Genshiken 2 08

げんしけん 2 Episode 08

SPOILER Summary: Ogiue learns that she's been accepted into ComiFes. She heads to Genshiken's club room where outside, preparations for the new term are underway with clubs getting ready to recruit new members. Ohno is busy trying to figure out what cosplay events to attend and Ogiue tells her that she got accepted to ComiFes. However, she's scared by this instead of happy because of what this means -- showing her secret fantasies to the world in the form of a doujinshi. Ogiue wants to know if Ohno gets embarrassed by doing cosplay and Ohno confesses she does.

After a lengthy discussion, Ohno states that what Ogiue is doing if far more difficult to do than cosplaying. When Ogiue states that she might like to do cosplay again but only in front of friends, Ohno springs into action, happening to have a costume at the ready. Ogiue realizes her mistake but it is too late. Sasahara comes by and is surprised the door is locked. Ohno opens it for him and she's in a cosplay outfit as is a highly embarrassed Ogiue. However, Sasahara's confession that Ogiue looks cute is a bit much for her and she attempts to escape out the door, only to discover that the corridor outside is filled with people.

The next day (or so), Genshiken has its cosplay exhibit up with Ohno in costume and with two racks of costumes made by Tanaka. Sasahara sits to help with the sign-ups as Kuchiki wanders around and Ogiue is in the club room making posters. When two female prospects show up, Kuchiki ends up scaring them off with his odd personality, forcing an annoyed Ohno to send him back to the club room. When he arrives, Ogiue goes "tsk" and immediately leaves the premise, which bothers Kuchiki. Ogiue has to apologize to Ohno for not completing the posters and when Sasahara states they should try to get along with Kuchiki, they don't think that's possible.

Meanwhile, Saki arrives in the club room and has a little chat with Kuchiki after learning he'd been sent to the. She wants to know why he does weird things and he confesses that he can't control himself. In the end, she advises him to act like a normal person and return to the Genshiken display. He heads that way but then decides that maybe he'll go home when he's spotted by Sasahara, who's convinced Saki and Ogiue to give him a second chance. He leaves Kuchiki with a manga to "watch the store" while Ogiue attempts to hand out fliers and Ohno attempts to sell a crowd on the idea of cosplay.

Kuchiki notices a guy steal one of Ohno's costumes and confronts him. The man eventually gives up the dress and leaves, but when Ohno sees him, she assumes the worst. As such, Kuchiki snaps and makes a huge commotion by putting on the dress as Ohno screams is horror. In the end, Kuchiki is proven innocent by others who vouched for him. However, Genshiken had no new members join.

Thoughts: In some ways, this was funnier than the manga with hearing Ohno screaming in horror at Kuchiki's antics. It would have been funnier if they'd shown him jumping away in the cosplay dress. I guess Sasahara's sister is being cut from this series because in the manga, she was the only new member they had (even though she'd failed to join the college, she joined a nearby one and qualified to be in Genshiken). It will be interesting to see if she's included in the Genshiken trip story (assuming they do it).

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 49

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 49
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 49

SPOILER Summary: As Katze and Paffy prepare a meal, Izumi performs a ceremony for Gratches and Gesshin while Adeu mourns and Hittel fires his Spirit Stone rifle in their honor. Katze approaches and overhears the guys discuss Hittel's plan to attack the mother ship since the Jya-ryuzoku wouldn't expect it after they'd destroyed two Ryu units. The plan involves using the other Ryu units as decoys so Hittel can get inside the mother ship. However, he'll do so not in his Ryu but as himself. Further, Katze will be left behind, something she doesn't want since she'd already been left by Hittel once before.

The next day when the Ryu's all depart, Katze manages to get into Ryu Derringer and convinces Hittel to let her fight with him. The attack starts and lots of Jya-Ryuzoku soldiers are dispatched to fight the Ryu units, led by humanoid Jya-ryuzoku Nyle in his Doom unit. Everything is going according to plan and during the heat of battle, Ryu Derringer is able to slip away. Katze and Hittel manage to hitch a ride on board a supply ship and make it into the mother ship. They are soon discovered and begin slaughtering Jya-ryuzoku and cause destruction.

Isaac's aide Danan is ordered to recall Nyle, who returns in his Doom unit to confront Hittel and Katze. His Doom unit proves a bit too much for Ryu Derringer and so Nyle begins beating them. Even with the Spirit Stone rifle, Hittel and Katze cannot harm Nyle's Doom and are forced off the ship. There, Nyle's Doom continues to beat Derringer and then delivers a critical hit, which the other Ryu units immediately react to. Realizing that Katze and Hittel are in danger, they race to aide them as Katze and Hittel pledge their lives to Derringer's Spirit Stone for one final shot. Realizing that his critical hit had not finished off Derringer, Nyle rushes in but gets caught in the blast of the firing of the Spirit Stone rifle and the shot damages the foundation of the Jya-ryuzoku's device to take down the Mystic Shield.

Isaac orders the guard ships to take out the Ryu units and the closest one opens fire. Izumi states they need to retreat, but the enraged Adeu channels that rage into an attack which destroys the guard ship. However, he's exhausted and Ryu Paladin reverts to Ryu Knight. He's caught by Izumi and Sarutobi in their Ryu units and despite not being able to do anything, he demands they let him go so he can fight, even though he cannot.

Thoughts: So, two more bite the dust. I still think the big cosmic reset button will be pressed at series end and they all will come back to life. I figure Galden will return by series end as well to help Adeu in the final battle.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 07

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 07
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 07

SPOILER Summary: A drunk woman in a taxi finds herself taken to a remote spot and robbed. The following day, Miyuki and Natsumi are at the scene of a car accident where the driver who crashed into a guardrail swears a green taxi caused his accident. The only evidence to back up his claims are some additional tire marks on the ground, but that doesn't mean much. So they have the car towed and don't do any further investigation of the area to see if there is more evidence. At the station, Miyuki thinks the guy is telling the truth and so research begins on taxi companies.

Inspector Tokuno arrives and has a new case. Apparently, there were a string of robberies involving a green taxi over the weekend. The location where one of the victims was dropped is near the accident scene and the taxi's color is the same. Tokuno continues with the information that the victims were assaulted by two people not one. Since even a drunk woman should notice another person in a taxi, it is speculated that the 2nd person has to be hiding in the trunk. Since taxi's in the area were converted to Liquid Propane, they have a special tank in the trunk and the remaining space wouldn't hold a human. Thus the taxi isn't a real one from a taxi company.

The police begin to search green taxis, setting up roadblocks to do so. However after a week of searching, nothing turns up. The perpetrators (apparently two brothers) pass through one such check point, laughing that the cops are making a fruitless search. After the weekend, Tokuno reports that seven drunk women were robbed after getting into a taxi. Instead of being a green taxi, it is a yellow one. The fact that a second taxi is involved must mean the robbers have more than one car. It is speculated that the robbers are hitting on Friday's when people loosen up. Miyuki decides to go back to the scene of the accident from last week and doing a better inspection, she finds green paint, partially covered with graffiti, on a guardrail from an on-ramp. The paint flecks show other colors underneath, revealing that the impostor taxi has been repainted repeatedly, and the week time off is used to repaint the vehicle.

At Miyuki's request, Tokuno finds the colors used for the cars of the various taxi companies. From that and the paint flecks, Miyuki speculates that the robbers will use black next. So when Friday comes, Miyuki and Natsumi secretly go undercover to test this theory since Miyuki feels Kachou wouldn't allow them to do this officially. Natsumi has a surprise for Miyuki and hands her an ear-piece with mic. At the other end is Nakajima-kun, who has their backs. The girls' check of some black taxis turns up nothing, so Natsumi decides to start drinking with some regulars at a bar where she and Miyuki learn the robbers apparently pick their victims and not the women pick the taxi.

Natsumi gets drunk and so Miyuki decides to call it a night and tells Nakajima he can go home. As she's walking Natsumi, a black taxi pulls up and the driver offers them a lift. Miyuki immediately thinks this might be the car they are looking for, but when the driver pops the trunk, it is shown to be a normal taxi trunk, complete with special tank. Feeling safe, they get into the taxi, but the taxi takes them to a secluded spot. Realizing she's been had, Miyuki flashes the badge. However, the driver's brother reveals himself, having been disguised as the front passenger seat of the taxi. They rob the girls and knock Miyuki down (Natsumi having passed out from being drunk), but Nakajima is on the way. Realizing she has backup, the crooks try to flee. Miyuki tells Nakajima to get them, and he does.

At work the next day, the injured Miyuki, the hung over Natsumi, and Nakajima are chastised by Kachou for doing something so foolish, especially since they aren't detectives. However, Tokuno is actually happy with their work and tells them that the next time they do something like this, they better include him. Later as Nakajima cleans his police bike, Miyuki comes out and apologizes to him for getting him in trouble and thanks him for saving her. She tells him it was cool how he took down the crooks, which leaves him speechless.

Thoughts: See, this is what you get when you have a couple of traffic officers, even gifted ones, investigate a traffic accident. They should leave proper investigations to investigators. Miyuki and Natsumi should have done a better investigation at the accident scene when the guy claimed a green taxi caused his crash. Instead, at the time they just said, "All we have are these tire marks to back your statement" and then don't bother to do any additional scene investigation until a week or so later. Granted for dramatic purposes, the writers had them do this, but even before I knew the green taxi had also scrapped a guardrail, I was thinking that when the man made the claim and there were additional tire tracks to possibly back his statement, they should have looked for more evidence rather than just tow the car away and leave the scene.

For those of us looking for some Miyuki-Nakajima stuff, we got a crumb thrown to us. It was nice, but then crumbs are when you are starving.

Shakugan no Shana Second 08

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 08

SPOILER Summary: In what appears to be Medieval times, a Tomogara is attacking and taking out knights while an injured woman pleads that she'll be the one to kill them, only to be observed by many, many eyes. Margery Daw awakens from this (memory?) dream and asks Marchosias is she said anything in her sleep. He doesn't know if she did or not and she pours herself another drink.

Meanwhile as Sato observes within the Fuzetsu field that Yuuji is training with Shana and Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina summons a Rinne, which appears very much like one from his first encounter with Shanna, taking the form of a giant baby doll. Initially Yuuji runs from it in fear, but despite his fear, he does face it with encouragement from Shana. When the Rinne attacks, Yuuji is not only able to stop the giant fist, but dispel the Rinne. This leads to a simple compliment by Wilhelmina as an annoyed looking Sato leaves. Yuuji isn't happy about the Rinne Wilhelmina chose to summon, but it was requested by Shana and Alastor. Alastor feels it is time for the next phase of Yuuji's training -- unrestricted spells.

Yuuji wants to know if their investigation of Reiji Maigo, his Hougu, has proceeded. Wilhelmina confirms they have additional information but have not gone through it yet. Alastor believes Yuuji shouldn't be concerned for such things. Shana tells Yuuji she'll teach him how to cast the Fuzetsu and they go home. Wilhelmina begins to sift through the mounds of books sent to her and discovers something that shocks her, causing her to say the name "Pheles."

Back at Sato's place, Tanaka is trying to clear the mess of empty bottles from Margery's drinking when Sato arrives. He tells Margery that he wants to become stronger and thus wants Margery to train him. When she asks why, his answer is to follow her and help her. She replies that he'll die and then decides to tell them a story from her past. In what appears to be the late-30's in New York, a Tomogara is on the Brooklyn Bridge when Margery Daw arrives on Marchosias and attacks.

The Tomogara introduces himself as Annaberg, the "Cavern of Scrupulous Impaling" (translated name). Margery attacks some more and appears to defeat her opponent. She marvels at the large presence the Tomogara had, but that he was very weak. She suddenly finds herself under attack by a multi-headed dragon, who ends up defeating her. That dragon is none other than Sydonay, who's apparently working for Annaberg. Sydonay wants to finish her off, but Annaberg has plans which can't wait so Sydonay will do what his client wishes.

After they leave, Margery has Marchosias purify her with his flame and provide her a new outfit. As she's naked and being purified, a boy runs into the Fuzetsu and gets smacked for getting a good look at Margery. The boy is a Flame Haze named Yuri Chvojka, who's contracted with Valac, who's form is that of a wide, curved dagger. As they talk, Margery gets annoyed with the boy because she's trying to get to her meeting with the Flame Haze known as East Edge and his contract partner (lord) Quetzalcoatl. That's when she finds out that Yuri works with East Edge.

East Edge works tending bar and Margery hands him a letter and they briefly discuss the Flame Haze who are heading to Europe to battle a group of Tomogara there. They discuss Yuri and East Edge asks Margery to train him. She reluctantly agrees and so Yuri tags along. As the two wait in Central Park, Yuri asks about the changes in New York over the past 50-years. After she tells him, Yuri gets angry when he things about what Annaberg will do to humanity. This raises a red flag with Margery as Flame Haze are not supposed to be concerned about humans, only in keeping the balance which the Tomogara often throw off.

Despite not really wanting to hear it, Yuri tells the story of how he was an immigrant traveling to the U.S. on a ship when a Tomogara attacked in the form of a monstrous octopus. The ship was destroyed and as Yuri began to sink to the bottom of the ocean, Valac found him and contracted with him, making him a Flame Haze. Yuri wants to protect someone with his new gift of life and power since he could not do so back then. Margery is annoyed with Valac but Valac can do nothing. Margery wants Yuri to go home since she views him as unqualified for the job of Flame Haze. Since he can't answer her question on what Annaberg's goal is, Valac suggest they return home as well.

As Margery heads to the Empire State Building alone, she communes with Marchosias, mentioning that Flame Haze use hatred and vengeance and that this cannot be combined with the good intentions as it is dangerous, making the kid dangerous. Meanwhile Annaberg is at the Empire State Building to do his "acceleration of civilization" as Margery casts a Fuzetsu and approaches from the air.

Thoughts: I like how we are getting some fleshing out of Margery's character. During the 1930's, Margery had more spunk to her character than she does today, which I found interesting. The introduction of two new Flame Haze and their Crimson Lords was neat as well. Also on the neat front, Yuuji is ready to start using unrestricted spells? Wow.

I'm guessing Yuri will save Margery's butt and thus redeem himself and cause Margery to question things and thus become a drunk Flame Haze to dull the pain.

Shakugan no Shana Second 07

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 07

SPOILER Summary: Ike is on the web finalizing his plans for the day at the amusement park with the gang. He hopes with this careful planning that he can ultimate score points with Yoshida and ride the Ferris Wheel with her. The group all meet at the appointed time outside the park where Ike announces that the day will be for Konoe, who's never been to a theme park. Even though he has a carefully structured plan for the day, Konoe throws a monkey wrench into the works by wanting to ride a kiddie race ride. Even though this was not on the plan and embarrassing to them all, they agree. However, Ike gets motion sickness from this simple ride.

