Sunday, November 2, 2008

New Fall Anime Review Oct. 26-Nov. 2

:O I apologize for the gaps in between each spoiler tag. The computer and I were having a fight and after 30 minutes, it won. I am not computer savvy at all. Every time I went to put the spoiler tags closer together, half the entries gotten deleted. It got to the point where I nearly woke my husband up because I was that frustrated. Thankfully common and sense took over and I realized how crazy that sounded. So I decided to let it win so all my summaries would stay up. NEXT TIME COMPUTER!! Next time...

UPDATE: After dinner, my husband noticed the huge spaces and like the PRO he is, took them all out in 5 minutes. I don't know whether to thank him or stab him for making it look so easy. I will go with thank, as I will probably have problems again in the future. :)

So, ignoring all the huge spaces, please enjoy my weekly summaries of new fall anime. I am happy that Kuroshitsuji seems to have been picked up and is being subbed by a certain group now. Many thanks. :) Please feel free to leave any comments about this weeks episodes. :) I love reading other people's perspective on things. Also, everyone should rejoice as there was no animal fatalities these week!!! The fury babies live to see another week!

Kannagi Episode 4


Photobucket
Nagi is ready to get this party started!

The episode starts off with a drunk guy down on his luck, stumbling through the streets. The girl from the church last week approaches him and offers to help him…for 100 yen. Elsewhere Nagi is very upset that her worship tree (stump) has down been uprooted. She explains to Jin her situation: she either has to find a new way for people to worship her or she will die. She decides the best way to go about that is to become a pop idol. The art club overhears Jin discussing Nagi’s crazy plan and it leads to Akiba explaining the different types of idols. Akiba eventually brings up Zange; the mysterious girl who dresses up as a nun who hears people’s confessions for 100 yen AKA Nagi’s sister. After school, Jin saves Zange from some bullies and helps her home/experiences a perv moment. During a very interesting meal, Nagi learns that Jin knows her sister and her sister is trying to become an idol too!!!!! Nagi explains how the land came to have two gods due to the river separating the two sections and the people needed a place to worship. Nagi then finds out that Zange still has her tree intact and has suspicions on how her sister can be walking around as a “human”. She locates Zange at Jin’s school and surprised to learn she is a student. Zange confesses that while she has taken control of a human, yet has convinced herself she isn’t doing anything wrong as the human is okay with Zange’s body snatching. Zange plans to torture Nagi by leaving her naked in the locker room, but Jin walks in just in time to save her and laugh at her situation. While Nagi is still upset at Jin and his lack of help, Tsugumi comes over to yell at them for their eating habits and Zange shows up…to live there?

Photobucket
Jin is such a savior.

Photobucket
Look at the way he saves the damsel in distress!

This episode was SO much better than the last one (which may not be saying much since the last one was so bad). While this series is still not on my must watch/favorite anime of all time list, it was much more enjoyable this week.

Photobucket
No bullets in the brain this week.

I am very happy to find out the opening song actually has something to do with the series and wasn’t some random crazy idea. Not that there is anything wrong with having an opening song having NOTHING to do with the series; I’m just happy that it wasn’t just some cheap way to bring in viewers on the back of a different show’s popularity. That and I think it is cute how Nagi is essentially making Jin and all his friends her employees.

Photobucket
i don't think the fame would go to her head.

With that said 0_0. Apparently gods can be just as petty as regular human beings. Instead of planting a tree or trying to remind the people why they started to worship her in the first place, Nagi is fine being worshipped as an idol. Personally if I were a god that was worshipped to bring peace to the land or blessing the people with great harvests, I would not want to be reduced to a pop star but that’s just me! Perhaps I am reading WAYYYYYYYYY too much into it and should be commending Nagi for getting with the times and finding away to be worshipped at all.

Photobucket
Wouldn't they be the same person rather than sisters?

I do wonder what Zange’s intentions really are. Perhaps she was in danger of being forgotten, with what being planted near a Christian church and all. I hope that more back story on why she felt compelled to take on human form. If it’s just to become a better god that Nagi and kill her, that is some serious sibling rivalry.
Photobucket
Being tortured never looked so sexy!

Jin is a very special, special boy. He really wasn’t much help in saving Zange, but he gets the credit anyway. He sees Nagi in trouble….and closes the door on her. Despite all his short comings, he is still a chick magnet. This episode leaves off with a typical harem scenario, with the new hot girl deciding to come and move in. Next episode I expect to see the two sisters fighting over Jin while Jin rather put his head in a blender than being loved/wanted/needed by these two.
Photobucket
Look how pleased they are!

Kuroshitsuji Episode 2

Photobucket
Serving up some sexual harassment.

