conduct herself wisely and not bring back shame. Stepping back into Tanbarun, Shirayuki looks happy to have returned to her previous home. When Raj greets her, there is this sense of regal around him. Wow. Did he really change? But inside his throne room, he reverts to his usual self and asking why she come! Huh?! Didn’t he invite her? Well, he was troubled over the thought of being under her care during his stay at Clarines so Sakaki suggested writing a letter to invite and personally thank her. Maybe there is some sort of inner sadism in Sakaki as he tells Raj to let her stay and spend time with him. She is after all his invited guest. Raj didn’t think Shirayuki would accept this. They may have interacted occasionally in the past but since this chance won’t arise again, why not? Okay. He takes up her offer since she insists.
Episode 15
Raj’s younger twin siblings, Rona and Yujina decide to go see what kind of person Shirayuki is since that girl changed him. It’s still awkward between Raj and Shirayuki. Nothing in particular to talk about. So he decides to show her around and she wants to see the greenhouse. Because Obi tells him there are many people ‘spying’ on them, he decides to take them through an underground passage. His pride won’t admit it but I think they’re lost. He even activates a few traps! The twins are actually following them to observe more about their interaction. As they move forward, Obi then goes back to bring the twins out of their hiding and dodges all the traps they activated. He isn’t so easily caught. Shirayuki thought of going back to help Obi but Raj won’t allow it, fearing something would happen to her and Zen will do something to him. Shirayuki says if he feels threatened by anything she says or does, she might as well return to Clarines now. Staying here does nothing good for them. He wonders why she decided to stay then. It’s because she wants to mend their relationship. Their first impression may not be good but spending time with others can change your perception. Obi brings the twins to them as they introduce themselves. Rona pretends to be lost for she wants to observe them more but Yujina is sick of it tells them the way out. They appear in the greenhouse. As Shirayuki looks around, Rona wonders if Raj is in love with Shirayuki since he is staring at her. Whether so or not, she believes he re-evaluated himself after meeting her in Clarines. Prideful Raj corrects her that he is already perfect and only making himself even more perfect. The twins are surprised when Raj speaks softly and admits his failing to Obi. Back at Clarines, Kiki reports that Kazuki has been spotted. Also, Mihaya is missing from the castle. He goes to see Kazuki and wants to capture him to get the reward. Of course he fails. Kazuki then offers him to work as his partner but he refuses. That girl isn’t his type and has a strong knight protecting her. This is all the more reason why Kazuki wants to steal her away.
Episode 16
Mihaya is captured again by the palace. He warns Zen that Kazuki seems to have an accomplice who knows Shirayuki is in Tanbarun now. They were to depart there immediately but Mihaya didn’t want any part of it and escaped. Zen writes a letter to be delivered to Obi. But first he needs to see Izana. Sorry to wake you up from your beauty sleep. Shirayuki accompanies Raj reading at the library. Everyone is shock he has started reading and taking interest in the kingdom’s politics. Rona is of course believing that Shirayuki is the cause of his sudden change. Raj wants to know Shirayuki’s opinion of him about being the prince she can be proud of. I guess she can’t say it. I guess he’ll have to do better. She puts it this way that the next time she visits, she hopes to hear from his people who can speak proudly about him. Rona is plotting to not let Shirayuki leave but is caught by Obi. Raj also finds out and is not impressed. Rona tries to test her suspicions as she pushes Shirayuki towards Obi in which he catches her. Her further shenanigans are halted with Raj sending her back to her room. Raj lets Shirayuki visit his garden and plays violin for her. In a couple of days, Shirayuki will attend the ball before returning to Clarines. She’ll do her best not to lose to him. That night, Obi and Shirayuki talk how time passed so fast and it feels refreshing not to be scolded by Zen for once. Obi is still bothered when he caught Shirayuki. The night of the ball is here but before it officially begins, Zen’s letter arrives. Izana disallowed Zen to head to Tanbarun despite Shirayuki being targeted and using official channels will take too long. Still, there is no reason for a prince to go. Zen is going to go anyway. He reveals he plans to take Shirayuki as his bride. Izana lets him go. However with a condition. If something happens that needs his intervention, he will not allow Shirayuki to set foot in the castle again. By the time Obi finishes reading the letter, Kazuki is already here.
Episode 17
Obi is ready to engage Kazuki but it seems his comrade, Itoya fights him. He could match very well Obi’s move. The twins enter to see the commotion. Obi got distracted and was knocked out. Kazuki puts Shirayuki to sleep as she drops Zen’s watch. They’re gone. The entire castle is on a full search. You can see that Raj is panicking and it’s written all over his face that he is in real sh*t. However Shirayuki is yet to be found. An hour later, Obi wakes up and learns of the situation. The twins blame themselves for the situation but he doesn’t blame them and assures Shirayuki will be back. Zen finally arrives as he goes to see Raj. Obviously that guy is very stiff. Raj is shocked when Zen apologizes. He knew Shirayuki was targeted but only confined the search to Clarines. It was his fault for not informing him. This has Raj apologize for being carless towards his guest. Zen wants to go see Obi but looks like he has fled in pursuit of the kidnappers. Kazuki takes a rest in the forest while Itoya goes to get water. Suddenly Kazuki is being attacked. Zen and the rest discuss about the kidnappers being part of a larger organization. It could be Sea Claw, a group of men and women who do as they please. They are like pirates collecting sea toll and they don’t limit themselves to money but people with talent whom they can use. Zen and Raj are summon by the king of Tanbarun. In light of this event, he gives Zen the power to act using Raj’s authority for the necessary. Raj wants to accompany Zen to help look for Shirayuki. Obi attacks Itoya and gets very violent. However Itoya wants him to hold his horses because he too is in a pinch. It seems Kazuki and Shirayuki have been kidnapped by Sea Claw. Kazuki and Shirayuki wake up in a room. Kazuki hides her as the lady boss, Sea Snake enters. She claims to have taken back Kazuki who fled her crew and will make him continue to work for her. As they have been watching him, they know those mountain dwellers and interested in the red head. If they use her, they can lure that person out. She leaves after she warns Shirayuki she isn’t going to go home anymore. Kazuki explains to Shirayuki how they were kidnapped (basically the kidnapper got kidnapped) and that they need to escape this place before it gets really bad but if this is a ship, everything is over.
Episode 18
Checking their surroundings, they believe they are on a ship but since it is not moving, they could be anchored near shore. As the door is tightly secured, Shirayuki sees some seeds and wants to use them. When the guards see smoke, they quickly unlock the door to check on the hostage but were knocked out. The seeds when cooked give off a lot of smoke. When they try to escape, Sea Snake stops them. They are forced to watch Sea Snake cruelly torture her men who failed to guard them properly. Zen retrieves the watch and a note left behind by Obi. When Raj joins them, he says they are going to the mountains first. They are going to meet up with an outlaw group known as Mountain Lions. Despite being outlaws, they sometimes fight bandits and clash with Sea Claw. Itoya takes Obi to the Mountain Lions’ hideout where he meets their boss, Mukaze. They prepare to fight the Sea Claw. Zen is able to find Obi because of the stone he is holding (the bird leads them to it). After Mihaya identifies Itoya, Zen wants to know their intention in kidnapping Shirayuki. Itoya explains Kazuki was once from Sea Claw before joining Mountain Lions. As he has good looks, he was often used as decoration. So when he heard Shirayuki having the same fate as him (blame Raj for that), he wanted to take her out from that noble’s reach (yeah, blame Raj for that). But Zen is not amused they still kidnap Shirayuki without asking her feelings. Mukaze stops Itoya from revealing further. Their credibility is that they do not answer to anyone. But since they want to save Shirayuki, maybe they can work together and then pretend never meet. Raj agrees. They head to a town that ‘supports’ Sea Claw. They can’t fight them here as they would be at a disadvantage. Kiki has a suggestion. Sea Claw tortures Kazuki to make him talk why Mountain Lions are interested in Shirayuki but he kept silent. They are then thrown into the room as they prepare to set sail. Shortly, a prisoner is also thrown in the same room with them. It is Kiki! It was her idea to board their ship so Shirayuki has someone better she can trust by pretending to be arrested by them. While Mitsuhide was against this, Kiki wanted Zen to use all he has got to rescue Shirayuki. Mihaya spoke out that he knows Sea Claw’s secret base. When he was a noble, his family often associated with them. Of course, if he wants to be rewarded for more information. Not you Zen, but Raj. He agrees quickly since he often rewards people and wants to settle this as fast as possible. Kiki assures Shirayuki that Zen came for her and this gives her a huge relief.
Episode 19
Kiki hands Shirayuki the stone. Raj is at the port town trying to get the merchants’ help to go after Sea Claw. At first they are sceptical because of his idiotic reputation but when he shows his face and resolve, they change their mind. When Sea Claw spots several ships coming their way, they thought it is the Mountain Lions. Sea Snake wants to use Shirayuki to test her reaction. When the ships get closer, they realize they are merchant ships bearing the navy flag. Raj makes his announcement to Sea Claw that they will not get away with this after kidnapping Shirayuki who bears the title Friend of the Royal Family. This confuses Sea Claw (it should since it is just a made up title by Raj) as she plans to escape and can’t fight this many ships. She is confident she can get away since they are entering a rocky area filled with random whirlpools. Unless you know its current patterns, your ship will get sucked in and get damaged. With the merchant ships turning back, Raj remains defiant and continues to pursue. I think it is out of pure luck he manages to navigate safely. So when Sea Claw think they can rest in their cave hideout, here comes Raj! Ramming his ship into theirs! It’s time for a land fight. Sea Claw is now outnumbered with Zen and co as well as the Mountain Lions navigating the cave mazes to reach here. Sea Snake tries to take Shirayuki as hostage but Obi frees her and lets her run away with Zen. Now that they’re alone together, he hugs her and she cries in his arms. It felt like eternity but they’re finally together. Zen then returns to finish the fight and round up all the Sea Claw members. Kazuki seems to be pushing Mukaze to atone. He hopes they would rest in his village before going back as he wants to apologize for him. Shirayuki is shocked to see Mukaze. It’s her father! Wait! WHAT?!
Episode 20
The Clarines people are taken back to the Mountain Lions’ base to celebrate. Before it starts, Mukaze and Kazuki talk to Zen and Shirayuki privately. Mukaze reveals he is supposed to be officially dead. Shirayuki knew he wasn’t because her grandparents told her. If she has not seen him since young, how did she recognize him? There was one time he visited the bar (incognito) and told her who he was. Amazingly she remembered that face till today. Mukaze recognized her not only because of her red hair. As her father, he recognized her face and voice instantly. Shirayuki’s mom was supposed to wed Mukaze’s brother. But Mukaze ‘stole’ her from him and they eloped to the mountains. Thus Shirayuki was born here. But after mom died shortly, Mukaze deemed it too dangerous for her to grow up here so he sent her to live with her grandparents. When he heard Shirayuki left Tanbarun, he got worried and started looking everywhere. They thought they had to protect her from a certain prince but things got a little out of hand. Kazuki apologizes for all the trouble that has been. Shirayuki then looks for Obi. She knows what he is going to say. He still feels guilty he couldn’t protect her and her soothing words won’t rid him of that. He feels better when she says she would like him to be her bodyguard whenever she visits Tanbarun again. During the party, Mukaze talks alone with Zen. He asks if Shirayuki likes him. A father can tell… What about him then? Zen admits he does. Mukaze swiftly says no! Just kidding! Just wanted to see his reaction. When they retire for the night, Zen is embarrassed to realize Shirayuki heard that. She is red faced too – though, not matching her hair. He sees her off to her room, gives her a hug and shows the watch in his safe hands. It might be broken but at least he got what he wants back. After he puts her to bed, he kisses her while she is fast asleep. Is this counted? Next morning, they leave for the royal palace. You can see the happiness and relief in Raj’s face. They’re staying for the night since Raj reinstated the ball. With Raj dancing with Shirayuki, for once he looks like a real prince. You jealous, Zen? Raj comments she would look better with long hair. She replies if he visits her as a friend, she would be happy to. Next morning, the Clarines people depart for home.
Episode 21
As it is raining, the gang stops by at an inn for shelter. Similarly, a lady named Toro enters looking for the same. Nothing much happening at this point as they bath, talk and eat. During dinner, Toro comes to blatantly flirt with Mitsuhide. She also makes a pass at Zen but passes up on Obi (because he is dangerous looking). Later when Obi and Toro are outside alone, turns out they know each other as old acquaintances. Toro tries to reign in Obi to help her in a job to look for someone. She is supposed to bring some rich noble kid who ran away from home back but the rain dampened her tracking. Obi reluctantly agrees seeing it is just restricted to the night. They manage to find the kid taking refuge at an abandoned building. I guess the reason Toro ‘hired’ Obi is to take care of a guard the kid hired. Yeah, Obi didn’t even lift a finger to ‘defeat’ this clumsy guard. The kid should hire better people. It’s Toro’s turn to get the kid as he tries to bribe her. She won’t fall for that and after a little scolding, the kid agrees to go back with her. Too easy. I’m not sure where the other guard was but he returns trying to take on Toro. Though she easily defeats him, she slips on the puddle and falls off. Had not Obi caught her, she would have sustained a lot more injuries. So they talk about their old times together and she thought they should get back together but Obi isn’t interested. They are surprised when Zen and co are here looking for him. Though he left a note he was going out, they were suspicious. They know where to find him because Kiki noticed lights in an abandoned building. A perfect place for Obi to be. With Zen ‘scolding’ Obi to be more self-aware, I guess he can’t brush off his light injuries and let Shirayuki treat it. Next morning, they continue their journey home. Obi is certain everyone won’t see Toro again since he isn’t interested in going back to his old self.
Episode 22
Zen is going to have more work cut out for him when he returns. Seems Izana has laid out a list of possible candidates for his marriage interview! Initially Zen doesn’t seem interested especially in looking for a wife now despite Haruka’s reminder he must at least see to one to show he hasn’t abandoned the thought of marriage. But when he sees a name on the list, he seems to be interested in doing this just once. Can you guess who that is? If you say Shirayuki (like yours truly), WRONG! It’s Kiki! Who’d knew she is the daughter of an earl. Plus, Zen sought a favour from her to help him out with this so he could ‘run away’ from this marriage thingy a little longer. He promises to keep her name a secret to the public. So the entire palace is abuzz with this marriage meeting despite not knowing who the girl is. There’s this flashback when Mitsuhide and Kiki first met, outside a ball they aren’t used to. She didn’t introduce herself properly. The next time he meets her sparring with Zen, he couldn’t recognize her and thought she was a guy! After the marriage meeting, it’s back to the usual work for Zen. But when he hears how Obi did see Shirayuki but not tell her it was Kiki whom Zen was with, did Zen have to be this devastated? I thought it was supposed to be a secret? What circumstances is he talking about? So he rushes over to her just to explain about it. She understands and although she was nervous about it, she thought Zen would eventually come to tell her everything. Shirayuki hints she thought of wanting to go see him. He apologizes for being selfish as he holds her hand. That night, Izana talks to Zen that he was the one who recommended Kiki’s name. Then he says he will soon get married and in time it will be Zen’s turn. The thing is the decisions he has to make as the people are putting their hopes on him as the second prince. This has Zen confirming he wants Shirayuki as his wife and has no intention of leaving her behind. Izana says to convince him the path he takes with her is worth supporting.
Episode 23
A maid accidentally drops a rug. Because Zen is deep in his thoughts, he couldn’t avoid in time. This causes him some pain in the neck although it is not serious. Well, he just can’t move his neck. As Mitsuhide goes to look for Garak, he accidentally spills a potion and starts feeling weird. When he returns to Zen, suddenly he is like a new character! Strictly upright and formal! It is discovered that Mitsuhide accidentally smelled a medicine with hypnotizing effect. It doesn’t do any physical harm and should wear off but while in effect, it looks like his hidden side of him as surfaced to take control over him. Although Shirayuki applies some medicine to heal it, Mitsuhide gets more annoying as he puts emphasis on curing Zen and puts it upon himself to always protect Zen. Yeah, I guess this means Mitsuhide literally becomes a bigger pain in the neck for Zen as he follows him everywhere! Even making a big fuss off a puddle ahead! Don’t get me started on that nagging about his duty schedule. No wonder Zen wants to run away from him! If that isn’t weird enough, Mitsuhide somewhat becomes a gentleman too. Accidentally bumping into Kiki, he tries to be all gentlemanly about it but she gets annoyed and slaps him! And after a few days, Mitsuhide is still in this character! Wow. Really pain in the neck. One day at the library, an accident that causes the books to fall over Zen and Shirayuki, Mitsuhide swiftly protects them. No one was injured. I guess Zen gives in to his stubbornness and wants Shirayuki to help find a cure instead of waiting for the effects to wear off. And after all the hard work, Mitsuhide reverts back to normal. However he has no memories during his hypnotized times, making Zen mad. Obi took the liberty to record down all the things he said. The embarrassing ones like the one with Kiki. After Shirayuki submits her report, Garak passes her. Her apprenticeship ends and is now officially a court herbalist. Heck, she has been here for so long I thought she was already one a long time ago.
Episode 24
Shirayuki is surprised Mihaya visits her in the greenhouse. She learns he has become a citizen of Tanbarun after he exchanged information that led to the arrest of more Sea Claw members. His reward also means he has a status of a noble and theoretically the head of a viscount family. He is here as a messenger of Tanbarun. Shirayuki is called before the Clarines princes. Sakaki is here on behalf of Raj to give her a pendant. It bears the title Friend of the Royal Family. So he went on to make that real… This now makes her a dignitary and allows her to visit Tanbarun whenever she wishes. After Sakaki leaves, Izana can’t help laugh his heart out. But he is now relieved since he once considered her by Zen’s side to tarnish his image, with this title they can mention her friendship without issue. Izana then throws her a hard question: What does she want to be with Zen. She is left speechless. Later Sakaki personally gives Shirayuki a letter from Raj addressing to his first true friend. That night she can’t sleep thinking about Izana’s words. Zen rushes to her side. She continues since the day she confessed she loves him and help him by his side. This has not changed till today. The same for Zen. She really loves him and wants to be by his side. He hugs her and reminds her not to rush. Then he kisses her neck. Then the lips. She gets weak in the knees so he carries her up to the rooftop where they can be alone and admire the garden (only, their retainers saw them and decide to leave them alone). So more romantic words and Zen promising he’ll say the proper words one day. Now he kisses her cheek. Man, he kissed almost everywhere on her top today. Next day as the see off Sakaki, Shirayuki hands him her reply letter to Raj. Sakaki and Mihaya hint that if there is a chance arise, they would try to come to their side. Everyone returns to their respective work.
Snow White With Red Hair And Heart Of Gold
And they continued living happily ever after… So to speak. Well, it was a nice and pure romantic fairytale I have seen in quite a while without anything oh so controversial. Not ever since I read children fairytales since I was young. Oh wait. Did I ever really read as a kid? Anyway, so my only little peeve is that Shirayuki didn’t become a princess as I was expecting as read from the series’ title. I know it’s absurd. I also know it would be too much of a rush and destroying the 2 dozen worth of episodes that have built up everything nicely if they were to somehow make her engaged to Zen in the end. Though it is very highly likely in the future, it isn’t yet in the context in this anime. So the farthest she has been being a princess is in a play and being carried like one… I guess that’s close enough. Well, at least being a noble status now is better than where she started off as just strangers. But I’m sure she is already a princess in the hearts of those she touched.
The entire premise of the series can either be boring or interesting depending on your tastes in such stories. It is a mix and in between for me. After having watched countless of ‘corrupted’ and controversial anime series and only a handful of ‘healing’ ones, it is hard for me to say that I was totally absorbed into the main plot of the overall series. Honestly, the whole thing is to put it bluntly, just boring. It is actually nothing that special and only so because Shirayuki attracts attention by just being a girl with red hair. Had she had normal hair colour like other citizens, she would not have walked down this path in her life. But once you get used to her red hair, it becomes so normal that you won’t even realize it. So you can see that for whatever ‘drama’ aside from the budding romance between our main protagonists is because of her red hair. Therefore I find the second season whereby Shirayuki getting kidnapped as by far the most interesting plot of it all. Don’t get me wrong. It is not like I wish to see something really bad happen to Shirayuki and I have confidence she can take care of herself in such situations. It is just that Shirayuki being taken away and being separated from Zen for the longest time sounds more interesting considering the pace of this series. Something more interesting than the usual ‘boring’ drama that usually happens behind the castle walls ever since she takes residence in the palace.
While the series is heart-warming, has good pacing and great development on its main characters, the thing that ‘ruins’ my joy is to realize at the end of it all that this is just fairytale. Yes, fairytales are supposed to have a happy ending. Living in today’s era and reality filled with impatience, bad tempers and instant angry rage, watching something so goody-goody like this is just unbelievable. Especially when you take into account the royal family of Clarines and their subordinates are actually one hell of a bloody good people. I mean, where do such good and kind-hearted royal people exist? Only in fairytales, right? Yeah… Don’t get me wrong again. I love those in power who takes great care of its people. But from where I come from and having to face reality each time I finish watching anime of the fantasy genre, that switch is just what makes it depressing. In today’s politically correct world, the goodness of what Izana, Zen and Shirayuki preach feels like as though they are virtue signalling. However they have every right to it because they walk the talk and stay true to their ideals. Yeah, it made me realize how I’m not such a great person after all…
This brings me to the characters of the series. Those who love great development especially romance between the main characters would be delighted to see it heavily concentrated on Zen and Shirayuki here. You’ll know they will definitely click when they first met (aside from because of the plot) and it really takes its time and pacing to build it into where it is. It is nice to see how to duo use their talents and abilities instead of their position to overcome whatever obstacles in their way. Both are strong, independent and level headed. An eye opener that would leave you admiring them in the decisions they make as they stay true to their ideals. They do not stoop low or bend their principals, that is why we respect them and eventually they grow on us and we wish to support them till they lead a happily ever after life. I am tempted to say that scepticism of reality has made their good character traits feel unbelievable. But I have to remind myself this is fantasy and just a story. Leave reality out of it! Can we just simply enjoy the goodness of Zen and Shirayuki alone? That they are truly nice and good people? Yeah, I wish Shirayuki could be my waifu but considering the kind of person I am… Too high standards… People like Zen should rightfully be deserving of her. I didn’t keep count but I have a feeling they kissed more times than I expected them too… I know it is a must in romance genres but it feels like as though a reminder of how much they love each other. Duh…
The other supporting casts like Mitsuhide, Kiki and Obi aren’t too shabby either. Over the course of both seasons, we have a glimpse of their background and origins although it isn’t really too deep so as not to distract us from the main focus of Zen x Shirayuki. You sense that Obi has secret feelings for Shirayuki and might have thoughts about other pairings like Mitsuhide x Kiki or Obi x Kiki but when it comes down to it, nothing gets in the way of Zen x Shirayuki. They are loyal subordinates to Zen and Shirayuki but I find Kiki a bit to be like a robot since she lacks emotions and doesn’t show much facial expressions. I think she would look better if she smiles more often. But then again, it might be creepy and not the Kiki we all have come to be accustomed to. Yes, she does smile but not on a regular and normal basis.
Izana might sound like he has an ulterior motive because of the way he sounds. A bit condescending and prideful. It is like he can turn into an evil character the next second. But remember, as the first prince of Clarines, he has responsibilities and duties to fulfil. He might not know Shirayuki as well as Zen so you can see why he is initially cautious so as not to bring ruin. Imagine if the royal family is brought down by an outsider woman. With red hair. It will be the curse of the century. Otherwise, Izana is a very wise person whom you’ll want as king for your kingdom. I believe Izana isn’t as sceptical as he is towards Shirayuki at the end although I still find he is. After all, who is Shirayuki to him? Thus I think it is wise for him to still keep his distance and in a way helps Shirayuki to be on her toes and not be too complacent. Not that she will but being with Zen and co for so long, there is that danger of falling into that comfort zone and assuming things.
The other big improvement is Raj. Initially starting out as a sleazebag and a useless prince, he regains his honour in the second season. Though he has definitely become a much better person, there is still room for more improvement assuming he is to be able to stand at the same status and respect as Zen. Raj isn’t entirely a bad person but he gets too comfortable taking advantage of his position as Tanbarun’s prince. But if you think about it and all the events that transpired, Raj’s first move to force Shirayuki to be his concubine is a blessing in disguise. Her runaway to Clarines changed her destiny. She became a better person and I am sure she too affected Zen and co to become better persons (noticed how Zen stops sneaking out frequently ever since Shirayuki came?) and in turn of it all, Raj himself reflects and becomes a better person. So all is not that bad.
One thing I want to point out is how the series focuses on these few main and supporting characters but many of them are confined within the walls of the palace. This means we don’t really get to see the daily ordinary lives of the kingdom’s citizens. I mean, we do but not so much in focus and usually because our main characters are passing through or something. Otherwise, a big bulk of the scenes in the series (except during Shirayuki’s kidnapping incident) are mostly taking place inside the palace grounds. So how do you know if your people is doing well or not? Remember what I said about the royal family here being very good people? This means we don’t have to worry about their wellbeing as I am very sure everyone is as happy as prosperous as they are so long the royal family doesn’t become corrupted. You don’t see anybody protesting or suffering, right? No wonder there is this small running joke that a guard at the gates sometimes feels bored with his duty… Well, let’s hope peace reigns forever here.
I blame myself for expecting Ryu to have some sort of major supporting role like Mitsuhide, Kiki and Obi. Thinking he is a court herbalist and a genius at his age, there must be some sort of issue too, right? Well, not really. That poison testing subject wasn’t really an issue if you think about it. So he is just a sleepy looking kid lacking emotions (is his face stuck like this with this expression forever?) supervising Shirayuki during her apprenticeship. Rona and Yujina bring some moe kawaii factor with Rona trying to a young matchmaker for Raj. It is hard to say for me if Raj eventually has genuine feelings for Shirayuki. Because it feels like a running joke that this guy is always worrying first the implications and consequences that Zen will drop his justice hammer the slightest wrongdoing he does to Shirayuki. After all, he has been warned. Once bitten, twice shy. So how can he waste time thinking about falling for Shirayuki when each time he thinks of her, Zen’s face pops up! Maybe when he matures more and becomes more respectable he can start thinking of that.
Art and animation are pretty decent if not beautiful. I guess from an ‘ordinary’ fantasy genre, the characters do have that bishoujo and bishonen look. Yeah, only in fairytales and especially anime where you find good looking people all around. Even mini antagonists like Sea Snake looks smoking hot or the seemingly plain Obi looks good in his own right. Because like I said this is an ‘ordinary’ fantasy genre in the sense that there is literally no magic or dangerous magical beasts to fight or exotic locations like floating islands. It just feels like fictitious kingdoms, take away all sort of modern technology, put characters in fancy costumes and voila! You have what you can call a fantasy genre. Not that I’m complaining, though. This series is animated by Bones who have produced lots of popular animes like Soul Eater, Ouran Koukou Host Club, Fullmetal Alchemist, Noragami, Boku No Hero Academia, Kekkai Sensen and Mob Psycho 100.
Saori Hayami is perfect as Shirayuki. Because of her husky voice that isn’t your typical high pitch girly girl type, it makes Shirayuki believable and have sense of impressiveness. I mean, imagining her character sounding squeaky feels like it wouldn’t cut it. Other recognizable seiyuus are Jun Fukuyama as Raj, Nobuhiko Okamoto as Obi, Akira Ishida as Izana, Yuko Kaida as Garak and Nana Mizuki (yes, I caught you there in cameo) as Toro. The rest of the other casts are Ryota Ohsaka as Zen (Marco in Shingeki No Kyojin), Yuichiro Umehara as Mitsuhide (Charioce in Shingeki No Bahamut: Virgin Soul), Kaori Nazuka as Kiki (Nunally in Code Geass series), Yuko Sanpeia as Ryu (Sasha in Seikon No Qwaser), Tomoyuki Shimura as Haruka (Nakai in Bakuman), Katsuyuki Konishi as Sakaki (Oga in Beelzebub), Chiwa Saito as Kiharu (Kirie in Girls Bravo), Sachi Kokuryu as Kazuki (Shirou in Tsugumomo), Tohru Okawa as Mukaze (Roy in Fullmetal Alchemist), Shintarou Asanuma as Itoya (Tsuda in Seitokai No Yakuindomo), Mitsuki Saiga as Sea Snake (Phantom in MAR), Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Mihaya (Tsukumo in Nanbaka), Inori Minase as Rona (Chino in Gochuumon Wa Usagi Desu Ka) and Mikako Komatsu as Yujina (Kanae in ClassicaLoid).
The opening themes for both seasons are sung by Saori Hayami. At least here she sounds decent compared to the songs she sang in Fukumenkei Noise. While the first season’s opening theme, Yasashii Kibou sounds pretty decent, I find that the second season’s Sono Koe Ga Chizu Ni Naru fares worse. The former might sound like a generic pop but it does fit in nicely with the pacing and theme of the series. At least it opens with a calming piano play. However the latter sounds a bit dramatic, something I feel doesn’t fit the overall feel of the series. It’s not entirely bad but I just prefer the first one. The same can almost be said for both the ending themes, both sung by Eyelis. Kizuna Ni Nosete and Page~Kimi To Tsuzuru Monogatari have this dramatic feel to it which I feel doesn’t fit the overall feel despite not that bad. Yeah, so my personal thoughts for a fitting song for this anime would be a slow romantic ballad. Oh well, it is not that this entire anime focuses on the romance of Zen and Shirayuki 24/7.
Overall, this is a very nice and enjoyable romance fairytale where you can watch how true romance blossoms over time between 2 people coming from very different background. A fairytale that doesn’t stray too far away from its fantasy genre with uncomplicated and relatively relaxing plots as well as interesting and likeable characters. No twisted and grim fairytale versions to scar your childhood memories, that’s for sure. If you have outgrown children’s fairytales like the original Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel (yeah, they all have Disney adaptations to it), this series feels more like a proper for teens and adults. Who wouldn’t love a good fairytale where the beautiful girl marries the handsome prince? Who wouldn’t love a good fairytale where they live happily ever after among the people of their happy kingdom? Yes, we can all dream. But eventually we all have to wake up… Now why do I have to go spoil that happily ever after mood?
Shingeki No Kyojin S2
28 October, 2017
OMG! OMG! OMG!!! Yattekita! IT’S FINALLY HERE! Yeah, sounded like I have waited my entire life for the release of Shingeki No Kyojin S2. That epic man versus Titan was just too awesome to not have any sequel. Though, it did get a little setback of getting delayed. However all is forgiven and a distant memory since it is now here. Sorry can’t stay long to chat. Need to find out more epic and awesomeness this season has to offer. Hype! Hype! HYPE!!!
Episode 26
Starting off from where we left off last season, after Annie’s crystallization, everyone is shocked to see a Titan’s face behind a broken portion of a the wall. Minister Nick hurriedly tells Hange to cover it up before the sunrays hit it. After doing so, Hange hounds him for answers. It is a matter of life and death. Because he will not speak, she threatens to throw him off the wall. Nick is willing to die in that case. Hange of course can’t kill him. It’s not over yet because a messenger returns with a horrifying message that Titans are spotted inside Wall Rose. Flashback 12 hours earlier at the south of Wall Sina, some of the new recruits of the Survey Corps (Connie, Sasha, Reiner, Bertolt, etc) are bored being detained under suspicions that they may have this Titan transformation too. At first nobody believes Sasha when she heard thumping footsteps. Then their worst fears come true: Titans are spotted inside Wall Rose. Mike gathers the newbies and knows they aren’t the culprits. Their mission now is to split into teams and warn all the village in the vicinity. Sasha’s home is nearby as she volunteers to go. Connie is in shock because his village is at the south where the Titans are believed to have breached. Reiner will go with Connie to check out the southern village. As the teams separate, Mike goes to buy them time by facing the Titans. Eren just woke up from his slumber. Sorry no time to waste because Armin just reports the wall breach. Mike has managed to slay a few Titans. However he notices there is one very different Titan. Yeti Titan?! When Mike calls for his horse, Yeti Titan suddenly grabs it and throws it at him! He loses his balance and is about to be eaten by Titans. But what is most shocking is how Yet Titan can speak!!! He is asking about his 3DMD. Mike is too scared and in shock to speak. Yeti Titan turns away as he takes Mike’s 3DMD. Mike goes crazy trying to kill it but that is when all the other Titans devour and tear him apart. Rip and RIP Mike.
Episode 27
Eren and co along with Levi move out. Hange brings Nick with him in hopes after seeing with his own eyes the horrifying reality might change his mind to speak. Threats do not work and it seems this secret is a lot more important than the fate of humanity. Sasha returns home after a long while. She came from a group of hunters and was always fighting with her dad who scolded her for stealing food (there wasn’t enough to go around, at least not for her). With the shrinking forest area and less animals to hunt, father wanted to sell the land and the family to give up hunting. The world has changed. However Sasha was bent to keep the ways of her ancestors so father reminded her that she is free to live the way she wants. But just remember when you turn your back on others, you also lose the right to look to them for help. Now Sasha is back after 3 years and wonders if her family really bothered about looking for her when she was away. Sasha sees a Titan eating a mother and her daughter nearby in shock. Sasha tries to attack the Titan but when that fails, she takes the girl and run. Flashback shows Ymir chided her for putting up a stupid act and acting dumb. She should be real to herself. Sasha lets the girl run while she faces off with the Titan equipped with only bow and limited arrows. She makes her shots count by temporarily blinding it. When she runs, she stumbles into a pack of hunters. Her dad. That girl came across them and told them there was still someone left behind. Now they are going around to give horses to everyone to escape. Connie reaches his village. He is devastated to see it destroyed. Even more so when a Titan turned turtle over his home. It’s not dead. It cannot move. How did it even get into this position?
Episode 28
As the village is void of people, everyone deduces they might have escaped. But Gelgar finds it odd if so, why did the Titans stay back to destroy the buildings? Even odder, the horses are still in the stable. They now move on to locate the breach in Wall Rose. Connie suddenly hears the Titan welcoming home. Oh no. Could this Titan be his mom?! When he tries to tell Reiner about it, he is told off not to be selfish and think about his own family. Nanaba, Krista and Ymir are also trying to locate to the wall breach. Ymir wants to withdraw instead of becoming Titan snacks but Nanaba needs somebody to return and report. Krista tells Ymir to stop pandering to her. She joined Survey Corps on her own. Noticing Ymir is always doing things for her, is it because of her family’s history? Ymir admits it is but assures she is also here on her own accord. Gelgar and Nanaba’s group surprisingly come into each other. They are shocked that neither have found any wall breach. Could they have missed it? Missed any Titan size hole? Not possible. With the moonlight out, they see a castle nearby to rest themselves as well as their horses. Levi notices Hange looking at a rock. She says this is the hard skin that Annie dropped that did not evaporate. She studied it and found it has the same properties as the wall. It is safe to say there are Titans behind walls. Hange is thinking unless they can find a boulder to plug up the breach, the only way is for Eren to use his hardened skin to seal the wall. Armin suggests moving at night where Titans do not move freely. This job might be a lot of pressure for Eren but he has no choice but to do it and succeed. Nick sees all the depressed people, people who have lost something, people whom the church have abandoned. He becomes dejected but Levi tells him not so fast. So is he ready to talk? We still can’t say… This is too much of a burden for a single person. However he can share the name of a person whom they are instructed to watch over: Krista. She may be able to tell them truths that they even do not know. Reiner is shocked when he learns something from Ymir. However everyone gets a rude awakening as the castle is besieged by Titans! Where did they come from? How are they moving at night? And there’s that Yeti Titan…
Episode 29
A couple of hours ago, Connie told everyone about the situation about his village. When he said that Titan over his house reminded him of his mum, Ymir laughed and mocked how stupid he sounded. She went as far as to say if both his parents were Titans, how the heck did they have sex?! Later as Ymir scavenges the castle for food, Reiner thanks her for that talk to distract Connie and hopes she could continue doing it. Reiner is shocked when Ymir can read an unknown language on a can food. That’s when the Titans attack. While the seniors move out to take them down, a smaller Titan has entered the castle. Reiner and co fight it by slamming the whole cannon and pinning it down. Reiner saves Connie from a Titan. However it bites Reiner’s arm. He then carries it to throw it out the window! Its strong jaws won’t let go so Connie uses his knife to weaken its jaw muscles before Ymir kicks it down. The seniors seem to have killed quite a lot of Titans. But Yeti Titan throws rocks at the castle, instantly killing a couple of them. Worst nightmare comes true when even more Titans are seen coming. Gelgar and Nanaba are out of gas and blades. Gelgar is injured, fast losing consciousness and succumbs to his fate. Nanaba tries to save him but it’s all in vain. They get eaten. With the Titans trying to bring down the castle, it is only a matter of time. Ymir warns Krista not to do a suicide mission. Don’t waste your life dying a heroic death. She wants her to remember a promise they made at the snowy mountains. She borrows Connie’s knife and then jumps off. As she slashes her wrist, she turns into a Titan!
