Sunday, March 8, 2009

New Weekly Anime March 2nd-9th

Greetings and welcome to another exciting edition of TENCHI WATCHES A LOT OF ANIME!

I am rather proud of myself for getting entirely caught up on all the anime series I am currently watching. I set rather low goals in life so I can obtain them more easily. XD But seriously, I know blogging is fun and I don't HAVE to do it. But since I have decided to do it I want to manage my time better and get things all caught up rather than devoting my entire Sunday to this one post.

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Don't distract me while I'm blogging!

So here is the happy list of all the anime episodes I have watched and reviewed this week. Oh and you may notice I was less critical of Chrome Shelled Regios this week...because I am stupid and thought the series was only 12 episodes long X_X Yeah, I think I am done being special now...

Tales of the Abyss Episode 21
Tales of the Abyss Episode 22
KuroShitsuji Episode 20
Skip Beat Episode 21
Chrome Shelled Regios Episode 8
To Aru Majutsu no Index Episode 22
MariaHolic Episode 9
Shugo Chara Doki Episode 73

Happy reading and enjoy!!!


Tales of the Abyss Episode 21



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Even super emo secretive guys need their mommies!

So all around the world the muk is spreading and killing poor defenseless squirrels and bunnies. Up in the tower of Moh’s is ruling the world the Planet Storm is floating all around in and making the tower extra special. There Largo informs Dist, Legretta, and SYNC of Arietta’s death. Dist thinks she wasted her life and Largo gets pissed off at his attitude. Dist and his chair of doom flies away all pissed off. Legretta thinks everyone should watch out for Dist since he turned Mohs into a monster. Sync says that it shouldn’t matter since they are all there for their own reasons and blah blah AND HE IS ALIVE BY THE WAY! Largo forgets to be pissed because he realizes he lost his necklace of Natalia SHOCKER! Sync also talks about Van and how his body is having a hard time containing all the Loreli in him…if Loreli is one thing or a lot of little things..WHATEVER! Our heroes are informing Natalia’s not so daddy about their progress and all the things they have messed up. The King says he is working with Emperor hottie to contain the muk, but our heroes shouldn’t worry and that they need naps. In the hallway our heroes talk about what they should do next and Luke decides that the girls should take Anise aside and make her feel better about murdering two innocent people. They go off talking about cake and unicorns.

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Stupid plans are stupid!

It turns out that Luke doesn’t care about Anise; he just wanted Natalia out of the room. He goes to his Uncle to tell him about the necklace he found on the mountain. Uncle says that he hasn’t investigated who her real father is because he is selfish and wants Natalia’s love all to himself (the love that he wanted to kill like 7 episodes ago). The men pretend to not know who Natalia’s father is and are conflicted on what to do about the situation. Asch contacts Luke and tells him to meet him by the docks. Luke is like…no, you come here NOW. Asch shows up at the manor…and it was a trap. He is reunited with his parents again who are BEYOND happy to see him. Hugs and tears ensue. Except for Luke who is outside being sad. Jade apparently has to explain that Luke is confused about his place in the world and his parents and what not. Asch comes out and screams at Luke for getting involved in his life. He says he is never coming back again and starts stomping away. Jade reminds him that…didn’t he come to talk about something? Asch claims he wanted to know what the two nations where doing about the muk but now he realizes that no one knows jack. He also yells more about Luke not having the Jewel thingy. Jade then asks if anything is wrong with Asch’s body. Asch stomps away all pissed off..and doesn’t feel good. He thinks again about how he isn’t feeling well…but maybe being with his parents were nice.

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Tales of the Abyss: Making sure we don't forget about minor characters.

So our heroes are feeling refreshed and happy (except Luke) and they fly off to see Spinoza and to see what is up with the muk. Apparently things are bad and pretty soon everything will be dead in the world. Yeah, that bad. But don’t worry, Jade and Spinoza have thought of a plan. Luke can use his hyperresonance to destroy the muk all at once. Only it won’t work since Luke is a replica. And it won’t work for Asch either since it is impossible. And it is possible, but it won’t work since it would require the deaths of 10k 7th fonists. So clearly they need to think of a new plan. However Asch was listening in to Luke’s conversation (so that’s what the glowy headaches are!). This probably means that Asch will do all the stuff they just said not to do. As seen when Asch is talking to the pirate trio and Noelle’s brother. Suddenly both Tear and Jade know exactly how Asch can pull this plan off. Back when the original world was covered in muk one of the plans to save people was to make a tower and travel to space. But they went with pushing the outer lands up and now the Tower of Rem is abandoned. But apparently Jade knows that all those replicas that were made a few episodes ago were programmed to go back to the tower. And also replicas are made of the 7th fon thingy so Asch could use 10k of replicas to save the world. It makes sense apparently. And it also makes Natalia very VERY sad. So off they fly and run into Noelle’s brother. The pirate people tell the heroes that they have to hurry as Asch has already entered the tower to DIE!

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Run faster to your death!

Thanks you for not disappointing me Tales of the Abyss. You never fail to bring specialness into my home and my mind. Thank you for being consistent.

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Special is not telling your your sibling you are carting around Asch...

First, I would like to thank everyone for babying Anise. I mean, it’s not like two innocent people are dead or anything. If she is mature enough to kill people and wreck the world, she is mature enough to handle the consequences. NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR CAKE! Ion would probably love some cake right now and he is dead. So…dieinafire Anise.

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YOU GET NO CAKE!

Speaking of dead…HI SYNC! Glad to see you are not dead. Only the really good guys stay dead in this series. But there are some episodes left so maybe all the bad guys can still die. But I am happy that Sync is alive. Would like an explanation on why he is alive/how he survived that fall..but whatever. Maybe there can be hope for Sync and he can become a good guy. I can love him in place of Ion. That and I think there is hope for Sync, that he can become a good person.

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And he got a new mask too!

But I do love how the Six (4) generals are just chillin on the floating castle in the sky and how they are fighting among themselves. I want to know why they blame Dist for turning Mohs into that monster…when really that is just his own personality twisting him. I want to know what these generals think they are going to accomplish by destroying the entire world with no way to replicate it again…but they are mindlessly following the score so they are insane anyway.

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Is it wrong I think he was right?

Natalia’s past is so dramatic. Is this going to be a spoiler for anyone, that Largo is her dad? It is blatantly obvious enough? You know, like how Luke was a replica and all. Anyway, yeah…I guess Largo is mad at the world for losing his wife and daughter so he is going to blow up the world she lives in. SUCK THAT WORLD! And her father (the one that tried to kill her, not the one who tried to kill all her friends) decides that he is too selfish in not finding out who her real father is. Because that information isn’t important or anything. Keeping our heads in the sand is better than facing the problem head on.

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Who could her father be INDEED!

Luke was pretty awesome in this episode. Sometimes I think he gets too dramatic and tries too hard to make up for that one time he blew up an entire city. But this episode I think he did a good job. He feels bad (Slightly I guess) that Anise is having a pity party. He makes sure to get Natalia out of the room before they talked about matters that might upset her. And he gets Asch to reunite with his (their parents). THEN he offers to die to save the whole world. But he does so in not a LOOK AT ME way which I appreciate.

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One is the loneliest number.......

What I am proud of the most is how Luke got Asch to meet up with his (their) parents again. That seems more selfless to me than risking his life. Luke already doubts his place in the world and he places more doubts when he divides his parents love. I mean, it is easy to love a child you think is yours and raised since the age of 7. But then you get your “real” child back and it might be hard to see the other child as yours too. Of course Asch is all being big and bad and doesn’t want to see them again..so Luke can just be an only child again.

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Stop trying to be so big and bad XD

And Asch is pretty special. Does he wander around aimlessly…or is he really trying to help out? And he is busy blaming everyone else for things they neglect to do and he doesn’t tell them his health problems? Things that could affect the world? No…okay, just go around and try to save the world yourself. I think anyways since you said at once you wanted the world gone too. But I like now that we know about the shiny headaches of doom. And that Asch has a pimped out ride too.

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Jade you flirt...

This episode had a lot of WTF information…just like usual. Like OH I know how to get rid of all the muk…but all my plans suck so why did I even bring it up? Or that fact that they know where all the replicas are heading to. Or that people knew about this planet transporting tower. Just OH by the information that they decide to tell us…like we should know or something.

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Random information is RANDOM!

Next episode looks pretty dramatic too. It looks like either Jade or Asch might bite the dust. If Jade dies..then how will we learn WTF information? And if Asch dies, who is going to marry Natalia and take her away to live in a whine free paradise? Whatever they decide to do…they should bring Ion back to life! BECAUSE I SAID SO!


Tales of the Abyss Episode 22



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Gotta love the Chibis!

So…it turns out that this tower is a million miles tall. And that Asch is super sexy and in shape because our heroes are having a little bit of problems running the stairs of Rem. Mieu cheers our heroes on as it flies around like a psychopath. There is a brief glimpse of Noelle, her brother, and the pirate circus people holding off the other replicas from entering the tower. Because 5 people+barb wire can hold off thousands of people. Natalia tells the group they have to hurry since her boyfriend is in danger. They finally reach the top and see Asch yelling at Guy’s replicated sister. Please note that replicated sister could care less about Guy’s existence. Natalia tells Asch that he can’t kill all these replicas, that it is WRONG! Asch says without their and his death the entire world is DOOMED anyway. Luke tries to talk Asch out of it, but before they can get into the matter more Dist shows up. He tells the replicas that Mohs is never coming from them and he is there to kill them all. He mocks Jade for not being able to use his powers……so Jade releases the spell that has been on him from like episode 3 and starts to squish Dist. Dist starts screaming that he did this all to bring their teacher back…but he is blowed up. And I think he might stay dead. This all takes 45 seconds. Oh and there is a little bit of Jade’s past, when he was happy and chibied with Emperor Hottie. But back to more pressing matters. Asch tells the replicas that if the ones in the tower all give up their lives, the other replicas can live in peace and not be sacrificed to the muk gods. He leaves to let them think this awesome plan over. Our heroes go back home to Let Me Kill My Daughter Nation where everyone has gathered….and decided that this plan is actually pretty good. Well, not good but the only one that makes sense. Jade thinks the only way the plan would be better (or worse) if it was Luke that died. Guy totally ruins any love between Jade as he manhandles him and tells him that plan is made of fail. Natalia says she wants BOTH men to live (which means they die from muk anyway…). Luke tries to quiet everyone down by saying he has to think about this matter.

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No more Yaoi for me X(

Luke decides he needs to go reflect and talks to the DEAD ION about how it is to die and be a replica. Anise comes in and apparently has FORGOTTEN that she has killed Ion. She cries and tells Luke if he dies that he will really be missed and this idea is stupid. Guy and Mieu are near the gardens being all sad face. Next on the farewell train is Jade. He tells Luke that from a logic stand point…he should die instead of Asch. But since the two are friends..Jade wants Luke to reconsider. Then Jade is all sad face that Luke didn’t magically know they were friends all along. Tear decides she is going to end this misery train by telling Luke she understands why he is doing this, as she did this by opening the gates. Yet if he does it she will hate him and not consider him a hero. Very uplifting words. The next day Luke tells all the leaders he is going to go through with the plan. It is pointed out….that if Luke does this awesome blow the muk away plan…he is actually fulfilling the score and proving Van right.