The episode starts off with the stupid trio trying to chase rats around the mansion. Elsewhere in a poorly lit room, several people are playing pool. Ciel and the others are talking about the recent infestation of rats and how they ruin everything they touch. Ciel seems rather bored with these people, yet he agrees to help out Azuro Venere in protecting the “sacred cheese”. Later tea time takes place upstairs and the viewers are informed that Madam Red is Ciel’s aunt. Her antics and the antics of the other guest Grell start to annoy Ciel so he decides to go upstairs. There he is kidnapped by Azuro and taken to his huge mansion. It turns out that Azuro is a drug dealer and the Phantomhive family helps the Queen out by dealing with criminals such as Azuro. Azuro has sent men to take out Sebastian, but they fail and Sebastian soon makes quick work of them. He soon makes it to Azuro’s mansion where he proceeds to kill about 50 more lackeys with knives, forks, and a serving tray. He locates Azuro and the tied up Ciel. Azuro seems to think he has the upper hand, as his remaining henchmen shoot Sebastian in the head, but he is sadly mistaken. Sebastian just gets up and makes quick work of the remaining useless people. Azuro threatens to kill Ciel, but Ciel uses his right eye to activate his contract with Sebastian. Sebastian is able to rescue Ciel and injury Azuro in a split second. Sebastian reveals that he is a demon to the injured man and carries his wounded master home. In the end, Sebastian feels as if he has failed as he does not have any dinner planned and apologizes for his mistake.

Photobucket
Cosplaying Wolverine to the rescue!

This episode left a better impression in my mind that the first one. Perhaps it was the stupid trio having a limited role on the actual plot and their scenes were more comic relief. Ciel seemed to be less of a butt head this time around and Sebastian acted more like a guard dog than a perfect butler.

Photobucket
Yes, you are all still morons.

However, I did feel as if the rat analogy was used to death. Yes, we get that you were talking about Azuro being a dirty vermin that had to be taken care out. It did not need to be phrased 15 different times in the show for the audience to get the point. There is a thing called subtly. I was amused though, with the thoughts of the rats getting high of the “special cheese”. And no, I will not count the rats as cute little pet murder of the week.

Photobucket
Your face freezes like this when you eat the special cheese.

There were a few characters haphazardly introduced this episode, one whom is Ciel’s aunt. I do wonder why she chooses not to live in the mansion with her underage nephew, but this is anime where teenagers (or younger kids) are left alone all the time. The other three individuals were not given any sort of connection to Ciel and just randomly seemed to be there. I like characters to be introduced to me, not just sitting there like a pretty doll on the lap of some man.

Photobucket
This does not objectify women AT ALL!

One aspect of the show confused me. Sebastian told Ciel he was directly violating his order and that Ciel would have to make him obey. Did Sebastian do that because he does not have his full powers and could not save Ciel in the blink of an eye? Sebastian seems very dedicated to Ciel and I doubt very much he wants to see his brain splattered all over the wall. So I am left wondering if Ciel’s eye contains the method of unleashing Sebastian true power and that Sebastian is only MIDLY amazing with his skills and talents instead of the REALLY AMAZING.

Photobucket
Zero commands you to save him!

Hopefully the issue with the subbing team will be worked out (if there was one to begin with) and the stupid trio will be limited to just their own off to the side scenes. Then I can happily enjoy the rest of this series.

Photobucket
Boy Love anyone?
Kuroshitsuji Episode 3

Photobucket
You will respect my authority!

So, Ceil Aunt has decided that her servant Greil is beyond incompetent and Ciel agreed to have Sebastian train Greil. Unfortunately Greil is stupid and has suicidal tendencies. Ciel and Sebastian escape the stupid quartet for a few hours while they pick up Ciel’s new cane. When they return home they discover that the mansion has exploded in ruffles, paint, and ribbons. All of the staff are now donning AWESOME costumes and Greil is trying to kill himself again. A young girl is revealed to be the culprit, yet it will be hard to punish her as she is Elizabeth/Ceil’s Fiancée. Despite Ceil looking LESS than thrilled, Elizabeth goes along her merry way to set up a dance party later that night. Ceil is pretty pissed and Sebastian guesses one of the reasons is that he can’t dance (the other reason being Elizabeth is annoying as hell). After a failed attempt at a dance lesson and try to smile seminar, Ceil is more upset than ever. His mood does not improve as when he does arrive at the dance, Elizabeth is upset at his choice of rings and BREAKS IT! Ceil goes to slap her, but Sebastian stops him. Sebastian explains that the ring has been passed down to every single heir of the Phantomhives, thus it was important to Ceil. Ceil decides to throw the ring out the window and dance with Elizabeth anyway, hiding how upset he is. Later that night, Sebastian gives back the ring (because his demon powers rock) and Ceil has mixed feelings about it. He claims this ring has been around for the last moments of all the heirs and he knows it will be for his. He gets kind of cryptic about the past and how he wants Sebastian to stay with him. Sebastian waits until Ceil falls asleep, and then leaves the room being very cryptic himself.