Episode 30
Flashback during Eren and co’s training regimen. They were doing some trekking in the winter. Eren is worried and wants to go back and look for Krista because she along with Ymir stayed back to help a fallen comrade, Daz. They thought they would be in the last team but it seems they aren’t. With the blizzard building up, the instructors disallow them to go out and risk getting stranded. Krista drags Daz as Ymir thinks this is futile as he is already half dead. Either they save themselves or die with him. But Krista is adamant to save him and Ymir should go ahead. But Ymir is puzzled. Why has she not asked her to help? She deduces she has no intention of saving Daz and wants to die looking like a hero. Ymir knows Krista’s past as an illegitimate heiress who was nearly executed. She overheard a few priests talking about this succession problem by killing her. However they decided that she should change her name and live a normal life. That’s how she ended up here. But Ymir didn’t join it to find her or be her friend. Unlike her, Ymir isn’t going to change her name otherwise they win. The only way to get her revenge is to live her life to the fullest. So why is Krista trying to kill herself and make everyone who ruined her life happy? Ymir has another idea. Throw Daz down the cliff and hope some passing soldier pick him up. Since Krista is still stubborn, Ymir throws her aside and does the job herself. When Krista tries to find them, they’re gone. Eren and co are trying to sneak out to find them. So they’re tagging along to avoid the other from being missing? But no need to. They see somebody coming from the distance. By the time Krista reached the camp, Ymir is already waiting there for her. What happened to Daz? He lives and everyone is treating him inside. Krista realizes Ymir might have jumped down that high cliff. Even if she had a rope, it is still too high. Ymir doesn’t mind telling her secret but in exchange she wants Krista to take back her old name and live.
As Ymir tries to kill the Titans, everyone is shocked to find she is a Titan. Especially Reiner and Bertolt who remembers her as that same Titan who devoured their friend when they were young. Asked if Krista knew Ymir was a Titan, she doesn’t. They discuss if Ymir who unlike Eren didn’t know he had Titan powers, could she have known them along but kept it a secret? Krista tries to get through Ymir by chiding her to die protecting this tower (because she could have just run away and abandoned them instead of fighting off the hordes to protect this tower). She warns her not to die because if so, might as well collapse this damn tower. Ymir actually does that! But she lets her friends hang on as the tower collapses onto the Titans. Of course that won’t be enough to kill them. Ymir returns to fight the Titans but they all gang up to devour her. Krista rushes to her side as she hasn’t told her real name yet. At this point you might think Krista and co will also meet their doom. But we should know better. Here comes Mikasa and co slicing and dicing them to save the day! Once the killings are done, everyone is shocked to know Ymir is a Titan. Now she is in her human form but a few limbs torn off. Krista whispers to Ymir her real name: Historia Reiss. Ymir has this calm smiling look on her face as she closes her eyes.
Episode 31
Ymir would have died if she was a normal person. Yup, she isn’t dead despite losing limbs and her internal organs roasted. Talking to Hange, she believes Ymir might have known something all along but refused to speak up so as not to put herself at risk. But she has now changed. After turning into a Titan and saving them, Ymir is on their side. Hange hopes so. Mankind’s future depends on it. Eren talks to Reiner who is in depression after nearly being killed by a Titan. Bertolt tries to cheer him up that they are close in returning to their hometown. Reiner agrees but this leaves Eren confused. When Hannes returns, he says that no holes in the wall were spotted. Everyone is in shock. Don’t tell me the Titans are digging underground! As everyone prepares to return to Trost, Reiner pulls Eren over to talk. He reveals he is the Armoured Titan while Bertolt is the Colossal Titan!!! Their mission is to destroy mankind. If Eren comes with them now, they don’t have to destroy the walls anymore. Eren is confused. When Sasha returned with a message regarding Annie’s background check, it revealed 2 name from the same Training Corps from her same area: Reiner and Bertolt. During the expedition using Erwin’s new formation, each unit was given different information about the whereabouts of other units. It could mean that his position was given away for the Female Titan to attack Eren’s wing (which turned out to be Armin’s wing instead). Armin then remembers Reiner asking him about Eren’s whereabouts then. After Reiner broke free from the Female Titan’s clutches, she instantly ran off in Eren’s direction. Could it be that Reiner carved a message on her hand as she was seen staring at it. For now, Hange didn’t want them to catch on their suspicions and to avoid mentioning Annie’s name. Eren tries to change the subject that the stress has gotten to him. This makes Reiner go crazy. He thinks he has been living around idiots long enough. He can’t tell what is wrong or right anymore. He is going to face his consequences as a warrior. The wound on his arm suddenly heals as he tells Bertolt they’re going to do it now. Instantly Mikasa tries to cut them down. However the duo turn into their respective Titans. They try to kidnap Eren and Ymir. Eren must have realized that trying to believe everyone is his batch trying to play good is good. He’s done with that. Calling Reiner a traitor, Eren also transforms into a Titan.
Episode 32
The Colossal Titan swallows Ymir and another soldier. Hange orders the Titans to be killed as saving them for interrogation is pointless now. Although the Colossal Titan moves slow, the rest think they can easily cut its back. However it unleashes hot steam that prevents them from get closer. Then it just sits there unleashing all those steam. Since there is nothing they can do, Hange orders the several units to keep watch until it shows an opening to attack. It can’t stay like this forever and will have to come out. Hange and her team go fight the Armoured Titan. Speaking of which, Eren is getting owned by its strength. He thinks back of always looking up to Reiner and aspiring to be like him. He is now so disappointed with all that has happened. Especially that fateful day when his mom was killed. He now hates those traitors. But being angry doesn’t make him do anything better as he still gets overwhelmed by its strength. Not even Mikasa’s blades can put a scratch. Basically the entire body is armoured. More flashbacks of Eren’s training during Training Corps with Annie. Despite she was weaker than him, she managed to overpower him using his own strength. Plus, she didn’t give him room to give up despite Eren wanting to quit the mock sparring. She wanted him to learn that technique. However if you still remember Mikasa being an overprotective stalker of Eren then, she confronted Annie and wanted to lean that technique. That’s sarcasm. And so the strongest fighters of their batch faced off… Who won? Well, Eren can’t remember so we don’t get to know who? I guess this flashback is necessary so Eren is able to use Annie’s technique to bring the Armoured Titan down with his grappling moves. He manages to do some cracks in his armour and tear off an arm. Eren manages to control his sanity in this form as he is able to listen to his comrades’ orders. They want him to stay away from Reiner as it is their plan to kidnap him. But they won’t let him go so easily. The Armoured Titan breaks off a few chunks in its armour to move faster and tackle Eren down. Mikasa is able to slice a ligament to make it lose its footing. Eren tries to break its neck but the Armoured Titan seems to be dragging him to a spot despite its unfavourable position. Then it screams as a signal for the Colossal Titan to fall over them.
Episode 33
After the Colossal Titan crashes down, the Armoured Titan rips out Eren. Bertolt slips out and takes Ymir with him and hitches on the Armoured Titan as he escapes. We finally get to see Jean. He is hanging out with the Military Police who is also being sent to the frontlines for the search. They even joke Levi is hiding the Titans when they went out to search. Sorry guys. You’re just unlucky today for not seeing any Titans. A messenger returns to report to Erwin about the no breach in the wall as well as the shocking development of 3 more soldiers can turn into Titans. Many of the soldiers who were caught in the Colossal Titan’s steam are seriously injured including Hange and Mikasa. Mikasa dreams of a time when Eren was bullied (he tried to fight back to get back Armin’s bread) so she went to beat them up. Eren didn’t want to lose out to a girl and continued fighting. Eventually they damaged a stall and the owner got into a fight with Hannes since his drunk ass refused to do anything since it’s just a kid’s fight. It was really messy. Even when the bullies ran away, Eren continued chasing them. Mikasa wakes up and is appalled to know what happened to Eren. Don’t look at me with those eyes! Then Armin explains to her (with those eyes) how nobody went to chase him because the horses are on the other side of the wall and many of their comrades are injured and it will take time for reinforcements to come. They feel helpless. Eren was always like running ahead and leaving them behind. Hannes tries to cheer them up that Eren will be Eren as he will not give up without a fight despite being a poor fighter. He loves those boring old days and will do anything to get it back. But things won’t go back the way they used to unless all 3 of them are together. That fired them up. By this time, Erwin leads his Survey Corps as well as the Military Police with lots of equipment for their hunt. Before they go, Hange tells them the nearby forest Reiner and Bertolt might be heading first. She figures that after that titanic fight, they are tired out and need to sleep (just like in Annie’s case). Because there are Titans who might target them, they would want to play safe and wait it out till nightfall at this forest before moving outside of Wall Maria. Therefore their only chance of saving Eren and Ymir is to reach the forest before nightfall.
Episode 34
Eren and Ymir might lack limbs but they’re regenerating very slowly. Eren thinks of still transforming to fight them but Ymir stops him. Look around. There are Titans below them and some odd ones just creepily starring at them. Even if Eren transforms, can he easily get away in his weakened state? Eren is forced to control his emotions as he needs to gather more information. He is in the dark about everything unlike them. When Reiner starts thinking about how hard they have been working and should be eligible for promotion, I guess Eren loses it. So much about staying calm. Ymir forces them to say it since they’ve been acting strange especially Bertolt who is just remaining silent all the while. Bertolt then speaks. He reminds Reiner they are warriors, not soldiers. It causes Reiner to go crazy. Some vague flashback Reiner perhaps saw Marco getting eaten. Ymir deduces that they might have some sort of split personality disorder. They infiltrated to destroy mankind but became conflicted when they become soldiers. They have been doing this for so long that they are unable to tell which identity is real. Thus to maintain their sanity, they keep convincing themselves as soldiers protecting the wall. Eren is not impressed. It’s like they’re playing the victim card. He told them how his mom was killed and you can say they are the cause of it. What were they thinking when he told them about it? They just felt sorry about it. Eren loses it again calling them murderers. A shouting contest erupts between him and Reiner. Shout all he wants. It’s not going to change anything. He promises to give them the most horrible death but Ymir calls that as childish and won’t get him anywhere. Ymir asks about the Yeti Titan because they looked fascinated when they first saw him. She deduces they want to bring Eren to him so they can get back home. Before Ymir could tell Eren the real enemy, Reiner stops her and wants her to think before she speaks about the world if it is worth saving. Reiner wants Ymir to join them and knows her reason to exist is to protect Krista. They too would want to protect her. So does she think Eren can do a better job in protecting her? Even if she comes with them, her safety isn’t guaranteed but they assure they can do something to save Krista. Which is more important? Your own measly life or Krista’s future? Ymir zips her mouth and doesn’t say anything more to Eren. Then they spot flares from Survey Corps in the distance.
Episode 35
Reiner and Bertolt discuss they have to trust Ymir since they all want to save Krista (her family is affiliated with the church) and if Eren isn’t the Coordinate, they’ll have to come back here again. Bertolt just wants to end this so they don’t have to come back here again. They can take Annie, Krista and something else home. Reiner agrees but wants Bertolt to confess his feelings to Annie after that. Reiner tries to get Eren but the latter looks comical trying to throw weak punches with his handless arms. Bertolt asks Ymir if she remembers eating anyone before she became human. She doesn’t. He doesn’t blame her. None of them did. Possibly Eren too. And something about her wandering about outside the walls for 60 years too. As they flee, Ymir realizes the Survey Corps are closing in. She believes Krista is with them and wants Reiner to take this chance to get her. However he claims the odds aren’t in their favour and will have to come back for her. Ymir is not convinced. It’s like she is lying to herself again. Flashback reveals her first lie. She was plucked from a homeless child to become the queen of some cult just because they think she has some king’s blood. She didn’t mind as she got to eat well, sleep well and people worshipping her. Life was good. Then one day, the police barged in to arrest them all. Some followers blamed her for misleading her. At first she was scared but decided to lie again in hopes of saving them. It didn’t turn out too well. The outside people hated them and they were deemed for execution. After being pushed off the wall, she thought how all this was her punishment for being told to deceive all those people.
She became a Titan and started wandering before lying dormant throughout the years till she is buried. When she wakes up, she attacked Reiner’s group and ate his friend. The next time she comes to, she realizes the freedom of this world and decided to live her life without lying. So she became a petty thief? Then she heard and met Krista. She could tell right away she was the same as her, lying to herself and desperately trying to convince herself of something. Though she doesn’t blame her, she hopes to be given one more chance to be honest with herself. Ymir causes a commotion as she forces Reiner to give in to her demands to go back for Krista or she will stop playing along with his game. She believes her Titan form is able to move freely amidst the forests despite she will still be weaker than them. She admits she wants to see her one last time before she dies even if it means ruining her future. The Survey Corps have reached the forests. They avoid fighting with the other Titans as their priority is to find and locate their enemy. Mikasa and co stumble into Ymir in Titan form. Connie tries to ask her questions about Eren’s whereabouts or if she had fought and escaped from Reiner. However Ymir is acting strangely and looking around. When Krista comes into the picture, Ymir immediately eats her and swings away. The rest are stunned that they have been fooled and start chasing. Once Ymir returns to Reiner at the edge of the forest, he transforms into the Armoured Titan and the rest latch on to him as he continues his run. The Survey Corps also continue chasing. They’re getting Eren back no matter what.
Episode 36
Erwin changes his formation as he leads his team to lure other Titans to chase the Armoured Titan. Ymir talks to Krista how she needs to come with them since it is dangerous living behind the walls and the outside is much better than she thinks. If only other Titans aren’t busy trying to eat her. Krista thinks Ymir was threatened by Reiner and Bertolt to help her. No matter what happens, she’ll be by her side. Bertolt blames Ymir for her plan because the Survey Corps are catching up. Are they doing all this for nothing? Does she want to trap Krista inside the walls with her? Ymir adds she stole the Titan’s power from one of their friends and will be killed for that. However if she handed Krista to them, she’ll be spared since Krista is an important person who knows the secrets of the walls. Ymir reveals she did all this to save her own skin. At the castle she was afraid of dying but kept thinking she was doing it for Krista’s sake. So please come with her. Krista reminds her she will always be by her side. By the time Eren wakes up, the Survey Corps have begun attacking. It’s been a long time we’ve seen those scary eyes in Mikasa. She is going to kill them! The Armoured Titan shields Bertolt and Eren. Mikasa intends to kill Ymir first but Krista stops her. But Mikasa doesn’t give a f*ck. She is too tired to do that. Anybody who gets in Eren’s way will die! She makes Krista choose who to side: Eren or Ymir. Krista tells Ymir to back down in which she does. Mikasa and the rest focus on getting Eren out. Everyone is trying to get answers if everything was a lie. Mikasa doesn’t give a f*ck. Just kill them! Finally Bertolt speaks out. Who in the world would enjoy killing other humans? Maybe they have deceived them but it wasn’t all lies. They might not have the right to apologize and wishes somebody would just find them.
Hannes warns them all to get off because Erwin has led the other Titans to clash with the Armoured Titan ahead. Although the Armoured Titan ploughs through, it feels like they’re playing rugby? Eventually the Armoured Titan is stopped in its tracks. It becomes a chaotic mess trying to retrieve Eren as Erwin gets partially eaten! Yeah, more soldiers dying. After coming this far, the Armoured Titan releases Bertolt. Time to go on your own. However Armin drops in to play some psychological game with him. He tells how Annie is trapped deep inside and they are finding new ways to torture her. This makes Bertolt really angry. Enough time for Erwin to cut Eren loose (how did he escape?) and Mikasa to rescue him. The Survey Corps initiate their retreat. Connie and Sasha take Krista away. She intends to stay with Ymir but they are sceptical of Ymir. She only gets serious when Krista is in danger. They both need to calm down since staying outside will increase their chance of dying. The Armoured Titan starts throwing Titans at the retreating Survey Corps. Mikasa and Eren fall off their horse. But a familiar Titan approaches before them… Isn’t that the Titan who ate Eren’s mom?!
Episode 37
Hannes protects the duo. He goes crazy trying to get revenge for Eren’s mom. Ymir is in a dilemma. Erwin’s plans has put her in a dilemma. She can’t help Reiner now so should she help the Survey Corps? Because even if she survives, there will be hell to pay and hence no future behind those walls. Krista talks to Ymir about lying she is doing this for herself. She reminds her that they should be living for themselves and not for others. Jean gets knocked out by a flying Titan. Armin tries to defend him with his weak sword swinging? Once Eren has his limbs fully generated, he is going to transform into a Titan. However no matter how much he bites and bleeds, he won’t change! Hope he doesn’t bite off more than he can chew. Because of that, he gets to watch history happen all over again with the Titan eating Hannes! NO! Eren’s turn to go crazy. He’s mad. He’s sad. He’s useless. And it’s like Mikasa has this screw it feeling too. Amidst all the chaos, she thanks him for all the things he has done especially the scarf he gave her. Thanks for teaching her how to live. I don’t know if she was going to kiss him but Eren looks like he got his groove back. By being angrier, that is. So with his scream, suddenly all the Titans stop what they are doing and rush towards Eren’s mom’s killer and ripped it apart!!! The Survey Corps take this chance to escape. With the Armoured Titan heading for Eren, he tells him not to come close or else! Instantly all the Titans now focus and target the Armoured Titan. Reiner is shocked that of all people, the power of the Coordinate is with Eren. Ymir stays back to help the Armoured Titan fend off the others (Bertolt is defencelessly hanging in there). In the aftermath, Reiner, Bertolt and Ymir survived the crazy onslaught. Ymir says she decided to go with them because she is willing to be their trophy so they don’t return empty handed. She also wants to thank them that had they not broke the wall, she wouldn’t have woke up from that living nightmare. Hange takes Connie to see Erwin. They are shocked to learn that Titans could be humans although there is no evidence yet. Eren is back to guilt mode since he learns half the Survey Corps got wiped out just to rescue him. Armin and Jean tried to figure out why the Titans acted so and they believe it is because of Eren. No proof yet, though. Jean warns him he is in a tricky position now. He has to proof his life is worth more than all those sacrificed. The Yeti Titan is watching from afar, noting that it still isn’t done yet.
Mean Titans GAWR!
WTF???!!! WHAT THE HECK???!!! Why are there only a dozen episodes this season?! Why is it only a single cour?! Because in the same season whereby we had anime with sequels like Boku No Hero Academia and Shingeki No Bahamut: Virgin Soul, both these equally awesome series doubled the number of episodes from their first season to have 2 cours worth of episodes! So why does this series not maintain that?! I’m so angry! I want more! Oh… They say they are going to have another season… Yahoo! I guess it is going to take some time to craft an interesting story and make it even much better than it has ever been. But wait. How long do I have to wait for that to happen? I want it now! I want my Titans NOW! Oh well, time to stop being a dick and just wait like everybody else. (Or else the producers will just tell me off to get eaten by a Titan).
It goes without saying that this season is super awesome! It is hard to tell whether it is better than the first season, though it has its few flaws (one of that being too short). Anyhow, it is still awesome and I am glad this is one of those few anime series that didn’t suck with its sequel. This season is even more intense and exciting than before. Although there were a few questions answered (like the identity of the Armoured Titan and Colossal Titan), the direction of where it is heading also brings about new questions and conspiracies. Especially the truth about the Titans. There is a big speculation on my part now that the Titans are humans (obviously how else can you explain there are no holes along Wall Rose and a Titan looking like Connie’s mom?) and that the walls are hiding something that Titans are sent to go devour humans living in it. And that there is more to than just the humans living behind the walls because it looks like a whole new world outside the walls. And possible being overrun by Titans. I could write paragraphs and paragraphs of my speculation of what lies ahead but I don’t want to ruin myself with all the hype. Let’s just focus on this season, shall we? Oh… Could humans be actually Titans in their true original form and those who deviated or broke off became humans?!
With everything so great and thrilling, there is not much left to discuss and praise further. From the gritty art style to the voice acting to the bloody action where soldiers get devoured to the ‘useful’ declassified information in the mid-intermission, everything maintains its perfection like before. That is why it is somewhat conflicting for me that at this point all there is left to talk about are the ‘flaws’. I am not saying that they make this season less great but I blame because of the very short number of episodes, there was not much other developments that I was hoping to see. Remember about the key Eren’s dad said he needs to get to take a big step in solving this mystery? Well, it seems to have taken a back seat this season.
For instance, let us start off with the characters. This seasons is great because we get to see insights and the past of some of the main characters like Sasha (she isn’t as stupid as she acts out to be), Krista (glad she is more than just a pretty face), Ymir (she’s more than just a Krista lesbian wannabe), Reiner (split personality?) and Bertolt (he likes Annie?!). All very essential to driving the plot. I was expecting some sort of twist this season but I actually didn’t expect that twist of Reiner and Bertolt to just admit upfront and right in our faces about their Titan forms. It was like a, “Wait… What?!” moment. It really catches you off guard. Just like the rest of their buddies, we hope it is a lie because we have spent lots of time together and we’re like a band of brothers that suspecting them as the antagonists do not cross our mind. Well, this wasn’t the first time it hit us as last season we had Annie doing it. However Annie had this suspicion looks written all over her face unlike Reiner and Bertolt who did not. So when the truth really came out, it really hit us hard. Their intentions to go home and all makes it even more intriguing since nothing was really explained in detailed at this point yet.
I suppose this shocking development is the main plot for this season. Because of that, many of the other beloved characters fell to the wayside. Not to say that they are casted aside and no longer important, at least they do not play so much of a prominent role this season. Take for instance whom I consider as the ‘biggest offender’ of this: Jean. This guy didn’t even pop up till halfway through this season! And even that we don’t get much glimpse of him. Sure, he might be stuck behind Wall Sina but seeing him back in action doesn’t feel the same because his eternal rival Eren wasn’t there for their whatever challenge-cum-rivalry so you don’t see that cockiness and proudness in him that we know.
Speaking of Eren, this season he feels like a supporting character since the plot is focused elsewhere. It feels odd again because Eren is once again ‘taken away’ and has to be ‘rescued’. If you remember last season he was being kidnapped by the Female Titan who was no other than Annie (in which after he was rescued eventually) but then his friends had to help him escape again after he was summoned to the capital for the mission’s failure and this led to all that sh*t from turning Stohess district into a giant playground-cum-battlefield for Titans and the Titans behind the walls discovery. Yeah, Eren is like the damsel in distress of the series. He is too weak to save himself (blowing his top is what he does best) and has to always rely on Mikasa. Speaking of her, we too don’t get to see much of her. Because of that, we don’t see our usual overprotective Mikasa who wants to keep Eren all for herself. Sure, we finally get to see them eventually and that is when we are reminded, “Ah, this is the Mikasa we knew”. But at least now we know Eren has some sort of power that makes him really coveted and important. So another attempt to kidnap him next season?
Fan favourite Levi is also missing a lot. But I guess that is only fair since he had his own OVA of his origins a couple of years before. Oh, that feels like a long time ago… Heck, we don’t even get to see him in Titan slashing action. Then there are others like Hange, Pixis, Keith and whoever I have forgotten at this point (especially those from the inner wall districts like Nile and Zacklay). RIP Mike. You came back in the second season only to die in the first episode. Sad… And it comes full circle and culminated with the death of Hannes in the last. So he atoned for his failure to avenge Eren’s mom? Or was that considered a failure too? Well, we all know this drunkard won’t show up anymore. RIP Hannes…
With quite a handful of characters being able to transform into Titans and the scary fact that humans may be Titans themselves, this season I find myself feeling a bit odd because there are points in which I want to become a Titan too! Not because I want to run around screaming naked and without genitals, mind you! While swinging around freely like Spiderman with the 3DMD seems awesome and fun, but wouldn’t it be fun too to become a giant Titan and run around with your unique ability? I don’t know. Seeing Reiner as the strong and unbreakable Armoured Titan and Ymir as the agile and flexible type made me feel that perhaps being a Titan isn’t so bad after all. Except when you’re being Titan fodder, that is.
Why do I have this feeling that the opening theme, Shinzou Wo Sasageyo is so much similar to the first season’s Guren No Yumiya? Well, it is sung by the same band, Linked Horizon but it is so similar that sometimes I couldn’t tell it apart. I believe they want to maintain that total epic feel of the song like those background choir voices and the likes. So it’s like taking last season’s song and just modify it to get a brand new song? Not that I’m complaining. The awesomeness of this series has blinded me to this point. However the weirdest of the lot is the ending theme, Yuugure No Tori by Shinsei Kamattechan and totally in English. The way the song is sung sounds creepy although the tune of the song itself is not. It feels like a bunch of aliens are singing this piece. But what is even more disturbing are the animations shown here. Indeed very disturbing. Images of what could be big hints of the history of the Titans. Very big. It’s already creepy enough to hear the song and then seeing such troubling animation, it is the kind that will give you nightmares for a long time! Thankfully I didn’t. I hope.
Overall, there will never be enough praises to sing to paint how awesome this season is. Much more than the praises those worshippers have faith in God. Hah. So I truly cannot wait for the next season to be around. Sorry but not sorry if I am very biased in claiming this to be one of the best animes in my life because of how it draws and fascinated me every second of it that when an episode finished, I literally didn’t want it to end. I figure that if an anime can do that to me, then is it not worthy to be considered one of the greatest in my books? So I recommend this anime to everybody. Even young kids and toddlers to watch! Controversial? Inappropriate? Violent? So you want to wait till the hard facts of real life hit your kid and lose his/her innocence then? Being slowly devoured alive like that is much worse than being devoured by a Titan…
Strike The Blood II
27 October, 2017
Alright. It is time to see our main hero add more girls into his harem. Oops! I mean it is time to, erm, learn more about the deeper plot, uhm, deeper characters, uhm… Oh you know what? Screw all that. I can’t seem to remember what the heck was going on anyway. From that, you can tell the reason why I am watching the sequel, Strike The Blood II. Unlike the first season where it was screened on TV, the second season is being released via OVA format. Most probably it didn’t have enough episodes to fill a single cour (only 8 of them) and it took them half a year to release them all. But that is more than enough for the series to add more plots, characters and girls to Kojou’s harem and perhaps let him sink his teeth into some of their neck. What? Don’t you want to be cool to be part of a great vampire’s harem?
Swords-Shaman Of Shadow Arc
Episode 1
Kojou is cleaning the pool. Time for some forced fanservice because when Yukina jumps down to help, she would have expected the gravity, aerodynamics or whatever science crap to realize it will flip up her skirt for a second. I think she is doing it on purpose so she could blame and call him a pervert. Luckily Motoki gives them a break and tells them to check out the newly opened resort, Blue Elysium. Kojou didn’t really think it was to help out in some yakisoba stall. Hey, at least he is here with Asagi. Nice bikini, girl. Yukina is hanging out with Nagisa at the aquarium. Nagisa is trying to hint she is rooting for Yukina for Kojou. Suddenly something strange is felt. Since other ordinary people didn’t feel it, Yukina believes it is a magic pulse but it cannot be from Kojou as it doesn’t feel like his. A fish gets violent trying to break the glass. Nagisa in some trance tells it to pipe down. Nagisa doesn’t have any recollection of what just happened. A strange girl, Kiriha Kisaki wants to take their photo but Yukina doesn’t think it is a good time. She leaves and hopes they can be friends one day. Kojou returns late from his delivery and Asagi accuses him of flirting with a girl! OMG! Is she paranoid? Actually, a little girl, Yume Eguchi followed him back from the delivery. Wait. What is Railgun’s Last Order doing here?! It gets worse when Kojou compliments Yume’s nice name and receives a punch from Asagi for trying to be a pedo. It seems Yume knows about Kojou because his ‘girlfriend’ told him to look for him if there is trouble. From her description, that ‘girlfriend’ is Sayaka. Yume was locked up when Sayaka came to bust her out. There were many guards trying to stop them so Sayaka gave him a photo of her ‘future boyfriend’ for her to go look for.
As Yume is not a registered resident on Itogami, instead of handing over her to the police, why must Kojou complicate things by wanting Yukina to see her first? Because she is friends with Sayaka? What logic is that?! Does he not know the women problem he is going to get? Oh, who cares? Timely fanservice reminder when he opens the door while Asagi and Yume are changing! Without knocking. Okay, it’s his bad. But thanks. Nice sideboobs, Asagi. Later, Yukina confirms Lion King didn’t send any replacement after Sayaka. Could she be still on the job? Why hasn’t she come back to get Yume? Yume thinks she is trying to meet Lyl, her older sister. She further explains both of them were locked in the lab of Erize Kusuki, the big sponsor of Blue Elysium. Apparently it is originally Lyl they want she was willingly participating in some sort of experiment. Kiriha talks to Kusuki to assure a certain ‘vessel’ will return on her own volition. Otherwise, everything is going as planned. Kiriha then visits Sayaka whom she has captured. Flashback shows the duo facing off and Kiriha defeated her because she is a Rikujin, the shadow of a Sword Shaman.
Episode 2
Sayaka realizes she is from Taishikyoku, an organization similar to Lion King Organization. Kiriha says she is not the enemy but will borrow her body as vessel for her power first and hypnotizes her with her spear. Then she quotes Taishikyoku is an organization that protects the world even if it means destroying Itogami. Wait. Doesn’t this sound like current day Antifa… What’s worse than your harem gunning for you? Motoki gunning for Kojou! Luckily he knocked himself out. Yume is acting strange as she doesn’t want Kojou to look at her. She now has a tail?! Wait. Is she related to To Love-Ru’s Lala?! More complication with Yukina accusing him of always talking about Yume! Is he a pedo?! WTF?! Not true! Because he also always talks about Sayaka and Asagi! Is she not good enough for him?! More complication when Asagi now flirts with him, saddened he is not looking her way. Yukina knocks her out. And then same thing for Nagisa. Oh boy. They realize they have been mind controlled. The prankster behind this is Yume. She is now acting so devilishly. Actually she is Lyl, Yume’s other personality. Her real identity is a succubus. As she is often bullied for that (imagine your thoughts if a young girl is such an erotic person), she created this other personality. Lyl thought she could irk Kojou that he hates her now but he has been through more sh*t than this. Yeah, like being called a pervert and worse.
Lyl then runs away but is glad that Kiriha is here to pick her back. Kiriha lets Sayaka deal with them. I think Kojou wants to show he isn’t a lolicon so he deals with Sayaka while Yukina tries to get back Yume. Sayaka is going all out. So he purposely lets her stab him so he can suck her blood. Oh, her top came off. Nice tits, Sayaka. Yukina fights Kiriha. She realizes her spear is what brings out Lyl’s character and accumulates her succubus power. Yume doesn’t want to see the pretty girls fight and end in bloodshed so she will end this as she willingly flies away back to Kusuki. When Sayaka comes to, she remembers everything during her mind control and is worried about hurting Kojou. Don’t worry. He is healed with her blood. I’m sure Yukina would want to reprimand him for ‘flirting’ but I guess she failed her mission to bring back Yume, it kills the mood. Sayaka reveals Yume is a sacrifice as Kusuki plans to use her power since she is a descendent of Lilith, the strongest succubus. This will allow Kusuki to control Leviathan, the strongest demonic beast. Asagi has got a lot of work on her hands as she has to hack and do stuffs. Leviathan is easily located. It’s that freaking huge. Yeah, it’s close by. Further hacking reveals Kusuki has invested in this group called True Arc. They call themselves environmentalists but are actually terrorists. Imagine if a group like that gets their hands on the most powerful beast as their weapon. Yup, not good. Asagi also discovers Lyl is some sort of AI programme created to activate Yume’s succubus power. If they can put a stop to it but her laptop hasn’t got enough processing power… Well, she’ll try. So off Kojou goes to play the hero to save Yume (since she is already on her way with Kusuki to rendezvous with Leviathan). I guess he needs to show his worth as the harem guy. Yeah, this means Sayaka and Yukina want to help because they have to pander to him want to bring Yume back. Except you Motoki. GO BACK TO SLEEP! You’re not needed because you’re not in his harem! Haha!
Episode 3
Sayaka wants Kojou to forget about that bare tits incident. Why you have to remind him?! And why does Kojou have to say it out loud?! You want Yukina to kill you?! Asagi is faced with a greater task. Taishikyoku has hired Lydianne AKA Tank Rider to stop her hacking efforts. Kusuki has landed inside Leviathan (why does it stomach look like watermelon?). Suddenly Lyl wakes up. What gives? Kusuki realized he has been played out and used by Kiriha. They’re going to be the sacrifice. Lyl knocks Kusuki and his men out. Kiriha sees Kojou and his girls and intercepts them. She tells them to run away as Leviathan is going to destroy Itogami. As Lyl is in control of Leviathan, her suffering and torment in the past has made her wish for everything to be destroyed. Initially she wanted to kill herself but she realizes as Lilith’s successor, the cycle will repeat itself and somebody else will take her place. However this won’t happen if she is inside Leviathan as it will absorb her and eventually she will cease to exist. Yes, Yume is trying to kill herself this way. But really still, destroy all of Itogami in the process? Sayaka faces off with Kiriha to let the duo rescue Yume. Leviathan notices them approaching and attacks. Wait. It can fire missiles?! Then there is this barrier it has. Nothing like Kojou summoning his familiars to break into Leviathan. Meanwhile Asagi is being pushed back but after all that taunting from Lydianne, she fights back and corners her till she is defeated! Kiriha reveals to Sayaka that Asagi is the Priestess of Cain. She is believed to trigger a war someday and that is the real objective of Taishikyoku trying to destroy Itogami along with her. Because the logic is that Asagi cannot be killed by anyone as long as she is on that island since Itogami is constructed against the natural order is like an altar to Cain. Hence there are events that will conspire to protect her. So how does blowing it all up be any different? Of course Sayaka views that plan of theirs as defeat. Because she believes in Kojou and Yukina. Sayaka uses her quick assassination technique to defeat Kiriha. And the latter thanks her for it? Strange…
Kojou and Yukina are being attacked by Lyl. She teases Kojou for trying to be a lolicon but Kojou tells her to quit her bad acting. The way she addresses him gave away that she is Yume. Now she turns to tears (I guess not acting for this one) that he would still want to save her after all that she has done. Time for the man to lecture her about being a hypocrite (himself), self-satisfaction (himself) and happiness (hers). Yeah, just shut your mouth and let him rescue you. And just when she is about to let him, Leviathan ‘reboots’ and strikes! It is going mad for being controlled as it unleashes tons of missiles towards Itogami. Don’t worry, Sayaka is here to deflect them all. Can she? Don’t worry, she gets help from Lydianne. She is now her friend?! Kojou is out of options. He wants Yukina to take off her clothes! WTF?! No wonder he gets punched! Couldn’t he just say he needs to suck her blood? Even so, does she need to take off her clothes?! You pervert! She is reluctant till she sees a huge injury on his back caused from Lyl’s attack. That scored some sympathy points so she strips to her swimsuit and tells him how she haven’t shown it to anyone else and he is the first dude. Nice. How can a guy not compliment how cute she looks in this? And then he bites her shoulder. So you see, why the need for her to strip?! Oh right. Fanservice… With enough blood, Kojou is now able to summon his seventh familiar, Kiffa-Ater. A huge judgment sword that strikes down on Leviathan. The beast is still mad and wants another go. However, Yume’s sings and it isn’t mind controlling it but pacifying it. It worked. But is it me that I find her singing creepy? In the aftermath, Natsuki accuses Paper Noise that Kojou and co got involved in this was her fault. It seems she wants to make Taishikyoku owe them big time and with that, Asagi won’t be targeted for a while. Kojou and co returns and what is worse than having the yakisoba boss wanting him to go back to work now? Yume wanting Kojou to play with her because he said he will keep her happy forever. Oh God. His harem just gone up by one. The competition intensifies by one. No wonder his girls aren’t looking happy… You might have saved the day but you f*cked up over this one…
The Fourth Primogenitor On The Run Arc
Episode 4
Yume has now got permission to stay on Itogami. And she is really looking forward to Kojou to make her happy. This is the thing about mis-education. You can’t undo it… And Yukina is stalking by the sides till an elder guy teased her about it. Typical Yukina denial expected. This guy is teasing her so loudly that it attracts others. I didn’t come to me as a surprise as this dude is Kojou and Nagisa’s father, Gajou. A week later as Kojou attends Natsuki’s special class, she is asking about Gajou. Kojou doesn’t know much accept he came back to take Nagisa to see some aunty Tanzawa in Kannawa. Apparently Natsuki knows about Gajou since he often helped-cum-interfered with her missions before. New Year’s Eve is here and Kojou is more worried since no word from Nagisa. Didn’t he say Kannawa is a pretty isolated place with rare handphone coverage? Anyway, the whole gang is here dressed up perfectly in their kimono to visit the shrine. Despite the sweltering heat, I know why the girls don’t mind dressing up to look this good… Kojou then receives mail from his sister. However it is a picture of a magic circle. So worried that he doesn’t have a piece of mind during the shrine visit. His fortune reading is cursed. Twice! But I’m thinking more of his curse on the opposite gender… Kojou then realizes the magic circle looks familiar. It is the one probably used by Sayaka as she is the only one Yukina knows who has mastered it. However she heard rumours of an easier weapon that could imitate it. Kojou tries to call Sayaka (why is Asagi concerned he has her number?) but she didn’t pick up. He wants to go see her and that is when Asagi puts her foot down. She hints her parents aren’t at home and wonders if he would like to come. Turns out it is to use her computers to hack and find the whereabouts of Gajou and Nagisa. What were you thinking they were going to do???!!! Disappointed?
