A Look to 2008

Well, I thought I'd get an early start and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

明けましておめでとうございます!!!

I didn't finish Tsubasa Chronicles like I'd intended, but as recent days have shown, I'm trying to plow through the rest of it. I plan on doing the same with Uresei Yatsura as well for 2008. Some of the new titles that came out in 2007 didn't get a look by me, but what I may do is the same kind of multi-episode blog just to try to catch up on some of the backlog. It will depend on the title and how long it is. I do want to see more classic titles so maybe I can squeeze more of them in.

Manga-wise, I need to get back on Inuyasha. While I'll keep reading xxxHOLiC and Tsubasa, I'm not sure if I'll take the time to blog the individual chapters or not (I'm thinking I'll just do individual volumes instead). Of course I'll keep up with Negima!, which has become my favorite title interestingly enough.

I hope that my Japanese skills improve enough this year to be able to read a tad more things such as raw Negima! So I also plan to try to study a bit more.

Whew! Here's to 2008!

Tsubasa Chronicle 36 - 39

ツバサ・クロニクル 36

SPOILER Summary: With Yasha dead, one of Sakura's feathers appears. The feather had created a faux Yasha as the real one had died from an illness some time before. That illness is what allowed Ashura to injure Yasha previously and his death allowed Ashura to see him (in solid spirit form) when normally they should only meet on the battlefield. Syaoran getting the feather back for Sakura is his wish and so Ashura sends the feather to him. Ashura, as victor, claims the sky castle and its prize to grant her wish. However, as her wish is for the return of Yasha from the dead, the power within the sky castle is not enough and it disintegrates. As Syaoran reminds Ashura, no one can bring back the dead. So instead, she sends Syaoran to safety where he's picked up by Kurogane. Ashura makes a wish with Yuuko-san that she and Yasha be made gods to remind future generation of what can and can't be done.

After Syaoran tells the people to bury Ashura and Yasha together with their possessions, Mokona sends the group back to Shara, the land Sakura and Syaoran originally landed in, only this time there is no war between the followers of Yasha and Ashura. Indeed, Suzuran and Souseki are getting married and the statues of Yasha and Ashura are now together forever as Syaoran changed the future with his request in the past. Mokona retrieves Ashura's and Yasha's swords from their statues and sends them to Yuuko-san for payment before sending the group to the next world. With this, Fei Wong marvels at the power that Yuuko-san has.

Thoughts: This was an interesting story-arc in the manga and the anime was no less so. The end dragged a bit because they ran out of story and still had time left, so we get that wonderful Bee Train slow-down solution to kill time.

ツバサ・クロニクル 37

SPOILER Summary: Sakura, Syaoran, Fay, and Kurogane find themselves in a chibi, "super-deformed" form on a weird world but without Mokona. As they look for her, Mokona is actually sleeping elsewhere and a female Storyteller has been using one of Sakura's feathers as a pen to create stories. As such, in order for Mokona to get the group out of the story, Mokona has to create a story of its own. As such, Mokona changes things so that Kurogane and Fay are teachers at a high school, Syaoran is the new transfer student, and Sakura is the girl he knew from their playground days. Syaoran and Sakura get along well but Fay-sensei needs Syaoran to assist archaeologist Souseki and assistant Suzuran at some ruins that all look like Mokona. There is a warning of a monster being unleashed, which Fay does, turning Kurogane-sensei into a Godzilla-like character. However, a kiss between a holy man and woman (?) will do the trick. Fay convinces Syaoran and Sakura to do it, but they keep getting foiled, leaving it to Souseki and Suzuran. This enables Syaoran and company to return where they discover they don't remember anything of their adventure. The Storyteller has vanished and Sakura decides Mokona should keep the feather for now. Mokona sends them to the next world and the world they were in disappears.

Thoughts: A comedy, chibi, super-deformed episode, eh? Whatever. And of course it doesn't play into the continuity story but hey, we need filler, ya'll. It wasn't cute enough to make me ever want to watch it again.

ツバサ・クロニクル 38

SPOILER Summary: Mokona deposits them on a world in the middle of a desert road. Mokona immediately attempts to return the pen-feather to Sakura where a passing long-haul truck runs into it and goes on. A "road train" (a fancy bus) picks them up where they encounter a few people like those they've met before. When they determine that the truck will make a required pit stop that the bus will also make, they'll have a 2-minute window to grab the feather, but naturally when the time comes, it doesn't work out that way. Back on the road, nightfall means that all vehicles have to stop, including the truck. However, it is to far ahead of them to get to it on foot. Meanwhile a road gang on motorcycles attacks the bus and overcomes its defenses. Syaoran decides to face the road gang and Kurogane joins him.

Thoughts: So, Sakura tells Mokona to keep the feather, which Mokona does JUST long enough to get to the next world and spit it out, lose it, so they have to find it again. Ugh. This is why filler is so stupid in this case -- a lot of yacking and motions but no meaningful movement or conversation.

ツバサ・クロニクル 39

SPOILER Summary: Syaoran and Kurogane defeat all the road gang and return to the bus. One of the female passengers is an employee of the company that makes the buses and she does some repair work and talks with Syaoran, revealing she's running from her technician job. The following morning when the bus starts again, they get news of a pop singer with an apparent illness, who of course is on the bus with her manager and they are running away from the pressures of touring and those that would keep them apart. In the end, the technician decides to help them get the feather by putting the bus on manual to speed it up as the truck with the feather got a flat tire. However, it is on one side of a train track and they are on another so Kurogane tosses Syaoran to get it. He gets on the truck just as it leaves and comes under attack from the road gang. The train passed, the bus catches up and the road gang, who can't shot for crap, get defeated by the bus folk. Syaoran gets the feather, returns it to Sakura, and the trip goes on with everyone changed for the better from the experience.

Thoughts: Yeah, we couldn't pack this massive story into a single episode, but never fear. Bee Train knows exactly how to stretch a story, ya'll. I guess the techno music in the 2nd-half was OK...sorta. Whew, only 12 more episodes to slug through.

Tsubasa Chronicle 32 - 35

ツバサ・クロニクル 32

SPOILER Summary: The group arrives on world of darkness where there is no feather. They come to a restaurant run by Touya and Yukito, where Touya magically produces the food for them. Apparently everyone in this world is magical and some even take turns being the king or queen but Touya and Yukito don't even question these stranger's arrival or shock. Little people Sumomo and Kotoko arrive, having determined that Fay is a mage as they want him to check their Queen, who's apparently not behaving normally. However, despite being sent to the castle, Fay won't, so they are sent to jail. They break out and Fay goes to see this queen to find it is Chii. Saying he wants to be her friend, she teleports them out of the castle to Kotoko's and Sumomo's alarm. They send automaton forces out because if she leaves the city, the world will forever remain in darkness. Fay and Chii walk around town and even have tea at the restaurant but Fay prevents the lonely Chii from leaving the city gates, saying that running away isn't the answer. As such, they return to the castle and the sun appears before Mokona sends them to the next world.

Thoughts: Ugh. They tried to make this Chobits ala Tsubasa Chronicle. Maybe its because I've read the manga, but the story did nothing for me. But hey, the writers just LOVE having the group go to worlds without a feather, so it makes no sense to the story arc with Fei Wong observing and plotting to get feathers does it?

Fei Wong: I will send them here and there for feathers! But first, because I'm bored, I'll send them to worlds without feathers because I really don't need them since this is all for a lark any way to piss off Yuuko-san.
ツバサ・クロニクル 33

SPOILER Summary: Syaoran, Sakura, and Mokona find themselves separated from Kurogane and Fay. The trio are with an all-female troupe of circus performers lead by Suzuran. They are back to perform in town and bring with them their god Ashura. Men and boys are not allowed within the troupe, but for whatever reasons, Suzuran makes an exception for Syaoran and dresses him in drag. Meanwhile Kurogane and Fay find themselves with an all-male faction lead by Souseki, who worship the god Yasha, who's statue is crying blood now that Suzuran's troupe has returned. Some of Souseki's guys come to assault the girls because they feel Ashura is the cause of Yasha's bloody tears. Syaoran, in drag, defeats them and sends them running. Souseki tells them to not mess with the troupe and that evening, Syaoran and Sakura discover that Souseki and Suzuran are lovers who are often torn because of the strife between their people. Sakura goes to ask Ashura to help them but her coming into Ashura's presence causes the statue to glow as well as Sakura, as well as causing an earthquake while Mokona detects a feather.

Thoughts: Well, we are back to the manga story, which seems to be pretty close to what I remember. No complaints.

ツバサ・クロニクル 34

SPOILER Summary: Both statues of Ashura and Yasha glow and the glowing Sakura passes out briefly and stops glowing. Suzuran's tears cause a reaction from Ashura and Yasha, who's statues send beams of energy into the night sky. A glowing Mokona floats overhead and in what appears to be a state of trance, says the feather isn't here and sends the group (even though still separated) elsewhere. When they emerge, they are found by someone looking very much like Ashura under the red moon on a battlefield. Also there is someone looking like Fay and Kurogane. The battle is ended and the warring sides sent back accordingly. Sakura and Syaoran learn that this is King Ashura and that Ashura's forces are fighting King Yasha's forces at this floating "castle" between the planet and the moon to have a wish granted. Suspecting that one of Sakura's feathers are there, Syaoran gets Ashura to bring him to the next battle when both clans are summoned to the "castle." Seeing the ones looking like Kurogane and Fay, Syaoran battles Kurogane and determines that it must be the same Kurogane even though neither he nor Fay seem to recognize Syaoran. Syaoran does well but has to be rescued by Ashura before Yasha enters the fray to face Ashura.

Thoughts: The anime really does bring forth the sexually ambiguous nature of King Ashura though as no sex is assigned to Ashura despite looking and sounding like a woman.
ツバサ・クロニクル 35

SPOILER Summary: Sakura sleeps and in her dream, she sees Ashura inflicts a wound on Yasha's eye (the same eye that the Yasha statue would bleed from) at the battle. She also sees that Ashura and Yasha love each other, much like Suzuran and Souseki did. With the battle over and the contestants returned, Sakura awakens and discovers that Syaoran has returned though he has an arm wound. Meanwhile at Fei Wong's HQ, he and Xing Huo discover that Syaoran and company have gone to a world not of their design, leading Xing to wonder if Fei Wong can defeat the Time-Space Witch Yuuko-san. Back at King Ashura's residence, she observes the loving interactions between Sakura and Syaoran. After she has a conversation with Sakura, Ashura communes with Yuuko-san, who'd received Ashura's payment for a wish, which allowed Yuuko-san to act and counter Fei Wong and thus breaking his control over the group. Fei ponders the other Syaoran sealed in his HQ and the traveling Syaoran experiences eye pain again as he looks for clues about Kurogane and Fate. For that night's battle, Ashura takes only Syaoran and her aide Kumara. Yasha only brings Fay and Kurogane. Ashura and Yasha meet again and Ashura apparently kills Yasha (who allows the blow to hit) as another of Sakura's feathers reveals itself.

Thoughts: For the most part, I've enjoyed this. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before, but Fay is fleeing a masculine King Ashura whereas the King Ashura in this world is feminine. I wonder if there is a tie-in.

Pocket Monsters 04

ポケットモンスター Ep. 04

SPOILER Summary: Satoshi and Kasumi are still moving through Tokiwa Forest when Satoshi sees a caterpillar-type Pokémon called Beedle. Since Kasumi hates bug-type Pokémon, she clears the area while Satoshi tries to get Pikachu to fight, but Pikachu is in a bed apparently asleep. He summons Pidgeon to weaken Beedle so he can capture it. Kasumi runs into a boy dressed in Samurai attire and speaking in an old dialect used in the Samurai times. He's looking for Pokémon trainers from Masara Town to fight. As such, Kasumi rushes off to warn Satoshi. The Samurai Boy challenges Satoshi just as he's about to capture Beedle, thus allowing the Pokémon to escape.

Satoshi is annoyed at losing his prize and so accepts Samurai Boy's challenge. Samurai Boy summons Kairos (a monster-like Pokémon with horned pincher) and Satoshi re-summons Pidgeon. However, the bird is tired and in the battle, doesn't fare well. So Satoshi recalls him and summons Trancel. Kairos grips Trancel, but Trancel's hardened form damages Kairos' pincher, so Samurai Boy summons his own Trancel. There's not much two Trancel can do to each other since they really can't move (at least, not much). Despite this, neither Samurai Boy or Satoshi give up. However, the "fight" as such is brought to a halt when a swarm of Spear Pokémon arrive (being two-generations evolved from Beedle).

Pikachu jumps in and attacks, but the shock also hits Satoshi. Satoshi cannot recover Trancel since a Spear has grabbed it. Kasumi grabs Satoshi because they need to flee and they follow Samurai Boy. They eventually manage to lose the Spear, only to discover they are near a tree were a large number of Cocoon Pokémon are, which are the evolved state of Beedle just before they turn into Spear. Trancel is under the tree but before Satoshi can do anything, all of the Cocoon evolve and they have to flee again, this time to Samurai Boy's house. There, Satoshi learns that Samurai Boy had been recently defeated by three different Pokémon Trainers from Masara Town and thus his interest in defeating Satoshi.

The following morning, Satoshi sneaks out to where the Cocoon and Spear reside to try to retrieve Trancel. Nyarth, the Rocket-dan cat-like Pokémon that can speak, lands noisily on Satoshi's head. When Satoshi gets annoyed and calls Nyarth "Nyarth," Nyarth swipes him with his claw and demands to be addressed as "Nyarth-sama." Musashi and Kojiro also arrive and start to make their noisy into speech. Satoshi tries to get them to be quiet, but Musashi says they have to say the speech to set the proper mood. Their noise awaken the Spear, who attack. Satoshi manages to dodge the attack, leaving Rocket-dan in their path. They chase Rocket-dan while Satoshi apologizes to Trancel for being careless.

When another Spear comes to attack, Satoshi grabs the Pokémon and flees, but trips and falls. Trancel manages to move and with his hardened form, break the Double Needle attack of Spear, and thus evolve to Butterfree, the final stage for the Caterpie Pokémon. Butterfree uses its Sleep Attack to take out the entire swarm of Spear, Beedle, as well as Rocket-dan. They part company with Samurai Boy and leave Tokiwa Forest to head for Nibi City.

Thoughts: Well, another silly, kiddie, but fun episode. It has only been four episodes and we've been introduced to 16 different Pokémon. Granted a few are evolved forms, but still. Sheeze.

What I want to know is why didn't Satoshi grab a Spear Pokémon when he had a chance (unless he did off camera)?

Genshiken 2 12

げんしけん 2 Episode 12

SPOILER Summary: Kuchiki is going on and on about the "training camp" and an irritated Sasahara decides to leave the Genshiken club room. He continues to fail to land a job working in the publishing industry and thinks back on how his joining Genshiken led him to where he is now. He falls asleep and dreams of looking at the work of someone trying to break into the business as a mangaka. He is critical of the work, only to discover that the person submitting the work is Ogiue along with Kugayama. At that, he wakes up.

In desperation, Sasahara starts looking for jobs outside of the publishing industry and finds he has no success there either. With all his failures, he stops shaving and decides to be a jobless rounin and try again next year, which he states to Genshiken. Saki gets pissed and tells him off for this attitude. That night he gets a call from Kugayama where he learns that Kugayama is starting to draw again. Deciding Saki is right, Sasahara redoubles his efforts to get into the publishing field. While checking in a newspaper, he finds an ad where they are looking for a manga editor.

Sasahara interviews with the company and learns that they are a contract company who send out editors to work at the various publishing houses. Even the interviewer is contracted out and is working on Sasahara's favorite manga, "Kujibiki Unbalance." Sometime later after the interview, Sasahara gets a package from the company and he has a job. The first thing he does is call Ogiue, who had to run out of the shower to answer the phone. She asks him to check over her latest storyboards which he's happy to do. Then later in the Genshiken club room, he makes the announcement there as well. He has Ohno send a copy of the Genshiken doujinshi they published to her American friends, after which there is discussions with the previous members as well about things, including the fact that while Sasahara is working in the publishing field like he wanted, he only answers phones and doesn't do any editorial work.

Thoughts: Hmmmm, a somewhat disappointing end because the series didn't even get into Ogiue and Sasahara actually becoming a couple and beyond (Sasahara and Saki's graduation). I suppose we could have another 3+ episode OVA series (I hope we do to wrap things up) .

I didn't like how this episode specifically made Sasahara a loser for a short time to fill time. I did like how Sasahara, in desperation, started looking for other work. However, it was weak that after he gets a job with the manga editor contract company, he is sent to be the taker of phone calls only. In the manga, this isn't stated and one is left with the impression that Sasahara gets to start working his dream job, not be a phone jockey. Bah.

Otherwise I didn't have any problems with the episode.

Starship Troopers 01

Uchu no Senshi Episode 01 (OVA)
宇宙の戦士 Ep. 01 (Anime)

SPOILER Summary: On a distant planet, a group of troops in mecha-suits go into a combat zone with an unknown force and are being wiped out.

On Earth, Johnnie Rico from Daniel High is playing the championship against Barons High. His team is down by 5 points in the 4th quarter with 15-seconds on the clock. Johnnie looks at the cheerleader Carmencita and promises himself that if they win, he'll tell her something. The quarterback throws Johnnie a pass, which he catches, but gets stopped just short of the goal line. At the party after the game, Johnnie begins drinking a lot and his friend Carl comes over. Knowing Johnnie has the hots for Carmencita, he pushes Johnnie over to where she's being flirted with by another guy, where we learn she's going to attempt to be a pilot in the military. Before much of a conversation can begin, a group of people decide to head to the ocean and Carmencita asks him to come as well.

Johnnie is lying in the back of Carl's convertible as they make the trip. They talk of the future with Carl joining the Army to put try his computer skills to use. Johnnie hasn't thought much about the future since it is assumed he'll just inherit his father's business. He falls asleep and as the others enjoy a night at the beach. The sun rises the next morning and he feels something stir within him upon seeing the sunrise. He discovers Carmencita is sitting on the car and they talk briefly of her plans to become a pilot. With that, he does the unthinkable and heads to the military recruiting office to join the military, something he hasn't even consulted with his parents about.