Photobucket
Emo child is not pleased!

This episode was pretty much FAIL in my book. I really hate the stupid trio and this week they had a FOURTH member. Greil is annoying. THE END! There was really no reason to have him in the episode either: the idiot trio would have been enough for the party scene. I can’t imagine him having a very big part in the manga so I don’t know why the anime directors couldn’t have taken some poetic license (or whatever term I meant to use) and axe Greil. The only think amusing about him was when Sebastian basically told him to die outside and Greil took that as an act of love.

Photobucket
You get my hopes up..only to smash them on the ground.

Elizabeth was eh with me. Assuming this kid was 12 years old, she should have been more mature and not decorate the house in such a juvenile manner. However, this is coming from the hello kitty queen, so to each their own. I could have forgiven her costuming nightmares and impromptu party, but her throwing the ring down was inexcusable. She had essentially gotten her way on every other matter yet because he was wearing his own personal ring, she had a huge hissy fit. She got off very easy….which will only prove she will not learn from her mistakes and she will continue to be a bratty little kid forever. Sorry, thought we were talking about real kids for a second.

Photobucket
This is all completely normal behavior. Exactly.

Ceil was all over the place this episode. He was his usual annoyed self with Greil, but who can really blame him there? He showed us his “playful’ side when he reacts to Elizabeth’s crazy decorating scheme. We got to see his uncomfortable (yet just right for BL) reaction to the dance lesson. We got to see his tender side when he comforted Elizabeth….when she broke his ring. And we got to see his vulnerable side when he showed weakness to Sebastian later.

Photobucket
MMMM BL anyone?!

Overall…I enjoyed his aggressive side when he went to slap Elizabeth. I am pretty upset when Sebastian stopped him and will pretend he was merely handing Ceil the cane to save his master’s hand from getting hurt. :P I really did not like Ceil putting on a fake happy smile for Elizabeth, it didn’t seem his style. He is very harsh with the adults around him, so I can’t see him being so concerned for her feelings. In the course of one day, Ceil had it pretty rough emotionally so I am inclined to forgive him.

Photobucket
Smiling Ceil is a scary Ceil.

The way Sebastian acted at the end of the scene made me wonder if Ceil’s contract with him is something new or something Sebastian has done for all the males in the family. The house burning down/person burning with it did not offer up any answers; just new questions. And of course Sebastian’s sly smile at the end makes me believe he telling the truth about something. However, I tend to want to believe he wants to serve Ceil and hopes he hunts Elizabeth down next week and kicks her ass. :)

Photobucket
Quick, cue the mysterious smile that could mean anything!

I hope that Ceil is not going to die soon. :( That is almost as bad as killing cute kittens/puppies! But he seems grim about his future. I hope the rest of the season isn’t a downer and he finds a way to avoid his fate.

Photobucket
Time to comfort the chibi.

To Aru Majutsu no Index Episode 4

Photobucket
Touma learns the truth...and still thinks he is right!

Kaori starts this episode off by flinging Touma around like a rag doll. He tries using his right hand, but discovers she is not using magic to kick his butt. After Touma gives another long winded speech, Kaori finally explains herself. She and Stiyl (must have blinked when his REAL name was mentioned or perhaps the subbers spelled his name wrong…) are actually Index’s friends and colleagues at the Church of Necessary Evil. Even though Index has an ability that allows her to memorize everything instantly that does not mean her brain is extra ordinary. It still has the same capabilities as normal humans. 85 percent of her brain is devoted to the numerous magical books she memorized, leaving 15 percent for her own use. This 15 percent gets used up pretty quickly as her mind is filled with small and minute details she is unable to forget. If she is not purged of this information every year, she will die. That is what Kaori and Stiyl are trying to do; erasing Index’s memories before she dies. Touma is still upset at Kaori’s give up attitude, causing her to fling him around some more and leave him in the streets. Touma wakes up back at Komoe apartment with Index fusing over him. She feels sad that Touma was injured because of her and just wants to help. Touma realizes that he has been sleeping for three days and it is now the day where Index has to lose her memories. Suddenly Kaori and Stiyl are at the door demanding Index.

Photobucket
They should have sent in Kaori first....