Our heroes are not pleased…but decide to go through with it anyway! So our heroes are now off to Mount Doom to destroy the ring…and the muk. The replicas have decided that they will die so the others will live. Natalia promises to protect and find a place for all the replicas. Asch comes running up and tells Luke he needs to bounce, this is HIS HEROIC moment. Luke points out that Asch is probably the one who is going to rescue Lorelei and he doesn’t even have the damn jewel. Luke gets a hold of the sword and declares it death time. He stabs the tower and it is time to be glowly. Tear has to be restrained because apparently now she gets it. Luke panics in his mind, saying he doesn’t want to die…but he knows what he has to do. But he can’t…his power is not enough. Asch steps in and helps hold the sword too, but tells Luke that he won’t die with him. Everything gets all sparkly and a bright light beams into the sky. WHOOSH! All the muk is purged from the world! All the replicas disappear into pretty sparkles. And Luke is still alive? Well, he is a little bit fadey but he hides that from everyone else. He can do so because the nifty Lorelei jewel was in his body. Apparently that was keeping him from doing this muk WHOOSHING thing alone. It might have been in his body due to fons…yeah, probably fons. Asch decides that going after Van together would be silly and walks away from the group. Jade insists that Luke sees a doctor as he should have died! After his doctor’s appointment Luke tells everyone that YAY he is going to be okay and everyone buys it and happily leaves the room. Jade being Jade tells Luke he is a NAUGHTY Naughty boy and knows he is dying. The word fon is used, blood fons or cell fons, 7th fons SOMETHING! Whatever, Luke is going to die and asks Jade to keep this a secret from everyone. Because fading hands are not obvious. But it doesn’t matter as Tear and everyone’s favorite mascot have overheard the exchange.

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That's what you get for eavesdropping!

OH BOY! This series never FAILS to make me bust out laughing, swearing incoherently, and holding my head in disbelief all in one episode! What other series can make you feel so much in such a small amount of time?!

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Hugs are free on the fail train.

First off…I loved the whole running to the top of the tower thing. And by loved I mean laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. I am sure it essential to the game…where you know, running each level of the tower had enemies and such. But in the anime it came off so funny. XD Especially Jade being able to run better because he is a soldier. Because Anise and Tear have no military experience. And it was awesome how Asch, whose time has been “running out of time” for like 10 episodes now, has such a lead on our characters even though it appears he barely arrived there before the others.

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Haven't....leveled enough....to run the whole tower...

Then we have Asch trying to save the world. Even though he has commented that he wanted to end the world too, but for his own reasons. Putting that aside, I think Asch’s reasoning was okay. Not pretty, but logical. 10,000 people SOUNDS like a lot…but the entire planet was going to die. So whether Asch sacrificed them to his awesome plan or not they were dead. So not understanding the whole HOW COULD YOU THINK THAT kind of mentality.

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We are SHOCKED by your suggestion!

Before we can get into the whole ”No, I am going to die NO I want to die” pissing contest we have the longest/most awesome battle of the series. Dist put up a good fight with his awesome attacks and our group was really struggling. There were many phoenix down feathers used and Cure 3 was auto cast every 5 seconds. Their supply of max ethers was running dangerously low and all was looking lost until Jade finally broke the spell placed on him in like episode 5 (as it took THAT long for the antispell to cast, true story) and was able to use his highest level spell to defeat Dist. This battle took almost the entire episode and ended with an awesome animated spell screen cut.

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The battle that wasn't.

And then we woke up. Or stopped playing the game. Because that didn’t happen in the anime at all. The battle took a max of a minute, including the reasoning for Dist being an asshat and Jade awesome spell. It was a JOKE! What is the point of being a big bad General and he gets taken out in one spell? And does that make the other heroes really lame for not taking out such a weak person? And I love how Jade just MAGICALLY broke the spell after all this time. Because Jade’s skills were not needed any other time in this series. NOT AT ALL! Jade has no problem killing him old friend so he doesn’t cry like Anise…but the entire 1 minute segment was really stupid and probably unnecessary. The writers must have realized after completing this episode that they forgot to check their handy dandy “Tales of the Abyss” check list and hand to CRAM this “important battle” in OR ELSE. Special battle is special.

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But still not stupider than this...

Then we have Luke who decides that he will be the one who dies and not Asch. Again I am okay with this plan. Mainly because the group does not know about Asch “running out of time”. It is logical to keep the original, more powerful being and let the weaker one to die. Again, Luke was going to die either way. At least this way he is doing the most good. And he is making up for killing that whole town that ONE time. I am not sure if anyone remembers that or not.

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Because saving the world is selfish!

Everyone being all boo hoo and don’t do this Luke made me laugh. Tear made me laugh the most as she says “I understand why you have to do this because I just got done doing this myself” and then five seconds later says she will hate Luke if he does do so. Because you know how that doesn’t make her a hypocrite. Or stupid. I am not sure that Luke is going to care if Tear hates him or not as he is now DEAD? Jade’s sad little “goodbye” was the most realistic to me, but I still laugh at him being SHOCKED that Luke didn’t know they were friends. Insults=true bonds of friendship!

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I'll hate you forever SO THERE!

But Luke doesn’t die! We have like 5 episodes left people! Luke can’t just die. He can “run out of time” just like Asch and slowly waste away. He can certainly throw his disappearing body in front of Van’s massive series ending attack, but he can’t die yet. Especially after all those sappy goodbyes and everyone telling him it was the wrong thing to do. Besides, did the SCORE say he was going to die? I think not.

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When our powers combine, we are 15 percent less lame!

Speaking of Score…if I found out that doing this crazy plan would follow the Score I would do the exact opposite. Because helping Van realize his crazy dream should be the last thing anyone wants to do. But instead we just get shocked faces…and a ride to the Tower of Despair. Awesome logic.

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Logic? We don't need no stinkin logic! WE ARE MEN!!!

So back to the tower…the jewel was IN Luke? Really? IN HIM? Just magically combined with all his magical fons and what not? Everything is made of fons…but Luke’s fons are that special? But not so special because the magical jewel pops out of his body? I guess I would get out of Luke too if he was going to disappear. Asch blaming Luke for not knowing how magical jewels work was also very special and sparkly.

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Just so much specialness...

In any event, the world is saved. 10,000 replicas are gone…but the world is saved at least for another day. Luke is going to die but not today…or possibly tomorrow. Jade of course figures this out and only one person eavesdropped this time XD Next week the writers pretend to make me happy with another Ion clone, but it won’t work. Well, only if Anise dies protecting him. A lot to look forward to next episode…or at least a lot to laugh at!

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Jade is so dirty!


KuroShitsuji Episode 20



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MY EYES CANNOT UNSEE!

Lau and his ho-bag/sister (maybe) are escaping on a ship or at least chillin on a ship. Lau thinks of the past when he was Zhou/happier times. His sister and he were playing with butterflies in a field. Zhou didn’t know if he was a butterfly dreaming he was human or if he was human dreaming he was a butterfly. It doesn’t matter as war breaks out and all is destroyed. Elsewhere Randall has taken this arresting Sebastian thing too far as he lets this creepy man go to town on Sebastian. Gross man is really gross. Ceil is being treated a little bit better…basically he is in a very nice room and being fed properly. Ceil thinks briefly of Sebastian, but it really just Aberlin giving him tea. Aberlin has decides that Ceil isn’t a drug dealer and he is just being used. Ceil tells Aberlin that he (Aberlin) is just a chess piece and he needs to mind his own business. Lau has gone to see a guy named Coral, whom may or may not want to work with Lau. He calls Lau disloyal for leaving Sebastian and Lau explains that he is just a butterfly looking for a new flower. But yeah, there is confusing talk about the drugs and Stanmil. Basically you shall be confused with this conversation until the end of the episode. But the two are working together and Lau seems to give Coral his trade route/drug run in exchange for getting out of town. Ceil decides that he is done with the whole being locked up and tries to leave. Aberlin stops him and tells him it is pointless…since all his contacts (chess pieces) don’t want to have anything to do with him. Aberlin informs Ceil he is all alone now. INSERT CRAZY DOMINATRIX ANGELA. Yeah, she decides to go visit Sebastian in jail and wails on him for a while. Angela says that Sebastian can have all the souls he wants when the real Doomsday comes and he can eat all the souls he wants then..but just give her Ceil. Sebastian says all he wants is his master and that pisses her off. Sebastian enjoys getting beaten to some extent…or at least endures it. It’s very special.

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Is that sexual or evil? Not quite sure...

So after Aberlin tells Ceil that he is all alone in the world…Ceil decides that he doesn’t care, he can do it all alone HE IS THE KING. Aberlin smiles…and says that he wants to be Ceil’s ally. For some reason (after the shock wears off) Ceil says yes and they walk the city. Aberlin says that he is getting married soon and having a baby so he will do whatever he can to make this country a good place to life. Ceil thinks that Aberlin lives in crazy land for being so naiive. They also talk about how he has no family and that he had to do certain things to survive (flashback to baby Aberlin seeing his family killed). The owner of the tavern comes running out and tells the two that she hunted down the boy from last week. Surprisingly that kid does NOT have the item in question, but gives them details about the Chinese ho and how Asch came to see him. Coral is happy that now he has control of what used to be Lau’s business when Aberlin takes control of his carriage and Ceil puts a gun in his mouth. Coral admitts to placing the drugs in the candy and framing Ceil but he says that Lau is the one who killed Stanmil. Ceil is pretty pissed at the news and even more pissed when Coral’s men surround the carriage. But Ceil takes off his eye patch and finally summons Sebastian. Sebastian makes short work of the guy who tortured him, then takes care of Coral’s men. Ceil says he would have called earlier, but was being influenced by a good guy. Ceil tells Aberlin that he lives in the darkness and Aberlin better stay away before he gets killed. He then orders Sebastian to take his revenge out on Lau. Lau is off with his ho and the ship when cannons are being blasted his way. Sebastian and Ceil hitch a ride on a cannon ball and jump the ship. Sebastian is going to fight the ho chick while Ceil is crazy enough to find Lau. Lau is his usual self and tells Ceil where the item is. Thankful (for my sainty and curiosity)Lau has opened up the document and it is an “application document to an alliance with the military of Germany and Italy”. Basically to attack France I guess. Ceil is shocked and thinks that Lau did this to protect him. But Lau states that he was tired of being just a chess piece and wanted to be a main player. Then he takes out a sword and threatens Ceil. Ceil makes it back to the deck as Sebastian finishes with ho chick. Ho chick wants to keep fighting but Sebastian tells her to just stay down. Lau comes to the deck and starts talking about the butterfly and Zhou again. He goes to stab Ceil who demands Sebastian come save him…but it Aberlin gets stabbed to save Ceil instead. Ceil is pretty shocked and the next time Lau goes to stab Ceil Sebastian injuries Lau. Lau and his chick decide that it is over and he didn’t make such a good player. It’s not sure if they die or not, but they end up back in the field with the butterflies and flowers. They seem really happy and have no regrets. Ceil is busy telling Aberlin to hold ON and to not die. Aberlin is happy that he could save Ceil and give him a future…then he dies. Ceil starts wailing that he doesn’t even have a future…and slaps Sebastian. Sebastian should have protected him and not let Aberlin die. Sebastian says that he was told to protect Ceil…and that he was protected by Aberlin. Ceil slaps him again and is really pissed off. But both men declare Aberlin stupid…

This episode confused me for the most part. But I recognize that part of the confusing comes from me being stupid with world history. Still…confusing parts were confusing.