Since the excited Konoe wants to ride another kid's attraction, Tanaka and Sato decide that they should split into groups. So Tanaka, Sato, Shana, and Ogata are in one group while Ike, Konoe, Yuuji, and Yoshida are in the second group. Shanna leads her group to the more interesting attractions such as bungee jumping. Ike tries to take his group to a cheesecake shop, but its closed. Ditto the ice cream shop. The Japanese Sweets shop is now a bathroom. Ike is crushed by these defeats.

As he attempts to recover, Konoe wants to ride the Roller Coaster. Ike says now is the best time to ride as the lines will be short, but instead, its an hour and a half. So even though he's going to get sick on this ride, he agrees to hold the spot in line while Yuuji, Yoshida and Konoe do other things. He's depressed at how things aren't going to plans, but gets revived when Yoshida returns with a beverage for him. As such, he gets Yoshida to promise to ride the Ferris Wheel with him after they finish the Roller Coaster.

While Shana's group are weary from all of their thrill rides (save for Shana), Ike sends Yoshida to get Yuuji and Konoe as the line is moving better. She leaves and he suddenly panics at the thought that if they don't get back in time, he'd have to ride the Roller Coaster alone. Unfortunately, his worst fear comes true as a group up front decided not to go on the ride, meaning he's stuck. Afterward, Yoshida nurses the ill Ike and learns that the Roller Coaster ride now has no wait. He consults his notes and learns a magic show starting is the reason for this.

Meanwhile, Shana impresses Ogata by displaying her sword skills at another game. She scores the high score and receives a prize for it -- a cat doll. Ogata is all thrilled by this, leading Alastor to caution against Shana using her skills in such a fashion. However, Shana justifies her actions because this is all for recreation. When they meet up with Ike's group, Ogata is regaling Konoe with the tale of Shana's skill as the group eats lunch. Ike is depressed that things aren't going according to plan but revives when Yoshida offers him some homemade cookies she brought.

Next on the docket is the giant maze. The group pairs off, with Ike ending up with Shana, Konoe with Yuuji, Ogata with Tanaka, and Shana with Sato. As each group tries to make their way through, Sato decides to use the opportunity to inquire about the possibility of becoming a Flame Haze. Ogata and Tanaka have a cutesy moment together and Konoe and Yuuji get lost and have to be helped. Ike, on the other hand, uses his mental skills to navigate through the maze and gets Yoshida to promise again to join him on the Ferris Wheel.

Waiting for the Ferris Wheel, Ike is glad that he pressed on and the two get into the same compartment together. However, before Ike can make his move and take Yoshida's hand, he again gets motion sick and has to be assisted by Yuuji. Again he's depressed, but a very happy Konoe comes to him and thanks him for such a fun day, wanting to do this again sometime. With Yoshida agreeing that Konoe's happiness meant the entire day was a success, Ike in cheered and thinks that all's well that ends well.

Thoughts: Well this was a fun episode. Poor Ike-kun. I laughed and yet felt badly for him and how all his carefully laid plans for the outing at the amusement/theme park went south as he tried to impress Yoshida. Since Yoshida has no chance with Yuuji, I wouldn't mind her and Ike hooking up. I loved Shana's reaction to her prize. She was really proud of that and I hope we'll see it from time to time in the future.

Next episode with Margery Daw background looks very good indeed.

Anime-Wiki -- Time to Leave Wikipedia

I absolutely hate Wikipedia. Seriously, the wiki-gods over there continue to drive me spare with their hideous treatment of the anime and manga stuff. As I mentioned back in late March 2007, the self-appointed gods of that site feel that they can do what they like, including renaming the manga group CLAMP to Clamp. They routinely remove information that I found valuable from other pages, the latest being from the character entry on Clannad, where a couple of gods felt that someone had written entirely too much information about the characters and such, and so removed it all. One even suggested removing the character page completely, leaving just the few central characters on the main page with almost no information and no images. Despite the fact that Wikipedia should be a repository of information, these self-important gods have decided that detailed information is bad, and should be left for fan sites.

Frankly, I'd had it and went to find a wiki site dedicated to anime. The one I found was Anime-Wiki. While this wiki has been up for a while, it sadly has little community support, mainly because we anime and manga fans foolishly have been wasting our time on Wikipedia. However, it is up to us to make this dedicated site to anime, manga, and more the knowledge bank and leave Wikipedia's anime and manga stuff to the losers.

Now, because one's writing can be like one's child, no one likes having their work criticized or modified to change what they wrote. I understand that. For example, some people prefer Japanese names to be Western-style and others Japanese style. Those are minor issues and providing the naming scheme used is referenced in the page, I don't care either way, even though I personally try to use Japanese names in Japanese style. So building the new anime/manga knowledge repository won't change minor conflicts that arise from those differences of opinion. However, I am assured by the site owner that they want information, and that they will not remove valid, accurate information from a series, character, or other page in the name of "its too much information." They do ask to not go overboard on image use and to follow image uploading protocols (such as using a screen capture of a character under the "fair use" clause of copyright law).

So I hope you guys will join me in making Anime-Wiki the spot to visit for anime and manga information by adding to the site's information. There are many, many titles that still need to be added.

Genshiken 2 07

げんしけん 2 Episode 07

SPOILER Summary: With a week until graduation, Kugayama decides to pay a visit to the Genshiken room to figure out what items of his he should take and what he should leave. As Ogiue reads, Kugayama and Sasahara discuss Kugayama's new job working at a medical equipment company, where Kugayama will likely end up in sales. Tanaka and Ohno arrive and we learn that he's going to be attending a new school in Ueno for his continued education in clothing design. However, because the commute it so far from his current apartment, it means he'll be moving, something Ohno states she's OK with, but her voice says otherwise.

When Saki arrives, Ohno takes the opportunity to suggest a graduation present from her to the graduates. Naturally, she suggest cosplay, specifically a cosplay shoot. Naturally, Saki is not keen on this idea, using the excuse that she's not graduating but promising to do so for their graduation then. However, a tearful Ohno reveals that because she was a transfer student from the U.S., she won't have enough credits next year to graduate, meaning she still has two years of school left. Comforting Ohno, Saki hugs her and promises to cosplay as much as Ohno wants once Saki graduates.

After the graduation ceremony, Saki and Kousaka see Kitagawa-san, who was the girl who had so many problems with Genshiken's existence. To Saki's surprise, her attempts to blackmail Kitagawa have completely backfired now that Kitagawa is secure in her relationship and will marry him very soon and start a family. When Saki tries to ask about Kitagawa's athlete's foot, Kitagawa simply laughs wickedly, leaving Saki feeling defeated.

The group, sans Madarame, arrive and discuss the OVA release of their favorite anime series. Saki is annoyed that at a time like the graduation, they are discussing such things. Ogiue takes a camera to take a picture of the group and has difficulties doing so since they keep moving. Eventually, she gets the shot, with Madarame rushing in at the last second. Takayanagi shows up and has news about "Haraguro" (Haraguchi) and how he angered some folks for selling a manuscript that wasn't his to sell and as such was being asked to pay a large sum of money.

With that, the group walks back to the Genshiken room before having their party where Madarame asks if Sasahara will continue as the president of the club. Looking over the remaining members, Sasahara decides that Ohno-san will be the perfect choice for this. She protests, but when Saki suggests that as president, she could turn the club into a cosplay research club, Saki takes the job. She immediately attempts to rope Saki into immediate cosplay but when Saki rejects it, she goes after Ogiue.

At the party, Ohno begins downing the brews. Madarame reveals that his favorite memory from school was the day that Saki cosplayed, something she's not happy about being brought up. The group talks about this more, leading to Kuchiki getting knocked out. Saki really wants to forget those memories she considers horrible. Tanaka brings out a female figure model to show off to the guys, which is in its underwear. The drunk Ohno is not happy about this project of Tanaka's and Saki wants to give it a look-see. Tanaka is afraid to do it and Ohno wants her to break it accidentally, but Saki doesn't. Instead, Tanaka accidentally drops and breaks it.

Madarame reveals that he finally has a job at a plumbing company, doing computer work. The company is only 10-minutes walk away from the school, which causes quite the commotion. However, Saki is pleased that he got a real job, no matter what. The group leaves and as the snow starts to fall, they all say their final goodbyes. Tanaka, Madarame, and Kugayama have all graduated.

Thoughts: This was a slightly expanded story from the manga, but with more impact. I couldn't help but remember the goodbyes in my life, starting with high school, college, the military, and more. Though I've read the manga and know what happens next, I still felt sad and the gang's goodbyes as they headed into the night and into new lives outside of school and Genshiken. Madarame doesn't count. ^_~

It was funny when the guys briefly noticed the girls sitting in skirts at the Japanese restaurant where everyone sits on the floor. Its wrong, but the guys suddenly trying to peek made me laugh for some reason.

Clannad 08

クラナド Episode 08

SPOILER Summary: Nagisa and Okazaki continue to help Fuko-chan with her starfish carvings, but proof that Sunohara's statement that people were forgetting Fuko-chan is abundant, starting with Tomoyo, who's troubled that she forgot. Others walk right past Fuko-chan, unable to see her or hear her as she attempts to hand out more starfish. This failure begins to depress Fuko-chan. At lunch, they try to cheer her up and when Fuko-chan zones out, she immediately recovers before Okazaki can pull a practical joke on her. After a humorous verbal sparing between Okazaki and Fuko-chan, they see Mitsui and call her over. However, she acts like it is the first time she's met Okazaki and Nagisa and feels they are pulling a practical joke on her since she can no longer see Fuko-chan.

Fuko-chan is upset and runs off, leaving Nagisa and Okazaki to discuss what might be happening with her. When they walk home after school, they try to cheer Fuko-chan up. At Nagisa's home, work on the starfish continue, but Nagisa is finding it hard to contain her emotions, knowing what's happening with Fuko-chan. When a late-arriving customer arrives, Akio-san does not want to leave the residence section to head into the shop, but ends up stabbing himself in the foot, thus leaving Nagisa and Okazaki to deal with it. When the customer leaves, Nagisa breaks down briefly, leading Okazaki to state they need to be there for Fuko-chan until the end of her dream.

Okazaki heads to Sunohara's place, where he's nearly run over by guys fleeing the wrath of Misae-san. Okazaki hands her one of the starfish and invites her to Ibuki-sensei's wedding. Heading up to Sunohara's room, he learns that Sunohara has been doing some investigating and has discovered the fantastic truth about Fuko-chan. As such, Sunohara has decided to pay Fuko-chan a visit in the hospital since that's where she really is. Okazaki is concerned that if Sunohara goes, he will forget about Fuko-chan like so many other have.

The next day, Fuko-chan is having no success at handing out the starfish. When Sunohara arrives at lunch time, he tells them that for some odd reason, he found himself leaving a hospital but he didn't know why he'd gone. When Fuko attempts to offer him a starfish, he apparently cannot see her, nor can he remember her. Kyou and Ryou arrive to confront Sunohara since he was late for school. However, they too apparently cannot see Fuko-chan either and while the carved starfish seems familiar to Kyou, she cannot remember why it does and as such is frustrated.

Later in the day, Okazaki, Nagisa, and Fuko-chan are sitting depressed when Sunohara arrives as his normal, cheerful, idiot self. He invites Okazaki and Nagisa to lunch but Okazaki turns him down. When he starts to flirt with Nagisa, Okazaki gets made, prompting Sunohara to ask Fuko-chan for support. However, he immediately finds the mentioning of this name as something strange and becomes somber. Despite the please from Okazaki and Nagisa, Sunohara finds he can remember nothing but has the feeling this "Fuko-chan" was someone he didn't dislike.

Because things have become so depressing, Nagisa and Okazaki decide to cheer up Fuko-chan and head into town to buy her a gift. Eventually, she sees a birthday party set and goes all spacey for it. So it is settled that this is what they will buy her, which pleases her greatly, enough so that she's moved Okazaki up on her ranking list. The trio then head to a nearby park where after some talking, Nagisa and Okazaki observe the fountain within the park's pond while Fuko-chan observes from a distance approvingly.

Returning to Nagisa's home, Akio-san briefly thinks he sees a person with Nagisa and Okazaki, but then thinks better of it as he heads off. Sanae-san arrives on the shop floor to greet them, including Fuko-chan. She suggest the trio take a bath together, then confesses that she can no longer see Fuko-chan though she does still remember her. Like Sunohara, she too figured out Fuko-chan's true identity and went to the hospital to see for herself. After she returned, she discovered her husband had forgotten Fuko-chan and she couldn't see Fuko-chan. The trio retreat into the night where sitting on a park bench (Fuko-chan clutching a starfish and her present), they decide to head to the school to pass the night.

Thoughts: Well, its getting sadder and sadder as Fuko-chan's story comes to a close. Fuko-chan still had a couple of humor moments, but its sad seeing how so few people can even see her any more, much less remember her. I've got the strongest feeling that somehow even Okazaki and Nagisa will forget in episode 9, but whether we'll get a deux ex machina moment or not, I don't know. Well, maybe Fuko-chan will somehow get better.

The interesting item was Sunohara's continued showing of depth. He cut class just to learn more about Fuko-chan, then even went to pay her a visit in the hospital, only to forget why he'd gone to the hospital at all, much less Fuko-chan. And yet even when he couldn't see her "spirit" form with Okazaki and Nagisa, somehow, the name still came to his mind and it troubled him that the memories he was trying to access were just out of reach.

I guess it doesn't matter, but that's pretty jacked up that seeing the actual, physical body of Fuko-chan in the hospital makes you forget all about her or at worst, makes it so you can't see her spirit form. Weird and as I said, jacked up.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 48

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 48
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 48

SPOILER Summary: Adeu is upset about the death of Gesshin and is attacking a tree with a stick in rage while the others sit around a camp fire and quietly grieve. Gratches chastises him over this pointless activity and over being too emotional when in war, people sometimes die for a good cause, this time, the destruction of a Jya-ryuzoku guard ship. Adeu runs away and Gratches tells Paffy not to follow him. Using the spyglass, he observes the actives of the Jya-ryuzoku on Earth Blade. Sarutobi joins him and the two talk about Adeu. For Gratches, he senses great power within Adeu and wants to make Adeu stronger, thus making the others stronger. Sarutobi insists that Adeu is just an idiot.

Meanwhile, the Jya-ryuzoku are behind schedule and concerned since the Ryu riders managed to destroy one of their guard ships, yet currently cannot be found. Isaac decides to allow a task force lead by a humanoid Jya-ryuzoku and supported by a guard ship to flush out the Ryu riders and destroy them to stop them from causing any more delays. The plan is to raze a nearby town and kill as many human scum as possible. They start their attack, easily blowing away the Solids trying to defend it and wait for the Ryu's to arrive.

The attack is spotted by Gratches. He goes to do what he can to defend the town and tells the others not to let Adeu know since Adeu's not in the proper frame of mind for fighting. Sarutobi, Hittel, and Katze join Gratches while Izumi and Paffy go off to find Adeu. Gratches does what he can to lure the leader of the attack in his Doom and his soldiers. However, even though he's pulled them away from the town, the guard ship simply takes over the task of blasting the town from the sky.