Touma is a TALKER! Perhaps that is what happens when one lives alone; they just randomly go off on tangents during life and death situations. Touma just talks talks talks talks! It would be more bearable if he was talking about subjects he had extensive knowledge about, but he’s not. He is just assuming things based on the information of Index, who JUST TOLD HIM she has lost all her memories. People who have lost every single memory of their life (excluding the last year) might not be the most accurate source of information! It makes his speeches slightly (or more) self righteous and/or pointless. It makes the scenes where he interrupts people or tells them to shut up pretty funny to me, because apparently he has MORE TO SAY and others talking takes away from his speeches. His loyalty to Index is commendable, but he needs to tone down the condensing speeches.

Photobucket
He is too shocked to comprehend her words!

Kaori’s tragic back story is just tragic enough for me to like her and feel sorry for her. She is not TRYING to hurt Index (not sure why she slashed her back, but eh) but she is willing to be the villain along with Stiyl to protect her dear friend. She isn’t running around killing kittens for the greater good or mowing down hundreds of people to save just one life. She is sacrificing her own feelings to allow Index to live a happy life (despite Touma saying otherwise). If my dear friend has to forget me every single year just to stay alive, it would hurt me to have to spend every moment with her, knowing she would soon forget our precious time. It is not for Touma to judge how Kaori handles this painful situation. Yes, she could be more upfront with Index about the situation, but perhaps she has already done that the year before and she is tired of getting hurt. Kaori is the misunderstood friend, not the villain Touma thinks she is.

Photobucket
Kaori 1 Touma 0

Well, my hope that Index is NOT a robot has been increased this week. So whoever that person floating is that tube is either a different person or Index herself, not the OTHER Index. Yes, I enjoy confusing myself. Index’s condition is refreshing to me and I rather enjoy that little twist to her ability. It would really be a limited less power to memorize everything you come across, but adding in that condition really makes her more believable. Granted I know this is a fantasy show, it still explains the human mind in a way that makes scientific sense. The mind really does not have enough space to remember everything someone experiences in a life time and Index already has a great deal of her mind is devoted to all those magic texts. She has to pay a great price for “fighting the evil’ in the world and her price is her memories. Of course, that is also a price that everyone else who loves her must pay. This sets up the series for either Touma to either find a way (next year of course, too late to do anything about it NOW) to have Index live and keep her memories or for Index to die so she does not forget the time she spent with Touma. :( I hope it is not choice b.

Photobucket
Index is trying to get a word in edgewise.

I am not really sure what was up with the scene with Misaka and judgment girl. It seemed rather useless and didn’t add to the plot unless you count the “oh, I wonder what is going on face”. Rather it seems that scene was there to remind us that these characters are important and not to forget about them. I felt the episode could have gone on just fine without them.

Photobucket
insert the girls who don't do anything.

This episode was pretty good. I have enjoyed the series thus far (even if the healing magic last episode was special). I hope that the series can carry on with this great pace and storyline. It is probably a given that Kaori and Stiyl will join up with Touma in his effort to protect Index. Let’s get that obvious episode out of the way so the real enemy can be revealed.
Photobucket
At least they didn't knock the door down?
Shugo Chara Episode 53

So this episode was another recap. Thankfully I knew that ahead of time so I wasn't beyond disappointed. This recap was better than than the last one as they had a FEW scenes in between all the flashbacks. That meant I had to actually watch the entire episode instead of fast forwarding most of it.
Photobucket
Ikuto is skipping school and smiling in the grass. Yoru happily decides to go to school in his place!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Meanwhile, the Guardians are doing real important stuff: eating donuts. Tadase fails to realize he is out numbered by the girls.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
The morons at EASTER have no donuts to eat, so they decide to put on a puppet show instead. They talk about all the people who have worked at EASTER in the past and were more successful and less annoying than they are. Their boss shows up and rains on their memory parade.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Amu has to go see the director at the school....because apparently he has too many donuts to eat. Amu later runs into Ikuto and they stay out of the rain together. Amu then goes down her own memory lane with Ikuto moments. The two seem to be content with picking on each other....

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
when Tadase shows up with his overly cheery self. He and Ikuto decide to battle to the death over the shiny key and Amu (maybe). Amu decides the best way to stop the two from fighting was to transform....and stand there. Something about her transformation was different, but I could only tell because there were sparklys all over her outfit and Ran was screaming that they were powered up. The boys went blind trying to figure out what was different and Ikuto ran off.

Photobucket

Elsewhere the REAL boss at EASTER is told that their France division is way less stupid than the Japanese one and they are going to send over a special girl. Dun Dun DUN!!!

Photobucket
And next week (well, whenever the subbers decide to get around to this episode) Amu is going to be attacked by a Skydance!!! Those things hurt when they hit you in the head!!!

Yozakura Quartet Episode 4

Photobucket
Yozakura Quartet: Not afraid of calories.