When he comes home later, his mother is horrified that her son has done such a dastardly deed and wants him to withdraw his application. He cannot because it is already in the system. Johnnie's father takes him out for a drive where they discuss things. To Johnnie's surprise, he sees his father smoke for the first time, something that his father has access to as head of the Rico Foods Company, and he asks Johnnie not to tell his mama. Johnnie's father suspects that war is about to break out considering the orders for foodstuffs the military has put in with his company. While he won't stand in his son's way, he asks Johnnie to consider there are other ways to help humanity other than being in the military and to also consider his mama's feelings. After their talk, Johnnie decides to walk home to think about things. He finds his mother still seated at the table with her head on her hands and he proceeds up to his room.

The following day, Carl comes by with some military footage that he managed to acquire online and which apparently had accidentally not been encrypted. It is the footage of the mecha-suited troopers battling the unknown force from the beginning of the episode. Seeing it, Johnnie is determined to proceed with joining the military. As such, Carl is comforted about his own decision to join the military. With rumors now spreading, more so since the luxury liner Queen Alexandria made an unexpected return to Earth, the Federation military admitted that there had been some attacks by an unknown enemy on a few outer planets but that they would have the situation under control soon.

Johnnie sees his father and tells him his mind is made up to join the military. As such, his father gives him the acceptance letter. Johnnie takes off on his motorcycle but finds his mother looking depressed by a tree overlooking a lake. He stops to see her, but she slaps her son and basically tells him goodbye before walking off. Johnnie enters the military and is transfered to the Mobile Infantry branch where those who'd been there longer were now training with the mecha-suits.

Thoughts: First, I'd like to thank Stretch for pointing this title out to me. I had no clue the Japanese had done an adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel back in 1988. It is a 6-episode OVA which has never been released on DVD (apparently) and so I'm going to try to see if I can score and watch the whole thing. I've never read the original novel, but I'm told that this OVA is the most accurate visual adaptation of it. My only point of reference is the live-action movie that came out in 1997.

As to the first episode, it moves faster than it would seem to for basically establishing characters and other table-setting events. I can't say much beyond that other than I look forward to watching the 2nd episode (whenever that happens to be).

Tsubasa Chronicle 29 - 31

In order to try to clear some old backlog, for the remainder of the Tsubasa Chronicle series, I'll be giving brief summaries per episode and thoughts since doing individual summaries takes too long.

ツバサ・クロニクル 29

SPOILER Summary: As the race continues, the sabotage takes out Ryuuoh's racer. In order to ensure he doesn't die, Syaoran uses his own racer to save him. The saboteur continues his work and soon Kurogane is taken out of the race after saving Sakura. Syaoran and Ryuuoh pinpoint the location of the remote signals and have a rescue vehicle take them there. Meanwhile as Sakura continues to race, Kurogane and Fay (Fai...whatever) confront Tomoyo, who confesses to having tampered with the preliminaries in order to aide Sakura-chan at the request of anther person but not the current race. Syaoran and Ryuuoh find the saboteur, the president of the Piffle Princess Company. They stop him which allows Sakura to win the race. However, as she goes to claim her prize (the feather), Kyle-sensei from the Jade World, tries to prevent it. He's stopped and Sakura gets the feather, but Kyle manages to escape to another dimension. Tomoyo tells Kurogane that the person she'd been communing with was Princess Tomoyo from his world. With that, Mokona sends the group to the next world, where Fei Wong apparently will ensure they go to the location he wants.

Thoughts: Its been a while since I read the manga so I don't remember how accurate the episode is. It was OK I suppose though I still have a hard time being enthused about this title.

ツバサ・クロニクル 30

SPOILER Summary: Mokona deposits the group onto the next world, which happens to be the one that Fei Wong intended. As Kurogane and Fay rest, Sakura relates to Syaoran a new memory she has of a sand rabbit when she was a small child, though she cannot remember Syaoran's part in it. Mokona locates Sakura's feather, which is in a cone-shaped rock. However, when Syaoran tries to retrieve it, it becomes the horn of a dragon. Some locals appear to retrieve the feather as well, but fail. It is then that Syaoran and company learn that this is the world they visited in episode 26 and that all the people who were saved then are doomed to again die unless they get that feather. Kurogane brings his skills into play along with Syaoran and they get the horn. However, when Sakura goes to the temple with the feather to make a wish, the "deity" there says it is impossible. As such, Sakura gets her feather back and a memory of the rabbit's death and her father telling her that once it dies, it cannot be brought back to life. All of the saved people from earlier now vanish as the feather is gone. The results of this were apparently expected by Fei Wong, though maybe not what he wanted.

Thoughts: So, that made episode 26 rather pointless. Being that this was not a story in the manga, I can see why. Plus, it makes Mokona rather pointless too since Mokona couldn't sense the other feather on their first trip. Plot holes in my anime, ya'll.

ツバサ・クロニクル 31

SPOILER Summary: Mokona deposits the group in the middle of the ocean where they are picked up by the fishing ship Lagosta and put to work. Syaoran works in the engine room where he finds a kid named Fujitaka, the same name as his father and indeed, this kid is this world's version of his father. A storm ends up sending Syaoran and Fujitaka on an island, supposedly inhabited by ghost. They find a totem pole with writing on it giving some warnings. They find a cave where huge gusts of wind blow, creating a noise that sounds like ghost. They make their way through the cave to the other side of the island, where the boat is and where Kurogane, Fay, Sakura, and Mokona are in dingy searching for Syaoran and Fujitaka. The move the dingy to pick up the two, but a large sea creature emerges and is dispatched by Kurogane. The captain of the boat realizes that the warnings they'd heard about this island must have been to warn them about the monster. After Syaoran and Fujitaka are back on board, Fujitaka tells Syaoran he's going to be an archaeologist, something Syaoran's father was. Mokona then sends them to the next world.

Thoughts: Another kinda tedious episode. Filler tends to be that way though.

Ah! My Goddess: Fighting Wings 01

Aa Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa Ep. 01
ああっ女神さまっ 闘う翼 Episode 01

SPOILER Summary: In the Heavens, a security breach has happened and the Valkyrie, led by the megami Shinzoku, Rind, investigates. Several of them are taken out as Lind attacks. Meanwhile on Earth, the megami and their angels are having a tea party, which is observed by a depressed Skuld, who's own angel had previously been returned to its egg. As they talk about what it will take for Skuld to be able to summon Noble Scarlet once more, a portal begins to open in the sky. Skuld is afraid that it will be another Mazoku (demon if you will) coming to Earth but Belldandy says the power is that of the Shinzoku (heavenly beings) and that the being is from the fighting squadron.

Lind arrives and announces that everything that has entered the Morisato residence in the last 24-hours has to be turned over to her. So, they begin to bring out literally everything they've acquired in the past 24-hours. After that, Lind erects a barrier over the entire temple grounds and explains about the Angel Eater, which is a creature which eats angels (naturally) and which has been stolen and apparently come to this place. Having established the barrier, Lind takes a position on the porch area to "stand watch" with the goal of capturing the Angel Eater. The other megami will have to take care to protect their angels.

Urd enters her room/lab to do some work when a strange noise causes her angel, World of Elegance, to emerge even though she had not been summoned. Urd collapses unconscious. When the others arrive, Belldandy explains that the forced separation of an angel from the megami host is a traumatic experience which is why Urd is unconscious. Lind suspects that the Angel Eater was already at the residence prior to her arrival or had been snuck in. However, the puzzle is why after being warned, Urd had her angel taken from her. Peorth begins investigating that very thing and learns that there isn't a great deal of information on the Angel Eater. As she researches, the strange noise is heard again and despite the fact that she had told her angel, Gorgeous Rose, to stay put, Gorgeous Rose comes out just the same and is captured. Before losing consciousness, Peorth realizes that when Urd was attacked, the noise was the reason their angels came out without being summoned.

Lind is reflecting on her angel, which has but one wing, and her attempts at becoming more powerful. Belldandy comes out to talk with her as Lind is unhappy with herself over not being able to protect them despite being the most skilled of the Valkyrie. Belldandy attempts to cheer her up, talking of life and stuff and Lind, despite her very serious nature, reveals that she too has a soft side. It is then that Skuld discovers Peorth and Lind and Belldandy come running. It is decided that because of this latest attack, they can't be alone. As such, if one is attacked, the other can capture the angel. Keiichi wonders about the Angel Eater attacking both Lind and Belldandy at once, but Lind doesn't think that's possible since if it could do that, it would have already done so. However, she tries to assure them as best she can.

Skuld is feeling pretty worthless even though Belldandy tells her she is their trump card. Keiichi tries to be creative and create an angel decoy cutout. Skuld shows off her own, more sophisticated decoy, which Lind has already rejected as they wouldn't work. Belldandy decides to go and have a bath with Lind escorting her. Skuld asks Keiichi if they are worthless. She feels so because she can't even summon her angel. Keiichi asks her why she still carries around the angel egg if she's already decided she cannot summon her angel.

In the bath, Lind wonders why her attempts to reassure Keiichi and Skuld did not appear to work well. Belldandy tells her it is because she did not smile. As they talk, Lind gets a bad feeling and thinks of her two angels and her desire to meet them both and her drive to get strong enough to summon both of them. When she comes to, she finds feathers in the air and Belldandy unconscious. She immediately realizes the horrible truth and seals the bathroom shut as she is carrying the Angel Eater. When Skuld asks her why she even came to Earth, Lind has no idea and wonders if the Angel Eater had parasitized in the heavens.

A Mazoku portal opens within the bath and the child-form of Hild emerges. Lind summons her pole axe and attacks. Hild stops the blade with her fingers and tells Lind not to get violent with her, but Lind responds by slamming Hild to the wall and pinning her with the axe head buried in the wall. Hild explains her plan to implant a Tsukaima (a familiar spirit and in this case, the opposite of an angel, which Dark Horse called a "devil" in the original manga translation and "familiar" in the updated translation) within all of the megami to see if they will turn from Shinzoku to Mazoku. Hild summons the Angel Eater from Lind, where we see it is holding her one-winged angel captive. Lind informs Hild that a new barrier went active once Hild came through, designed to prevent Hild from doing what she wanted. However, Hild was already prepared for that and outside the bathroom where Keiichi and Skuld are in the hall, another Mazoku portal opens and Mara descends. However, Lind has one more card she can play.

Thoughts: The Angel Eater arc is one of my favorite story arcs. I don't like the anime design for the angel eater. In the manga, it looked like a pretty nasty critter but in the anime, it looks like a giant balloon with tentacles. Otherwise, the episode was a pretty good adaptation of the manga story thus far. Too bad the previous TV series strayed so far from the manga at times so as to become tedious.

Negima! Vol 21 (Ch 189) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 21 Chapter 189

Summary: As Fate destroys the gate port facility with the giant pillars, Makie, Ako, Yuuna, and Akira find a large amount of debris falling to them. Negi moves over and erects a shield to protect the, telling Makie he's sorry they got involved. Yuuna warns of another giant piece coming for them, which Asuna moves in and using her artifact sword, not only removing the pillar, but making it vanish (which as it does, begins to look a lot like shadow stuff used earlier against Kaede earlier), which Yuuna finds awesome. With the facility and link destroyed and the separation gate secured, Fate's group prepares to leave. However he orders that Negi's group undergo a forced transmission to all parts of the planet, which he tells Negi is his gift to him. The spell is cast and everyone that came with Negi (sans Donet) are gone.

Negi is in a dream state and discovers all of his companions have been petrified. Fate tells him it is because he is still not strong enough. Fate is astounded that Negi would involve all these people just to learn more about his father. Fate tells Negi he should have stayed at school and just enjoyed his life and with that, he shatters Asuna's statue.

Negi awakens to find himself in a jungle laying on a futon and a towel on his head. He sees a naked Chachamaru (with her new, realistic skin covering) bathing in the river nearby and she comes rushing back when she realizes he's alive. Chachamaru briefs him on the current situation and how the other members of Ala Alba and the stowaways have been scattered by the forced transmission spell. Chachamaru gets dressed while Negi uses the pactio cards to attempt to summon or contact any of the battle harem he's pactio'd with, but has no success. Further, the card only has a limited range with a max of 10 kilometers.

Negi heads to some high ground to get a better look at the land and Chachamaru informs him they'd been sent 1000 kilometers from the gate port. Chachamaru pulls out a Ala Alba badge, which was created with a fusion of magic and science with the ability to detect other badges within a 900 kilometer range. She detects a person at 50 kilometers, one at 90, one at 270, and a few further than that, but she can't account for all members. Plus, there are the four girls that wouldn't have a badge. In order to return to Earth and the school, the two of them will need to recover their comrades.

Thoughts: Very interesting. So now the quest is to find all of the other members of Ala Alba, a task that will be very difficult and made more difficult as they have Makie, Akira, Yuuna, and Ako to find. This forced transmission spell provides a unique method for exploring the Magic World while at the same time dumping other characters, at least for a little while. Interesting that Chachamaru should be his companion to start, but it makes sense seeing as how she'll have information Negi can use.

Macross Frontier 01 (Deculture Edition)

マクロスF Episode 01 (Deculture Edition)
Macross F Ep. 01 (Deculture Edition)

SPOILER Summary: The year is 2059 and pop singer Sheryl Nome is on her way to the Sagittarius Spiral Arm, specifically to the Macross Frontier. This is a large fleet of warships (the 25th Emigration Fleet) which protect a giant colony ship (which I believe is specifically named "Macross Frontier") and Sheryl is to perform on the large colony ship. Meanwhile at Miboshi Academy High School (within the main colony ship), a group of boys are in winged, mecha body-suits, who tease Alto Saotome because of his feminine looks. But the other guys are looking forward to working at Sheryl's concert. Elsewhere, a girl named Ranka Lee, finds out her "oniichan" has scored her tickets to Sheryl's concert.

Ranka gets out of work and makes her way to where the concert is being held. However, the massive throng of people are blocking her way, so she heads to the woods to take a shortcut and gets lost. She ends up getting soaked by the sprinkler system and so when she stumbles upon Alto, who's group had moved to the woods, he aids her even though she had thought he was a woman because of his looks. He uses his jet pack to dry her clothing, then escorts her to a location near the concert location. As a means of thanks, she tells him to come by the restaurant where she works where she will hook him up.

As the concert starts, outside at the fleet's first line of defense, a squadron of unmanned fighters are destroyed. A group of manned fighters are dispatched but they too are trounced by this mysterious, new enemy. The President of the Frontier issues an evacuation order to the fleet. This brings the concert to an immediate halt and the emergency is announced all over. People within the colony ship are not sure if this is just another military drill or not and Ranka is disappointed by the shortened concert while in the rafters, Alto, who was part of the show, wonders what is going on.

The SMS Skull Squadron is dispatched, lead by Ozama Lee, who orders the regular fighter units to retreat so that he and his people can fight. While they are better prepared to fight this enemy force, they too find they are not enough as the enemy breaks through to the fleet. The warships in the fleet open up with everything they have, but amazingly, the enemy glides through the mass amount of incoming fire to destroy several of the escorts. The main colony ship raises its shields but the enemy units break through the shields and penetrate the dome that surrounds the city underneath.

The enemy unit begins destroying buildings, but is engaged by army tank units. It quickly destroys them to then continue its rampage. It spots Alto in his winged mecha suit and attacks him, shooting him out of the sky but not injuring him. Ozama Hiiro (Ozama's wingman) follows it and orders Alto out of the area. The enemy unit (or creature) gets on top of his fighter and forces him to eject where he's in a mecha suit of his own. Ozama Hiiro starts firing on the enemy and is grabbed and crushed, all of which is seen by Alto and the frightened Ranka. Leaving the damanged fighter, the enemy moves on Ranka while Alto gets into the fighter and activates it. He's able to get it into the "winged-leg" mode where he can use the fighter's main weapons but be standing on its mecha legs (half-transformation if you will). As such, he begins blasting away at the enemy, forcing it to turn its attention from Ranka to him.

Thoughts: After only watching a little bit of the first episode for Macross 7, I realized that actually getting myself to watch that series was going to be difficult at best (I still plan to someday but we'll see). But I have seen the original Macross and though Macross F is a sequel to Macross 7, I figured I'd give it a try.

Visually, the episode looked pretty good. It was slow to start but once the action got going, it moved pretty quickly (even if predictably) and ending on a cliff-hanger ensured that I'd be back for a 2nd episode. But I have a note to people like Alto -- if you don't want to be thought of as a woman, maybe ditching the long hair and female hairstyle would be best, eh? However, if you are so attached to a hairstyle that makes you look like a woman, then you really can't complain when your comrades tease you about it and call you "princess" can you?

Hayate no Gotoku! 36

Hayate the Combat Butler Episode 36
ハヤテのごとく！Ep. 36

SPOILER Summary: Klaus has a dream of being retired on a plantation in Brazil. He debates with Tama about if Hayate can handle things or not but then awakens to find Tama asleep on top of him...or so he believes since Tama isn't asleep. Klaus does his morning routine which involves ironing the newspaper for Nagi and attending her. When he mentions his dream of retiring to her, she tells him he can retire. When he tries to say it is just a dream, she tells him that Freud stated that dreams are our hidden desires. He's depressed by this and when Maria and Hayate come to see him, Hayate cannot reach him because of an AT Field he's erected around himself.

They tell Nagi that Klaus is depressed and taking her retirement statements for real. Of course that's not what Nagi meant but as usual, this flusters her a bit. Maria goes to see Klaus about this and he decides that he will challenge Hayate to see who can be the best butler over a 24-hour period. If Hayate wins, Klaus will leave. This isn't what Tama expected. So as the challenge starts, Klaus tries to show he's on top of things with a tray of tea and crumpets but Hayate is already one up on him with tea made with tea bags that are used in the English Royal Palace. When Hayate offers her a choice of lemon or milk for her tea, Klaus thinks he has an advantage since they use milk in Great Britain and not lemon, but Nagi goes for the lemon.

Nagi and Hayate walk to school and pass a KFC where Klaus is outside disguised as Colonel Sanders (and from whence Nishizawa emerges with a bucket of chicken). Klaus follows them to school unbeknownst to Nagi and Hayate. When Katsura-sensei throws some chalk at them to get them to shut up, Hayate moves to protect Nagi, but Klaus (with some sort of fanged mask on) tosses a highly polished silver fork that intercepts the chalk. Katsura-sensei recognizes him as a Sanzenin butler, and since the word butler is derived from the French word for one who is in charge of the wines and other spirits, she attacks and chases him, wanting some adult beverages.