Hagu Hagu finds Adeu and is soon joined by Paffy and Izumi. He's stunned to learn what's going on and that Gratches didn't want him to know because of his state of mind. However, Adeu is resolute in joining the fight and so the three are off. Meanwhile, Sarutobi enters the fray along with Hittel and Katze in Ryu Gunner. The fight is tough but they are soon joined by Paffy and Izumi which helps with the battle. Adeu goes to join Gratches, who's having some difficulty in his fight. With the guard ship ordered to finish the job, Izumi gathers the survivors and with the other Ryu units, shields them all from the massive attack. Gratches has Adeu go to dispatch the guard ship, which Adeu does by finally using Meteor Zapper.

As the heavily damaged guard ship begins to crash, the Jya-ryuzoku leader is stunned by this turn of events. Gratches uses the opportunity to inflict damage on his Doom, causing him to fall into the explosion of the guard ship as it hits the ground. The impact and explosion causes a volcanic eruption. Adeu rejoins Gratches, but as they start to head off to Paffy's group, the Doom emerges from the lava and manages a critical hit on Gratches' Ryu unit. Unable to do much, Gratches manages one final attack which critically damages the Doom. However, Gratches is unable to move any further and the Ryu and Doom units are both destroyed. As Adeu screams, Isaac and his Jya-ryuzoku forces have suffered another loss.

Thoughts: Wow. So they've killed two of the Ryu riders now. I don't actually expect them to really be dead or to stay dead if they are dead. Still, a lot of clichéd shounen fare here.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 47

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 47
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 47

SPOILER Summary: The party arrive at Earth Blade only to find no Jya-ryuzoku there. After Gratches and Hittel return from patrol, Adeu and Gesshin being their own patrol. After Gesshin suggests Adeu be the leader of the group to pull them together as a fighting force for the battle ahead, a massive number of Jya-ryuzoku pods arrive. They open in the atmosphere and form a giant mother ship and several support ships, armed to the teeth. Adeu wants to blindly rush in and attack despite the stupidity of such a move and is restrained by Gesshin. Because of Adeu's actions, Gesshin's Ryu unit is hit and he's injured. Adeu has to save him and in doing so, is forced to retreat.

The latest humanoid Jya-ryuzoku leader, Isaac, takes command and summons Rigel, who's failed to destroy the Ryu units. Others on Isaac's staff are not happy with Rigel and less happy when Isaac has decreed that Rigel will be working with them to secure Earth Blade and taking down the Mystic Shield, which they have to do by the time Earth Tear's two moon align and the Mystic Shield is at its weakest.

On the ground, Izumi has healed Gesshin, who's resting. Sarutobi is annoyed with Adeu's recklessness. When Katze sees in the spyglass that the Jya-ryuzoku are building a contraption on the Earth Blade as they'd done 1000 years before, Adeu gets hysterical, insisting that they have to attack now. He gets angry when the others urge caution and more angry when Sarutobi chastises him. Since Sarutobi has no plan of his own, Adeu feels secure in his own position, feeling it is better to fight no matter the odds against you. Gesshin wakes up and while he agrees they have to do something, they need a plan. Gesshin is not in the best of spirits but manages to get through Adeu's thick skull to keep him from racing off like a moron and listen to his plan.

Having agreed on the plan to attack everyone but Gesshin race for the mother ship in their class-changed Ryu units. Gesshin goes on his own (and not according to plan) to attack one of the support ships. When Isaac's crew see six Ryu units heading for them, they prepare to repulse the attack. It is believed that Ryu Samurai was too damaged to participate in the attack, by Rigel isn't sure and heads out on his own Doom unit. As Adeu and company fight, Gesshin makes it to the support ship where Rigel is waiting for them. They fight but when a Jya-ryuzoku soldier opens a hatch to try to help shoot down the Ryu unit, Gesshin has his opening and manages to make it into the ship.

Gesshin dispatches the Jya-ryuzoku soldiers he meets and despite the damage he'd inflicted on Rigel's Doom, Rigel is still in the fight to keep Gesshin from taking down the ship. The fight has weakened Gesshin, who's Ryu downgrades to normal mode. However, he's managed to take down Rigel's Doom unit in the process. He summons enough strength to class-change back to the upgrade mode where he destroys the engines in the ship. Outside, Adeu has realized what Gesshin was up to and doing, but the others won't allow him to rush off in a foolish attempt to do anything since he'd be destroys along with the support ship.

Thoughts: I hate Adeu. He'd been really annoying early in the series, but then they'd toned him down a little. However for this episode, he's back to the reckless, annoying bozo who's only thought is "ATTACK! WE MUST FIGHT! JYA-RYUZOKU EVIL! WE MUST DESTROY! WHO CARES THAT OUR ATTACKS WILL BE POINTLESS BECAUSE WE MUST ATTACK! TO NOT ATTACK IS TO BE A COWARD! ATTACK!" Ugh. I know this is shounen fare but still, it makes me want to vomit.

Also on the shounen docket is how those Jya-ryuzoku pods came through the Mystic Shield. Unlike before, the pods are able to open in midair and their contents merge to form ships. Oooo. Glad the parts that didn't get through the shield weren't important and didn't keep our ships from being made, being fully armed, fully powered, and fully stocked. But then logic must give way to shounen fare.

One thing I'll say for this show -- there's no such thing as a single big village, just an entire race. Every time you have what seems to be a central villain, he or she gets replaced by someone bigger and better. I guess that's OK because its better than a central villain who can never get the job done. So instead, keep bringing in more folks to try to get the job done.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For all of us in the U.S., I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving! I hope yours is a good one.

Hayate no Gotoku! 33

Hayate the Combat Butler Episode 33
ハヤテのごとく！Ep. 33

SPOILER Summary: Superintended Kuzuha turns down a group of butler's request to attack Hayate. A masked butler is also turned down, but when he produces a table of sweets, Kuzuha changes her minds and authorizes him to do his thing.

At Hakuou Academy, Hayate completes the entrance banner for the culture festival, having been conned into it by the Student Council Trio. He's planning on returning to Nagi, but the trio won't hear of it and gets him to further assist them. At the mansion, Nagi is cutting class and reading manga. However, after Maria talks, we learn that she's annoyed with Hayate for being so nice and doing all those things for others in the class when he's her butler. But she uses Maria as an excuse to go to school and check in on him (and attend the festival with him).

At class, the trio are sitting in butler outfits for their Butler Cafe, but instead of working, they are playing cards and allowing Hayate to do all the work. Seeing his annoyance, they decide to let him have a break and do a little work. However, Katsura-sensei bursts into the room and takes Hayate just as Nagi arrives. She's annoyed that Hayate is missing. Hayate is being forced to do the work Katsura-sensei should be doing, and this is seen by Hina and Haruko. Hina confronts her oneechan about this and rescues Hayate as Katsura-sensei flees.

Hina and Hayate share some tacoyaki until Kazuha arrives with her giant snake, who tries to eat Hayate. Meanwhile, Nagi is wandering the school and depressed when the masked butler, disguised as a fortune teller, convinces Nagi to get her fortune told. He hypnotizes Nagi and sends her to bring Hayate to him. Hayate, having just been spit out by the snake, Hayate gets a call from Maria informing him that Nagi has gone missing but before he can find her, she's there behind him, asking him in a monotone fashion to come with her. She leads Hayate and Hina all over the campus, stopping at various booths, until she finally leads them to the old school building.

Hayate is annoyed that this butler did what he did to Nagi, but Hina is also annoyed. The butler attacks with a mecha unit that looks like a small dinosaur and Hina brandishes a shinai (bamboo sword). She attacks the mecha, damaging it but manages to get snared by it. Hayate attacks and frees Hina, and the mecha unit ends up falling apart and exploding. Nagi decides she's the queen of Japanese festivals and will show folks a true festival, holding a manga title. Kazuha decides she wants to see this true festival and so Nagi goes off with her and the snake.

Thoughts: This wasn't as funny to me simply because I haven't watched the shows being parodied. I did see what looked like Watanuki from xxxHOLiC and apparently this was on purpose to allow seiyuu Fukuyama Jun (Watanuki's seiyuu) to have some fun parodying characters he's done for other series (in addition to xxxHOLiC). I did smile at the ComiFes reference at the end of the episode, though looking back, I'm guessing Nagi's sitting at a table with stacks of manga/doujinshi as if for sale is also a reference to ComiFes (or other doujinshi-selling event). Sure enough, next week's episode will apparently be about doujinshi.

Overall, a pretty enjoyable episode. I do wish I knew more about the anime titles it was parodying.

Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations OVA 01

Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE- Tokyo Revelations Ep. 01
ツバサ TOKYO REVELATIONS Episode 01

SPOILER Summary: Syaoran and company have just fled the library on the Record World and arrived at a ruined large city. As Sakura sleeps (caught in a dream), it starts to rain, and the rain is acidic in content, forcing the group to seek shelter. Only a large skyscraper remains relatively untouched by the damaging rain, so they head there. However, they soon discover a bunch of dead bodies of people that have been killed. As Syaoran goes to explore, he's ambushed and manages to dodge a rain of bolts from crossbows. One manages to hit him in the leg. Before they can finish him off, Kurogane comes in and defends Syaoran.

Mokona brings forth Kurogane's katana, so the leader of the group ambushing them, Kamui, decides to fight Kurogane. Kamui's fighting style is completely foreign to Kurogane, which makes the fight a challenge for Kurogane. After sending Kurogane into a pile of rubble, Kamui launches an attack. However, Kurogane manages to counter and show that he could have killed Kamui. Instead of doing so, he uses his Shouryuusen attack to send Kamui to the ceiling. His follows start to move in to assist, but he tells them not to. He drops to the ground, apparently uninjured, and tells his people he'll leave Syaoran's group, including the hidden Fai and Sakura, to them as he walks away.

Syaoran's group learns of the current situation. Kamui's people are fighting forces from the Tokyo Tower over fresh water. The water below the former government building they are now in is wanted by the people from Tokyo Tower. Kakkyo, the co-leader of Kamui's forces, agrees to allow Syaoran's group to stay and to treat his wounds in exchange for working. That evening, Kurogane confronts Fai on his use of magic to allow them to escape Record World. Fai is elusive in the conversation and when they are summoned by some others, Kurogane tells Fai he hasn't escaped giving him the answers he wants.

The following day, Syaoran and Fai join a hunting party through the ruins of Tokyo while Kurogane sits with the sleeping Sakura (who's being talked to by someone, urging her to wake up). The hunting parting targets a mutated giant earth worm and slay it for food. A second worm attacks, which Syaoran easily dispatches. The people from Tokyo Tower arrive and soon, Kamui is fighting with their leader, Fuuma. Fuuma notices that Kamui's attacks are slower than normal though he still gets thrown. Before it can continue, one of Fuuma's people gets a report that Tokyo Tower is under attack, so they leave to help their people.

It is here that Kamui's people tell Syaoran and Fai that Kamui is like Syaoran's group. He only just arrived at Tokyo World two years before. Initially he was thought to be a water thief, but he ends up joining them to protect the water.

Elsewhere, another Syaoran has been magically sealed in a giant, fluid-filled container. The so-called Time-Space Witch Yuuko-san notes this Syaoran's awakening as he uses magic to undo the seals holding him. Xing Huo, Fei Wong Reed's female assistant, is there waiting and decides to use her power to send this Syaoran to Yuuko-san since he can't cross dimensions himself. Her reasons for doing this is to end the dream. Meanwhile Sakura is caught in her own dream where she speaks with someone apparently in a giant body of water. That someone is trying to get her to wake up as her actual body stops breathing.

Thoughts: Well, I still haven't finished the TV series, but then I had already read that Production I.G weren't going to be bothered really trying to link this with the Bee Train TV series, but were going to pickup the manga story again. Technically, this OVA would start after episode 42 (most people say episode 43, but while it takes place on the world of the great library, its all made up stuff that wasn't in the manga). So the final 10 episodes of the TV series would be flushed (and good riddance to bad rubbish).

The Bee Train method of slowing everything down is gone from this OVA. The episode moved along at a pretty quick pace, which is how the TV series should have gone. It closely followed the manga story, which I really liked. Production I.G did keep the Bee Train style music though, which I found interesting (actually, I like the music in Bee Train titles, but not their story telling methods). Basically, while I thought Production I.G failed at their xxxHOLiC adaptation (mainly because it was de-linked from Tsubasa Chronicle), they passed on the first episode of the OVA.

Negima! Vol 20 (Ch 184) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 20 Chapter 184

SPOILER Summary: Ayaka's group searches the London area for Negima-dan and naturally find them. Learning that Negima-dan is going to visit Negi's hometown, Ayaka's group decides to go along as well. Nekane rushes to meet him and the group is touched by their reunion. Negi introduces the students to his "oneechan" and they come to the house to have a meal. Afterward, Negi takes some of the girls his old school. Nekane inquires of Ayaka about Negi, worried that he might be a burden but Ayaka assures him that's not the case.

That night, Negi confesses to Nekane that he's going to the Magic Country. She's shocked by this but he states that he wants to look for the clue from his father. The Headmaster from the Magic School. After talking, he takes Negi down some stairs to a large storage room. Inside, the villages from Negi's old village stand petrified including Stan.

Thoughts: Heh! Ayaka addresses Nekane as "oneesama."

I knew that both groups would end up at Negi's village. I guess that means that all of Ayaka's group will somehow go to the magic country.

Interesting how all the villagers have been kept safe all this time.

Otherwise, nothing to say about this setup chapter.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 46

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 46
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 46

SPOILER Summary: Recap...again.

Thoughts: You've got to be joking. We just had a recap episode in episode 40 and now we need another one in episode 46? Sheeze.

Clannad 07

クラナド Episode 07

SPOILER Summary: Learning that Ibuki-sensei cannot see her little sister Fuko-chan standing before her, Okazaki and Nagisa listen to Ibuki-sensei tell them she's heard a rumor that Fuko-chan is currently at school, but that can't be true since Fuko-chan is in a coma in the hospital. Ibuki-sensei continues to talk, saying she hopes Fuko is dreaming of being surrounded by friends and stuff. Fuko-chan quietly listens to this as Nagisa and Okazaki say how they'd be friends with her for sure. Okazaki pleads with Ibuki-sensei to not delay the wedding since he feels Fuko-chan wouldn't like this. Nagisa agrees and so Ibuki-sensei decides to follow their advice.

Sometime later, Okazaki confesses to Nagisa that until Ibuki-sensei met with them with Fuko-chan, he'd not really believed her to be anything other than a girl pretending to be Fuko-chan. For her part, Fuko-chan increases her efforts to hand out the wooden starfish but they notice that some students don't seem to be able to see Fuko at all. Okazaki decides they need to pay Kotomi a visit in the library. He and Fuko-chan do so but she won't respond to them until she hears Okazaki address her as "Kotomi-chan." She's not sure what to make of the wooden star-shape but upon learning it is a starfish and a present for her, she impresses Fuko-chan with her knowledge of the creature, making Fuko-chan very happy.