It seems father and daughter are really having a swell time visiting many places having fun on their way to Kannawa. But they realize something strange. Their travel is too smooth. There should have been traffic at this time of the year. Like as though there is some huge barrier unconsciously making others avoiding roads to Kannawa. The JSDF seems to be behind this but the ones ordering them is SDC. Yukina is shocked. She wants to go investigate. Kojou can’t leave her and follows. It seems SDC is a dummy organization created by the Lion King to handle magical disasters. She fears Nagisa may have been caught up in one. She needs to go to the shop where they met Nyanko to confirm it. Since it is close, Yukina is desperate enough to try and break it down! Luckily Kojou stops her (via hugging?) and rationales how Lion King has factions in power struggle she may not know about. He assures her Sayaka won’t betray her. Coincidentally Kiriha is here and she knows what is happening. But once they hear it, they’ll regret it. Asagi is at the airport when she notices guards are trying to arrest her. Run! Kojou and Yukina go to see Natsuki for a way off Itogami. Wait. Astarte and Kanon streaking naked in her house? Because Kojou is starring for a few seconds in shock, enough for Yukina to call him a pervert and beat him up!? Where was he supposed to look, huh?! Okay, anywhere but loli tits and body. Back to serious business, Natsuki will not help him get off the island. And this is illegally. Because if he does it legally, it means registering with the government and thus revealing his identity as a vampire. She warns him not to interfere no matter how worried he is for Nagisa. When he decides to go find another person for help, Natsuki chains him down. She will not let him leave Itogami no matter what.
Episode 5
Flashback shows Kiriha explaining a God slaying relic crashed at Kannawa decades ago. The lake there is artificial. What if the damn built there was to seal it and that seal is now becoming undone? Natsuki is not pleased he knows this much but since he doesn’t remember Nagisa has undone the seal once, it shows his memory hasn’t fully returned. Nina breaks him free and distracts Natsuki so Kanon could let them escape. It feels more than coincidence when Kiriha picks them up. It seems she is helping them as to piss off Lion King as both organizations aren’t seeing eye to eye. Kojou plans to see Vatler’s help but Kiriha has done his fake ID papers. So Kojou and Yukina are going to leave the island as a married couple? And he is mad about Yukina being older than him?! However they are stopped by a magical barrier. Looks like Natsuki is here. Or at least her replica. With Kojou being persistent, Natsuki explains about the holy relic and how Avrora is sleeping inside Nagisa. Oh, his memories coming back now? Not quite. Just more confusing ones. Natsuki assures Lion King is only interested in Avrora’s power and no intention of harming Nagisa who will be very well protected. Although Kojou realizes Lion King did not betray them and never told them so as not to let Kojou interfere in fear his power may hasten the seal’s undoing, he still wants to go save his sister. He tries to fight back but Kanon saves him and they both get absorbed into her magical barrier. Meanwhile Asagi continues to run. Mogwai leads her out and even calls Lydianne for back up. When she is cornered, all the guards are taken out by Meiga. This allows Asagi to leave the island.
While Kiriha and Yukina teams up to fight Natsuki’s replica, Kojou and Kanon are inside the prison barrier and before them is Natsuki in her sexy grownup form. She continues to explain Lion King’s objective is to seal the relic for good and Kojou’s power might wake it up. If so, wouldn’t that be the same for Nagisa and Avrora? But Avrora knows a spell to seal it. And nothing will happen to her soul since she is already dead and it is a leftover fragment shaving away Nagisa’s life. She never said this before since Kojou will not listen. Yup, he still won’t. He tries to fight her but gets overwhelmed. Kojou is such a main character because Astarte ‘defects’ to block Natsuki’s attack. Then she tells Kanon to get naked. She meant, let him take your blood. Yikes, does she even need to take off her bra?! Oh, maybe she doesn’t want to stain it. And so Kanon is now officially part of his harem as he sinks her teeth in. Kojou may not be able to use his magic in here but he can sure unleash it outside. By summoning Mearthim-Adamas, he aids Yukina outside who is already activating some divine mode to destroy the replica once and for all. Overpowered. Overkill. Because of that, Natsuki decides to let Kojou go. She can’t have him destroy Itogami at this rate. Oh, so show a bit of your power and she sets him free? She gives him a ‘farewell present’. Sorry Kojou. Not sexy Natsuki time. It’s homework for you. And the worse part of it is to convince Yukina he isn’t a lolicon for aiming Kanon and Natsuki. Because he is describing how voluptuously sexy this Natsuki is. She’s even madder. You can’t never win this sh*t. Kiriha hates to break their ‘flirting’ but they shouldn’t waste time getting off the island. However Paper Noise stops them. Identifying herself as one of the 3 leaders of Lion King and her real name as Shizuka Koyomi, she won’t be as lenient as Natsuki to let him get off this island and have come to seal him here.
Knight Of Sinful God Arc
Episode 6
When Gajou and Nagisa arrived at a shrine in Kannawa, Gajou went to look for Tanzawa but was attacked by Shio Hikawa and Yuiri Haba from Lion King. He fights back causing one of them to unleash a magic circle in which Nagisa took a picture. But Gajou gives up when he realizes the JSDF has Nagisa in their hands. Gajou is imprisoned and he can tell what is going on. He knows JSDF is cooperating with Lion King and their target is the seal named Avalon at the bottom of the lake. When this old priestess lady, Hisano asks Gajou about his children, his mind starts to hurt. She believes his memories were consumed as a result from the Fourth Progenitor’s resurrection. She has Yuiri follow her while Shio guard Gajou. She assures their mission is the same as his: To kill Avrora. Nagisa is enjoying the hotspring but feels lonely. But she won’t be as Shirona Kuraki accompanies her. She allows her to touch her boobs?! Nagisa doesn’t hesitate and could have almost lost herself. Yeah, looks like it is payback as Shirona fondles her back! And at other places! It gets weird because Shirona’s hair grows long like as though they’re going to tentacle rape Nagisa as she passes out. At JSDF’s camp, Hisano talks to Major Tatsumi Azama about Avalon. Shirona joins them and it seems she is one the powerful Three Saints. Hisano asks Yuiri’s opinion on this. She feels it is something different and not an incarnation of disaster. Hisano wants Yuiri to take her place then. Nagisa wakes up and thought Shirona’s molestation will pick up where they left off?! Well, they’re in Nagisa’s unconscious mind as Shirona explains about the ceremony to suppress Avalon. She believes it is for Nagisa’s good as they will use Avrora’s power to seal it once and for all and free Nagisa from Avrora’s soul feeding on her life force. However Nagisa is in distress. She warns Avalon isn’t a seal and Avrora was keeping watch over it. Too late because the entire area is now frozen and there are monster bugs attacking the JSDF.
Gajou and Shio fight their way through. Apparently Gajou can do miraculous stuff like walking through solid objects and pulling out ridiculous weapons from his pocket because during his time lost in some central Asian ruins, his entire research team was killed and he is the only survivor. Since half his body is still stuck on the other side, he can literally pull up this kind of stuffs. The casualties are high. Azama is missing and presumed killed in action so Lieutenant Mikage Okiyama assumes command. Shirona wakes up and explains she was wrong Avalon. It isn’t a seal. It was just using them by absorbing knowledge of priestesses who had been sacrificed for it and waited for the right time to activate. Gajou and Shio come into Avrora. He assures her nobody hates her. Not Kojou too. She reverts back to Nagisa and passes out. Yuiri is confronted with a naked and seemingly retarded girl. Meanwhile Kojou wakes up in an inn. Yukina is so happy that she hugs him. Time for Kiriha to tease about it and lie how Kojou grab her boobs during his sleep. Yeah, Yukina just wants to accuse him somehow. This coming from somehow whose yukata is so undone like as though she just came out from a porn shoot. Haha! Anyway, they remember how they easily lost to Paper Noise as she is the chief of the Three Saints and one of the strongest attack mages in Japan. When sexy bikini babes come in to serve them, they remember it was Vatler who somewhat saved them from Paper Noise. However they aren’t on his ship and are just walking distance to Kannawa’s lake.
Episode 7
Lydianne and Asagi are reaching Kannawa’s lake. They are besieged by those monster bugs. They try to protect a young kid they spot in the midst of it but failed. That kid turns out to be Ibliss Bal-Aziz, a direct descendent of the Second Progenitor. Yeah, he doesn’t need your protection and can kick ass but the consideration of protecting him is appreciated. They even have some food and strike up some weird friendship! The retard girl seems to be attached to Yuiri so Hisano has her escort her to the rear lines to help the wounded JSDF. We take a detour as we see Kiriha trolling Kojou with her bikini fanservice in the outdoor hotspring. She can tell his right hand is still numb due to Paper Noise sealing it. She is also here to say goodbye since Taishikyoku has recalled her for a mission to destroy magical beasts at Kannawa’s lake since Lion King has failed. I don’t know why he doesn’t want to let her go but it looked like he was going to rape her so you bet Yukina isn’t going to forgive this naked pervert and not giving him a chance to explain himself. Gajou and Shio stumble into Hisano. They thought she destroyed all the monster bugs but they were already like this when she got here. They are attacked by a wyvern rider. They realize he is the one who eradicated the monster bugs. Hisano and Gajou get seriously injured trying to fight him. Don’t worry, Vatler is here to save the day. He has his subordinates tackle the wyvern rider as Ibliss’ side comes into the picture. They deduce the wyvern rider is from the Holy Massacre faction and thus a Knight of the Sinful God. Since Vatler’s subordinates couldn’t finish the job, time for Ibliss to show his true might. However the wyvern rider makes a tactical retreat.
Yuiri learns retard girl’s name is Grenda. Their truck is being attacked by a golem controlled by that wyvern rider. Yuiri tries to protect her but is overwhelmed. Grenda cannot bear to see this and summons a magical beast to fight. The wyvern rider has been waiting for this moment and captures the beast. Luckily, guess who is here to save their skin? It’s Kojou and Yukina’s turn. Realizing Kojou as the Fourth Progenitor, the wyvern rider escapes. Ibliss seeks an explanation from Shio but her oath says she cannot tell him. So Gajou explains about this Avalon weapon of mass destruction thingy they were trying to seal but everything went wrong and hell broke loose. Ibliss believes what was lying underneath the lake isn’t a weapon but a divine instrument or treasured vessel powerful enough to be the Sinful God’s successor. Shio notes she saw a dragon protecting it albeit for a second. Asagi interjects a dragon should be easy to spot since there are lots of JSDF personnel around. Then Gajou realizes something fishy is going on. Azama and his team return and wants to take charge of Nagisa, since tending the wounded is their priority. However Shio draws her arrow at him. Kojou is glad Nagisa is safe, though he doesn’t care much about his dad. They are approached by Lieutenant Ueyanagi of the JSDF claiming they are under orders from Azama to escort them since they were just under attacked. They also want to take charge of Grenda. But not so fast, Kojou tells them. He smells something fishy too. If Yuiri only recently knew about Grenda’s name, how the heck do they even know her name? Shio explains something about the JSDF being too weak and ill prepared for mission. She calls out to Azama as a Knight of Sinful God.
Episode 8
Ueyanagi summons magic to transform into some beast. Azama warns Shio to drop her weapon for one last time. Shirona tells Shio to ignore that order as she has relieved Azama from his duty. She reveals one of Lion King’s objectives is to lure out the Holy Massacre faction inside JSDF. Azama escapes on a wyvern provided by Okiyama. Yeah, she’s part of it too. Ueyanagi loses since his magic tool is only a replica and inferior imitation. He thought Azama is here to help take him away but instead got killed to be put out of his misery. When Yuiri gets injured during the attack, Grenda goes berserk, transforms into a dragon and drags her friends away. Is this time to be concerned about the ambiguous lewd position they are in? When Yuiri wakes up, she is healed. They are resting in a mountain cabin for the time being. Kojou gets blamed of course since Yuiri is half naked despite it is Yukina the one who undressed her. They talk about their old times and the possibility that Yuiri could have been in Yukina’s place to protect Kojou. Yuiri observes the duo and they’re so fluid in sharing things that she blows her top they’re like a married couple?! WTF?! Even this prompts Grenda to ask Yuiri if she likes Kojou. That is put on hold when Azama is here to talk. He asks Kojou about his views on the current world. Due to some war, it has warped this world and its rules. Of course their goal isn’t to become God as humans can’t be one. But they sure can resurrect and control that God. Isn’t that like playing God itself? Grenda is supposed to be that vessel they want to use to bring down Itogami. This method will allow them to get rid of all demons and the likes and return the world to its normal state. This means Kojou will get to be a normal human again. It sounds tempting at first but seeing he sacrifices comrades and drag innocent bystanders into the mess, he isn’t going to give Grenda to this piece of sh*t. I guess the next option is for Kojou to die. Azama has Okiyama as back as her military craft turns into some dragon golem.
Azama continues explaining about the Node, a world where the banished the Sinful God, Cain. It is a place where demons and magic do not exist and hence Azama’s armour has links to it and in a way is able to nullify their magic and destroy demons like Kojou. Azama opens a portal to trap Kojou inside the Node. Grenda dives in and shocks everyone. Inside this void, Grenda comes to get Kojou. She will take him back and make everyone happy. You mean make his harem happy? So she goes through his memories of, uhm, naked girls?! I figure naked Yukina is the top of the list so she eggs him to bite her. He might be biting Yukina but that is actually Grenda. Because of that, he is able to jump out of the Node (something about absorbing Cain’s memories for that too). Now for some Kojou lecture. If Azama had the thought of fixing this world, why did he become a terrorist? It isn’t the world is warped. It is him! If he insists in taking Grenda, he’ll just have to stop him. Azama stabs himself to gain more magic power. Kojou vows not to let him die and make him repent so he summons his familiar to pummel him down. Same for Yukina to Okiyama (with some help from Lydianne and Ibliss’ power blast). Everything is over for now. But not for Kojou. Asagi heard he is the Fourth Progenitor and wants an explanation. What a better way to deflect that topic by commenting on her swimsuit. He may be labelled a pervert and abused but guess it’s better than grilling him about being that. And now the biggest b*tching of all, Yukina accusing him of sucking Grenda’s blood and turning her into part of his harem. On top of that, he might be seeing Yukina’s naked body but it was actually Grenda’s. Worse, she thinks her naked body doesn’t interest her at all. You can never win this sh*t!!! In the aftermath, Vatler and La Folia investigate the inferior magic tools left behind by the Knights. They observe the Knights had no interest in the Priestess of Cain because of 2 possibilities. One, they don’t know her. Two, there could be another Priestess of Cain. You bet your ass it’s going to be the latter.
Strike The Stud!
Phew! It ended! I don’t know if I could take it anymore because it was getting more and more confusing as more and more of the twists and revelations in the plots come to surface. Even if I am wrong and had this feeling the last episode feels rushed, it sets up for another arc that would bring everything one step closer to a big chaotic mess. Sorry Vatler, looks like things aren’t going to get fun for me.
So there are only 2 kinds of people who watch this show. One who is in for the complicated and convoluted plot over plot and ever increasing number of characters into the mix. Then there is the other category of ‘simpler’ people who are here just to watch the hijinks Kojou and his harem girls will have. No prizes to guess which one I belong to.
Just like in the first season, the thing that I didn’t really like most is how confusing and long winding the story and plot are. It might look simple of bad guys trying to do something bad and the good guys in the form of teens thwarting them and save the day (as well as whoever is the damsel in distress as added bonus). But I assure you it is more than that. It brings back horrific memories while watching To Aru Majutsu No Index. So for this season, I thought the plot was pretty decent and not hard to follow. At least for the first 2 arcs. And then when the final arc came, woah, it just felt like the storywriter dropped an atomic bomb of plots all over the place. Nagisa being kidnapped and the sealing of Avalon was just a façade for something even more complicating and perplexing. I couldn’t really follow it. By the time the middle episode of this final arc gets underway, I was already so lost. Yeah, it’s like almost everybody has got a hand in almost everything. Whatever. Don’t get me started on the terminologies used in the series…
Then there are the characters too. I feels like each arc introduces us to at least a new character. For every ‘important’ character, they have this sort of grand and fancy titles and nickname that sounded like they were made up a few seconds ago. And then they are like related to this and that with their purpose coming into the scene is because of this and that. It only furthers to baffle me even further as I am already struggling to comprehend what is going on. And now with a new character coming into the fray, oh boy, it’s going to be more taxing on my simpleton brain. And that itself doesn’t count a handful of old recurring characters. Like Vatler. I don’t think he is done with but in the final arc, he making his appearance and what’s this sh*t about him with knowing Ibliss and carrying out Warlord’s mission, I give up. I might have forgotten a lot of this dude but now my mind is totally blank. I tried reading my previous blog but at this point I am equally lost. So now Asagi is somebody big too? Oh dear. Somehow I am regretting my wish in my previous blog for other girls in Kojou’s harem to get more of the spotlight. La Folia had hers in the first season, that’s why she was so ‘missing’ here. At least she appeared in the final scene of the last episode. Unlike Yuuma who is completed missing. (Unless I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t notice her miniscule cameo).
So let me take some time off and cool my mind by just mentioning about how I noticed that in every arc, it seems that Kojou will be getting a new girl in his harem, officially or unofficially. You think having a stalker who keeps giving excuses it is her job to observe him (as well as the catchphrase of the series: Kojou: “It’s my fight!”; Yukina: “No senpai, it’s our fight!”), a tsundere, a childhood friend-cum-hacker, a little sister, her best friend and a friendly princess would be enough. That is not counting the loli teacher and other very minor characters having seen some potential to be part of his harem. And now with this second season, you have a loli succubus officially into the mix, a confrontational teaser and possibly some hot chicks in JSDF. Heck, he has even got some very important key vessel to a God officially part of his harem too. The last bit probably would go to Gajou since Shio and Yuiri are warming up to him. Yeah, like father like son. But looks like Yuiri may be ‘defecting’ to Kojou so it’ll be one big happy harem family by the time the next arc rolls about. So folks, hold on to your girl tight. Otherwise they would cross over to them.
They don’t spam the fanservice in your face every 5 seconds but there are sparingly throughout the series enough to make those waiting for such scenes to pop up to ‘wake up’ till the next fanservice scene happens. So keep a lookout for those panty flashing scenes. Oh, because this sequel is OVA, there are a handful of bare tits. Kojou you lucky bastard!!! The girls always blame him for being a pervert when I believe they are the ones who are the real perverts because if they can come to a conclusion of whatever false perversion he has in his mind, doesn’t this make them the ones with a dirty mind? Yeah, the guy always takes the fall when it comes to such naughty things. But still, having a harem beating you up for it is much better than without a harem at all. Kojou you damn lucky bastard!!!
But the thing about Kojou as the main character, not only is he dense about him being the centre of attraction among the girls (Kojou you f*cking damn lucky bastard!!!) but also has the cliché main character trait. For example when he wants to leave Itogami and Natsuki didn’t allow him, somebody has got to give way, right? The way it ended shows that as long as you don’t agree with someone, all you need to do is be stubborn, fight and beat the hell out of your opponent till he/she agrees. That is an ingredient of being a main character! No wonder the girls love him. And what is a great guy without his girls? Every great man there is a great woman behind him. In Kojou’s case, many of them. So if he is down for the count, you can bet his girls will offer themselves freely to take their blood. F*ck! Must they take off their entire clothes just for him to bite the shoulder? I mean, can he just bite on their arm? Maybe he needs to stimulate some blood to that part ‘down there’ too.
At this point, I am also starting to realize a major pattern in the fight sequences. When somebody is getting owned, somebody else, usually our heroes will turn up to save the day. Therefore our victims can never lose because our heroes always turn up in the nick of time to unleash their special attacks and fend off the enemy. So the action bits aren’t a masterpiece but an excuse to show whatever skills our characters have. Spouting fancy words and chants, they get to pull off equally fancy and flashy moves with lots of effects. Yeah, it’s like the one with the better effects wins. Usually. I don’t see any difference anyway. Maybe I don’t know how to appreciate. I’m just here for the harem.
The opening and ending themes are rock based, befitting the pace of the series. Not bad but not my cup of tea either. Blood On The Edge by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets is the opener while Fortune Number 0405 by Risa Taneda as the ending theme. With the new season, a host of new casts joining the line-up that includes Yukiyo Fujii as Kiriha (Latifa in Amagi Brilliant Park), Nao Touyama as Yume (Chitoge in Nisekoi), Sayaka Senbongi as Yuiri (AnchoR in Clockwork Planet), Kaede Hondo as Shio (Kon in Urara Meirochou), Mutsumi Tamura as Ibliss (Sonya in Kill Me Baby), Yasuyuki Kase as Gajou (Kankurou in Naruto), Kazue Nomiya as Hisano (Ran in Urusei Yatsura), Satomi Sato as Shirona (Wendy in Fairy Tail), Misaki Watada as Grenda (Michiru in Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi No Togi) and (Sho Hayami as Azama (Aizen in Bleach).
Overall, the second season can be viewed as a double edged sword. Because of all its complex jargons, plot and characters, the series is great. However it is bogged down by the cheap fanservice and harem factor that it is bundled with. It is true vice versa for simpletons like me. A great series because of the fanservice and harem but damn those jargons, confusing plots and characters bogged it all down. So I’m wishing for more cheesy fanservice and harem if they ever make more sequels out of it even if it dilutes the value and reputation of the series. Because it is my right! No senpai, it is our right! Otakus for fanservice and harem unite!
Gunslinger Girl
22 October, 2017
I wonder if it is considered child abuse sending little girls to do dirty jobs like murder and assassination. Wait. What’s that I said?! You heard that right. A certain government in Europe had this twisted idea to use little girls (albeit with cybernetic enhancements) to do their dirty work to eliminate people they don’t like or deemed as a threat. What kind of a sick story or joke is this? However despite this grim setting of Gunslinger Girl (no, it’s not some western spaghetti), the series does not focus so much on the assassinations they are required to do but rather their tragic story of how they cope with their emotions as they seek warmth and love just like any ordinary little girls amidst carrying out their ruthless missions from their higher ups as child assassins.
Episode 1
The Fratello, agents (Handlers) and their partners are trying to storm into a certain building to apprehend a key witness. One of them being Jose and Henrietta. They pose as a reporter trying to interview a certain person but the guy behind the door refuses them. Jose remains adamant so that guy goes out to get rough with him. Then it triggered Henrietta. She kills him! When his other comrades start to return fire, she takes out her machine gun and guns them all down with no emotions and no mercy! Flashback shows Jose was to be assigned to a young assassin girl. He asked why the agency used young girls. Something about physical modifications and brainwashing work better. So when Henrietta woke up from her slumber, she became his partner. She never rested and continued training to improve herself since he told her to become proficient quickly. After gunning everyone down and the remaining ones taken out by sniper fire, Jose calls mission control to say that mission has failed. Believing the witness is still in the building, another team is tasked to find the witness in which they eventually found hiding. Jose asks why Henrietta went berserk. It never happened before. She stood there visibly shaken. Her arm is wounded. He covers her with his coat and they go home. Later Jose talks to his higher ups. Jose doesn’t want to condition her too much since it will shorten her lifespan. Jose can get a new one once she is used up but he doesn’t want to. They think he is too emotionally attached to her. As Henrietta is an excellent assassin, it is a waste to dispose of her. They hope he can make her understand big mistakes are inexcusable. Jose remembers Henrietta was the only survivor as her family was massacred. The first time he saw her at the hospital, her mind and body were ragged. It could be out of pity that he felt he wanted to help her. After a while, looks like Henrietta finally answered Jose on why she went berserk. She just wanted to help him.
Episode 2
Jose narrates the Social Welfare Agency is a government sponsored lifesaving corporation. In actual fact it gives dying patients another chance at life with cybernetic implants and conditions them to handle their dirty work. Henrietta undergoes surgery but is warned being dependent on this would suffer from memory dysfunction. The doctor advises Jose to condition her more because trying to treat a cyborg girl like a normal girl would only result in unhappiness. Jose also tried to teach Henrietta social etiquette. But when a waiter was clearing the table, the way he picked up the utensils looked dangerous so Henrietta immediately pins him down and would have killed him had not Jose stopped her. Henrietta wakes up from a ‘bad dream’ whereby Jose in addition to teaching how to do long range sniping, lets her look up at the beautiful sky and Venus. After the surgery is done, Henrietta feels lost so she seeks advice from her comrades, Triela and Claes. They treat her to cake and tea and tell her not to worry about it. That night, Henrietta is surprised that Jose takes her to see stargazing. He isn’t mad at her. He lets her see Orion and tells of the tragic love story of Orion and Artemis.
Episode 3
Henrietta was always sick and thus never left hospital. Her parents were always arguing about this. So when she was fitted with cybernetic implants 2 years ago, she finally got to move freely. She loves her life at the agency and also plays the violin as Jose introduced her to it. She has Rico as her roommate. The girls are in their usual training when a call comes in. All training will be stopped for this next mission. The target is Mascart, a politician from the opposition party and his secretary. The assassination will take place in 1 week. Before each session, Mascart and is secretary will hole up in this hotel to scour over documents. The agency has booked the entire floor so they can carry out their mission smoothly. Rico is tasked to survey the place. As she tries to enter from the back, she meets this porter boy, Emilio. Love at first sight? Because this boy can’t stop talking and she actually listens to him! She had to cut short this meeting when her Handler, Jean calls for her. He notes her running late. Did she bump into anyone? She lies no. He reminds her to kill anybody who sees her during a job. Later Rico tells this to Henrietta. Because Emilio thought she was a musician, she hopes Henrietta could teach her how to play the violin. An amateur teaching a newbie how to play… As the mission begins, Rico enters the room as room service and immediately kills both men. When she leaves the room, she unexpectedly bumps into Emilio. He is shocked and confused to see her here in their hotel’s uniform. Rico is lost for words. How will she get out of this? Well, there is only one way. The same gun she used on the politicians will now be used on him. Sorry. Bye. In the aftermath, Rico narrates she wakes up every morning wonder if her body is still here. If it does, it is wonder to know her body still works. She loves her life at the agency.
Episode 4
Triela nudges Henrietta to summon her courage to ask Jose to spend time with her for Christmas. Triela apprehends a baddie as her Handler, Hilshire wants to ask him questions. Because he pulls out a gun, she shoots him. This doesn’t please Hilshire as he tells her not to shoot without his permission. She dares him to condition her more. Of course he doesn’t wish for that so he asks Jose for advice on how to get along with her. On a mission to Naples, the duo are supposed to search for a retired Mafia boss, Mario. He has been running around Europe but rumours have it he is back here. Their job is to bring him back to the agency for protection as he is a valuable witness to testify against the mafia organization, thus why the mafia are trying to hunt him down too. Hilshire and Mario were also ‘associates’ and know each other. They manage to get him and though Mario agrees to go with them, he needs to do something here now. As he is cuffed to Triela, she has to accompany him to toilet. He tells his story that he once trafficked kids in Amsterdam and that was when he met Hilshire working as Europol’s investigator. He let him escape for insider info. Hilshire was fired when found out and subsequently joined the agency. Slick Mario gives Triela the slip, chaining his end of the handcuff to the stall while escaping himself. Mario thought he has lost her when the mafia aides surround him to bring him to their boss. But Mario is confident as he knows someone dangerous will show up. True enough Triela comes rushing down and raining bullets on them. In the aftermath when she asks why he came to Naples, he wants to see his daughter. After the trafficking, he considered quitting and reflected on all the bad things he had done. He sent her Christmas presents every year but this year he vowed to give it to her in person. Triela lets him go and will report to Hilshire as she lost him. When Mario asks about her parents, she doesn’t remember except that she was found in the Amsterdam trafficking. Hilshire heard all that so Triela is surprised when he is nice to her when he asks what she wants for Christmas. He got her a teddy bear as per requested. Strangely, Mario also sent her a teddy bear present.
Episode 5
Jean sees his former military police captain, Claudio Raballo to bring him out of retirement to the agency. He is given Claes to handle. As he trains her, he finds she isn’t a sharpshooter and has her shoot until she hits every target. So when she hasn’t returned in a day, Jean tells him about how each girl is different and how it takes time for implants to grow accustomed to implants. Raballo realizes Claes has been shooting since yesterday! He goes to get her. Back in his room, they talk about the books they love to read. Currently Raballo is reading on how to plant vegetables. In case of aliens invasion. Seriously? Then he takes her out fishing. She learns his limp is due from a gunshot during his days as a police. In the agency, they look like proper teacher-student. But outside, he takes her fishing and they bond closer. It’s their unspoken rule. One night on a mission, Claes is to handle a few subway punks. Unfortunately she killed them (though, permitted) but she herself got stabbed (pulled her gun too slow). During training, Raballo notices Henrietta inconsistent. When a bullet is stuck in her gun, he slaps it away from her. Because he scolds Jose, Henrietta gets ready to attack him. Similarly, Claes goes to defend him. All calms down when Jose tells Henrietta to stop. Once Jean learns about this, he thought the girls need to have several pages rewritten. A few days later, Claes heard Raballo is quitting the agency. He claims he just needs some time for himself. Though he has been training her to become stronger, he feels uneasy with it. He gives her his key to his room to read all the books she wants as well as glasses so that she will be gentle when she puts them on. Shortly, Jean comes in to tell Claes that Raballo is dead in a hit and run accident. She goes into shock. The higher ups deem her useless but the scientists have some use for her. Claes tells us she doesn’t leave the agency grounds nor participate in missions. Instead she is a guinea pig for whatever experiments the scientists have in mind. As she takes Henrietta to grow vegetables, the latter asks if she is lonely without a partner. She’ll die if Jose is not around. Claes with confidence tells her back that she will decide if she is lonely or not.
Episode 6
Jose talks to Enzo about the recent bomb disarmament in a subway and one near the national museum. Enzo feels odd because it was too easy. Like as though they are amateurs or a distraction for something else. Then they go spy on Enrico Perdini, an ultra-left terrorist in the Republican Faction (RF) responsible for last year’s bombing incidents. Henrietta eavesdrop on their talk. Something political. Something about funding. So there is an entire team tailing Enrico in hopes of catching him in the act of meeting up with the bomb makers. Enrico might have given Enzo’s men the slip but he didn’t realize men from the agency still tailing him. They are unsure of his intentions because he is walking around Rome like as though he is going sight-seeing. When Enrico returns to his hideout, he calls the bomb makers, Franca and Franco. They are not pleased their meeting is in Rome where it is the jurisdiction of the agency. He wanted to scout the place and believing their hands are full now focusing on the museum, he wants the bombs delivered at the appointed time tonight. Franca and Franco don’t really like to deal types like Enrico since he is a lost cause but since it is an order from the higher ups, they have to do it. They wonder if they should send him fake bombs. When Enrico’s men stake out for the appointed meeting, they notice something strange about the traffic. No cars are passing. A distance away there has been an accident. Could it be a cover up for a raid? Enrico has his men outside investigate but they are taken out by Henrietta and Triela. Then they storm into the place to take out the other men. Henrietta poses as a lost scared girl to get close to them and take them out. Enrico is finally cornered and gives up. In the aftermath as Jose treats Henrietta to gelato, they accidentally pass by Franca and Franco. They are relieved Enrico got arrested. Thinking that Henrietta belongs to a well to do family, it is girls like them that RF is supposed to protect.
Episode 7
Jean and Rico posing as a salesman and his sister on a business trip, meet Filippo Adani who is an accountant and also on vacation here in Firenze. Filippo seems knowledgeable in the arts and even accompanies them to an art museum. Jean notices a couple of men spying on Filippo and also making shady terrorism orders. On pretence to go make a phone call, Jean interrogates one of them in the toilet. It seems they are from RF and are following Filippo to eliminate him and recover Bigliazzi’s private ledger. When they leave the art museum, somewhere in the alley they are surrounded by those men. They threaten to kill innocent people if Filippo doesn’t hand over the ledger. Filippo is about to do it to spare Rico’s life but that isn’t necessary. Jean and Rico go into action and shoot them dead. They start running when more men come chasing. While they hide, Filippo explains why he is wanted. The ledger exposes Bigliazzi’s funding to RF. Also, he heard about their terrorist plot that they didn’t want it leaked. Filippo loved arts but his father wanted him to become an accountant like he wanted. So he gave up his dream of being one. But being an accountant he discovered his father dodged tax for 20 years and funding terrorist groups. He couldn’t take it anymore and ran away. Knowing Bigliazzi was in cahoots with the police, if he was going to be assassinated, he wanted to see Firenze one last time. They continue to make a run but Filippo gets shot in the hand. They manage to make it to Jose and Henrietta waiting for them. A car chase ensues. So as not to involve the tourists, they had to drive to somewhere deserted before the girls could return fire and stop the chase. Filippo thinks he is done for and is glad he visited those cities one last time. He is tired of living. Rico thinks it would be a waste if he dies. It would be better if he drew paintings in this world and besides, Firenze is such a beautiful place.
Episode 8
Dr Fernando Bianchi examines Henrietta. Despite saying she is okay, he wants her to control her emotions. Next he examines Angelica. First he lets her see pictures and see how many she recognizes. When asked about the pasta story, she doesn’t remember. Bianchi then talks to Jose and Marco Toni (Angelica’s Handler). He wants Jose to have more faith in Henrietta while Marco to renew his former interest in Angelica. However Marco is frustrated. He worked hard to teach Angelica a lot of stuffs but those conditioning doctors made her forget everything. Marco continues to treat Angelica indifferent and tells her to do more training. Flashback reveals Angelica was almost killed by her parents. Her father’s factory had gone bankrupt and prior to that he took out a life policy on his daughter. The worst, right? At that time, Marco was hired into the agency upon Bianchi’s recommendation after getting fired for his failing eyesight. He is introduced to Angelica whom the doctors just saved from death. As he accompanies her, he starts telling her the pasta story to divert her attention away from the pain. Didn’t work. But she would like to hear more of it. As Marco’s unit rarely sees any action, they spend more time trying to come up with that pasta story! Marco also had a girlfriend who is a children’s storybook writer, Patricia. Because of the secrecy of his job, he can’t tell her much except to care for a child and telling her stories. One day, his unit members got into a fight. Angelica tried to stop them and got slightly injured. At the same time, cybernetics were introduced and Marco’s unit was sent into action. After the successful mission, the unit members apologize to Angelica but she doesn’t remember them. Marco became devastated. Patricia broke up with him although she heard from Bianchi about the pasta story and turned it into a book. Now Marco doesn’t tell Angelica the story anymore. He doesn’t want to think his actions were in vain but she no longer remembers the story.
Episode 9
Once Lauro gives the okay sign, Elsa barges into the room and guns down everyone Rambo style! Wow. She also takes pictures of evidence as ordered. As Elsa is also one of those cyborg girls at the agency, she rarely mixes with the rest and always stays in her room by herself. She only sticks closely to Lauro. Lauro talks to Jose that they are working together for the next mission. It is to take out a local police chief. Lauro killed an officer of his as warning but he remained stubborn to back down and even threatened to reveal the agency’s existence. Thus the agency has approved his assassination. Henrietta goes to Elsa’s room to talk to her. However Elsa has nothing to say to her and warns if she gets in Lauro’s way, she’ll kill her. Asked why she is being a lone wolf, Elsa asks back if other cyborgs are your own partner is more important. As Lauro is most important to her, nothing else matters. She will use all his time for him. She claims the rest do not have love. Henrietta protests because she loves Jose too. In that case there is nothing more to talk. As they set up their sniping position, Lauro could see Elsa quite eager. They have one shot to pull this assassination. Elsa watches in envy how close Henrietta is to Jose. As the target pulls up, Lauro notices Elsa not focusing. Heck, her gun safety is still on. This forces Lauro to order Jose to switch with her. The target is perfectly taken out with Jose hitting the first time followed by Henrietta just to make sure. Time to escape. But Elsa only stood there in shock. Lauro calls her useless and leaves her there.