Akina and Hime are briefed at the divisional officer’s place about the latest incident regarding the barriers. Hime seems to be in high spirits as her main focus is on making a town song, not protecting the trees. Cat Molester and his pal Inozuka are messing around with bark from the scared trees. Cat Molester does not seem to be in full control of his powers. Touka and the Scooby gang are making rice balls and discussing food preferences. It cuts from scenes of the Akina remembering someone and Cat Molester having a more difficult time controlling his powers. There is a flashback of Akina, Hime, and another boy Gin eating at the ramen restaurant. Gin manages to eat a huge portion of food so their team “wins” against the owner. Their prizes are tiny key chains of monkeys, key chains that Hime and Akina still cherish. It turns out that their pal Gin was taken over by a baddie named Enjin AKA Cat Molester two years ago! The guy at the divisional place (Yuuhi I think) seems to think that there is no hope Gin still exists. However, Enjin has been having a hard time controlling his powers lately simply because Gin is trying to escape! Enjin manages to maintain enough control to break through the barrier and he and Inozuka create havoc in the city. Yuuhi deducts that Inozuka is a half youkai like Kotoha, but he run offs when a sword wielding nun shows up. Meanwhile Akina has located the injured Enjin (Gin seems to be trying to choke himself). Akina is caught up in the fact that is it Gin’s body and Enjin nearly blasts him away. Akina tries to pull it together and tune Enjin, but he once again falters because of Gin. The sword welding nun shows up and Enjin escapes. Hime later calls from out of town to see if things are okay and Akina lies and says they are.

Photobucket
So serious, yet...so crazy.

Photobucket
The sad part is...Gin does not own a cellphone.

I really, REALLY enjoyed this episode. :O The fact that the term Fon was not mentioned 48329475 times made it very wonderful! The fact that Rin was BARELY in the episode made my heart soar into the heavens!

Photobucket
Gone but not forgotten.

The seating arrangements at the ramen joint were explained. I had just assumed that Akina and Hime did not sit next to each other at the restaurant because of some underlining (sexual) tension. I was pleasantly surprised that they were leaving the space empty for their “lost friend”. It goes to show you that even the smallest details are important and one must pay close attention when watching anime.

Photobucket
That looks appetizing!

The back story was a cute story about a ramen competition and really showed how much Gin cared for his friends and how important was to Akina and Hime. Gin was the shy type out of their dynamic trio and I can see how he was the voice of reason between two stubborn people. I am glad to see that Akina and Hime have not fallen apart since Gin’s disappearance, yet they have not forgotten or given up hope. Perhaps the opening theme song is a sign that Gin will one day gain control of his body again and he and Ao hook up. It makes the Cat Molester seem harmless now!

Photobucket
That is what I experience when I am throwing up.

Photobucket
Best prizes ever.

Kotoha’s back story was not explained this week, but I am okay with that. It gives me something to look forward to next week. It would be quite boring if everyone’s situation was explained all up front and I rather enjoyed Gin/Eijin’s story more anyway. I do think that Kotaha’s story will now be explained with Inozuka’s, so it might be later in the series when their abilities are explained (granted this is a shorter series, so I am not sure when later can be). Kotoha’s small presence this week was enough for me.

Photobucket
Much cooler than rocket Silver (poor Silver :( )

Perhaps I am not paying enough attention or maybe I am just slow, but I am not really sure who or what the divisional office is. I assume Yuuhi sort of in charge as the nun and Mariabelle, but what is he in charge of? Hime gets her orders and reports in to these people, yet she is supposed to be the mayor of this town? Further explanation of this organization would be appreciated.

Photobucket
Fall apparently is the the time nuns to come out of hiding.

This week’s episode makes me look forward to next weeks. :) That is a sign that your series is interesting and keeps a viewer wanting more. Don’t disappointment me next week!

Photobucket
No Rin, we actually want the series to be GOOD!


Vampire Knight Guilty Episode 4

Photobucket
Vampire Knight: Where the tears and blood flow freely.

The episode starts off with Shiki going to his Uncle’s house. His Uncle lets him in on a family secret: His father is still alive. His father’s body (part of him in the manga anyway) is in this container receiving blood while his soul is inside the body of a young (cute) boy. Suddenly his father’s body sits up and blood attacks Shiki. Elsewhere Kaname knows something is up, but keeps the other Night Class members in the dark. Yuki is angsting around campus about her forgotten past and how if she only remembered, she would be less of a burden. So the Headmaster and Mr. Yagari take Yuki and Zero to the Hunter’s Association. The president is a very special man, but allows Yuki and the headmaster search the old files while he goes off to torture Zero a little bit. Yuki finds the document she is searching for and it bursts into flames. Yagari and the Headmaster are discussing that SOMETHING is being planned with the hunter’s organization. Meanwhile Yuki is beginning to believe that someone erased her memory and Kaname knows who did. She tells Zero she is tired of being a burden….and Zero decides it is time for blood. After his drink, he gets all angsty and tells Yuki she can demand anything from him as he is the real burden. Kaname returns with Kain, Ruka, and Rima to campus and is greeted by Yuki and the ever so happy Zero. Ichijo has been summoned by his Uncle for an important matter. Kaname warns Aido to keep out of his business, but thanks him for being his friend. Ichijo arrives at his Uncle and meets what looks like Shiki possessed by his father.