The Student Council Trio (SCT) are cutting class at a gazebo in the middle of a pond on the campus grounds and wishing they had a butler. They see Katsura-sensei launch some kind of attack (Sunlight **** Overdrive -- an anti-vampire attack I'd guess based on the fanged mask he wore) which ends up only hitting a log with the mask on it as now Klaus is in ninja gear and clinging to a tree. However, his back gives out and he falls to the ground. He ends up serving SCT tea and cake inside some large office, which they thank him for as it is very good. Katsura-sensei arrives very annoyed, demanding to be given some as well as well as some vintage wine. However, when Hina arrives to get on to her sister for abusing the elderly, Klaus is off again.

Hayate and Nagi are searching for Klaus and spot him. Before they can reach him, he comes upon Himuro, being showered with flower petals by his supposed young master Taiga. Himuro has some remarks about Klaus's age, but Klaus has a counter about Himuro's being in the spotlight rather than in his master's shadow. In the end, Himuro takes Klaus's necktie, but that doesn't concern Klaus as he says that being in the shadows means that when his master no longer needs him, he will simply disappear. Hayate wonders if Klaus will now really retire because of what just happened.

Back at the mansion as Klaus broods on a bench overlooking the mansion, Maria has a plan to bring Klaus around, and it involves Hayate cross dressing. This time, Maria has him dressed as Belldandy and he tells Klaus his name is Hermione, a goddess living in the Sanzenin Lake. He tries to convince Klaus that he's still needed and then proceeds to give the infatuated butler a massage. Tama happens on the scene and seeing Hayate as Belldandy, he decides to get him some of that. As a result, Klaus thinks he was hallucinating. Hayate knocks Tama out and discovers a paper with a female tiger on a Brazilian plantation. Realizing Tama is behind everything, Hayate gives Tama another beating and tells him there are no tigers that live in Brazil.

That night, Klaus has his things packed and he goes to depart. He remembers his time with Nagi-ojousama as she grew up. Hayate arrives and as Klaus tells him there's nothing Klaus can't do that Hayate can, Nagi arrives to complain to Hayate about her paper being damp and un-ironed. As such, she rules Klaus the winner. The following day, Klaus is back to work as normal and an embarrassed Nagi tries to blow off what she did to keep Klaus on the staff.

Thoughts: Well, there were a lot of references I got this episode. There were the Neon Genesis Evangelion references with Klaus creating the AT Field as well as the two times the Longinus Spear were in his back. Oh, and I guess Klaus constantly saying, "I mustn't run away" was what Shinji used to say, right? Optimus Prime from Transformers was one of the statues, though partially blocked from view. Then Hayate gets dressed up as Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess, but names himself as Hermione from Harry Potter fame. And lest I forget, the good old KFC reference with Nishizawa's weekly cameo and Klaus dressed up as Colonel Sanders (most KFC's in Japan have a plastic statue to the colonel outside their doors). There were other references of course, none of which I could easily identify.

As to the episode itself, it was another fun one. That whole thing of trying to have some sort of story arc with the combat butler stuff never really worked for me. For me, Hayate no Gotoku is about characters and the situations that they get themselves into, with a liberal dosage of parody references. The last couple of episodes have been more along this line.

I did like how the writers took aim at Himuro's relationship with his supposed master Taiga. Himuro has always seemed like the one in charge, not the butler and that little jab-joke went over well with me.

Negima! Manga Volume 16

Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, Volume 16

SPOILER Summary: Negi's story of time travel is not believed by anyone but Takahata. Negi is told how Chao defeated all of the mages at the school and reveal the existence of magic to the world. Takahata provides a means for him to escape while the battle harem has to fight a series of battles against various mage groups determined to capture them as they move to rescue Negi. They finally break through with Takahata giving them his blessing. However, in order to travel back in time, they have to get to the roots of the World Tree where the remaining residue magic should be enough to take them back. The dragon that lives under the library is there waiting and gives them some issues, but in the end, they manage to escape the dragon and make it back to the 3rd day of the school festival, where Chao pulled off her plan. However, they emerge mid-air and Negi is forced to cast a spell to prevent them from crashing to the ground and dying.

Negi comes up with a plan to stop Chao's which will involve bringing in the students to fight Chao's robot army (an army not designed to kill or injure, but will simply cause the clothing of their victim to disappear). Using Yue's artifact, Chamo finds a source of weapons on the Magic World that they could safely use in the battle. Chamo, Konoka and Setsuna inform the Headmaster who ends up agreeing to the plan since it will be billed to the students as a game for prize money.

Chao sends her forces in an hour early but the students are ready and eager to win the game. Asuna, Setsuna, and others (such as the school mages) are classified as "hero units" in the game so they can use their abilities without raising too much suspicion. Chachamaru starts her attack on the computers of the school, so Chisame is forced to pactio with Negi in order to battle Chachamaru within the Internet. That done, Negi, having rested, is now ready to enter the fray.

Thoughts: First, lets address the controversy over this volume. Del Rey has been slipping lately, and I was afraid that we'd see more of that crap. But fortunately, all of the honorifics survive this issue and it remains fairly otaku-ish. The first controversy is the cover. On the left is the Japanese cover and on the right is the Del Rey cover.

The Japanese cover is more ecchi with Ayaka's breast mostly exposed. Clearly that's a no-go in U.S. markets and so Del Rey cleverly covers Ayaka up to make it less ecchi and more acceptable to U.S. bookstores. As compensation to fans, Del Rey has the unedited, color, clean (text-less) artwork inside the manga. However, some fans have thrown a major wobbler over this, claiming that Del Rey is engaged in censorship. Censorship is when a government forces you to change text or artwork and clearly that didn't happen here. So while Del Rey did edit the art, it cannot be called censorship.

That said, I approve this edit. The one troubling thing about Negima! for me has always been its ecchi content. However, the ecchi stuff is mostly within the pages of the manga and so not out to display to everyone, and thus potentially offend someone. This cover is the most ecchi cover to date and Del Rey has to play it carefully. Plus, I don't like buying a manga that looks worse than it really is. So with Del Rey having the clean, unedited artwork inside, that should be good enough. Heck, I wish that kind of art was included with all Del Rey manga titles. It would be a sweet extra.

Now, had Del Rey started editing stuff within the manga, then I would have had a problem with them. What's within the covers shouldn't be edited. However, a cover done the way Del Rey did it is not a problem with me. Besides, we don't get all of the cover art from the Japanese anyway and Del Rey choses others to be on the spine at times that the Japanese tankoubon has.

The other controversy (which I didn't bother trying to get a capture of) that people are talking about is the game screen page. This page is a parody of what you'd get when you play a dating-sim game (or other visual novel game) and your choices lead you to a bad ending. The Japanese version of the screen is labeled "Bad End" which Del Rey has as "Bad Ending." OK, I don't have a real problem with that because it is an aesthetic thing. However, where people have a more valid point is the "Continue/End" options on the Japanese page (with the pointer on"End"), which Del Rey has change the single option of "Try Again." Since the other girls talked about not being done yet, it makes sense that the pointer would be on "End." Here, I think fans have a point and Del Rey should not have changed that because what they have doesn't make as much sense to me.

Otherwise, it is nice to add to the collection. There's still volume 17 and 18 to go before the festival arc completely finishes.

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. ^_^


I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for making this blog, in an ocean of anime blogs, much more successful hit-wise than I expected. Thanks!

Hayate no Gotoku! 35

Hayate the Combat Butler Episode 35
ハヤテのごとく！Ep. 35

SPOILER Summary: Nagi addresses Hayate as "Senpai" and is dressed in a traditional sailor seifuku for school. Hayate freaks, but Maria-san lets her know that Nagi is working on her manga and is trying out a scenario for an amazing school love story. However, she's having great difficulty so she kicks Hayate out of the mansion to do some research for her by having him investigate teen dating places and to take pictures to boot. He's never dated so is a bit at a loss but is soon joined by Maria-san in civilian clothing acting like she wants to go on a date with Hayate. However, he realizes that she means accompany him on his hunt for references.

Their first stop is Harujuku where there are so many couples to be found, including Nabeshin and his wife. Maria-san sees clothing in the window of a store and gets excited, so she and Hayate enter the store. Hayate tells her to try on clothing and she does. The sales clerk gets Hayate into the act and gets all excited about dressing them as a couple. In the end, Maria-san buys both herself and Hayate new outfits. Meanwhile, the Student Council Trio (SCT) and Katsura-sensei are also in Harujuku and not happy with the trip thus far. However, when they see Hayate and Maria walking down the street, they decide that they'll support their date. As Hayate and Maria move through the street, the SCT and Katsura-sensei don afro wigs. Katsura-sensei states she's a photographer and the SCT are the assistants. Katsura-sensei grabs Hayate's camera and begins snapping photos, so Hayate decides to flee with Maria in tow.

Back at the mansion, Nagi is still having trouble with her manga. Since she's dismissed even Klaus, she decides to wander around a bit. She comes on Hayate's room, where the door is opened. She is tempted to enter, but decides not to until she drops her pen, which naturally rolls right into his room. Now having a justification to enter Hayate's room, she does so and gets dreamy-excited when she sees his desk where he studies. She sits there a moment before moving on to his bed, where she proceeds to lay down and even hug his pillow for a bit. Finally, she decides to get it together, get her pen, and get out. She gets her pen but notices a magazine under the bed. Immediately suspecting Hayate has a porn stash of naked women, she pulls the magazine out to discover the cover has a mostly nude man on it with the magazine's name being "Suteki na Aniki" (~"Dreamy Older Brother"). She is shocked and refuses to accept this while Tama is at the door, shocked that Nagi found his secret stash.

Hayate and Maria-san arrive at Asakusa where they get caught up in the moment and get embarrassed. SCT and Katsura-sensei arrive in a new disguise with a rickshaw and offer to give the couple a ride. They take them around to a lot of unique romantic places including a certain anime studio that makes Hayate no Gotoku. Katsura-sensei grabs his camera and they shed the rickshaw and are back in the afro wigs trying to take pictures. Hayate and Maria flee again to a tour boat to take a river ride. However, with the SCT pedaling a swan boat, they along with Katsura-sensei manage to catch up to the tour boat and board it. They find Maria-san on the bow acting as if she's going to jump, saying that she has another she loves. Hayate acts as if he's heartbroken, so the SCT and Katsura-sensei decide to leave the broken couple and forget the entire event, even leaving the camera behind.

Having lost the fake photographers, Maria gets Hayate to agree to ride the Ferris Wheel with her. As they ride, she tells him that she hopes that he'll be able to take such a ride in the future with the one he loves. He doesn't know how to answer that, but when she suggests that they return with Nagi for a 3-way date, he agrees. They arrive back at the mansion with the digital camera. Nagi is furious because while they were out having fun, she was struggling to work on her manga.

Thoughts: More Nabeshin and Detective Conan references here as well as a Titanic one. I didn't bother trying to ID any of the other references. Pretty fun for the most part with Tama's secret stash in Hayate's room being the funniest moment. Actually, I giggle just remembering it. I was glad to see that the Combat Butler stuff was forgotten for this episode.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 11

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 11
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 11

SPOILER Summary: Aoi-chan tells the girls about a Korean love-drama DVD she has and the other girls are interested in borrowing it. The drama is about a guy who writes 99 love letters and wins the heart of the girl he loves. Nakajima-kun sees the same DVD and decides to write a love letter to Miyuki. When he's next at work, he plans to give it to her, but when she comes to his desk to talk a bit, he is unable to muster the courage to give her the letter. Later still, he sees Miyuki with a group of girls and Aoi-chan talking about a guy who made a move on Aoi-chan (obviously not realizing Aoi-chan is a man). He's spotted by Natsumi, who teasingly calls him a stalker since he and Miyuki aren't dating. When Miyuki comes by, Natsumi starts to tell her but doesn't get the chance as Nakajima freaks out.

Later still, he follows Miyuki down the stairs and imagines giving her the letter and the positive results of that. He comes to his senses, wipes the drool from his mouth, and catches up to Miyuki where they walk and talk. However, he runs out of time to give it to her when she arrives at the bathroom and expresses her discomfort at him being there. So, he decides to take the high school approach (where he would have placed such a letter in the intended girl's shoe locker) and just drop the letter at her desk, somewhere she's sure to get it. However, when Aoi-chan and Yoriko see him, he panics and ends up not following through.

He heads outside to give her the letter and finds her cleaning her mini-patrol car. He offers to help and she gladly accepts. When they are done, she derails his attempt to give her the letter by asking about his bike and its state of repair. So, Nakajima retreats to the roof where he is frustrated with himself over not being able to do something as simple as deliver a love letter to the woman he loves. He carelessly handles the letter and it falls from his hand and over the fence onto the ledge. He tries to retrieve it, but Natsumi seeing him going over the fence assumes he's going to commit suicide by jumping and prevents him. The wind carries his letter down to the street where it lands in the back of a truck picking up old newspapers, magazines, and manga for recycling.

Nakajima gets on his patrol bike to chase down the truck and retrieve the letter. Before he can catch it, a punk in a convertible blows past him and recklessly drives, forcing Nakajima to pull him over. He again attempts to catch up, but on a side street, a crossing guard stops him to allow some children to cross the street. The little girl at the end walks slowly, stops, waves and greets Nakajima (since he's a police man) and slowly proceeds on. Nakajima finally manages to find the truck again, but an elderly lady asks him for directions to a certain location. Now matter how often he yells, she apparently can't hear him so he's forced to carry her to the location and lose the truck.

The truck goes under an electrical poll were some electricians are working and a spark shoots down into the back of the truck with all the paper-goods and starts a smoldering fire. The driver is blissfully unaware and keeps driving as Nakajima desperately tries to find it, stopping to ask local shop keepers for information. Aoi-chan and Yoriko see him as they ticket illegally parked cars. They call him over just in time to get a report of a delivery truck carrying old newspapers being on fire. He races off to intercept while elsewhere, Miyuki and Natsumi hearing the same report do the same. They pull up behind the truck to tell it to stop while Nakajima gets in front to flag him down. He has an accident which causes the fire to spread to nearby bushes and such. Nakajima is desperately looking for the letter and trying to put out the fire at the same time. Seeing his apparent heroics, Miyuki also tries to put out the flames but ends up losing her jacket to fire. Natsumi tries to release the fire hydrant but even her strength isn't enough, which leads Miyuki to crash the mini-patrol into the hydrant, thus causing it to spew water and put out all the fires. Nakajima finds his letter and gets a thumbs up from Miyuki for his apparent heroics.

The next day at the station, Natsumi and Miyuki are working the front desk and talking with Aoi-chan about how Nakajima was the first to notice the truck and had tried to hard to track it down. Natsumi isn't convinced and thinks it was just a coincidence. Nakajima arrives and decides he doesn't care what, he's giving Miyuki the letter. However, he's again interrupted when Yoriko arrives with a small white dog. The dog comes to Nakajima and when he squats down to pet it, the dog barks at him. He accidentally drops his letter, which the dog grabs and runs off with.

Thoughts: Ask and you'll get, eh? OK, so we get an episode of Nakajima fawning over Miyuki and trying to deliver a love letter to her. And of course, everything in the universe is going to get in his way. The truly sad part was that while we get an episode about Nakajima-kun and Miyuki, she didn't even get to see the letter and I suspect never will (though it would be nice if the writers picked up that thread in the near future). I suppose it is too much to hope that things will get resolved on that front, but one lives in hope. Seriously, after doing all the "good guy" deeds which caused him to constantly lose sight of the truck with the letter in it, he deserves something good to happen to him, right?

While I'm thinking of it, do folks in Japan just not see cops or something? All of the YUA series had people who would break the law and seemingly not even see the cops until it was way too late. Granted, I've seen folks in the U.S. do that very thing, only not so "in your face" if you will.

I just noticed that thus far this series, Miyuki has not referred to her mini-patrol car as "Today." I wonder why.

Natsumi is pitching again next episode. I hope Strike Man makes an appearance.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 10

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 10
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 10

SPOILER Summary: Natsumi, Miyuki, Kachou, and others are attending a briefing by some robot scientists who have picked Natsumi and Miyuki to demonstrate their latest robot models at a forthcoming exposé on robots. Because Miyuki has experience using a large robot (From YUA2 I believe. -ANB), she will demo the HAL K-2 robot. Because Natsumi has rumored great strength and has trained with the SDF, she will demo the Fitter R-1 robot bodysuit. When Miyuki, Natsumi, Aoi-chan, and Yoriko discuss the matter, Aoi-chan wonders if one of the robots will be a transformer.

That afternoon, the robots arrive. Miyuki takes the controls of HAL K-2 and Nakajima-kun wonders if the robot is even finished since it doesn't have legs or a face. He is chastised for this as one of the creators informs him that such things are only a creation of manga and anime. Despite its large size, Miyuki is able to have HAL K-2 perform simple tasks such as moving small dice-sized cubes from one tray to another without breaking them. The robot creators also have her build a Gundam mecha model with the HAL K-2. Yoriko jabs Nakajima-kun about his possibly still building them only to learn that Aoi-chan still does. The purpose of the HAL K-2 will be to clear debris and other things from a disaster area to allow rescuers access to victims.

Meanwhile Natsumi is given the Fitter R-1 bodysuit, which will work in conjunction with her own strength. The purpose of the suit is to allow the person wearing the suit to have extra strength and stability in a rescue situation to allow them to get victims of a disaster out safely. For her training, Kachou is tied up to be the helpless victim. She starts running to him, but finds she cannot stop and ends up crashing through the large cabinet-like structure he was laying on, sending him flying through the air. Her second attempt sees her safely reach Kachou and carefully pick him up. However, in her excitement over doing it right, she forgets that the suit gives her extra strength and she ends up tossing Kachou in the air and a distance away.

Natsumi needs more practice with the suit doing simple tasks, so she tries to deliver hot tea to Nakajima-kun. She makes it to his desk without destroying the try or cup, but accidentally splashes the hot tea in his face. She tries delivering hot tea to Kachou and while she successfully delivers it, she gets too excited about it and plants the serving tray deep in the ceiling. She then attempts to deliver beverages to Aoi-chan and Yoriko who immediately flee the area. That night, Natsumi again makes a tea delivery to Kachou and is successful. Before she can get too excited, Miyuki places a hand on her to remind her not to do anything stupid.