Episode 10
Henrietta is surprised Jose is taking her on a trip to Sicily. Did something happen? Elsa and Lauro were found murdered in the park. The murderers have not been found yet. Henrietta looks at it in a positive light since Elsa will now forever be with Lauro. Jean and Rico spearhead the investigation. He believes the culprits could be from RF, the southern mafia or another government agency. Pietro Fermi from Section 1 (another section of the agency) is told by his boss that this is the best time to put some pressure on Section 2 (Handlers and their cyborg girls) because he ultimately wants this section closed. So he and his assistant, Eleanora Gabrielli do their own investigation and mostly they ask Jean lots of questions regarding the agency and the Fratello. Fermi tries to test what Jean said is true about the cyborg girls so he throws a coin at him. Rico swiftly grabs it and points her gun at him all within a blink of an eye. Further investigations showed that Elsa fired 2 shots but the bullets are missing. Fermi and Gabrielli visit Elsa’s room which is drab and empty. Then they go talk with Triela. So far the cyborg girls aren’t really sad over Elsa’s death because she was a loner and how close she was to Lauro. Jean receives the results from the bullets that killed Elsa and Lauro. It hints that this is going to be troublesome. Jean suggests hiding the ballistics info and blame it on malfunction. That way the pressure on them would stop if they admit it is their own mistake. They will report it is Elsa fought and died for her master. Further investigations show the blood sample of the murderers found at the park belonged to suspects from RF. Fermi asks Rico if she would gladly die for her master. Jean interjects that it is only natural they do so. Thus Rico replies if he says so, then so be it.
Episode 11
Fermi and Gabrielli head to Sicily to visit Jose and Henrietta on holiday. They know where they are because Triela told them and also to learn better about the Handler and cyborg girls’ relationship. Jose has Henrietta cook dinner but since he hints it won’t taste tasty, Gabrielli supervises her. They have to buy ingredients so they go out shopping. Along the way, a snatch thief snatches Henrietta’s bag. She chases after him and when she catches up, grabs him by the neck. Gabrielli uses her police authority to stop what is happening. She lets the thief go if he returns the handbag otherwise she can arrest him as he reeks of marijuana. The handbag is important to Henrietta as Jose bought a camera for her. Meanwhile the guys talk things out. Jose explains about the conditioning of the girls and how Handlers are free to condition however they want as long as they get the job done. Though he doesn’t condition Henrietta much nor forces her to love him. Either way, Fermi finds it disgusting to have a partnership like that because even if it doesn’t look like much doesn’t make it acceptable. Jose agrees. Fermi is also suspicious that everything sounds too convenient. When Elsa and Lauro were found murdered, suddenly they knew who did it. As Jose explains about the cyborgs’ enhanced abilities, Fermi didn’t like how he was trying to paint the girls protected their master. It may be the truth but it isn’t right. In the end, these girls are just normal teens. Is Jose saying he would be okay if Henrietta dies for him? When Gabrielli tries to tell how Henrietta should act like a girl, she starts crying. Jose was trying to do the same to her. She knows she is strong enough to kill people. As a cyborg, she cannot be useful to Jose as a normal girl. She knows how Elsa died and has the rest gathered. First she asks if Elsa loved Lauro. Definitely. Did Lauro love her back? Not really. He was too busy focusing on work. Imagine having an unrequited love. It was too much to bear for Elsa after realizing he would never feel the same way. She shot him in the back before turning the gun on herself. Henrietta even demonstrates this! Jose and Fermi rush to grab her gun. Phew. What a scare. She assures she will never do this because he is so nice to her. Later Fermi says he won’t tell this to his boss because by now Section 2 must have destroyed all evidence. Flashback shows Elsa did that because Lauro didn’t remember named her here at this park. He didn’t really care about it.
Episode 12
Angelica sprains her ankle during training. The higher ups don’t really like since after Elsa’s incident and now this. Since they have been producing results, they are allowed to continue for now but can’t keep covering for Section 2 forever. Jean briefs the team of their next mission. RF plans to abduct Caterina Sanctis, the daughter of a powerful senator. It is suggested to use one of the cyborg girls as decoy in her place. This will lead them to their hideout and they will wipe them all out. It is risky but they need results. It is suggested Claes will be the decoy. The plan goes well as Claes is abducted and the terrorists have not figured out who she is as a ransom note to the senator is made shortly. Claes is calm and reading her book while being watched over. Franca talks to her and because of her mature answer, Franca hopes she can teach these idiots a lesson. One, she believes these blokes are planning not to let Claes leave because they are letting her see all their faces. The agency has tracked Claes being held in the mountains. They make their haste and preparations stealthily and give the terrorists the element of surprise by gunning all of them down! Claes isn’t going to be a damsel in distress. She overwhelms her watcher and then takes out the electricity. Angelica defied orders and runs to rescue Claes. At this point she isn’t in her room. A terrorist catches her. Although luckily Claes returned and killed the terrorist, the stray bullet injured Angelica. As she is stretchered away, Marco scolds her for being reckless. Angelica recovers and the girls wish her well. But she doesn’t look happy. Suddenly out of character she bursts that they’re all going to die without knowing the truth. If Marco is going to treat her coldly, she might as well die now. Claes slaps her. If she wants to die, then go ahead. She shouldn’t have saved her then.
Episode 13
What Angelica said still bothers Henrietta. Marco apparently overheard that so now he is on a personal mission to find Angelica’s old dog? On Jose’s advice, Henrietta pays Angelica another visit. It seems Angelica is reminiscing about Pedro, her old dog. Angelica might be losing her memories because shortly she says she didn’t realize Henrietta was here. And subsequently when Claes visits to apologize, Angelica doesn’t recognize who visited before her. Henrietta confronts Marco that Angelica is talking about Pedro. Can we help find it? Marco says don’t bother. He doesn’t know where her old dog is. Henrietta hopes Marco could go see Angelica even if he can’t do anything for her now. Just be with her. He then asks if she is afraid of dying. No. Not afraid fighting and dying for Jose. Does she resent being given a mechanical body, a gun and a short lifespan? If he pities them for that, he is mistaken. This may be conditioning but she is fine with it. Even so, she is still fine with it and believes Angelica feels the same way. While the girls go watch the meteor shower that night, Marco pays Angelica a visit. She is happy to see him. She wants him to read that pasta story and amidst Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Angelica closes her eyes and sleeps… Forever? :’(.
Il Teatrino
Episode 1
A demonstration in Rome turns ugly and violent. Section 2 is monitoring the situation and predicts the Republicans may use this as an opportunity. The Fratello are sent in to observe. An explosion occurs near Jose and Henrietta. He is just slightly injured but no biggie. They notice one of the police officers backing out and running away into a van. They give chase by borrowing Priscilla’s Vespa. Too bad she won’t get it back in one piece… The van is guided into a small alley whereby the Fratello ambush them. Some are killed on the spot while some are injured and taken into custody. Back in the agency, Henrietta visits Jose’s room but he isn’t in. Creepily she starts hugging and smelling his shirt while lying on his bed. Then she sits in his chair. What is she? Goldilocks? Then she opens a present he supposedly bought for her from France on his table. It is a golden kaleidoscope but underneath it states it is for the person he loves the most, Louise Antoinette Rolle. Must be his girlfriend. Don’t feel too good now, eh? Henrietta tells Triela and Claes about it. Claes explains that person must be dead over a century ago. That name belongs to a French writer’s lover in which he based one of his stories on her. The name of that character was Henrietta. Thus the present is for her. Relieved Henrietta goes back to Jose’s room to apologise but he isn’t mad about somebody leaving a mess in his room and takes her to see the stars. Later it is revealed Claes lied about this story. She made it up because the kaleidoscope wasn’t invented then. That present is most probably fake too.
Episode 2
When Pinocchio was a young boy, he was tasked in assassinating someone. After a bit of a struggle he kills him but his daughter witnessed it. Hesitating initially, Pinocchio eventually kills her. Now all grown up, he continues his assassination ways. He meets up with his uncle, Cristiano who wants to send him to Montalcino to work with a few people in a new big mission. Later Cristiano talks to a few other guys to plan halting the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge. Cristiano is drawing up plans to bomb it and will have Franca and Franco part of it. Franca and Franco meet up with Pinocchio. Franco knows his specialty is knives but still doesn’t trust him. He wants to test him as he pulls out a gun. Pinocchio is confident he can still take him down at this distance and use Franco’s old leg wound to his advantage. Still want to test him out? Pinocchio goes out shopping to make dinner. Aurora is a girl who is always following him and wants to help him out with whatever chores. This time Pinocchio tells her to stop following her around because she is annoying. Nothing good will come if she hangs around him because he is a naughty kid like Pinocchio. Franca tells Pinocchio about the job of blowing the bridge. As it is still under construction, there are only the pillar bases. If an amateur tries to blow it up, it wouldn’t take down a structure this size. Also, leaving jobs to other people will often get unnecessary people involved. Apparently Franca doesn’t consider herself like other terrorists. She only approves of necessary murder otherwise she is just an outlaw. Pinocchio feels sorry that her gentle ways in choosing who to kill will only be a hindrance. Just as Cristiano is everything to Pinocchio because he raised him, Franca is someone who gave Franco a goal. Good news we see Angelica alive and well recovering. But she still feels awkward with Marco. They will be heading to Milan for an operation soon.
Episode 3
Hilshire and Triela are tasked to head to Montalcino to look for a missing public safety member, Cohen who was on a mission looking for Pinocchio. They bribe the receptionist to book the same room Cohen stayed. They look around for clues as Triela spots a Pinocchio storybook in his suitcase and reads it. Aurora is outside Pinocchio’s place but nobody is in. Triela talks to her and learns indeed Pinocchio is renting this place. She drops a microphone in her basket. Triela returns to Hilshire and continue their stakeout across the place. Aurora lets herself into Pinocchio’s place. Nobody is in. She sees and picks up a gun on the table. Franca thinks she is one of those government’s assassins and tells her to drop it. She becomes scared as Franco disarms her. Aurora pleads to Pinocchio for help but he ties her up. Hilshire wants Triela to get ready and break in instead of waiting for back up and despite not knowing how many enemies are inside. Pinocchio is going to kill Aurora since she knows their identity. Franca disallows it. When Triela comes busting in, the guys split up to give her multiple targets. Eventually she and Pinocchio had a fist fight. He is faster than her and knocks her out! Pinocchio wanted to shoot Triela with her own gun but his past trauma prevented him so. Hilshire confronts Franca but she too gives him the slip. The trio ultimately slip away in their Alfa Romeo. Pinocchio realizes he dropped his pendant from Cristiano during the scuffle. Triela is awakened by Hilshire. Though he views everything as fine (Aurora is safe and they got away with minimal injuries – but Cohen’s body was found in the wine cellar), Triela is not happy that as a cyborg lost barehanded! She lost her cool. Hilshire sees the pendant and picks it up. Franca tells Pinocchio to forget about the pendant. No matter how memorable an item is, it can never replace the real thing. What is important is in the heart.
Episode 4
Bruno might look like a good husband and father but his job is disposing bodies of those killed under Cristiano’s orders. Since Marco and Angela will be on Pinocchio’s case, he drops by his old police department to meet an old friend to get some info. His hands are tied but he’ll try. Since Priscilla and Olga are here to watch over them, Marco might as well has them help him out. Marco wants Angelica to give her gun case to Priscilla and doesn’t want her to go into action. Because Marco is busting some punks’ ass in the alley for more information. Bruno sees Cristiano as they discuss about the government who has been illegally arresting them and then trying to pass a law to make their actions legal. At this rate, Italy will turn into a warzone. Cristiano hopes Bruno can meet with Pinocchio after his vacation. Marco continues his busting, this time taking down a few guys in a hideout. Angelica is acting strange. She grabs Priscilla’s wrist to the point she crushes it! It took Marco to snap her out of it. He realizes she needs her medicine. After he feeds her, he can’t understand why she is acting so as she has been taking the prescribed medication as instructed by the doctor. Priscilla hopes Marco won’t tell this to Jean because she thinks he’ll put Angelica back in hospital again. Later Olga tells Marco about Angelica’s strange behaviour. She believes he didn’t show her enough love. This is her first time in a while she is on a job so please show some consideration. The agency go into action to corner and take out Bruno. Luckily his car is bulletproof. For some dumb or desperate reason, his assistant winds down the window to fire back and gets shot. Could have stayed safe inside. Bruno crashes the car. The airbag saves him but he is unconscious. Rico is supposed to kill him but is interrupted by Angelica who happily tells her how Marco praised her for doing her best. Huh? The jobs not over, right?
Episode 5
Flashback shows after Marco got injured, he was discharged from the police force. His then girlfriend Patricia was very concerned although he seems optimistic about his new posting at the agency. She would have preferred the gentle him when he was on the force but he wanted to see how far he can go. Now, if it seems awkward that a dumb assassin tries to go up close and assassinate a politician and then got taken down himself, it is all just a plot set up to rile up and flush our those terrorist with some fake news. One month after the Milan incident, Angelica is still clumsy undergoing training. Marco still isn’t as kind as before since he believes the Angelica he knew was gone forever. Triela continues to fret about her loss to Pinocchio. Hilshire buys her a new gun till she can get her old one back. Patricia meets up with a reporter, Leonardo Conti. He tells her about the agency is actually an intelligence agency run by the government and that Marco is part of it. Patricia knows that. Not because Marco told her as she can tell since he always had to work hard every day for special operations. Thus it was probably that broke them up. Though, Patricia blames herself for hurting him. However Patricia doesn’t know the agency is using child assassins. Leonardo suggests teaming up to uncover the truth. They go round interviewing various people but it feels like their answers are all premeditated and the same. Leonardo is seen making a call to some guy about some kidnapping stint to draw a certain party’s attention. Leonardo and Patricia bust into supposedly a hideout of the agency. The place is empty. Leonardo is ambushed by Marco who is shocked to realize Leonardo knows a lot about him. Even more shock when he sees Patricia with him (so is she). He tells her to get away from him as he is part of the terrorist group. Leonardo then takes Patricia hostage and says he was just using her. Leonardo mocks Marco for conspiring with the government to commit crimes to the point of dumping his girlfriend. At a deadlock, Angelica busts in to take him down. Patricia wants answers but all Marco can tell her is to stay out of this. It’s not like he ended up this way because he wanted to.
Episode 6
Franca, Franco and Pinocchio take refuge at Franca’s winery currently being looked after by an old couple. Franca calls Cristiano to update about their situation. He tells her they are going to go ahead with the kidnapping job of Isabella D’Angelo who is the chairwoman for the Messina bridge project. He wants her to contact Nino Feretti since they know each other. Henrietta puts up a violin play for Isabella. She is amazed despite being a cyborg, she is still human-like. However she cannot accept that she is used to do the government’s dirty work. She is explained that the cybernetics technology used on her will help save many lives in the future and perhaps find a way to cure Isabella who is paralyzed from waist down. Rico was a bit rough on the kaleidoscope and a part breaks. This makes Henrietta mad. Jose takes it to repair in hopes the girls will reconcile. The repairman is no other than Nino. He assures he can fix it in 3 days. Jose tells Isabella that her life is being targeted. He sounds harsh telling her to turn her eyes away if she doesn’t want to see dirty things (the girls were preparing their guns before her). Isabella thought Jose is a scary person since he lost a loved one. Henrietta disagrees and calls him the kindest person ever because he sent her kaleidoscope to be fixed. Asking if Isabella hates terrorists. She once did a long time ago. Now she has lost her conviction. She thought of following her late husband’s will to complete the bridge but now isn’t sure if it is worth the blood it has shed. Jose and Rico apprehend Isabella’s bodyguard who is a sleeper terrorist. They will use him in a sting operation.
Nino is met by Franca. She wants his help to make bombs for the bridge despite hearing rumours he has quit. However he isn’t interested. Not even avenging his brother. Franca gives her contacts in case he changes his mind. When Nino and Leone are scouting Isabella’s movements, Nino recognizes Henrietta coming out. After receiving word that some of their men got arrested, Nino knows the risks are too high and wants them to pull out of this operation. Some of their men are disgruntled. Leone explains he knew Nino from university days. Along with his brother they used to make bombs and blow up anything but one day his brother got killed by the police and Nino became a coward ever since. They decide to go ahead with the operation without him. They thought they could kidnap an old paralyzed woman but Henrietta and the agency gun them all down! Franca meets Nino at the train station. He is leaving. She doesn’t like it but he believes she’ll understand one day. He asks her what she is fighting against. When will she be satisfied? Even if she has avenged her father, who must she kill until she has reached her goal? Better to consider this now while she has the time before she turns into an old dog like him who has lost the ability to run. Henrietta is happy the kaleidoscope is fixed but is told Nino has already quit.
Episode 7
Flashback shows Franca (whose real name is Caterina) was in the same university as Patricia but she decided to drop out to sue to country to free her father. She was also the one who hooked up Patricia with Marco. Her father was wrongfully imprisoned for crimes he did not commit and he died in prison. Instead of searching for the truth, she decided to go for revenge. She then went to find Franco (as told by her uncle Angelo Marinov) to learn making bombs but Franco was in depression since his grandpa who taught him how to make bombs just passed away. She was adamant to be his disciple despite he told her to be a nun if she wanted to change the world (and she slapped him). Franco then introduced Franca to Nino and his brother. It is then he gave her this Franca nickname. In present time, Franca is spotted by some agents. They recognize her as a wanted terrorist. So they stage a car breakdown and pregnant woman going in labour act to get her to stop. She is sharp enough to fight back but is overwhelmed. She is taken to their hideout where one of them beats the crap out of her. It is his revenge because one of her bombs gravely injured his pregnant wife who still has shrapnel inside her tummy and lost a few body parts. She tells him everyone carries their own grudge. Don’t think he is special because of his own issues. More beat down. Franco realizes the tracker on Franca has stopped for a while. Time to go save her. So they barge into the hideout with Pinocchio slicing his enemies and Franco giving ‘special treatment’ to Franca’s basher by pumping lots of lead into his body. Subsequently the authorities have to clean up this mess. A bomb trap was placed underneath one of the bodies. Had not Henrietta reacted swiftly, a lot would have died. Though, some agents and Triela got injured. Pinocchio is glad Cristiano is here but soon becomes sad since he wants to see Franca. Even more frowning when Cristiano learns he hesitated to kill on a recent job. That means an assassin is already at the end of his job. However Cristiano puts back some smiles when he commends him for saving Franca.
Episode 8
Because Claes don’t get much screen time, this episode is dedicated to see her daily life. She wakes up crying after dreaming about her times with Raballo. She has been reading books about minerals so she is somewhat quite interested with some meteorite stone. Not sure if the girls have to buy their own food because at the cafeteria, Beatrice is looking hungry. Claes could offer her food but she’ll make her work for it. And that’s helping with her garden. Then she goes for her usual lab experiment. Because she has also read about Scarborough Fair, she ponders its lyrics’ meaning. Be prepared to be spammed hearing this song throughout this episode. Not a bad thing, though. Heck, Claes even plays this on the piano. Then Jean takes her to watch some nature documentary. She asks if one cannot cry even when sad. That’s how she is feeling now. She can’t cry watching this show but yet she shed tears while sleeping without knowing it. Claes then visits the shooting range and watch some practice there. Then she goes join Priscilla and Angelica on the former’s Vespa. I guess they’re small enough to fit all 3 of them. At night, Claes draws a painting as she ponders more about Scarborough Fair’s lyrics. Next day, she continues her gardening. She finds an odd mineral in the soil. Beatrice doesn’t understand why Claes finds doing this fun. She doesn’t even understand the concept of fun. She feels nothing. So how can Claes feel fun? She believes someone taught her a long time ago.
Episode 9
Many years ago when Jose was going to leave to join the military police, his younger sister, Enrica didn’t want to be left alone. Although their parents and Jean will be around, she didn’t really like them because they were always too busy about work and never cared for her. She too wanted to join the military police to be with him but he told her it is better she became a harpist. Jose goes to see an old friend from the military police, Marcantonio. They talk about the old days like how Jose and Jean quit over some incident and the broadcast went crazy about it. A car bomb outside rocks the place but aside from the initial shock, everything else is okay. Jean and Rico then track and hunt down the bomber. They force him to bring them to his hideout where they discover high grade military bombs. Somebody must be smuggling them out. Because he won’t talk further. Jean gives Rico permission to beat the crap out of him till he talks! Jean learns from his superior that Colonel Ganny, commander of the Morize commissariat might be smuggling those bombs out. It isn’t mere coincidence the terrorists are very well equipped recently. If only there is proof of that, the agency will mark him for assassination. Jose talks to Bianchi about all he ever does for Henrietta is talk about myths and stars. Presents he gave are out of obligation. It feels empty. Bianchi doesn’t think it is a bad thing since that child needs to be loved. It reminds Jose of Enrica’s case of loneliness. The agency set traps to ambush a military truck suspected of smuggling. When they fail to surrender as warned, they go all out and shoot back. Man, the girls really riddled the truck with holes! Overkill! Jose is shocked and sickened to see the driver is Marcantonio. Later it is discovered that Marcantonio has been smuggling weapons from Ganny. They now have permission to assassinate him. So what it looked like Jose and Jean being good Handlers dressing up their girls so they can enjoy the opera, they are actually on the job to assassinate Ganny and his subordinate who are also watching the opera which is also about revenge and murder. Italians love tragedies, they say? The mission is successful. Too bad the girls didn’t get to see much of the opera, though.
Episode 10
Flashback shows Victor Hartmann (Hilshire’s real name) wanted to do field work in Europol as he wanted to stop child trafficking. However his boss refused him and showed him a snuff movie. Movies that murder people for entertainment. While many are fake, some are real and it involved kidnapped children. He became disillusioned at how evil the world is. Similarly, Rachelle Belleut a doctor who is sick of seeing children corpses teamed up with Hartmann to take matters into their own hands. Triela isn’t pleased that she needs to babysit Mario’s daughter, Mimi. Seems she wants to do more training and her loss to Pinocchio has hit her hard. Eventually she can’t disobey orders and with other agents, they watch over her (it’s like she’s under house arrest) while Mario gives his testimony at a trial in Naples. Triela and Mimi get acquainted with the latter asking if she likes Hilshire. Shock at first, Triela dismisses of anything like that since they can’t have such a relationship. Hilshire visits Mario. The trial is going well and is expected to end without a hitch. When it ends, Mario plans to escape overseas. More flashback when Hartmann and Rachelle stormed into an Amsterdam trafficking. In a gunfight, Rachelle was seriously wounded. They stumbled upon a child victim, Triela. It made Hartmann sick but Rachelle refused to give up and did CPR on her. When Triela revived, Rachelle died. It’s like they transferred life force? Triela is in a training with some army commando who is Hilshire’s acquaintance. Because she is still bitter about her loss to Pinocchio, she can’t concentrate and gets easily beaten up. He promises to turn her into an unbeatable warrior in 2 weeks. Triela then undergoes her usual maintenance but this time will receive a new leg implant. It is 100% effective thanks to the experiments done on Claes. During the operation, Triela is seen to shed tears. When she wakes up, she tells how she dreamt of her mom. The way she describes her seems so much like Rachelle.
Episode 11
When Cristiano was still a hitman, he and his best henchman, John wiped out an entire family perfectly as ordered. Cristiano stumbled upon a hidden cellar in which a child was locked up there. He decided to adopt him. It has been a few months and Pinocchio has gotten used to being a grape farmer. If life was only this peaceful till the end. Pinocchio talks to Franco about getting used to this life because it dulls his skills. He then goes on to explain his story how John was his teacher and taught him assassination techniques. He loves drinking and was believed to be an ex-CIA operative. However one day he just suddenly died from a stray bullet. Pinocchio views Franca and Franco as good people and it would be a waste if they died like John. Franca gets a call from her uncle to update her that Cristiano has lost his position. Thanks to the halt in supply of bombs and the failed kidnapping, the higher ups wanted somebody to take the fall. He advises her if she still wants to continue what she is doing, cut ties with him. Talking to Franco, he knows they could be at a disadvantage if Cristiano goes missing because the Milan group will then cooperate with the government to hunt him down. But there is a way to reinstate Cristiano’s position. They need to blow up the bridge as soon as possible. Although it is still at an early stage, with the stock they have, it is enough to do some damage. Information gets leaked to the agency about Cristiano and the Fratello is mobilized. Franca and the men drive to the bridge. It is heavily guarded and the Fratello teams are there. Flashback shows Cristiano didn’t like the idea John taught him assassination skills. John thought he had a natural talent for it. He did it on a whim and Cristiano can’t be one to say since he adopted him on a whim too.
Episode 12
Henrietta spots something off at the base of the bridge. Franca and Franco are boring holes and planting their bomb supplies. She shoots at them but Pinocchio attacks her. He sticks a knife in her shoulder. Nothing happens. Though, I suppose she can’t shoot straight at him since he escapes with Franca and Franco via boat. Franco gets shot in the shoulder. Then he activates the bomb. It didn’t do any damage to the bridge although it gave out quite a lot of smoke. On the way back to the vineyard, Pinocchio apologizes to Franco for hesitating to shoot. He explains when he first killed, there was a girl who looked like Henrietta. He killed her. It made him scared to point a gun at a girl. They decide to tell him about Cristiano’s case so the early next morning, Pinocchio leaves for his uncle. Triela visits the house where she fought Pinocchio and lost. Why do this to yourself if you’re only going to have bitter memories? Cristiano is surprised Pinocchio is here. He heard Cristiano will be arrested by the police and wants him to leave. But Cristiano doesn’t intend to and wants Pinocchio to escape. Pinocchio is willing to fight here and die for him. He owes his life to him for saving him from that cellar and gave him a name. Since Cristiano remains stubborn, Pinocchio threatens to kill everyone here! WTF?! The Fratello begin their operation to take in Cristiano and kill everyone else. They barge into the place and gun down everyone. No chance to even let them fight back! Triela gets her rematch with Pinocchio when they come face to face.
Episode 13
As their fight gets underway, when Pinocchio hears Triela telling Hilshire to go find Cristiano, he ditches the fight to find his uncle. He finds his uncle and is appalled he still hasn’t left. Cristiano tells him that he has decided. He will hide for a while so Pinocchio should escape too. The mind boggling thing was why didn’t they go together? Because of that, Pinocchio returns to his fight with Triela and Cristiano tries to get away with his butler but he was killed by Rico. Rico shoots at his shoulder before taking him away into their car. As she is loading him, she is run over by another car! Not sure if this is a joke if women are terrible drivers with Franca behind the wheel. After they load Cristiano, they make a dash for it. This is where it gets super silly. Jean informs Marco the target is heading their way. So Marco has Angelica snipe them. She got a few bullets into Franca (although not her vitals) but Franca steps on the pedal and I don’t even know how the car ‘flew’ over them!!! Was there a ramp somewhere???!!! And they lose them???!!! Franca is fast passing out. You can’t take that corner at high speed. Off the rails. Off the cliff. Into the river. We return to the bloody and desperate dogfight between Triela and Pinocchio whereby anything now goes. He gets madder when he sees his pendant in her possession. He shoots her a few times with her own gun but she survives. But it’s her turn to be mad because of that. Is she going to lose again? In the end, they knock each other out. Or so it seems from this point of view. In the aftermath, Rico reports they ‘failed’ the mission. Cristiano’s mansion is searched all over but no evidence was found. They believed he deleted all and anticipated them to raid. Also, the car in the river, no bodies were found. Rico and Triela are heavily injured but not fatal. Triela sits next to Pinocchio’s dead body. She stabbed his heart with a broken knife. She finds comfort in Hilshire’s arms and hopes he would praise her for win. At what cost? The other girls also get their ‘praise’ from their Handlers.
OVA 1
Jean visits the grave of Sophia. He sees Fernando there but the latter isn’t happy Jean is here. He blames Jean for Sophia’s death in the sense that he didn’t avenge her. Jean apologizes but Fernando punches him. Jean notices his political affiliation with the opposition and warns him not to get involved. Fernando won’t listen. So what does Jean have anything to do with them? Jean was supposed to marry Sophia. After Fernando left, Jean calls Jose that he is acting strange and to tail him. Business as usual. This leads them to discover Fernando is trying to ambush a place that a terrorist is hiding out on his own. Luckily Marco busts him before the rest storm in to apprehend the terrorist for more details. Rico wakes up from a nightmare where Jean abandoned her when she became useless. Jean takes Rico to Venice for their next mission. He explains about the Republicans originally wanted to divide Italy into 5 parts: Milan in the North, Rome, Naples, Sardinia and Sicily. With the Milan faction trying to unite all north, there is a breakaway faction, the Venetian faction who wishes for autonomy. Arriving at Milan, they meet Alto Meyer who helps them out with some information. Night falls and they begin their mission. Rico does her usual, storming into some baddies’ place and killing all of them. They obtained easy data from their laptop about the organization. Seeing how calm they are and the bloody mess everywhere, Meyer is sick to his gut they can act normal after all this. Next day, Jean and Rico continue chasing and gunning down more terrorists. When Rico seems to get hit, she falls into the sea. Jean instantly dives into rescue her. During evening, Rico loves how beautiful the sunset is but for Jean, it always makes him sad.
OVA 2
Hilshire accompanies Henrietta and Rico on their vacation. They pass the Messina Bridge which is on schedule to be completed. Meanwhile Triela is depressed? After defeating Pinocchio, what else is left of her existence? Or maybe she didn’t get to be with Hilshire this time. Henrietta and Rico return to their respective Handlers once the trip is over. Jose gives Henrietta a nice dress to wear. When Jean sees it, he is in shock. Let me guess. It belongs to Enrica, right? Flashback shows Jean was about to leave for Rome for training but Enrica didn’t want him to go because of the promise they along with Jose to go on a boat ride. Too bad his training is more important than sister time. Then it gets creepy because while Jean is reminiscing about his past, the ghost of Enrica haunts him! OMG! Is this turning supernatural now?! I want to say Jean is seeing things but ghost girl did mention that she died. She blames Jean for being the bad brother while comparing to angelic Jose. Jean never thinks about her except avenging Sophia. However she now feels Jose is being cruel for giving her dress to another girl. She wonders if he has found someone to replace her. Jean ‘agrees’ because this is his way of always thinking of her. Had he not done that, he couldn’t have lived what would have transpired then. If she wants to hate somebody, hate him. Jean is snapped out when Rico calls him since she finds it odd he is like talking to somebody but nobody’s there. Next day, Jean tells Jose about that ghastly incident. Was it a ghost or a dream? He asks if Jose still remembers that boat promise. Of course. Jean hopes they could do it later with Henrietta and Rico. Can this be simply atoned like that?
Sending Girls To Do A Man’s Job
Oh dear… What a boring end to the series that started out as something interesting. Forgive me if you are going to hear a lot of comparison between both seasons because they are very different to each other in almost every aspect. So different that if you have watched the first season and have gotten somewhat used to its style, you will be in total shock to see the total change and revamp in Il Teatrino. Yes, very different. Although Il Teatrino didn’t match up to the first season, it still was passable. Barely. However the couple of OVAs really killed it. It was unnecessary and did nothing much to develop anything except bring forth more questions like what happened to Franca and Franco. Because if they have been simply killed off, that would have ended there as it is but now they are missing. So? Possible clash in the future. Too bad there aren’t any more seasons. And what is with this Enrica thingy in the end? It is not like it resolved anything. It’s like they had no more ideas for the OVAs and inserted something so random just to milk our moneys out of the BDs. But that’s not the point.
The first thing I will compare is the main story of both seasons. In the first season, we are mainly concentrated on the main girls of the Fratello. We see their past and flashback as well as how they currently cope with their current Handlers. Although the bulk is on Henrietta and Jose, the rest have their bit of fair share of screen time. Thus many of the episodes in between feel like standalone fillers and does not have a real proper plot. Come the second season, there now seems to be a ‘plot’. Although this ‘plot’ seems to be dragging out too long because if you think about it, it’s just mainly about the agency trying to track down Pinocchio’s team and preventing the bombing of a bridge. So much so this dragging out that they had to insert some fillers, detours and flashbacks halfway through the season before ending it all.
The next and perhaps the most shocking difference is the characters. One can obviously tell how ‘lively’ the girls are in Il Teatrino compared to the original. In the first season, the girls were like lifeless robots. Even if they show a bit of emotion or smile a little bit, it looked fake and sometimes forced. This is not a bad thing given the situation and setting of the story. It is a rather gloomy and grim world they are in after all. Then when Il Teatrino arrives, all of a sudden they are so lively! OMG! It’s like the doctors tweaked them to be livelier than ever. Take for instance Rico. I remember she was the taciturn sniper at first. But in the sequel, she is totally an active kid!!! WTF?! I noticed that when Henrietta or Rico answers or acknowledges their respective Handler, they have this boring and monotonous robotic tone to it. But now they have this lively feel in their voice like as though they are happy and looking forward to do their bidding!
Given that Henrietta had more focus in the first season, I suppose they try to give Triela a little more in Il Teatrino. Thus the reason why I felt why Triela had more presence in Il Teatrino due to her ‘grudge’ with Pinocchio than Henrietta especially towards the end since Henrietta was on ‘vacation’. Then it is Rico’s turn for the short OVAs albeit nothing really deep about her. I don’t know. It just feels so odd seeing the girls as cold killing machines during the mission but during off missions, they are like little sisters with brother complex trying to seek their Handler’s attention and blush each time they get praised or having something nice done to them (Henrietta and Angelica are the main offenders). Like as though everyone should have just retire and play house for the rest of their lives. You like little girls? Sure, pick one and ‘groom’ her the way you like. Spend more time with her. Treat her nice and good. She’ll love you back. Just mind a few cybernetic parts. If only reality was that easy.
Even their Handlers feel different. The most drastic one is Hilshire. I remember this dude as a taciturn guy who doesn’t show much of his emotions. But in Il Teatrino he is like more open and showing obvious concern for Triela. It’s really a big change. Even Jose who seems like he is ‘forcefully’ trying to be nice to Henrietta in the first season, in Il Teatrino he feels like her big brother! I think it is a bit annoying that in the second season whenever we get the chance to see Henrietta being treated nicely by Jose or something nice happens to them, you can see her nice little girl smile and relief like as though she’s a dog getting her reward. So while it seems more and more like Jose is genuinely getting used to treating Henrietta nice, it could hint that he might have been trying to use her as Enrica’s replacement. Either he has gotten over her or sees Enrica in Henrietta but calls her by a different name so as not to evoke whatever that painful incident. Like as though trying to make amends by spending time with the little sister that should have been. And Jean seems like a no nonsense guy with no emotions dedicated to his job. So they try to give him some guilt trip with Enrica just to show something. Something. Whatever that is. And since when did Marco sound more like a talkative young uncle?
The rest of the supporting casts don’t really matter because they’ll either be relegated to the background which is unimportant or if they are the bad guys, there is a high chance that they will be assassinated. Yeah, saves so much money and time compared to sending them to prison and awaiting trial because you have got to feed and house them and the likes. Whoops… Also, it saves brain power to think whatever happened to them. Unlike Franco and Franca… Just kill them off. Hence for the rest of the members at the agency, they aren’t really memorable. If so, perhaps for weird reasons like Priscilla who seems to be a lolicon (though not very obviously) and it is only okay because she is a woman. If she was a guy, imagine the backlash… Even a few other girls at the agency aren’t that memorable. I read there were a few that appeared in the manga but made only a small cameo in the anime. So like Beatrice, her brief introduction, a few missions here and there before being totally forgotten, I now only remember her as Claes’ garden lackey… Somebody should feed this girl enough. But really, lots of characters in this series do come and go. You hear them in one episode and then never to appear or be heard of again. Mostly getting killed off.
The most jarring and obvious difference that you will notice if you start watching Il Teatrino is the art style and visual. No doubt that both seasons are animated by different studios with the first season being animated by Madhouse (Death Note, One Punch Man, Black Lagoon) and the second by Artland (Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn, Senran Kagura, Mushishi). As we have gotten used to the first season’s style, Il Teatrino comes as a big shocker. The first season was so dull and gloomy in its colour that you could actually feel that the whole atmosphere was just dreary. It really fits the theme and mood of the series. Then comes Il Teatrino and it makes you go, “Why the heck is everything so much more colourful?!”. In fact, everything is so much brighter that it doesn’t reflect the grim assassination world that the girls live in. I have a hunch that it is supposed to match the ‘lively’ characters because had either one aspect be dull and the other be lively, it would be so contrasting that it would be confusing.
Heck, even the characters are looking a bit slightly different. They look so much more like your anime character. Okay, I might sound a bit confusing here but in the first season with the characters looking lacklustre and lifeless, suddenly they have this anime-like ‘life’ infused into their looks. Get what I mean? Okay, let me give you an example. Jose might not look like a typical Italian and a Japanese big brother in the first season, but in the second season, he looks even more like a Japanese big brother than ever. Get it? Okay, how about this. Henrietta looks more like an anime girl in Il Teatrino than in the first. Because the first season, the characters’ eyes are so lifeless and like zombies unlike in the second. Yes, the girls had those dead eyes and it really gives an impact when they respond even with emotions, they still feel lifeless. Though, I think the girls in the first season looks a bit ‘fat’. At least their faces. In conclusion, having such a lively and bright art style and colour doesn’t really suit and fit well to what it was already established. Besides, doesn’t the second season poor animation quality feel like it sucks?