Photobucket
Kaname threatens his people so politely.

This episode had a LOT going on. I am a fan of people going off and doing their own thing, but this episode seemed very compact. I know things have to be done in a certain pace as there are only 13 episodes in this season, but finish one train of thought instead of having 4 different open ended ones. I am sure in the end it will all make sense and not seem like one giant mess. I suppose it really doesn’t matter, as Kaname-sama knows everything anyway.

Photobucket
The symbolism is so subtle.

Yuki has had 10 years to wonder about her past. Granted she was only 5 at the time, that might be asking too much as a child. But didn’t she wonder last year or the year before? NOPE! She has to worry about her past while Zero is going through his own hell. Somehow she has made this all about her with the excuse she does not want to worry Zero, when in reality it is causing him to worry more! She better grill Kaname for real next week and not wuss out.

Photobucket
Cue the sad, sad music for the "battle of my life sucks more than yours" scene!

Poor poor Shiki. While his reaction about finding his father was tamed down from the manga, he none the less shocked. I fear that he is going to be the first causality of the night class. :( And call me slow, but was the child at the party really Shiki’s mini dad? That is what it seemed like to me, but I try not to assume things (sorry, I also try not to lie). All these parents of vampires are rather evil 0_o.

Photobucket
Doesn't look good for ya buddy.

What was up with the useless Ichiru scene? Does he work for everyone’s house as a private butler? I suppose they were trying to reinforce that Ichuri is with the council now, but it would have made more sense to have Ichiru at Ichiji’s house.

Photobucket
I always feel like somebody's watching meeeeeee.

Aido has lived to see another day and the angst factor was only a 6 this episode. The next episode should be all fresh material for me, so I look forward to seeing Yuki demand answers! Here’s hoping that Ichiru is alive next time too.

Photobucket
Such messy eaters.

Hakushaku to Yousei Episode 3

Photobucket
Scary is the way to go with the Welcome Wagon.

The episode starts off with Lydia, Edgar, and Raven boarding another ship, this time heading to where Lydia thinks the sword is. Nico finds some brownie fairies who may have clues to the merrow on the island, so he insists they go on the boat too. Once on the island, the group is told that many people come seeking the sword only to wash up on shore dead 3 days later. Translation: fakers die. Edgar tells Lydia even though he is a fraud he will still go after the sword to save his good name and proceeds to make out with her hair. Later that night Edgar talks to Raven on how he is such a liar and a fake and Lydia is too innocent of a person to be exposed to that. Lydia was actually eavesdropping on the conversation and Raven catches her. Raven explains to her how there is a sprite inside of him that causes him to lash out and kill others. That is the reason Edgar got false accused of being a murderer. Lydia shows her jealous side the next day while the gang is looking for clue; she childishly tells Edgar to have Ermine mourn over him. Edgar tries to tell her that Ermine was Raven’s sister and lays on some heavy compliments. The BS is cut short when Huskley and his henchmen arrive on the scene. Raven is called upon to handle most of the baddies while Edgar and Lydia make a run for it. They then stumble on to Lydia’s dad who is concerned for his child. Edgar tries to pull some BS out of his butt, but Huskley and his gun show up. Lydia’s father decides he rather have Edgar get away than Lydia accidentally get shoot. Edgar and Huskley end up wrestling on the ground when a gunshot goes off!

Photobucket
GASPS! His beauty is greater than mine!

It is weird how this episode had a lot being talked about, but nothing really happened. Time flies when you are having emotional conversations and molesting hair. :P

Photobucket
Boats can TAKE you somewhere?!

I am going to pretend to know the difference between Edgar’s true lies and fake lies. Edgar said several things today that made me think his HORRIBLE past was also a bunch of lies (that and I think it would be awesome if they were). He joked about having his brain taken and how Lydia was different than the others. Who are the others? Other people that Edgar scammed in the past? Edgar is so caught up in his lies; he thought a father would allow his daughter to marry her kidnapper. He has become delusional.

Raven must have read my review from last week and decided that he needed to explain his back story better. This week combine with last week’s information has left me mostly satisfied. Raven is half human/half “fairy. There is a sprite inside him that gets homicidal inside of him and Edgar is the one who keeps him in check. So now I better understand his loyalties to Edgar. Still, it is more fun for me to pretend that Raven is in love with him.