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He's one hell of a butler alright X_X

The part I take responsibility for was….I have no idea what Lau was talking about for that document. Or rather I am not quite sure. It would help if I had any idea what time period this show is taking place…because I doubt it is the French Revolution. But in any event…that document was serious business that I failed to understand all the seriousness.

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Are you really that stupid?

So now that I am done blaming myself for being stupid…x_X What exactly was that Stanmil doing with that document? I thought he was like Ceil and was involved with the underground portion of life…making a peace agreement/war pack sounds like something that more people would know about? Or if you were going to keep it under wraps…a special secret service agent. SOMEONE besides someone who knows about opium dens and cult followings. It seems to me there should be two different kinds of people the Queen should be using.

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Okay okay, back to the show!

Maybe we are supposed to ignore silly questions why Stanmil had this massively important document and how Lau could track him down while transporting said important document. We could focus on why Lau would do such a thing to Ceil. Maybe Ceil is so super special that everyone he comes in contact with does die. DEATH TO ELIZABETH!

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I'm just glad we know what the document said!

Did Lau really think that his life was that boring he had to challenge Ceil? I understand Lau wanting to stop being a chess piece and showing Ceil that he was tired of being used…but he could have just left. He could have told Ceil, I am” done playing this game, I am going to do my own thing now”. Instead he has challenge Ceil? Ceil was giving him an out by saying he could see why this whole stealing document thing had purpose. But no…let’s just be all big and bad and declare war on your friend.

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His life was so boring he decided to die?

But I did enjoy the butterfly portion of this episode. And now I am convinced that XXXholics is not crazy with volume 12 and the butterfly dreaming/human thing. Apparently it is a reoccurring theme in Japanese culture and it makes more sense to me. But I could have done without the whole here is my sister’s arm thing.

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Because butterflies make everything better.

Aberlin is dead. I would brag about predicting this but I think that…everyone probably picked up on that special fact and it was pretty obvious. Especially since Ceil made the point of telling him “COME NEAR ME AGAIN AND YOU DIE”….it was going to happen. But still it is sad. Aberlin was a good guy who really thought he was going to make a difference in the world. He died in vain as Ceil won’t have a happy life…but he doesn’t know that so it’s not totally tragic. This series doesn’t have too many good guys and one just died trying to protect the little kid. :( It is really hard to fault a guy for trying to protect a 12 year old.

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What a waste...

Sebastian…I was feeling bad for you getting whipped and tortured and stuff. I was even going to overlook the fact you might have been talking about eating Ceil’s soul and not talking about something perverted (Wait, what?)..But then you let Aberlin die. :( Why would you do that? Again it is Sebastian following the rules exactly what Ceil said: Protect him if he is in danger. :( So as long as Ceil has meat shields protecting him Sebastian is still following orders. But I can still hate him for allowing Aberlin to die.

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I would have slapped him too! :(

Angela was just scary in this episode. And pointless. Unless it was to reinstate the fact that she and Ash are the big enemies of this entire series and have their hands in everything. That and she looked really creepy whipping on Sebastian. So creepy.

Poor Ceil. Everyone is turning on him, his butler is not following his orders (maybe), and the person who probably cares about him the most died protecting him.

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I think she is mad that the nun got some action and she didn't.

Ceil is running out of allies and probably sanity. He is probably going to lose everything very, very soon…and he doesn’t seem to care. :( Why is he trying to get revenge again if it’s not for family revenge? He is just a sad little boy who doesn’t know when to stop. But when he was sad over Aberlin’s death, that his life is meaningless and the only adult in his life that has morals died to protect him. I just want to cuddle Ceil so badly.

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Poor little kid. :(

This series seems to be coming to a close pretty fast and the bodies are adding up (GET ELIZABETH NEXT). I think by now I get it…Ceil is not going to get a happy ending. And Sebastian is probably not going to wake and not take Ceil’s soul one day. But not all shows can end with happiness and rainbows. And maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if Ceil died….after all, everyone he has ever known is going to be dead at the end of the series ANYWAY!


Skip Beat Episode 21



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Kyoko: The worls's happiest unhappy person ever!

Kyoko seems excited about her new role and asks Sawara for an old copy of Dark Moon for reference. She is excited because she believes she will be playing the role of a beautiful rich young lady and is off in happy skippy land. She hears someone sobbing and is surprised to see a fragile looking man. She may or may not have referred to him as a princess. She can’t help but overhear as she realizes that Ren’s manager is right there too! She soon learns that sobbing man is the director for the new Dark Moon and he is sad over the fact that Ren might not be in his series. Lory has decided that Ren sucks so bad at love scenes he would just mess up this drama. Lory tells Ren (elsewhere, not in the hallway with the others) that since Ren has never been in love he won’t be able to portray in accurately with his acting. Ren gets defensive and says he has dated TONS of girls. Lory points out the real problem is that all those girls broke up with Ren because he didn’t treat them special and he didn’t fight for their relationship. Ren reaches an epiphany that women may be hard to understand and that he might be sucking at dating. Out in the lobby the Ogata (Dark Moon’s director) and Yashiro are talking about how if Ren can’t be in Dark Moon it won’t surpass the original. Kyoko feels embarrassed that she was listening in on their conversation and sits down in front of them, apologizes, and asks if she may listen to the rest of what they are saying. Ren leaves his meeting with Lory upset. Lory is highly against Ren talking this role and refuses to help him on no matter what. But Ren is determined to fix his acting problems and make this drama better than the one 20 years ago. Because Ren is the man and he can do anything. He is interrupted from I CAN DO IT SPEECH with Kyoko’s crying. She has learned that…she is not a happy rich girl in this drama. She is a bitter rich kid who hates the world and has a huge scar on her face. Kyoko is NOT pleased. Kyoko sobs, saying she wouldn’t have taken this role had she known what her character Mio was all about. Ren appears from the shadows and is shocked that Kyoko is in this drama too. Ogata says that Moko HAS to be Mio…because he saw how evil she was in Sho’s music thing and she is PERFECT to play such an evil role. Kyoko is not pleased AGAIN. Ogata begs her to stay because he has already lost Ren. Ren stands up and says he is going to take the role. Kyoko then realizes if she takes her role she will get to act alongside Ren and see him in action. She gets caught up in the moment and agrees to be in the drama too. YAY HAPPINESS!

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Hurry! Before he becomes important!

So the new drama starts and they shoot a few beginning scenes. The plot is basically a student falling in love with her teacher and her evil cousin…being evil. There is some press conference about the new show and fliers around the city. Sho’s manager sees them both….and freaks out. She knows that is Sho sees that Kyoko is working with Ren…heads will roll. So she snags Sho and jets out of there at the speed of fast. Back on the new set more people are gossiping about how Kyoko doesn’t deserve the role and all…and she evil eyeballs them to death. Yashiro praises Kyoko for her excellent Mio acting…then realizes that she wasn’t acting. Kyoko confesses to Ren and Yashiro that she is nervous to play Mio, that she has never had to create a character before. Ren tells Kyoko that he will help prepare Kyoko for her role. Meanwhile the woman who played Mio 20 years ago and is now playing the mother has arrived on the set and she is pissed off. She wants to be present for all of Mio scenes and that if this GIRL messes up it will look bad on her too. Ogata is a pushover so she probably will get her way. Ren is busy telling Kyoko that she has to think of the character out of the script, to think of their history and how they became that person. Kyoko nearly has a meltdown as this is the opposite of what Moko said to do which was focus on the script only. Ren goes on to think of all the aspects of Mio and why she acts the way she does. Kyoko takes his words seriously and tries to figure out who Mio is…but misses her cue during a shot. Old lady is pissed off and decides that Kyoko is not worthy of this role. Ogata tries to shut her up but old lady goes on and on about his father (the director of the original Dark Moon) would fire people all the time and she has the right to do this. That and Ren thinks that Kyoko can pass crazy lady’s test. Kyoko manages to answer all of old lady’s questions about Mio and her past…except Mio’s reason for hating her cousin Mizuki who seems innocent in regards to not pushing her off a cliff or killing family members. Old lady is pleased that Kyoko fails as Kyoko desperately tries to find the reason for Mio’s hatred. THE END!

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Cry those rivers of sorrow!

Aw, I didn’t get to see Kyoko and her awesome hair cut for Mio. But that’s okay, something to look forward to next week. But on to this episode.

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That hair cut is kinda scary...

Poor Kyoko. She gets one piece of happiness and BAM! Back into the land of despair. But at least this time her despair was brief. And some what her fault. I mean….doesn’t one usually research a role a little bit better before accepting? It seems to me that she should have known that she wasn’t going to play the role of sweet innocent school girl. Kyoko just gets so caught up in the I GOT A ROLE…she fails to realize that the role is less than perfect.

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And that's supposed to make me feel better...because?!

But she will be fine. Whether or not she thinks that the role is a good role or not…it will be fine. And probably because I have read this arc already. But also because Kyoko makes a great evil villain. How can she NOT see she is perfect for this role? With all her demon grudges and voodoo dolls….she can totally pull off being an evil rich girl.

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The red pill or the blue one?!

Of course…I wanted her to take the role because she thought she could grow as an actress by taking a role she thought was hard or undesirable. RARW for her taking a role because of a guy. I may forgive her since she is so deep in love she thinks she simply admires Ren. But let me have my little rant about her reasoning, even if it’s romantic and crap.

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Of course...you are going to suffering despite your reasons...

Ren Ren Ren…..I wanted to take joy in your suffering. And I did. Thank you. Not only do you have a flaw with your acting…you SUCK when it comes to women. To be fair women are complicated. We don’t say what we mean. We want YOU to figure out that “let’s break up” might mean “MOG I need love and devotion right now and I will bring out those emotions by fueling your jealousy!” Yeah, I admit that it is complicated. However, this is a very old tactic. Somewhere along the line you guys should have picked up on this scenario and shared this information with your fellow man. So really…it is your fault for not helping each other.

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MORE SUFFERING!

But back to making fun of Ren. HA! Why aren’t there gossip magazines talking about clueless Ren is? Surly some of his old “girlfriends” compared notes and realized that he is hopeless case. I doubt Lory is the only one who has picked up on this little fact. Wait? I am happy right? YES! Yes I am. Ren’s expression was too funny…reminded me of Sho.” WHAT?! I’m not perfect?!” Nope Ren, sorry it took you 20 years to realize this.