Another major overhaul is the voice acting. In fact, the entire main and supporting casts are replaced in Il Teatrino. It is no wonder why the usual girls and their Handlers sound so off and different. And so much livelier. It really makes them out of their character from the ones we are used to from the first. I wanted to note how happy I was hearing Mamiko Noto’s voice as Elsa even if she was just cameo. And then… The horror… THEY KILLED OFF HER CHARACTER!!! OMFG!!! DID THIS ‘CURSE’ EVEN GO BACK AS FAR AS THIS ANIME???!!! WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???!!! That was my true despair… Then like as though to make it up for my despair, they reinstated Mamiko Noto not as Elsa but as Patricia. They tried to troll me when they took her character as hostage because I really thought her Patricia character was going to die too. Phew… I believe Mamiko Noto is the only cast from the original season to be somewhat recalled for another role in the second. I forgive you for making such amends (even if it’s not intended).
The opening theme for the first season, The Light Before We Land by The Delgados is strange by itself. Totally sung in English, this slow rock has its overall pace remind me of The Beatles’ A Day In Life. The weird slow lazy-cum-dreamy voice the singer sings and drags her voice somewhat reminds me of John Lennon singing that song too. Even the way the electric guitar is played strikes a familiar chord. Even though this song is strange, at least it beats Il Teatrino’s opener, Tatta Hitotsu No Omoi by Kokia. Too much like anime pop that it doesn’t fit with the theme of the series. At least the first season’s ending theme, Dopo Il Sogno by Opus has this Italian soprano lady singing this dramatic and tragically- sounding piece. Not bad actually. Il Teatrino’s main ending theme, Doll by Lia is a slow ballad although I somehow feel this song is much suited for an anime produced by Key like Air, Kanon and Clannad. Seriously. There is also a version sung by Aoi Tada but they sound so close that I couldn’t hear the difference. She also sings a special ending theme, Scarborough Fair. The special ending for Il Teatrino’s final episode is also very Air-like too, Human by Lia.
The action bits are not the series’ strong point nor is it its main focus. What it does is just to complement and show us the gruesome things the girls have to put up. So expect lots of bullet holes and dead bodies to pile up. As I have mentioned in the poor animation style in Il Teatrino, hence some of the action scenes feel a bit cartoonish and poor quality. Thus the grimmer and darker first season has better looking gunfights that complement the overall mood.
Instead of sending in the army, they should just send these girls to do the job in taking out a dictator ruling his country with an iron fist or the drug cartel running their huge fields of marijuana. And if the world complains about them, I guess the girls can be sent to silence them either. No difference than being the villains themselves. So it goes to show how controversial the use of such young girls can be and how deadly it would be if they fall into the wrong hands.
Overall, the first season has set the pace and tone of the series and only for the second one to someone diminish and ruin the enjoyment. Not to say that Il Teatrino sucks but it sure could have done better than what has been seen. Like as though it downgraded itself and made it worse. Thanks a bunch, OVAs. But the thought of giving young girls a second chance in life but doing dirty jobs is something that will make you think hard if such life is worth living or they would be better off left for dead in the first place. Whatever your stance or standards, at least these girls have a chance in life no matter how small or minute it is. That is all that they need. Oh, and lots of love too. Because aside from all the cybernetic implants and enhancements, they still have the heart and soul of a human. And the irony is that it makes them more human than us who are completely of flesh and blood. Maybe it is that imperfection that makes us human.
Clockwork Planet
21 October, 2017
They say that even a broken clock is right twice a day. Heck, I still don’t really fully understand what why it is so despite my ‘extensive’ research over the internet (though I do understand its proverbial meaning). So why am I talking about broken time and the likes here? It’s time for one of those futuristic sci-fi action adventure drama thriller comedy romance anime! Okay, it doesn’t have anything directly to do with that. But it was rather interesting to read the setting of Clockwork Planet whereby the entire world has been destroyed but ‘saved’ when some genius turned and built everything on gears. Of course it couldn’t last forever as it starts to crumble once more. Just delaying the inevitable. And of course this is where our typical main character who might seem like a useless member in society has a hidden talent when he accidentally obtains some automaton and together they set the gears in motion of the future of mankind and this planet. Okay, maybe it does sound a little cliché…
Episode 1
As narrated, Earth was destroyed a long time ago but the appearance of a clocksmith only known as Y managed to recreate a destroyed with nothing but gears. But as they say, nothing lasts forever. So after a thousand years, the gears start to collapse. Naoto Miura is a kid who is fascinated with anything with gears. He is a clocksmith wannabe but from the looks of it, he is a failure. Till a coffin containing a beautiful life-like automaton crash into his place. I’m sure he wants to tinker with her body… Marie Bell Breguet is not impressed that she has to clean up some sh*t again. Along with her bodyguard, Vainney Halter, they head to some core grid to fix it but the cocky military think they can handle it themselves. Naoto tinkers and messes precisely with this automaton’s complicated gears with only his hearing, causing her to awake from her slumber and save him before his place crumbles apart. RyuZU as she is known is grateful for the repairs. She learns that Naoto has this ability to hear precisely sounds and thus was able to locate the problem via hearing when all other clocksmith experts fail. Although she considers Naoto as her master, she has a very sharp tongue and sarcasm. Every guy’s fantasy? As part of the process to accept her as his master, he must suck her finger?! Who the f*ck came up with this sh*t?! Definitely some guy’s fantasy. Needing to find a place to stay, they end up in a love hotel. RyuZU shows she is not to be messed with when some punks try to hit on her but she beats them up when they threaten her master. Instead of renting a room, they prefer the lounge seat? RyuZU must be thinking if this is his perverse way of getting close to her. At least he got a lap pillow. Deep in the night, Marie wakes up after feeling some sort of faint tremor. The next day, Marie meets her committee and tells them that the irregular gravity would soon cause Kyoto Grid to collapse. However the military has chosen a different choice. They are going to force purge Kyoto Grid and sacrifice 20 million people.
Episode 2
Marie threatens the military guy for more details on the purge. So the military is trying to save face if they left without fixing it? Yeah, what better way than to kill everybody, right? The purge will take place in 20 hours. Can Marie fix it in time? Not if she can help it. She calls Limons Vacheron, an officer of Meister Guild to put her through to one of the engineer chiefs, Konrad. She tells him about the purge and anomaly that needs to be fixed. They’ll do whatever they can but they have to expect the military trying to sabotage them. So we see Marie and Halter plunging into the deep depths to fight robots and fix whatever damn thing that needs to be repaired before they get going to the next one. Meanwhile Naoto attends high school like normal. Even more shocking is how RyuZU becomes a transfer student in his class and shocks everyone by telling Naoto is her master. Some kind of sick play. Right? Marie is discussing with the clocksmith team about the 520 million parts they need to check! Man, they really need a miracle for this one just to save the city. She then gets a call to stop whatever she is doing. She is forced to comply and laments only if she had RyuZU (lost during transport to her), things would have been destroyed. With all the chaos in the background, Naoto takes RyuZU shopping like any other normal day. Marie sees Limons as he was the one who ordered the withdrawal. Looks like he is in cohorts with the military and 20 million is just a small sacrifice. Yeah, so small indeed. If Marie resumes work, her licence will be revoked. Marie gets made thinking it is Vacheron’s ploy to bring down the Breguet family. She whips out her gun, making that guy piss in his pants. Halter puts some sense in her. Nothing changes if she kills him. Marie beats herself up and blames herself for this incident. Halter reminds her the military would have done if she is in the picture or not. She is going to follow her heart and do what is right. Anybody who stands in her way, she’ll just beat the crap out of them. As they walk out, they cross path with Naoto and RyuZU walking in. She immediately recognizes RyuZU.
Episode 3
As they talk, Marie claims RyuZU is the Breguet’s property. She wants her back and of course he will be compensated. Since Naoto refuses, she threatens him. She didn’t see it coming when RyuZU’s blades are sticking at her neck. When she calms down, she continues explaining what is going on. However RyuZU rubbishes that she is that saviour they are hoping for. Her role is to serve Naoto. Naoto could tell an earthquake is coming and true enough it rocks the place. Marie learns of his precise hearing ability and wants him to help them fix a problem. Naoto is sceptical. Why isn’t she running away? Why so adamant to save the city? If she runs away, she will never have faith in herself again. Naoto still can’t help but when RyuZU mentions she has a sister, AnchoR in some tower’s basement that could help, Naoto agrees to come! He wants to meet her sister?! This guy got fetish for younger girls or is it he wants to tinker with her gears? So as they go down the tower, Naoto can hear robots waiting for them. He out-argues her by saying he wants to meet AnchoR and she wants to fix the tower. Everything else is irrelevant. He’s got a point. After battling the first wave, news spread that Marie is dead?! Limons panics and wants this under wraps since the murder of Marie will make their organizations collapse. Apparently Marie faked her own death so she could prove the connection between the military and the guild. It is also she can move freely without being restrained by politics. They meet more robot resistance along the way. This time RyuZU transforms into her ultimate, uhm, white wedding form to easily take them all out. This uses up a lot of energy so she goes into sleep mode. Of course nothing like a little tinkering from those masterful hands of the so called best clocksmith in the world would wake her up shortly. And then Naoto confesses he wants to marry her (after seeing all those awesome ‘naked’ gears) but she rejects! Marie is confused if RyuZU is programmed like that but she disagrees and loves Naoto out of her own free will. Then the duo stare at each other and Naoto has her nod to indicate how many times she likes him. I don’t think she is going to stop nodding… Marie blows her top seeing they wasted time with this stupid romcom drama. Yeah, 5 hours to go until the purge…
Episode 4
Marie is surprised to see Konrad and his team working. She hopes Naoto would get started but he can’t help feel at awe at all the gears. Obviously this makes RyuZU jealous. He has seen her body and now he is ‘cheating’ on her? Do we have time for this romcom silliness? So Naoto gets working as he uses his super hearing ability to detect the anomalies. Once he pinpoints the place, the rest goes to fix them. Of course we get to see Marie in action fixing the gears with her special tools and RyuZU using her fast precision that no humans could do. And then they did it! They actually can’t believe they fixed it! You’re telling me they expected to die?! But their celebration is cut short when the military has started the purge. Crap. Limons is bugging the military to hasten the purge or else he will lose face! Marie is cracking her head on what’s need to be done. The moment she realizes Imaginary Gear as their only hope, Naoto shouts a big no. Despite using some mechanism to generate and reverse the city from falling, it requires the sacrifice of RyuZU. A very risky move despite Marie assuring she can try to fix her later. Try. Naoto continues to protest but RyuZU believes in him and stabs herself! Now in Naoto’s palm is her mechanical heart. Don’t waste time by crying over her lifeless body. As Marie tries to fix whatever needs to be fixed (she has to get it done fast as the strain pushes the heart’s limits), Limons sends his robots to deal with them. This is where Halter comes in. Konrad joins him, probably bored with fixing things. The moment Marie is done, Naoto quickly rips the heart out. RyuZU is in some deep suspended dream. But when she reaches out to Naoto’s hand, she knows she is awakened again by him. Naoto is all tears hugging her. RyuZU believes her existence is because of the Gear of Fate.
Episode 5
An official funeral is held for Marie. Naoto laments after that risky mission, AnchoR wasn’t there. He blames Marie for bad luck. Don’t be surprised, there’s more in store for him. Because Marie wants his help to save the world. In exchange she’ll help him find AnchoR. Deal. Several intruders enter a tower but are finished off by this black hole ball from this loli automaton. No prizes for guessing who she is. Halter receives a mysterious transmission that seems to insult Marie about her poor sex life. This means we have to interrupt RyuZU’s flirting on Naoto to seek his help to trace that transmission. Naoto pinpoints the direction of the transmission and it seems he now has another motivation to go there. How do you like automaton in swimsuits? Yeah, Naoto is going crazy snapping photos of sexy RyuZU in a swimsuit. Another cliché moment of guy falling over girl. She wants to kiss but he chickens out. Falls into sea. Almost drowns. Saves him. Time for CPR. Interrupted by Marie because she doesn’t want to turn this show into some stupid romcom. No wonder her sex life sucks… Oh yeah, she’s a virgin… On to serious business at Mie Grid, Naoto couldn’t hear a sound here. Then it dawned to them that this place is dead. Even its core clock tower has stopped. Naoto believes this means AnchoR is here because where else to transmit illegal radio waves. Inside the tower, they see a big hole in the ground. Dropping down, they see disintegrated body parts and what shocks them most is a huge mecha. A weapon of mass destruction that used parts of this tower. Marie is hell bent on destroying it but AnchoR approaches them. She considers them a threat and attacks.
Episode 6
As they dodge her attacks, Naoto could hear AnchoR’s thoughts that she doesn’t want to do this and wants her sister to destroy her. The fight ends with Naoto and RyuZU falling into an endless abyss. They’re as good as dead. Halter takes Marie to retreat above ground. She now falls into depression blaming herself for being responsible over Naoto’s death. But that’s not going to stop her yet. So they turn into some vigilantes beating up the mayor of Mie Grid about that huge mecha underneath. They even threaten to kill his family! He finally reveals that Mie Grid is in cahoots with the military remnants of the purged Shiga Grid to hide it. 30 years ago there was a large scale defect. It would have affected the country so a purge was decided instead of waiting for repairs. However that was just a ruse as they were conducting an illegal electromagnetic research which is believed to affect the gears. One experiment went wrong and the government covered up their involvement by purging Shiga Grid and pretended it never happened. The abandoned military and scientists went underground and controlled Mie from the shadows. He never went public with this because Mie Grid would be threatened to be purged next. Thus that mecha was just insurance. It should never have worked. But it did. All because of Marie! After the Kyoto Grid fiasco, the people lost faith in the government and lost money. In need of funds and reason for their own existence, they are going to crush Mie Grid and restore their hero status. So Marie, how does it feel to reveal the government’s wrongdoings? Because she tried to be a hero, more people will die! More depression for her. More dilemma thinking if this world has value is worth saving. And suddenly Naoto and RyuZU pop up from the sewer. They’re looking fine and can still joke. Immediately Marie kicks him for not informing her he is still alive. So they explain when they fell, there was an abandoned facility beneath it. Some old geezer, Gennai Hirayama living there activated the elevator for them to get out. It is reported AnchoR is heading to Tokyo with that mecha. Since Marie is still unsure what to do, Naoto knocks some honest idiotic sense into her. So everybody is an idiot. She’ll save the world and do everything. For starters, they’ll go to Tokyo to attack.
Episode 7
Naoto becoming a terrorist and scaring the people by destroying Tokyo Tower? This is part of their plan to clear out the city so the military can clash with the mecha while they go save AnchoR. Naoto and co take on a few of the military robots, the same time the military themselves engage with the mecha underground. Naoto, RyuZU and Marie wait for AnchoR to come to them. Naoto knows it is so because AnchoR wants to be destroyed by her sister. Plus, based on their last fight, he knows AnchoR cannot kill humans because Naoto and Marie were not targeted. As the sisters fight, RyuZU lets AnchoR chase her till she suddenly switches with Marie. This sudden change has AnchoR malfunction. RyuZU cuts off the mask that is controlling her. Naoto manages to repair RyuZU but Marie needs to take AnchoR back to the safe house to fix her. When AnchoR wakes up, she starts calling the trio her father, mother and sister! Naoto would like to be the brother but being the father isn’t bad either. RyuZU suggests to AnchoR she needs to have a master. Would you like Naoto to be your master? That guy definitely say yes. So she initiates the master recognition process. What? No finger sucking? She is asking who she is?! WTF?! So, uhm, AnchoR is AnchoR? Correct?! However with Naoto now her master, she has lost her free will since weapons do not need one. So how? Naoto tells her to unlock whatever programme that is locking her free will! OMG! That easy?! So is the robot girl doing it via order or her own free will then? This is so confusing! Then he tells her to do anything she wants. But she still needs to ask his permission? Permission to cry, touch him and say sorry. Then she breaks down in tears in his arms. Wow. She is more human than robot.
Episode 8
Naoto is now fawning all over AnchoR. RyuZU is jealous so Naoto explains RyuZU is wife and AnchoR his daughter. AnchoR’s black ball spits out the head of a cyborg, Vermouth. Marie fixes it up to learn what happened. However Naoto hears the ground shaking. It’s that mecha (now termed as Yatsukahagi). It’s rising up from the ground. Didn’t the military take care of it? Well, the air force sure couldn’t now. Not any military missiles too. A sudden electromagnetic attack renders everything with a gear to a stop. Gennai and his rogue military are controlling Yatsukahagi. They are delighted nothing can stop them now. Though this isn’t what Gennai is aiming for. After he rescued Naoto and RyuZU, he told them how many scientists sacrificed their lives trying to understand this world and failed. Including himself. He felt like giving up since all it does is breed doubt and keep obstructing the path of humanity. Naoto told him he will never lose hope. Karasawa is trying to explain his theory to the authorities that Yatsukahagi was using electromagnetic technology, the reason it could disable all grids and outperform their weapons (meaning to say that the government is secretly and illegally conducting electromagnetic research) but they’re just accusing each other who to blame. Yeah, purge the entire grid! When Naoto comes to, he sees Marie dejected sitting in a corner. She says the world is destroyed since everything has stopped due to the powerful electromagnetic pulse that magnetized everything. Naoto is not going to be defeated. He is going to find a way out of here and a way to do demagnetization. I guess seeing how he never gives up and thinking about her times with Halter made her change her mind. It took a while but AnchoR starts moving after her backup programme is initiated. Cue for emotional ‘father and daughter’ reunion. Naoto knew the entire time his ‘family’ was still alive. Even RyuZU is currently ‘moving’ and is fine despite looking unconscious. Something about heat can demagnetize things. That is why RyuZU’s body is burning hot as she has no cooling system. Marie must be ashamed of herself for giving up. Despite everything Naoto did was out of instinct and without hesitation, she’ll allow him to drag her around for now.
Episode 9
Marie is supposed to meet up with Konrad. So his base is in a strip club?! Not safe for kids… This workshop also serves as a black market for automata. Marie wants to wake up Vermouth to learn more about the truth but needs a vessel. So they use one of the strippers’ automaton body to hook him up. He explains that when Yatsukahagi appeared, nothing needs to be done anymore as everything is already set in piece. Because right now the higher ups are arguing about using Tall Wand, a satellite in the space that when dropped can destroy an entire city. Some disagree so they start blaming each other for everything. At this rate, the government and military will destroy themselves. Not via terrorism but coup d’etat. Then there is something about Yatsukahagi being a hybrid of clockwork and electromagnetic technology and something is going to happen in 66.5 hours. Marie thinks it is some world war so where is Naoto going? Doing what he can. And by that he means going shopping with AnchoR?! Wait. Why is Naoto cross-dressed and loving it?! Marie is confused they can have fun despite the impending danger. AnchoR tries to be nice to ‘mom’ and buys her a gift but Marie lashes out at her. She wants her to destroy Yatsukahagi. AnchoR will do so as not to make her sad. When Naoto learns about it, he lashes out at Marie for trying to push her burden onto others so she can consider it done. He won’t allow it for AnchoR is his daughter! So what does Marie do? She goes back and tries to fix RyuZU?! Shouldn’t that be Naoto’s job? Well, he can’t seem to repair her now either because that time he fixed her, he heard a good sound. Naoto ponders about the Pillar of Heaven which is the centre of all grids in Japan. He plans to take over it. Because they have done so many ‘villainous’ things, might as well live up to that name. But they don’t have manpower. Naoto knows a place to get Halter a spare body while Vermouth can go scout for recruits. He wants to help Naoto because it is fun. After AnchoR promises to protect Marie, Marie cuts some slack. Why be so serious? They’re not defenders of justice or anything. She got too caught up and forgot what’s important. Time to go all out and have fun?
Episode 10
Vermouth is going all out destroying the mechas. Since it was his idea to hook up Halter’s brain to a heavily armed automaton, he has to do it by ploughing through waves of enemies to nab that Genbu body series that Marie wants. Then it is Marie’s turn to show her chops as she tries to fix every damn thing under 30 seconds. She isn’t human the way she works her hands with all those screwdrivers… Halter finally wakes up in his new body and destroys the remaining forces. Next, Naoto continues his villainous broadcast how he kicked ass easily wiping out those weak forces. Yeah, he is mocking those higher ups. After announcing his goal to sink Tokyo Grid and all that connects to it, Naoto has also seized the Pillar of Heaven and took Princess Houko Hoshinomiya who occupies it as hostage. She makes her statement for everyone to remain calm and evacuate the area. Konrad receives word from Karasawa and then tells Marie that there are plans to use Tall Wand on Yatsukahagi. They have less than 7 hours. This means they have to bring Yatsukahagi down before they have a chance to use it. Meanwhile Naoto is frolicking with his automaton harem. What is a genius has got to do at an idle time like this? Marie and Hoshinomiya know each other from overseas university. But Marie graduated earlier since she is a genius. Hoshinomiya believes the old Shiga army is behind Yatsukahagi. Marie tells of her plan to fry the entire Tokyo Grid to render electromagnetic effects ineffective. The only thing that can do that is Pillar of Heaven. Could you believe this is Naoto’s idea? No wonder he can play around with his harem because he gets things done when needed. Because we didn’t have quality Naoto x RyuZU time, well, here’s some before the storm hits. The usual blah, blah, blah as Naoto gives RyuZU a gold ring as ‘punishment’ because she has to wear it at all times.
Episode 11
Hoshinomiya talks to Naoto to learn why he is doing this. Because he says he wants to make them pay for making AnchoR do vile things, she replies he cannot be trusted and is a fair person. Her answer shocks RyuZU as she never expect her to think like that. With the military trying to mount an attack and rescue Hoshinomiya, Halter and Vermouth defend the place to also give time to Marie to fix the Pillar of Heaven. Gennai kills off all his men. After meeting Naoto, it reignited his hopes again as he is going to challenge the monster who pretends to be Y. Everyone is shocked when Yatsukahagi fires a devastating blast that heavily damages Pillar of Heaven. They didn’t expect it to recharge so fast but Gennai had redirected all its power there. Gennai introduces himself and challenges Naoto. Marie wants to fix the gears but Naoto can’t. He can’t hear those gear sounds anymore. Marie falls into depression that she relied and placed all her bets on the miracle known as Naoto. She even begs him to use RyuZU or AnchoR to destroy that weapon. Naoto would rather have the world destroyed! Isn’t that the same in both ways? AnchoR bugs ‘father’ for an order and since he won’t do it, she can’t abide by that and goes off herself. Naoto has RyuZU go tell AnchoR to wait for 70 minutes (Yatsukahagi is scheduled to fire again in 72 minutes). As Marie is still depressed Naoto scolds her about not using her talent he envies and giving up so easily. She beats him up and after taking out her frustrations, she gets back in her groove.
First, she knows that the research did by the clocksmiths for 1000 years were wrong. All of it. She believes Naoto knows the answer. There’s some example using orchestra music but I don’t get it. She is saying Naoto doesn’t need to know how to repair. He just needs to analyse and climb. Naoto also knows Marie can repair despite never seeing the blueprint (case from Halter’s repair). In other words, she can see the future she is supposed to reel in. This has Marie realizing they are opposites. While she arrives at the answer from the situation, Naoto constructs the situation from the answer. She wants him to tell everything he hears from the Pillar of Heaven. He might not be able to verbalize it properly so he lets her peek into his mind? One of those mindf*cks when he tells her to not memorize everything but don’t forget it. Do everything and nothing. Everything is right and wrong. Everything and nothing exists. Yeah, my head is going to explode. So I don’t know what Twilight Zone she entered but when she finally wakes up, she might not understand a thing but Naoto believes she remembers everything. Are you f*cking with me?! Then they hook up to some gears to fix the Pillar of Heaven. Yeah, it looks like some cheap video game to deconstruct and put together gears. Time is up as AnchoR jumps down to initiate her self-destruct sequence.
Episode 12
Why does Naoto and Marie repairing the Pillar of Heaven look like they’re doing some Dance Dance Revolution?! Gennai is counting his chickens as he claims victory and something about how does it feel like to feel despair of humans. With Marie quoting the same thing as Naoto said to him, the old geezer now believes Y exists in 2 forms. WTF… He notices the recharging rate dropping. AnchoR is going full steam to destroy all the generators. Each time it takes a great toll on her body and causes her great pain. Only 1,002 more to go. So much so she loses an arm along the way. Yeah, her body is breaking apart. Too bad she won’t go further as Gennai shoots her down. Luckily he won’t finish her because RyuZU arrives and cuts of his hand. An arm for an arm? Gennai thinks his death still means his victory as Yatsukahagi will soon recharge and shoot its final blast. However it couldn’t fire because as RyuZU explains, AnchoR’s destruction bought enough time for Naoto and Marie to finish fixing whatever. Naoto and his motley ‘terrorist’ crew then escape by jumping down. They leave it to Hoshinomiya to activate the updraft for their soft landing and to enhance their ‘villains’ reputation. After RyuZU takes AnchoR away, Yatsukahagi explodes taking Gennai with him as he still refuses to accept defeat. Well, he can now take it to his grave. But the more important question is can Naoto and Marie repair AnchoR? Thankfully Naoto hears her insides and is relieved her damage isn’t fatal. Of course we have to build some emotion with AnchoR regretting she wasn’t able to do what she was built for. Gee Marie, you look like you’re going to cry. AnchoR wants an order so Naoto orders her to be proud for what she did. For once instead of turning it into some Naoto x AnchoR loli romance, Marie bumps him away to emotionally hug and praise her. Why you make AnchoR cry now?! With Halter getting his human body back, they meet up with Karasawa who provides them a boat for them to escape the country. So now they’re floating in some ocean as Naoto and Marie argue who to properly fix AnchoR. Marie obsessed with AnchoR? She doesn’t want Naoto to turn her into a pervert. RyuZU ‘supports’ Marie since it would mean she gets Naoto all to herself. It gets worse with them wanting AnchoR to choose. Halter’s best quip: They’re the worst because that’s just bad parenting. Sorry to stop your family bickering but the government’s forces are hot on their tail. I guess Vermouth is itching to get into some action. How the heck can a small boat take on a few military class warship?! Beats me. They say they’re going to travel the entire world to overhaul all the gears. Yeah…
Gears Of War
Well… I think they can do it and fix this damn planet. Because when they have done everything and the impossible, what is there else to stop them? So when other countries see this little motley crew coming to shore, you better welcome this new age sci-fi Jesus Christ. Oh, you bet your gears that they can and are going to fix whatever wrong is with your sh*t. All the while fighting and defeating the forces of evil in the name of the government. Sorry if I got a bit lost in my own made-up fantasy since I was already confused by the time I finished watching this anime so I figure why not speculate something of this sort and cool down my ‘system’ before it overheats and I enter a mental breakdown of overthinking. Maybe I am already breaking down without knowing it…
Unfortunately I can’t seem to follow the plot easily. Based on my experience from watching sci-fi genres, I was already expecting this kind of personal disappointment. So when the story was all over the place about trying to rescue the city, trying to rescue a loli robot, trying to rescue the city again and possibly the entire country, I was just freaking confused. So basically everything inside this anime (the workings of the gears, etc) is so complicated that I suppose ‘antagonists’ have a better idea of destroying everything to make it look like an accident so they can save some face. Yeah, I would do that too if I was in their shoes. And they would have gotten away with it if not for those pesky meddling kids. Haha! Imagine a group of adults in high positions losing out to a bunch of genius kids and their robot personnel. Laughable. Better to accelerate the end of the world.
By the time the anime ends, you might start thinking who this Y dude who created this entire planet is and hence to some, this clockwork world is just one big gear of despair because nobody understands anything. Geez, and I thought being stupid is bliss. It’s like he created this world to prolong mankind’s suffering. This guy’s single named initial is so ambiguous that as though it is left for future bad puns like why oh why the heck did all this happen. And a parody of a certain popular children’s TV programme. Today’s world is brought to you by the letter Y. With Naoto and co going around to fix things, who needs to know about this dude? I feel like making a few clock and time related puns like how they are all racing in time to save the world trying to work against the clock and that they are taking actions because a stitch in time saves nine, but I guess it would be a waste of time. Oops…
As for the characters, they feel like a hit and miss. But leaning more towards the miss side. Many times, it is hard for me to understand them either. Yeah, that’s the downside of being a genius since ordinary dumb people like me cannot understand them. Naoto and RyuZU’s relationship are interesting to watch (sometimes funny, sometimes annoying) because they seem to be having fun in their own world while the rest of reality is on the verge of breaking down and turning into Apocalypse. RyuZU seems amusing with her sharp acid tongue and her yandere tendencies but it gets old after a while and not so prominent once AnchoR entered the ‘family’. Naoto despite the main character is shown to have his own flaws. I know I’m repeating myself by saying he is a genius and thus his crazy ways can’t be easily comprehended by normal people. Therefore despite his unorthodox ways of coming up with certain strategies and his unique ability of hearing the slightest sounds that no one else can hear, he looks like an idiot doofus who is just ‘fighting’ to protect his harem-cum-family. He is a ‘pervert’ because he prefers his girls in the form of mechanical automata instead of real flesh and blood. Sorry folks, no hook up with Marie. That’s why I figure they make her look less feminine with those boy shorts (loli + shota?) and a nerd with those tools.
The rest of the supporting casts don’t really do that much. It feels like Marie is a character that is needed to be the opposite of Naoto. She hastily wants to get things done because of this sense of responsibility thing but is forced to follow Naoto’s ways. She and Naoto have lots of contradicting ideals but in the end it is usually she who has to bend to his will since he has her robots and yeah, the main character. To show she isn’t totally a brat, that’s why I suppose Halter is playing the loyal subordinate who will always be by her side. But she is still as annoying as Naoto sometimes. Just saying. Ever since AnchoR becomes Naoto’s ‘daughter’, she is docile that she is hardly noticeable unless she is forced for some loli time with Naoto. At least she is the apple of Marie’s eye to share the love evenly. More chances for them to spat and hence increase Marie’s ‘relevance’. Oh man, looks like Marie has now become crazy after Naoto’s influence. Remember, the real Marie ‘died’ a long time ago.
And being tired of the usual military being the usual and typical villains, suddenly they pop this Gennai geezer to the fore with his twisted intentions of trying to best Y. Again. Since when did he represent all of mankind? Does being a scientist gave him that privilege? I mean, haven’t they learn? Those who failed to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it again in the future. Well, it seemed like he did learn his lesson (after a thousand years apparently). Until he met Naoto! Oh dear! Don’t you see?! Naoto is primarily responsible for his revival and hence this final piece of story for this season! Heck, Naoto didn’t even face him directly as a final boss and was killed off by his automaton. I guess he wasn’t worthy enough to be the last final boss for Naoto.
What makes Naoto and Marie totally unbelievable is their abilities and when they put them into action. I know I already said it a few times about them being genius but the way we see them go into action just feels unrealistic. It makes them not human! Look at the way Marie moves her hands and using multiple tools at the same time! With such speed! It’s like her fingers have hands themselves and doing all the fast work too. Is she a robot?! Is she God?! What about Naoto who can just hear every damn gear and pinpoint with 100% accuracy its faults. Heck, I can’t even figure out where that odd sound is coming from my computer and fear the use of using the ol’ whack-the-machine as seen on TV to fix it. But this kid can just hear those ‘beautiful’ sounds so precisely. Is he a robot?! Is he God?!
Even more unbelievable is how some of the robots are so human-like not only in term of appearance but in terms of personality too. I was fooled at first because initially I thought Halter was human or at least a cyborg. Turns out he is 100% robot too. They look, speak and act like a human but inside they are totally made up of metal parts and gears. As though you are peeking through some sort of alternate dimension if you open up their bodies. I know this is sci-fi and even though in reality our technology is getting closer to this very life-like artificial intelligence but it is still mind boggling and too much.
Action and fight scenes feel mediocre although it isn’t entirely that bad. Because it is futuristic sci-fi and has lots of disposable robots, it means that we need to shoe in some battles to show off the capabilities of our main characters. Hence sometimes the action feels mindless because there is a need for RyuZU to showcase from time to time how she can easily slice those mindless robots into half like a hot butter through knife and to make her look like a badass. Lots of firepower, lots of slashing, lots of explosions. Oh heck, this could be the mini Michael Bay’s Transformers series. Unless you are a fan of complicated choreographed fight scenes, such mindless battle scenes may still provide some simple satisfaction because who wouldn’t feel satisfied and be awed to see one heroine take down a hordes of enemies at a time?
Art and animation looks pretty decent. The cities being packed on gears when you look at them from a top-down perspective looks interesting but if you want to start thinking of how possible it is for it to keep standing for a thousand years like that, I think I’ll stop thinking. Character design I’ll say something about RyuZU’s design because the first time I see her, I thought she was taken after the designs of several anime characters like Rozen Maiden’s Suigin Tou, Chrno Crusade’s Rosette and those slicing scythe weapons that comes out from her thighs could be based from Busou Renkin’s Tokiko. I guess that is why she is better to look at compared to all the other bland designs of other robots belonging to the military. I know perhaps the robots are designed for their functionality and purpose but couldn’t they look a bit better than that?
It could be just me since I find that some of the characters’ face to be a little bit broad. Especially Naoto and Marie. Makes them look a bit weird… Maybe it’s their genius genes that has their brains stretched out a little. Haha! Just kidding. You can tell so when you compare them to ‘normal proportions’ characters like Halter and Hoshinomiya. Then AnchoR I thought her head is a bit bigger than her body. I think it is for that moe loli automaton effect but then again, it could be just me. Lastly, CGI is used sometimes to give off that sci-fi feel and although they aren’t that horrendous, it isn’t impressive either. Animated by Xebec who made lots of other popular series like the To Love-Ru series, Love Hina, Shuffle, Shaman King, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san and Mahou Sensei Negima.
Interestingly, the opening theme which is the same name as the title of this series is very much to my liking. I really like this song. If the heavy techno beat sounds somewhat familiar, it is because Fripside sings it and it has that similar sounds to similar techno beat songs they sung like the ones in To Aru Kagaku No Railgun. This is one of those techno songs that I could listen over and over again while blasting it loudly from my music box like I am in some underground disco. Really. The ending theme, Anticlockwise by After The Rain may not be as catchy as the opener but it isn’t that bad either. It’s quite a dramatic piece (did I hear some frenzy piano playing in the background) with lots of loud music and I think they use some sound effects for the singing voice. Oh, the CGI used in the ending credits animation feel cheap…
The voice acting is rather okay. I didn’t recognize any single one of them so I guess there is nothing for me to be happy about. The main casts are Yoshino Nanjou as Naoto (Kokoro in Tantei Opera Milky Holmes series), Ai Kakuma as RyuZU (Julis in Gakusen Toshi Asterisk), Saori Oonishi as Marie (Kazuha in Girlish Number), Sayaka Senbongi as AnchoR (Morina in Piace: Watashi No Italian), Kenichirou Matsuda as Halter (Batou in Ghost In The Shell: Arise), Maaya Uchida as Hoshinomiya (Rikka in Chuunibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai), Takayuki Sugou as Gennai (Zangetsu in Bleach) and Unshou Ishizuka as Konrad (Jet in Cowboy Bebop).
Overall, despite the interesting setting, everything else seems to fail to live up to expectations and fall short. Definitely not for those who want straightforward plots. Definitely not for those who would love their characters with more personality rather than being one dimensional. For those who want a bit of mindless action. And especially for those who love loli and robots. I doubt this series might get another season. I mean, since when have you heard of sci-fi series like this got a sequel? Looking at you Divine Gate… So while this series may not be a masterpiece, maybe sometimes what it takes to fix it (series that are following this format) is just a little whack to make everything right. But then you risk everything crumbling altogether like a domino effect and render it beyond repair. In this age of plenty, why repair? Throw it away and buy a new one! This means I would continue to watch similar sci-fi anime genres in the future…
Tsuki Ga Kirei
20 October, 2017
Normal boy meets girl. Normal middle school drama. Normal teen romance. Normal love between youngsters. If you like all that normalcy and can’t take anymore of today’s crazy love stories with bizarre twists, settings and plots, then Tsuki Ga Kirei is that right normal love story for you. Nothing very overly complicated. Nothing that is so overly confusing. Nothing so dramatic that it makes your heart stop. Nothing so emotional or tear jerking that you would finish a box of Kleenex in no time. Nothing that is so controversial and outrageous that would stir up unnecessary feelings throughout and after the end. So normal that it is abnormally normal. Or could it all be just one big yawn fest…
Episode 1
A new start of the school term. Kawagoe City Middle School starts its opening ceremony. Nothing really much. Akane Mizuno notes all her friends are in different classes. Kotarou Azumi visits the library. After school, both their families go out to eat at the same restaurant. Akane and Kotarou see each other and get embarrassed. They try not to make contact. But the awkwardness gets real when they are at the drink bar at the same time. Akane’s sister, Ayane finds out that the boy is her classmate. She tells this to her parents. Before you know it, both parents get acquainted with each other! Super awkward! When both families are done and are leaving, Akane hopes he won’t tell this to anybody. It’s embarrassing. But wearing the track and field club jersey is not for her? In school, the students are divided for their roles to help prepare for the sports festival. Kotarou skips out and visits a bookstore. He sees a book called Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai, which is about a woman’s inner thoughts in first person. After he buys it, the bookkeeper gives him some record album as well as what it seems to be a swimsuit magazine (on the house) so he could read a variety of stuffs. Kotarou is now forced by the teacher to help out with the preparations. Akane sees this and remembers her friends were asking her to get group contacts for everyone. She sums up her courage to go talk to him (although it startles him at first). Since he doesn’t have his handphone now, she gives him her contacts. She helps him out to ease his workload. Later after Kotarou joins the group, Ayane teases her about talking to her boyfriend in which she strongly denies.