It is time for the expo, which is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center. Nakajima-kun and Yoriko look at some robots while Yoriko wants to find a nice male scientist. Nakajima wonders why she even came. Yoriko counters by asking him the same thing. When his eye catches a robotic motorcycle, he turns into a little boy wanting a toy. Kachou and Aoi-chan check out some robot guard dogs which are acting very friendly. However, Aoi-chan makes a move which immediately sets them off. Meanwhile behind the scenes, someone plots something sinister.

The time for the demo arrives and Miyuki takes the reigns of HAL K-2. The demo has her safely removing debris to uncover a mannequin. Once that's done, it is Natsumi's turn in the Fitter R-1 to safely extract the mannequin and get it out of the danger area. Everyone is a bit worried that Natsumi will screw up, but she performs perfectly. Next, the creators have Miyuki exit the HAL K-2 and take the control unit with her so that she can operate the robot remotely, something that might be required in certain situations. She starts her next demo, but suddenly finds her signals are being jammed.

The sinister someone behind the scene emerges in his own robot, Scar Zero, and calls himself Doctor Suu. Because his alias and real name make a pun, people laugh at him and more at his robot. However, he's not amused and the robot scientist know him as a fired member of their team. Miyuki picks up a rock from their display area and hands it to Natsumi, who wonders what its for. Miyuki tells her that she doesn't have to hold back and Natsumi gets what Miyuki is driving at. So as Doctor Suu charges in Scar Zero, Natsumi does her pitcher's windup and pitches a perfect strike which destroys Scar Zero. As Doctor Suu is on the ground, one of the robot dogs "pees" on him. Doctor Suu is taken to jail to warn of impending dangers.

Thoughts: A brief rant first...why the smeg did the Japanese air this series in 4:3 initially before switching it to its proper widescreen viewing weeks from now on another channel (and for the DVD release)?

As to the episode itself, while I enjoyed it, I couldn't help but think that the episode was just a cheap imitation of a Strike Man episode, only not as good. He has to make an appearance in this series, right?

Still no progress on the Miyuki-Nakajima front either. *sigh* I'm rapidly begining to think that this series will mostly avoid things from the previous episodes but we'll see. I mean we still need an episode with Nakajima-kun's parents. We need Strike Man and "Scooter Mama" (as AnimEigo called her). We need an episode with Saori-chan back and Shouji as well. We need advancement and resolution on Nakajima-kun and Miyuki's relationship.

Shakugan no Shana Second 11

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 11

SPOILER Summary: Yuuji's parents Chigusa-san and Kantarou-san have a quite breakfast together as Yuuji has gone to school early and will be spending the night there to help with the preparations for the school festival. As the work goes on at school, Tanaka and Yuuji are carrying blankets to a location and Tanaka notes that something is wrong with Yuuji. He denies it, but in truth, he's concerned over the silver flame in his Fuzetsu. Tanaka meets up with Sato and wonders if Margery Daw will come to the festival. Considering there won't be any alcohol served at the festival, they decide she likely won't show.

Nakamura finishes sewing Tanaka's lion costume (Wizard of Oz) for the parade and he shows up at that very moment. Nakamura gets Tanaka to try it on and when Ogata is asked her opinion, she gets flustered because she finds him cute in it. As such, she makes a hasty retreat out of the classroom, but the sounds of her crashing into people/things can be heard. When the group of friends gather for lunch, Ike-kun is worn out. Yoshida offers him a sandwich and the grateful Ike tries to get one, but Fujita-san arrives, needing help. Apparently, she's been working him ragged (saying she doesn't want to be a burden to him) with all the things that have to be done to get the festival started successfully.

That night, Konoe-san leaves and while she wants to stay with her friends, her butler tells them that her health is not good enough to allow this. The girls get told that the shower is open for them now, so they go to take a shower. Nakamura first decides to give Yoshida a breast check before moving to Shana. That night as the girls sleep, Yoshida and Shana talk about things regarding Yuuji. Yoshida thanks Shana for her role in ensuring Yuuji kept the role of Romeo to Yoshida's Juliet. While both promise they won't lose to the other, they are no longer bitter rivals but good friends.

The following day, Shana is posting pictures on the different points of interest display for Misaki City. She's thinking of her conversation with Yoshida on how Shana and Yuuji are always are fighting together. Yuuji arrives to give her a hand and as each image is posted, she recalls an event that she and Yuuji went through together. Meanwhile inside the classroom, Yoshida's dress is finished and as they try to convince her to try it on, Konoe begins quoting (in Japanese) from Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene VI.

That evening on the roof of the school, Alastor confirms what Yuuji's parents had told Shana and states that a Flame Haze can love a human. They discuss the silver flame which is something Alastor has never heard of a Tomogara having and something he wants to ensure she understands the meaning of that. Wilhelmina arrives on scene with information from her investigation of the Keeper spell on Reiji Maigo. As such, Shana gets Yuuji so that Wilhelmina can brief them both as well as Alastor. The Reiji Maigo is a Hougu that was created by the female Tomogara Lord Pheles. She had fallen in love with a Mystes known as Johan and the Reiji Maigo kept him alive (as it does Yuuji now). The two of them were known as "The Promised Couple" and the "Engaged Link." The Keeper spell was placed on the Reiji Maigo to prevent others from touching the Hougu. However, the two of them were in a battle and lost, leading to the Reiji Maigo coming into Yuuji's possession. Wilhelmina has learned that Pheles is still alive and that since the Reiji Maigo is a symbol of her and Johan's love, she'll eventually come to claim the Hougu. Yuuji asks if the silver flame is connected to that. Both Wilhelmina and Tiamat think he's joking until Shana confirms Yuuji having a silver flame when he cast a Fuzetsu. Alastor determines that the silver flame and Pheles are not linked, so Wilhelmina promises to investigate the silver flame. However, since Pheles is so strong, she warns Shana and Yuuji to be on their guard. Shana agrees but feels there's more to the story than Wilhelmina has let on.

Preparations for the school festival are nearly complete with the festival being the following day. Ike-kun is still being run ragged by Fujita-san, even as everyone else is going home for the night. Shana and Yuuji walk home together and Shana makes Yuuji promise her that he'll make a choice and then fight for it. Yuuji promises to do just that and to fight which makes Shana feel better. They continue to walk home, observed by Wilhelmina, who's on top of small (water?) tower. Wilhelmina hopes that Pheles doesn't come because she doesn't want to fight her.

Thoughts: Well, we have the obligatory school festival stuff that most anime titles with high school characters have. This one is going to last a tad longer than most though since its going into a 2nd episode. But, none of this is really going to waste. The episodes that seemingly have not progressed the main story in fact have been laying the groundwork for the Pheles arc. The interesting thing is that the silver flame is apparently a separate issue from Pheles looking for the Hougu she created for Johan. That suggests to me that the silver flame, in addition to being tied to Margery Daw, is also tied to whatever plot the Ball Masqué have for Yuuji (I still say Konoe is Hecate or tied to her in some way).

Anyway, I don't think we'll have some huge rumble happen here, but at the very least, it looks like we'll have a battle with Shana, Wilhelmina, and Yuuji against Pheles.

Clannad 12

クラナド Episode 12

SPOILER Summary: Kotomi-chan returns the violin to the girl she borrowed it from. While the violin is old and worn, it is Kotomi-chan's wish that it not be destroyed by the school. The girl also wishes the same thing. As such, Kotomi-chan makes her standard introduction statement to include a desire to be friends and the girl agrees. Okazaki, who'd been there all along, is glad for Kotomi-chan that she has yet another friend. The following day when Okazaki and Nagisa walk to school, she reports that Kotomi-chan is no longer spending her day in the library, but is now in actual classes. Sure enough when they take a peek in on her classroom, she's with a group of girls helping them with their math lesson.

Later in the Theater Club Room, Kyou is giving some harsh comedy lessons to Kotomi-chan, so harsh that Nagisa and Ryou are a tad frightened. Okazaki walks into this this as Kyou pronounces that no matter how hard she tries, it will be impossible for Kotomi-chan to master comedy. Nagisa and Ryou come to her defense, but Kyou rejects it. Kotomi-chan decides to try something new she say on TV. While both things she tries has her laughing pretty hard, it has Kyou and Okazaki wondering what the heck Kotomi-chan is saying. The group has lunch together, made by Kotomi-chan and Kyou asks what Kotomi-chan does when she's not at school. She reads, Okazaki hangs out with Sunohara, and Nagisa just stays at home. Kyou finds this all boring and a waste of their youth, but confesses she does not do anything either. As such, she announces that on their day off, they will have a day on the town -- a group date.

The five of them meet up and Okazaki comments on being the only guy. He would have invited Sunohara, who would have jumped on the chance to be out with some girls, but Kyou rejects that idea saying one idiot in the group is enough. When Okazaki asks if the idiot is her, she laughs and says that it is him. He counters by saying that she has to be a close second if he's the group idiot. They do a lot of window shopping and talking before having a bento outside a burger place. Since Kotomi-chan's birthday is coming up, it is decided that they'll get her a heart-felt present.

So its off to the game center where Kyou is trying to score the giant anteater stuffed animal from the Catch Machine game. However, she is unsuccessful in doing so and calls the "oniisan" working the place to complain about it being stuck. He fiddles with the animals inside before closing the machine back up. Kyou is going for her 34th attempt on the machine, but Okazaki is out of money. Nagisa doesn't feel she can score that stuffed animal nor does Ryou. However, out of the blue, Fuko-chan appears (still wearing the birthday hat) and announces she can help as she's a master of this game. Nagisa tries to remember where she's seen Fuko before from, but Fuko tells her not to worry about it as they'll meet again one day. Fuko's various statements provokes a response from Okazaki, who then seems to remember having a similar conversation before. He tells Fuko to go for the big animal and Fuko plays, but instead scores the star plushie. She apologizes, saying that the shape of it made her hands move unconsciously, leading Okazaki to tell her it isn't a starfish. She leaves, saying she wants to help again someday and Okazaki wonders why he told her that wasn't a starfish.

That evening, Nagisa, Kyou, and Ryou part company with Kotomi and Okazaki and go home. As Kotomi and Okazaki walk home, she thanks him saying that she doesn't think she would have ever had this much fun if she hadn't met him. He says he hasn't done anything special and that they all like her. She decides to give him a gift of a book, which she's already memorized. She tells him he doesn't have to read it but she does want him to have it. They are interrupted when the older man she calls the "bad guy" appears. They flee and hide until the man leaves.

Okazaki has a dream about a rabbit, a deer, a boy, a girl, what appears to be the "bad guy," and what appears to be a house fire. He wakes up from this dream and on his way to school, reflects on how weird his dreams have gotten of late. A girl comes up from behind him, covers his eyes, presses her chest into his back, and says "Guess who?" She has a pun about this and when he "guesses" who this is, she backs off, flushed and saying her heart is pounding. He asks her who put her up to do this embarrassing joke. Kyou steps up and acknowledges being the one who did it. He asks Kyou to stop teaching Kotomi strange things.

They are interrupted by an upset Nagisa who's asking about Ryou and the bus she normally rides. Apparently there was a bad accident on the city bus that she would normally take to school. This news sends Kyou, Nagisa, and Okazaki running to the scene while it causes Kotomi to enter into a state of shock. At the scene, the accident is indeed very bad, but they find Ryou unharmed, having been forced to take a later bus due to being behind schedule. Kotomi is there and seeing the accident sends her over the edge, where she collapses to the ground crying and saying she'll be a good girl. They decide to get her to the school nurse right away.

Later when they go to check on her, they find she's gone home for the day because she's not feeling well. However, they are unable to get any information due to privacy issues. Kotomi-chan's homeroom sensei does agree to give them her home address but advises them to to press Kotomi on things. They go to her house and as a butterfly hovers around, Okazaki gets a strange feeling. No one answers the door, so they decide to leave. However, Okazaki can't shake the feeling about the house and so tells Kyou, Ryou, and Nagisa to go on without him as he returns to Kotomi-chan's home.

Outside, he finds the "bad guy" and confronts him. He learns that the "bad guy" worked with Kotomi-chan's scientist parents and has known her since she was a kid. When Okazaki asks about her parents, the man realizes that he doesn't know things and for privacy reasons, says he can't say anything more about that. However, he does tell Okazaki that her parents were gifted and found another world they called the "Hidden World" in their research. Learning that Okazaki is Kotomi's friend, the man asks if Kotomi has mention him at all. Okazaki says she calls him the "bad guy," and he states that from her perspective, that must be the case. However, he has a message for Kotomi, saying that he doesn't expect for her to forgive them, but that they still regret what happened that day.

Okazaki returns to Kotomi-chan's house but doesn't ring the doorbell, suddenly thinking that he never used to enter the home through the front door. He goes around to the rear of the home (following that same butterfly from before) and has flashes of the unkempt yard and garden being in a pristine state. The sliding glass door is unlocked, allowing him entry. He makes his way up the stairs and instinctively goes to a room and opens the door. There, he finds Kotomi-chan seated on the floor, with tons of clippings covering the walls and floor of the room. One article announces the death of Ichinose family members, which is Kotomi's family name. Okazaki has a flash of a girl crying and a fire and realizes that he had known Kotomi-chan as a child.

Thoughts: Fuko-chan gets a lengthy, humorous cameo? Whoa. I liked seeing her again and I guess this means that she'll get a good end after all. Still, it was weird to have her return out of the blue like that even if I did like it.

And now we start to come to the heart of Kotomi-chan's tragedy. This is where the story took a more Kanon turn with Okazaki forgetting that he knew Kotomi-chan as a kid and apparently they played together. That's not a problem thus far and we'll see where it goes. Actually now that I think about it, the anteater stuffed animal in the game center also seems a nod to Kanon.

Finally, there's the dreaming of Okazaki and this mention of the "Other World." I'm going to guess that he's somehow tied with the girl and the strange robot we've seen from time-to-time and that they are in this Other World.

Clannad 11

クラナド Episode 11

SPOILER Summary: Okazaki is dreaming of the firefly-like lights when Kotomi-chan's screeching violin brings him to reality in the classroom. The others in the class are not amused by this and the racket brings Kyou, Ryou, and Nagisa running to see what's the matter. Kyou prevents her from doing another piece. Later in the Theater Club Room, Kyou has Kotomi working on her comedy stuff, but Kotomi can't quite get the timing right. However, this is the only way that Kyou can keep Kotomi from the violin. When Nagisa and Ryou arrive, they go through a box of props where a "mahou baton" (magic wand) is. Kitomi tries an incantation from De Vermis Mysteriis but it fails as Okazaki imagines Kyou as a mahou shoujo to her irritation.

Since Kotomi is really rather keen on playing the violin, Ryou gets Kyou to do something and that something is to have a recital where Kotomi will play but will be never be allowed to play again (plus, she has to return the violin anyway). Kotomi, Ryou, and Nagisa head off to have Kotomi practice while Kyou prevents Okazaki from going, saying that Okazaki needs some time away from Kotomi for her own good. Kyou and Okazaki end up at a bus stop where Kyou tries to get a feel for how Okazaki feels about intelligent girls (Ryou) and relationships.

On Sunday, Okazaki gets up early and finds his father passed out from drinking in front of the TV. He leaves the place but because it is still early, he decides to pass on visiting Nagisa as she's likely still asleep. He decides to head to Sunohara's place but as he passes the school, he hears the unmistakable strains of Kotomi's screeching the violin. He races into the school and finds her practicing in the library. She has a key because she was always borrowing it to read books on Sundays. Because Kotomi thought that Okazaki might show up, she made an apple pie. It is her first attempt as is her proper making of tea (rather than instant I suppose) , which surprises him since he finds it all very good to her delight. She opens a window and as the wind blows in, flower (sakura?) petals flow in.

Kotomi has a request for Okazaki and that is to read a book with him. He vetoes that idea, but suggests she read to him. She starts to read and he falls asleep, having a weird dream involving some of the girls he knows. He wakes up later and she wonders if he had a nightmare or not. When they walk home, she tells him that she was really happy he came, even though all he did was sleep.

The following day at school, Nagisa has created a poster with the Dango's on it at Kyou's request, advertising Kotomi's recital. Nagisa is a bit concerned about the poster since her attempts to post recruitment posters for the Theater Club were foiled by the Student Council. Kyou assures Nagisa she'll take care of it and goes off to invite people to the recital. Using her power as a classroom representative/leader, she "invites" a lot of people to come who wouldn't normally do so. Not only that, but she made money off of selling earplugs to the crowd, though she warns them not to use them so quickly. Sunohara arrives all happy that a girl apparently invited him, so Okazaki decides to let him "dream" for awhile.

Misae-san arrives, having been invited by the rugby team. Tomoyo arrives and because Misae-san had been the president of the Student Council, Tomoyo introduces herself and asks if she can stop by for advice (since Tomoyo is trying to become president herself), which Misae-san agrees to. Okazaki is surprised to see Nagisa's parents also in attendance. He asks Nagisa if this is OK considering the terrible way Kotomi plays, but Nagisa informs him that Kotomi's playing has much improved. However, when Kotomi starts playing, there is no improvement and many casualties. When Sunohara tries to take advantage of the situation with Tomoyo, he takes further damage when she gives him a beating.

Nagisa and Kotomi walk home together with Kyou, Ryou, and Okazaki following behind. Nagisa remarks on how Kotomi played the last song really well, so much so that even her dad said as much. Okazaki wonders why they are working so hard for Kotomi, which Kyou answers by saying she has this kid side to her that causes the rest of them to have their maternal instinct kick in. They look ahead to where Nagisa and Kotomi are to find Nagisa blocking the path of a strange man as Kotomi tries to flee. The rest come to protect Kotomi, so the man decides to leave. As he does, Kotomi, shaking with fear, describes him as the bad man.

Thoughts: Kotomi-chan isn't quite as funny as Fuko-chan was, but there are still laughs to be had. I thought the writers might fool us with Kotomi playing the violin well on the recital day, but well I suppose one more time at the bad playing well was in order.

OK, so Okazaki dreaming sees the lights. Interesting. However, does this tie in with Kotomi? And what the smeg could have happened to Kotomi at the hands of that man? Part of me thinks that he'll end up being an innocent player in all this but we'll see.