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Girls...are complicated?!

Not that any of this matters ANYWAY! Ren is going to be stubborn (which just shows another one of Ren’s flaw HA!) and do the drama anyway. Which is a little selfish of course. He is wants to prove to people that he can make this drama better than original. But what if he can’t? The director, all the other actors/actresses, and the crew will all suffer if he can’t pull off. He will no longer be the perfect co-star…which might make me sad because he will become more human…and then I might like him!

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He is going to be the VERY best teacher who ever hit on a student EVER!

Ogata kinda annoyed me. He came off way wimpier and weak in the anime than the manga. His hair was also a different color than I thought it was going to be but that is a different matter. And the funny thing is his weak scene wasn’t even portrayed! I am just going by his whiny voice and tears over Kyoko and Ren not staring in his drama. Then when he didn’t stick up for Kyoko from crazy old lady…bleh. He is almost exactly like he was in the manga…but I don’t like him now. Stand up for yourself and your actors PLEASE!

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Almost a little too special for me...

Ms. Iizuka should die in a fire. Something tells me she isn’t an A list actress anymore and that Dark Moon was the only decent role she ever got in her life. She is clinging on to this role with all she has and is way too hypercritical of Kyoko. She needs to get it through her head that Mio was a role and she as Mio then…and Kyoko is Mio now. And really people, how boring would it be if every character was portrayed in the exact same way from 20 years ago? She is delusional and I can’t wait to see Kyoko stomp her next week!

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Just stab the ho Kyoko!

There wasn’t a lot of Sho this week. I am glad he doesn’t know about Dark Moon; I want his reaction to be over the top and possibly cause him a heart attack. For now I will happily wait until next week to see Kyoko’s awesome transformation!


Chrome Shelled Regios Episode 8



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Smells like teen spirit!

Somewhere in a place far away Leerin is studying and failing at grasping a seemingly easy subject. But she cheers herself up with Layfon’s ONE LINE LETTER. While she is trying smell Layfon all over the letter Savaris comes in and scares the crap out of her. But he assures her that he is not hitting on her. Lintence transports both people to the roof and informs Leerin that she is in danger and that she must be protected from now on. Back to the main plot there is another platoon match going on. This time Nina gives Layfon permission to kick everyone’s butt which is so big of her. That and Gorneo, the opposing platoon’s captain is really pissed off at Layfon for some reason in the past. Karian seems highly amused that these two men hate each other so much and probably put this battle together on purpose. He and his partner Shante suck at stopping Layfon which really doesn’t matter. Since everyone was focusing on Layfon…Nina managed to get the flag YAY! But not yay as Layfon is down and is a stick in the mud at the happy part of celebration. Meishen gets totally cock blocked which is amusing. Felli is outside working on her powers when Gorneo and Shante come along and snark at Felli for some reason. Then we get our magical Engrish for the week segment…that explains NOTHING to us once again. Layfon goes to work and talks to Nina. She explains about how 2 years go their city lost the intercity match. Intercity matches decide who gets access to the Selenium mines, the stuff that powers up the city. She looked at everyone’s happy faces when they won and she decided that she was going to work hard so their city can experience that happiness as well. Layfon says that he never feels happy when he is fighting, even when he wins.

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Layfon doesn't need a platoon. HE IS THE PLATOON!

Karian calls Layfon, Nina, Gorneo, and Shante to his office. THEN whoosh back to Leerin. She is thinking back to how Lintence and Savaris have been ordered to protect her now and how she can’t be told all the details. Not that she has time to think about this as Shinola comes out of nowhere and molests her boobs a little bit. She confides in Shinola she not as worried about herself as she is Layfon. She goes on her merry way and Shinola calls Savaris to come out of the shadows. She nearly busts his chops as he refers to her as the Queen but …wait, that’s it. Nothing else happens. Back to the main plot where Platoon 17 is going with Gorneo’s 5th Platoon to investigate a traveling city…that isn’t traveling anymore. Sharnid seems less than thrilled with this mission and Felli feels the same way. Harley is sad that his new weapon for Layfon won’t be ready in time. Felli kicks Layfon…and decides that she will ride with Layfon in his motorcycle. Shante decides that this mission would be an AWESOME chance to take Layfon out. Gorneo warns her not to get too cocky, since Layfon IS an ex-blader. Both platoons make it to the fallen city and explore the grounds. There are tons of filth bug shells all around but no actual bugs. While looking for survivors Nina learns that this city was the city that beat them in the intercity match. She can’t understand how a city that was able to beat them lost to bugs. It is truly shocking news to her. Layfon explains it to her that fighting bugs is NOT like fighting humans. She runs off all upset, as if this is beyond her comprehension. Layfon catches up to her and they exchange words. Layfon then has to save them both from Shante trying to send a structure collapsing on their heads. They let the cat out of the bag to Nina that Layfon was a Heaven Blade person and that Gorneo wants to stab Layfon for being a traitor. THE END!

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We hate you SO DIE!

My head hurts slightly from all the jumping around from different side plots and what not. Not so much that I shall lie awake in confusion, but still enough to think the overall episode suffers from it. It’s the edgy thing to do apparently, to try to have other side stories going on by committing 3 whole minutes to TWO plots. Edgy indeed.

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YAY FOR BOOBIES!

Let’s start with the Engrish. Oh wait…there is not much to say at all. The exact same thing that has been happening with the Engrish part of the show is STILL happening. Scary Engrish man is still shooting those dogs with demon heads. BUT HOLD ON! Now we see they are also being chased by cars. Now I totally see why this
segment was totally necessary for the show. And if anyone else can’t see why…they are just blind. (If someone can tell me why this segment was necessary for the show please tell me!)

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WHY AM I STILL IN THE CAR?!

We finally got some action with other people important in Layfon’s life. Kinda late in the game seeing this is episode 8 out of 24….but whatever (could have sworn I saw a site where it said 12 episodes…). Maybe it is perfect timing and I just don’t know it. We get to see Leerin being molested by Shinola (aka real Queen in disguise…or someone important I guess). Leerin has to be protected by hottie Savaris and scary hair man Lintence. In case people have forgotten, hottie and hair man were a part of Layfon’s little Heaven Blades tribe. And Layfon and Savaris may or may not make an awesome yaoi couple. We are not given clear facts on what Leerin is in danger FROM but it is Layfon’s fault. Because she gets such long and heart filled letters from Layfon. I am sure if I actually knew who Leerin was it would all make more sense. I can’t find any information about her so maybe no one else knows either…

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No explanations are the best kind of explanation!

While I am happy that these other characters are getting some attention, I felt that they didn’t get enough time. If these characters are going to become endearing and important, they need more than 2 minutes of face time. And possibly a little more explanation. Now that I am informed this series is going to be 24 episodes long ( I still swear I saw 24 episodes somewhere..) there will be enough time to make these characters develop and become memorable. Right now, they are just more random people that are taking up air time. But you are still cute Savaris.

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I love me some hotties!

On to the meat of the episode. It starts off with another platoon battle and another victory for platoon 17. And since they win that means someone on the team is unhappy with being awesome and the best. This time it is Layfon. This is because Shante and Gorneo have a blood feud to settle with Layfon. And it’s not we have to beat Layfon in a platoon match…it’s let’s take him out during a secret mission feud.

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Yay winning...not!

I wasn’t expecting the reasoning behind Gorneo’s serious anger issues in this episode (as I think Shante is just being a good little monkey and following Gorneo’s lead). That wouldn’t be very suspenseful if we learned all the answers right away. It was a little disturbing that they want to kill Layfon for whatever…he did. I guess I just think that since they live in such a dangerous place where you have to FIGHT for resources you would want to keep the strongest person in the city alive. But that would make sense and sometimes this series doesn’t make sense.

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MOG! Is she really that small?!

And by not making sense I am of course talking about how the cities have to fight for resources. I understand why they have to travel around separately. Or why they think they have to. I am sure it has to do with the filth bugs being able to pick off large groups of people. The smaller your numbers, the easier it is travel and not be noticed. Of course traveling together would mean more troops and more weapons…but of course that is not what makes me go WTF!

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Really?! What gave you that idea?!

The WTF is how the resources are divided up between the cities. You have to fight to gain rights to energy mines. To me this is a huge waste of resources. They should be spending time training for the filth bug army and not wasting bullets/energy on their fellow man. Resources should be divided up per city. Cities should have more or less the same amount of people thus every city deserves the same amount of resources. I am not all for this whoever manages to churn out the best crop of teenagers every two years gets more. They should be working together…and AT LEAST keeping in contact. X_X No one knew this city was gone? Bleh, I would think a post apocalyptic world would bring people together, not make us care LESS about the people that are left.

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Let's be happy someone else misses out on resources YAY!

Nina was 15 kinds of special in this episode and that is a lot of special. Somewhere in her mind she really thought that these matches in the platoons were bringing them all together and one day they would all capture the flag and get back the mines that they (she) lost. Yeah, because pitting a bunch of teenagers against each other and ranking them based on their awesomeness is a great way to nurture fuzzy feelings of love. But that isn’t even her most delusional thought. No, she has decides that since this dead town kicked their butts two years ago that makes them awesome and able to take on filth bugs with easy. Because apparently she has forgotten that fighting humans is NOTHING like fighting filth bugs and no one can really win if they are outnumbered by flying freaks in the sky (unless you are named Layfon).
So…watching her come to the realization that even the best of fighters die and everyone is vulnerable was ….kinda sad. Of course my first thought when I found out this town had been a ghost town for so long was “Wow, so who got the mines?!” I am just that caring.

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Yes Nina, because your pain is important right now...not the dead city or anything.

So a lot happened in this episode but we really learn a lot. Except that Nina is going to have more reasons to be mad at Layfon. I am sure some of these hanging plots will be explained next time and Layfon will win back people who refer to him as a traitor. And then Felli will kick him so more. But I am not holding my breath on the Engrish thing. Why is that even important…bleh. Guess I will stay tuned until next week!


To Aru Majutsu no Index Episode 22



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Holy crap Batman!!

Hyōka and Index are happily exploring an arcade (aka all the really cool “TV’s”) while Touma gets a phone call. It’s Aisa telling him to run, but the message gets cut off and Touma decides it was not important enough to call back X_X Meanwhile the two girls have found a cosplaying booth that lets you dress up skanky and take a picture. The girls go to do this activity…but Index accidentally breaks the curtain and Touma sees naughty bits..again and gets bit…again. But the pictures come out cute and skanky and all is well. Until they notice no one is around and both Index and Hyōka hear a voice in their head. Touma does not…and another Judgment person comes along and yells at them for staying around such a dangerous place. Apparently she was using telepathy and Touma blocks that out too. But anyway, this Judgment person is talking about Sherry and her being a terrorist and that they need to leave. While walking to the nearest exist Index spots an EYE on the wall and explains what kind of magic is being used. Sherry starts talking via eyeball and it doesn’t sound good for our heroes. Index decides that she is going to yell at Touma for always going into battle and it is now HER turn to fight the bad guys. While fighting they both trip and look special Kuroko and Misaka run across the group. Index and Misaka are both jealous Touma knows them both and demand that they obtain explanations. Kuroko reminds them there is danger afoot and they need to leave..NOW. Both girls then fight over who should be teleported out of the area first…so Kuroko leaves Touma with Hyōka instead.