After Okazaki has some more fun with Fuko-chan at her expense (with a tongue twister), Sunohara comes in and in the end, Fuko-chan tries to whistle to make Sunohara pay for a transgression. She tries doing the 2-finger whistle but nothing happens. However, a rumble later, a giant group of guys come to Fuko-chan's aid, carrying off the troublesome Sunohara to who knows where. The two of them along with Nagisa head home. Okazaki has Fuko-chan go on as she and Nagisa pay Ibuki-sensei another visit.

Ibuki-sensei states she's told Yusuke that the wedding will proceed, though they don't have a place to have the wedding at. She'd like to have it at school. Okazaki asks what kind of girl Fuko-chan was before the accident, and so he and Nagisa get told a story of a shy girl who loved starfish, didn't make friends, and was a tad too close to her sister. However, as Fuko-chan started her high school term on the day of the accident, she promised her older sister that she'd make some friends. Ibuki-sensei wonders why the two of them are so interested in her little sister. Okazaki states that the three of them have something in common.

At school the next day, Okazaki, Nagisa, Fuko-chan, and Sunohara meet to discuss the progress of handing out the starfish. Sunohara is stunned to learn these are starfish, thinking they were shurikens ("ninja throwing stars"). Soon, Nagisa and Fuko-chan are in a debate on which is cuter -- dango or starfish. The argument seems to be getting worse and worse until the two of them simply agree that both are equally cute and the disagreement immediately ends. When Fuko-chan spaces out again over the idea of starfish, Okazaki has some fun at Sunohara's expense, having him place his head on the desk where Fuko-chan can poke at it as if poking at a starfish. When Fuko-chan realizes what's going on, Sunohara takes a beating.

Okazaki and Nagisa then pay a visit to the elderly teacher Koumura-sensei about having Ibuki-sensei's wedding at the school. He agrees to bring the matter to the principle and vice-principle's attention. When the two go to tell Ibuiki-sensei the good news, she tells them that Fuko-chan has taken a turn for the worse and doctors don't know if she'll ever wake up. The two of them have the devastating understanding that Fuko-chan must have known this as well, which is why her "spirit" (for lack of a better term) is working so hard to hand out those starfish.

At Sunohara's that evening, Okazaki learns that as Sunohara watched Fuko-chan handing out starfish, she was being ignored as if she weren't there. When he angrily confronts the two male students on ignoring an underclassman, they protest they didn't see one. Even when Sunohara points her out, they don't see her. As such, Sunohara learned that not only could they not see her, others who'd been given starfish now could not remember Fuko-chan. Further, the alias name that Fuko-chan had picked for herself didn't pan out. So, he wants Okazaki to tell him what's going on.

Thoughts: Well, now folks are now starting to forget Fuko-chan in addition to those who can't see her at all. It seems odd to me that folks would forget her all of the sudden like that but I suppose if Fuko-chan somehow knew her body was dying or something like that, leaving carved starfish for everyone would be her her way of leaving a mark on the world. I can't even begin to predict how this will turn out, but naturally I'm hoping for the best. Fuko-chan has been the source of a good many laughs and so if she "disappears" from everyone' s mind, it will be really sad. I guess I better get the box of tissues ready for episode 07.

Genshiken 2 06

げんしけん 2 Episode 06

SPOILER Summary: As Ohno works on building and model and Ogiue doodles on a pad, Madarame speaks of his recent job interview attempts, mainly with Sasahara. Discussion of urban legends with job interviews occurs along with discussions of what Madarame has personally witnessed in group interviews (where he along with other interviewees are interviewed at the same time). Sasahara recommends Madarame read a manga series about an "ota-ryman" -- an otaku salary man.

The discussion then turns to the upcoming Winter ComiFes. The three of them discuss when they will attend the festival as a group as well as what they'll do the other days. The final day is when Genshiken will do its official group outing. Ohno-san will of course cosplay on that day. However, Sasahara decides that the first day of the festival, whomever wants to from Genshiken can meet up and attend. Likely, the entire group will meet up and so Sasahara and Ohno try to encourage Ogiue to join. She says she won't, even though the "Scram Dunk" event will be held then that she likes.

The first day of ComiFes, Ogiue is there, though in disguise of sorts. Instead of her normal clothing and hair style, she wears the clothing and hair style from her high school days. She's irritated by the crowds and even making it inside, she seems irritated with every doujinshi purchase she makes. One of the female members of the Manga Club (Yabusaki) spots Ogiue and recognizes her despite her disguise. So when Ogiue ends up buying every doujinshi Yabusaki would have bought, Yabusaki is annoyed.

Ogiue is heading to another section of the ComiFes floor when she happens upon members of Genshiken standing and talking, apparently waiting for Ohno-san to emerge in her cosplay attire. She decides to hang out nearby where she hears them discuss various doujinshi, anime works, and games. Ogiue becomes the topic of conversation, to the point of some of the guys placing her in a dating-sim game with the ultimate end of sex. It is shortly after this that Sasahara notices Ogiue and kind of recognizes her. When she attempts to flee, she runs into Ohno and falls to the ground. It is Sasahara who returns her glasses to her and as Ohno approvingly examines Ogiue's purchases, Ogiue flees the facility.

Sometime later at the Genshiken room, Saki notes the bags of doujinshi and inquires of them and Ogiue, who's been missing for several days. Eventually, Ogiue returns, stammering an excuse and holding a form for entry into the Summer ComiFes.

Thoughts: The problem when anime writers try to pad out a single manga chapter into an entire episode is that it can be very difficult to do so, tell the same story, and not make it boring. This episode, while certainly having enjoyable moments, had a lot of boring moments filled with otaku chatting. Now, had I seen all of the different titles (given in parody form for Genshiken) the guys were referencing or had played the dating-sim games, maybe it would have meant more to me and not been so dull.

The other thing I didn't much care for was Ogiue hearing the guys basically fantasizing aloud about her as a character in a game (or anime I suppose) with the ultimate end of having sex with her. After all that talk, one would think that when Sasahara discovered her standing there and she bumped into Ohno, the guys would have been somewhat embarrassed, thinking, "How long was she here? Oh crap! Did she hear us saying such vulgar things?" Instead, that's when the writers pick up the manga story, which didn't have all that bloviating, and proceed on as the manga story did. It didn't jive with me.

So all in all, a mixed bag of an episode that contained a lot of filler to stretch a chapter into an episode.

Clannad 06

クラナド Episode 06

SPOILER Summary: Okazaki is over at Nagisa's folks place/store where Sanae-san is there with her new creations -- bread products in the shape of starfish. Okazaki is not impressed which naturally leads to Sanae-san feeling depressed. Even her husband, Akio-san, is not impressed with her latest creation. Not to be completely out of the game, she quickly recovers to offer Okazaki a chance to try one of them. He refuses and again she's depressed, saying she can't go on. So she leaves to go find her husband.

Meanwhile, Nagisa and Fuko-chan come into the store area where Fuko reports there was a phone call for Sanae-san. She reports there was a lot of panting and "I love you" being said but the caller employed her to stop with the starfish bread. Okazaki realizes it was Akio-san but then sees Fuko has zoned out, having seen the store filled with starfish-shaped bread products. He then relays a story of the terrible consequences of this in the future, which Nagisa really enjoys. He then gets "revenge" on Fuko-chan by taking a boxed juice, inserting the straw into Fuko-chan's nose, and squirting it, shocking her to awareness and wondering why her thirst was quenched.

At school, Fuko-chan again attempts to hand out her carved starfish despite rejections she gets. Nagisa heads off to gather more scrap wood for the project and Fuko-chan ends up running to Okazaki to find some cover since she's being chased by people like him. Three guys from the high school approach and ask if Okazaki and Fuko-chan are friends. Fuko-chan, hiding behind Okazaki, loudly denies this, saying he's an enemy. The guys want to form the Fuko-chan Fan Club or at least be her body guards. She rejects it and the trio promise Fuko-chan and "Oniisama" they will work to win her approval.

Fuko-chan, Okazaki, and Nagisa meet in an empty classroom and are joined by Sunohara, whom Fuko-chan reacts to as the guy with the weird hair color. Fuko-chan doesn't want another weirdo associated with her, so Sunohara challenges her. This time, instead of fighting, they will have a wood carving contest. If he loses, he'll back off and if he wins, Fuko-chan will allow him to help. They have to carve a "nue" -- a beast with a monkey head, racoon body, snake tail, and tiger limbs. Fuko-chan agrees and quickly finishes, though all she carves is a frog. However, Sunohara is out for the count when he injures himself with the knife.

After school, Nagisa and Okazaki part company with Fuko-chan so they can invite Ibuki-sensei to the school festival. They hope that the two sisters meeting will do some good. They meet the guy Okazaki helped in an earlier episode, Yusuke, who turns out to be Ibuki-sensei's fiancé. He hears of their plan to invite her to the festival and thinks it is a good one. They proceed and make their invitation to Ibuki-sensei, who accepts, remembering her promise to her little sister to attend the school festival together. This causes Nagisa to tear up.

The following day, Okazaki goes to Nagisa's place to find Fuko-chan sleeping, having spent the night making her wooden starfish. So he carries her on his back to school as he walks with Nagisa, predicting that when Fuko-chan awakes, she'll think this is horrible. She does just that...sorta, using the Japanese term for "vaguely horrible" instead of "horrible." She states she had a dream that she was on the beach with a starfish making a sandcastle when Okazaki-san came to take her to the Starfish Festival. She asks what that is, but naturally Okazaki doesn't know.

At the school festival, the Fuko-chan Fan Club has a booth with starfish items for sale. Naturally, this sends Fuko-chan into a happy spaced-out condition and when she comes to, she's in a maid costume in classroom with no idea how she got there. Kyou and Ryou are there to greet her and give her a chance to hand out starfish at their cafe. Nagisa even helps out and Okazaki compliments her on her looks in the maid costume. She tells him that Fuko-chan has taught her some things about not giving up, and she'll put those lessons to use in recruiting members for the Theater Club.

Sunohara arrives and starts to flirt with Nagisa until Okazaki distracts him with a passing girl. As he tries to flirt with her, he's interrupted by someone in a teddy bear costume. Challenging the person, Sunohara gets his keester kicked, leading Okazaki to surmise that this is Tomoyo. Sure enough it is. Fuko-chan offers her a starfish and though Tomoyo normally doesn't accept gifts, seeing Fuko-chan's bandaged hands lets her know it is hand made and thus she accepts. Mitsui arrives and though she'd been cold to Fuko-chan before, this time she's not and when offered a starfish, she accepts.

Okazaki and Nagisa take Fuko-chan outside so that they can meet Ibuki-sensei when she arrives. Fuko-chan continues handing out starfish and when Ibuiki-sensei arrives, Fuko-chan looks sad and says nothing. Ibuki-sensei speaks with them, but soon it is clear -- she cannot see nor hear Fuko-chan. She only sees and hears Okazaki and Nagisa.

Thoughts: Uh oh. Ibuki-sensei couldn't see Fuko-chan and methinks this does not bode well. Granted, we could still get some miracle happenstance, but I just have an ugly feeling for some reason. At this point, I really do want Fuko-chan to somehow recover for the wedding, but with her spirit apparently wandering the Earth out of her body, who knows. Fuko-chan is so funny with her frank statements and zoning out at the sight of starfish, only to become aware again and not know what the heck happened. Well, I guess we'll wait and see what episode 7 holds in store.

I like how Nagisa is coming along as a character. Her interactions with both Okazaki and Fuko-chan have really brought her out of her shell. I like Nagisa and Okazaki as a couple and I'm guessing that's what we'll see at the end of the series.

Fruits Basket Manga Volume 18

Fruits Basket Volume 18

SPOILER Summary: As the leaders of the Student Council work on cleaning up the resource room, Machi is missing. A discussion of the rumor that she tried to kill her little brother came up and it is revealed that Machi knocked over a box of chalk and her cleaning up the mess is why she's late. However, she arrives to hear the rumor discussion and goes home. Her half-brother Kakeru walks with Yuki and convinces him to pay Machi a visit at her home. She's living alone after being kicked out of her parent's house because they believed Machi was going to kill her baby brother. When Machi answers the door, she sees Yuki and tries to shut them out, but Kakeru prevents that from happening. Her place is a mess so Kakeru decides to take out the trash which gives Yuki an opportunity to speak with her. He has figured out that Machi has a problem with perfection, which is why she stomps in fresh snow, breaks new chalk, and otherwise destroys things that look perfect. This causes her to open up to Yuki and how her parents were so insistant on her being perfect so that she would be the heir of family estate over Kakeru. She never tried to kill her baby brother. Her story leads Yuki to promise her that the next time it snows, he will stomp on it together with her.

Sometime later, Yuki is back at school and is turning down another love confession. Minagawa, leader of the "Prince Yuki Club," pays Yuki a submissive visit, requesting to meet with him later. Kimi doesn't understand why these girls will confess to Yuki when they know they'll be turned down and Nao is irritated that Yuki is so popular with girls. He feels it is karma that Yuki has to hurt others by turning them down. Noa's irritation leads the group to suspect that one of the girls confessing to Yuki is one he likes. That really irritates him more. Yuki goes to meet Minagawa and rather than confess, she wishes him well and thanks him for the happiness he gave her. After they depart and after the graduation, Minagawa pays her classroom one final visit where she's met by Nao. He starts to confess to her but ends up wishing her well instead.

Kagura is talking with Shigure and Hatori about Rin graduating from high school but being unable to get her diploma because she's in the hospital. However, she's not sure if Rin really is in the hospital or what. On the Sohma Estate, Kureno observes a woman delivering food to a forbidden part of the estate while Hiro helps take care of his baby sister Hinata. Hiro's mother visits Kagura's mother (I think since Rin lived with them) and inquires of Rin. At school, Yuki inquires of Haru about Rin who doesn't know which hospital Rin is in. Apparently, no one knows where she's at.

Kisa-chan is going to visit Hiro and runs into him after he attempted to visit Rin at Kagura's house. Of course Rin wasn't there. Kisa has a CD for Hinata and as the two walk, Hiro discusses his own lack of confidence since he wants to protect his little sister. He starts to apologize to Kisa when they run into Haru. Hiro lets Haru know Rin isn't home and that the last time he saw her, she was in emotional pain. He further relays that it was Akito that pushed Rin out of a 2nd-story window when Akito found out about Rin and Haru dating. Hiro apologizes to Kisa because of the injury Akito inflicted upon her. He then lets them know that Rin is trying to break the curse, even if it destroys her. Kisa is touched by everything Hiro has gone through and done and assures him its OK.

Back on the estate, Kureno stops the female servant who's delivering food. The servant is fearful because Kureno isn't supposed to be there. However, he convinces her to give him the key to the room and learns that Rin is being held captive there, and is not eating. The servant fears Rin will soon die.