I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again -- I like how it isn't just Okazaki doing all the hero stuff to save the girls in this one. Nagisa is Okazaki's "right hand woman" if you will and though she has a reduced role in the Kotomi story, she along with Ryou and Kyou are very instrumental in resolving the Kotomi story, and that is something I greatly like.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 09

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 09
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 09

SPOILER Summary: Yoriko is at home on the phone with her mother, who's worried about her still being single. Yoriko tries to assure her mother there are no problems, but after she hangs up and looks at the packet with a potential guy, she expresses her frustration at not being married with kids and wonders if she'll stay at her job forever. At work the following day, Natsumi and Miyuki are assigned to work with the Major Case division on a case (for which Yoriko asks them to keep their eyes open for good guys) while Yoriko and Aoi-chan are assigned to give a class at a nearby elementary school about safety. The class get out of control with a boy wanting to know her personal information and saying Aoi-chan is the pretty one and Yoriko is the ugly one.

Yoriko is depressed as they drive back and when they pass a location where they see Natsumi and Miyuki working, it adds to her depression. That night, Yoriko walks home and passes a fortune telling shop. So she decides to go in and have her fortune told. The fortune teller seems to be pretty accurate and even tells Yoriko that the first session is free. As such, the session has left Yoriko pretty happy and the following day as she has lunch with Natsumi, Miyuki, and Aoi-chan on the roof, she recounts her adventure. They are happy for her but have to leave because of work-related items, which leaves Yoriko a little depressed again. That night she returns to the fortune teller, who informs Yoriko that her soul mate is close by.

At work the next day, Yoriko wonders whom that could be. She thinks about pairing up with Kachou, but then imagines a jealous Natsumi. She then think about pairing up with Nakajima-kun, but then imagines a jealous Miyuki. When Aoi-chan shows up, Yoriko remembers that "she" is really still a guy but that's just too much. So later when Aoi-chan and Yoriko are on patrol, they are near the fortune teller's shop and Yoriko decides to pay a quick visit to set up an appointment. However, she soon discovers that the shop owner was running a scam to drain people of all their funds, meaning Yoriko was also one of her victims.

When Aoi-chan and Yoriko return to the station to man the front desk, Miyuki and Natsumi also return having successfully worked their case. They go off to inform Kachou and Yoriko requests Aoi-chan not tell them of how she'd been scammed. When Miyuki and Natsumi invite Yoriko to a party celebrating their success, she turns them down and walks home. As she does, she finds the punk from the elementary school being berated by some Yakuza. Initially Yoriko does nothing but when the kid calls to her for help, she digs deep and summons the courage to stand up to the Yakuza, citing a list of charges she can hit them up with if they don't leave. They don't call her bluff and vacate the area.

Back safely at home, she decides that being a cop is what she wants to do because she likes helping people. As such, her quest to find a man can wait. At work, she tells the others this as well. When the boy returns with his friend to thank her, they also bring their teacher, who also thanks her. Yoriko immediately finds him to be just her type and thoughts of eschewing men and love flushed.

Thoughts: Yoriko has never been a favorite character of mine in any of the series. For the most part, she's annoying. Still, it was nice for her to have an episode (and I did enjoy the episode) and to see how Miyuki and Natsumi's being the star looks from her eyes. Ultimately I don't think I learned any more about her than I did from all of the previous series to include this one. That sort of thing is shaping up to be the weakness of this latest YUA series. Things are going through the motions, but for the most part, it is a retread of what already has been, only not quite as good.

Yay for ORIKASA Ai being the guest voice of the fortune teller.

Negima! Vol 21 (Ch 188) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 21 Chapter 188

Summary: With the Pactio Cards and weapons in the air, Asuna grabs Konoka's card and flings it to her. Both she and Asuna activate their respective cards with costume as Paru, Yue, Nodoka, Asakura (with the Sayo doll), Chiame, and Chachamaru check out the sounds and see Fate and a wounded Negi. Donet is working with the mages in the control center for the gate port, where they are unable to do anything for at least 15-minutes. Things are so bad and Fate got through so easily that Donet wonders if someone in the Magic World working with Fate.

Asuna goes to attack Fate with Ku providing backup to clear the way for Konoka to get to Negi. However, Fate instant-moves to Konoka's location and goes to put her out of commission (petrification spell?) but the spell is thwarted by Setsuna, who uses a fuda (charm; talisman) and her wings to protect Konoka. Setsuna is angry and using her artifact, she and attack on Fate. She manages to slice Fate in half, but the body is merely liquid and now Fate is behind her attacking. However, Ku is waiting for Fate and her attack takes out all of his stone spears that were intended for Setsuna, but of course he survives.

Asuna brings Negi to Konoka but before anything can happen, she receives a warning (telepathically?) telling her to look out above. One of Fate's companion's has launched the same attack that took out Kaede but Asuna's magic nullification protects them. The sword girl greets Asuna as "Princess," remarking on how she's grown and attacks, but Kotaro intercepts her (having been healed by Anya) and protects Asuna. A "charm" bomb rolls to Fates location and explodes while Kaede's giant Shuriken swoops in.

Konoka uses her abilities to completely heal Negi as Setsuna and Ku join Kaede, who managed to escape from the trap though still has some of the black substance on her. Asuna and Kotaro form up and Negi rises to face Fate. Seeing this, Fate retracts his remarks about Negi's companions being garbage. Since Fate found the encounter fun, he wonders if he'll seriously fight the next time they meet. Negi demands to know about Fate's group and what they are up to, but Fate says they are out of time and they have to leave. Negi says he will stop them, which leads to him receiving a punch in the face from Fate. Fate tells him that even with the recovery spell, he should take it easy. With that, Fate rises into the air and causes several dark, monstrous pillars to come down and completely destroy the gate area.

Thoughts: Wow. A rather nice fight there. I hope that my theory that Fate is actually Spider-Zero from Akamatsu-sensei's A.I. Love You (English title) because in addition to looking identical, they have other similarities. Besides, Nitta-sensei was also in that manga so why not Spider-Zero?

I wonder who it was who warned Asuna. Since they used the term "neechan," it wasn't Chamo and no one else in Negi's group refers to Asuna in that manner (this is why honorific usage is so important in Japanaese literary works), thus as I see it, someone else warned her. I wonder who.

Negima! Vol 21 (Ch 187) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 21 Chapter 187

Summary: Negi realizes he's been fatally hit with a stone spear, he tries to warn away Asuna and Anya who are rushing to his aide. Setsuna orders Ku to bring Konoka there and Kaede has Kotaro go protect Makie and the other girls who weren't supposed to be there. Konoka arrives as Makie, Akira, Yuuna, and Ako have trouble processing what's going on. Setsuna tells Konoka she needs to use her power to heal Negi, but Konoka reminds Setsuna that all of their pactio cards were sealed within the box along with all the group's weapons. Since it impossible for them to release the seal, Negi is in real trouble as Konoka can only heal injuries that severe by her powers if they are less than 3-minutes old.

A guard tells them that support will be arriving shortly as will a healer. However, Negi gasps out that they need to run away. An attack hits and Kaede, Setsuna and Anya erect a barrier to protect Negi, Asuna, Ku, and Konoka while Kotaro does the same to protect Makie's group. The massive attack kills the guards though and Fate steps forwards with three others, tossing a remark at the injured Negi about having insufficient power. Setsuna, Kotaro, and Kaede attack with Negi tries to get them to run away. Kaede is attacked from behind by one of Fate's (Shadow?) companions (of which there are two), Kotaro is attacked by a sword girl similar to the Shinmei Ryuu girl, Tsukuyomi, and Setsuna has a stone spikes attack put on her by Fate. The battle continues with the three getting their butts handed to them. Kaede finds herself trapped in a black spherical prison, Kotaro gets knocked out buy the girl's special attack, and Setsuna gets a beating.

Asuna demands to know what Fate wants and why they are following them. Fate assures her that their being there at the same time is a coincidence since even he was unaware of their plans thanks to the school leaders keeping a tight lid on the information. Their only object is the gate area. Negi noticing Fate was unexpected but it forces them to immediately proceed with their objectives to prevent backup from arriving. As such, there will be no one to help Asuna and company.

Setsuna can still fight but is very troubled that Kotaro and Kaede are out of it. Asuna is worried about Negi and with their weapons sealed in a magical storage device, there appears nothing that can be done to retrieve them.

Fate tells the injured Negi that his comrades are garbage and that he'll use his Eternal Petrification spell to remove them, starting with Setsuna. As he starts the magic, the wounded Negi lands a blow on Fate, interrupting the spell. Negi, using his magic to stand and remove the stone spear, faces Fate, who tells him that Negi will die, which would be troubling. Without his staff or weapons, Fate wonders what Negi could possibly do. However, a flash of power catches his attention as Asuna has punched the magic box and with her magic nullification ability, she has released the seal. Thus, all of the group's weapons and the pactio cards now fly out of the box to be used.

Thoughts: Well, the guards were pretty useless. While Negi's getting up and landing a blow on Fate is a clichéd moment, it worked for me in that Negi has always been more powerful than expected and at times, does the impossible. I think back to his fight with the Graf where upon being goaded, he unleashed some mad power against that youkai (or whatever creature he is). Or there's Negi's first fight with Fate where he managed to hold off Fate (despite slowly being petrified by Fate's spell) along with Asuna until Eva arrived.

Asuna defeating the seal on the box puts a new twist on her power. Until now, that power was activated when force-emitting spells were cast directly at her. However, I speculated that her power may have also come into play when Eva encased her in magical ice and she broke out after a few minutes.

Well, with the weapons and cards free, its time for Ala Alba to counterattack.

Genshiken 2 11

げんしけん 2 Episode 11

SPOILER Summary: Ogiue and Sasahara meet in front of the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center for her big day. As they walk to the table where Ogiue will be selling her doujinshi, they talk of how Ohno and her American friends came the day before and will come for all three days as outside, Suzy spouts quotes from anime in Japanese to the embarrassment of all. Ogiue and Sasahara find her table and doujinshi. Ogiue quickly inspects a copy and finds it good, though she forbids Sasahara from looking at it or even touching it, vowing he'll be cursed if he does so.

The ComiFes starts and and Ogiue gets her first customer. She's very nervous so Sasahara handles it all, though the customer ultimately ends up passing. However, another customer comes and this one does pay for a copy, leading Sasahara to address Ogiue as "Sensei." Seeing how happy Sasahara is for her, Ogiue can't help but stare at him for a bit before catching herself and excusing herself to go to the bathroom, embarrassed that she stared at him. While she's gone, Sasahara is tempted to take a peek at the doujinshi, but doesn't. Another customer, acting cat-like, comes and buys a doujinshi. She brings it to her friends who are in the Manga Club.

Meanwhile outside, Ohno and Angela are doing some serious cosplaying and discussing Suzy while inside, Kousaka is working his company's booth.

Back at Ogiue's booth, she and Sasahara discuss his job hunting problems before proceeding to her being a mangaka. As they talk, two girls show up who were friends with Ogiue in junior high school. They are impressed that she's still doing these yaoi drawings and when they go to buy one, Ogiue gives it to them as a gift. The encounter has left Ogiue shaken somewhat when Suzy arrives. She looks at the doujinshi and tries to buy one. However, because of the language barrier, Ogiue has a difficult time in explaining to Suzy that she can have one for free. Eventually she and Sasahara convey the message and Suzy thanks them.

Madarame arrives to see how things are going. As with Sasahara, Ogiue won't allow Madarame to look at the doujinshi. However, Suzy returns with the doujinshi open to some massive hardcore drawings, showing it to the three of them and asking for Ogiue to sign it. The moment is quite the shocker and Ogiue does autograph the doujinshi for Suzy. With Suzy camped out enjoying the doujinshi, Ohno gives them a call to see how things are and to see if they are going to celebrate afterward. It is decided that the group will go to a nearby bath-onsen facility although it is clear that Ohno had wanted to get Sasahara and Ogiue alone together.

At the onsen, Suzy continues to embarrass Ohno with her spouts of famous lines from anime. Angela tries to get Ohno to calm down about the situation while Suzy follows Ogiue around, even trapping her in a corner and flashing her for some reason. In another section of the onsen, Madarame, Tanaka, and Sasahara discuss Kousaka and Kugayama and things. Ogiue reflects on the day as well until she's interrupted by Suzy.

The following day at the airport, Ogiue learns that Ohno has now seen her doujinshi. Angela requests a copy of the Genshiken doujinshi. Sasahara protests that it is for guys, but she's OK with those kinds of doujinshi as well. Sasahara again protests, saying they'd have to get Kugayama's permission before they could give her a copy. Angela and Suzy leave Japan and the doujinshi they purchased will be shipped to them by Ohno.

Thoughts: I found this somewhat funnier than the manga story. Suzy's displaying Ogiue's hardcore manga page was funnier because of the sound effects and music played. Then the added story of them going to the bath-onsen in town was funny because of Suzy following Ogiue around and ultimately flashing her for some reason.

I liked how the relationship between Ogiue and Sasahara has the foundation continued to be laid.

Pocket Monsters 03

ポケットモンスター Ep. 03

SPOILER Summary: Satoshi launches his Monster Ball at a Caterpie and because it is a weak Pokémon, he's able to contain it in the Monster Ball without a fight. He's very happy about his first capture but Kasumi isn't so impressed since she can't stand bugs. So Satoshi decides to let Caterpie out of his Monster Ball to ride on his shoulder. However, Caterpie sees Kasumi and decides to give her some lovin'. Naturally this bothers Kasumi a great deal and causes Caterpie to be depressed. Still, after Satoshi leaves with his Pokémon, Kasumi follows, if only to get out of the Tokiwa Forrest.

That night at camp as Kasumi and Satoshi sleep, Pikachu and Caterpie have some sort of Pokémon conversation while gazing at the moon. The next morning, Kasumi awakens to find Caterpie sleeping with her, which causes her to scream. Caterpie decides to retreat to its Monster Ball having been rejected by Kasumi a 2nd time. Satoshi tells the Monster Ball that eventually they'll win Kasumi over before turning his attention over to a nearby Pidgeon Pokémon, which is an upgraded Poppon bird-type Pokémon. He cannot capture it with just the Monster Ball, so Satoshi summons Caterpie. However, Pidgeon easy outmatches Caterpie and Satoshi is forced to recall it and send Pikachu into the fray. Pikachu sends an electric attack which brings down the bird and allows Satoshi to capture it.

As Kasumi chastises Satoshi for being dumb for not knowing Caterpie had no chance against Pidgeon, Rocket-dan arrive with Musashi and Kojiro making their normal introduction and demanding Pikachu since it appears to be a special one. He refuses so they send their Pokémon Arbo and Dogas to battle Pikachu. Kojiro has Dogas send a Sludge attack to put out Pikachu. So Satoshi summons Pidgeon who does OK at first but is soon sent packing. Since his only other Pokémon is Caterpie, Satoshi has no choice but to use it. Initially it seems hopeless but then Caterpie uses a coccon-type attack to put out all of Rocket-dan's Pokémon by wrapping them in thread.

Defeated, Rocket-dan retreats and Satoshi celebrates his victory. Again, he tries to get Kasumi to accept this bug-type Pokémon and pet it but before she can, it begins spewing thread. Satoshi places it on the ground and Caterpie evolves into Trancel, an armored caterpillar. Apparently the Caterpie Pokémon evolves faster than any other type of Pokémon. Satoshi is excited to now have a Trancel now and wonders what the next evolution will be as Trancel observes a butterfly Pokémon.

Thoughts: Silly and certainly kiddie, but I had some fun watching this.

You're Under Arrest! Full Throttle 08

Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 08
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 08

SPOILER Summary: Kachou is walking to work when he senses someone following him. What he doesn't see is that this someone is a little 4-year old girl. When he finally turns around to demand to know who's following him, he sees Natsumi. As such, the two of them walk to work. At work, Natsumi relays the story of how Kachou snapped at her and the girls speculate on whether he has a secret admirer or a stalker. However, they are all in for a great shock as they discover a little 4-year old girl there calling Kachou "Papa." Kachou tries to insist he doesn't know the little girl but with her constant insistence on him being her Papa, the officers in the office wonder. Natsumi snaps, demanding to know if the girl really is his daughter and the little girl starts crying.

The little girl is Souko-chan and she announces she has to pee. In the end, it is Miyuki, showing her motherly abilities, that gets to take Souko-chan to do her business. They take her up to the roof so she can see Mt. Fuji in the distance, something she really enjoys. However, the need to find the girl's parents and so set out to do so. Since no one has reported her missing, Miyuki and Natsumi take her in Today along the route that Kachou took to walk to work. They announce over the P.A. that they have Souko-chan, but she starts screaming for her Papa which also goes out over the P.A. and upsets the neighbors. Despite the fact that Natsumi and Miyuki are cops, they are ready to riot until Aoi-chan and Yoriko arrive with Souko-chan's grandmother.

At the grandmother's house, Souko-chan sleeps while the grandmother reveals that Souko-chan's mother left when she was still a baby and that her father had recently died (later to be revealed as an accident involving the truck he drove to transport goods). Because he would sometimes bring Souko-chan along with him on deliveries and because he had established a pattern to be with his daughter, little Souko-chan refuses to believe her father is dead. The grandmother shows them a picture of her son and indeed, he looks very much like Kachou. This gives Natsumi an idea and so back at the station, she tells Kachou they are going for a drive on the weekend but that he must wear the clothes that Souko-chan's dad wore.

Natsumi is up early on the day of the drive to prepare a bento for the three of them and she and Kachou go to pick up Souko-chan. Their drive leads them close to Mount Fuji which makes Souko-chan happy. They have a picnic which also makes Souko-chan happy followed by a trip for some ice cream. Then they take a ride in a swan boat where Natsumi shows off her impressive leg strength by making the swan boat go faster than a speed boat. All of this makes Souko-chan very happy and on the ride back home that evening, she's fast asleep. While this day made Kachou happy as well, he knows that eventually Souko-chan is going to have to accept that her father is never going to come home again.

As they ride, they notice a tanker truck is moving erratically and moving along side, they discover the driver appears to be unconscious at the wheel. Natsumi offers to do her normal thing but Kachou decides to board the truck instead while Natsumi takes the wheel. Souko-chan wakes up to see Kachou on the tank of the tanker moving up to the cab and thinks he is very cool. Kachou, after some close shaves, manages to get the door open and the tanker truck stopped safely. After summoning an ambulance, Souko-chan stops calling Kachou "Papa" and calls him by his title of "Kachou." Natsumi is surprised by this but Souko-chan explains that she knows Kachou isn't her dad and nows she's glad because if he were her dad, she couldn't marry him. She runs to Kachou, who picks her up and she tells him she loves him and he tells her the same. She then announces to him that she's going to marry him.