Episode 2
Kotarou has been up all night writing. That’s why he looks somewhat tired in the morning. His dad knows what he is doing because he too was once like that. He tells him to continue doing so since you can only be young once. As the sports festival begins, Akane is the fastest sprinter in one of the early races. It makes her looks cartoonish! Kotarou isn’t so thrilled to be in the 200 metre race. Takumi Hira looks as fast and cartoonish as Akane. What’s more embarrassing for Kotarou being zoomed past by others? He tripped and bruised himself. That’s got to hurt outside and inside. As he tries to see the teacher at the infirmary to get his wound treated, the teacher isn’t in but Chinatsu Nishio is. She knows a bit about him as Akane is her friend. Not sure why she’s feeling ticklish and laughing at lots of things. Heck, she gave him a sloppy treatment. If this was the real world, she would be sued for negligence. No disinfectant and just look at how horrible the way she bandages his bruise! Hira makes a pass at Akane so her friends think they should just date each other. While preparing for the scavenger hunt race, Akane accidentally drops her ‘pressure relief’ doll in one of the baskets. Because of that, her mind is elsewhere and there are a few ill-prepared bloopers like the scavenger hunt had not slips and Akane dropping the baton in the relay race, forcing her team to forfeit top spot to another in the overall points. Her friends have Hira talk to her but I don’t think it would do anything much. At the end of the day, it is Kotarou who returns it to her (he found it while putting things away). It made her so happy that she becomes talkative? As she mentions about her nervousness and how embarrassing it was today for her to mess things up, he tells her she is fine the way she is. Her happiness gives him motivation to continue writing. He starts showing his writing to the bookkeeper for feedback. Meanwhile, teacher Ryouko Sonoda is in a pinch. Her student, Roman Yamashina took her as his scavenger item. His slip said the person he loves. She couldn’t believe it. So that’s why she’s drinking? Even more so when she hears Roman say he actually likes her! Well, this teacher looks so young to be a fellow student…
Episode 3
Kotarou seems to have submitted his writings to a publication but I guess he didn’t make the cut… You can tell he is a bit dejected and furthermore at a time during the exams. Nothing like a little messaging with Akane to help lighten the mood, eh? Once the exams are over, the sports clubs are busy with their trainings for their meets. Kotarou heard Chinatsu talk to her friend that Akane should just date Hira and is sure she wouldn’t turn him down. Akane and Chinatsu are at the track meet. They have decent times. Chinatsu vows to train harder to match Akane. As Kotarou keeps in touch with Akane, he is itching to ask if there is any guy she likes but can’t bring himself to do it. Next day at the track meet, Hira goes up to Akane. He wants to tell her something but something else distracts them and eventually the mood. So while the meet is in full swing, Kotarou prays at the shrine before heading to some traditional drum practice. I guess they’re using tyres so as not to be noisy to others. They look like a weird zombie cult if you ask me… Kotarou can’t help look at his handphone for Akane’s reply. She never did. He even waited there until night fall. What if Akane never shows up? Of course she did as she has returned from her meet. She thought he might be here. So they talk. Sheepishly. And then it’s like they’re talking with puns of moon (tsuki) and love (suki) till it gets serious when Kotarou asks her to go out with him (tsukiatte).
Episode 4
Akane’s answer was “I don’t know”. Because of that, for their school trip, the 2 have this awkwardness between them. The teachers are spot checking their belongings and confiscating those that are prohibited. See how creative some came up to hide them. Like Roman hiding handphones in a snack wrapper. Even the oldest trick of tricking the teacher while pretending to sleep. After they are gone, it’s staying up late to chat. As usual, the girls talk about who they like. They pressure Akane for an answer so she hints there is someone she is interested. They get excited but assume that guy is Hira. Back at Kotarou’s side, its’ so funny to hear Roman and Daichi Ogasawara playing some mobile game together. The funny sounds they make when they’re winning or losing back and forth. It’s hilarious! 4 combo? 5 combo? 16 combo?! WTF?! I guess Kotarou was so engrossed with his messaging with Akane, his friends pull a fast one over him to steal his handphone. Luckily he manages to steal it back and runs out. Unfortunately it was quickly confiscated by the teacher. Not before making an appointment to meet up with Akane tomorrow. So as the next day arrives, Akane seems to be finding it hard to ditch her friends to go meet him. She tries to give excuses but they don’t see the picture. Man, she is running 2 hours late… When they finally wise up and ‘split up, Akane rushes there. Kotarou not around. I guess he didn’t wait. So she waits. After all, she texted him but he never replied. Actually they keep missing each other. Kotarou spots Chinatsu and asks to borrow her handphone. However she doesn’t know Akane’s number and can’t let Chinatsu find out so he gives it back to her. However Chinatsu can tell he wants to call Akane. She observes he was always looking at her. Chinatsu calls Akane and then hands it to Kotarou. Akane doesn’t sound impressed. So they change the place to meet and this time they really meet. You can tell she is mad despite he explained the teacher took his handphone. But why from Chinatsu’s handphone? Aha. Gotcha. I see where this is going… But when she says she wants to talk more with him, that’s supposed to be her reply to his confession? Man, I’m still a baby in trying to figure out a woman’s thoughts.
Episode 5
Kotarou and Akane are secretly dating. Chinatsu sees Kotarou being lectured by his teacher about his poor proficiency test scores. She is probably in the same boat so she asks him if he goes to any good cram schools. Akane must be finding it hard for love advice online. So she asks Ayane for advice. You have to live with the teasing that comes. Ayane promises not to tell their parents. Similarly, Kotarou is looking at online forums for dating tips. I don’t think it helps either. The duo message each other and he is quite happy when she agrees to come with him for the festivals. During lunch, they are supposed to eat with each other at the school’s library. However Akane can’t break free from her friends without suspicions. I guess Kotarou has to eat alone. Just when he thought it is her, it’s actually Chinatsu. And when Akane comes, she sees them together. What’s the meaning of this? Don’t worry. She was just asking about the cram school. After Chinatsu leaves, you can see that pout. So does Akane want to come to the same cram school? Baka! This effects Akane that she has no form in running. Hira picks it up and wonders if she would like to talk about it on her way home. Maybe that guy isn’t interested. Or he’s just hinting very vaguely. “We don’t have much longer to run together”. Although Kotarou and Chinatsu attend different cram schools, they walk the same path home. Some girls confront Akane to ascertain if she is dating Hira because they saw them together one day. No. Phew. What a relief. Kotarou has Akane meet up at the bookstore. So this is their first outing together? I guess when you have no money and don’t want to frequent a place where there is lots of people (who goes to a bookstore these days?), this is your only option. The bookkeeper was kind enough to allow them a few hours or so. As they chat, he says he would like to come to her meets to cheer on her. The timing is right for them to hold hands. But it is interrupted when Akane gets a message from Chinatsu. It says she has a crush on Kotarou! Oh no… Lastly, Akane’s parents are walking home when a noisy car passes by. Then it turns out to be Ayane’s boyfriend who is sending her home! This punk seems quite polite. Mom likes him but dad will not acknowledge him. Until he gives him some plushie doll?!
Episode 6
Kotarou gets a call from the publisher to meet up about the work he submitted. Akane’s parents want to come cheer for her for the next track meet but she doesn’t want them to. Ayane then hints she has a boyfriend. Traitor! While mom looks excited, dad looks worried. It’s that age where he is going to lose his daughters… Great timing or not, Akane gets a message from Kotarou to meet up. It seems he can’t come to cheer on her on that day because it is the same day he is going to meet the publisher. They hope each other for the best. Kotarou lies to his mom he is going to the library when he goes to town to the publisher. Once he meets the guy, he is being instantly told that he has no talent! Albeit in a nice way. Plus, he suggests Kotarou shouldn’t be doing serious literature for his age since it doesn’t make money and should go into light novel. Meanwhile at Akane, she tries to tell Chinatsu she is dating Kotarou. But Chinatsu knows since it was so obvious. Thanks for letting her know? When it is Akane’s turn to race, she can’t focus and her time ended worse than before. So why does Hira have to come lecture her about what’s wrong? Oh, now she’s crying. Too late to change your tone to positive. She’s not saying anything. When Kotarou comes home, mom confronts him and is furious. She heard from dad and doesn’t like he is dabbling in writing. Akane is also depressed since she failed to make the cut. The parents leave it to Ayane to talk to her. So Akane reveals the thing that bothered her: Her best friend confessed she likes the same guy. Instantly Ayane baulks. Too much drama? Her advice is to immediately cut ties with her best friend but she won’t since friends are important to her. Kotarou and Akane later meet and learn how both failed to make the cut. But they won’t give up and will continue doing what they love. Later Akane meets up with Chinatsu to clear things up. Wow. Such nice happy ending because they understand and continue remaining as friends. Just one thing: Chinatsu seeks her permission to confess to Kotarou so she can have proper closure. Looks like they’re not out of the woods yet.
Episode 6.5
WTF?! Why do they need a recap and summary so far?! I see they couldn’t meet that week’s episode deadline. So we have to relive recycled clips of the important moments between Kotarou and Akane again? I know repeating love is important but progression is also more important… Just kidding. Just made that up…
Episode 7
Kotarou and Akane join their big group of friends to the amusement park. The more the merrier? Because of their odd number, Roman always volunteers to take the odd seat to fill up the rides and is often on his own. During the roller coaster, Chinatsu wants to sit next to Kotarou. She even has him try to call her by her first name. Akane doesn’t look impressed. When Kotarou gets a call from Roman as he is in the infirmary for mild heatstroke, Roman can tell he is dating Akane. So obvious. He wants to support them when he reads the group message that Akane is spotted together with Hira. Kotarou returns to the group with everyone supporting Akane and Hira to be a couple. He goes off to find them. He summons his courage to tell Hira that they are dating. Akane agrees. Hira is left in shock. Chinatsu is also there in shock. But with added tears effect. When Hira returns to the group and asks if Akane is in a relationship, everyone is aghast. Really?! For real?! Are you sure?! Because Roman knows, they bug him for answers. Kotarou and Akane do lots of stuff together and are pretty looking like a real couple. When Chinatsu returns to the group, the girls can tell she has been crying and that love triangle. They try to console her. During the fireworks, the mood is great for Kotarou and Akane to kiss. Only to be interrupted by a cheeky little girl pointing out the obvious. Well, they were going to kiss in public! Chinatsu apologizes to Hira for inviting him here. However he isn’t bothered by it. On the train home, Akane receives a ‘teary’ message from Chinatsu that she couldn’t confess. Why you have to go make her feel bad?!
Episode 8
Now the rumour of Kotarou and Akane spreads throughout school. They’re going to be so ‘famous’. Akane’s friends pull her aside to find out more. It’s funny they ask what she likes about him and yet nothing. They promise no more secrets between each other. This means she has to tell them when they first kiss! Though, they can’t envision Kotarou as a guy who would do that. After Akane finishes her practice and meets up with Kotarou at the library, she invites him to come watch his practice his dance for the festival. Now here is another place who knows he has a girlfriend. Akane dresses in her lovely yukata to join Kotarou for the festival. She learns his birthday is already way past. She would want to buy something for his birthday but Kotarou hardly celebrates his birthday with his friends as it usually falls during summer break. Akane’s feet has a little sore from the sandal straps so Kotarou helps put band aid over it. Then she gives him a ‘pressure relief’ doll which is identical to hers as his belated birthday present. I think he might get addicted in pressing it. This time the mood is right and there are no interruptions so the duo share a kiss. Both wrote the same wish at the festival: To be together forever.
Episode 9
Kotarou is still thinking which high school to go to. It is the same for Akane. But Akane’s dad drops news that he might soon be transferring to another place for his work, probably to Chiba. Akane is worried but no cause to press the panic button yet. Kotarou’s mom continues to bug him to stay focus and choose his high school. You can see on Kotarou’s face that he is just not interested and like a blatant protest when he doesn’t answer or just ignore her. Later Kotarou and Akane text each other. Since it will be Akane’s last track meet, he wants to come watch her. She is taken aback and doesn’t want him to come since it will be embarrassing. Little does she know, he secretly came to watch her. When it is her turn, the moment the gun is fired, she runs the fastest and leaves the rest trailing in her dust! OMG! Just reminds me how Usain Bolt did it to his opponents! In fact, not only she reaches the finish line first, she broke her personal best time. Kotarou leaves satisfied and Chinatsu spots him. Now seeing him is like automatic heartbreak, huh? During the break, Akane and Chinatsu start crying that things are soon going to be over. Hira tries not to interrupt while he gets his stuffs but Akane spots him. Awkward. Then he couldn’t help smile since her nose is as red as some reindeer. Later when Hira talks to Akane, he learns that she might be moving away. Thus he invites her and her friends to go to the festival together since it will be their last time doing club activities together. Chinatsu wonders if Hira has not given up yet. He replies he hasn’t even begun. She doesn’t blame him. You can’t change how you feel. Kotarou gets a little encouragement when father talks to him about the school he is supposed to choose. It doesn’t need to be good. As long as he can do whatever he loves. Take it easy. Later Kotarou messages Akane and to her surprise when he says he was there watching her. Now it’s her turn to surprise you. She’s moving to Chiba. This one’s more devastating?
Episode 10
Kotarou was so surprised that he immediately calls her to confirm. Your ears aren’t deceiving you. Akane will be applying for a well known high school in Chiba, Koumei and she can get in via recommendation based on her grades. Kotarou thinks of applying there too via general admission. He is happy to hear she wants to go to the same cram school as him. During the festival, Akane and her friends watch Kotarou do his dance. Although he is in a mask and costume from head to toe and on a float, they could still recognize him. During his break, he wants to meet up with Akane but since she is with her club friends, she wants to it to be a little later. Hira and Akane got ‘punishment’ to throw away the trash. He takes this opportunity to confess he likes her. Want to bet Kotarou is there watching? Of course Akane rejects him since she is already in a relationship. What Hira wants to know is why Kotarou. He knows her better than anyone else. She just considers him as her important friend. He understands and just wanted her to let her know how he felt. When Akane meets up with Kotarou, that guy is obviously acting different. She knows he is mad despite he denies. She thinks it is about her moving away but he hints about a certain guy. It was just really odd for them spending time together like that with that kind of tension before Kotarou returns to continue his shift. Poor Akane, she cried alone on her way home. Later back home, Kotarou must have realized too late how much of a dick he was and regrets it. But even in school they aren’t talking to each other. When Akane spots an application for Koumei, she immediately goes to confront Kotarou. He admits he applied for it. He hasn’t told his parents yet and is sure they will be against it but will try to convince them. He wanted to tell her after he talked to his parents. Akane feels happy as she falls and cries in his arms. They apologize to each other for before. Kotarou didn’t see this coming as Akane kisses him on his lips.
Episode 11
When Kotarou and his mom are talking to his teacher for his high school recommendation, he shocks them by saying he is going to Koumei. Of course back home he gets an earful from mom. How can he claim he thought hard about it when he said he just decided to go there? She believes it is because of a girl since she heard the teacher mentioning a classmate is applying there. The most shocking moment in this series when Kotarou tells his nagging mom to shut up! OMFG!!! So he goes to his room and just lies there… He tells Akane he got into a fight with his parents. She on the other hand is knitting him a scarf. Ayane tries to be practical about their long distance relationship and that they might break up but Akane remains positive they won’t. Rumours of Kotarou applying for Koumei spread all over school again. Akane’s friends tease her they should just get married right now. Kotarou continues to be a study zombie. He goes home every day and study. So much so it is making mom feel bad. He has a little reprieve when Akane asks him out on Christmas. She gives him her hand knitted scarf. It made his day. But I guess the best part is at the end of it when they kiss. Then it’s back to the daily grind. One night, Kotarou’s dad talks to him. He can apply for Koumei but if he fails, he will have to apply for a nearby municipal school. He then tells him how mom went to talk to his teacher again. With his grades, getting into Koumei is impossible but mom fought back and wanted her son to be given a chance since he is trying so hard. I guess it makes him awkward. He goes to talk to mom but sees her making onigiri for him. Only can be filled with mom’s love. Yeah, tastes so good with a mother’s love. The day to take the entrance exam is here as Kotarou leaves early and his parents giving him their blessing. He takes his first step to fulfil his destiny.
Episode 12
The results are in. He is NOT accepted. Well, that was fast. Destiny failed. No laughing matter… Not sure why Ayane seems to bug her sister to give up on him. I hope she isn’t just testing her. Kotarou applies for a municipal school and gets in. Chinatsu is also here and got in. On the way back, she finally confesses to him. As Akane’s friend she didn’t want to hurt her. After she hugs him, she leaves. Chinatsu then messages Akane about her confession. She hopes they can still be friends. After graduation, Kotarou and Akane hang out. All is going well when suddenly Akane’s mood changes. She becomes gloomy. What gives? She tells him about Chinatsu’s confession. Oh. He admits. But the problem that is bugging her is why he did not tell her. Oh sh*t. She was so worried. She starts crying. But then apologizes for causing him trouble, then kisses him, then runs away. Man, this is very confusing! After that she cries so hard like as though she got dumped! No wonder Kotarou is so blank back at his room. The day Akane’s family moves out is here. She leaves her ‘pressure relief’ doll behind. Akane has a teary goodbye with her friends but dad gives her permission to catch the later train. Chinatsu then shows a story that Kotarou posted online. It is a real love story between them. She reads some of the lines at the end and is overcome with emotion. You know, the lines that say how much he loves her and his feelings will never change no matter how far they are apart. Kotarou’s story is popular enough that there are many comments posted. He reads one of them from Akane as she asks what happens next. Not sure if this reminded him or gave him motivation to move his ass to go see off Akane. Too late. Chinatsu already said she is boarding the train. So he starts rushing there? Since when did he become a sprinter?! Actually it is some point where the train passes him. When it does, he screams out how much loves her. Well, let’s hope that is the correct train. In the ending montage, we see them maintaining their long distance relationship until they finally get married and have a beautiful child.
Love, So Beautiful
And there you have it. One of the world’s most normal love stories and the happiest and normal ending too. At first I thought they were going to leave us ‘hanging’ with the finale showing how our main lovers will not be together (at least the distance will be the greatest obstacle in having them spend more time together) but they fast forward and do some time skip to prevent us from speculating our own twisted stories that they may have broken up or be dead (yikes!) and hence coming up with the ultimate ending of them finally becoming a happy family. It might look so normal but if you are living in today’s era, this is like a fairytale dream come true! The best possible ending that all of us would have wanted. It might be boring but hey, they are happy. That is what counts. Making how this whole thing sound like a ‘fairytale’ is that both of them are their first loves. If they grow old and are still together, it would have been a commendable feat and an achievement that not many can achieve in today’s world. So congratulations to Kotarou and Akane. You made it in life! Why do I have to make it sound like a game?
There is nothing much happening as you can see in the overall plot. It is just your basic average love romance drama in young teens. The obstacles they face as seen here aren’t very overall dramatic or that would make your heart sink so low that it would drop out of your body. That’s why I considered Kotarou talking back to his mom to be the most shocking moment ever in this series. Yup, not the love triangle or when Akane had to move. Those help add some drama and effect but they are quickly done over with and without much fanfare. With Chinatsu and Hira holding unrequited love in their hearts, you’d think they won’t give up on them easily but being the very normal anime this has to be, hence nobody holds a grudge and the love triangle ended before it could even start! So if you’re looking for some delicious scandalous drama, you’re not going to find any here. Therefore even if the pacing of this series is reasonable, to some it may be a drag and just boringly normal. It doesn’t hover over a scene too long and moves over.
Despite many side characters in this series especially Kotarou and Akane’s friends and classmates, a big bulk is focused on them. More about them later. But for Kotarou and Akane, their relationship may not be perfect but in today’s standards, it is considered a miracle and a fairytale. They are just very normal kids who happen to be in love with each other. They hesitate and aren’t sure simply because this is their first time in love. So it is given there has to be some anxiety and some worries. But other than that, it is a love relationship perfect and beautiful enough that the paparazzi would fall asleep and go somewhere else.
Apart from their practically normal relationship, so normal that even when it spreads throughout school, it’s like nobody gives a damn (probably they are not hot shots or popular enough to have fan clubs of their own in the eyes of others). So I somewhat observed a bit some of their quirks. Like how when they often message each other, they tend to use very big and elaborate emoji in their text. Not your standard yellow face emoji or those typical and simple ones. But really cute and elaborate ones. Sometimes when Kotarou gets happy, I kept wondering why he likes to do shadow boxing with his light string in the middle of his room. Then I saw that Ali picture on his wall (the only picture he’s got in his room?). He never mentioned anything about his aspirations to be a boxer but I am digressing that if he wasn’t going to be a writer, novelist or anything to do with literature, he’s be a boxer. I know. Unimaginable, right? From time to time, he loves to quote from Dazai on love. I guess that’s part of his source of motivation. And then there’s Akane who keeps pressing that doll each time she is nervous (a habit Kotarou picks up after she introduced him to it). I can’t help but snicker each time looking at her do so because it’s like as though she is doing some voodoo thingy on that doll by pressing it with her fingers. Also, reminds me of that video game logic whereby if you’re losing and you can somewhat hit harder in-game when you press your buttons harder. Funny…
I always find it strange that Chinatsu has this very sunshiny and happy personality. Sometimes it feels unreal because behind that laughter feels like as though she is hiding something. While it is not explicitly mentioned, I think the way she bursts into such laughter is to hide her crush on Kotarou. Well, we know how things turned out. So is it better for her to be in fake smiles (assuming it is) or be true to her feelings and show her depression? I also thought Hira was a bit strange. From the looks of it, his body language gives mixed signals he might or might not be interested in Akane. You see him wanting to be there for her but then he goes off. It’s like he isn’t interested in her or doesn’t know how to approach or deal with the finer parts of soothing a girl’s heart. But to think about it if it was the latter, if I was in his shoes I would probably act and do the same.
Now let’s talk about the other side supporting characters especially their friends. Many of them are not given a lot of prominence in the main story and sometimes it makes them feel like nameless unimportant extras just to show that our main duo have got some friends. Hence at the end in some episodes, we have a few short skits that shows their funny side. It is really interesting and the funniest bits of the series. For example, there is this Sakura girl who thinks she is hell of a beautiful and charming whereas in real life she is just a plain normal loner girl in glasses and braids. She has one heck of an imagination that’s for sure. She’s the kind of girl who thinks everybody wants a piece of her or how she is such a good and heroic person when in reality nobody gives a damn about her and it’s all in her mind. Can you believe that this girl is actually in the same literature club as Kotarou and he didn’t even know she exists until they take a club photo?!
Aside Kotarou and Akane being in a relationship, it seems that a couple of Akane’s friends are already ‘established’ in this dating game with them having their own boyfriends. It is very amusing to see how they interact with each other here. Like Setsuko and Nagahara, the latter always talk and act big like with an air of confidence but at the end of the day he is just broke and Setsuko always have to end up covering for him. No wonder they broke up. For Miu and Inaba, Miu looks like the very sweet girl but can be also very demanding. You must have lots of patience with her as Inaba learns the hard way. When he presses the right buttons, she is all cute and happy. Just the slightest mistake, she’ll click her tongue. Yeah, it makes her look like a selfish b*tch sometimes. Never judge a book by its cover because that is what Ayane’s boyfriend is. But I suppose I can understand why all fathers worry to have their daughters date this kind of guy. Not to worry. At least from this point of view he looks very much like a good guy. Not a couple, but it feels weird for having a few skits on Roman and Ryouko since the latter feels like she is being dragged into his pace.
Sometimes Kotarou and Akane’s friends have the best one liner quips especially when teasing about their relationship. Like for example when Kotarou was adamant to take the test into Koumei, there is a high chance it may not be possible for him to get in based on his grades. So how does Roman respond to that? He’ll make it up with the power of love! Oh, Roman. If only real life was this easy. Roman and Daichi feel like your typical average friends to always tease normal Kotarou. Because like Daichi who is a big chubby guy, he loves to wrestle and lock Kotarou in his arms as part of his teasing. The unsung heroes of the series goes to Kotarou and Akane’s parents for their unwavering support of their child. Like Kotarou’s father who looks easy going but he gives the freedom to his son to do what he wants at his own pace. Don’t force him. Every guy would like to have him as his father. His mom might sound like a nag but she is just like every other mother who is worried about her child’s future. In the end, all they want is the best in them and continue to support them through thick and thin.
In fact, there is an entire special episode dedicated into showing these short skits on these minor characters. Like as though they can’t fit everything into the season so they just compiled the rest into a 15 minute special to be sold with the BDs. Sure, getting us to part with our cash but that’s not the point. Some of the skits include boys and girls can have an entire conversation of one word only and unless you’re part of the group, you won’t understand its context; When Inaba is being popular and chatty among girls, Miu surprisingly takes him away to walk home together. That never happened before. Because she doesn’t want him to be taken away by other girls rather than being truly in love with him; Sakura tries her hands at tarot cards. All bad readings… Better give up; Daichi notices different people cheering differently for other clubs and notes how unpopular his judo club is; Whenever fellow teacher Hidaka talks to Ryouko, she always blushes and goes away (because they’re inadvertently topics relating to marriage and being single). This has him to start deluding that she likes him; Even Sakura starts deluding Hidaka likes her after mishearing his words but eventually dismisses he is her type; Several boys hit on Miu so she agrees to go karaoke with them. Eventually she rips them off by having her treat lots of food and when it’s time to go, she leaves them with her fake social media contacts. Brutal…;
Nagahara sends a cringe video of him rapping his Christmas love to Setsuko. Because they got into an argument later, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned so she forwards that video to everyone! Guess who is the laughing stock now?; Akane’s dad still can’t accept Ayane’s boyfriend. But despite his exterior, he is a good guy and even has plans for their future! You can’t hate this guy!; Kotarou’s mom seems to be taken in with the Korean wave. Though dad dismisses it, late at night he tries to imitate it himself. The same thing when his wife starts fawning over kung fu guys and cute mascots. Yeah, Kotarou must feel weird out to see that like that; After lots of bugging, Setsuko finally gives Nagahara a leftover chocolate from her friend. Nevertheless he is very happy. But this has bigger implications because since he has no money, this feel good thingy has Setsuko forgiving him and will cover it for him; Inaba doesn’t get any chocolates from Miu as she doesn’t see him as a friend. Or a boyfriend. Sad…; Sakura is deluding again about how all the boys in her class will be fighting to give her chocolates. Probably they haven’t given her any yet is because they’re waiting quietly… Keep waiting.
One of the striking things of this series is the visuals. It strikes you as very simple and plain at first. For a normal anime, this kind of art feels fitting as you don’t need all the complicated details. Therefore the art style may sometimes look like simple sketches. This art style kinda reminds me of another anime series that looks similar to this: Hourou Musuko. One of my 2 complaints about the art style for this series is rather the shading or the toning hue of the characters’ side face. There is this one huge strip of whiteness on the side as though their faces didn’t get complete in the colouring. Or they may have put too much face powder and forgot to rub it off. It is very obvious and it feels weird once you noticed it. You can’t take your eyes off it. I know this is part of the simple art style of the series but this is too obvious that I can’t help feel weird overall about it.
The other complaint is the use of CGI. I don’t know if it is today’s trend that CGI must be employed no matter how miniscule it is into every anime. I don’t see a reason why this anime needs to use CGI even if it is for variety. Although not used very often, CGI can mostly be seen when there is a crowd of people. Usually this scene lasts 1 or 2 seconds long. But the animation is glaring. It feels so stiff like as though the characters are those NPCs you see in video games. Totally weird and unnecessary. This anime is animated by Feel who produced Locodol, Dagashi Kashi, Jinsei, Yahari Ore No Seishun Love Comedy Wa Machigattieru series and the Da Capo series.
Something about the voice acting that makes it feel realistic that they sound like real middle school kids than grownups trying to act like them. I don’t know why I kept thinking that the voice behind Akane or even Ayane was Aoi Yuuki. At points they sounded close but definitely there was something off. Akane is voiced by Konomi Kohara (Akane in Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi No Kyoushitsu E) and Ayane by Ryouko Maekawa (Yumine in Mahou No Stella). The rest of the other casts are Shouya Chiba as Kotarou (Kenji Gion in All Out), Rie Murakawa as Chinatsu (Ageha in Kyoukai No Rinne), Atsushi Tamaru as Hira (Shouichi in Seiren). Eishin Fudemura as Roman (Hitoshi in Nanbaka), Makoto Kaneko as Daichi and Nao Touyama as Ryouko (Chitoge in Nisekoi).
Despite having a very minor and cameo role in this anime, Nao Touyama sings the big bulk of the songs in this series. Not only the opening and ending themes but the various insert songs peppered throughout the series as well. Like the ending theme (named exactly after the name of this series) and a lot of the insert songs are slow and lovely ballads. They fit into the romantic atmosphere very well. Even if this is just a normal romance show, the insert songs actually help give off a very powerful emotion in many important scenes of Kotarou and Akane together. So if their dialogue wasn’t enough to help make you feel connected, the insert songs will. The opening theme, Imakoko is hence by far the liveliest of them all. It’s not too shabby at all this anime pop.
Overall, this is a beautiful romance series with great character development and pacing but the normality of many things may put off some looking for something edgier and controversial (Kuzu No Honkai anyone?). However its normality is what made this series a novelty in its own right. Yes, so normal that it actually stands out on its own apart from your other typical fanservice, slapstick comedy and bloody gore animes for the season. Yes, this anime somewhat ‘detoxifies’ all the ‘corruption’ from other series I have watched. It stands as one of those ‘healing’ animes in my books like Aria The Animation, Tamayura and Non Non Biyori. Only difference is that we have the beauty of ‘normal’ romance and falling in love. So give love a chance (like how you should for this series) and everything becomes beautiful. Because, the power of love. It makes up for everything. Normally. Normal is the new beautiful.
Nanbaka
15 October, 2017
If you can’t get enough about series that has its characters breaking out of prisons but find the one about a high school that imprisons boys to be too pandering to feminism and too much hot fanservice spamming in your face, then perhaps breaking out of a real high security prison would seem more reasonable. Sort of. Nanbaka isn’t just about prisoners breaking out of their cell. Oh no. That would be just boring to see every episode about them trying their devious and cunning ways to beat the system to get out. Because it will be like the Coyote and Road Runner show. The same never ending stuffs. So we’ve got lots of action, lots of comedy, lots of drama learning more about the prisoners and wardens past and character and a whole lot of conspiracy to go about. Wow. Prison is more than just locking up somebody and leaving them to rot and die.
Episode 1
Nanba Prison is supposedly the most secretive and high-tech prison in the world that nobody has ever escaped before. Oops! Said too soon because inmates from Cell 13 of Building 13 have escaped. They are No. 25 AKA Nico, No.69 AKA Rock, No. 11 AKA Uno and No. 15 AKA Juugo. They run through all the traps and security layout like ease. As if this is just an easy game show for them. Building 13’s guards, Hajime Sugoroku and Seitarou Tanabata are monitoring their movements. They thought Yamato Godai could help catch them since he is on scene but this training maniac easily got lost. Bad sense of direction? When you want things done, you have got to do it yourself. So when the quartet finally reach the end gate to freedom, they are stopped by the only man who can stop them: Hajime. He easily beats them up and sends them back to their cell. So close, yet so far. Even in their cells, the inmates are happily living there. Wow. Like it is the best place to live ever? I mean, they are guaranteed 3 meals a day and follow a healthy routine. They can even read manga, watch TV and do some so why would they want to ever leave? Well, as Juugo puts it, even if he escapes (which he does as a past time in other prisons), he has no home to go. When they hear a woman is going to visit this building, they get excited to go see her. So they break out to see this beautiful blonde lolita chick. Woah. Hajime, we didn’t know you have such a cute sister. Guys, meet Hitoshi. His cross-dressing brother! OMFG! Not so keen now, are they? Hajime is then summoned by the warden of Nanba Prison: Momoko Hyakushiki. She is sceptical about no troubles surfacing from Cell 13 since Juugo, the son of a very troublesome prisoner is housed there. They named No. 610 as the Eternal Fugitive. Juugo continues talking to Hitoshi that he can escape from any lock except the ones on his neck, hands and feet. He doesn’t know how it got there nor how to remove them. Nobody could. But he thinks that this guy with a scary scar on his back neck might be the one. Therefore he has been going from prison to prison to find this dude. Now, there is nowhere left for them to run. This is the last stop, the end of the line. He will find him.
Episode 2
Hyakushiki again summons Hajime to confirm if there are no troubles from Cell 13. No ma’am. In actual fact, Hyakushiki is in love with Hajime! On the outside, she looks like a serious tough nut but on the inside she is swooning like a teenage girl on how cool Hajime is! And Hajime is like really scared of her despite putting up his cool façade. He almost got into trouble again when he gets back to his room because Juugo just escaped! Yeah, he was sleeping in his room. We see Rock enjoying the cafeteria’s food since the big shy chef, Shiro loves making food for him. There is no escape puzzle that Juugo cannot solve and today is Cell 13 inmates to assemble furniture. Too bad their creativity isn’t appreciated here. Now we see Hajime go through all the silly security layers just to enter Hyakushiki’s room. Outside her room are other guards from other buildings waiting for their turn. Yup, a big bunch of weirdoes. When it is Hajime’s turn, he is supposed to bring the files of Cell 13 inmates. What Hyakushiki is interested is why they are not breaking out considering their habit from jailbreak in other prisons. Hajime says it is hard to put it on paper. He explains for example, Nico the American was arrested for being a drug mule. Although he had a light sentence, it seems he didn’t like the injections and needles to treat his uncanny ability of being immune to poison. Because of Nanba Prison’s oral medication, he likes its flavours and thus no motivation to escape. Fellow American Rock was arrested for starting gang riots. He escaped from prisons due to bad food. Now he loves it here because of Nanba Prison’s good food! British Uno is a compulsive gambler. But his escapes are due to because he has dates with women! Because he now has no dates, thus his lack of motivation. Finally Japanese Juugo escapes prison as a hobby. Speaking of which, he almost escaped again. Is he trying to break the record for most escapes in a day?! The quartet discuss if they really should stay here because Nanba Prison is like their home. It’s nice and comfortable.
Episode 3
Seitarou complains to Hajime that Cell 13 inmates are bullying him for being weak. He thinks of quitting but Hajime chides his low resolve. If he can work here, he can work anywhere else. So Hajime suggests this method to handle them. Just give Uno surveys from women’s magazine, manga to Nico and a food menu to Rock to keep them occupied. With them preoccupied, this will make Juugo less motivated to escape since his inmates aren’t. Thanks to that, Seitarou now becomes their errand boy. At least he is motivated. A new inmate is to be placed in Cell 13. He is a ninja, No. 99 AKA Tsukumo. The non-Japanese guys are so happy to see a Japanese ninja. Apparently he got arrested for trespassing. Because Tsukumo is a bit like a show off, he challenges Juugo to see who can escape this prison first. But it seems Tsukumo is just following Juugo around. The rest too because they are the audience and judge? So when they finally bump into Hajime who expected this antic, Tsukumo tries to use his ninja moves but blunders idiotically. Since he is no threat, he will be transferred to another cell block. Later the inmates have to clean their cells as this customary for the New Year. The guards like Hajime are to clean the warden’s building. Hajime could feel Hyakushiki’s piercing eyes watching his every move. But we all know she is just admiring him. Yeah, look at his skin, his sweat. What a man! Once done, Hyakushiki has made up her mind on the cell representatives for each building for the New Year’s Tournament. Building 13 will of course be Cell 13. Because Hajime did mentions if they get chosen, it will be more work for him to clean up their mess. The more chances she gets to see Hajime, the better, right?