Haru arrives at the estate and storms into Akito's private area to the irritation of the older female servant. Akito allows him to enter, so Haru confronts Akito about the allegations of Akito pushing Rin out the window and the like. Akito acts innocent and even when Haru gets angry, Akito pretends to not now what Haru is talking about. However, the jig is up when Kureno arrives and reports the truth of Rin's captivity and how she's been sent to a hospital now. He chastises Akito for locking Rin up in the cat's cell and general poor behavior. Akito feels betrayed but Haru's wrath has him throw Akito against the wall and punch it right near the Sohma Leader's head. Haru states his love for Rin and walks out on a shocked Akito. Kureno tells Haru to go see Rin since the first words out of Rin's mouth upon being rescued was Haru's name. Kureno gets an angry earful from the older female servant for daring to cross Akito.

Meanwhile, Rin dream-recalls how Akito's mother Ren tricked her into trying to steal a treasure in exchange for information on breaking the curse. Akito caught Rin in the act and thus was imprisoned. Rin longs to dream of Haru and then is suddenly able to see him. However, it is not a dream. Somehow, Rin escaped from the hospital, so Haru carries her now. He assures her she's no burden to him and she says she's home.

Later, at Shishou's home, Tohru is tearfully happy at Rin's return. Of course this embarrasses Rin. Later when Tohru and Kyo discuss things, Tohru realizes Kyo knows he's destined to be imprisoned by Akito. So returning to Shishou's home where Shigure and Rin are talking about breaking the curse, Tohru states that they have to break the curse before spring or else Kyo will be imprisoned as Rin was.

Thoughts: I liked seeing Yuki and Machi getting closer. I'm guessing that either Yuki will tell her about his curse at some point or that the curse will be lifted and then they'll actually start their relationship. I was surprised at how Minagawa handled graduating and thus leaving her "Prince Yuki." I was also surprised that Nao had a crush on her. Well, I guess that explains a few things.

I had always figured Rin would certainly play a role in lifting the curse, but I didn't expect this turn of events with her losing her hair and all, to say nothing of being locked up in the room reserved for the imprisonment of the cat. But I liked how Haru stood up to Akito along with Kureno to rescue her.

Then there's Tohru forcing the issue on breaking the curse because she knows Kyo will soon be imprisoned. Her love for Kyo is not the typical kind of thing one sees in a romance title and I think that's why I like her pairing with Kyo so much (assuming that's where Takaya-sensei goes, which I'm fairly sure will happen).

It was also nice seeing so many others show up like Kagura, Hiro, and Kisa.

I miss the fun of the earlier volumes (and the current character designs aren't exactly my favorite but oh well) but I do enjoy the stories and romances I guess. Call me a sucker for romance.

Shakugan no Shana Second 06

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 06

SPOILER Summary: Yuuji is late for meeting Ogata and Konoe to walk to school. As he walks behind them, he thinks on what Ike told him about his spending too much time with Konoe and not considering the feelings of others. When he suggest that maybe Ogata and Konoe could just walk without him, Konoe immediately comes behind him and clings to his shirt.

At school, the teacher announces that there will be a surprise test on the following day for the class to see what all they've learned. So Ogata pleads with Ike to do an all-night cram session with her at Sato's house along with Tanaka. Ike will only agree if Yuuji, Yoshida, and Shana also attend. Since Shana and Yoshida have been boycotting the lunch sessions together because of Konoe, it's up to Yuuji to head to the roof to convince them to come. As he makes his case, Shana wants to know who all will be attending, not thrilled about coming. He rattles off the names and when Shana asks who else, Konoe is suddenly there clinging to Yuuji's shirt, meaning she's also going to be coming.

Yuuji and Tanaka go with Sato to his home and they try to get Margery to vacate the place. Tanaka is concerned about what might happen if she and Ogata were to meet. However, Margery is drunk and a laughing Marchosias says she's not going to wake up, which still leads to the book getting punched. The doorbell rings meaning they've run out of time. Ogata, Yoshida, Konoe, Ike, and Shana are there with Yoshida having a bag full of groceries. She decided that since they might get hungry, she'd fix something. Ogata volunteered to help, but since Yoshida is the only one with good grades, only Yoshida will cook.

As the group studies, Yoshida cooks, putting the image of Konoe clinging to Yuuji out of her head. When she's done, there is much amazement from the group because the food is so good. This also leads to some jealous remarks from Sato and the other guys about the bentos Yoshida has been making Yuuji all this time. Afterward, Ogata helps Yoshida in the kitchen and explains the trick to operating the counter dishwasher since it is a bit tricky. It is then that Margery enters the kitchen which naturally leads Ogata into shock even though Yoshida naturally knows Margery.

The rest of the group wonders what's keeping Ogata and Yoshida, so Yuuji volunteers to find out. Naturally, Konoe wants to tag along, so Shana decides Yuuji will stay and she and Konoe will investigate as Shana is determined to keep Konoe from being alone with Yuuji. They enter the kitchen and find it empty with the dishes half-done. Shana finds this strange knowing Yoshida's work ethic, so Konoe decides to start helping. However, she's never done any dishes, so Shana has to try to show her how even though she's not very good herself.

At the bar in the house, Margery sits and pours herself drinks while Ogata demands to know whom she is, why she's there, and if Yoshida truly knows her. Margery realizes what's going on and explains that she's in town on business, so Sato is allowing her to stay there until she gets a place of her own. Further, her relationship with Sato and Tanaka isn't love or anything but their feelings for her are admiration. She has them do the occasional odd job and that's that. She further gives Yoshida and Ogata advice on unrequited love and her advice makes the two feel much better.

A scream from the kitchen brings everyone running where they find the dishwasher leaking water and Konoe and Shana all wet. Shana's attempt to shut off the water valve only results in her getting sprayed. In the end, everyone but Shana has a good laugh and Shana isn't really upset about things. At school the following day, the test is done and the gang are going to have lunch. Ike notes that Yoshida and Shana are better disposed toward Konoe now, though the two are on the roof for a quick meeting before lunch. Yoshida relays Margery's advice on love. When Shana asks why Yoshida is telling her, Yoshida tells her it is to be fair.

That evening, Wilhelmina promises to make Yuuji pay in their training session for taking a night off (she doesn't accept the excuse of his studying at Sato's place). However, before she can bring the pain, Shana steps in, deciding to see how far Wilhelmina's training has brought Yuuji. Shana is determined to understand Yuuji's feelings and follow Margery's advice.

Thoughts: You know, Konoe-chan is officially irritating me. That clingy, helpless thing is something that annoys me in real life. Don't get me wrong, at first I'm patient and totally willing to help. After a while, I'm going, "OK, you can't be this stupid or helpless and need to start doing stuff on your own without clinging to me every second of the day." Still, the gang meeting at Sato's house was nice and finally, Shana and Yoshida are finally coming back around thanks to Margery Daw.

Still, while I don't object to the stories at hand, it almost feels like stalling.

On another item from the story, if that's what a normal Japanese dishwasher is like, I don't think I'd much like that aspect of living in Japan. I'd miss my big old American dishwasher for sure. ^_^;

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 06

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 06
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 06

SPOILER Summary: Retired officer Utamura-san has returned to the force and will be assigned to work the koban (mini station). Natsumi likes his energy but Aoi-chan disappeared during his introduction. So Yoriko decides to lead the hunt and soon they find Aoi-chan hiding under a table in another room. Apparently Aoi-chan knew Utamura-san from his previous police station where the two served together. Utamura-san wanted to make Aoi-chan more masculine, which of course he's not interested in.

The group are walking down the hall when they come across Utamura-san. As Aoi-chan suspected, Utamura-san is interested in making Aoi-chan back into a man. To further that end, Utamura-san starts a martial arts class at the precinct's dojo and makes the first session mandatory for everyone. Natsumi decides she's the one to take Utamura-san down, but he schools her big time. The following day, everyone is sore from the class save for Natsumi who's eager to get back for some revenge. However, that evening's class only has herself in Aoi-chan in it as everyone else bailed.

After training, the three are walking home and come across a public bath. Utamura-san suggest stopping in which meets with Natsumi's approval though Aoi-chan is rather not thrilled by the prospect. He's overridden though and because Aoi-chan is a man despite looking like a woman, he's forced to use the male side of the bath house. Naturally, then men inside think he's a she and it causes quite the commotion, compounded by Aoi-chan's acting like a woman. Natsumi hears all this from the woman's side and knows exactly what's going on. The following day, Aoi-chan dicusses this with Yoriko on how difficult going to the public bath was and how he can't say no to Utamura-san since he's always treated Aoi like a son.

Natsumi and Aoi-chan are at the dojo again but Utamura-san does not show up, nor does he show up for the next three days. He's not at the koban either. So Aoi-chan, Natsumi, Miyuki, and Yoriko pay him a visit where they learn from his wife that all the training Utamura-san has been doing with them caused him to injure his hip and now that he's older, he can't bounce back from those injuries like he used to. She didn't even want him to return to the force, but he insisted. After a pleasant visit, the group leaves and Utamura-san's wife remarks on how she wishes they could have had a daughter like Aoi-chan. He tells her Aoi's a guy, but agrees that having a daughter like Aoi would be good.

As the group walks down the street, Aoi-chan realizes he's left his cell phone back at Utamura-san's house. At the same time, Utamura sees the cell phone and realizes one of the visitors must have left it, so he takes it to drop it off at the police station. The two meet mid-way and it is then they spot a couple of suspicious people on a scooter pull into a nearby convenience store. The two are thugs and after knocking out the clerk, they proceed to rob the store. Utamura-san confronts the robbers but his hip pains him and causes him to cling to one of them. Aoi-chan enters the fray and when one of the robbers tries to get away on the scooter, Natsumi is there to stop it.

The group stops by an oden stand afterward to eat and talk. Aoi-chan and Utamura-san sit on the stand's seats while the other girls sit on a bench back from the stand. It is then that Utamura-san conceeds that for Aoi-chan, maybe it is better to let him act and dress as a woman. At work the following day, Aoi-chan decides to head the exercise class for the police station.

Thoughts: Well, this was a fun episode and the bath house stuff was funny. Still, when Natsumi was teased for saying Utamura-san was her type, I thought, "Where the smeg is Shouji? Gah! Natsumi needs her man!" Somehow, I think that maybe he won't even show up this series. And no Miyuki-Ken movement.

Niche Fame

Recently, I heard of the death of Steve Pearl, known as the "American Otaking." He was apparently well known among anime fans, having been a fixture at the Okaton anime convention to say nothing of moderating the rec.arts.anime.info Newsgroup starting in 1993 until 2001 (a year before I became a fan). He authored two well-known anime FAQ's, one on conventions and one on general anime information. He was known by OKADA Toshio, who was the president of Gainax and knows as the "Otaking" in Japan (taken from the Ganaix OVA, Otaku no Video). Okada-san dubbed Steve the American Otaking in 1995.

I'd never heard of Steve until Anime News Network published a blurb about his passing. However, many anime fans from before 2001 knew him from the conventions or Newsgroups. Naturally, they were saddened by his passing, especially since he was only in his 40's from what I understand. Still, there was something about his passing that hit me -- niche fame.

Within the world of anime, the name "AstroNerdBoy" is known to several people within the English manga publishing world and the R1 anime licensing world. I don't say this to brag, but am merely stating a fact. I'm on rec.arts.anime.misc still (though not as often as I used to be). I'm a member on several anime-related forums. I'm a moderator on one board, an admin on AFC, and a super moderator on FUNimation's board. I write reviews on the Community Anime Review site. I run the Tenchi Muyo! FAQ. And I have this anime blog, which continues to grow in popularity month after month (thanks to you guys).

Now I'm not trying to say that I'm as famous as Steve when clearly I'm not. There are other anime sites much larger than mine. There are anime blogs much bigger than mine. The list goes on. I guess I was reminded of just how niche the anime and manga market is. Even then, for someone like Steve, who was clearly a well-respected anime fan at the top of the heap, his fame was only known to those who are anime/manga fans, and even then, they'd have to be fans from before 2001. Once he dropped out of the anime/manga fandom world, new people came in and he was all but forgotten.

For me, Steve's death was a reminder that I don't write this blog, write reviews, or maintain the TM!R FAQ with the hopes of becoming the new "American Otaking" or anything else like that. Its tempting to think that because I have a little name recognition within our niche fandom that this makes me something. It does not. Even if I were to score some interviews with Japanese mangaka, anime directors, or the like and companies sought out my advice on anime/manga (or I got a job that had my face at conventions all over), in the end, I would still be a simple fan who's name would be soon forgotten with the passage of time.

Still, I would like to send my condolences to Steve's family, friends, and those he affected within the anime/manga fandom.

Negima! Vol 20 (Ch 183) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 20 Chapter 183

SPOILER Summary: Negima-dan are on the plane heading for Great Britain as Negi and Kotaro think back to their visit to a "manga festival" (ComiFes). Back then, Chisame-chan is cosplaying and happy about her success at it when Kotaro and Negi show up. They pick up a porn doujinshi which features the character Chisame is cosplaying, which leads her to snatch it from them. Nearby, Paru is showing a (yaoi?) doujinshi to a blushing Setsuna, Asuna, and Konoka. Negi pops over to take a gander, which leads to him getting smacked by Chisame and told he should never learn about this stuff.

Story two features Asakura's sewing a doll that looks like Sayo-chan so that Sayo-chan can possess it and thus be able to finally leave the grounds of the school and travel with the group to the Magic World. Sadly, the inside of the doll is a straw voodoo doll.

The third story has Anya, Nodoka, and Yue at the pool. Seeing "normal" Japanese women there makes Anya feel better but when large-chested Shizuna-sensei accidently gets Negi caught up in her bosom, Anya is again jealous. So, Anya decides to pour a potion into the pool that will cause everyone to become flat-chested. Nodoka and Yue strongly object, so Anya decides she and Nodoka should have large chest. She casts a spell on the two of them which causes their chest to balloon up and them to float away.

The 4th story deals with Makie at a gym competition and with Negi, Ako, Yuuna, and Akira are in the audience and Makie is bummed at having finished 4th place. They all feel she did good and offer congratulations. A kid loses her balloon and she uses her impressive skills with a gymnastic ribbon to snag it out of the air and return it to the child. This display makes Negi and Yuuna wonder how in the world Makie could only score 4th place with skills like that.

Story five has Mana in child form coming to the movie theater to score that child's rate of ¥700 she was denied previously. She feels like a winner until she realizes that the ¥2000 she spent on age-changing pills plus the ¥700 is greater than the cost of an ¥1800 adult ticket. Kaede arrives in child form and teases Mana for being so careless while Kaede used a ninja technique to appear in child form which cost her nothing. An annoyed Mana decides they should continue their match from before and Kaede agrees.