Thoughts: Funny at first, but so very sad after that. Four-year old Souko-chan is so cute, but the story of her losing her parents and her glomping onto Kachou who looks like her dead Papa was very touching. Of course the "date" with him, Souko-chan, and Natsumi was very touching, but I kept wondering how this was going to be resolved. There was no way to resolve this in a realistic way so the way it was done is fine.

Another thing this episode reminded me of is, "Where the smeg is Shouji?" *sigh*

Still, it was a very sweet and touching episode that I rather enjoyed.

Genshiken 2 10

げんしけん 2 Episode 10

SPOILER Summary: Sasahara and Ohno are at Ogiue's place where she's going over the details of the forthcoming ComiFes event. Ohno, realizing there is an attraction between Ogiue and Sasahara tries to do things to encourage the two of them. She tries to get Ogiue to show her the doujinshi but it is already at the printers. She tries to get Ogiue to show Sasahara some stuff but she refuses because its yaoi. She tries to get Ogiue to show him some non-yaoi stuff for him to inspect since he wants to be a manga editor and while she's OK with that, he turns it down, citing his recent failures in becoming a manga editor. When Sasahara and Ohno walk home, she reflects on her relationship with Tanaka and how she's sure that Ogiue would respond to Sasahara if he approached her.

The following day, Madarame is at the Genshiken room having just eaten lunch. Everyone is out and he's surprised when a blond girl shows up speaking English to him and being overly friendly, even hugging him. Ohno arrives with another foreign girl (Sue) who likes to spout lines in Japanese from anime and manga. After Ogiue arrives, Ohno explains that these are her American friends who've just arrived from the States unexpectedly for ComiFes. As such, Ohno won't be able to help Sasahara and Ogiue at the festival since she'll be escorting her American friends. This causes great shock for both Sasahara and Ogiue.

At Tanaka's place, Sue begins plowing through his collection of unbuilt models while Angela wants Tanaka to make her a costume to cosplay in. Ohno tries to explain that making a costume in such a short time is not possible. Seeing Tanaka waver, she tries to convince him to put his foot down and reject her request. However, in the end he agrees to make the costume, leading Ohno to tell him he's too nice. When Angela requests her measurements be taken, she just pops off her shirt and appears topless before Tanaka, much to Ohno's irritation.

Sometime later back at the Genshiken room, Angela is alone with Madarame. Since she only speaks English, communication between the two of them is difficult as she request the August issue of a magazine. He figures out what she wants and produces the magazine from the shelf. As he hands it to her, she has him sit by her and turn the pages for her as they look at it together. She begins speaking to him in English and while he doesn't know what she's saying, she begins flirting with him. However, before things get to the kissing stage, they are interupted when Saki and Kousaka arrive. Ohno and Sue arrive shortly thereafter and they all have a big laugh at Sue's continued use of Japanese lines from anime and manga. Later when Ohno, Suzy, and Angela walk home, Angela cryptically states what appears to be her attraction for Madarame, though it goes over Ohno's head.

Thoughts: All this interaction between Madarame and Angela wasn't in the manga, but it sure is humorous in the anime. Angela's seiyuu spoke the best English of them all. I was surprised at the amount of English spoken in this episode, but then the American series "Heroes" has a ton of Japanese spoken in it so maybe it isn't so surprising (though in "Heroes," the Japanese spoken is much better than the English spoken in this anime).

The setup for the visit to Ogiue's house was removed so I wonder if people who haven't read the manga will realize that this is where Ohno and Sasahara are at the beginning of the episode. Nevertheless, an enjoyable episode.

Shakugan no Shana Second 10

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 10

SPOILER Summary: Shana and Alastor are stunned by Yuuji's silver flame and Yuuji remembers that Margery Daw is looking for. Yuuji wonders why he has this and Shana states that no Tomogara has a silver flame but even she doesn't know what all this means. However, to avoid letting Margery know about this, the training of Yuuji will not be restricted to avoid his using his power. Later when Yuuji is in bed, he thinks of how he is a Torch, a Mystes, and now has a mysterious silver flame.

The next day, Yuuji meets Oga outside Konoe's mansion. She tells him that the butler told her that Konoe wasn't feeling well but would be coming to school later. As they leave, inside the mansion, Konoe sits strangly still (like a doll) with the butler joining her in the room and then standing still. At school, preperations for the school festival are underway and sure enough, Konoe arrives with her butler. Konoe is going to be placed in the festival parade and as roles are handed out for parts for people to dress up as, Yuuji gets Romeo from Romeo and Juliet while Yoshida gets Juliet. Shana doesn't feel jealous by this and Yoshida doesn't feel overwhelmingly happy by this (though she is happy) and both realize that they've moved a step forward in dealing with this love-triangle. Outside class, Yuuji is worried about Konoe and thinks about stepping down from the Romeo role to try to help Konoe. However, when Shana chastises him for this (and thus leaving Yoshida), he changes his mind.

Shana and Yoshida head to Yuuji's house as his mother will be making costumes where they reveal their feelings are currently the same. While at the house, they ask Yuuji's mother her advice about how to proceed with things. Afterward as they head home, Shana realizes they are being tailed but not by a Tomogara. She and Yoshida manage to lose the tail, but Shana realizes this man tailing them was really good. They tail him and he heads back to Yuuji's home where they fear the worse. When Yuuji arrives he runs into the man and Shana steps in to put him on the ground. However the man turns out to be Yuuji's father playing a joke after being away for so long.

Yuuji's mother has Yoshida and Shana stay for dinner as a means of apology for her husband's behavior. He apologizes and they all have dinner where it is revealed that Chigusa and Kantarou married while in school, which is why they are still so young despite having a teenaged son. Kantarou talks about how tough it was in the early days but they made it. After dinner, Chigusa has Yuuji help her clean up as Yoshida and Shana have a talk with Kantarou. As before, they ask his advice on how to proceed with Yuuji and he helps as best he can.

Meanwhile in Paris, Wilhelmina meets up with the Flame Haze Khamsin Nbh'w. He confirms that Pheles is alive and she is searching for the Reiji Maigo, which is currently within Yuuji. It is only a matter of time until she finds it.

Thoughts: Some interesting developments on the Yuuji front with his silver flame. Looks like the stage is being set to make Margery Daw an opponent along with Pheles. And Konoe looking like a doll in the one scene is just another one of those teases which likely won't be resolved until the end of this series.

The love-triangle with Shana, Yoshida, and Yuuji is...well, I'm not sure how I feel about it now. But I did like it that Shana and Yoshida talked with Yuuji's mother and then his father (his first appearance in either anime series) to get advice.

Negima! Vol 20 (Ch 186) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 20 Chapter 186

Summary: Yue gives a lengthy talk about the Celtics, the other world, and the magic world but sadly no one is listening. Donet gathers the group around as Negi thinks about this puts him a step closer to his father. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange (dangerous) feeling. He checks with Ku Fei and Setsuna but neither of them sense anything. Setsuna checks with Donet, who assures her and Negi that with all the security in place on the other side, there is no danger. All of this is observed by the girls from Ayaka's group. As the gate activates, a few of the girls (to include Ako, Makie, and Yuuna) approach. Yue provides more information and Konoka wants there to be angels or fairies in the Magic World.

The gate activates and before the extra girls can leave the area, everyone is sent to the Magic World. Their arrival point is like an airport, with all the stones there, but instead of being in a field, they are inside a facility. While one of the extra girls rushes to find what's going on, Yue, Para, and Nodoka head to a balcony to observe the capital with its buildings, rock formations, and flying creatures to include flying whales. Meanwhile, Negi and Setsuna check all of the group's weapons to include Negi's staff with the gate staff. They treat him as a celebrity because of his father, even calling him "Negi Springfield-sama."

At the gate, Donet summons Negi where a group of scared and stunned girls (Makie, Ako, Yuuna, & Akira) are being held by security mages. They apologize and Negi wonders what he will do about this. The Aru Aba members are also in a worried state but before things can get resolved, Negi senses something bad and since the extra girls made it through the gate, something worse can. He orders Setsuna to use her detection arts and requests a nearby guard summon support. Negi pulls out his small wand and begins getting Aru Alba in position for danger. If he's over reacting, the oh well.

Fate Averruncus is surprised that Negi noticed him and wondered if Negi's genetics led to it since Fate should not have been noticed. As such, he sends a large, stone shard which pierces Negi's left chest from the back and completely penetrates his body.

Thoughts: I honestly didn't think they'd be fighting Fate so soon and that's a pretty huge wound for Negi to take. I'd say it would be a fatal wound but lets face it, Negi isn't going to die so we'll see how this plays out. Then again, Ala Alba's weapons are all locked up and I guess we'll see how powerful the security forces at the gate are.

As for Fate, I guess his mission was not to fight since he was trying to go undetected and indeed he had since only Negi had sensed him.

Clannad 10

クラナド Episode 10

SPOILER Summary: The piece-mill robot (or whatever it is) is in a field with thousands and thousands of tiny firefly-like lights along with the mysterious girl in the white dress as they stand under a blue sky. The girl asks about the world and while the robot can't communicate verbally with her, he does let her know that not everything is right. The robot lets the audience know, via its thoughts, that it (the soul?) was on another world at some point, but doesn't remember much beyond the fact that it was there.

Nagisa waits for Okazaki and the two walk to school together. Kyou knocks down Okazaki on her scooter as she races onto the scene. Nagisa is worried about him, and he quickly recovers when Kyou decides to leave the scene. He then checks on Nagisa's condition, calling her "Nagisa" which Kyou immediately takes note of. She asks if they are dating now since he's addressing her so informally and they are hanging out a lot recently. They both deny it and site Nagisa's attempts to start the Theater Club as the reason. After Kyou leaves, Okazaki wonders when he started addressing Nagisa by her given name and as she tries to remember, both have a thought flash about Fuko-chan, though they can't remember her name, only the positive feelings Fuko left them with.

At school, Sunohara begins talking about his love for Nagisa, and so Okazaki decides to tell him about Kotomi. However, when Sunohara goes to visit her in the library (at Okazaki's insistence), he can't her to acknowledge his presence, even after he trashes the place. Okazaki enters and Kotomi is completely absorbed in her book and as usual, won't respond to anything by "Kotomi-chan." She sees the mess and assumes he did it. As they clean up, Okazaki convinces her to come to the Theater Club room. She does but she's afraid of being bullied by Nagisa, who promises not to bully her. The two share a moment with both liking Nagisa's Dango images. As they make their odd introductions introductions, they banter back and forth until Okazaki brings it to a stop for making no sense.

The three of them walk home and Okazaki has Nagisa go on while he escorts Kotomi home. Kotomi admits to having been afraid of meeting Nagisa, which is how she always is when meeting people. Kotomi gets Okazaki to stop at a bookstore where she gets so absorbed into a book that she starts to cut a passage from it until she's stopped by him. They walk out of the store with Kotomi now carrying a bag full of books and Okazaki telling her she can't do things like cut out pages of books in the library or bookstore.

The following day at school, Okazaki has Kotomi meet with Kyou, but she's afraid of Kyou. Kyou's forceful nature makes Kotomi more afraid, especially when Kotomi's attempt to reuse her same introduction she used with Nagisa is apparently rebuffed. Kotomi wonders if Kyou is a bully. Kyou is puzzled by Okazaki's actions in this matter. When he states he wants Kotomi to make friends, Kyou responds that friendship is earned, not given. Kyou wonders where Nagisa is and after telling Kyou that he's still helping Nagisa, he also states he's learned he's good at taking care of others, hence is working with Kotomi. Kyou, looking out for her younger twin Ryou, sees Kotomi as a new rival (along with Nagisa) to Ryou for Okazaki's affections. But in the end, she introduces herself to Kotomi.

Later Kotomi and Okazaki discuss things in the library where he tells her she needs more social skills and to learn about joking. She has to book knowledge of comedy, such as comedy from the Osaka region. With that, they head out for another attempt, this time with Ryou. Ryou offers to read Kotomi's fortune with her cards, but sadly the fortune says she can't make friends. This is devastating to Kotomi, but Ryou quickly adds that fortunes can be wrong or changed. However, she agrees to be Kotomi's friend. So back to the library where Okazaki writes an introduction script for Kotomi. Outside, they meet a teddy bear (presumably Tomoyo in costume) where Kotomi says her introductions and when Kotomi reaches the part about being friends, the bear accepts and Kotomi is happy. However, when Sunohara sees the teddy bear, he decides to challenge it and gets beat.

At the place where they sell the bread products, Kotomi introduces herself to the lady selling the food-stuff with Okazaki supervising. The lady knows Kotomi through her parents, who are also apparently very gifted. Okazaki inquires about them but Kotomi doesn't say much. Further attempts at information are stopped when Kyou arrives and begins to hug Kotomi. Kotomi looks uncomfortable but Kyou and Ryou having talked the matter over want to do something with Kotomi and Kyou wants Okazaki to take them all somewhere. So he does -- the Theater Club room.

At the room, Kyou is not happy about this setting, expecting karaoke or the like, but Ryou doesn't mind. Kyou tells Ryou that she staged this for her benefit (to get closer to Okazaki). The introductions go around and when its Ryou's turn, Okazaki interjects that Ryou's hobby is bullying the weak, leading him to get his keester (or face) kicked. This makes Kotomi very scared that she'll be bullied by Kyou while Ryou and Nagisa feel that Okazaki's "performance" is good. After Kotomi calms down, Kyou decides she and Ryou aren't going to be in the Theater Club. However, seeing Ryou, Kotomi, and Nagisa engaged and Ryou seeming happy, Kyou is fine.

The sounds of a violin being practiced draws Kotomi's attention and the entire group follows her to where a girl is practicing the violin with two others observing. The girl offers Kotomi a chance to play, but when she does, it is a massive noise that is so bad, glass actually breaks. However Kotomi is the only one who didn't notice how bad it was and seemed strangely pleased by her efforts.

Thoughts: Well the mystery girl and her mystery robot return. How this will tie into the main story is something I wouldn't even try to guess. But the lights have been seen before, howbeit only one rather than a ton.

As to the episode, I honestly didn't think that Kotomi-chan could be as funny as Fuko-chan was, but boy was I ever wrong. Man am I glad to have seen Azumanga Daioh so often because Kotomi-chan's joke about the Osaka (region) comedy routine made me laugh (something that was a topic in Azumanga Daioh). She just provided a lot of laughs and made this episode a delight.

Speaking of Fuko-chan, I absolutely loved the reference to her at the begining of the episode. Okazaki addressing Nagisa as "Nagisa" was something Fuko-chan wanted him to do. Then when both Okazaki and Nagisa have a joint memory flash of Fuko-chan, I loved it (even though they couldn't really remember her).

I'm not sure if it is because this story is new to me or what, but at the moment, I do like it more than I like Kanon and I didn't think that possible.

Lupin III Part III Ep. 04

ルパン三世 - Part III Ep. 04

SPOILER Summary: Lupin and Jigen are trying to get the Spanish gold from a sunken Spanish ship in the Bermuda Triangle. Using a sea plan to start their dive, they discover the underwater currents prevent them from getting to the ship. A submarine filled with female pirates lead by the female Sindbad, announces that the gold is theirs and launches missiles from which female pirates emerge and attack. Lupin and Jigen fight back and escape, wounding or killing many of the pirates along the way. Goemon, waiting on the sea plane, takes off as soon as they are aboard as the pirate sub attacks.

They fly to New York where Fujiko is waiting for Lupin. As she gets ready, Sindbad and her pirates arrive first. As Lupin arrives with gifts, a waiting Sindbad gives him an opportunity to work for her, which he turns down. A helicopter shows up with the captured, unconscious Fujiko and Sindbad gives him an ultimatum to get the Spanish gold. On the sub, Sindbad demands Fujiko tell her how Lupin will get the gold since at present the gold is unreachable. They put the naked Fujiko into a device so that she will be forced to tell them what Lupin is planning. Back at a hideout, Jigen arrives to find Lupin has fishing wire everywhere which Jigen accidently triggers to cause all kinds of things to fall, including Lupin.

On the sub, Fujiko, hooked to a machine, warns them that Goemon is coming on an iceberg. Sure enough, Goemon is riding a giant iceberg, which Lupin plans to create a river of cold to get to the ship. He and Jigen do get to the ship and as predicted, it is filled with Spanish gold. Further, chunks of the iceberg falling off cause a tsunami, which combined with some sword action from Goemon, causes the sunken ship to come to shore. The pirates are waiting and force Lupin to load the gold which they take without give them Fujiko. Lupin expected this and with fishing line attached to the helicopter, he's off to the pirate hideout.

Lupin is immediately discovered and Sindbad's consultation with Fujiko tells her that to seduce Lupin, Sindbad will need to wear a transparent dress. Despite her reservations, Sindbad does this and when Lupin is shown in to her, she stages a phone call to make it appear that Fujiko is angry with Lupin and doesn't want to see him. Lupin appears to be taken in by Sindbad but request some time to rest, so he's given a room. Lupin manages to get the advantage of his escort and while Fujiko attempts to make telepathic contact with Fujiko. Lupin learns of Sindbad's plans and goes to save her while an unknowing Sindbad arrives to get Lupin. Realizing she's been tricked, she goes to get him while Lupin rescues Fujiko, who says she loves Lupin for rescuing her. They are caught where Lupin says his love for Fujiko is such that he will always hear her call.

Fujiko, while being carried, manages to shoot the gun out of Sindbad's hand. At the same time as Lupin carries Fujiko to safety, the fishing line trap Lupin set causes all sorts of things to fall and collapse, securing their escape. Zenigata, having received a tip that Lupin was stealing Spanish gold, arrives and is directed to the gold by Lupin. However, several bars of gold begin to detatch themselves and leave the pirate hideout as Lupin and Fujiko on a small speedboat flee, the gold trailing them on a fishing line.

Thoughts: Nice. Nothing like an excuse to have Fujiko naked most of the time disguised as an episode. Of course, there was also the female Sindbad as well. *_* No wonder this 3rd series was not very highly regarded. That and the story was just pretty dumb, but why bother with a story when you have naked chicks. Ugh.

