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February, 2012:

Chihayafuru Episode 21

Feb 29th, 2012
by marthaurion.
1 comment

This week’s episode starts off with Chihaya striving to play like Arata did. Taichi also tries to improve by reading the cards all from memory (so epic). The day of the Eastern Qualifiers arrives. Chihaya’s first opponent ends up being a child prodigy named Ririka. Ririka takes an early lead with her speed, but Chihaya starts to come back by matching the reader’s timing. Harada decides to let Chihaya use her speed again, and she starts to out-speed Ririka, eventually winning the game.

So I’m confused. Taichi refused to be Class A before, but he told Arata that he aims to be the East Master Qualifier. Does he mean later on or has he joined the competition in a way I didn’t notice? Don’t get me wrong. I want to see him go up against Arata, but it needs to make sense! He’s definitely still my favorite character…that memory is ridiculous. Anyways, this episode seems like a fairly standard “Chihaya is evolving” episode. We’re nearing the end, so epic face-offs are sure to come.

Anime Reviews with [spoiler]Spoilers[/spoiler]?

Feb 29th, 2012
by marthaurion.
13 comments

Recently, I re-did my reviews page and I realized that I’ve actually done a decent number of reviews. So I wanted to pose a question about the format of my reviews. Up until now, I’ve been trying my best to avoid any form of spoilers when I write reviews, assuming that the reader has no knowledge of the show, and I wonder if that is a good approach. I still consider myself relatively novice at reviewing, so I’m curious to hear the opinions of others on the matter.

I’ve always seen my reviews as a way for people who dropped a show or don’t know a show to find out more about that show, or at least my own opinion of it. That’s why I try to avoid giving anything away. Still, when I look for reviews, it’s usually after I’ve already finished the show, so I’d almost prefer that the reviewer talk about certain points of the show and how they reacted to it. I’m almost getting an impression (may be true or false) that people reading my reviews are like that as well.

Of course, while it’s true that my approach to reading reviews is such, I have to step back and really think about it. I wonder if I avoid reading reviews before I finish a show because I know that there are people that use spoilers in their reviews and I want to be careful not to see them. If everyone was spoiler-free, I feel like I might be more inclined to read reviews to find out more about a show.

Let’s use an example. Last season, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon was a show that I started watching with basically no clue of its premise and plot. Because of that, the first few episodes ended up being pretty confusing, as I couldn’t tell the direction. I start to wonder how my impression would have changed if I had read a review beforehand with a foundation of the plot or something. But reading a review with a spoiler might not have made it so fun.

Still, spoiler-free reviews run into a lot of problems. I know that when I write reviews, I’m leaving some things or some people out to keep everything hidden, like if it contradicts an event in the first episode. For example, in the Code Geass review, I had a hard time deciding whether or not to mention C.C. because of what it would give away if I emphasized her.

So what do you think? Does my current style work? Should I make a switch and re-write all of my reviews? Should I burn myself out by writing two reviews for each show, one of each type? This would also be the place to list any other gripes you have with my reviews. I take feedback very seriously, so let it rip (be gentle >.>). I’ll write more soon, I promise!

Ano Natsu de Matteru Episode 8

Feb 28th, 2012
by marthaurion.
6 comments

The “almost kiss” from last week has caused some serious awkwardness between Ichika and Kaito. Rinon also tries desperately to fix whatever was messed up in Okinawa without Ichika finding out about it. Everyone gets together to go to a summer festival, where Remon proposes a test of courage. Kanna ends up being paired with Kaito, Mio is paired with Tetsuro, and Remon is paired with Ichika in Remon’s “random drawing.”

Remon and Manami work together to scare everyone, resulting in Mio and Tetsuro kissing as well. Kanna almost confesses to Kaito, but he is drawn away by Ichika’s scream. It turns out to be Rinon, who has accidentally activated the emergency beacon and can’t shut it off. As a result, a lifeboat arrives for Ichika to take her back home. Kaito shows up to save her, once again being fatally injured in the process. Ichika heals him again, and the episode ends.

You know…I called it a love polygon for a while, but Remon’s diagram makes me realize that it’s not a closed figure. Maybe it’s better to call it a chain of love? Anyways, the truth about Ichika is finally out. I was waiting for something like this to happen, and it was timed basically when I figured it would. Next week, I guess we’ll finally get the explanation for why Ichika is here. It also looks like Kanna and Ichika are gonna have some sort of heart-to-heart. Guess it’s time for things to get serious. This episode also gets me thinking that Remon is a normal human that’s just actually observant. I mean…I suspected it before, but it’s looking more likely.