The sixth story has Ako, Yuuna, Makie, Akira, Fuko, Fumika, Natsumi, Misa, Kugimiya, Sakurako, & Chizuru meet Ayaka at her family's private air strip where she has a jet custom painted with Negi's image, hearts, and "Negi Love." The group is shocked by this since they'll be going to Great Britain in it. Only Chizuru and Makie like the jet's design.

The final story takes place in Eva's resort where she, Al, and Chachazero are served tea by one of Chachamaru's "sisters" that look like her. Chachazero wonders if Eva will be lonely without the Negima-dan folks there. The trio discuss the group's sudden trip to the Magic World, and Al is a little concerned since he didn't expect them to do it so soon. Eva remarks on how life is filled with danger and the things in life worth seizing lie at the end of risk. Of course if they die, that's that, which brings approving laughter from Chachazero.

Thoughts: Well, its another filler, but really good filler. I loved the little stories but the Sayo-chan one took the cake. She is so precious and cute. Man. I hope she turns out to be a valued member of Negima-dan. She was the chapter stealer this time over Chachazero, which is saying something. Notice how there's another Chachamaru-type back with Eva. Very interesting (though I guess they showed up in the Festival arc).

Melon Pan Song

Thanks to the gang at Random Curiosity for steering me to this little ditty. I love melon pan but living in Colorado, it has to come to me frozen. So it can be a little dry at times, which is sad. However, I had to try it having seen it eaten in a few anime titles, notably Shakugan no Shana. I've yet to eat anpan or curry pan (both mentioned in the song as those bread products have fillings whereas melon pan does not) but plan to some day. However, I think I'll wait for my trip to Japan to do that.

Anyway, enjoy the song.

Melonpan no uta - yuppi
Uploaded by satsukidabesa

(Updated since it was removed from YouTube.)

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 45

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 45
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 45

SPOILER Summary: Galden is injured but Sarutobi wants him dead and he wants his Spirit Stone. He is restrained by Gesshin and Gratches as Izumi starts to heal Galden. Gesshin tells Sarutobi that if Galden dies, he won't be able to retrieve the Spirit Stone and Steru won't respond to a summons from anyone other than Galden. The group observes more Jya-ryuzoku pods making it through the Mystic Shield and those humanoid soldiers report to Adolia, who's desperate to defeat the Ryu's and make up for her previous loss.

The group get their flying sail-ship up in the air again and are soon spotted by the Jya-ryuzoku group lead by Adolia. Adeu initially enters the fray solo, but there are too many for Ryu Paladin to handle. Paffy and the others are also going to join the fight which leaves Sarutobi in charge of the ship and ensuring Galden survives. Naturally he's not happy by this but does it just the same. Sarutobi assures the sleeping Galden that once this is over, they will meet in battle. Galden simply calls for his mother, which makes Sarutobi realize that even evil overlord-wannabes have mothers.

Sarutobi has to crash land the ship since it is out of power and soon it is spotted by Adolia. This forces Sarutobi to summon Ryu Ninja but it isn't up to the task of fighting her Doom, though he does his best. Galden awakens and summons Steru to fight Adolia. As he does, he releases Sarutobi's Spirit Stone. However, before Sarutobi can really do anything, he's knocked off a cliff and is falling. He taps the power of the Spirit Stone and flies back to the battle. While Steru holds the Doom unit, Sarutobi critically damages it. However, when it explodes, Galden is caught in the blast and is gone.

Thoughts: OK, so everyone's class-changed now. So how come only Adeu and Paffy get class-change names?

Hayate no Gotoku! 32

Hayate the Combat Butler Episode 32
ハヤテのごとく！Ep. 32

SPOILER Summary: Hayate is trying to sleep when a sleep-walking Tama enters the bed with him and expresses his love for Brenda. When Hayate wakes him up, Tama sees him as food and attacks. And so, Hayate tries to sleep out in a secluded part of the yard, only to have an afro come around. From out of the afro comes Watanabe Shinichi, aka. Nabeshin. The narrator gives a lengthy dissertation on Nabeshin.

Nabeshin is this week's butler and after a brief battle (and a Lupin III reference), Nabeshin is working on his next anime project. After much nuttiness, he comes to Nagi's house and has his wife and child over for more nuttiness. In the end, the wife and kid end up apologizing for Nabeshin's behavior. The wife offers Hayate a collection of Nabeshin collectibles but then wants Hayate to pay for the items. Hayate is going nuts but is saved when Nagi needs him to go find Isumi, who's taking a solo trip to Nagi's house.

Isumi is lost again but she has a brand new cell phone. However, she doesn't know how to use it and thinks its broke, leading a smack of the harisen from Sakuya, who's just arrived. Sakuya, who's annoyed, decides to lead Isumi to Nagi's home when they encounter Tochigami -- a half man, half fish. He's being pursued by youkai and needs help. Since Isumi has the power to send youkai packing, she helps to Tochigami against the youkai. However, the youkai acts like a virus and becomes several daiyoukai (great youkai) and Hayate has to come in to assist. In the end, Isumi dispatches the youkai and makes Sakuya and Hayate promise not to tell Nagi about all this.

Thoughts: Insane. When I saw the afro, I wondered if Nabeshin would be parodied. I didn't actually expect him to guest star in this. The insanity was...well, insane. I got a good laugh, mainly because I enjoyed Excel Saga (and that was parodied as well in this). However, it was just all pointless insanity.

The 2nd-half of the anime wasn't much better on the sanity scale. The Tochigami and the youkai/daiyoukai didn't do much for me. The description of the difference between "Oni" and "Youkai" was of interest to me though.

Overall, this episode was a mixed bag for me, I guess. I laughed at the Nabeshin stuff and didn't at the other stuff. ^_^;

Genshiken 2 05

げんしけん 2 Episode 05

SPOILER Summary: Madarame discusses his job-hunting and his suit with Sasahara when Ogiue comes in. Seeing Sasahara holding Madarame's ties has Ogiue's mind racing as she imagines the two together in a yaoi relationship. When they leave, she allows her fantasy to continue until Kuchiki and Kugayama come in. While Kuchiki eats and acts a fool, Kugayama ponders if it is OK for Madarame to spend time in the Genshiken room (Kugayama having landed a job).

That night, Ogiue is in the bath and fantasizes a scenario with Madarame and Kuchiki. After playing it through in her mind, she decides that it can only be Sasahara and Madarame. This leads her to continue her fantasy about the two of them in a yaoi relationship. The following day, she sees Ohno and Tanaka together. This leads to a fantasy where Tanaka is brought into the mix so that Sasahara would catch Madarame cheating on him with Tanaka.

Ogiue is drawing in the club room when Saki catches her. Saki swears she didn't see anything. Sometime later, Sasahara and Ogiue are alone in the club room and discussing ComiFes. Ogiue is not sure she's going to do anything and when Saki comes in with Kousaka, she decides to beat a hasty retreat to leave Ogiue and Sasahara alone. Ogiue follows them out and tries to explain without using the term "boys love" (that exact English phrase in the Japanese) because Saki believes Ogiue is interested in Sasahara. The three of them return to the club room and Saki tries to convince Ogiue to get Sasahara to help her at ComiFes. This leads to another yaoi fantasy with Kousaka and Saki in the mix, a dejected Madarame, and a return of Sasahara x Madarame.

Because Saki still has the wrong idea, Ogiue decides to show her drawing to Saki in the hopes she'll understand. It is a drawing of a more aggressive looking Sasahara and a more timid looking Madarame. Saki again misunderstands and assumes that Ogiue is interested in both guys and can't decide. However, when Ogiue shows the same image to Ohno, she immediately gets the yaoi connection but has a different opinion of how the characters should be (aggressive/submissive).

Thoughts: This was creepy, wrong, and yet funny at the same time. The manga simply stated that Ogiue drew some yaoi images of Sasahara and Madarame and we didn't get much beyond that except to say that this was her fantasy. The anime decided to go that extra step and show us some fantasy stories which had me laughing and creeped out at the same time. *lol*

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 05

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 05
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 05

SPOILER Summary: As the Bokuto force is warned to be on the lookout for a vehicle break-in thief, a woman drives her car into a local parking lot and leaves a baby in the back seat as she yacks on cell phone and goes to do some shopping. An older man enters the parking lot and expertly breaks into the vehicles, stealing money, then re-locking the vehicles. He notices the baby in the back of the car but decides to ignore it. Completing his rounds, he stops at a nearby eating establishment but seeing a newspaper article on a rash of incidents of babies being left in cars, he decides to return to the parking lot and rescue the baby from the back of the hot car.

After some reports of break-ins at the parking lot, Natsumi and Miyuki arrive to investigate. The mother shows up and is shocked to see her baby gone. The mother is taken to the station where Inspector Tokuno grills her on leaving her baby in the back of a car in the heat. She gets angry at him and the police and even threatens to sue them, feeling she did nothing wrong. This leads Miyuki to slap the woman, who then falls silent.

For his part, the thief takes care of the baby, but questions why he's doing this. So he decides he'll drop the baby off at a hospital. However, a crowd of people wanting to see the baby make him flee the scene. He then passes the Bokuto station but won't drop it there. He's spotted by Nakajima-kun and the thief thinks the jig is up. However, Nakajima only wants to tell him about the leaking backpack (where the kid has obviously peed). He then tries to return the baby to the parking lot, but is spotted and has to flee again. Natsumi and Miyuki give chase and Natsumi breaks out the tiny bike. They end up saving the baby and capturing the thief. They have him return the baby to its mother in exchange for leniency.

The episode ends with Kacho and Tokuno playing a game of Go.

Thoughts: Considering some recent cases where a child was left to die in the back of a car while some worthless mother did something else, this was a tad hard for me to watch but I loved Miyuki slapping the mother. I've never understood how a mother could forget her baby. In the case of this episode, it was worse in that the mother left the baby on purpose because it would be in the way of her shopping and yacking on the phone. Ugh.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 04

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 04
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 04

SPOILER Summary: Aoi-chan and Yoriko finish ticketing a driver and notice a high school girl looking for something. Yoriko decides they should take off, but soon, the two are screaming like mad in the police car, making everyone think something very bad is happening to them. When they arrive at the police station, the monster that had been attacking them was an iguana and the high school girl, Yukari, shows up to claim it.

Natsumi and Miyuki take Yukari home with her iguana and when they enter her apartment, it is filled with reptiles to include snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises. Miyuki is not happy about all these critters and even less so when the giant (python?) snake named Shou-kun shows up to give Miyuki some lovin'. Natsumi loves all the critters but eventually Miyuki convinces her to leave. However, the ride home is kinda slow as Today has difficulty gaining speed for some reason.

As Yoriko inquires of Shou-kun (thinking its a guy), Nakajima-kun overhears and gets depressed. He heads to the roof to observe Miyuki working on Today in the garage. Natsumi comes up asking is he's depressed over Miyuki and soon learns he is. However, before she can tease him about it, screams have them return to the office where some of the female officers report something strange either touching them or being spotted. Yukari shows up, reporting Shou-kun missing and so Natsumi takes charge of finding the snake. Nakajima-kun isn't so thrilled about this until Yoriko mentions looking cool for Miyuki.

The search turns up the shed snake's skin at Miyuki's locker. It is then that they realize the snake may be outside with Miyuki. Sure enough, Miyuki, who'd closed the garage door to keep the rain out, finds herself trapped with Shou-kun. Nakajima-kun tries to raise the door, but lacks the strength to do so. Thus, Natsumi comes to the rescue.

Later, Yukari returns with Shou-kun, whom she claims wants to date Miyuki. Nakajima-kun will have none of it, but when the snake gets close to him, he faints.

Thoughts: This was a somewhat humorous episode. At least Miyuki didn't act like a complete and total smeg head when showing her fear as she did in the old Mini Specials series. Nakajima-kun and Miyuki still don't do squat, which I guess will be the theme of the year. Too bad. Yukari-chan sorta reminded me of Saori-chan.

By the way, wouldn't Shou-kun eat most of the other critters in Yukari's home? And how the smeg did it actually get to the police station? If it was causing Today to run slow, one would think the snake would have been injured by this. Bah! Too many plot holes about the snake and not enough humor to cover them all.

Shakugan no Shana Second 05

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 05

SPOILER Summary: Wilhelmina has her training session with Yuuji and as she goes to land a sure-fire hit on him, she's surprised to see he has deflected the ribbon attack. Despite his skill there, he ends up falling off the roof upon which they were training. However, landing on the ground, he discovers he has no injury and no pain, which Wilhelmina attributes to his being able to control the power of existence now to a small degree. After their training, Yuuji inquires about Shana's welfare since she hasn't been training Yuuji in a few days, but Wilhelmina has little helpful to say in this regard.

At their residence, Wilhelmina prepares two ramen cups, one for herself and one for Shana. Alastor isn't so sure about this ramen diet but Wilhelmina and Tiamat have decided on simplicity. At the appropriate time, she serves Shana her cup, but Shana decides to take a bath instead to Wilhelmina's concern. Wilhelmina picks up Shana's clothing and when she inquires how long Shana will leave training of the Mystes to her, which ends up getting Shana irritated and angrily complain about Wilhelmina's "nagging." Wilhelmina leaves it at that.

The following morning, Wilhelmina stops by Yuuji's home and speaks with his mother, though she really says nothing, unable to say what she feels. Yuuji departs to pick up Konoe at her mansion. Since Konoe is not quite ready to go, the butler, wearing a bracelet the same as Konoe's, invites him in. The inside is huge but shockingly empty. Konoe arrives and the two head to school. As they talk about large residences, Konoe doesn't seem to remember Sato (who's also very rich) but certainly is glad to know Yuuji. The walk a bit further and find Shana waiting, but she's irritated at seeing them together and takes off. Yuuji goes to follow, but Konoe grabs his shirt to prevent it.

At school, Konoe is still completely helpless at the simple task of getting her textbooks out of the bag and Yuuji helps her. He tries to get Yoshida-san involved but when the homeroom sensei arrives, Yoshida is off of the "support Konoe" team and Ogata is brought in since she lives near Konoe. All of this annoys Shana who heads to the roof at lunch and is joined by Yoshida. The others in their group ask why Shana and Yoshida haven't been having lunch with them lately and Yuuji has no clue and doesn't seem that concerned about it, which Ike observes. So when they go to their music class, Ike cautions Yuuji that he's spending too much time taking care of Konoe and ignoring the others around him.

That afternoon, Wilhelmina is doing some shopping for the evening's dinner and is at the bin for all the Cup Noodle ramen varieties, all for a cheap price. She and Tiamat briefly discuss the practicality of getting the ramen, but in the end, Wilhelmina passes. Outside of the store, she walks down the street of shops to where a produce seller is hocking his goods to the women doing their shopping. She ponders a large cabbage when Yuuji's mother (Chigusa-san) comes up. After making their purchases, they walk home and Chigusa sensing Wilhelmina has things on her mind (specifically food preparation), asks her to come by the house.