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I think Misaka should have cosplayed too :(

Aiho and some other people are shooting Sherry’s golem WITH GUNS! Yeah and it is not going too smoothly either. Touma hears all the fighting and decides that he is going to go and help out. He tells Hyōka to stay put as he runs off. Aiho gets a little squished and isn’t too happy to see Touma. Touma goes right up to Sherry and demands to know what the heck is going on. Sherry explains that she is from a Puritan Church and is causing all this chaos to start a war between the two factions. She is also talking about a key and things that I don’t understand quite yet. Before Touma can say anything awesome Hyōka comes from the shadows and decides she is going to help. A TINY piece of rock hits Hyōka in the head and she goes down. When Touma runs to her side…part of her skull is missing. Not bleeding and caving in…as she had a hollow head and now you can see this glowing bar where her brain should be. X_X Hyōka wakes up and sees her reflection…and freaks the hell out. She decides that running towards Sherry and the golem would be the most awesomest idea EVER…and gets smacked into a wall. She doesn’t break anymore thankfully and gets up again and runs away. Sherry decides that this is pretty cool and decides she is going to kill Hyōka instead. Touma is trying to take a freak out moment buy Komoe calls and interrupts his MOGness. Komoe says a LOT of confusing stuff, but the condensed version is Hyōka is an AIM field or the left over stuff from psychics using their powers. She doesn’t know she isn’t human…but she isn’t and she wasn’t detected at the school at all. Touma decides that it doesn’t matter that Hyōka isn’t human; he’s going to save her ANYWAY. Komoe is happy with his thinking and wishes him luck. Elsewhere Hyōka’s head has spawned back a little bit and she has calmed down some. Sherry catches up to her and Hyōka asks her to stop being a meanie pooh. Sherry tells her that the golem and Hyōka are both monsters that should exist and goes to smush her again. Touma appears just in time to stop the death blow and tell her all will be well.

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Let's use guns against rock monsters YAY!

X_X This series is very special. But the good kind of special that has twists making me go WTF XD and not WTF -___-. I like a series that keeps things interesting and has weird surprises behind every mall corner.

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Although that confuses me too X_X

And of course I am talking about Hyōka and her hollow head of doom. Seriously…I would never have thought that was going to happen in a million years. X_X Especially since that rock was relatively small rock…and I am sure she has gotten injured before. And also overlooking the fact she got flung into a wall 1 minute later and didn’t break further. But still…the initial breaking of the head was one of the most random WTF moments in my anime watching experience.

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Seriously...WTF?!

I think that this WTF moment was even better because of how freaked out Hyōka was. And that she RAN into the enemy that caused her massive head wound. I guess I was too busy laughing at her stupidity and her massive boobies bouncing all over the place. I am sure I would have just passed out or…just given up. My reaction would have not been any better but I can still laugh.

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Clearly she is having a bad day!

Sure it’s not a nice thing to laughing at someone questioning their existence. I hope that next time we get a few scenes with Hyōka remembering she really doesn’t have a past or a family. Komoe tried to explain what Hyōka is but apparently a lot of the information in this series goes over my head. I fail a lot. Whatever Hyōka is…she isn’t human and she was made from the energies of others. Komoe has all the answers…so I hope she explains how Aisa had HEARD of Hyōka before.

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Touma will save you NO WORRIES!

Those arcade pictures were pretty skanky. I fail to understand why Index was so pissed that Touma saw them like that…as they were wearing the maximum amount of clothing for that outfit ANYWAY. Poor Touma is always getting blamed for things that are not his fault. In case you didn’t know…I think those outfits were pretty skanky. And it scares me that they might be worn and not washed between customers…as you can’t wear underwear with those items. X_X MY MIND!

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Heaven forbid he see you totally dressed!

Sherry has the most awesome reason for starting a fight ever. JUST BECAUSE! Because the two groups trying to live together is just way too boring. I am not sure she is doing this under orders either. Usually when people want to get rid of another group they are a little slicker about exposing it to the public and all. So I think Sherry is working on her own awesome logic and she is doomed to failure. XD

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Spark from the inside next time kay?

I think my favorite scene was when Misaka and Index got jealous over each…and for no reason. I thought it was a little weird that these girls haven’t met yet…but I keep forgetting that this series hasn’t spanned over a long period of time. So it is likely that Index being home bound most of the time does separate the girls. Touma’s harem needs to get to know each other and bond.

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Can't help but love that moron..

Or not. Because them fighting was pretty funny and entertaining. XD Because I am sure that both girls don’t want to admit that they have some kind of weird feelings for Touma. I love how they tried to dance around each others question and avoid the reasoning. Then they both think the other shouldn’t stay with Touma because they think the other is useless. And in the end…they leave Touma with the girl with the biggest GIRLS. Next time they need to recognize all potential boyfriend stealers and not just focus on one.

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He's MY idiot!

Speaking of which…did Index really think that Touma was going to let her fight? Or did she really think she had a fighting chance? I haven’t seen Index in battle YET so..what was she going to do? I mean, it is nice that she wants Touma to be safe…but she’s not going to be able to protect Touma on her own. Bravery earns you 10 points, delusions earn her minus 15.

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This is the extent of Index's helping.

I think Touma has a really hard life. He is constantly being bitten by crazy girls, having people in danger and he feels compelled to save them, and getting his butt kicked. I am sure he will save the day this time, but I wonder what kind of injury he will get this time. And I am also curious about this key business…but that can be saved for another day. Not that I have a choice in waiting or anything. Here’s to hoping Touma doesn’t lose an eye this time.


MariaHolic Episode 9



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Kanako missing the point yet again...

The dog has opened the forbidden door…and a crap load of items fall on his head. It turns out that is the place dorm room god holds all confiscated items. What a mystery…Kanako has decided that the festival designed to praise the Virgin Mary is really just a pink cosplay event. Maria is disgusted to say the least. Matsurika and Maria talk about how Kanako doesn’t even try to contain her perverted thoughts. Kanako tries to defend herself by saying she isn’t a pervert because she doesn’t act out her fantasies. Maria tests that theory by asking Kanako to lick his foot…and she nearly does. Mara tries to hammer into Kanako to be a decent person…but in the end Kanako only shows improvement because Maria is a boy. The day of the festival has arrived. Maria goes to tell Ayarin that the flowers are going to be late but she will inform them when they do arrive. Ayarin actually vocalizes that she is upset with Maria and runs out of the room. Maria is confused on why Ayarin isn’t holding it together better while Natsuru runs after Ayarin. Natsuru tells Ayarin she wants to be friends with both her and Maria and that Ayarin needs to make up with Maria. Outside everyone is getting ready for the world’s smallest parade and Ryuuken is getting ticked off at the little kids running around like crazy people. Kanako is too busy being a freak to help out her friends..you know, doing her job at all.

Ayarin is thinking about how cute the kids look and Natsuru asks Ayarin to forgive Maria, since the fateful even t happened on that day. Suddenly Ayarin remembers why she hates Maria. Back when they were kids and in the parade, Maria was pushed and fell on to Ayarin, ripping her outfit. Ayarin was wearing Panda Chang underwear and everyone saw. For years people called her Panda Chang and she blamed Maria, even though it wasn’t her (his) fault. Natsuru tells Ayarin that event WAS funny and that it was a long time ago and she needs to forgive Maria already. Kanako is pushed by some kids and Ayarin tries to jump off the float to help her. But she instead starts to fall and Maria sprints to catch her. Maria is able to catch her and it is all sparkly and flowers. Ayarin is almost moved enough to tell Maria she is sorry about what happened before…when Maria states she (he) can no longer hold her weight. Ayarin gets insulted and tries to get away….but this somehow magically rips her outfit again…but this time exposing her bra. Ayarin runs away again saying it is Maria’s fault and she hates her. Kanako is happy because the bra was pink and so was everything else after her nosebleed COVERED THE WORLD…and Maria declares them both idiots.

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And it was so sparkly too...

The next segment of the show has all the girls talking to Kanako about the 7 mysteries of the school. The newest one being that one of the sisters went to open the pool and found that the water was blood instead. Her friends are definaly freaked out but Maria knows the truth. She knows that Kanako went to the pool area, had fantasies about everyone in their sexy school bathing suits….and had a nose bleed of doom into the pool. Maria also knows that Kanako is behind 4 of the other mysteries in the school, the bloody hand print, the bloody foot print, the sea weed monster, and the tentacle bag. Kanako is pretty bummed about causing most of the mysteries and goes to her home room teacher to ask for more romantic ones. There are actually 7 mysteries just for the 2nd year dorm room area and Kanako learns 6 of the 7 (none really being mysteries as much as questions that might be mildly interesting). Back in their room Maria tells Kanako that if someone were to learn all 7 secrets something MIGHT happen. Maria and Matsurika only know the 7th secret…and proceed to tell Kanako it. She freaks out because she now knows all secrets..and the dorm room god comes to get Kanako. THE END!

WHY?! Why do I keep watching this series, then blogging about it? Clearly it is hard for me to say anything positive about this series and all I do is snark on it. Worse than Vampire Knight. X_X Is that even possible?!

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...Watching this anime series will kill you!

Kanako has no redeeming attributes at all. Seriously, if she was a guy I am sure a lot more people would hate her. Any guy this perverted is labeled a loser and mocked by the masses. But because Kanako has boobies this becomes having hot.

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The man is defending women from...a crazy bitch! XD

It just ticks me off because Kanako is portraying several issues very poorly and people are eating it up like candy. Kanako is not a sexy lesbian. She is a crazy psychopath and every girl who comes in contact with her should run away. As a straight woman I don’t have random nose bleeds and moon over every single guy that comes my way. So just because she THINKS she is a lesbian doesn’t mean she needs to treat woman like sex objects.

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Unless everyone else thinks that is attractive...

The other issue I have is Kanako’s blatant disregard for Christianity. To decide that this festival honoring one of the most important figurines in Catholicism is no more than a pink cosplaying event…was very disrespectful. And I am tired of Maria being portrayed as the bad guy for hating Kanako and her perverted way. Maria is actually THE GOOD ONE in this situation but Kanako keeps acting like the victim…my eyes can only roll so far in the back of my head.

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Just stab her already!

But I did like one part of the episode…but maybe because it was really stupid. Ayarin finally remembers her blood feud with Maria. And it is over something so stupid…it has to be funny. I mean, I can totally see how it would be embarrassing to have your underwear shown to the entire school, especially underwear people might think is juvenile. But Maria wasn’t even at fault…and that is a long time to hold a grudge over something that happened when you were little kids.

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MMMM panties!