Episode 4
The annual tournament hosted by Mitsuru Hitokoe will have building guards and inmates team up and the winner will get prizes. The guards will get bonuses and prisoners one wish. So we see a few of the potential rivals like Building 5’s Samon Gokuu and his Cell 8, Building 3’s Kiji Mitsuba and his Cell 6 as well as Building 4’s Kenshirou Yozakura and his Cell 10. The first event has them write calligraphy. Yeah, everyone is pining for Juugo since he is Japanese. He sucks! Luckily Hajime and Yamato can write better. They win because Hyakushiki abuses her power to give them high marks. The next is pounding mochi on a daruma. Yamato teams up with Rock to fight Building 5’s Inori Hakkai and No. 2 AKA Liang. The latter is Rock’s ex-cellmate before he was transferred to another block. Seems Liang has some sort of grudge on him and wants to beat him up. Therefore he has trained hard to be the strongest and wants a training ground. However Rock fights back and defeats him. All he wants is a stone oven as fighting doesn’t fill his stomach. Yamato also beats up Inori after being motivated by Rock’s win. Next up is karuta. A guard can pair up with up to 2 inmates. Hajime selects Seitarou and Cell 13 inmates mock him that they never knew he could do anything! Juugo fears he will be picked since he is Japanese but surprisingly Uno volunteers. Well, it’s a card game, right? Seitarou faces off with Kiji who also looks down on him. But Seitarou’s hand is faster than the eye! It’s gone before you can even move! A complete sweep for Seitarou. The problem is now Uno as he is up against the queer guys of Cell 8, No. 3 AKA Trois and No. 8 AKA Honey. Uno is also getting his ass handed to him. Uno notices the card disappears into their hand before he could reach them. They believe they’ll win before he discovers their strategy and cheats.
Episode 5
Uno is more than capable of cheating. In a short while, Uno turns the tables and gets all the cards before his opponents could move. Uno has this great observation ability and he has deduced their bad habits. Therefore as long as he can see their traits, he can figure out their next move. Uno wins the game as he tells wish is to get a game room. Next match is top spinning. Building 13 will face off with Building 5. Samon sends No. 71 AKA Qi and No. 58 AKA Upa to fight. Nico is eager to enter this match and drags Hajime in since he earlier saw Upa floating in a cell. But Qi leaves Upa to fight since he doesn’t feel like it. Samon targets Hajime instead of the top. He is suspicious that he is hiding something from his report regarding Cell 13. Hajime fights back as he doesn’t like being interrogated. He hates most that people suspects him. Meanwhile Nico is impressed with Upa’s fighting skills and wants him to teach him. Upa refuses so Nico makes a deal if he beats him, he will be his disciple. Upa calls his wish insignificant so Nico says his wish is to have the latest gaming system in addition to anime and manga. Those make the world go round! Upa is surprised that Nico is able to copy moves from Liang. Though, many had to be censored since he is blurting out trademark moves from other anime. In the end, the might of Hajime and Nico finishes off their opponents. The final match will put Building 13 against Building 4.
Episode 6
This final which is a repeat of last year’s final has the first to open this sake barrel wins. Juugo didn’t want to enter but the rest kick him in. It’s his turn. Hajime also wanted to sit this out since he is tired but noticing Hyakushiki giving him death stares (we all know it’s her high level delusions), he changes his mind. It seems Kenshirou has a crush on Hyakushiki and plans to crush Hajime to prove he is her man. Yeah, he is assuming all that. Juugo is shocked to see inmate no. 634 AKA Musashi. He knows him as an ex-cellmate from another prison and isn’t too happy to see him here. As the battle starts, Hajime is owning Kenshirou, bringing joy to Hyakushiki’s inner heart. Kenshirou has his invisible whip trick but that too was easily seen through. However it is not so good going for Juugo. He is getting owned by the blind man. It might seem that Musashi wants to take Juugo’s sight since he was the one who destroyed his eyes but actually he is interested to have his shackles. Juugo would love to give it to him if he knew of a way to be freed. When Musashi notes it is that man with the scar who only knows, Juugo becomes mad. Does he know more about that guy? He becomes a mad dog trying to extract more information. Musashi surprises everyone by throwing flames. Some human combustion theory here. As Juugo is desperate to do what it takes to get info about that guy, this causes his shackles to transform. This is the reason Juugo hates his shackles and the man who put it there because he took away his freedom and tampered with his body’s structure. His hands are now sharp blades and he is looking more like a monster.
Episode 7
We take a detour and go back a bit in time. Tsukumo is surprised he got a visitor but it is his manager, Hanzou Hattori. Yes, Tsukumo is a famous actor and Hattori has gone through lots of trouble in the media claiming he has gone missing as jail time could spell the end of an actor’s career. However Tsukumo doesn’t want to go back to the life of deceit. He accuses him of kidnapping and more appropriately the director who is his mom. Or so he was made to believe. When Director wanted a new ninja movie, she wanted a real ninja to helm the role. She actually managed to find a hidden village but was chased away. However she found young Tsukumo training in the mountains himself (and failing). At first he was sceptical but soon opens up. When he reveals he is ostracized by the village and hoping his training would bring his missing parents back, Director took the chance to play his mother. Her fine acting made the little kid believe so. And so she groomed him up to be a talented actor. Hanzou claims that it was her who brought him up so it is rude to bite the hands that feed him. He ‘threatens’ that he doesn’t like being alone, which is what this prison is about. If he quits acting, what does he have left? Once Tsukumo leaves, he realizes Juugo has been eavesdropping. So he continues the rest of his story that he ran away once he found out the truth. He tried to return to his village but got lost and arrested for trespassing. As he acted as an escaped convict, he tried it and this landed him in Nanba Prison. This opened his eyes of how useless he is other than being in front of a camera. Juugo’s advice is to be himself. Nobody here will force him to become what he is not or treat him differently. This gives Tsukumo motivation to stay true to himself and hopefully will be able to smile truly next time.
Episode 8
Back to Juugo’s mad transformation, the epic super power battle between them is enough to rock the stadium. Everyone is evacuated while the wardens try to apprehend them. They will not listen and continue to fight each other. But the Nanba Prison guards show why they are the best wardens ever as it took Kenshirou, Kiji and Samon to stop Musashi. Meanwhile Hajime is trying to make Juugo spill the beans about his intentions but Juugo is just desperate to find more info on that man. Juugo’s pals intervene to try to stop him but to no avail. He is a rampaging monster. I suppose talking him out of it won’t be any effective. Before Uno gets killed, Hajime takes over and beats him up to a bloody pulp. He only stops when Hyakushiki orders him so. And with that, the tournament also ends. A few days later, Juugo is still in coma. Hajime visits Cell 13 but apparently Uno is still mad about him overdoing his job. Hajime shows no weakness and he admits he will even kill if it is his job. Hajime can’t catch a break as the other wardens also chastise him for going overboard. Then the ‘worst’ hits him. An order from Hyakushiki that he is to be suspended for 3 days. He goes into shock mode? Apparently Hajime is a workaholic so being on leave means… But his pain is nothing compared to the pain Hyakushiki is experiencing. Yeah, she’s crying in her heart over this punishment she has to mete and hopes he would forgive him.
Episode 9
Now Hajime is back, he wants to interrogate Juugo. But Kenshirou states that Musashi won’t talk till he speaks to Juugo. As they want to learn about their powers but can’t risk putting them together, they talk via walkie-talkie. Musashi asks Juugo’s objective. He laughs when it is just to find the man with the scar. He wants Juugo to give his shackles as it is his goal to find that man and kill him. That shackles will lead him to him. Musashi was a monster who can’t control his flames. But this guy claimed he could solve his troubles in exchange to become his experiment. Too bad he became an even bigger monster. He became mad and tried to kill him but he sliced his fire with his sword. So Musashi claims this man has technology that no other possesses. That is why he is willing to find him and fight him with his own technology to stand a chance. It might not look plausible but he is willing to risk his life and he gallows for it. However ever since he came to Nanba Prison, doctors put some chip into his body that controls his fire. So it’s impossible to take his shackles for now. He just wanted to tell him this to see his reaction. Now it’s Hajime’s turn to lecture Juugo. He is empty and lacks greed. Observing his numerous prison break, his lack of greed has him escape not even for fun. Because he has no objective, his escape somewhat barely prolongs his objective, his reason to live. This makes Juugo realize he never wanted anything. So the shackles somewhat gave him a sense of wanting something. Then he realized the lighted up faces of his cellmates. That face of when they have something they want. However the more he feels that, the more he fears of turning into that monster and killing them. So it’s back to ‘running away’. Hajime tells him Building 13 won the tournament so he can name whatever he wants. However Juugo can’t think of anything. After all that brain racking and eye opening thoughts, he screams he wants another chance. Hajime throws his number tag and warns about his harsh life awaiting that will never be the same. Juugo isn’t fazed. He won’t run away and face them head on. Welcome back.
Episode 10
We go back in time to see what happened to our Cell 13 inmates while Juugo was out. Hyakushiki orders Kenshirou, Kiji and Samon to take turns supervising Cell 13. On the first day, Kenshirou escorts Nico to see Dr Okina Otogi for his check-up and medication. It seems the reason the others follow is because of his super sexy android nurse, Kaguya. It is Kiji’s turn on the second day. Seeing how easily they get depressed just thinking about Juugo, he thought of lighting things up by telling the general layout of Nanba Prison. It’s so huge it has a shopping complex and indoor ski?! Soon Kiji and Uno get into an argument over who is more beautiful/handsome. Till Seitarou steps in and they get even more upset because he is the prettiest boy in prison! Samon goes in on the third day but finds them missing. He finds them hiding because Yamato wants to take them for training and they don’t want his hell training. They try to give excuses and delay but eventually they can’t escape his hell training. Meanwhile Hajime who was suspended, brought home work, finished it, finished work of other wardens and even helped in some building construction! Hardcore workaholic! Back to normal time, Juugo still doesn’t understand what Musashi is trying to tell him so Hajime is forced to explain he is betting on him to find the man with the scar since he lost his powers. Juugo feels awkward returning to his cellmates. But they are more than happy to see him back. Because they act like normal, this makes Juugo feel bad as he apologizes for all that has happened. He is sorry for not understanding them and always trying to run away. Sorry for always hiding something. Don’t sweat it. They’re cool with it. Hyakushiki is glad Hajime is back. Because Mitsuru tried to troll her by wearing a mask of Hajime, she beats him up. Hajime is nervous to hand her the report on Juugo’s recovery. The moment he enters and sees her scary face as well as Mitsuru’s bloody body (her scary smile doesn’t help either), he quickly gives the report and dashes out!
Episode 11
Rock’s stone oven is here. He invites Liang over to taste his pizza and Chinese food. Liang is shocked that Rock is even concerned about his health after the tournament and thus baked these foods. He even gets philosophical about the joys of eating. Of course he attributes this to Juugo. Had he not met him, he wouldn’t have changed. Rock was a rich kid. He ran away as he refused to become like his dad. He became a delinquent, thrown into prison and the wardens starve him. Juugo gave his bread but he refused to eat crappy food. Thus Juugo breaks them out just to let him eat at a better place. Food never tasted so good. Nico is under Otogi’s treatment. Everything is well for him except that Otogi is quarrelling with his mad scientist wife, Kazari over this morning eggs. Don’t ask. Nico’s requested games are here. Heck, he’s got an entire arcade. He invites Upa over to play. Upa didn’t like the idea of Nico being his disciple. Kazari passes a handphone that has all the games Nico wants to play. But he notes that it is better and more fun to play with others. Of course Nico also attributes this to Juugo. Trapped in a room and starring at nothing but a white ceiling, he thought he would die like this but Juugo freed him and introduced him to manga. Thanks to him, Nico never felt more alive and wants to carry on living. Musashi passes by and Uno still doesn’t forgive him even though Juugo doesn’t mind it all. But since Musashi does say sorry, Uno forgives him and becomes his friend. He invites him to his game room tomorrow. But there is a strict rule that Musashi is not allowed outside his underground cell. Kenshirou is willing to overlook that provided he tells him about his past.
Episode 12
When Musashi was born, his temperature was higher than others. He led a happy life till his teens when his fire goes out of control. When he became human combustion but survived, that is when people accused him of arson. Things took a toll for the worse when his home burnt down, killing his parents. It wasn’t his fault but the police tried to arrest him but he burnt them. Since there were witnesses, it was the end of the line for him. In a prison in Germany, that is where he met the man with the scar. Of course we already know what happened. It was there he too learnt that his assistant, Elf was the one who framed him and the culprit who started the arsons. They do so because human experiments are illegal in every way. But if such is done on inmates, nobody will care about them, right? Eventually, that prison burnt down and he was transferred here. Although Musashi lacks the power for revenge, his desire to kill him won’t. Musashi thought Kenshirou won’t believe him but he does. Kenshirou was once a cop investigating experiments in prisons. His higher ups would always dismiss his findings. Thus he had no choice but to become a warden to continue his investigations. He promises to bring the culprit to justice because he can’t forgive those who violate the law. Uno invites all the inmates and wardens from the tournament to his new game room. Looks empty. Will slowly build it? Well, those guys from other blocks too donate some of their games. When they are to go back to their cells, the inmates protest too short a time. They get beaten up and sent back. Juugo can’t sleep that night but it isn’t something unpleasant. Uno talks to him and despite naming all his negative traits, it gives him character. It doesn’t matter where they are. As long as they are living happily, they’ll take it slow and enjoy tomorrow. Juugo goes outside to think and never has he felt like looking forward to tomorrow. But he is interrupted by Elf.
Episode 13
Could it all be in Juugo’s mind? But Elf is real. Though, he can pop up anywhere and despite stabbing Juugo, the pain is real but in a flash it is all gone. Juugo tries to act he doesn’t care about Elf but the latter ‘laments’ how cruel for him to forget the guy who saved him. The guy whom some consider as saviour and others as traitor. Juugo might not have clear memories of his past, but there is one that he remembers about a guy telling him to run. Could it be that guy whom Elf is describing interfered in their research and freed some specimens? Elf reminds Juugo he is a puppet and has some very cool stuffs. Juugo acts he doesn’t care so Elf pins him down and hints he is going to cut out his brain. Juugo fears being killed and struggles. He frees himself by transforming his hand as a sword. Juugo accuses him of doing the same to Musashi but it seems Elf doesn’t know what he is talking about. Elf is only here to check on his status. He is here to take some new samples but after seeing Juugo’s angry face (he thinks Elf is gunning for his friends), he has a better idea and will leave for tonight. Juugo is now overcome with guilt it might be his fault again. He fears for tomorrow. That night, Juugo and his cellmates escape again. Once more, they have to face Hajime as the final boss. However Juugo locks down his friends behind and goes to fight Hajime alone. He looks dead serious in escaping this time. Though he won’t say it, Juugo’s logic to escape is so that Elf will keep chasing him and leave his friends alone. They try to tell him to stop but Juugo is rampaging. Still, his blade hands are not match for Hajime’s might. After much pleading to Seitarou they want to stop Juugo, he lets them out. They come in between the brawling men. Juugo stops as he doesn’t want to hurt them. They use this chance to pin him down. End of fight. They reconcile and argue like they’ve always been. Of course one final beat up from Hajime to return to their cell. After Juugo apologizes to them, he vows to protect their future and his.
Episode 14
Hyakushiki fawns over Hajime again. Mitsuru plays another prank on her and she beats him to a bloody pulp. Hajime comes in and sees this bloodbath. He gets freaked out and leaves. Déjà vu? Mitsuru seems to be searching for something interesting to happen all over Nanba Prison but watching the inmates and the wardens, just boring and ‘funny’ stuffs happening. Then we have Building 13’s pet cat, Kuu who is also somewhat a warden since Hajime picked it up a long time ago and let it stay. Kuu is such a friendly cat even Cell 13 takes a liking for it. Kenshirou cursing his height because shorty Samon got a pet from Hyakushiki after doing a good report and because he is smaller than her. Finally we got something ‘interesting’ happening when suddenly a syndrome has everyone swap hair colour. Everything gets chaotic as many do not like the hair colour they swap wife. Of course the one who is not infected by this is Hajime. Guess why? At this point he is the most invincible man in Nanba Prison.
Episode 15
Hyakushiki addresses the new recruits for Nanba Prison. It looks like Building 13 will be getting a new warden. Wow. Who is that cute babe?! Oh wait. Looks familiar… It’s Hitoshi! Hajime is in shock. Worst nightmare? Uno and Rock start their conspiracy theory if Hitoshi is really a guy and related to Hajime. Because there is no way this cute rabbit is related to this brute gorilla, right? Because of that, they start to play a game of tag and if they manage to catch them, they’ll believe. Of course Hitoshi lacks endurance so Hajime wants him to go home instead of being a bother. But he is adamant he wants to help despite being slow and clumsy. However Uno and Rock realize there might be more than meets the eye for Hitoshi. Because when Hajime starts throwing his brother and nothing happens to his body when slabs fall on him, they better believe this cross-dresser is Hajime’s brother now. Looks like Hitoshi has a very strong and durable body. Hajime continues to chase them down by swinging him around! But when Mitsuru is here to get Hitoshi, it seems Hitoshi is only here as he asked a favour and only to be a warden for one day. Hitoshi finds everyone interesting and fun and likes Nanba Prison even more. Am I hearing this right? A person liking prison? So as he says his goodbye, his cute perfect smile has Uno and Rock doubting if he is really a guy. That distraction has Hajime catch them. Hitoshi is now assigned under Kenshirou. Didn’t see this coming too, eh? Honey and Trois try to hit on this hottie without realizing his true identity.
Episode 16
Rock tries to spar with Samon. However he is quick to dodge his punches and enough to inflict damage just by poking. Eventually Rock loses since all he does is swing blindly with brute force. Samon might look cool but the moment Rock wonders why he always loses to Hajime, he loses his cool. Hyakushiki informs her wardens that she is being called for an emergency meeting at the HQ. It is regarding data on Juugo and Musashi. She will be away for a while so she leaves it to them to watch over Nanba Prison. As the wardens discuss later, Mao Nimajita, the substitute deputy supervisor of Building 8 believes that everyone is still suspicious of Nanba Prison because of that incident. He accuses of Samon trying to make a move when Hyakushiki is gone. This irks Samon as he doesn’t want him to put him the same as that person. Mao further accuses him of becoming a supervisor to replace his own brother, Enki who was the former supervisor for Building 5. Seems Enki killed an inmate and then fought his own comrades when they try to stop him just to show off his superiority. After Samon storms off, Kiji slaps Mao for labelling others when he himself isn’t there. He tells Mao off for being jealous that Samon outranks him, act resentful without acknowledging his efforts and insulted his family. He is the worst. Samon laments his fate of always being compared differently from Enki but ever since that incident, everyone now compares him as the same. He is then visited by Noriko Sanzou, an old friend. Her brother, Houzuki was recently posted to Building 5 and she is quite worried about him. She hopes Samon can look after him. She seems to think Enki is still the supervisor since Samon lies that he is the deputy and came in his place. Seitarou reports to Hajime that Juugo is acting strange ever since he seriously tried to escape. It is like he is forcing himself to be normal. When Juugo sees Rock, the latter suddenly attacks him! Similarly when Yamato returns to his office, he attacks his colleagues.
Episode 17
Rock and Yamato continue to attack. While Hajime easily overpowers Yamato, Juugo gets a real beating till he needs some saving from Tsukumo. Even so, Juugo continues to blame himself for not being able to protect Rock. When they spot a weird talisman behind Rock’s neck, Tsukumo tries to grab it. Not sure if Juugo still want to talk through Rock because it isn’t getting through. Rock faints when Tsukumo takes off the talisman. The same when Hajime for Yamato. After seeking treatment, they believe they have seen this talisman somewhere. It is from Building 5. Trying to deduce the culprit’s ulterior motive is no use so what else is there but to head to Building 5 themselves. Initially Hajime will not allow them but because Uno the smooth talker claims he has no manpower and it would be dangerous to leave these escape experts alone, he is forced to take them along. Inside Building 5, Hajime gets trapped in a huge cage. Uno laughs his ass off for the swap places before the inmates get their own karma as they fall down the trapdoor pit. Hajime is confronted by Inori.
Episode 18
Hajime is handcuffed and locked in a cell. Opposite him is Samon in a similar predicament but messed up. The inmates drop into a cell and find Liang and Upa there. They explain that they are in this situation because a former supervisor escaped. They tell what they know and heard about Enki. Flashback shows Samon was trying to find missing talismans when a guard informs him that Enki had escaped. He couldn’t inform earlier because somebody messed up the communication system. Samon decides to handle this himself since there is no time to go back to HQ for backup. He is warned that not only Enki escaped but 2 others as well: Former guard Ruka Gojou guard and also a former boss of an assassination organization. When Samon entered the garden, he saw Ruka frolicking around in the pool before Enki beat the crap out of him for being weak. Ruka mocks Samon how everyone couldn’t stand working under him ever since he took over Enki’s post. Samon is shocked to see Inori on their side. He was the one who messed up the communication system and has never liked Samon. More flashbacks showing Samon was hesitating to take down Enki when he went on a rampage. It was Hajime who stepped up. It is perhaps why Samon is always desperate to surpass him. Because Samon sees nothing else but himself, thus why Inori could always deceive him. Juugo and co try to make their escape when they find Hajime’s nametag on the ground. Uno hatches a plan to save Hajime and Samon because if they escape, harsher penalties would only await them and this will cause Samon more problems. Going deeper underground they find Honey and Trois locked up too. They were invited here but were caught in a trap and Kiji taken away. They join in their plan since the more reinforcements the better.
Episode 19
After dodging the zombie guards, they rest in the ex-supervisor’s management room. While looking around, Juugo stumbles upon a confidential file in which states he is a human experiment. As they head down to the next level, Liang is attacked by a warden, Rokuriki. They notice he has an attack talisman on him and is under the manipulation of Enki. Upa had to finish Rokuriki off since Liang hesitated. The duo let the rest go ahead as Liang places his hopes on Juugo to free the wardens. Do they have to destroy the entrance too just to force them to continue? Liang reminisces how Rock told him Juugo saved him. He didn’t understand his meaning of freedom and he thought it was getting out of prison. Liang trained every day despite being a criminal is because he wanted to repay his mentor (Samon). However he couldn’t do anything when Enki made his move. He started thinking what he could do and realized the meaning of freedom. It is the fact he can do something. Liang faces off with resurgent Rokuriki and this time easily knocks him out. The duo are now faced with Hachiman who is their former boss. He reminds them about the rules of the underworld in which they lived by. People are trash and the strong make the weak submit. He is going to teach them again they are just his tools. Upa quickly beats him up and tells him off they don’t know anything about joining society. That is why they are here to learn and make a fresh start. Besides, they are never his tools. If he wants to go back to a world where power is everything, he’ll have to beat them first.
Episode 20
Upa is surprised that Nico is still around. He puts him aside so as not to let him be influenced by their fight because if he starts imitating them, it will put a strain on his body. When Hachiman unleashes poison gas, he reveals that Qi made it for him. Flashback shows Qi was taken to Hachiman to work for him. In return, he would have his debts cleared. Qi happily did that as long as he could make medicine. He also made sleeping medicine for Liang since he doesn’t want to kill the enemies he is supposed to take out. Liang on the other hand, witnessed his master on the verge of getting killed by Hachiman. Fat pig made a deal with him he will spare everyone and his temple if he just gave Liang to him. He did. A life lesson Liang learnt about being human. While it looked like his master obeyed his teachings and saved a lot at the cost of one kid, it also meant he did whatever he had to in order to save himself. When Qi realized he was making poison instead of medicine, he blew his top. Hachiman had mixed his medicine with drugs and sold them for money. Qi would have wanted to quit but after Hachiman showed him how he brutally beat up Liang for letting go his targets, Qi realizes he doesn’t have the power to defeat him. Without power, you can’t protect anything. If it was so easy to live the right way without really meaning it, villains like Hachiman wouldn’t have existed. Nico tries to help fight Hachiman but without his medicine he grows weak. However he revives when Hachiman sticks lots of poison into him not knowing his special body. Despite so, Nico is still physically weak and Hachiman overpowers him. Nico starts to feel pain when he is strangled. With the remnants of his medicine waning, Nico seems like he has died. But then he comes back alive but with a different dangerous personality.
Episode 21
Nico turns into some wild beast attacking Hachiman furiously since he has got some medicine smell. Nico acts like this because of a side effect of an old experiment where he became a guinea pig to test different poison. Qi then pops up to let Nico attack him so that he can jab him with a serum. This is the medicine that Hachiman forced him to make. Qi also injects one into Hachiman. However this guy is too big for it to take effect. Qi was never on Hachiman’s side as he tells his former boss how he is quick to judge and use others. There is one thing he will never forgive him for. When Upa was brought in, his organs were stolen and presumed dead by his clan. Despite so, Upa continued to work hard under him to buy them back. Angry Hachiman punches Qi. Upa and Liang come to his rescue. Qi explains himself he was just playing the villain. To deceive your enemies, deceive your friends. Upa still doesn’t like Qi because he transplanted his own organs into him after realizing Upa will not live long. The trio team up to fight Hachiman. But they’re not aimlessly missing him. Qi uses poison in the form of gas to slow him down and then paralyze him. Then some flashback of Qi with Samon. Because the latter believed in him, Qi doesn’t understand why he was called a traitor after that Enki incident. It makes him believe he can start over again. The poison takes effect as Hachiman starts to fear for his life. He is choking and strangling himself to death. But don’t worry. The drug is only strong enough to render him unconscious.
Episode 22
Upa can’t help wonder when he removed the talisman on Rokuriki, he felt it wasn’t from Enki. Nico learns of Upa’s reason to protect Building 5. After Hachiman’s organization fell and all of them thrown in prison in China, that is where Upa first met Samon. He sent gifts from Upa’s clan after he told them Upa is still alive. Thus Upa has this principle of returning the favour when someone does something for you. Trois enters a room housing those zombie guards. He checks out the parts that builds them. The rest are then confronted by Ruka who won’t let them go further. Ruka gets mad when they call him a queer as he does not want to be classified the same as Kiji. He sets Youriki and Kokoriki (Building 5’s wardens under control by that talisman) to go after them. Kiji is complaining about his captivity because it is ruining his makeup?! Kiji tries to bribe Ruka by letting him out in exchange of some custom made 100% hyaluronic acid formula makeup kit. Ruka is in a dilemma to betray Enki over this. Trois has dismantled and assembled those zombie parts to create a bazooka and blows the wardens away. Oh, he also modifies it as a flamethrower. As they move along, Juugo seems to be spacing out so they remind him he is an important key to unlock the doors. Ruka heard that and takes Juugo hostage to make them reveal their intentions.
Episode 23
Trois dumps a fire extinguisher on Ruka’s head and they all make a run for it. At a safe distance, mad Honey seems to be unimpressed with Juugo. He tells him to go away. How are they going to unlock doors then? That skill might be convenient but when it comes to anything else, Juugo is practically useless. This means if he is dead, he can’t use his unlocking skill. With Juugo hit hard by his words, Uno gives him assurance about the burden he has to carry, etc. Yeah, he trusts him. Too long their talk that Ruka has caught up. He uses the target to target and get rid of Juugo and Uno. As expected, Juugo is useless when caught and takes a beating. Honey doesn’t want to save them but when Trois tells him how ‘unattractive’ he is now, change of heart? Honey reveals his secret technique which he was supposed to save up to escape prison. Each bullet has strings sewn into them. Look closely and you’ll see that everywhere is riddled with those strings in which he can manipulate like a puppet. Trois is able to deduce Ruka popping up anywhere. Beneath the floors is a pool where he can swim freely. Plus, the floor panels are not fixed and can be shuffled, hence why ‘puddles’ can pop up anywhere. Using this knowledge, Trois is able to pinpoint Ruka’s location as Honey smokes him out (strings him out, rather) and then entraps him between the concrete walls. Ruka can’t escape since Trois literally threw a spanner into the works (the floor) and the ground cannot reshuffle easily. At the end of all that fiery badass explosion, Ruka emerges alive and is going to get real serious in fighting to the death.
Episode 24
Honey uses all he’s got to bring the slabs together to protect everyone from Ruka’s death winds. Better hurry and think of a next plan since he is bleeding out. Trois suggests Uno and Juugo run ahead while they distract Ruka. After all, what can they do? Before Ruka’s death winds could kill Honey and Trois, Juugo turns back to turn the tables in their favour. He is in blade form. He could even absorb Ruka’s death winds and throw it back at him. Juugo almost drowns in the attack so Honey jumps in to pull him out. As they move along, they are now confronted with Youriki and Kokoriki. They are not controlled anymore. However they do not believe the inmates when they tell what is going on and are going to arrest them. Trois and Honey stall them so Uno and Juugo can run ahead. But Uno gets captured by Ruka. Juugo reluctantly moves forward to complete their mission. Youriki and Kokoriki are confused after seeing Ruka. They are in a dilemma to capture which side first. Shouldn’t they capture both? They decide to go after the inmates. The prisoners buy some time by collapsing the walls. They are a disadvantage and can’t attack the wardens because that would only extend their sentence. Trois mentions that Kiji is held on this floor since he can smell his perfume. Uno then hatches a plan that is guarantee to succeed.
Episode 25
Juugo cuts down zombie guards in his bid to find Hajime. Trois reluctantly uses his special charming skill to win Ruka’s heart. It only works on girls but Ruka is an exception because he thinks he is a girl at heart… But I wonder why Trois couldn’t have just used this in the first place? With Ruka under his charm, Honey is able to steal the key to Kiji’s cell. Once they free him, he becomes a nagging monster to put the wardens and inmates in their place. Yeah, this might be worse. We see Kiji isn’t more than just a tranny concerned with his looks (he still is) as he makes Ruka tow the line after a slap (Ruka can’t beat him after all). Kiji leads the way to head back up and reunites with Nico’s group. They are now faced with more zombie guards. Hajime can’t sit around do nothing and wants to bust out. Is he going to risk his limbs? He came here to work and can’t be bogged down by just losing a few limbs. WTF?! But so manly! Luckily Juugo has found him and stops him. However Hajime chastises him for being down here. Juugo shuts him up that he is here on his own will. And there’s that lecture on how his life changed thanks to meeting those guys, blah, blah, blah, he wanted to really escape but the truth was he didn’t want people to hate him, blah, blah, blah. Then Juugo has his turn mocking Hajime for being easily captured and it’s rare to see him in cuffs. Hajime just noticed Samon is here and can’t risk showing his skill. However Hajime doesn’t see the point of it now. After Hajime is freed, at first he wanted to leave Samon behind but thinks about the consequences and his reputation if he escapes alone with a prisoner. Samon is shocked to see Juugo easily removing the handcuffs. Immediately Samon tackles Juugo down. He is mad that Hajime knew about this all along and this means he endorsed an inmate’s escape. Juugo punches him for being too noisy. Oh, but there are more zombie guards here for him to take out his frustration via brute force. Kenshirou makes his way here and Enki prepares to go face him.
Episode 26 (OVA)
Cast away all you know about the series because it is Nanbaka high school version and the characters recast! Seitarou is a new teacher of a delinquent school but often gets bullied by his students who are the Cell 13 guys as well as Hitoshi. Falling for the same tick every morning? They also don’t pay attention and whenever he tries to correct them, they get mad. Hyakushiki is also a delinquent in this school but she rarely makes her appearance. Seitarou notices that Juugo is docile unlike the rest but is warned that he is more than meets the eye. Musashi soon becomes a transfer student to his class and they soon end up fighting. Seitarou tries to stop them but gets beaten up in the crossfire. If you consider him bandaged up from head to toe as alright… Juugo and Musashi are to be expelled for that but Seitarou passionately stands for them because they are his precious students. I guess they like his passion so they agree to let this slide. The delinquents now respect him a little. Seitarou feels glad to be a teacher but he might have said it too soon because the worst delinquent will be back tomorrow as his suspension is over. Yup, that guy is Hajime. Oddly, Hajime sits in front of class and attentively listens to his lessons. Cell 13 guys try to sneak up on him and beat him up but he beats them all up using Hitoshi. So that was a greeting? More so, Hajime strictly makes them pay attention in class and those who try to slip out gets dragged back in. He is also well liked by other students and teachers so what is wrong with him?
It seems a rival school whose delinquent leader is Samon heard about Hajime’s release and his gang is going to pick a fight soon. Seitarou thought he could prevent it by talking to them but they don’t give a damn. Later he learns that Hajime got suspended because Samon and his gang harassed him at his part time job as he fought back. Apparently Hajime was working to earn money for Hitoshi’s surgery. Seitarou tries to talk to Hajime that fighting is bad but that guy is living in a rough world and has come to expect people will look at him with prejudice. The inevitable fight is here. Samon and co have stolen their school’s flag. Before anything could happen, Seitarou comes in between them. He slaps Hajime and got punched back instead. With him being adamant because they are his precious students, Samon and co back down from this farce. But they wish they had a teacher like that too. In the aftermath, Seitarou got fired for hitting a student. It has been a year as Hajime writes a letter to him and he is sorry for that. He studied hard and is now a correctional facilities officer with the Cell 13 blokes often getting into trouble so as to regularly ‘visit’ him. Seitarou looks forward to his next teaching job but discovers this isolated underground prison school that only houses 1 student: Enki. He fears teaching in a school like this again. What are the chances of him dying on the first day?
Nanba Wonderland
WHAT THE HELL???!!! WTF???!!! Nani kore?! Baka?! What in the world is this unsatisfying ‘ending’???!!! Just when I thought things are starting to move again after taking too long with this ‘rescue Hajime’ arc, and here they end the season and the series with this totally f*cking atrocity. This is a crime and they should make it a law for ending an unfinished anime!!! Instead of lightening their sentence, I am very tempted to increase their life sentence! Everyone who made this anime must be sent to prison and locked up forever!!! Ahem… Sorry for the outburst but I need to let that all out instead of keeping inside me before it explodes. But really, those were my sentiments and shock when this series just suddenly ends like that. Nanbaka might not have been perfect but I was overall enjoying it and that ender really took a dive for this series’ reputation. It’s like a sucker punch to say that oh, you’ve been enjoying this anime? Here’s a reminder that prisons aren’t supposed to be fun. Blam. This ending. WTF. Bad endings are one thing, but if there is one thing I can’t stand more than those are the ones that are like this. Unfinished (that atrocious Mahou Sensou comes to mind). It’s like they ran out of budget to even make one more proper closure episode. Sheesh. Sure, there are lots of potentials for it to run for another season but was it necessary to be left hanging like that? I mean, heck, they didn’t even start the final fight with Enki or even do some warming up. Sighs. So yeah. It was fun. And then boring. And then sudden disappointment. Time to move on…
From the way the plot and series is going, I thought it could go on forever since there are quite a number of potential developments. Heck, I was thinking it could go on as far as triple digits in the number of episodes but I think it is a good thing that it ended only 25 episodes. I might sound contradicting but actually it isn’t as based on my paragraph above but from this context that I will be saying it is. Don’t get me wrong. It is not that I did not enjoy the show but at the way the second half has been going, my interests started to wane. Now, I particularly like the first half where they introduce the characters as well as the plot and the mysterious guy in the mask whom I was just really curious and wanting to know how he is connected to all of them and his ultimate goal. But by the time we get to the second half, at first it sounded interesting with the return of badass Enki.
However this final arc (which I somehow feel they want to showcase some Chinese stuff and Journey to the West reference) has been taking too long and it feels like forever. I have a feeling it is to help give other supporting characters like Liang, Upa, Trois and Honey some screen time, to know more about their background and for them to showcase their skills. Yet the progress of this plot feels like it is slowly inching forward. That is why I said it could be on par like One Piece or Bleach who can dedicate an entire episode for one lousy minor plot or drag out a particular fight. Besides, it wasn’t as much fun since the usual quartet of Cell 13 isn’t together (Rock has been out cold ever since right till the end) and Hajime’s presence has been sorely missed as he became a prisoner. Not to say that Hyakushiki was part of the main casts but knowing that she went away and ‘never came back’ (as far as the season ended) felt like we are missing one of those top ‘demons’.
Looking at the heads of Nanba Prison, somehow it reminds me of Bleach’s Soul Society’s Gotei 13. It is like as though they ripped a few familiar elements and mashed them up to get some of the characters you see here. Like Kenshirou feels like a mash up between Byakuya, Zaraki and Kyouraku. Kijin feels like he was taken after Mayuri and who could forget Hajime has this uncanny looks to Madarame because of their shiny bald head. Despite having the same number of heads, this series unfortunately doesn’t show all of them. At least not in this season. It would have been interesting to see all of them because of how weird all of them looks and hence they will equally have some sort of weird personality to go with. Yeah, Nanba Prison is a freak show for both wardens and inmates. So this is where abnormal people go…
Therefore if you start looking properly at Nanba Prison, you really wonder if this is a prison facility. Because the prisoners here are treated more equally than those treated outside and living freely and perhaps even more rights. That is the irony that I came to think about while watching this show. It is no wonder why none of the prisoners don’t really give it a serious thought to escape. No wonder they all look so happy and having fun. Why the hell would you want to leave a place that takes good care of you? Sometimes I feel it gives the wrong message that crime pays. Of course, these prisoners have been to the sh*ttiest prisons all over here before being landed in this final stop. It’s like saying, you’ve been through hell and now be at ease because at Nanba Prison, we treat you like a human being. Yeah, basically that is all what everyone in this world wants. To be treated fairly like a human being. With certain wardens and inmates having ‘close knit’ relationships, it is no wonder they can just walk anywhere within the facility like as though it is some huge gated community! It is a good thing its location is a secret because once people find out how cool it is, they might purposely commit some crime just to be admitted into here. Yes people. Nanba Prison is that good!