After school, Sato and Tanaka are waiting for Ogata but to Tanaka's dismay, Ogata is going home with Yuuji and Konoe as part of her new duties to take care of the ultra-helpless Konoe. Yoshida and Shana observe the trio leave and both feel badly about the situation. After dropping Konoe off, Ogata and Yuuji walk with Ogata telling Yuuji that the mansion had only recently been purchased, having been abandoned for a long time. Yuuji remarks on how the place made him feel strange. It is then that Yuuji and Ogata part and Ogata and Tanaka walk home together, coming oh so close to holding hands.

Yuuji comes home to find a giant mess from Wilhelmina's visit and when Shana comes home, she finds that Wilhelmina has labored hard to prepare a meal for herself and Shana. However, visually it looks like a mess. When Shana tries it, she honestly tells Wilhelmina that it isn't good. This makes Wilhelmina feel sad but when Shana continues to eat, Shana explains that because Wilhelmina made it, it is good. That pleases her greatly.

Thoughts: Well, if this is a plan by Bel Peol or by the Bal Masqué in general, it sure is taking a long time to come to fruition. After all, I think Konoe-san's mansion is in fact the new HQ for Bal Masqué. Bit by bit, Yuuji is being separated first from Shana and then from Yoshida leaves him with fewer allies if he gets into a "tight pinch" (as the Japanese say) but then his improving skills may be what end up saving him. Still, I find Konoe's complete helpless "ojousama" bit getting annoying. Ike is the only sane one here when it comes to Yuuji's over-concern

I enjoyed the attempts of Wilhelmina to be more understanding of Shana's feelings. Its weird seeing Shana and Yoshida not fighting each other as love rivals, but standing together as jilted girls left at the alter. While this isn't bad stuff, it is (as I said earlier) taking a long time at setting the table, assuming there's something in the pipe. I also smiled at Tanaka's failed attempts to hold hands with Ogata on the way home. *lol* That was a sweet little moment.

Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition Volume 1

Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition Volume 1

I heard about this new release of Fruits Basket from TokyoPop and thought I'd look into it a bit. I read this from Amazon.com, "Bonus content includes interior color art, new foreword, and an autograph by Natsuki Takaya!" Rightstuf.com had something similar, only no mention of an autograph from Takaya-sensei. So, what is all this?

First, this volume actually contains volumes 1 and 2 of the original paperback release. Because the book is larger (9 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches) than the original paperback size (7.3 x 5 x 0.8 inches), the art is nicer to look at and thus more enjoyable. Of course the larger size also makes it a little less convenient to carry around here and there but that's a minor thing. The hardback binding is pretty nice as is the cheaper price (compared to buying the two paperback volumes).

However, I have a problem with the description from Amazon. There was no autograph from Takaya-sensei that I could find in the book I purchased. Next, the "color art" was simply the cover images from the first two volumes. I had hoped that maybe we'd see some interior color pages if those had existed in the original Hana to Yume magazine that the manga was initially published in. And finally, the new forward is nothing special, just some words from the current English adapter of the manga (no offense to Miss Sentar).

So, should you spring for a "double dip" on this? That depends on whether or not you want the hardback binding combined with the larger dimensions for viewing the manga. Since all of the original stuff (sans the TokyoPop ads, which are all new) from the paperbacks have been transfered to the hardback edition, you won't miss anything buying this and tossing your paperbacks. However, without the color pages that may have existed in Hana to Yume, for me, the hardback binding and larger page size isn't enough to pay $15 for a double-dip.

That said, if you've never bought the manga series before, this is the perfect time for you to jump in. You get two volumes for $15 (less when you catch it on sale) vs. $20 to buy them in paperback form which is pretty nice.

While I won't be double-dipping short of the color page stuff (and I doubt that's added in future volumes), I do applaud TokyoPop for figuring out a way to extend the life of their biggest cash cow. While these won't have the sales numbers the new paperback volumes will get, this will inject at least a little sales life into the older volumes, which generate very little revenue these days. Hopefully this will work for the manga industry as it has in the anime industry (re-releasing a series for a cheaper price well after the initial release is done).

Clannad 05

クラナド Episode 05

SPOILER Summary: Fuko-chan continues to carve her starfish and does not wish to leave the school and meet up with her sister, Ibuki-sensei. So Okazaki and Nagisa head to Ibuki-sensei's house on their own. Okazaki recognizes her as the woman he gave the bread to and she knows Nagisa. However, when the two offer Ibuki-sensei congratulations on her engagement, she is surprised that they knew since she's only told her sister, who's in a coma in the hospital. The two come up with an excuse about it being a rumor based on seeing her with her boyfriend and she accepts that. However, she doesn't know if she will actually get married considering the state her little sister is in.

When Okazaki and Nagisa leave and discuss it further, Okazaki doesn't believe Fuko is actually a ghost or whatever of the real Fuko. He believes the Fuko they know may have just overheard things and for whatever strange reason is pretending (or whatever). Nagisa, however, believes that Fuko-chan isn't lying. She decides that she has to help Fuko-chan in accomplishing her goal. Okazaki asks about the Theater Club but for Nagisa, Fuko-chan is more important.So Okazaki agrees to do help her in this as well.

They bring Fuko-chan to Nagisa's residence and her parents are still in the store. Since Ibuki-sensei often comes by, Okazaki tells Fuko to make up a family name which she agrees to do. Nagisa's parents don't mind taking Fuko in but wonder about her family. When Fuko gives the family name "Isogai," Okazaki is amazed at the uniqueness of it until Sanae-san remembers their neighbor has that name. Okazaki rushes out and sees that indeed the next door neighbor's name is Isogai which means some "fast stepping" on an explanation is required to satisfy Nagisa's parent.

Okazaki heads to Sunohara's dorm and is nearly run over by the rugby team who are fleeing the wrath of the dorm manager, Misae-san. Apparently, they'd been trying to peek into the girl's dorm. He encourages her to be more tough with the guys and when Sunohara comes around the corner, Okazaki addresses him as a peeper. This leads to Misae-san coming down hard on Sunohara with a wrestling move. Back in Sunohara's room, Okazaki tells him that the Theater Club stuff is on hold so he can babysit a ghost girl.

The following day, Okazaki heads to Nagisa's residence. He finds the store open but empty. Entering the residence part of the structure, he finds Nagisa, Sanae-san, Akio-san, and Fuko-chan carving starfish. When a customer enters the store, Akio-san tries to get Okazaki to handle it, but Sanae-san decides the two of them can continue to carve the stars while minding the store. When Okazaki learns that these stars are in fact starfish, he's stunned by it and amazed at how much Nagisa has gotten into them.

At school, the three attempt to hand out the starfish carvings and manage to give away a lot. As they talk, Nagisa learns that Ibuki-sensei always addressed Fuko as "Fu-chan." Nagisa requests permission to address Fuko as such and she happily agrees. However when Okazaki asks the same thing, Fuko refuses, saying that would be the worst. The trio visit Miyazawa in the Reference Room where Fuko gives her a starfish. She's a bit puzzled by it but one they explain that its for Fuko's sister's wedding, she gladly receives the gift and offers her best wishes.

The trio head off again and Fuko thanks Nagisa for her help. When Okazai remarks about being forgotten, Fuko calls him her enemy. When he protests, she calls him her nemesis. A third protest brings out "archnemesis." Nagisa hugs Fuko protectively and tells Okazaki not to tease her. Fuko is in her happy trance and so Okazaki decides to have some fun when he enlists Ryou to tell Fuko (once she comes out of her trance) that she's in fact Okazaki who's turned into a girl. His excuse is to give Fuko a warning about spacing out, which is why Ryou and Nagisa agree to this. When Fuko snaps out of it, Ryou's statement about being Okazaki shocks Fuko and has Okazaki in stitches. The more Fuko goes on about it, the harder Okazaki laughs, making Nagisa realize she'd been set up. When Ryou's twin Kyou attacks the real Okazaki for messing with Ryou, Fuko is even more shocked, thinking that there are now three Okazaki's -- two in women form and one in man form.

Fuko gives starfish to both Ryou and Kyou. She has them hug the starfish and when they do, she thinks they look great. Nagisa agrees with that assessment but Okazaki does not. He states that inside, the older (Kyou) is a gorilla and the younger is a hamster. This leads Kyou to throw the starfish at Okazaki, where she finally manages to land a blow on him. He tries to make her feel guilty over throwing a gift from Fuko, but Fuko decides she likes the concept of a flying starfish.

The trio are off again and Nagisa is happy so many people are accepting the starfish gifts. Okazaki remarks on the fact that they've only given them to kind people. Fuko recognizes a girl in the hall she briefly met at the entrance ceremony, Mitsui-san. Mitsui recognizes Fuko as the girl from the accident. However, when Fuko attempts to give her a starfish and an invitation to the weekend, Mitsui refuses, and coldly states that she has no time for such foolishness with college entrance exams coming up. That evening at Nagisa's home, Fuko tells them that it is OK that Mitsui refused the starfish. Since she hasn't attended any classes, it is enough that Mitsui even remembered her.

Okazaki comes up with a plan and the next day (Sunday?), he enlists the help of Nagisa, Kyou, Ryou, and Sunohara to attend a fake class for Fuko's sake. The only thing they don't have is a teacher, but Sanae-san arrives to take that role after hearing about the plan from Nagisa. "Sanae-sensei" does things like a real class and the others elect Fuko as "inchou" (class leader) since this special session is for her sake. The class proceeds as outside nearby, a ball of energy floats by.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this episode. Even though it was mean, the big brother in me laughed at Okazaki's having fun with Fuko. I laughed when Fuko kept coming up with names to mark Okazaki as her enemy and refused to allow him to call her "Fu-chan." I really like Fuko-chan and gathering how the story is going, I'm going to guess her story will be resolved first. Her happenstance is so much like one of the girls in Kanon's story (name withheld for spoiler purposes) and the writers seem to know this by throwing out little things that make me think they are saying, "Yeah, we know this is like Kanon, but bear with us because it will be worth while even if it is similar." I figure the little ball of energy (or whatever it is) is also Fuko-chan.

Shakugan no Shana Second 04

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 04

SPOILER Summary: Yuuji and Shana are walking with Konoe-san to school, much to Shana's annoyance. Yuuji has found himself with the job of escorting her because she's so helpless. Initially the job was to go to Ike, but Konoe's clinging to Yuuji got him the job. They meet Yoshida-san at the school gate, who's been waiting on them since she too has a responsibility for Konoe-san. Shana decides to go ahead an head in and they soon follow. For P.E., the class has been tasked with cleaning the pool. Yoshida and Yuuji have to save Konoe from injury when she follows a butterfly and nearly walks off the edge into the empty pool. The cleaning session soon turns into a fun session with the class cutting up spraying each other with water and the like.

At lunch, Konoe, Yuuji, Shana, Ike, Yoshida, and Oga have lunch together, with Yuuji having the bento prepared for him by Yoshida and the melon pan provided to him by Shana. Konoe eyes the bento and with Yoshida's permission, she eats some. Then she does the same for the melon pan and with Shana's approval, Konoe eats some of that.

After school, Ike convinces Yoshida to go with Yuuji, Shana, and Konoe as part of her responsibility even though her home is in the opposite direction. Shana finds herself not happy by all of this as the group comes to a new eating place called "Supersize Heaven" (English translation). Since this place will open tomorrow, Yuuji suggests getting everyone together to try it out then. Konoe wanders away and they catch up to her, telling her not to wander off like that. Yuuji gets onto Shana for her getting onto Konoe so much. For her part, Konoe leads them to a park where she holds out her hand and a small bird lands there and sings for her.

At Sato's place, he informs Margery Daw that he doesn't think there's any harm in Konoe, who looks so much like Hecate. Wilhelmina reports that there are no signs that the Bal Masqué are making any moves. Margery doesn't believe that the Bal Masqué would risk Hecate, especially with so many Flame Haze living in town. Margery Daw is surprised that Wilhelmina isn't out with Yuuji and Shana training. Wilhelmina says its OK once in a while, which surprises Margery who figures that this means they are giving Yuuji some credit. Tiamat states this level of credit is bare minimum.

The following day, Sato, Oga, Tanaka, Yuuji, Shana, Yoshida, and Konoe are at the Supersize Heaven establishment. True to its name, the portions are huge, which leads Sato to challenge Yuuji on the consumption of their giant bowls of ramen. The two eat everything and finish in a tie. At the girl's table, Shana blissfully consumes a giant ice cream desert and then has another. However, Konoe has disappeared and Yuuji feels they need to look for her. Shana does not agree since Konoe has already been warned and she ends up going home alone while the others search. Yuuji finds her again in the park where she's saved a baby bird from being eaten by a cat. Yoshida comes upon them and sees them in what appears to be a loving moment.

Shana going home alone doesn't like the jealous feeling she has and that evening, Yoshida-san feels the same as she prepares a bento. Wilhelmina tells Yuuji that she will be doing all of Yuujis training from now on. The next day, Konoe and Yuuji walk to school alone, which Yuuji doesn't even notice at first. When they get to school, he greets Yoshida but is surprised to see her looking depressed. Then when Shana goes past them with a curt greeting, he's surprised again, not knowing what the problem is.

At lunch that day, Yoshida goes to the roof to eat alone. She is joined by Shana and the two eat in silence.

Thoughts: Well I don't know if I'm right or not, but I think Bel Peol wants to seperate Yuuji from Shana, who's the Flame Haze that would truly defend Yuuji. Margery Daw and Wilhelmina certainly wouldn't. And so Konoe-san, whether truly Hecate or not, is the key to that. The episode ending with Shana and Yoshida-san spending a quiet lunch on the roof showed just how much Konoe-san is driving a wedge in there. Yuuji doesn't see this because he's just being nice to Konoe. Well, we'll see where things go.

Genshiken 2 04

げんしけん 2 Episode 04

SPOILER Summary: As Ohno-san changes into a new costume that Tanaka has made her, Tanaka hearing the noises of her changing causes him to turn on the TV to block out the noise while this action by him bothers Ohno-san.

Sometime later, the two are out and about as class is canceled and run into Sasahara. They state they are heading to Akihabara and invite him but he declines. Returning to the Genshiken club room where Madarame and Ogiue are, Sasahara discusses this with Madarame as both think Tanaka and Ohno are a couple. Madarame steers the conversation to bring in ero games which embarrasses Sasahara a bit since Ogiue is there. In the end, Ogiue doesn't believe Ohno-senpai and Tanaka-san are a couple.

Later when the full club meets (sans Tanaka and Ohno), Saki agrees the two aren't a couple even though they are perfect for each other. After Kuchiki goes on a rant about girls, Saki says its better to let Ohno and Tanaka take it at their own pace. On cue, Tanaka and Ohno arrive and Kuchiki decides to come straight out and ask if the two are dating. This leads to a knee to his stomach by Saki. When Kuchiki asks about them doing it in cosplay, Ohno punches him in the gut, then realizing what she's done, she makes a hasty retreat.