Negima! Vol 20 (Ch 185) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 20 Chapter 185

Summary: As Magus and Nekane watch at the entrance of the room filled with the petrified people from Negi's former village, Negi speaks to the stony Stan and thanks him for his role in making Negi what he is. Magus wanted Negi to be able to move forward which is why he brought Negi to the room. Anya arrives with an insult for Negi, tailed by Asuna, Setsuna, Konoka, Nodoka, Yue, and Chisame. Magus is a little troubled by the others knowing about the room but Anya points out that these girls are working with Negi. Anya makes some crass remarks about the "statues," including telling Asuna that there's an older man one for her. Negi prevents Asuna from retorting as Anya arrives at the statue of a woman. This statue is Anya's mother and Anya takes a cloth to dust her mother.

Afterward, Asuna and Negi talk about things. Negi explains how Anya escaped the destruction and petrification. Asuna wants to know how Negi is taking things, but Negi assures her he's fine, especially after seeing how Anya handled the situation. Negi sees that room as his starting point and that he needs to do his best so that Stan doesn't laugh at him. The other girls who saw the room hear this as well. As such, Konoka decides that she's going to do her best to study and maybe find a way to cure them all. The others agree they will do their best for Negi.

As the girls and Negi come in, they are spotted by Ayaka's group, who hear the plan of Negi's group to take off early in the morning.

The following morning, all the members of Negima (Ala Alba) take off with Donette. Magus reminds Nekane that in addition to Donette, Nagi's friends are also waiting for Negi's group. As the group enters the fog, Donette tells them to stay close to her so that when they enter the magic gate, they won't be left behind. Further, they need to stay close so as not to get lost in the fog. Asuna says an apology back to Ayaka who's supposed to be back at the village but instead emerges from behind a large boulder. Ayaka has no intention of breaking her promise, but has a bad feeling about the trip Asuna and Negi are about to undertake. Asuna assures her that she'll protect Negi but further, the trip should be easier than they thought. With that, Asuna has to leave to keep up with the others.

Yuuna and the others of Ayaka's group observe what has transpired and wearing the same hooded cloaks as Negi's group, they figure they'll be OK to tail them. Yue asks about the possibility of normal humans stumbling onto the gate and going to the other world. As she works the magic to access the gate, she assures Yue that it is impossible but that ever 10 years or so, a normal person does get lost in the fog.

Meanwhile, the girl's with Yuuna are lost and so ask the lucky Sakurako to point them the way. She does and they are off again.

At the gate (which looks like Stonehenge) where there are others also waiting wearing hooded cloaks. Donette explains that the gate only opens once a month and since they have an hour before the gate opens, Asuna suggests breakfast. However, Ku Fei and Kotaro are already eating. Anya is not happy about Kotaro eating her sandwich and accidently bumps into another cloaked person. She apologizes and hurries off and we see the person is none other than Fate.

Thoughts: To be honest, I didn't expect Fate to show up here. So will he try to prevent Negi from reaching the Magic World or is his being there a coincidence, I can't say. Still, it does strongly suggest that the group will have to fight Fate at some point.

I'm not sure I'm going to like it if all the other girls somehow make it through to the magic world.

Pocket Monsters 02

ポケットモンスター Ep. 02

SPOILER Summary: With Pokémon kidnappers reported to be in the area, Satoshi's arrival with the injured Pikachu sets off a female police officer's warning bell. She asks for ID, but Satoshi states he doesn't have any, but identifies himself to the officer. When she sees his Pokémon Guide, she shows him that his ID is built into that. With that, she offers to take Satoshi and Pikachu to the hospital in her bike, which they agree to. They are off at turbo speed, leaving a cloud of smoke on the young fishing girl from episode 1, with her damaged and burned bike to chase after them. Meanwhile overhead, a fishing hook takes a wanted poster off the wall to a waiting hot air balloon's occupants.

At the hospital, the nurse chastises Satoshi for making his Pokémon fight a tough battle to end up in its current condition but states that she can heal his Pikachu. The police officer leaves and with Pikachu taken in for treatment, Satoshi is left alone. He calls his mother, who's happy he made it to Tokiwa City in one day but demands that he work hard to become a good Pokémon Trainer like his father and grandfather. After repeatedly reminding him to brush his teeth, she hangs up. Another phone rings and it is Professor Orchid. Satoshi tells him of the unidentified Pokémon he saw, which matches the relief of one on the hospital wall. Orchid doesn't believe him since that's a legendary Pokémon which is extremely rare to be seen.

After his call, the angry girl arrives with her bike and demands some explanation and more from Satoshi. He apologizes, but it isn't enough for her. However, learning that his Pikachu is in treatment, she calms down. The nurse emerges with Pikachu still asleep on a bed and attached to some devices. The Pokémon Center (hospital) is invaded by the man and woman in the wanted poster when they send in their Dogas Pokémon (smoky, rock thing) and Arbo Pokémon (purple rattlesnake thing) to attack. They enter announce that they are Rocket-dan (Team Rocket) with the girl named Musashi and the guy named Kojiro (along with the talking cat Pokémon) and they are looking for rare Pokémon.

After the nurse protests there are no rare Pokémon in the facility, she, Satoshi with Pikachu in the bed, and the girl retreat to a room filled with Monster Balls. Arbo takes out the facilities power, so a large group of Pokémon are used to bring up the emergency power. The nurse contacts the Pokémon Center in Nibi City and begins transferring Monster Balls there. Dogas manages to take out the door leaving Satoshi to try to fight them. Unfortunately, the Monster Balls are either empty or contain very weak Pokémon.

The girl steps forward and introduces herself as Kasumi. She urges Satoshi to flee with Pikachu and brings out her own Monster Ball. However, her Pokémon is the fish Tosakinto, which is useless on land. Now it is time for a retreat with Rocket-dan in pursuit. Pikachu awakens and summons his fellow Pikachu, who pike on top of the wounded Pikachu. Together, they send a large electric shock to Rocket-dan and their Pokémon. Then before they can recover, Satoshi's Pikachu emerges uninjured and Satoshi manages to understand that Pikachu wants him to pedal the damaged bike. He does so and Pikachu sends another powerful bolt at Rocket-dan, destroying the facility and sending them fleeing on their balloon. Musashi and Kojiro wonder how an electric mouse could defeat them unless it was something special.

With that adventure over, Satoshi, Kasumi, and Pikachu head off for anther adventure where Satoshi is going to try to capture Caterpie -- a caterpillar Pokémon.

Thoughts: Ah, Megumi-chan makes her appearance as Musashi. Maybe its just me, but Musashi and Kojiro are more humorous than "Jessie" and "James" were.

Genshiken 2 09

げんしけん 2 Episode 09

SPOILER Summary: Sasahara is looking for a job as a manga editor and not having much luck. Meanwhile, Saki is working on establishing her own clothing shop and between working on that and Kousaka looking for a job with a game company, she's not seen him recently. As a result, she has a dream on the train that he tells her he prefers 2-D over the real thing. She heads over to the Genshiken room where Sasahara, Madarame, and Ohno are, where they discuss job hunting and Saki's shop establishment.

Ogiue arrives and confronts Ohno about some materials she gave to Ogiue for Ogiue's doujinshi. Since the materials (yaoi stuff) are of older, bald, bearded men that Ohno digs, Ogiue can't use it no matter how much Ohno tries to convince her. Since Ogiue will need helpers at the ComiFes, Saki suggests Sasahara, assuming he has time with him still job hunting. Their reaction to the suggestion suggests to Saki that the two like each other, so she asks Ohno about it outside the room. Ohno is not convinced that there is anything between Saki and Sasahara, but both of them have a different view of the image that Ogiue showed them of Sasahara and Madarame.

Saki inquires of Ohno about her relationship, specifically if Tanaka plays ero games. Ohno is sure Tanaka does play them and of course Kousaka plays them. Their conversation is interrupted by Kuchiki, who's acting all excited. Back in the room, Kuchiki tries to convince everyone to go to a summer "training camp" with him. There's some general negativity about this plan of Kuchiki's, and things like the upcoming ComiFes and job hunting are cited as possible reasons not to go, though Saki says that maybe everyone could go if the job thing is resolved (implying Sasahara's). Kousaka arrives to announce he has a job, but when Saki discovers it is at an ero game company, it is as if the life is gone from her. Since he has to start right away, she decides they are going to a hotel to have at least 10-rounds of quality time together.

Sasahara returns to the job hunting and is interviewed by another company. After he tells them of his involvement in the creation of a doujinshi, the interviewers want to know his opinion of copyrights, specifically in regards to doujinshi. After all, a publisher recently took a doujinshi mangaka to court and if Sasahara works in the publishing field, he'll be on the side that opposes doujinshi. Sasahara is caught flat-footed and has no answer, meaning no job. He retreats to his room where he proceeds to play an ero game. However, his thoughts stray to Ogiue.

Thoughts: I guess Keiko was officially flushed from the anime story since Kuchiki took her spot in trying to get everyone to take a summer trip. Not that Keiko was anything special and not that she contributed to the manga, but its just less believable for everyone to decide to go (assuming the anime writers follow the manga in that regard).

Regarding Sasahara's job hunt, it is interesting how the anime brings up the whole doujinshi vs. copyright holders issue. In America, I doubt many beyond the hardcore fans are even aware of this issue in Japan.

Pocket Monsters 01

ポケットモンスター Ep. 01

NOTE! This is a review of the original, unedited Pocket Monster series and NOT that thing known as Pokémon by 4Kids. As such, the original Japanese character names will be used.

SPOILER Summary: Satoshi is a 10-year old boy from Masara Town. He's going to be a Pokémon trainer (Pokémon being short for "Pocket Monster") and tomorrow's a big day when he starts that journey. However, he cannot sleep and so his mother has him watch a training video and promise to go to bed shortly afterward. He dreams of the three beginner Pokémon he can choose from and when morning comes, he accidentally destroys the clock when he throws it, still dreaming of Pokémon.

Because he's late, he races in his pajamas to the place where he'd get his Pokémon. Outside, a crowd, complete with cheerleaders, are cheering for the rich Shigeru. When he sees Satoshi, sarcastically calls him "Satoshi-san," then "Satoshi-kun" as he makes fun of him for being late. When Satoshi calls him "Shigeru," Shigeru demands Satoshi call him "Satoshi-kun" to show some respect and decides that Satoshi will be his rival. He shows off his Monster Ball but won't tell Satoshi which Pokémon he chose as his first. As he drives off, Professor Orchid shows up and Satoshi asks for his Pokémon. Orchid asks why the "boy" (yep, that was the word used in the Japanese) Satoshi is still in his PJ's. Satoshi protests that he's not a boy, but a shounen.

In the lab, Satoshi discovers the thee basic Pokémon have been taken and Orchid only has one more Pokémon left, howbeit a problem one. The Monster Ball emerges and a Pikachu emerges. Satoshi is pleased because it is cute and when he hugs it, it gives him a huge electric shock. Orchid explains that Pikachu Pokémon don't like to be touched or hugged for the most part and hand Satoshi a Pokémon Guide and some Monster Balls. This results in both Satoshi and Orchid getting a jolt.

Outside, Satoshi's mother and neighbors are there to cheer him on and wonder about his Pokémon not being in a Monster Ball. Satoshi tries to get him in the ball but fails and ultimately ends up electrocuting the entire group. So Satoshi wears some rubber gloves and with rope tied around Pikachu, he drags the unwilling Pokémon as they travel. Satoshi soon learns that while most Pokémon have no trouble with a Monster Ball, some do and apparently Pikachu is one of those kind. Satoshi sets Pikachu free and it soon scampers up a nearby tree after Satoshi spots a bird Pokémon.

The guide ID's the Pokémon as Poppon and Satoshi decides to catch it on his own. He uses a Monster Ball and captures it, but it very quickly escapes. The guide explains that Pokémon normally have to be battled with to be captured. So he tries various means to catch Poppon, but fails. He tosses a rock at a bird Pokémon in the distance which turns out not to be a Poppon but a Onisuzume. Those battle not only other Pokémon, but their human trainers. So while Pikachu had found Satoshi's actions funny, Pikachu finds itself under attack and so counters with an electric jolt. The wounded Onisuzume summons a flock of his fellow Onisuzume, forcing Satoshi and Pikachu to flee.

Pikachu gets injured in the fight and so Satoshi takes him and is forced to jump off a waterfall where they fall into the river and are swept downstream. A girl, fishing downstream, catches them and chastizes Satoshi for not caring for his Pokémon. He borrows her bike to take Pikachu to a Pokémon hospital and to flee the Onisuzume. He tries to convince Pikachu to get into the Monster Ball so he can protect it, but instead, Pikachu manages to get off a powerful electric attack just as the Onisuzume arrive, defeating them. That out of the way, Satoshi carries Pikachu to the nearby town for treatment but not before spotting some unidentified Pokémon that flies overhead.

Thoughts: The question one might ask is, "Why would an adult be interested in watching a kids show?" Well for starters, back before I was into anime, I was well aware of Pokémon on TV and even watched a few episodes because I immediately recognized the art style as Japanese. Even before I knew of that "evil" entity known as 4Kids, Pokémon annoyed me somewhat because it was so kiddie and Ash's voice grated on me a bit.

After getting into anime, I became a fan of the seiyuu HAYASHIBARA Megumi. She plays a villain on the series (Jesse in the English) and so I caught an episode to hear her. Then I caught the banned episode that gave kids epilepsy. That would likely have been it, but an opportunity arose to see the first few episodes, so I decided, "What the heck."

As to the episode, yeah, it is kiddie but it made me laugh a couple of times and that surprised me as I don't remember laughing when I saw this in English.

Del Rey is Slipping

One of the reasons I buy so many Del Rey titles is their commitment to the use of Japanese honorifics in the English adaptation. Honorific usage in Japanese literary works (whether printed or visual) are a tool by the author to relay some character information to the audience. How characters refer to each other reveals what relationship the characters have or how they see each other. Its something that is very limited with English honorifics. So when Del Rey published their commitment to honorifics (as well as a brief definition) in every manga, I decided to give Del Rey titles more of a try without having known anything about the manga. That's how I got into Genshiken, School Rumble, and KageTora.

After I'd purchased and read the Kouga Ninja Scrolls manga, I decided to purchase the sequel manga called Yagyu Ninja Scrolls. While the story didn't do anything for me like the Kouga one did, I immediately noticed that despite the time period, no one was addressing anyone with an honorific, and I knew that "sama" and "dono" should be heavily used. Further, "Lord" and "Lady" was showing up a lot. In the end, despite having the Del Rey letter of commitment to honorifics at the begining of the manga, the honorifics had been stripped from the adaptation. Thank you Mina Eda.

OK, one time is a fluke and maybe Mina didn't get the memo from Del Rey regarding honorifics. So this morning I have volume 1 of Pumpkin Scissors in my mailbox. I scan through it real quick, as I'm want to do, and the first thing that leaped out at me was that the dog Mercury, who's called "Mer-kun" in both the manga and the anime, is no longer called by that name. Instead of "Mer-kun," we get "Merc." I was very unhappy by this turn of events. I looked through and saw that Stekkin is now "Stecchin." The Kana for the character was "Stekkin" and I don't know how you get the name "Stecchin" from that. Maybe there's an official thing somewhere that spells it this way, with the "C's" using the "K" sound. I could accept that (as happened with "Machs" whom the Japanese spelled in English as "Martis") but nothing was said of it.

Finally, Sgt. Major "Stecchin" is very polite and always uses the "san" honorific when not referring to her comrades by their military rank. So "Alice" is referred to as "Alice-san." Oreldo is "Oreldo-san." Etc. However, thanks to Ikoi Hiroe's adaptation, all that is gone. Again, remember that Del Rey's official stance on honorifics is that they'll be used but now we have two adapters who are scrapping the honorifics. Heck, even Peter David for all his re-writing of Negima Vol. 1 didn't scrap the honorifics.

So while I shouldn't be, I find myself kind of angry at the moment. I've seen ads where Del Rey proclaims itself to be the "otaku's choice." This so-called otaku won't be so quick to chose them for new titles from now on because they've shown they can't be trusted.

Update: Pumpkin Scissors volume 2 was no better. You can read that rant here.

Hayate no Gotoku! 34

Hayate the Combat Butler Episode 34
ハヤテのごとく！Ep. 34

SPOILER Summary: With Kuzuha in control of Nagi, the 2nd day of the school's culture festival is turned into a manga (doujinshi) festival with a replica of the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center there as well. When Hina finds all this out, she's not amused. Hayate has Shion helping her work on her doujinshi and she's not happy about it. She assumes her older form to see Hayate and Hina to try to get Nagi off her shoulders. When they arrive at Kuzuha's office/lair, they see stacks of pages where Nagi has been working on her doujinshi. Still under hypnosis, Nagi does not believe Hayate is really there and so when Kuzuha arrives, she decides to challenge Hayate and Hina to a doujinshi contest where the winner is the one with the most sales. Hina accepts.

With Kuzuha pulling out all the stops to draw in customers, the Student Council Trio initially decides they don't care because if Hayate loses, he has to wear an embarrassing maid costume. However, they soon change their minds when Hina informs them that a loss means they will also be wearing such costumes. As others work on the manga, they turn their butler shop into a cake shop with the recipe within their doujinshi. Because Hayate's cakes are so good, they start gaining doujinshi sales. So to ensure victory, Kuzuha starts giving away lavish, expensive prizes with the purchase of a doujinshi. People take the prizes and the trash can is filled with the unread doujinshi.

With all of their doujinshi sold out, Nagi heads off to the classroom and ends up being served cake by Hayate. This brings her out of her hypnosis to the excitement of Hayate. Nagi is embarrassed, more so since everyone in the class is watching. Kuzuha arrives and with mere minutes to go, there are no more sales to be had meaning the class will be wearing those maid costumes. However, Maria calls and since she and the SP's want cake, they have an order for 2000 cake sets, which of course come with the doujinshi. Hayate and Hina win. At the after party, Nagi forces Hayate to cross dress again, but he runs away rather than be seen in public (though Hina did see him).

Thoughts: While I liked the doujinshi stuff (especially since Genshiken is one of my favorite manga), the episode itself mostly didn't do anything for me. It just wasn't all that funny (didn't get enough references I guess) and I guess I was kinda bored with the story. Oh well. All series have dud episodes.