Then they almost make up. And the stupidest fan service scene in the history of fan service scenes happens. Unless you think her boobies really are that magical and can rip fabric. Now Ayarin hates Maria again even though it’s not her (his) fault. And really…this is an all girls school. I can see being A LITTLE embarrassed, but things were covered! Just…way too dramatic for my taste. XD Oh and I hate Kanako too.

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She does got some huge boobies though......

The second part of the episode was really boring. These mysteries don’t seem very mysterious and they are pretty lame. Not to mention they have been talked about since the beginning of the series and it turns out that Kanako is behind most of them. They try to save their butts a little by having two sets of mysteries…but I’m not buying it. I am sure a bunch of high school girls can come up with something better than why is our dorm god laughing at a certain time.

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OH NO! Not THE SECRETS!

That is all the interest I can muster up for this episode. Good night all who still are watching this show.


Shugo Chara Doki Episode 73



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Most mature episode EVER!

All the Guardians are at a little café eating cakes and snacks. Yaya jokes that Tadase only wanted Amu to come and maybe everyone else should just leave. Tadase of course denies that and laughs his way out of the situation. Miki is busy looking at her awesome piece of cake when Ran decides that Miki is taking too long to eat it…and munches it herself. They start fighting over who was right and who was wrong. Su tries to tell them to both calm down and eat the cake…but then they scream at her too. All three of the Charas get in a I HATE YOU contest and yell at each other. Amu tells them all the shut up and calm down. Nagihiko seems down about this whole situation and Egg Dia looks on. At another table the friend of the week tells our cast about the cakes and goes back to making menus and studying recipes. At school all the Guardians are busy getting their learning on so their Charas decide to have a strategy meeting on how to capture the Embryo. Whenever one of Amu’s charas get a little bit of praise from the others one gets mad and it leads to more fighting. Su flies off as Miki and Ran go to their own separate rooms. Amu is not very impressed with all this fighting and all the Guardians go and search for Su. Su stops being mad at Miki and Ran when she finds the friend of the week girl again Mimori. Mimori pretends that she wants to be a food critic but she really wants to be a chef. She can also hear Su’s voice and decides that Su is a cooking fairy. She asks the cooking fairy for help to become a chef instead. Ikuto is off being sick and hurt AGAIN but this time we learn he is at the old fair grounds and EASTER is looking for him. EASTER almost has their tuning fork of doom up and running again so things are not looking good.

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Oh I do declare, I MUST have the vapors or something!!!

Amu has decided that the reason her Charas are fighting again is because she is wavering on her would be self. Everyone tries to convince her that is not the case and blah blah. Everyone but Nagihiko since he doesn’t HAVE a Chara at all. Miki and Ran are still off having a silent treatment contest and the other Charas are trying to figure out how to patch things up. Dia…not really but sorta hatches and tells Miki and Ran to stop fighting. Friend of the week Mimori gets called away by her friends to help them with a new recipe. Nagihiko is off being sad because Amu has all these great Charas and he has NONE. Dia the egg comes flying around and communicates to him that it will be all right. Ran and Miki witness this exchange but still aren’t BBFs yet. Nagihiko is still a little sad but thanks Dia for her kind nods. Mimori has problem cutting carrots which means obviously she can’t cook and it’s a good thing she wants to be a food critic right? Wrong. Outside she is sad and Suu tries to comfort her. Lulu sees how weak Mimori is and wants to go in for the kill. Nana pretends she has the vapors and distracts Suu long enough so Lulu can jewelize Mimori. Amu and all the guardians happen upon Mimori as she transforms and flings food into victims mouths. Amu goes to transform…but she can’t. X_X Because all her Charas are fighting and her heart is not linked up. All the other Guardians get Glad Wrapped and can’t help Amu fight the evil that is Mimori. Miki comes up with an easy plan to save Su, who is now a special ingredient or something. Despite how lame the plan is all the Charas make up and Amu is able to transform with them all and save the day. Mimori is able to cut carrots once again and the world is singing a happy song. Well, except Ikuto who has collapsed AGAIN! This time Yoru goes out and tracks Amu down and begs for help. She goes running to Ikuto, forgetting all about lame Tadase and cake. The end!

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Save some strength; you got to carry that teenage boy XD

Well this was a very special episode. But I knew going into it that I might not pleased. So when you go into something having your expectations really low it doesn’t seem that bad. YAY mediocrity!

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But any episode with hardly any Yaya is great for me XD

The whole fight with the Charas was pretty lame. Su was totally not at fault but I can see why she got yelled at. No one really wants to be told that they are being stupid and need to grow up. Ran was the one running around eating people’s cakes. There were like 9689243 thousand desserts on that table and she has to eat Miki’s cause she is eating slow? Whatever, go get a new piece and stop eating other people’s food. I can see why Miki wanted to be upset, but when dealing with someone like Ran…it is best to be mature and solve the problem yourself rather than yelling.

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Because there is no more cake...AT ALL!

Of course…Shugo Chara is not really good about making such small problems look like a big deal. It still came across as WTF,why is everyone so mad…and why does Amu think it is her fault? I wish she stop blaming her “wavering” on every issue in her life. When three Charas…well..wait, let me try to word this right. The Charas are still Amu but different than Amu. Therefore she can’t control how they act. She is not to blame over this great cake incident. Lame reasoning is lame.

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Cake is serious business!

But the lamest thing about this entire episode was Nagihiko and it PAINS me to say that. Seriously, can we get the strong character that we all know and love back? And why does he pick this episode to be jealous of Amu’s Charas…WHEN THEY ARE ALL FIGHTING! I would understand at the end when everyone was happy and unicorns and gum drops…but to be jealous during the fight? When you are searching for one that stomped off mad? TO BE JEALOUS THAT DIA IS THERE? You know, THE CHARA THAT IS NOT HATCHED AT ALL?! Nagihiko really…was off the ball this episode.

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I love you Nagihiko...so stop being lame PLEASE!

And it saddens me too as I LOVE Dia…and her presence this episode was not needed at all. Hatch or don’t hatch, I don’t need to be teased like this. And why does Dia have such strong connection to Nagihiko? I would understand if Kiseki talked to Nagihiko, as he is the only one besides Tadase who knows the secret…but Dia? Dia who has never met Nagihiko and does not know his cross dressing past? I feel as if Nagihiko could have voiced his concerns and problems to someone that would really understand them and not use Dia as a reminder Amu has a lot of problems too.

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WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!

Friend of the week was just bleh. I was almost with her until the carrot scene. I mean…those were some really harsh friends. Just because she can’t cut a carrot right means she can’t be a chef? Didn’t you go and ask her for help? Why great friends to insult her like that. She did seems kinda obsessed with her dream self..but that tends to happen in this series. One quick question though: If she wanted to be a chef, why did she transform into a waitress?

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Chef=waitress FAIL!

The funniest thing this episode…probably the whole entire SERIES is Amu trying to transform…and it not working. I think I saw it on another series..but I am pretty sure it didn’t stop mid sparkles. Everyone just staring at Amu and her naked purple sparkle self was AWESOME. And then it happened again! Great stuff. Almost made the episode worthwhile XD

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Your sparkles are showing!

In case anyone forgot about Ikuto…he still isn’t doing well. He is cold, hungry, and out of energy. EASTER is still looking for him and Yoru is still worried about his condition. I mean…he has been doing the exact same thing for like 7 episodes now. BORING!

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Ikuto is sick?! REALLY!?

At least next episode that will FINALLY change. Amu gets word that he is not doing well (even though she already knew that) and it looks like she takes him in again. I would be more excited, but it looks like Tadase is going to come over and ruin everything. I don’t want him to listen to Tadase confess to Amu and have poor Ikuto suffer. :( Poor Ikuto!!!!






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Saturday, March 7, 2009

Clannad After Story Episode 21-Have your tissues ready!

I don’t think words can really describe how I feel after watching this episode. Seeing how I always find a few (or 1000) words to say about each episode I watch I will TRY. But I doubt I will be able to properly express how…heartbreaking this episode was for me and probably everyone else who watched it. Fear not, we are all in good company and I doubt there was a dry eye in the house.

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*starts crying again*

Just in case this isn’t obvious…Spoilers are ahead. If you had not watched this episode yet or played the game…do not spoil it for yourself. Stay away from all blogs and reviews until you watch it for yourself. You can’t ruin it for yourself, I won’t let you!

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Overwhelming cuteness and sorrow are ahead. You have been warned.




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You didn't even try you stupid doctor!!!

The doctor explains to Tomoya, Akio, and Sanae that Ushio has Nagisa’s condition and just like Nagisa…he has no idea how to treat it. Tomoya can only stare at his sleeping daughter and look distraught. As Sanae walks out the useless doctor of doom Akio tells Tomoya that as Ushio’s father Tomoya needs to put on his brave face and deal with this situation. In the other world the young girl and trash man are walking aimlessly around in the snow with the girl getting weaker by the minute. The track meet is going on and Ushio wants her father to go and beat Akio. Tomoya smiles and says that he rather be with Ushio today and it’s enough that Ushio believed in him. Tomoya promises to take care of her and protect her no matter what which makes Ushio smile. But weeks go by and soon it is a whole month that Ushio has been sick with a fever. She hasn’t been able to leave her bed in all that time. Tomoya goes to work and resigns despite his boss not wanting to let him go. Yoshino is outside and not happy with Tomoya leaving either. But then he changes his mind and is glad that Tomoya is putting his daughter first. Yoshino makes Tomoya changes screw drivers with him so when Tomoya returns they can switch back. Tomoya is in awe and touched by this gesture. Tomoya then starts spending every waking moment tending to Ushio as she becomes unable to even change herself. Tomoya begins to think that the happy days will never come around again. One day Tomoya asks Ushio if she wants anything, that he will get it for her. She says that she wants to go on a trip with Daddy again. Tomoya says that last time they went on a trip he was mean and it wasn’t very fun. Ushio insists that it was and that is what she wants. Tomoya promises to take her when she is well again. Tomoya then starts thinking about how this whole town is a curse against his family and it doesn’t want HIM to have any happiness. Akio and Sanae come over for a visit. Akio tries to give Tomoya some money, then throws a mini fit when Tomoya refuses. Tomoya says that he is not being proud but that he doesn’t NEED money yet. When he does he will certainly ask. They take a brief trip to the grocery store and end up back at the new hospital. Tomoya seems to think that changing the landscape of the town is what is causing his family problems, that the city is suffering. He says change should not come at the suffering of one person. Akio doesn’t think that is what is causing the problems and that change can be good sometimes.

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Tomoya trying to be a brave father.