Phi Brain – Kami no Puzzle Episode 21

Feb 27th, 2012
by marthaurion.
1 comment

This week’s episode starts off with Cubic discovering that Kaito’s brain is starting to function faster than a human normally could, and begging him to stop solving puzzles. Kaito naturally refuses and leaves, running into a Giver on his way out. Cubic then tells Jikukawa that he has tried to hack the POG, but is unable to breach the last barrier and asks for Jikukawa’s help. By using more of his brain, Kaito is able to solve the puzzle in half the time, but he starts to lose it as his brain continues to block out information. Nonoha arrives, though, snapping him out of it.

Cubic mentions a possibility for Kaito to see the future this week, explaining the visions he’s been having. What’s going on with Rook’s eye? I guess he’s a Phi Brain like Kaito. And maybe Jin is too. Or maybe Jin’s brain was fried because he couldn’t handle it. Looks like we learn more about Jin next week. We’re getting pretty close to the end.

Another Episode 8

Feb 27th, 2012
by marthaurion.
7 comments

The beach episode! First off, though, Kouichi asks Reiko about Matsunaga and the school trip, but gets no answers as she has forgotten most of it. Everyone then gets together and heads off to the resort hotel where Matsunaga works. When they arrive, they find that he has been called off, so they spend some time at the beach, running into Mei in the process.

Teshigawara proposes a competition to find food on the beach, but both teams end up failing miserably. Matsunaga then arrives, talking a bit with Reiko. After a lot of questions, Matsunaga finally remembers leaving something at the school. Unfortunately, this is interrupted by another death, as Nakao dies out at sea.

Well, that death was a bit expected. We don’t really see much of Nakao before this episode and he suddenly goes with the main characters on a trip? He had to die. This also puts a damper on an earlier theory about being safe from the curse when outside of Yomiyama, which makes things interesting. Reiko seems a bit more suspicious this week…Matsunaga mentions seeing her somewhere and she can’t recall it. Is there a double? Or maybe she’s dead, like some people seem to think?

Also, I get that they were trying to make the music sound lighter this week with some softer tones and such, but it still kept the theme in all of the dark music of the show, so it really didn’t feel right to me. Fun scenes like the ones in this episode need songs with energy, and the main theme of this show just doesn’t do that. Next week, it looks like Kouichi will find that thing that Matsunaga left behind in the school (it looks like some sort of recording or something). Also, were those glasses on a girl with the umbrella? Is Sakuragi coming back? Or is this another one of Kouichi’s crazy dreams? I’ll end with this: WHY DIDN’T THEY EXPLAIN THE END OF LAST WEEK’S EPISODE???

Rinne no Lagrange Episode 8

Feb 26th, 2012
by marthaurion.
6 comments

This week’s episode starts off with the expected arrival of the chairman of Novumundu, but instead, his great-granddaughter comes in his place. She introduces herself as Asteria Lizamarie De Roschefall, and seems to know Lan. After an awkward report, Lan tells Muginami and Madoka about the Vox Legend. Basically, another civilization existed on Earth 20,000 years prior, and Muginami and Lan are descendants of that civilization. Their ancestors fled Earth when the Vox weapons went out of control.

Meanwhile, Asteria discusses the Vox weapons with Youko and concludes that Madoka should be banned from piloting Vox Aura. In protest, Muginami and Lan lock themselves in with Vox Aura until the decision is reversed, and Madoka and Asteria go in to talk with them. Madoka ends up accepting her grounding and she convinces Lan and Muginami to accept it as well.

Well, everyone seems to be getting along nicely. Finally we hear the story of the infamous Vox weapons. I was expecting something to that effect, but we still don’t have enough information. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vox weapons weren’t the cause of calamity, but saved the Earth from complete destruction. I’m definitely suspecting that Madoka, Lan, and Muginami are somehow descended directly from the original pilots.

We find out the source of Lan’s greeting! She was so embarrassed, but I sure hope she doesn’t just drop it…I liked that greeting. She’s too cute. Also, Moid is having secret meetings…so evil. Asteria seems like an interesting character. She doesn’t really seem evil, but she’s got a plan, and who knows where that will go. Next week looks like school festival time. Maybe a super-secret infiltration mission from our alien brothers (aside from the maid thing)?