Shakugan no Shana Second 09

灼眼のシャナ II Episode 09

SPOILER Summary: Margery Daw continues to tell Sato and Tanaka her story when she and a new Flame Haze in the 1930's New York encountered the Tomogara Annaberg and Sydonay. She casts a Fuzetsu on the Empire State Building where Annaberg was about to do his thing. Outside, Yuri and Valac stand and observe. Valac wants to know why Yuri told Margery his desire to protect people as protecting people is a mere result of a Flame Haze's job and not the goal. Despite knowing his belief would be rejected by Margery, he said it anyway and continues to believe in helping others.

Meanwhile, Margery changes into her werebear form to battle Annaberg. The fight rages with Annaberg fleeing until he tries to lead Margery into a trap where the waiting Sydonay is. Sydonay transforms into his winged, weretiger form but Margery doesn't fall for the trap. She uses her ability to split herself and surround Sydonay. She and Marchosias begin an improvised verse which causes both Annaberg and Sydonay to scatter. Sydonay protects himself as Margery's attack destroys the top of the Empire State Building.

Meanwhile, Yuri has Valac's permission to go in and help save Margery. A small moth warns Margery of an incoming surprise attack from Sydonay, who causes Margery some heavy damage and forces her back to her human form. Yuri summons a storm of moths and then forms an "energy comet" with which he races into the Fuzetsu and protects Margery by damaging Sydonay. Margery reverts to beast for to take on Sydonay while Yuri goes after Annaberg. Yuri manages to dispatch Annaberg and despite nearly being empy, he moves in to save Margery again, who's in a stalemate with Sydonay. His arrival as both Sydonay and Margery attack kill him (but not before Valac states her pride in Yuri) and allows Sydonay and Margery to escape (Margery needing to escape to take vengeance on the Tomogara with the silver flame, which is her sole purpose).

Margery reports back to East Edge and brings Yuri's glasses, which have been damaged and now kinda look like the ones she current wears. Upon hearing the story, Tanaka and Sato reflect on her words. Tanaka wonders if this means that Margery doesn't want them to follow her.

Meanwhile, Yuuji is training with Shana and Alastor. They want him to cast the unrestricted spell Fuzetsu. After some effort, he does cast it but while he is pleased with his efforts, Shana and Alastor are stunned to see that there is a silver flame coming from Yuuji.

Thoughts: It almost appears that Margery's glasses are a tribute to Yuri, who wore glasses. I wonder what happened to Valac, who surely would have found a new candidate to be her Flame Haze. Interesting that Yuuji's flame is silver. Considering Margery's story, what do you wanna bet that this is somehow connected with her.

Clannad 09

クラナド Episode 09

SPOILER Summary: Okazaki, Nagisa, and Fuko-chan arrive at the school to pass the night there. Nagisa informed her father that she'd be staying out with Fu-chan and while he didn't actually remember her, the name did stir something within him. Fuko cannot resist the birthday party set and even though Okazaki calls her actions childish, Fuko cannot contain herself and spaces out. So Okazaki steals her hat and Fuko decides to be really childish and get it back, which she does by ramming him.

Her treasure secured, she she informs Okazaki that if he really is an adult, he would address a girl he's close to by their given name. She is referring to Nagisa, whom Okazaki refers to by family name and she him. Citing her oneechan and Yusuke-san as an example, she insists that Nagisa call Okazaki "Tomoya-kun" and he address Nagisa as "Nagisa-chan." Both have difficulty doing so but when Fuko gives Okazaki permission to drop the "chan" honorific, he is able to address Nagisa as such -- Nagisa. Nagisa states that it will take her a bit longer before she's comfortable addressing Okazaki as "Tomoya-kun" but Fuko-chan is OK with that.

This out of the way, Fuko wants to have a pre-wedding party for the wedding that will happen in a less than two days. Okazaki and Nagisa agree, so Okazaki goes off to find some candles and gets some stuff from the vending machine. They light the candles and Nagisa secures the party hat onto Fuko-chan. The trio have a little party and as the candles burn down and they sit on the floor, Fuko-chan falls asleep on Nagisa's shoulder. The following morning, it is Nagisa sleeping on Okazaki's shoulder and they have no clue why they are at school, nor what they were doing despite evidence of a party. They rush to Nagisa's parent's home, but they aren't mad because of Nagisa's call, though they can't remember why Nagisa was going to be out.

Later at school, both are troubled that they seem to have forgotten something important and that it is somehow connected to the wooden star that Nagisa found in her bag. After turning down Kyou's request to join herself and Ryou to go shopping on the following day (because something important is going to happen), Okazaki rejoins Nagisa and they find Koumura-sensei creating a huge banner for a wedding. He's surprised that they've forgotten and after a bit of prompting and thought, they remember the wedding of Ibuki-sensei. But then they can't remember why they were going to go to the wedding until Koumura-sensei mentions Ibuki-sensei's little sister. When Nagisa remembers Fuko-chan and says her name, both Nagisa and Okazaki find Fuko-chan standing between them with her party hat still on. Okazaki apologizes but Fuko states that his forgetting is only natural.

The wedding on the following day goes forth as planned with not many students coming though. However, when Fuko-chan, Nagisa, and Okazaki race to the school gate to congradulate the happy couple, they discover the school's courtyard filled with students, many holding starfish. Even Kyou and Ryou remembered the wedding as did Nagisa's parents, though all had forgotten until the day of the wedding and it appeared that none remember Fuko-chan. When Ibuki-sensei emerges with Yusuke, she goes to speak to Nagisa and Okazaki and notes their sad appearance. Okazaki confesses that all of this was because of a person they had grown to love, which Ibuiki-sensei deduces is Fuko-chan, stating that they must have been with her. It is then that Ibuiki-sensei sees her little sister as Fuko-chan gives he a starfish and wishes her oneechan well. Then Fuko-chan is gone, a trail of pink, square, paper, party cuttings in her wake.

Sometime later at school, the talk is of the rumored younger sister of Ibuki-sensei who's unconscious, but very cute and who still runs through the halls of the school. Sunohara, holding the wooden star, wonders who said this girl was cute. Kyou says it is only a rumor, but wonders if Sunohara gets the feeling that the sister was indeed cute. He looks at the star and agrees. Kyou asks where he got that star and he doesn't remember, only that it was in his room. The group all agree it is a starfish, leading Nagisa to wonder how they knew that. Kyou tries to wake the sleeping Okazaki, who's thinking of a sleeping girl everyone's waiting to wake up, and whom he's sure will wake up one day.

Thoughts: Well, as expected, the tissue box was used more than once. The final night with Fuko-chan was touching as we got that one final blissful space-out from her and the party set. I loved how Fuko-chan was working on Nagisa's and Okazaki's relationship, wanting her to call him "Tomoya-kun" and him to address her as "Nagisa-chan" because their addressing each other by last name means there's some distance between them. The impact of that scene will be severely weakened in the dub I fear and if the Japanese honorifics are removed (or likely force-translated) in the subtitles, it will still weaken the scene.

I felt so bad for Fuko-chan when Nagisa and Okazaki finally remembered her and could see her once more standing between them. They were the last ones to forget and from that point on, she was alone in a world full of people. I was glad to see all the students showed up for the wedding, even if they didn't remember Fuko-chan and I was really glad that Ibuki-sensei got to see the "spirit" of Fuko-chan. I was saddened that everyone forgot Fuko-chan again except as a rumor and a knowledge that the wooden stars they owned were in fact starfish. I'm guessing that if the writers decide to wake her up, it will be at the end of the series. Since everyone has all but forgotten Fuko-chan, I don't expect her to be mention again until maybe the end.

One final thought -- it was interesting that Koumura-sensei seemed to remember Fuko-chan when Nagisa and Okazaki had forgotten.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 52

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 52
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 52

SPOILER Summary: As the destruction device begins to tear down the Mystic Shield, the Jya-ryuzoku Emperor uses his Dragon Doom to keep the Ryu units at bay. He beats them down and forces them to retreat and rethink their plan. It is decided that Sarutobi, Galden, and Hittel/Katze will take their Ryu's to penetrate the destruction device and attempt to destroy it from within. The remaining Ryu's will then keep the Dragon Doom occupied. Having agreed to the plan, the groups set off as the hole in the Mystic Shield begins to grow.

Sarutobi's group manages to penetrate the device structure as planned but soon find themselves sealed in a section of the device, and that section is then ejected. Sarutobi has to use his ninja to allow their escape. Meanwhile Adeu's group is getting their collective rears handed to them by the Dragon Doom. The White Dragon appears, having picked up Sarutobi's group and Nuzzi. Nuzzi gives them some final advice about combining the power of their Spirit Stones. As the White Dragon provides a bit of cover, all of the Ryu Riders send their Spirit Stone energy into Ryu Paladin, who appears to class-change again. Adeu uses the power to damage the Dragon Doom and send it crashing into the destruction device, which eventually causes the destruction of both the Dragon Doom and the destruction device.

With the war won and the Jya-ryuzoku out for at least another 1000 years, the party begins to part. Galden decides that he's going to visit the country he was born in. Sarutobi sends a shuriken Galden's way as a parting gift, but in reality, Sarutobi has forgiven Galden and Galden accepts the "attack" for nothing more than a measure of respect. Gesshin goes to improve his bushido and Gratches goes to unite his scattered people. Katze decides she'll get rich but use proceeds to help those harmed in the war (what Hittel does, I'm not sure). So Adeu decides to leave Paffy, Izumi, and Sarutobi to work on being a knight. While he's depressed a bit to be alone, he seems unhappy when Sarutobi finds him and decides to tag along. Paffy and Izumi arrive with the wagon, and the four plus Hagu Hagu head off for new adventures.

Thoughts: Well, its finally over. It only took almost three years to get through this, but I finally finished it to write my CAR review (coming shortly after this page is published). Now that anime no longer has that newness to it combined with my getting older, shounen titles such as this one are difficult to get through. Still, despite some annoying moments with Adeu, I was entertained and I suppose at the end of the day, that's what its all about.

One place this anime title did surprise me was in the villain department. When Idoro was killed, I thought she'd show back up because Galden certainly kept coming back. But then Galden joined the good guys and a chain of villain bosses get wiped out up through the Emperor. I did like that though because I hate the villains that just won't die and stay dead.

Genshiken Manga Volume 9

Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 9

Summary (mild spoilers): Ohno's friends Sue and Angela have arrived from America for their second trip to attend the Winter ComiFes as well as to take in some Japanese culture. Ogiue learns that Sue may not be as ignorant of Japanese as they all thought. Then later, Genshiken, Tanaka, Madarame, and Kugayama, Sue, and Angelea head to a Narita temple to bring in the New Year.

Later again, Ogiue decides she's going to make a real manga for submission and shows her storyboards to Sasahara, who's going to be a manga editor in his first job. He critiques her work, leading her to extreme frustration and anger. However, his words made her redo the title, making it even better and proper for submission.

Madarame has lunch in the Genshiken room where Saki is. When agrees to him getting her some tea from a vending machine, she's reminded of the time when he bought her a beverage and she slugged him. He feigns ignorance of the event, but in reality it is seared in his mind, revealing that he has feelings for Saki. Their conversation of the past and his decision to thank her for the four years she spent as a Genshiken member causes her to get emotional.

Because it is nearly graduation time, Ohno forces Saki to live up to her promise to cosplay, having Kugayama drive in 15 outfits for Saki as well as outfits for Ohno (with Tanaka and Kuchiki roped in to carry the stuff in). However, only Ohno and Tanaka are allowed to see this cosplaying with Tanaka taking pictures. When the stuff is developed, Ohno follows her hunches and gets Madarame to meet her to view them. He decides to refuse and when Saki arrives, the pictures get scattered on the ground in Ohno's attempt to hide them, thus allowing Madarame to see Saki as he always wanted to -- in cosplay.

After the graduation ceremony where Saki, Kousaka, and Sasahara complete college, he and Ogiue head to the Genshiken room after leaving the others where he wants to find a special doujinshi. The two talk about things regarding their relationship and before they can kiss, Sasahara suspects that the others are in fact spying on them. Sure enough, he was right. When the group all gathers again, Ohno convinces Ogiue to become the new president of the club. Then everyone heads for an after-graduation party at a restaurant where they discuss the possibility of Saki being a moe character. They bring Ohno and Oguie into the conversation for what type of female anime character they'd be.

Thoughts: Another good volume and I'm sorry that the series is over. The return of Angela and Sue didn't do a lot for me, but it did provide a vehicle to explore Ogiue a bit more, and that I liked. The chapter where Madarame and Saki are alone in the club room again was pure gold in that we got a clear picture of how he viewed her. I always knew he respected her a great deal and likely was somewhat attracted to her (the picture of her cosplay that he kept proved that), but I didn't know just how deep his feelings were. The chapter ended up being very touching and it will be interesting seeing it animated.

The "silent chapter" was gold as well. Akamatsu-sensei did a similar chapter in Negima! and it worked very well. Shimoku-sensei does the same thing with Saki's cosplay photo shoot and aftermath.

As for the series as a whole, it works because of the characters. We have views of otaku from two sides. Sasahara provides the otaku track and Saki the "normal" track. Both grow quite a bit over the nine volumes. Sasahara starts out afraid to even look at a doujinshi and now he has an otaku girlfriend with whom he can be himself with. Plus, he's now going to be a manga editor. For Saki, she started out hating Genshiken and the otaku life, but in the end, these people became dear friends to her.

Its a shame the original president didn't show up at the end for a cameo, but oh well.

Bottom line: this is one of my favorite manga titles. Thanks to Del Rey for bringing it to us.

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 51

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 51
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 51

SPOILER Summary: As Isaac's aide Danan flees to the descending Mystic Shield destruction device to give his report to the Emperor, Adeu finds himself having to rouse the spirits of not only his fellow Ryu Riders, but the others who'd come to aide him. They see things as completely hopeless but Adeu tells them that it was they who gave him strength to carry on the fight after the death of the other Ryu Riders. As such, they agree to help as best they can. One Solid will be loaded onto the flying sail ship along with a contingent of ninja, pirates, and others. Escorted by the four surviving Ryu units, their mission will be to damage the foundation that the destruction device will land on while the Ryu's fight the Doom's.

Initially, things go OK for the small band of attackers as the ninja manage to take out a Doom unit using ninja techniques to plant bombs all over its surface while the rest, given cover by the lone Solid, plant large bombs all around one section of the foundation. They set off the bombs, causing some nice damage to the one section of the foundation. However, the sheer number of Doom units are more than the four Ryu's can handle and they inflict heavy casualties on ninja and others, including the destruction of the Solid. Iori, Nuzzi, Jeffery, and Flora are all injured badly in the attack. Sarutobi has to use Bakuretsumaru to try to get Iori and Flora to safety.

The Emperor has order the docking of the Mystic Shield destruction device despite the damage to the foundation as the Mystic Shield will soon begin to re-strengthen. Adeu tries to prevent this but fails and begins to give in to defeat. However, just before three Dooms can destroy him, he's saved when Dark Knight Steru arrives on the scene and dispatches the Dooms. He gives Adeu a bit of a hard time for his current attitude, then announces he's brought friends. To Adeu's and everyone else's amazement, the White Dragon appears and on his back are Derringer, Hayatemaru, and Shinebaram in their class-changed form with their Katze, Hittel, Gesshin, and Gratches still very much alive. Apparently, the White Dragon's technology teleported them to safety before they could be killed.

Now re-enforced, the White Dragon evacuates the wounded while the others join the fight. The destruction device lands on the foundation, but because one of the supports were damaged, it inflicts some damage to the device. Galden class-changes Dark Knight Steru into Rune Knight Steru, forcing Sarutobi to grudgingly concede that Galden is an ally. Galden continues his attacks on the giant device but it begins to work despite the damage and begin taking down the Mystic Shield for the Jya-ryuzoku armada in orbit to land. Further complicating things is a giant mecha unit which has emerged from the destruction device.

Thoughts: Ha!Ha! I knew Galden would return. I figured there would be a way for the other slain Ryu Riders to return. I'd forgotten about the White Dragon though. Isn't life sweet? One more to go. With only one more, will we learn where Galden got a Spirit Stone?

Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight 50

覇王大系リューナイト Episode 50
Lord of Lords Ryu Knight Episode 50

SPOILER Summary: Adeu wallows in self-pity after the deaths of Gratches, Gesshin, Katze, and Hittel, which is further added to when he finds Katze damaged abacus. The others try to bring him out of it since the Jya-ryuzoku have finished their repairs and the device to destroy the Mystic Shield once and for all is attempting to penetrate the shield to be attached to the top of Earth Blade. Seeing this, Sarutobi and Izumi take off to fight while Paffy attempts to bring Adeu out of his funk. She ends up smacking him in the face, then is sorry for that. She brings his head to her bosom before she too takes off to join the fight.

Adeu finally comes round and discovers the others are fighting the Jya-ryuzoku to try to prevent them from completing their mission. Issac, desperate to ensure that the Ryu's don't cause any further delays which could stop them altogether, enters the fray with his Doom, which is more powerful than previous Doom's seen. The fight is a tough one but when Adeu finally arrives, he tries to get them to retreat until that night. However, they don't have that much time left. Sarutobi attempts to do what he can, but his attack is repulsed and he's almost sent packing.

To Adeu's amazement, three armies arrive from Earth Tear to join the battle. Flora leads an armada, Iori leads the ninja, including ones on kites, and Nuzzi leads an army of Solids and tanks. Even as Adeu gets knocked from the sky by Isaac's Doom, the armies open a barrage on it, even though they cannot harm the Doom. As Zephyr sinks into the water, Adeu feels it is impossible to win, but seeing Paffy call his name causes him to revive and Zephyr to come to the surface. Adeu witnesses everyone fighting and realizes that he's been too self-centered. With this, he re-enters the fight, preventing Isaac from wiping out all three armies.

Isaac tries to hit Adeu with a big attack, but Adeu manages to hold it off and repell it, forcing Isaac to retreat. Isaac needs to buy time to allow the device to get through the Mystic Shield and so flees to the mother ship with Adeu in pursuit. Inside, Isaac ambushes Adeu to prevent him from being able to prevent the device penetrating the shield by stabbing the foot of Zephyr, pinning it to the floor of the ship. Adeu manages to cut Isaac's Doom in half, destroying it. The subsequent explosions destroy the mother ship, though Isaac's aide Danan manages to escape, as does Adeu. However, the destruction device has started to penetrate the Mystic Shield.

Thoughts: Wow. No one on the Ryu team died. Time for Galden to make an appearance. Yeah. Well, either that or the other Ryu riders who'd supposedly died.