Christmas time comes and things are still not looking good for Tomoya and Ushio. Tomoya looks very unkempt and slept deprived and Ushio is still not getting any better. Tomoya looks out the window towards a cross steeple and almost sees the other world. He seems confused but doesn’t question it. Ushio wakes up and asks for some water. Which is a good thing since that is all that is in the fridge. Despite it just being able to keep down water, Ushio declares it…delicious. She then asks again to go on a trip. Tomoya gently tells her no and not to ask for things that Daddy can’t possibly provide. Ushio tells Tomoya that they have to go now…that she wants to go with him. Tomoya seems to understand what Ushio is trying to say and agrees. Tomoya gets her all dressed and ready to go, warning her to take it easy and that he will carry her. Ushio says that she wants to walk beside her dad and that she can do it. It becomes painfully clear that Ushio is having a hard time walking and Tomoya is heartbroken by her tiny steps. She stumbles a bit but still tries to carry on. It starts to snow and that distracts them for a little bit. Tomoya says that he likes the snow despite the fact he was thinking about the time frame when he lost Nagisa. Ushio makes it a couple more steps..then collapses. She becomes confused and asks if they are already on the train. She then asks if it’s dark since she can’t see anything. Tomoya lies and tells her yes to both questions. Ushio weakly tells Tomoya that she loves him. Tomoya cries softly as he tells Ushio he loves her too. Ushio smiles as her body goes limp and her eyes close. Tomoya blinks back tears as he doesn’t want to be believe this is happening again. The snow falls on them both as Tomoya screams out her name. There is a little montage of happy Ushio memories…and Tomoya crying in the snow. Tomoya begs Nagisa to save their child as he holds Ushio’s pale body. Tomoya collapses in the snow in agony. In the hidden world the girl has also collapsed in the snow. She tries to get up but is unable to make it very far. Tomoya thinks back again to when he met Nagisa and how it would be better if he never called out to her, that none of this pain would have happened. THE END!! :(

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One last moment...before it happens. :(

Okay…yeah…that was miserable…and beyond sad. I am sure there are still tears in everyone’s eyes. Let’s take a big breath…and cry some more. I am starting to blog this episode 2 hours after viewing it and I am still upset. That is how much of an impact this episode has had on me.

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Tomoya's suffering upsets me the most though...

I realize that is a little bit dramatic, that once you get down to it Clannad is ONLY an anime show. None of these characters are real and none of this REALLY happened. But…it could have. The characters and situations (minus happiness orbs) could happen in real life. That is why I feel so upset at the end of the episodes: these characters are becoming/are real to me. When Tomoya suffers it’s almost like I am watching a real life human being have tragedy after tragedy. And it feels wrong to watch a good person suffer.

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STOP BEING CUTE! I am trying to be sad!


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USHIO! Your overwhelming cuteness is making this tragic episode even more depressing!

To the actual episode itself…even if you DIDN’T know that Ushio was going to die…you knew the moment the opening scene took place. The entire episode was just one big watch Ushio die fest. It was very similar to Tomoya and Nagisa looking forward to Ushio’s birth and pretending that Nagisa wasn’t going to die. A very somber episode indeed with no possibility of hope.

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Almost painful to watch :(

And I have mixed feelings about this no hope deal. I mean it is never fun to have a sliver of hope and have it dashed away so harshly. It almost seems kinder to let the viewer know right off the bat there is no hope. But on the other hand…what is the point of watching if there is NO hope what so ever?! Things might not go the way we want them to and the episode will make us cry…but at least we could imagine a happier ending.

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Ushio trying to hold on as long as she can...

But the saddest part of this NO HOPE episode…was Ushio knew. And that is where the tears were flowing. It’s expected that adults know how futile the situation is and no matter how hard you try…you are still going to fail in the end. But Ushio is a little kid. I don’t even LIKE kids and all I want to do is hold this one close and tell her it’s going to be okay.

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She knows they have to go now...she just doesn't want to say why she does....

However…she won’t believe you. Because that little kid knows the truth. Death is a HUGE scary concept to grasp when it’s your pet gold fish or lizard. But SHE was dying and she understood that. How depressing and brave is that? At 25 I don’t think I could calmly ask for one last trip and try walking on my own. I would probably be holed up in a bed somewhere bawling my eyes out…sort of like I did with Ushio situations.

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Almost like the beach conversation all over again. :(

True Clannad style…this depressing scene of bravery was still touching and beautiful. Instead of asking for an object or something that would make Ushio temporarily happy she asks for the ONE thing that would make her last few days on Earth special for her and Tomoya. She doesn’t want to GO somewhere special; she just wants to be with her dad doing something completely normal. She wants one last positive memory with her dad so maybe…he won’t think the end was all sad. Yes, Ushio dying was sad but there is something very bittersweet about this last request. Did I mention she is FIVE?!

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Ushio just wants to be in the spot where she got her Daddy back before she dies.. :(

The part that made me the saddest was the fact they didn’t even REACH their destination. I guess I misunderstood spoilers and assumed Ushio was going to die in those flowers where she reunited with her father. But no…she dies less than a mile from her house and Tomoya was unable to fulfill her last request.

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Can life get any crueler?!

Ushio trying to be brave and walk alongside her father…tears. Ushio collapsing in the snow....more tears. Tomoya realizing that his daughter was moments away from death…bawl fest. It was almost a repeat of 5 years ago, Tomoya fighting back tears as he watched a love one dies. He tries to remain calm as he talks to Ushio and lies about their location in hopes to make her happy. He holds her tight and tells her that he loves her too.

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Can't stop the tears!


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Tomoya trying to hold on to the brief happiness he has left..

Then Ushio dies.

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The most horrible moment in this entire series...


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...just no words...:(

Tomoya is free to let out all his emotions out. He cries out like only a parent losing a child could. He says things are impossible, such as asking his dead wife for help. He begs for a miracle he wasn’t granted 5 years ago and sobs out for help. Exhausted both from this month of taking care of Ushio and this traumatic event he collapses in the snow, ready to give up on life. And I can’t blame him.

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STOP CRYING TOMOYA!!! I can't stand it when he cries!

The hidden world and the real world are slowing merging into one. The girl in the hidden world has also tried to walk to a destination she probably couldn’t reach but collapses in the snow. The robot man tries to press on but is unsure of what to do. Both places are very bleak and all hope seems to be lost.

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:( Sadness for everyone..

Tomoya once again thinks back to his senior year and how he met Nagisa at the bottom of the hill. He watches her try to gain enough courage to walk up that hill and he pauses. He knows that if he calls out to her all they will meet, fall in love, and lose each other. He doesn’t want to go through that kind of pain again and can only stare at her.

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Would you call out if you knew how it would end?

I think that Tomoya is blaming himself for a lot…or giving himself a lot of credit. Not sure which one. He thinks that Nagisa was upset with how her life turned out. But really…who’s to know how long Nagisa would have lived even if Tomoya hadn’t called out to her? And who’s to say that a few years being happy and living with Tomoya isn’t better than 30 more years of being bored in a house alone? Tomoya, in his grief, is only thinking about how HIS life would have been better had he not meet Nagisa and watched her die. I would think the very same thing too being the survivor, having to live my life alone. But it is still sad to watch and hear.

The other parts of the episode don’t seem as important or fun to blog about. The screwdriver exchange, Akio being very kind to Tomoya, the trip to the hospital…they too make the episode possible but in light of the DEATH OF USHIO it’s hard to try to write about how…special said screwdriver exchange was or how Akio was once again trying to be firm with Tomoya and caring at the same time.

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I don't even have the heart to try a yaoi joke right now.


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Even though they make it SO easy!


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Because screwdrivers are serious business.

The hospital scene is important though…I know that Tomoya is suffering, but it seems so irrational to be upset at a building and blame a city for your problems (in this instant anyways). Change happens, cities grow, and your child hood places get replaced with malls. It’s okay to be sad…but to outright blame the city? I guess I just find it ironic that Tomoya hates this city so much yet he is part of the reason WHY it is a good place. I mean, it would be NICE if your special place stayed the same…but you still have your memories.

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How can Akio be so calm during times like this?

It’s actually getting very hard to blog about this episode. Tears keep forming in my eyes and I can only see Tomoya’s heartbreaking reaction to Ushio’s death and that brave little girls face. :( And there isn’t much to go on for the next episode as the previews let on NO spoilers at all. Are we going to get a happy ending or just an okay ending? Will we need to break out more tissues? Will I be able to wait an entire week to watch it?! The ending to a great series is almost upon us…and that is a bitter sweet thing too.





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Friday, March 6, 2009

America's Next Top Model is....


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Totally fierce!

Excuse me? What do you mean this isn't a contestant on America's Next Top Model? *takes a closer look at the picture* OH!!! Sorry, I got slightly confused. Hold on a second while I find the real model wannabe.




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Nose bleeds turn me on.


Here is the real contestant on Cycle 12 of America's Next Top Model, Allison. Do we see any resemblance to our pal Mort? At the very least...I think most people are in agreement that Allison is pretty interesting looking.

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Eyes are only supposed to take up half your face when you are an anime character!

Now she is not flat out UGLY like one contestant on cycle 6...but still...REALLY? Really Tyra? Out of all the hundreds of thousands of girls who are still special enough to think this show is a modeling competition...THIS is what you come up with? Yes, Allison actually looks like a girl (unlike SOMEONE from cycle 10 and no, this isn't the cycle with an actually DUDE in it) but some kind of freaking anime girl come to life. How are people supposed to sell a garment if people are too busy being scared of the model's eyes?!

Really, I am not impressed. The only reason she got picked was because she looked so odd. That is itself is okay as we are all unique and wonderful in our own PC kinda way. But...REALLY?!? REALLY?!?!??! Easy breezy beautiful cover girl my ass.

Maybe next season they can have a person who is missing half their face, only has one arm, allergic to all types of fabrics but cotton, and a Cylon. THEN I won't give them such a hard time about even thinking Allison is so awesome. But until then...REALLY?!


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SMILE WITH YOUR EYES!





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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Home is where the heart is...and all my manga.

This week is a very special week. Not our wedding anniversary or the first time we kissed type of specialness. Nope…it is our houses anniversary. REJOICE AT MY UNIQUENESS.

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Our home is run by our cats...they just let us live here(credit for picture unknown)

Seriously though….roughly one year ago my husband and I were lucky enough to purchase this house. One year ago we became proud home owners and one step closer to adulthood (not quite sure when we will actually consider ourselves mature adults…if ever). And every single day I stop to think about how blessed we are to be living here.





One of the reasons I consider myself to be so lucky to own this house….is because I am FREE from the massive elephant that lived above us. After being here a year sometimes I forgot the two years of hell. And they were hell. My husband and I were well aware that living in apartments means you will hear noises from time to time. We were not expecting our upstairs neighbor to be doing jumping jacks and interpretive dance on our ceiling 24 hours a day. Whatever that stupid man was doing was loud and shook our walls. Don’t worry, we complained to management and documented it all….and they did nothing. We just gritted our teeth, blasted the radio towards the ceiling, and prayed. So thank you God that I am FAR FAR AWAY from the elephant man.

It’s nice to have our own space. Most people would consider this a starter house, but to me we have than enough room for our little family. We have our own parking spaces now and storage space in the garage. We are free to decorate anyway we want and change the layout. We are in charge! We make the rules….except the rules of the HOA XD

It’s also nice to not be throwing money away to speak. I know many people have reasons for renting and not owning. I realize that some people have to live in apartments and others simply do not want to own. But for..I like knowing I own something. Despite the fact that the housing market is less than stellar right now and that not all houses are investments….we still own a place. A bit of pride fills me when I say Our house now…as I am sure it fills every home owner.