At class the next day, Ohno apologizes to Saki for her actions. The two discuss how from the outside, it appears that Ohno and Tanaka are a couple since they have the same love of cosplay and do things together. However nothing has happened and Saki figures that Ohno is a virgin, which she is. Ohno is glad that Saki figured this out since people often assume her to be experienced. Ohno is depressed about Tanaka's not making a move on her and Saki tries to assure her it is likely because he's scared. She encourages Ohno to be more aggressive and even try the cosplay route. Ohno doesn't want to do that until Saki suggest the ero game route.

Ohno and Tanaka attend a street festival where Ohno is cosplaying. Afterward, Ohno is expecting some alone time with Tanaka but when she discovers that there's a whole group going, she decides to just go home. Tanaka is depressed and at Kugayama's place, they talk about the situation. Tanaka sees Ohno as out of his league but Kuyayama sees her as just another otaku. Their frank discussion doesn't leave Tanaka feeling any better.

Ohno calls Tanaka and comes by for a visit. She decides that she wants to check out his ero games. He's embarrassed by this but produces them for her. She checks them out and insists he play a game where one of the female characters is similar to her in appearance. He protests and tries to dissuade her by saying it will take at least 10-hours to do. She says they'll do an all nighter if they have to. After some time when the game gets to the "good part," Tanaka stops it, saying he can't stand it any more.

Tanaka finally confesses he likes her which makes Ohno happy. However, he thinks that all he has to offer her is cosplay. If you took that away, he'd just be an ugly otaku. She assures him that there's more to him than cosplay and that he's given her confidence to cosplay and be herself when he made her a costume. She lists off the other good qualities about him and says that she'll date him if he promises not to make costumes for anyone else without consulting her first. He's still not confident, but she helps him by killing the lights and kissing him. She's amazed that he's so good but it is the first kiss for both. She tells him that she will even have cosplay sex with him should he want it.

At the next Genshiken gathering, Ohno cosplays as Cutie Tonko, the character from the ero game that she made Tanaka play. The guys are all amazed at this. Ogiue is not impressed but things grind to a halt when Kuchiki arrives also cosplaying the same character.

Thoughts: To be honest, I prefer the manga story where Ohno-san and Tanaka just fall into being a couple and others at Genshiken finds out about it a few months later by accident. That's not to say that this story of their becoming a couple wasn't sweet in its own way, just that I liked the manga way best. But, I'm not going to complain about this change to the manga story because I think the writers will use this as a stepping stone to Sasahara and Ogiue's eventual pairing.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 44

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 44
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 44

SPOILER Summary: More Jya-ryuzoku forces make it through the Mystic Shield and female humanoid Jya-ryuzoku leader Adolia reports to Rigel, who survived his encounter with the Ryu units, though his Doom unit is currently out of commission. She reports that she brings a magic crystal which can make a Ryu unit with its rider under her control to fight for the Jya-ryuzoku. Rigel gives her permission to carry out her plan.

Meanwhile, the Ryu riders are in their flying sailing ship heading for Earth Blade where Adeu thinks Galden will head. Adeu tries to convince the others that Galden isn't the same and that as a Ryu rider, they could use him as an ally. Sarutobi isn't happy to hear this but Paffy prevents a fight from breaking out. For his part, Galden is pondering his encounter with Adeu when Adolia arrives. She challenges him and when he summons Steru and attacks, she slaps her large gem onto its chest. With that, she now controls both Galden and Steru as Galden was unable to remove it before succumbing to her.

Adeu sees the signature energy release for Galden's Raida Sword attack. The ship heads in that direction but gets shot down. Galden is there in Steru and attacks, confirming the worst fear of the others. Sarutobi decides to quickly go after Galden as he needs to get his Spirit Stone back. However, some Jya-ryuzoku soldiers prevent the others from assisting. Adolia appears and summons her Doom unit for the fight. Paffy class-changes to Ryu Wizard and takes on Adolia while Adeu tries to reach Galden. Adeu won't class-change to Ryu Paladin because he's sure that Galden can be reached.

Adolia directs Galden to finish off Ryu Knight but at the last second, he stops. He then turns Steru's blade upon himself and not only stabs himself, he also destroys the gem. Now free, he attacks the Jya-ryuzoku but Adolia has seen enough and seriously wounds Galden. Seeing that Adeu was right about Galden, Gesshin, Gratches, Izumi, and Hittel/Katze manage to access the power of their Spirit Stones and class-change. As such, they are able to slay all of the Jya-ryuzoku soldiers and force Adolia to retreat. However, Galden's wounds may not allow him to live.

Thoughts: Clichéd shounen stuff to the max. How lovely that four Ryu units suddenly were able to class-change when no matter what they'd done before, they couldn't burp a baby.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 43

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 43
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 43

SPOILER Summary: As more Jya-ryuzoku units make it through the Mystic Shield, Rigel directs them and launches the (now repaired?) Jya-ryuzoku ship. Meanwhile as the Ryu riders fly to Earth Blade, Adeu's optimism spurs a conversation on getting the other Ryu units to class-change. However, this talk annoys Sarutobi, who's Spirit Stone is with Galden. In his anger, he wishes to strike Adeu, which Adeu agrees to let him do. However, Sarutobi decides against it since it would serve no purpose. Sarutobi initially decides to leave the group, but is persuaded not to by Paffy.

The group spots Rigel's ship landing at a nearby town close to Earth Blade. Rigel dispatches his dragonoid soldiers to destroy the town and kill its inhabitants to lure the Ryu riders into a trap. Izumi lands the ship and the group summons their Ryu units to do battle. They begin to fight the Jya-ryuzoku soldiers, so Rigel summons his Doom unit to enter the fray. Adeu goes to meet Rigel in combat and since Adeu's the only one who can fly, Rigel decides to take care of him first.

Again, Sarutobi decides to leave since without his Spirit Stone, he can do nothing. Paffy tries to persuade him but to no avail. So reluctantly she lets him go. The battle between Rigel and Adeu does not go well for Adeu and the collateral damage causes Adeu to flee in order to lure Rigel away from the town. Paffy decides to go to assist as Adeu is taking a heavy beating. However soon Paffy is overcome as well. Sarutobi arrives again but he too is beaten down. The thought of losing her friend causes Paffy to finally access her Spirit Stone's true power and she class-changes from Ryu Mage to Ryu Wizard. Ryu Wizard defeats Rigel's doom unit and destroys it.

The Jya-ryuzoku defeated, the group gathers again and congratulates Paffy on her class-change. Paffy tells Sarutobi that she changed her mind about his leaving and wants him to stay as everyone will help him regain his Spirit Stone. It starts snowing, which is a side-effect of the water spells Paffy casts as Ryu Wizard

Thoughts: Well, its about time that Paffy got her class-change. And just when I was complaining about the missing Jya-ryuzoku soldiers, they returned. I was surprised to see Rigel apparently killed though.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 42

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 42
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 42

SPOILER Summary: With Gimel gone, Doan returns with two other humanoid Jya-ryuzoku to attack the barrier surrounding Eldogia. Meanwhile Paffy, Katze, and Hittel train with a hologram Doom unit. White Dragon decides to let the group know the real reason for the urgency of getting their Ryu units to class-change. Besides stopping the Jya-ryuzoku invasion, the Jya-ryuzoku plan to destroy the Mystic Shield surrounding Earth Tear once and for all. They will install a jamming device at the peak of Earth Blade when the Mystic Shield is at its weakest. They almost succeeded 1000 years before and were only stopped by the Ryu riders of the time.

Gratches asks to get a look at his Spirit Stone, which is supplying power to the barrier around Eldogia. White Dragon agrees and as Gratches looks, the three Doom units arrive and attack the barrier. Their weapons are formidable and look to be able to eventually penetrate the barrier. Adeu decides to attack them now that Ryu Paladin can fly. White Dragon allows it, opening a small hole in the barrier for him to depart. As he leaves, he tells Gratches that things are in his hands.

Doan is surprised to see that Ryu Paladin can fly but tells the other two to keep attacking while he takes care of Adeu. Because of his greater experience, Doan gives Adeu a beating while the barrier continues to be assaulted. Realizing that Adeu's life is on the line, Gratches tells White Dragon he'll be taking his Spirit Stone "Axe of Guiding Power" and will go to help Adeu. That means the barrier will drop but its the only way to save Adeu. The others agree to help saying they'd sacrifice Eldogia to save Adeu. White Dragon concedes but tells Gratches that the Spirit Stone will have to accept him. It does, apparently believing that saving Adeu's life is the key to also saving Eldogia and Earth Tear.

The barrier drops and the group emerge in their Ryu units. However, the other Doom units have no trouble with the Ryu units since they can't class-change and Adeu takes a heavy wound. White Dragon enters the fray to assist Gratches and the group manage to get more out of their Spirit Stone weapons, enough to actually defeat the Dooms. Izumi heals Adeu and White Dragon gives the group a flying ship as a parting gift.

Thoughts: Well, Gratches got his Spirit Stone finally, and yet the Ryu riders are all still "weak as water" as the expression goes. Since there are only ten more episodes, I guess that's about to change.

What I want to know is what happened to the "real" Jya-ryuzoku? Did the anime writers do a focus group and decide that the Jya-ryuzoku needed to be humanoids in mecha units rather than powerful dragonoid creatures?

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 41

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 41
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 41

SPOILER Summary: As the dragon takes the Ryu riders to Eldogia, Doan and Gimel emerge from the sea in their Doom units and pursue. However, a barrier greets the two Doom riders and they are unable to follow the dragon any further. Paffy thanks the dragon for saving them and inquires about him. He tells them he's the guardian deity for the place. Eldogia is the only place left where Ryu units can be repaired and he has the knowledge.

Before talks can go further, an attack happens as Gimel makes it through the barrier. The group activate their Ryu units to fight. Gimel's after Ryu Knight and the others jump in to help Adeu. This gives Adeu a chance to class-change to Ryu Paladin. As the fight continues, the dragon demands to know why Adeu doesn't fly. This stuns Adeu, so the dragon takes Ryu Paladin on its back and aids in the fight. Adeu manages to send Gimel's doom crashing to the ground and it doesn't move.

The dragon is disappointed in the weakness of the current Ryu riders. Since the dragon is part machine, it is undergoing repairs from the last three robots that run the machines of the city. Adeu wants to know how to fly and Gratches wants to know about his Spirit Stone. Apparently, it is being used to help power the barrier around the city. The others learn they can also class-change, but will need to train to do so. Adeu will need to train to fly and he's first. He's at the top of a high building and with the dragon's instruction, he leaps off the building and does manage to float a bit before crashing.

As Adeu practices, Gimel returns and the others decide not to tell Adeu but to give him more time to master flying. As they fight, an exhausted Adeu continues to try to fly and as he takes the elevator up to the top of the building again, he sees the battle in the distance. The dragon warns him to keep working on flying, but Adeu will hear none of it. Gimel is kicking the crap out of the Ryu units and there's nothing they can do about it. Even nearly exhausted, Adeu manages fly and after a short battle, he and Gimel engage a samurai attack and Gimel's Doom unit is destroyed.

Thoughts: So, Ryu units can fly, but only those units who have class-changed such as Ryu Knight to Ryu Paladin. It did look like Ryu Paladin had jets for flying when it was first introduced so this is not surprising news. However, I keep wondering when the others are going to class-change their units.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 40

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 40
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 40

SPOILER Summary: This is a recap episode where the characters are initially in super-deformed form. Then Izumi recaps the story of the creation of Earth Tear as well as the attacks by the Jya-ryuzoku. Paffy recounts the introduction of each Ryu unit, then we are given the highlights of the story to date.

Thoughts: Well, another recap episode. The only thing that was good for me was reminding me of some things I forgot, namely that they'd ID'd Steru as a Ryu Knight unit way back when. Adeu was all stunned about this, so that makes my predictions of Steru being a Ryu unit rather pointless. ^_^;

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 39

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 39
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 39

SPOILER Summary: Galden dreams he has defeated all the Ryu units, only to be mocked by Idoro. He awakens to find himself in a cave by a fire, having been wounded. Adeu comes with fresh firewood and Galden grabs a stick to defend himself, but his wound prevents him from doing anything. Galden doesn't understand why an enemy would treat him nice, to which Adeu spews off one of his knight platitudes about protecting the weak. Adeu wonders why Galden wants to fight and learns that Galden wants to be "Lord of Lords" of Earth Tear. Galden inquires if Adeu does not want the same. Adeu confesses that at one time he wanted to be the strongest on Earth Tear but thanks to Paffy and the others, he's learned that not having people to fight for makes it all worthless.

Meanwhile at an inn somewhere, Paffy and the others have had no luck finding Adeu, nor any luck finding the entrance to Eldogia. Izumi knows that a Jya-ryuzoku attack could come at any moment, so finding Gratches' Spirit Stone becomes extremely important. Hagu Hagu looks out into the night sky and briefly sees a land mass out at sea before it disappears from view.

Back at the cave, Galden puts his armor back on and summoning his sword, he points it at the sleeping Adeu, wondering how one could sleep so soundly in the presence of their enemy. He exits the cave and Adeu wakes up, gets dressed, and joins him. As Adeu tries to get Galden to fight with them to defeat the Jya-ryuzoko and defend Earth Tear, Sarutobi arrives and is angry to find Adeu cavorting with the enemy. Since Galden still has the Spirit Stone, Sarutobi is determined to get it and summons Ryu Ninja Bakuretsumaru. Galden summons Dark Knight Steru and the two begin to battle. Adeu summons Ryu Knight and attempts to stop the fighting, much to Sarutobi's annoyance.

Izumi, Paffy, and Gratches are in a boat searching for Eldogia. They enter a fog field but without changing course, they find themselves heading back to the shore they'd just left. They turn around and head back into the fog. Sadly, the result is the same. It is then that Izumi notices the Ryu units in the distance, to include Ryu knight. On the shore but about the same distance away, Katze, Gesshin, and Hittel have been searching and see the Ryu's as well. Noticing Galden's Steru, the group hurries to assist.

About that time, two Doom units arrive containing Doan and Gimel and they give Galden a chance to join them. He refuses and the battle is on. Adeu gets Galden to work with him and while Galden gets some attacks in, they aren't good enough. The others arrive with their Ryu units and of course they make no progress against the much more powerful Dooms. Adeu has Zephyr transform to Paladin form but still can't make much leeway. However, a dragon arrives and all of the Ryu rider's Spirit Stone glow. The power from the dragon combined with the the dragon's own attacks allows it and Adeu to send the Doom units into the sea.

The dragon states it will take them to Eldogia and so they get on the dragon's back. Adeu tries to encourage Galden to join them and keeps Sarutobi from fighting him. However, Galden decides against it.

Thoughts: The episode was pretty much what I expected. I'm sure Galden will end up working with Adeu and company again before its all over and his Ryu unit may even end up returning back to its true form. We'll see though.