Nisemonogatari Episode 8

Feb 25th, 2012
by marthaurion.
5 comments

This week’s episode starts off with a bit of recovery from the last arc, with Karen showing up in a cute outfit (and Koyomi’s hilarious reaction). Karen asks Koyomi if he will introduce her to Kanbaru. Koyomi agrees, but first issues a challenge as a requirement. Koyomi ends up brushing her teeth (ehh?), but gets interrupted by Tsukihi. Nonetheless, Koyomi still loses the challenge.

So…what did I just watch? What did Koyomi just do to Karen? Let’s just pretend that never happened…what? It was half the episode? Oh…Well, this show is definitely pushing the fanservice. Oh well, it’s a funny way to start the new arc. The OP for this arc was definitely nice. I don’t usually like the super-happy style of music (like PapaKiki’s theme), but this one really worked. The actual visuals of the OP were great as well…maybe even better than the song was. I wonder how many episodes before the story of Tsukihi’s arc starts. Maybe it’ll be next episode.

Persona 4 Episode 20

Feb 25th, 2012
by marthaurion.
3 comments

In the aftermath of the culture festival, Yukiko tries to invite Nanako and Yu to stay at her family’s inn, but everyone else joins in too. At the inn, the boys walk in on the girls bathing, which results in a battle of epic proportions (which the girls win, of course). A TV show tries to make a show about the Amagi Inn, but Yukiko adamantly refuses them (Courage was increased).

In the night, the boys start to hear weird noises and conclude that their room is haunted. They then go to the girls’ room, but get the wrong room and hilarity ensues. The episode ends with the plot restarting, as Yu gets a letter in the mail telling him to stop rescuing people.

What the crap? Margaret was singing? Is this her social link? It’s a bit…different. Anyway, this week was Yukiko’s turn to shine, as Yu revisits all of the main characters. It’s a bit weird, though. In the game, it’s more a dramatic journey as she tries to leave the inn, but realizes that she doesn’t want to. The anime just kinda shows the end of it all. But other than that, most of the stuff in this week’s episode was what I remembered from the game (and it’s all still funny). This time, I have it right. Next week’s episode is going to be when all the plot begins again. We’re so close to the ending, I can’t wait!

Senki Zesshou Symphogear Episode 8

Feb 24th, 2012
by marthaurion.
3 comments

An injured Chris is found by none other than Miku at the start of this week’s episode. Miku helps nurse Chris back to health, trying to befriend her, but they are interrupted by a Noise attack. Tsubasa isn’t cleared to fight, so Hibiki goes out by herself. Chris faces off against the Noise herself, while Hibiki finds Miku, who has been attacked by a different Noise. The two make up and Miku draws the Noise while Hibiki defeats it.

As expected, Chris is on her way to becoming part of the team. She’s probably a better character than Tsubasa is (I still don’t like how easily she came to terms with Kanade’s death). Also, her fight scene was probably better than any of Tsubasa’s. Genjurou has a weird line with Chris about not being able to save her. It seems kinda important…what does he know? Also, I guess Miku will try to help out more, but I wonder what she’ll be able to do without Symphogear. There’s only so much.

Guilty Crown Episode 18

Feb 24th, 2012
by marthaurion.
5 comments

This week starts off with Gai showing much more control over the Void Genome, drawing and fusing three Voids and then sending it kamikaze-style to destroy a bomber. Daryl refuses to protect Gai as ordered and goes into traitor mode to protect Tsugumi. Gai broadcasts to the world that there are 256 Leukocytes orbiting around the world under his control.

Arisa’s grandfather tries to kill her before she is used by Gai, but she shoots him for he can. Inori’s blackouts start to make her fear that she will kill Shu, and Mana within her tries to take advantage of this. She ends using some weird power to fight against the Endlaves after her to protect Shu, but she is captured by Gai.

Okay…what the heck just happened? I mean, Samurai Old Guy was pretty epic, but the rest of it was a bit out there. Gai having a bunch of Leukocytes was pretty Code Geass, but I have no idea about that stuff with Inori. It still looks like they’re only resurrecting Gai (I’m going with “Mana never died”). I’m not sure what’s up with him, but I’m expecting a “Shu, please save me” line from him some time in the future. Now that Inori has been captured, I wonder if we’ll finally figure out what she is…it’s been bugging me for a while. I find it weird that they didn’t talk about Shu in this episode. He suddenly went power-hungry and immediately lost his powers, then they just ignore him for an episode.

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