Not everything is cupcakes and cotton candy though. Owning means that we have to replace/fix things now, not some landlord who has to OR ELSE. Taxes are a new and special part of our lives as well as the increase from rent to mortgage. And living in a developing community means construction is all around us (but nowhere NEAR the noise levels of elephant man). So…with ownership comes great responsibility. And taxes.

No matter what the drawbacks though…I still love living in this house with my husband and two fur babies. I love being able to invite my mother over to a home and not an apartment college kid style. I even love the stairs I have to climb each and every day. So Happy Anniversary House. Roughly one year ago you became ours and freed us from a life of elephant men and renting. Thank you for giving us good times and bad. And thank you for being another milestone with the man I love. Now…please continue to increase in value over the years. XD My love can only last so long!





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Monday, March 2, 2009

Shugo Chara Doki Episode 72

MOG! I think I was able to keep my word. Here is it Monday and I shall be blogging about Shugo Chara like I said i was going to! Quick, check the windows. There might be some flying pigs out there! XD

But it was fun to blog an episode by itself again. When I post one big weekly anime post I tend to write a little bit less since..I tend to get long winded and I have to edit myself. I can't help it...I have a lot to say!


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Shugo Chara Doki: Target audience getting younger by the day.

I just wish this episode was a little more awesome to blog about....*sigh* Hopefully soon this series will get back on track and worthy of the fandom that surrounds it. But I am happy that I am one step closer to being caught up with my weekly anime. :P So please enjoy the summary and review!



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Tuning forks: Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Amu and her Charars are off enjoying a local festival. But not really because Amu is on a diet because apparently she is fat. Out of nowhere an old crotchety lady starts bossing people, saying how deplorable the youth of Japan are (because sitting down drinking and randomly being in the same area as her=deplorable behavior). Suddenly old lady screams at Amu to take her to Lulu’s house (because Amu is wearing an “I know Lulu shirt"). Amu tries to make small talk with the woman who turns out to be Lulu’s grandmother but the old bag is too busy picking at Amu’s appearance. At Lulu’s house everyone is happy over the mother’s new commercial. But not Lulu of course, who questions what would grandmother think. Mom and Dad panic for a second, then realize all is well in the world since the grandmother is not really here. Cue the door ringing and Amu showing up with Evil Grandmother of Doom. No one is pleased but Lulu who looks like a mini me grandmother. She even agrees with her grandmother that Amu should stay for tea (of course after telling Amu to hit the road). Apparently old lady is an aristocrat which means she is better than everyone else and has the right to tell everyone what they are doing is wrong and beneath their status in life. She harps on their furniture, the lack of servants, and the mother’s line of work now…Lulu just eats all this up and praises grandmother for saying the things she has been saying all along. Grandmother even accuses them of running away to Japan to get away from her. Amu finally gets to run away back to her own family. Of course the new commercial featuring Lulu’s mom comes on and they all think it is awesome..Lulu’s parents are trying to figure out a game plan on how to survive this situation and note that Lulu is acting a little bit different than usual. Then there are a series of clips of Ikuto still being lost, cold, and in pain. EASTER is apparently causing him great pain with the tuning fork of doom. Not sure what they are trying to accomplish, but it fails. So now Ikuto is only starving and in a little bit of pain. Yoru still worries :(.

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Ikuto is starving and she wants to diet?

Amu is off drinking some milk so her boobs can grow when Nana barges in. She wants to go help Lulu out from her overbearing grandmother. Nana explains that when the grandmother is around Lulu gets even snottier and she will never find her would be self this way. Amu decides that the grandmother just wants what is best for Lulu and she must be nice deep down. Nana is understandably pissed. Lulu and her grandmother are having a conversation while drinking some tea. Her grandmother seems to be a little nicer now and is asking why Lulu isn’t pursuing her drawing and mad color skills anymore. Lulu says that she was a child when she did that and now she is focused on helping her mother regain her former glory. Oh…and she does like making jewelry but she has felt unsatisfied with it lately. Then grandmother decides to be rude and insult some cooking made by the family. She deems it ONLY acceptable and they are happy she didn’t kill them. Grandmother decides to go visit Amu at school to see if Amu is an adequate friend. While doing so she manages to insult all the Guardians (minus Rima who looks like she doesn’t care). So the Guardians are kinda happy when grandmother and Amu leave.

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Yay for sacrificing your friends! XD

Amu and grandmother go sit down on a nearby bench even though Amu wants to run away. Grandmother starts off the conversation by saying Japanese kids are careful which leads me to believe everything else she is going to say is crap. She starts reminiscing about the good old days when Lulu was happy and colored…but now she is different and just like her. Amu denies that she thinks the grandmother is really rude and needs to tone down the attitude. Grandmother explains that she was raised to be this evil since she is a viscountess and all that jazz. She had to give up her dreams to focus on protecting her family. But now she wants Lulu to have a carefree life! Because that makes sense. Amu arrives at Lulu’s house and Lulu is pretty pissed, claiming that Amu is not her friend and she needs to die in a fire. Grandma goes and tells Mom that she understands why they left for Japan: to help Lulu find her true self. Of course Lulu is off looking for a lost soul. She finds someone who wants to eat two kinds of snacks. Nana is like…err, that is a lame reason but Lulu uses her anyway. Said girl transforms and starts turning everyone’s food into some gross combination. Amu arrives on the scene and declares this all stupid. She transforms and is like SORRY for hurting your feelings, you dream is awesome. Girl is healed and all is well in the world except for Nana who tells Lulu she will never get the embryo that way. Amu and Lulu go to the airport to bid grandma by bye. Lulu promises to restore her mom to her former awesomeness and grandmother says that Lulu needs to focus on her OWN dreams. Apparently Lulu has never thought of her own dream before and ends the episode deep in thought.

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Cute transformation...dumb dream.

Well, this episode is full of special. Being as it is a filler episode and that in revolved around Lulu…I thought it was going to be very special so no surprises for me. Still…bleh.

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Quick! Tuck in all shirts!

This show has really gone downhill in terms of finding your true self. Do you remember that writers? Amu has three Charas because she is that confused on how she is? That kids have dreams they think they can’t reach? Yeah, those dreams do not include some kid who wants to eat two snacks at once. Amu’s first reaction was correct: STUPID! You have been reaching for a while now and this is the icing on the cake. Next week someone won’t be able to decide what shoes to wear and their DREAM will be ruined! ….But not really. Let’s focus on kids wanting to be scientists and carpenters again.

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I SAID THIS IS YOUR DREAM OKAY!!!

Lulu’s grandmother is a bitch. The end. Seriously, she is a hateful person and I would run away to Japan to get away from her too. The fact she thinks she is above everyone else and tries to excuse her behavior by how she was raised makes me laugh. “I was treated like crap when I was younger so I am allowed to treat everyone else like crap”. No, raised I should say. She gets to Japan, yells at a few youth who are basically…minding their own business, and she picks a random girl to take her to Lulu’s house. Great first impressions and assumptions.

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And who are you again?

But had she just been an evil grandmother I would have been so upset at her behavior. But no no, it can’t be that simple. She has to be a giant contradiction or the world’s biggest hypocrite. Because after she is done telling people they are doing things wrong and that they need to be more proper…she tells Lulu and Amu she wants Lulu to live a more carefree life. Let’s take a moment to digest that information.

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Of course you are not an evil old lady...

Lulu’s grandmother…is confused why Lulu is a stuck up bitch unable to find her dream…MMM I WONDER WHY!!!! Perhaps Lulu picked up on your hypocritical nature and tried her best to be the person she thinks you want her to be?! I mean…what is there to be so confused about? Lulu is trying to make her mother more worthy, just like Ms Grandmother is always trying to do. And yet she talks about how Lulu isn’t such a happy carefree girl.

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When people recoil in horror....you are not a good person.

And she gets on the plane still not getting it. Lulu’s mother ran away to Japan because of the grandmother! She says it was for Lulu and it was true. But because Lulu was being negatively influenced by her grandmother. Japan is not a place where kids magically flourish. Lulu is going to get better because you ain’t around Granny. It just amuses me that she thinks she helped Lulu out in some way..delusions are always fun!

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Sorry, it is all your fault.

In a way Amu was both cute and stupid in this episode. Cute because she tries to see the good in people and stupid because she tries to see the good in people. I mean, it is nice that kids respect their elders and realize that some people express themselves in confusing ways. But there has to be a line drawn. Elders are not supposed to scream and yell at strangers because they think they know best. Elders are not supposed to go into people’s houses (uninvited) and insult the cooking and décor of their hosts. I guess Amu is just a little naive…and I wish she wasn’t.

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More truth please!!!

I want Amu to be a little smarter than that. Yes it is nice being a little naïve and thinking the best of everyone. But sometimes the truth is necessary. So yes Amu, that dream was stupid. It is okay to tell that person it’s really not a true to eat two snacks at once. It is okay to tell Lulu her grandmother sucks. It is okay to not be rainbows and kittens and ice cream.

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FAIL! It was lame.

But I suppose it is good that we see where Lulu gets her attitude from. She comes from really nice parents so I was confused on why she was so bitter and entitled. I am not really impressed with how Lulu cheers on her grandmother bashing her parents. Nor am I impressed with her mad coloring skills.

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Go Lulu....so supportive of your parents..

I thought this episode was going to mark the departure of Lulu. I thought that she was going to realize that she needs to be her own person and pursue her own dreams. I really thought she was going to stop working for EASTER after using the friend of the week like this…but no :( I did not get my wish. But how the episode ended makes me think that soon I will. YAY FOR NO MORE LULU!

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Dreams? Like the ones I've been stealing?

And maybe with Lulu gone we can get more Ikuto. Because…I am realllllllllllly tired of Ikuto’s story line. How long can Ikuto walk around the city starving and in pain? How come no one is noticing this poor kid? And are we going to find out that his mom is worried about him or anything? I guess this week we got a little bit more in his plot line…but who hadn’t realized that the violin was causing Ikuto pain? I am just….bleh. This is making Ikuto boring and I don’t want Ikuto to be boring. SAVE IKUTO NOW!

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Hurry before I start losing fans!!!!

The Guardians were just side dressing this week…but funny side dressing. XD Poor Tadase having one of the worst Chara changes. I think Yaya got what was coming to her but I doubt she will learn. I seriously doubt that Nadeshiko made that tea wrong and he really needs to act like his (her) own self! :( But why wasn’t Rima tested? I would have loved to see her face …like I don’t care lady! I was robbed of that…sadness to me.

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Nadeshiko is too awesome to make such a mistake.

So…This week was just okay. I am tired of just okay though. I want great episodes that fans are waiting for. I want some real plot and not episodes that make me want to tear my hair out. I want real friends of the week with real dreams. I want Amu to actually come closer to her would be self. I WANT TO SEE DIA!!!! So please….after next week’s ANNOYING episode, give the viewers what they want PLEASE!





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