With so many characters other than the main ones, it is no doubt that with the limited number of episodes, it is the series greatest asset and liability. Each of the prisoners and wardens have their own past and stories to tell. Through its pacing, we get to discover and learn more about them. Sometimes it makes you feel that they aren’t really such bad people and were put in here under circumstances. Wrong place, wrong time. While some characters have been decently fleshed out, some are just briefly covered. I know it is greedy to want to know about everyone’s past and that is just not possible right now. It could if this series ran forever. But then again, I would have complained that they’re overdoing it and prolonging the series with more episodes to drag out the plot. But with each of their individual traits, it helps make the series funny overall as their silly personalities and ideals clash.
Like the quartet of Cell 13, once you get to know them, they are really fun guys and not as bad as you might have think of them. Like Rock who loves to eat, Nico with his infatuation of Japanese otaku culture and Uno loving to gamble and flirt, everyone is just so freaking positive and sunshiny! They can all attribute this big change to Juugo whom ironically I feel is the one having the issues of battling his inner demons. Despite changing the lives of others, he still finds it hard to change himself. Mostly I see him as confused and trying to find a place where he belongs. He is trying to justify and find a reason why he needs to exist. Can’t blame him after learning what he has gone through but sometimes looking at him trying to play the considerate guy by not getting his pals involved can be annoying. You just want to scream to him to get over it and open his damn eyes because it makes him look like he doesn’t put his faith in his buddies.
Then there is Hajime who is the only one who can deal with the Cell 13 quartet’s shenanigans. Nothing but a bit of violence to help? Maybe because he is a workaholic and the only way to take out his frustrations is to rein in those troublemakers? Yeah, it sounds like a good excuse for a good punching workout. Because anybody who will have to deal with Cell 13 breaking out daily and multiple times would have been fed up by it all and would just quit or request a transfer. Not Hajime. He might not look like it but I have a hunch he enjoys it. Maybe that’s why he ‘likes’ work. Like I’ve said, who else can do this job? Being a male dominated series, Hyakushiki is the only female character (I know there is Noriko but she is neglectable), her running joke seems to be putting up an commanding presence but deep down inside her heart she is just a teen girl in love fawning all over how cool he is. Whether it is a good thing or not her inner feelings do not translate to her outside expression because she always seems scary in the eyes of others, especially Hajime who too also puts up a brave front before her but inside he is scared sh*t.
There are probably a lot more things I would want to say about the other characters but that would feel like rehashing what I know about them so I’m not going to go in depth about it. (Yamato getting lost and his eternal positivism plus relentless training, Seitarou’s pretty boy looks, Hitoshi the cross-dresser, Kijin the queer, etc). The diverse characters not only showcase their personalities but also their abilities which is essential to make the action parts work. It would have been interesting to reimagine that this series would become dark and serious like another prison themed anime, Deadman Wonderland. So we can see how the characters use their unique abilities in battles. Personally, the fight scenes are just ordinary and nothing much to shout about. The series is trying to find a balance between action and comedy (albeit not perfect) so there are decent amounts of fights to go about without getting bored easily. Despite all their silly persona, don’t let that fool you since they are still capable and skilful in their very own right when it matters.
On a trivial note, you might have guessed from the course of watching this anime that all the characters’ names are based on puns off numbers. Mostly are Japanese numbers but there are others whose number punned names are in Chinese or French. So it is safe and more accurate to say that all the characters especially the inmates, we do not know about their real names since we call them based from the number that they were assigned in this facility. Yeah, it would be one big hell of a coincidence if they that name was real and they got a prison number that is a pun of it. Or maybe the prison decided to mess around and gave them a number based on their name. Otherwise, why is there such a large gap between the numbers of inmates in the same building? Unless they assign the number randomly but then again, too big of a coincidence.
The art and drawing are quite bright and vivid. It really doesn’t feel like Nanba Prison is really a prison. Even more so, the very colourful characters. And I don’t mean just their personality but you can see how the prisoners are colourful on their physical appearance. Besides, they all don’t wear the same prisoner uniform. I don’t know if this isn’t part of the rules because if you look to other buildings other than Cell 13, it’s like those prisoners are free to dress in their own clothes they like. Is this a fashion show? I know, if everybody ends up dressing the same prisoner uniform, it would look boring and monotonous. Even without their trademark clothes, they’ve got all sort of weird and colourful hairstyles that make them stand out. Yeah, it’s never visually dull in Nanba Prison. Oh, I also want to mention that doesn’t Hajime look a bit like Saitama in One Punch Man? And doesn’t Hyakushiki look like Akame Ga Kill’s Esdeath? I also noticed that Nanba Prison is one freaking clean prison. You might have noticed that there are this sparkling effects in almost every scene! Yes. Not kidding. I thought they were trolling us or something but you will notice those shiny effects. However in the second half, it seems it has lost its shine. I don’t see them anymore and no wonder the scenes look dark, gloomy and depressing.
There are quite a number of casts here. A few recognizable ones such as Tetsuya Kakihara as Uno, Yu Kobayashi as Upa and Kenjiro Tsuda as Mitsuru. The other casts are Yuuto Uemura as Juugo (Tsukito in Kamigami No Asobi), Airu Shiozaki as Rock (debut role), Daiki Kobayashi as Nico (Oochuu in Reikenzan series), Tomokazu Seki as Hajime (Chiaki in Nodame Cantabile), Satomi Akesaka as Hyakushiki (Esdeath in Akame Ga Kill – wait a minute…), Souichirou Hoshi as Samon (Kaoru in Ai Yori Aoshi), Kimeru as Kiji (debut role), Shouma Yamamoto as Kenshirou (Jun in Amairo Cocoa), Shunsuke Takeuchi as Yamato (Guildenstern in Servamp), Keito Okuyama as Seitarou (debut role), Takao Mitsutomi as Honey (debut role), Yuuto Adachi as Trois (Bruno in Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine), Yuuki Fujiwara as Liang (Shinji in Chaos;Child), Genki Okawa as Qi (Moemoemoe in To Be Hero), Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Tsukumo (Mikado in Durarara), Yoshimasa Hosoya as Musashi (Rom in Show By Rock), Takaya Kuroda as Enki (Renjou in Kurenai), Naozumi Takahashi as Ruka (Bunta in Prince Of Tennis), Kouji Takeda as Hachiman, Eishin Fudemura as Hitoshi (Roman in Tsuki Ga Kirei), Daisuke Kishio as Elf (Suginami in Da Capo series) and Masanori Ikeda as the man with the scar (Shishio in Rurouni Kenshin).
There is something very catchy about the rock opening theme, Rin! Rin! Hi! Hi! by Hashiguchikanaderiya Hugs The Super Ball (say that band name again?!). It feels like fun and groovy. Something that suits the overall theme of the series. As for the ending theme, Nanbaka Datsugoku Riron by the Cell 13 quartet with Hajime sounds very weird. It sounds very messy since they are singing all over the place. And it feels like Hajime’s ‘role’ in ‘singing’ this song is to rebuke and scream his head off. Wait. I don’t think he is singing in most of the parts. Hear him let loose his usual scream at the end of the song. So I guess to distract you from all that messy weirdness, hence they distract you with the synthesizer effects.
Overall, despite its very unfinished ‘ending’ that is hard to ignore by the time you reach the end, this is still quite a funny and entertaining series. It has its potentials and interesting characters but even if the draggy second half took a lot of the fun out of it, the series is still worth watching. Just hope that people don’t get the wrong idea that going to prison is good and hoping for first class treatment as seen here. Nor should they see that breaking out of prison is such a fun excursion and if you get caught, you’ll get another chance to try it again. However, in today’s world I believe with the technological advances in modern society, we don’t even have to commit and crimes to be put into prison. We are all already prisoners of our minds as we are all hooked and influenced by social media. Like how I am serving a life to eternal sentence watching animes… It’s so fun… No wonder I’m not trying to escape from this eternal sentence.
BanG Dream
14 October, 2017
I see we still won’t get our third season of K-ON! And in the mean time waiting for the next season of Love Live! Sunshine, here, have BanG Dream as your snack. Heh. When I first heard that name, I thought it was going to be some sort of ecchi fanservice laden anime. Yeah, it sounds so lewd. So this isn’t about some horny guy whose life goal is to bang every woman in the world? No? Okay. I suppose it has been some time we have an anime revolving around an all-girl band so what better way than to put on a few fresh faces and a new anime about a group of girls to pursue their dreams of reaching for the stars. Well, that glitter in the music sense, that is.
Episode 1
Kasumi Toyama is so excited on her first day at high school that she has to ‘harass’ her sister, Asuka up. The eager beaver quickly makes friends with Saaya Yamabuki who is also in the same class. So enthusiastic that Kasumi rants about her dreams like hearing the beat of the stars during her introduction in class. Either you laugh or start thinking she must be one heck of a weirdo. She tries out several clubs and despite looking like she’s having fun trying them out, none seems to have that oomph. Is she so bored that she has to bug Saaya who helps out her family’s bakery? On her way back, she spots several illuminating star stickers on the walls and poles like as though it is guiding her to somewhere. It leads her to a storeroom and she is caught red handed by Arisa Ichigaya who thinks she is a thief. Because Kasumi is so persistent, Arisa allows her to touch the electric guitar casing. She likes it so much that now she wants to go see a live house. Arisa tells her to do it herself. Too bad Kasumi took the guitar along! So no choice, Arisa has to help her find a live house. Just why? They find one, Space and that’s not the end of the embarrassment. Kasumi states her intention to play the guitar but this isn’t a practice studio. Then they have to pay a ticket admission to enter. At this point Arisa must be damn annoyed and Kasumi continues with her sparkly enthusiasm. The all-girl band, Glitter Green makes their entrance and starts jamming, wowing Kasumi. Now, you want to know what bugs me throughout this episode? The way Kasumi is holding the electric guitar the entire time! Do you know how freaking heavy an electric guitar is???!!! And for her to carry it on her chest like as though she is carrying a book makes no freaking sense!!! Aren’t her arms sore?! Must be so amazed by everything that she can’t feel a thing in reality.
Episode 2
As expected, Kasumi now wants to start a band. The problem is, she is hanging out in Arisa’s home and eating breakfast with her grandma! WTF???!!! Is this worse than stalking?! Yes Kasumi, you don’t have to tell the whole world you’re starting a band. Then she meets Rimi Ushigome whose sister, Yuri plays the guitar in Glitter Green. Although Rimi plays the bass, she isn’t in any band right now. Oh you guess it. Please join my band! Arisa thinks she can annoy Kasumi as she puts up that electric guitar for auction. Can you pay 300,000 Yen for it? And with sad Kasumi continue to bug her, Arisa had to tell her off about her getting close to her so she could get the guitar for free. Because Kasumi continues to stalk her, Arisa gives in. Can’t blame her. She is at her place every single day. She just wants the guitar, right? Sighs. She lets her touch and see for a few seconds. When Arisa learns how she followed the stars here, she remembers planting them when she was younger. Isn’t that public property vandalism? Arisa once played the piano but quit. Wait for it… Please join my band! Didn’t you hear her she quit piano some time ago? When Kasumi takes the guitar case, the handle breaks! Dramatic drama as she becomes so apologetic for damaging it. Well, conveniently they are able to find a music repair shop to restore the guitar. Though, the case is a goner. And I still can’t believe Kasumi carries the heavy instrument all the back like that. Arisa is ‘kind’ enough to withdraw it from the auction and sell to her at 540 Yen (the withdrawal charge). What if still no money? She’ll sell it to someone else. Arisa’s grandma gives her granddaughter the keys to their home’s own jamming studio. Kasumi has her first feel playing a plugged in electric guitar. Amazing, no? And you could say Arisa could have been a tsundere all the while as she joins her band and to use this room on condition that they eat lunch together. No wonder she’s so permissive with Kasumi.
Episode 3
Rimi tells Kasumi the bad news: She can’t join her band! But stupid Kasumi keeps stalking her for a reason! Kasumi keeps optimistic by applying to play for the school’s cultural festival. We know Rimi is a shy girl so she can’t say what she wants easily. It gets scarier for her when western tourists ask her for directions in English. Kasumi thinks she can help out. Though she can speak in English, she’s ‘promoting’ herself as a guitarist! WTF?! Finally Rimi got the guts to tell why she can’t join her band. In short, stage fright. She goes blank when people look at her. The girls are supposed to go check out another concert at Space. You know how freaking eager Kasumi is when she picks up Arisa way too early just to be there and check things out. As the concert gets on the way, Rimi gets news from her sister that her band may not make it in time because of a storm. Space has strict rules of not making the audience wait so the other bands agree to help buy some time. But as time passes, Glitter Green never showed up. I guess that’s it. The gig is over. The audience must be confused since they never turn up. Kasumi won’t let it end this way so she goes out on stage and sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! OMG! If that’s not embarrassing enough, she drags Arisa out to play the castanets as accompaniment! Not enough? Sing again! OMFG! But guess what? I think everybody here is crazy because they think it is funny (sure is) and love it but a lot of people would start thinking how weird this is. So crazy that Rimi has found the guts to go onstage and do play her bass accompaniment of the song! At the end, Glitter Green is here. They’ll take it from here. But you know what? They play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! OMFG!!!!! When will the madness end?! This time with full music accompaniment and they let the trio carry on playing. It’s hard to imagine that this is the song that propelled them for greater things. Now that Rimi has got a taste of this excitement, she really wants to join the band. Wow. This is really one mad episode.
Episode 4
Man. Kasumi is real proud of her pathetic amateur guitar skills. Let’s painfully watch her slowly play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! At least she’s still got the enthusiasm. Heck, even fellow classmate who is also a guitarist, Tae Hanazono thinks she is weird. And since everybody starts calling her weird, you mean Kasumi just realized she is just weird?! Don’t you even cry about it! Tae is kind and patient enough to give Kasumi some guitar lessons. From tuning and even learning some chords. Oh God. More Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I’m sure she is going to turn it into a masterpiece. Kasumi learns Tae once started out in piano but then she saw how cool her mom was jamming. Yeah, mom was a guitar instructor. More annoying crap from Kasumi as she tries to boast and show off her new chords to Asuka. Chord by chord! Guess what song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! Yeah, it only uses major chords so it’s easy for newbies. At this rate, Kasumi can now decently play her favourite song. But all the practice comes with a price. As Kasumi hangs out with Tae more often recently, she realizes too late about Arisa. It is no wonder Arisa locks her out of her house! She forgot their promise to eat lunch together and is always rushing off for guitar practice. Heck, what about their band practice that she never turned up? Too late to regret now, Kasumi. To show Arisa isn’t a baddie, she lets her back in but must pay her back generously. I also think she might want to show off her new electronic keyboard she bought. Cool, no? But it is back to her usual breakdown because now that Tae is eating with them, there are 2 Kasumis now???!!! I don’t even… Kasumi is all excited for cultural festival. She even has big dreams after that to go for some audition. However it is time to get realistic. Tae puts her foot down and shoots her down that is impossible.
Episode 5
Tae explains that only bands whom Space’s owner approves get to play on stage. Tae has dreamt on going on that stage but is nowhere close to that despite watching various bands played here. Kasumi promises she will practise till she gets better. How long is that going to take? She’d better. Because Tae wants to feel that kind of excitement again. It never hurts from trying so when Kasumi requests from Space’s owner to play at space, she kicks them out. Owner is not joking and is passionate about it. She was once a band member and went on tours. She created Space to destroy the scary and dangerous image of live houses. So only those who has the same passion for music as her she will allow them to go on stage. After watching another performance, Rimi tells Kasumi and Arisa she made a new song with Yuri together. They hear her humming of My Love Is A Chocolate Cornet. Corny? Kasumi hopes they can try it out. But she can’t read notes. Tabs? Even Rimi has to painfully teach her? Oh, time to seek Tae’s help. See how cool she plays? Maybe they should replace Kasumi with her. So we’d rather have an expert like Tae teach an absolute rookie like Kasumi in hopes she can get better fast before the play? Whatever. Once ready, the quartet hold a mini concert before Arisa’s grandma, Yuri, Saaya and Asuka. It sounds fine and okay. I know it feels unbelievable that Kasumi can be so perfect now. At the end of the performance, they feel excited playing together. So Tae is officially part of the band now? As long as she is happy.
Episode 6
A year ago, Saaya was a member of a band as a drummer. Kasumi has been made the organizing committee for the school’s cultural festival. Quite chirpy as always, isn’t she? First order is to make Saaya her assistant! Wait. I thought they should vote? Well, everyone agrees too so whatever. They want to do a café for the festival and since Rimi suggests a bread café like Saaya’s bakery, why not? Yeah, so easy to just go ask for free breads, right? Kasumi is going to get busier because she too wants her own mini band to play at the festival. She hears Tae play a draft song she just wrote this morning and wants to play that. Is it me or does that song sound so much like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Oh well, that’s their inspiration song, I guess. Kasumi and her friends converge at Saaya’s bakery to test the aprons they will be using. Saaya’s little bratty kid brother must be very shy with so many girls over since he can’t bully his little sister. Only Kasumi stays over to brainstorm for ideas. Arisa claims she isn’t an easy woman (whatever that means) while Rimi and Tae strangely go out for sukiyaki together (is there some sort of lesbianism brewing between them?). As usual, Kasumi puts up her sparkly optimism and Saaya just smiles. Next day as they put up posters, it seems Kasumi has decided that the band’s name is Poppin’ Party. Poopin’ Panty what? Just kidding. However she has also put Saaya’s name in the band. Did she say she wanted to join? Coincidentally, Saaya bumps into her old friend and ex-bandmate, Natsu. She sees Saaya’s name and is glad she is in a band. However Saaya’s fake smile is so obvious. It screams that she didn’t want to be in this sh*t. She denies so and says her friend wrote it by mistake.
Episode 7
Flashback shows Saaya and her ex-band were excited to play their first gig. However Saaya got a call from mom. Actually her little brother called and is frantic something happened to mom. The gig was cancelled as she rushed home. Although mom is okay, she still get panic attacks from that traumatic incident. I guess Kasumi realizes too late they don’t have a drummer. Time to go around looking for one. Apparently she tries Hinako Nijukki who is the drummer of Glitter Green. But she thinks there is someone better to fit them: Saaya. But talking to Natsu and other bandmates don’t seem to reveal clearly why Saaya stopped playing. Like in true Kasumi’s fashion, she goes to bug Saaya herself. She knows why she is here so they talk privately. But still, nope. Not going to play in your band. To cut short that burst of emotions from Saaya why she can’t play, she is worried mom might fall sick from overworking again. Kasumi even offers to help with her shop and school work but that’s not enough. Saaya blames herself that everyone prioritizes her first. Because of that, she believes she messed up everything and made everyone anxious. That won’t be fun, right? Don’t waste your efforts on her, says she. Saaya’s crying. Kasumi’s also crying too. Oh, now Kasumi is trying to impose on her not to decide for herself? Let’s decide together. WTF. This ‘quarrel’ is interrupted when Saaya’s little sister caught the crying bug thinking they’re fighting. Time to pretend to make up. So it’s over? Not yet. Since Saaya insists she won’t join, Kasumi says she’ll be waiting. Don’t hold your breath…
Episode 8
Arisa gets a rude awakening since Tae is kissing and hugging her! What kind of dream is she having? She is still probably in dream land or just rolling Arisa as she continues her unsolicited rape. Saaya has her own rude awakening. Mom is starting to have those again… Although mom is rushed to the hospital and her condition stable, Saaya is going to stay by her side and skip the cultural festival. This means Kasumi and the rest have to do their best and make it a success. We see them doing their shifts before going around and checking out other stuffs like the haunted house and Asuka’s maid café. Is Tae their unofficial photographer? Saaya receives 2 messages from Kasumi. The first one was a call to ask about her mom and others. But the rest tried to hijack her call so that’s where the second message came. It’s about leaving their newly written song in an envelope for her to read (if she wants to). The lyrics resonates with her because it made her cry. Cue for mom to tell Saaya to go and have fun. At first she is stubborn but there is only a limit to how long she can be persistent because the plot says she has to become a band member. And with that, off she goes, running her way to school while listening to the music. Want to bet she can memorize it all at one go? Poppin’ Party is next and they manage to play their Cornet song without a drummer. When Saaya reaches school, she bumps into Natsu. Before Saaya could apologize, Natsu says they had fun. It’s her turn now. Saaya makes her ‘grand entrance’, much to the delight of her bandmates. She tests the drum kit and shows off her awesome drumming that she hasn’t lost a single touch with. Then we hear their song, Star Beat. Kasumi introduces the band members at the end of it. While everyone is having fun, we end with a cliff-hanger as Space’s owner decides to close the live house down.
Episode 9
Saaya goes to check out drum sets. They seem pricey but hey, her parents can help pay the balance. So she settles for this electronic piece. So as they get eager to practice, Tae receives word that everyone in Space is out from a cold. What are the chances of that? Since Space can’t cancel the much anticipated Glitter Green and Roselia’s performance, thus they go volunteer to help especially Kasumi who is just bugging to help. Okay. Hey, you don’t get such free labour in the form of cute girls these days. Luckily owner is around to supervise or else the temptation to fool around is too great. Glitter Green arrives for rehearsal. Poppin’ Party wonders why their school’s student council president is here. The moment she takes off her glasses, they recognize her as Glitter Green’s keyboardist! OMG! Superman-Clark Kent effect here! Superman’s identity will definitely be safe in this anime! After that, Roselia makes their entrance for rehearsal. The event goes well. As they are cleaning up, Kasumi sees a band member of Roselia crying and everyone else trying to console her. Not sure if she screwed up or felt it wasn’t up to par but the owner hints it isn’t the end of the world. Poppin’ Party tries standing on stage for the experience. Soon, they get their own audition to see if they are fit to play there. Well, less than perfect. So when owner asks who thinks they did well, only Kasumi raises her hand with optimism. The rest just looked embarrassed. Anyway, owner can’t let them play here and they have to do better than that. Don’t worry. Kasumi will practice as long as it takes. You don’t say because Tae saw Space’s schedule and notices the latter half empty. Then she breaks the news to them that she is closing down Space.
Episode 10
Tae looks like she is going crazy and Kasumi is ‘missing’. But when Kasumi returns, she is as lively as ever as she has designed outfits for their outfit. Next time they go see owner for another chance at the audition, she tells them they’re not there yet. Natsu’s band, Chispa is here to audition. Cheese pack what? Despite being all over the place, owner asks if they think they made it. Natsu confidently answers they believe they did everything they could. Owner passes them. While Poppin’ Party is happy for them, it makes them think what they are lacking. Yuri says that there is no one correct music. The answer is different for everyone. So all of them especially Kasumi thinks really hard. Kasumi thinks she really got it so she goes bug owner that night just to tell her how much she loves Space and will definitely play here. Really? Owner shuts her up with this: She is the worst of the lot! Heck, even Arisa is giving her piece of mind if she is tired of it all. I mean, when does it end? After a flawless performance? After playing at Space? She is always looking like having fun but Arisa is thinking having fun isn’t what it’s all about. So is she hinting she isn’t having fun in Poppin’ Party? So everyone works hard by continuing to practise. Yeah, Kasumi goes the extra mile by practising so hard that a couple of picks broke! So the next time Poppin’ Party shows up for audition, owner lets them in. Everyone looks ready. But Kasumi looks she has doubts. At this time? And as they start off, suddenly Kasumi cannot sing! No, she hasn’t lost her voice since she can still talk. Somehow she just cannot sing.
Episode 11
Gloomy. Depressing. Hey, at least it’s quiet since she can only talk softly. Oh sh*t! She visits the doctor and nothing wrong was found. She is told to rest so I guess no band practice. Yeah, not even playing her guitar. Besides, they have one more chance for the audition. So no hurry. Wait. You better hurry before Space shuts down. Being a ‘mute’ has its perks. She doesn’t have to answer when the teacher calls her. Otherwise she is acting weird. Like walking home in the rain and kissing Asuka?! Yikes! Better get her voice back fast! As she talks to Yuri, if it is not nervousness causing this, it could be stress. Kasumi? Stressed?! What’s Asuka’s opinion about this? She thinks she might be in a slump. Next morning, Kasumi wakes up and realizes she has her voice back! Oh no. The craziness is back. Right away they head for practice. But wait… She still can’t sing! I guess practice is over. For added drama effect, Kasumi runs away to cry in the park. Her bandmates catch up. I guess Arisa has enough of it. She starts off harshly about this farce. Kasumi is the one who is least making any improvements so why is she suddenly so concerned now? After Kasumi reveals what owner said, Arisa continues her criticism. It sure is true since Kasumi drags everyone in without asking their opinions first. It caused everyone lots of trouble. Of course we now have to say good things she did like how she amazingly brought together a band and she did learn how to play the guitar quickly. Since she is still adamant she wants to play at Space with them, they all start taking turns to sing a line of a song. When it is Kasumi’s turn, she ekes out whatever she can. Sounding soft and out of breath. At least it’s an achievement considering her circumstances.
Episode 12
Kasumi gets this idea of designing their t-shirts for practice. But first they have to study for the tests. After that they continue practising. They have a sleepover at Tae’s place. So no pillow fight and turning in early? No wonder nobody can sleep (except for Tae) so they watch the sky anyway. Too cloudy anyway. So D-Day is here for Poppin’ Party. This is their last shot at the audition. And after a group rally, they start strutting their stuff. Kasumi can sing albeit I feel it is not 100% perfect. Once the song ends, Arisa starts crying! She realizes she made a few mistakes despite practising so hard. Infectious enough to affect Rimi as she cries about the same thing. Before more could be infected, owner asks that question but aimed at Kasumi. Her reply? We pulled through. After lecturing how people do music because they love it, she finds their performance satisfying and passes them. Okay. Time for a big group hug and let all those tears flow. Yeah, everybody watching outside can also cry too.
Episode 13
Kasumi is being her usual chirpy ‘harasser’. She even joins in with whatever yuri thing Tae is teasing Saaya with. As this would be Space’s last performance, we have Glitter Green, Chispa and Poppin’ Party gracing it. The place is packed with people even during the day rehearsal. Even Poppin’ Party’s families are here. So there’s lots of preparation and nervousness before the main event begins. Glitter Green goes first followed by Chispa. And so Poppin’ Party who is making their first live performance is ironically Space’s last performance. At first Kasumi introduces the band and how it all started. I guess they can be good stand-up comedians in a way since everyone is ‘criticizing’ how Kasumi dragged them all into forming this band although it was for the greater good. And with Kasumi giving that silly reaction, no wonder the crowd is laughing. And so here is their song: Dreaming Sunflower. Enjoy. Goodbye and thank you very much.
OVA
Time for some low quality fanservice. I guess it is boring to see girls studying. So what are they going to do for fun? Go to the beach! Oddly, the guitarists brought their guitars along. With all the excitement and hype, amidst the chaos Arisa somehow ended up getting dragged into Kasumi’s pace and holds her guitar while in the sea?! Be careful not to get it wet. And Tae just leaves her guitar unguarded on the beach before dipping in. Wow. So fun. So carefree. Eventually they find a kind beach house owner to help safe keep their belongings. Who would ever reject cute girls? Meanwhile the girls of Roselia are practising in a rented summer house nearby. Yukina Minato is having trouble writing the perfect song. So what Lisa Imai suggest? Go to the beach! So Poppin’ Party and Roselia bump into each other. Can we have fun together? Sayo Hikawa insists they are here on a training camp. Eventually everyone has to loosen up by playing beach volleyball. This is what is all about, right? Too bad the dramatic drama and screw ups overshadow the low quality fanservice. I’m not sure if it’s true but once Sayo changes her casual clothes into her swimsuit, her team plays better! Proof that beach volleyball is all about showing skin if you want to level up? Anyway, we don’t know who wins because nobody kept count (so as to avoid clash between Poppin’ Party and Roselia fans). Kasumi has this idea for them join forces and form a 10 woman band called Roselia Party. The beach house owner has Poppin’ Party do a sound check. They go on stage and strut their stuff. Because there are no drums, Saaya sings the vocals along with Kasumi. There is a recorded drum play but it’s so perfect that it makes me wonder do they really need a drummer. As expected, Poppin’ Party is so good that the audience loves them and this gives Roselia motivation to practice and Yukina has found the inspiration for her perfect song. You mean it wasn’t the beach volleyball that fired them up? Just kidding.
Crash! Boom! Bang! Keep Dreaming…
ZzzZZzzzZzzz… Oh… I see the season is over. Oh boy. I guess I’m not really cut out for this kind of shows anymore. So the only thing I was hoping that would salvage the entire season was why Space’s owner decided to close it down. She has been doing it for almost her entire life and I don’t see why she decides to shut it down now. It’s not like she hates music or got bored with it. Definitely not. Maybe her reasons are personal and if she doesn’t want to tell us, fine. Thus I can only speculate that Space’s closure is because she needed to push all those young girl bands to a better place. I mean, can’t be playing in this cramped space forever, can you? Because we see how ‘depressed’ Yuri was at first when the place was closing down. So with Space’s closure, hopefully all band hopefuls who dream of performing big or small would find a better space to play their music. If they love music, they can go anywhere. Also, Space’s closure is to push Poppin’ Party and make it look as though they have made it through the final hurdle in time. Mission accomplished in time! Hooray! Now they don’t look like losers. Other than that… Yawn… Even the beasts that were awakened to destroy humanity and the planet would immediately go back to its slumber. Oops… Am I too harsh?
Unfortunately I’m so bored that I couldn’t really feel connected and how deep the interaction and bonding of the Poppin’ Party members. In anime genres like this one, a small group of characters is supposed to drive the story and their character development but it is a sad thing that I don’t really feel that emotional feel it. Yeah, maybe I’m such a dead person… I know everything this season feels just like the beginning of everything, the discovery of stuffs and the motivation that is needed to pull through. I know that they are going to pull through somehow with all the drama and ‘obstacles’ in their way, I’m sure they will overcome it. From gathering the band members (it took more than half the season) to Kasumi losing her voice and finally passing the audition. All as expected. Yeah, I sound like an expert in watching this genre but I can assure you I’m not.
So I am going to blame primarily Kasumi for the ‘boring’ character development. Just like in K-ON! and both Love Live series, the leader must always be an airhead (such leaders are even expanded to other animes like One Piece). However as compared to the rest, Kasumi passes off as more annoying than anything. She really gets on your nerves. For one thing, she goes at her own pace and doesn’t listen to everyone and drags them all into her own pace whether they like it or not. She could be one of the world’s greatest stalkers thanks to her persistence. It might look like she is giving you a choice but you realize that there isn’t any options because the only way to stop her from bugging you is to conform to whatever she wants. And because she says and does everything with that sparkly silly smile in her face, it makes it all hard to turn her away. Case in point: Arisa. Poor girl. Thankfully everything turned out fine and thus Kasumi is a ‘heroine’. Had it turned out badly like for example if everything flopped real hard, no doubt she will bear the full brunt of the blame. Dream over. Break up. Depression. Lethargy. Regrets. Suicide. Woah! Too dark a theme for a series that is all sunshiny, cheerful and bright.
I know it is good to be optimistic and passionate but the way Kasumi is portrayed doing so feels a bit unrealistic. In the real world, she would have been shot down as being ‘meiwaku’ (annoying and troublesome) and ‘shitsukoi na’ (persistent). I want to punch her at times but seeing how cute she is, I realize it’s even wrong to punch anybody. If Kasumi wasn’t in this band thingy, she would be hell of a good saleswoman. To show that she is human, somebody grumpy had to point out her flaws and it really hit her. Imagine someone telling you off you’re the worst when you are still on your high horse. Not so fun anymore, eh? I guess once in a while you have to be brought down to earth. Another unrealistic thing about Kasumi is how fast she becomes a guitar master in a short space of time. Do you know how long it took me to get to that level?! Maybe Tae was a good instructor but the fact we see Kasumi making so little progress at first and then suddenly becoming a pro when it matters, it just makes it all feel unrealistic. Did she sell her soul to the devil or something?
If there had to be a favourite character of mine in this series, I would definitely go for Arisa. In short, she is a funny girl. Like in any other group, there needs to be one who retorts and this is exactly what Arisa’s role is for. Because the rest are like ‘zombies’ and pandering to Kasumi so we need Arisa as a voice of reasoning and objection sometimes. She is the other one besides Kasumi to have this lively personality. But unlike Kasumi whom I consider as annoying, at least Arisa is funny. One reason is that she is a tsundere and it clearly shows at times when she doesn’t really want to do it but does it eventually or tries to give excuse to justify it isn’t so but it is in reality. So Arisa, never change. Of course, to also at least to show she is also human, she also cries and makes mistakes especially in their final audition.
For the rest of the other band members, I feel that they are boring and don’t really stand out. Heck, I think they all feel the same. They all have their issues to deal with at first but once they overcome that, they start to feel the same. Like Rimi who was once a shy girl. Now no longer obviously shy, she’s such a good and happy girl. Tae is also an airhead and at her own pace like Kasumi but at least she is not as annoying. Being Kasumi’s guitar teacher at first, once Kasumi ‘graduates’, Tae is just a good and happy girl. Saaya as the last member to join thanks to her worrywart issues also becomes nothing but a good and happy girl once she has less anxiety. I don’t know when it happened but there seems to be some sort of close friendship struck between Rimi and Tae ever since the band is completed. Did I miss something there? Or maybe Tae is just a little yuri by nature…
As for the other supporting characters, I can’t say the same for them. I feel they hardly make an impact at all. Glitter Green has got their own track record so I don’t see the need for them to even intervene with Poppin’ Party. Though, Yuri sometimes gives advice. Owner might look like a grumpy old woman but I am sure she just wants the best from out of those bands who play at her Space. If they’re not going to take this seriously, they’re not going to take music seriously anyway and thus do not have the right to play. She has seen lots of bands come and go and hence perhaps why she isn’t amused by Kasumi’s overhyping reactions. She’s lived long enough to see it all. I thought there might be some sort of issue with Asuka since she has this gloomy and troubled looks at the start. As the series progresses, she shows less of it as she opens up to her sister. Maybe it is because of Kasumi as an annoying sister that she doesn’t like? If so, then aha! Told you Kasumi was damn annoying!
Art and drawing are okay. One reason why I kept thinking how this series reminds me of Love Live is because of how cute the girls are. Perhaps it was the factor that made me watch this series… Not only Poppin’ Party but those other band girls too have this very cute looks. They have this very cute idol looks but the only difference of them instead of prancing around on stage, they hold and play instruments. Thus if destiny did not make them pick up the guitar, keyboard or drums, they will don flashy idol outfits and start dancing on stage with cute (and sexy) choreography dance moves. I noticed that there is some CGI used in here albeit only limited to when the band plays on stage. However the CGI is not that bad and is almost fits seamlessly into the overall animation. You might not notice the difference but if you looks closely you can tell when the animation is a bit different than the usual.
Since this is a series on music, I can’t say that I really like them. I’m not saying that the songs suck but they don’t really resonate with me. There are a few decent ones but it didn’t make me go crazy over it. The opening theme, Tokimeki Experience somehow sounds so much like an idol song that could be sung by the idol group in Love Live. Just add some electric guitar to make it sound like they’re a rock band. Oh wait. They are. The same can be said for the ending theme, Kirakira Da Toka Yume Da Toka ~Sing Girls~. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star although is spammed in the first half, thankfully that is done away once they have their own music.
For the voice acting, I guess it feels okay. Having a good singing voice is necessary for this kind of series and Poppin’ Party does a decent job in that. At least better than mine. The main casts are Aimi Terasaka as Kasumi (Sherry in Plastic Memories), Ayasa Itou as Arisa (Alice in Milky Holmes series), Rimi Nishimoto as Rimi (debut role), Sae Ootsuka as Tae (debut role), Ayaka Ohashi as Saaya (Yayaka in Flip Flappers), Suzuko Mimori as Yuri (Sanae in Teekyuu), Yuka Ozaki as Asuka (Serval in Kemono Friends) and Mami Koyama as Space’s owner (Balalaika in Black Lagoon).
Overall, this isn’t a bad anime but it is just boring and sometimes unrealistic to me (even if it is just anime). I read there are many positive comments on this show but like music itself, everyone has different tastes and opinions about it. Annoying main character puts me off at the start but I still persevered like the band because I was hoping that things would change for the better. Okay, I’ll give them that since they’re making small steps at a time. At least this is realistic because you can’t have them suddenly playing at the Budoukan and selling record breaking sales all over the world. Well, no harm in dreaming about that. But still, you have to wake up and make it happen or it will still be a dream. Meanwhile I am dreaming how BanG Dream would be an awesome name for a porn title…
Chua Tek Ming~*Anime Power*~ !LiVe FoR AnImE, aNiMe FoR LiFe! 