Photobucket
Must be hot always wearing a butler's outfit....

The clues that Lydia is deciphering seem rather basic to me. Not basic to a lay person, but to another fairy doctor or person who knows the folklore. Perhaps that is why multiple people have figured out the clues before. The hard part is not finding the sword, but surviving once you get there. So…why couldn’t Edgar find someone else to help out? Perhaps he needed someone who had a pure enough heart to help someone with such a SAD BACK STORY!!!

Photobucket
Quick, forget all that I have said while i compliment you!

Huskley fails as a villain. You ALWAYS wait until the hero (or main character) finds the sacred item and THEN you try to kill then. You don’t try to kill them on the way! That means more work for you! He also is not following the bad guy code by trying to turn IN Edgar. When you are a bad guy, you don’t work with the police and turn in other bad guys. It never works! Well, it might work, but we have to wait until next Halloween to see if it can work.

Photobucket
But...I want to stand here and be a liability!

I am not quite sure if the show is moving at a slow or fast pace at this point. X_X yes, confusing myself is loads of fun. Maybe by next week I will have a better understanding if they need to pick up the pace or slow down.
Skip Beat Episode 4

Photobucket
Next time on DRAGON BALL Z!

Episode 4 starts off with Kyoko cheerfully working at a gas station. She is still thinking about her revenge and how she can only achieve it if she entered the Show Biz industry. A co-worker and Kyoko eat lunch together and the TV plays one of Sho’s new adds. Kyoko’s demons take over and she is unable to handle it. The situation is made worse when Sho’s car comes by the gas station and Sho does not even recognize Kyoko. Kyoko is beyond upset at this turn of events and has a tantrum. Her boss (landlord) decides to give her another pep talk. The next day Kyoko marches down to the station and tries to sneak in the employee’s only entrance. She runs into another talent at the LME studio and is “forced” to carry her bags. Meanwhile, Ren and Mr. Sawara are talking about Kyoko and Ren is generally being a butt head. They run into the actress and Kyoko and Sawara is delighted! Sawara says that Kyoko can start her work by helping out the actress with her luggage. Ren explains to Kyoko that she is the first person selected to be in the Love Me section, which is basically a bunch of people who have potential to be SOMETHING but haven’t got the talent to back it up. Kyoko is less than thrilled with this…section and the actress gives Kyoko a deduction on LOVE ME points. Ren is the cause behind the deduction in points and starts ranting that he hates her.

Photobucket
How did i get suckered into this?

YAY for Kyoko for getting back into the swing of things. I actually thought it was good of her to find that part time job. Sometimes our dreams have to be put on hold and we have to take care of real life issues such as MONEY. That and the uniforms look so much cuter on anime girls than they do in real life.

Photobucket
Yeah, I looked that cute in my Wendy's uniform too....

However, I really wish she had motivated herself to get back on the ball. I do know that is contradictory since Sho is the reason she wants to enter the industry and her seeing him reminds her of that, but I allow myself to not make sense. So really, in the end it does not matter who motivated her as long as she went back to LME for the sole purpose of CRUSHNG SHO! *cue the inner demons!!!*

Photobucket
I be more worried about the split personality issues she has going on.

Sho is a two face pack of ****. He is so rude to Kyoko (or was) and treated her like dirt, but he is all smiles and gracious in front of his fans. I am glad that the real him was shining bright when he got in the car and basically insulted 80 percent of his fans. Kyoko only changed her hair and the pitch of her voice: Sho should have been able to recognize her (unless the show is making fun of anime by saying all characters look alike). In the end, this only proves what a self absorbed jerk Sho really is. Sooner or later he will slip into his true persona in public and his fans will find out. We shall all rejoice then.

Photobucket
See, he can't even be cute in chibi form!

I am not really thrilled about this stamp/points deal that the president and Sawara decided on. There are too many petty people in that industry that will give Kyoko negative stamps just because they are cruel people who can’t support others. The actress (whatever her name was) is a perfect example of that. Sure Kyoko accidentally dripped her stuff, but people make mistakes. These established stars have a high sense of entitlement and are not a good judge of what is fair. That and it seems this whole system is really making Kyoko out to be a slave. Hopefully this stage will not last long in her life.

Photobucket
Well, she said she was willing to do anything...

Ren was a bigger jerk than Sho in this episode. He is gossiping about her behind his back (like he doesn’t have more important things to worry about) and he purposely messes Kyoko up by pretending to be nice. Seriously, when someone offers to help you, they should not hold that over your head later. Kyoko was giving him chance to proof he was a better person and he fails. She should have known something was up with his condescending “because I am a man” attitude, but it is hard to blame Kyoko in this instance. JERK JERK JERK!!!

Photobucket
The demons can sense one of their own.

I enjoy the little demons more and more each episode. When most people have inner freak outs, they actually…you know, keep them inner. But not Kyoko, she is on the floor wailing or looking like a determined demon overlord. That should be her true talent: demon summoning.

Photobucket
Kyoko creates a peaceful work environment.

The best part of the episode was when Kyoko was making fun of the LOVE ME section and what a stupid name it was. When she found out she was the first person to be in this section, it was hard to tell if she was excited about it or she doesn’t know how to back pedal her way out of the issue. Overall I thought the whole scene was hilarious and I find myself laughing at Kyoko’s pain and feeling bad for her at the same time.

Photobucket
Did I seriously just sign up for this?
Clannad After Story Episode 5

Photobucket
What do you mean this episode isn't about us?!


This episode starts off with Nagisa and Tomoya going to visit Sunohara. They come across Misae’s cat on the way and walk in on Misae paralyzing Sunohara for trying to sell her cat. After that lovely exchange, the group watches as Misae gives a few young people advice, including Nagisa and Tomoya. Nagisa tries to tell Misae that she is still young and she should focus on finding the love of her life, but Misae seems down about it. Then it appears that Tomoya is having a dream about when Misae was in high school. She was trying to work up the courage to confess to a boy named Igarashi. Before she could do so, another young boy named Shima interrupts and gives Igarashi the wrong idea. After Misae is done trying to paralyze him, Shima explains that years ago he was in the hospital and not doing so well. She had stopped and given him kind words and that motivated him to live. Now Shima says he has the power to grant one wish to her and he wants to make her happy. Misae does not believe in this wish thing and is generally ticked off that Shima keeps showing up and ruining her chances with Igarashi. Shima truly cares for Misae and he starts to grow on Misae. One day, Igarashi approaches Shima and tells him that he (Igarashi) already has a girlfriend and while he knows that Misae has feelings for him, he rather Shima tell Misae the news. Shima can’t bring himself to do it and starts crying. Turns out he doesn’t have to tell her anyway, as Igarashi walks by with his girlfriend in tow. Misae runs off all upset and Shima crying.

Photobucket
She will fling you one second, then take care of you the next.

This episode was so sad!!! It was almost as sad as Kotomi’s back story and I love her so much!!! I really liked this episode much more than Sunohara’s back story.

Shima is the cutest character thus far!!! His eyes were so full of whatever emotion he was portraying at the time, it was hard to not get caught up in them! I am not sure what was up with his little hat, but he was absolutely adorable in the jersey outfit. When his eyes filled with tears, it tugged at my heart strings! I just wanted to hug that little boy close and tell him it was going to be okay.

Photobucket
Too...sad...must...turn...away...

I really enjoyed Misae’s back story. Yes she has not really changed in terms of…physical violence on people, but that is a good thing. No matter how much people change over the years, there are parts of them that remain the same. This episode showed that Misae has grown in terms of listening to people and reaching out to help them.

Photobucket
Ah, memories!

Photobucket
Misae is in training for when she has to deal with the high school knuckleheads in the future!

Igarashi is a douche bag. Nothing is more sickening that a “nice guy” who has to protect a girl’s feelings. He really is not protecting her at all, he is just saving his reputation and not confronting her himself. He instead gets this poor kid he doesn’t even know at all to do his dirty work. Makes me so sick. He is not a nice guy in my eyes, just a guy who can’t man up and tell Misae the truth. There are ways to let people down gently and not make them hate you. Clearly he is not intelligent enough to know that.

Photobucket
Poor Shima is sent to do the dirty work!

The other world scene was very cute this week. I enjoy the little sheepies! I am glad the little robot man brought up the lights and perhaps next time he will “ask” the little girl what they represent. I just hope the story line has enough time to cover what is suppose to happen (theoretically anyway).

Photobucket
YAY FOR NEW MASCOTS!

Photobucket
0_0 Can his legs reach the ground?

I like how Clannad can make something as “trivial” as 9th grade romance and turn it into something really deep and captivating. You really feel for these characters and their pain is so real. So while I might role my eyes at real 15 year olds in love, these characters make me forget that this is really not life shattering news and draw me in to their situation.

Photobucket
THE HORRIBLE TRUTH IS REVEALED!

YAY FOR NOT ANIMAL VIOLENCE THIS WEEK! Instead we got cute little kitten loving. Perhaps this kitten knows that Tomoya has “special powers” and that triggered his little dream. Either way, I enjoyed how Misae’s cat was not harmed in anyway THANK YOU CLAANAD. But now I am sad because I have to wait a whole week to find out how this arch ends.

Photobucket
Tomoya has earned back some points now that he is a cat lover.

No comments: