More Negima! 240 SPOILER Images

More Negima! 240 SPOILER Images
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 240 (Images)

Here's the 2nd round of spoiler images from Japan, y'all (click pic to make bigger, y'all).


Match time against Jack Rakan already? Natsumi and Kotaro? Heh!

OK, I swear I'm going back to bed now, but just in case you missed it, the first spoiler image is --> HERE. ^_^

Update: THIRD and final (complete) set is --> HERE!

Negima! Chapter 240 SPOILER Image (PACTIO CONFIRMATION!)

Negima! 240 SPOILER Images
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 240 (Images)

Here's what I know many of you have been waiting for -- the original-sized, sneak-peek images for Mahou Sensei Negima! 240 as brought to you buy anonymous Japanese fans (click pic to make bigger, y'all).


Heh!heh! Kudos to those who rightly guessed that Theodora would be the magister and Negi the minister. I'm still not a fan of this "magister is also a minister" thing, but oh well. Also, this would prove beyond a doubt that provisional cards can be artifact cards since Negi is clearly about to activate the card. Also, doesn't it look like he's holding Nagi's spell book? ^_~

If more get uploaded, I'll upload them.

UPDATE: 2nd round of spoiler images --> HERE!

Update 2: Final round of spoiler images --> HERE!

Fire At My Old Japanese Stomping Grounds

Not that this will matter to anyone but those who've been stationed at Yokota AB, Japan, but a friend and former co-worker from Japan sent me the link to this fire that happened on base. I didn't work there, but that building was pretty close to the dorms where I lived. Fortunately, no one was hurt.



Note: Video may take a few seconds to start once "play" is hit.

It is strange seeing the place after all these years. From what I could see, things have changed very little it seems (well, except for a building burning down). Man, I sure would love to go back for a visit sometime.

The actual FNN news page (English version) can be found here.

xxxHOLiC Manga Chapter 172

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Watanuki tells his female cooking student that the reason she doesn't want to taste her own food isn't because she's disgusted with herself, but she's afraid. She rejects that but Watanuki says he's the same because he can't taste food or remember what he's eaten. That said, although it may be scary to know one's self, staying ignorant is more scary. However, people who have eaten Watanuki's food say it is good and he believes them. The woman asks why she's being told all this, so Watanuki answers that they may never meet again and that their current meeting is hitsuzen. With that, Watanuki says that they should make some onigiri so that they can eat together and learn about each other.

Outside the room, Himawari-chan, Doumeki-kun, Kohane-chan, and Mokona hear a loud noise from the kitchen. They look to find Watanuki yelling for the woman to wait as she leaves. Kohane-chan asks if Watanuki is OK and he tells her he is, though Doumeki looks skeptical.

Thoughts/Review: I didn't really like how CLAMP had the unnamed woman leave. The way the scene was drawn, it isn't initially clear what the heck happened. At first, I thought that Watanuki was running out of the kitchen to go get something, say to clean up a mess. Then after studying the imagery for a while, I came to the conclusion that the woman simply stormed off in a huff. I'm not sure what's up with CLAMP lately but it seems they are big fans of ambiguous or confusing artwork when telling the story.

Frankly, I'm not really gripped by this latest xxxHOLiC story arc, which seems to be marking time to allow whatever crap is going on in Tsubasa to finish. I really don't care about this unnamed woman or Watanuki's attempts to get her to eat her own food. Maybe she'll be gone forever and Watanuki's friends will help him suddenly be able to taste again.

Urusei Yatsura 100 - 101

SPOILER Summaries/Synopsis:

うる星やつら episode 100

Shuutaro is not pleased to be compared with Ataru, so he takes Ataru over to his mansion to feel superior to Ataru. Ataru isn't impressed with the vast collection of WWII weapons, so its off to the giant safe. Again, Ataru isn't impressed and causes the safe door to close and lock. Trapped, Ataru and Shuutaro end up playing games with Shuutaro losing a ton of gold and cash. However, when the two start setting off traps including a water trap that fills the room, does one keep the gold or no? Eventually, the safe drains and they end up in the drainage pipe leading outside. However, it has an unbreakable metal net blocking the hole, meaning they are still trapped.

うる星やつら episode 101

Ataru is spotted going to an old sento (public bath house) immediately after school by Lum's stormtroopers, so they decide they need a bath too. Ataru isn't happy to see them since there is supposed to be a party on the female side. He's also not happy Cherry is already there. Megane and company can't get the truth out of him but when Shuutaro shows up and mentions Ryuko attending the party, Ataru is very happy, since all he knew about were Lum and her friends. Plans for peeping are made and when the girls arrive, the guys are excited to discover that it is every girl from the anime. Their efforts for people keep failing, leading them to eventually knock over the dividing wall accidentally, where they discover the girls are all in swimsuits.

Thoughts/Review: For episode 100, I did get some laughs, notably with Ataru wanting to eat and Ataru winning all the games while they were trapped in the safe. Their shifting usage of honorifics was funny, especially as Shuutaro kept trying to note his differences with Ataru. The dream sequence each had of the other dressed as a girl and using the "sama" honorific made me laugh because it was so wrong. However, the episode as a whole was one of, "ugh." At least there were laughs but I'm not really a fan of these dopey stories.

As to episode 101, I have to say that I had more laughs here. The tradition of men peeping at women in a public bath or onsen has long been documented in anime and manga. This episode did the same things one has seen many other times with the guys trying and failing to peep. However, where this got funny is when the guys got desperate and lost there towels. Since we can't show nudity, the "naughty bits" can't be shown -- they have to be censored. However, censoring the naughty parts with guys dressed in black, holding black circles on long poles was completely unexpected and it got funnier as the guys got more desperate. So kudos to the anime production staff for that clever idea.

Minami-ke Okaeri 04

みなみけ おかえり Episode 04

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Kana comes home and learns that Haruka has made Kana's favorite snack -- Cheese Lemon Custard Chiffon Pie. Kana finds Touma is already eating some and decided to steal some of Touma's, leading Touma to head-butt Kana. After Touma leaves, Kana and Chiaki talk about this over dinner. Chiaki wonders if now is the time to make Touma more lady-like, but after Kana thinks back to her conversation with Touma's brother Akira, she decides that Touma must be raised as a gentleman (English work was used in the Japanese). Chiaki understands where Touma is coming from and relates their own family situation to a pack of dogs with Haruka as the leader. Kana wonders which of them is the stronger and a fight breaks out just as Touma arrives for dinner. Touma enters their house, where she discovers Haruka has both Kana and Chiaki by the forehead and chastising them for interrupting dinner. Touma sees this as the feared killer technique of Haruka's -- the "Iron Claw." Haruka releases her two younger siblings, who fall to the ground. Touma goes to check on them, but they start to attack Touma for getting them into this mess until Haruka firmly asks if they are back to fighting instead of eating. That brings the Kana-Chiaki attack to a stop as they then hug Touma, telling Haruka that Touma is their best friend.

Touma is chastised by her brother Natsuki for being late and thus the cream stew he'd prepared is now cold. Touma tries to headbutt Natsuki, but only ends up injuring herself, leading Natsuki to explain that men will not yield to the attacks of their little sisters. So, next time Touma is over at the female Minami residence, she complains about Natsuki's strictness to Kana. Haruka enters and asks if Touma will be staying for dinner. Touma declines, citing Natsuki's strict behavior of late and recounting how when she tried to come over, Natsuki blocked her path for not having cleaned the bathroom and further, had avoided Touma's punch. Haruka recounts how Natsuki mentioned to her that Touma had become more boyish of late. So, Kana has the perfect defense, which is a picture of Touma after having awoken from a nap. If Natsuki chastises her, Touma is to show him the picture. So Touma goes home and Natsuki is irritated that Touma is late. Touma shows the picture and is amazed at its effect -- Natsuki's wrath is stopped by this photo.

The male Minami family discuss what to buy Touma for her upcoming birthday. Each recounts what they'd bought her in the past and feel their present is the one she liked most. Natsuki decides she'll buy it. Meanwhile at school, Hiroko-chan asks Kana about "banchou's" and the conversation leads to Natsuki. Hiroko wonders if Natsuki is a relative of Kana's, which Kana states is not the case. Over at the high school, Hitomi sees Natsuki deep in thought and somehow knows he's forgotten his lunch. So she offers him some of hers -- an octopus-shaped sausage. He declines but does borrow money from her for a hot dog. Natsuki eats in the hall as he talks with Hitomi when he sees Maki and Haruka walking down the hall. His eyes look at Haruka, whom he's attracted too but Hitomi thinks he's looking at her with eyes of love and ends up running away as she's "not ready." Maki wonders if Natsuki did something to Hitomi and seeing Haruka's look of concern, Natsuki tries to assure them that it was all a misunderstanding.

It is a rainy day at school when Hitomi approaches "Maki-senpai" for advice on being mature. Maki is happy that Hitomi came to her for advice rather than Haruka until she learns that she was chosen because Hitomi thinks Maki is still trying to become mature. Hosaka arrives and is soaked but holding an umbrella. Maki wonders why Hosaka is there, so he recounts his fantasy of bringing an umbrella for Haruka and giving it to her so she could go home. As he tells his story, he slings water at Hitomi and Maki. Hitomi is prepared and uses a handkerchief as a shield but Maki gets wet. Hitomi takes from this that being mature means giving your umbrella away, so she tries to get Natsuki to take her small, pink umbrella to walk home with, something he doesn't want to do. Fortunately for him, the rain stops and the sun comes out. Hosaka's plan for Haruka is also foiled by this. Making it home, Natsuki gives Touma a birthday present -- a compact, black umbrella.

Thoughts/Review: Two words -- pure win!

For the first story, we had the return of the Cheese Lemon Custard Chiffon Pie from Minami-ke episode 09. I had no idea this would be returning but back then, I promised to keep looking for the recipe and I never stopped. I now have it and I hope to have a translation from Miwa-sensei this Saturday. ^_^ Unfortunately, I won't be able to make one at this time (tight budget, y'all) but maybe soon, Lord willing. (Update: recipe --> HERE!)

Touma's headbutt of Kana made me laugh, but it was funnier when it backfired on her attack of Natsuki. Indeed, the whole conflict between Touma and Natsuki just had me giggling. Of course the resolution of that conflict with the picture that had Haruka also in it made me laugh as well.

While we are on the topic of conflicts, another great moment was Haruka's "Iron Claw" technique whereby she had Kana and Chiaki gripped by the forehead. Oh man, I just love how Haruka's voice never gets raised, but you know she's ticked and she's all business. *lol* Much better than last season's Haruka I can tell you.

Hitomi is the new character to the series, but unlike Fuyuki-kun from last series, Hitomi is a win. I like how she looks so serious but really likes Natsuki (who's clueless of course). Too bad Hitomi can't tell that Natsuki is infatuated with Haruka. I laughed when she was instinctively prepared for Hosaka's sloshing of water whereas Maki was not. I hope we see more of Hitomi because she has a lot of potential.

As to Hosaka, well the writers are using him to maximum comedic effect. I not only laughed at his drenched self slinging water all over the place, but again his fantasy about Haruka cracked me up as did Maki and Hitomi's reaction to Hosaka's shirt suddenly becoming unbuttoned. *lol* Just another win moment to be sure. I think the Hosaka stuff has been among the funniest stuff so far.

This episode looked a lot better to me visually, which helped. Even the distant shots looked pretty good this time when it came to the characters (rather than some cheaper imitation).

After last week's episode, I'll admit I was a bit concerned about the series since I didn't find episode 3 that good. However, this episode is pure Minami-ke goodness and so I look forward to the next episode with eagerness.

Slayers Evolution-R 02

スレイヤーズ EVOLUTION－R Episode 02

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: A village under nightly assault from a headless dullahan (think "headless horseman") is visited by Lina and company. Upon seeing Nama-chan, the villagers attack, feeling she is another dullahan. This causes Lina to blast a nearby mountain with a Dragon Slave to get them to stop their attacks. After learning the situation and feeling that maybe they can find another clue to the Hellmaster Jar, Lina agrees to help the villagers. Sure enough, the headless dullahan comes to town that evening, demanding to know where his head is and is followed by an army of zombies and skeletons. The dullahan sees Nama-chan's head and goes for it, but sees it isn't his helmet-head so he tosses it aside. It is then that Lina springs her trap, whereby they ensnare the dullahan.

After Amelia dispatches the dullahan's undead army by threatening them with purification, the dullahan gives up. He says his name is Hans and that he lost his head as part of a dullahan meeting. After somehow getting drunk off adult beverages, he woke up to discover his head missing. He mentions his large jar collection, which Lina can see if she helps him. Lina has Hans summon the dullahan for a meeting in order to get everyone back for the investigation. The hero dullahan Dune returns on his chariot and when Lina learns he's now wearing a hood, she discovers Dune has Hans' helmet. Turns out that Dune had lost his and took Hans' to protect Dune's status. Lina gets frustrated, more so when she discovers that Hans' pots are actually used as octopus traps.

Thoughts/Review: This episode was only mildly amusing, and just "OK." The octopus element at the end reminded me of Slayers Premium. However, as a joke, it didn't really work for me.

By not having the normal conflict between Nama-chan and Lina this episode, that removed a good bit of comedic material. I was disappointed by this. Nama-chan's use as bait worked for the episode but then the episode was kinda boring to me. After getting over the surprise that the dullahan weren't evil, things were rather "meh."

That's not to say that I didn't get some enjoyment from this. The best laughs came from Amelia threatening to purify the undead, then threatening to do the same to Dune.

I do look forward to the next episode and I do apologize for this lack-luster blog entry. Blame some setbacks on the job-hunting front which have me off center as I write this (which is Jan. 27). Hopefully, I'll recenter and get back on track.

White Album 04 (or How to Keep Missing Each Other in the 80's)

ホワイトアルバム Episode 04

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Rina calls Touya at 5am to tell him that Yuki wants to meet him at 10am instead of 11am for their date. Touya doesn't remember all the details so when he arrives at the station, he doesn't know where to go. Meanwhile, Rina is in disguise at the meeting place she'd told Touya about, but he never shows. Touya bumps into a high school girl who accuses him of being a pervert but for some reason, she does help him, even though she doesn't believe he's dating the idol Yuki. Touya and Yuki keep missing each other and finally catch each other after the sun goes down. They embrace and Yuki tells Touya the news that she's going to release a single. She invites Touya up to her apartment and after they passionately kiss, she goes to take a shower as he waits sitting on the bed.

Thoughts/Review: This is such a strange anime to me, and yet there's just something about it that I will admit has its hooks in my, like some STINKING SOAP OPERA! *lol*

You know, this anime is set in the 80's and yet the characters don't appear to be from the 80's, nor has there been any 80's music to be heard (even in Japan, the J-pop groups had music that could easily be ID'd today as coming from the 80's). However, this episode, more so than the others, made me realize from a technology perspective that they are most certainly in the 80's. The use of those green pay phones (which is something I remember seeing a lot of in Japan) didn't trigger that much of a response to me before, but for this episode, I realized, "Hey! They don't have cell phones!"

Yep. The lack of cell phones and the use of corded phones (as well as some other technological touches here and there) are the only real ID markers this series has that it was set in the 80's. As I watched, this, I realized just how much the cell phone has become such a useful tool. Heck, I don't use mine that often, but even the other day when meeting some friends for a pinball outing, I used my cell phone to call a late buddy, who'd been caught in traffic. I had his number saved in my cell phone so I wouldn't forget. However, back in the 80's, that wouldn't have been possible and likely we would have assumed that our friend wasn't coming. So if Yuki and Touya could have had cell phones, they wouldn't have missed each other. Aren't you glad you have a cell phone today (those that have them)? ^_~

Finally, Touya and Yuki felt like a couple. It only took four episodes, but I finally felt it this time. Yeah, I know that last episode, Yuki embraced Touya from the back, but Touya still felt like a guy who had placed Yuki on a pedestal he could not then reach. He chased her and wanted to be with her, but there still felt like there was a wall between them. This time, that wall didn't appear to be there as Yuki and Touya kissed. What's somewhat strange is that while Touya calls Yuki his girlfriend and he goes to great effort to be with her, going up to Yuki's apartment was something he was hesitant to do. Even as the episode ended, he seemed hesitant. Maybe he's just a nice guy though nice guys rarely get girls romantically interested in them.

While talking about Yuki, at least we now know what Yuki was crying about in episode 2 -- she is getting a single released. Well, now that scene makes sense but back then, I honestly wasn't sure if Yuki was telling the truth about being happy or was crying because she'd been chastised and was simply covering. I chose to believe the former, but I wondered why we couldn't be told what brought Yuki to tears of joy. I guess the writers wanted to keep the audience in the dark like Touya.

Speaking of Touya, looks like he's finally starting to wonder a bit about some of the girls he's been in contact with lately. We'll see where that goes. Also, I guess his dad kicked Touya out after Touya's mother died. Well, I guess that explains Touya's dislike of his father.

Poor Haruka. She did Touya's slave work to stay in college and even bought him a candy bar.

So, why did Yuki have Rina call Touya about meeting early? Clearly, Rina had an ulterior motive and initially, I thought she did this all on her own. However, when Yuki mentions that Rina suggested moving the date time up to 10AM to insure Touya was there by 11AM (the planned date time), that meant that Yuki was down with it from the start, though I doubt she knew that Rina planned to spend that extra hour with Touya. Considering how Rina goes overboard on trying to disguise herself in public (and Yuki doesn't), I wonder if Rina is envious that Yuki has a boyfriend she can trust. Rina may be trying to gain a pseudo boyfriend. Despite this, she still covered for Yuki so that Yuki didn't have to have a singing lesson. So she's an odd one to figure out.

Finally, there's the high school girl. I would have blown her off as a one-time entry, but since she was shown for the teaser combined with her looking almost as if she recognized Touya, I wonder if she's the tutor student.

So, as I said earlier, there's just something about this anime that has me interested despite its presentation failures.

Toradora! 16

とらドラ！Episode 16

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Taiga is making her threats of what she'll do if she's elected president of the student council when Yuusaku arrives. Other of their classmates play-act on how bad life will be under Taiga rule when Yuri-sensei arrives. Privately, Taiga and Ryuuji explain to her that this is part of their plan to convince Yuusaku to go ahead and run for student council president. She agrees to their plan and even offers to assist by showing them how to use the printer to make the fliers and posters for Taiga's campaign. However, no matter what they do, Yuusaku shows no interest in running for president and time is running out.

One evening, Ryuuji gets a phone call from one of the student council members which causes Ryuuji to leave Taiga at his apartment. He finds a bruised Yuusaku by the river, sitting on the steps. Yuusaku explains that he's in love with the president of the student council (Sumire) and he was going to confess to her after he was elected president. However, because she's going to America in a few days to transfer, that plan won't happen. Further, Yuusaku's father got fed up with Yuusaku over his attitude of late, which accounts for the bruising. Their conversation is interrupted when they hear Taiga calling for Ryuuji at which point they go home.

The following day at school, Taiga's doing her normal thing but Yuusaku comes up, his hair redyed black, and indicates he will run against Taiga which pleases the students. However late that afternoon, Ryuuji learns that Yuusaku hasn't submitted the paperwork yet to run for president, so Ryuuji confronts Yuusaku. Yuusaku isn't interested in running, so Ryuuji agrees to walk home with Yuusaku as Yuusaku tells of how he joined the student council following Taiga's rejection at the request of Sumire. They are met in the stairs by Sumire, who challenges Yuusaku to take a step forward by becoming president. Upon hearing her challenge, Yuusaku goes to get the paperwork submitted before the deadline.

On Saturday, Taiga drops out of the race as Yuusaku is now running. At the school assembly, Yuusaku is introduced to make his speech for the elections, but chooses the opportunity to confess his love for Sumire. Sumire does not answer the confession but instead tells the student body that Yuusaku is an interesting guy. Therefor, someone so interesting is sure to make the school more interesting. After the assembly, Ryuuji chases down Sumire to demand why she didn't answer Yuusaku properly. She responds that she told Yuusaku to run for office not confess and after some other words, tells Ryuuji to remain good friends with Yuusaku before walking away.

Ryuuji is going to go after her again when he is stopped by Taiga. She wants Ryuuji to go to Yuusaku since there's nothing she can do for him. She assures Ryuuji she's OK, so he does what she says. Taiga has come to understand that Yuusaku doesn't love her, but she's going to punish Sumire for what she's done to Yuusaku. Taiga produces her wooden sword and challenges Sumire who accepts. Sumire borrows a bamboo sword and they fight with those until Taiga is disarmed. Taiga attacks again and disarms Sumire where they exchange blows. Taiga gets Sumire pinned but is pulled off by Ryuuji, who's been apprised of the fight. Two others grab Sumire to prevent more blows from being exchanged. Taiga screams at Sumire for hurting Yuusaku. Sumire screams back, saying that she couldn't acknowledge Yuusaku's feelings because then Yuusaku would do something dumb like try to follow her to America. So even though she wanted to say something, she couldn't. This is heard by Yuusaku who's in the classroom at this time, who then thanks Sumire and bows.

After the classrooms are cleaned up, some of Taiga's classmates find her student ID holder wherein is a picture of Taiga and Yuusaku. Ami takes it and says she'll give it to Ryuuji. As they walk past Minori, Ami quietly asks if her feelings of guilt are gone. Sumire went to America, Yuusaku became president, and Taiga was suspended for two weeks from school, tasked with writing an apology letter to Sumire. Despite not wanting to do so, Taiga writes her letter on the provided postcard and mails it. In America, Sumire gets the card and reads it. It contains one word -- "baka" (idiot). Sumire has a heart-felt laugh at this.

Thoughts/Review: I'm not really a fan of these cliched moments such as Sumire coming in at the last moment and convincing Yuusaku to go ahead and run for student council president. For me, it would have been much more interesting for Yuusaku to have gone a different path and to have Taiga win the election by default. Being thrown into such an unexpected situation would have been something I would have enjoyed seeing Taiga do (with Ryuuji by her side of course).

That said, I will concede that the confession of Yuusaku to Sumire in his speech was not what I expected and as such, made his winning the election OK. While Taiga has always been the violent sort, when she pulled out the sword, I knew it wasn't for comedy effect as it had been when she attacked Ryuuji with it. She planned to beat Sumire with it. Even when Taiga was bested with the sword, I loved how she still pressed the attack and won the fight (Sumire getting the last hit in with a shoe toss doesn't count). In the end, Sumire and Taiga respected each other for what they'd done. I loved the "BAKA" post card apology Taiga sent Sumire in America.

I do have a question though -- I didn't understand Ami's statement to Minori over Minori's guilt. Was that because Minori wasn't there for either Yuusaku or Taiga? I didn't get that and feel that something is missing. I will say that I did like that Ami put an end to the girls looking at Taiga's ID holder with its picture of Taiga and Yuusaku at the dance. I guess that's another one of those little markers that indicates how much Ami respects Taiga and is a friend of hers, even if they bicker.

So, what does this mean for Taiga? I don't see a way for her to continue to try to win Yuusaku's heart. I certainly don't see Yuusaku going for Taiga as a rebound nor as anything other than a friend. If Taiga did continue to try, it would seem to make her weaker in my eyes, especially after having understood the situation so well in this episode. Maybe she'll look more to Ryuuji, but I don't know. They have had nice moments together and likely will have more in the future. However, until Ryuuji is shut off completely from Minori (meaning he understands he won't get anywhere with her), then I can't see Ryuuji looking too closely at Taiga in that way.

Should be interesting to see where things go from here.

Negi Pactio Moments (Negima!)

Someone in Japan decided to post a collage of those special moments when Negi and a girl formed a pactio. So I thought I'd share that with y'all. ^_^


Heh!heh! Most of the time, Negi has that "What the...?!" look on his face. *lol* I doubt this was intentional, but there is a pattern -- two shocked look pactios followed by two closed-eyed pactios. I'll laugh if Negi's next two pactios are closed-eyed.

Urusei Yatsura 98 - 99

SPOILER Summaries/Synopsis:

うる星やつら episode 98

A frustrated Ran attempts to ruin Lum's life by kidnapping her and making a perfect copy of her, which she orders to break up with Ataru and cause him pain. The copy ends up refusing. Ran ends up making six copies, all fails. They all escape, meaning Ataru has seven Lum's to deal with. His plan to have Lum's Stormtroopers take some fails, so Arartu ends up fleeing to Ran's residence to get rid of the copies. Shuutaro orders his military to stop Ataru but their efforts end up helping him. Eventually, Ataru gets to Ran's house and all of the Lum's are trapped. However, Ataru pressing some buttons causes an accident, leading to a sky full of Lums.

うる星やつら episode 99

Megane and Chibi are working at a soba restaurant when Lum, Ataru, Kotatsu-Neko, and Cherry arrive to be fed. A stranger also comes in and Cherry identifies him as a professional fast-food warrior, who can destroy a restaurant and indeed, this pro walks out having defeated the owner and scoring free food. When it is revealed that the town is being invaded by more of these pros, Shuutaro is found to have hired them, wanting to clear the small restaurants in town for his mega restaurant. As such, to defeat him, Ataru organizes a group to face the pro eaters in an eating competition which ultimately Sakura-sensei wins with no problem, meaning Shuutaro's plans are flushed.

Thoughts/Review: I decided that since these episodes of Urusei Yatsura mostly defy much analysis, I'd start fast tracking them. Obviously, I could simply not blog the series and just watch it, but for some reason, I kinda felt like the old school anime titles should be blogged.

Episode 98 was more like a linked, 2-part episode. The first part was mildly amusing and the second half ending up being funny in places, especially with the seven Lum's electrocuted the big-talking Lum Stormtroopers. Episode 99 was rather tedious with the ultimate nonsense about fast-food warriors and an eating contest. I found nothing amusing or interesting here.

Toradora! 15

とらドラ！Episode 15

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Yuusaku is clearly depressed in class before school starts, even failing at his role of class president to get the students to rise, bow to the teacher, and be seated. Yuri-sensei is a little troubled with how Yuusaku is acting and more so when after she mentions him becoming student council president (as the only candidate), he storms out of the class after screaming and saying that he was quitting it all.

The next day, there's a crowd outside the school gate. Ryuuji and Taiga are amazed to discover a blonde-haired Yuusaku struggling with a couple of male teachers. He's taken to the teacher room, after which Ryuuji, Ami, Student Council President Sumire are summoned. Ami finds the whole thing funny, but Yuri-sensei isn't laughing. Sumire says she doesn't know why Yuusaku snapped. Ami and Ryuuji can offer no insight into Yuusaku's actions and leave as well. Ami and Ryuuji follow Sumire, where Ami challenges her, feeling she indeed had something to do with Yuusaku's attitude change. Sumire says that if she did, she'll be disappointed in Yuusaku.

Everyone but Ami are concerned over Yuusaku as she believes it to be just a stunt. When Yuusaku is witnessed to be running away from the school grounds, Ami mutters on how fortunate someone must be to be heard when they shout. Taiga, Ryuuji, and Minori meet later and discuss visiting Yuusaku at home. Taiga bails out of the meeting, saying that fewer people going would be best. She then concedes to Ryuuji that there's absolutely nothing she can do for Yuusaku, so her going would be a waste. After school, Ryuuji and Minori walk to Yuusaku's house, with Minori remarking on how mature Ami is from working in an adult world and that Ami is worried about Yuusaku in her own way. When Ryuuji remarks on how nice Minori is for being so caring, Minori rejects this, saying she's selfish, arrogant, and dishonest. They arrive at Yuusaku's home to find him not home.

Ryuuji comes home to discover a near-petrified Taiga there. Why? Because Yuusaku has crashed there, stating he ran away from home. Taiga decides to show she's helpful and tries to assist Ryuuji in the kitchen, but burns the fried eggs. Yuusaku eats them anyway. Yuusaku and Taiga then play games until late in the night. When Ryuuji wakes up, Taiga is alone in front of the TV. They find Yuusaku has gone to bed and Taiga is happy to see his happy face before realizing how selfish she is, something she remarks on after they go to get some ice cream from a convenience store.

Late the next morning, Ryuuji wakes up to find Yuusaku looking down on him and Taiga asleep on his legs. Yuusaku mentions he drank the milk in the fridge and when Taiga wakes up, she's not thrilled at smelling milk and in her daze, punches Yuusaku. The chatter of these three wakes up Ryuuji's mother, who is not happy about it. She emerges, hands them some money, then points to the door for them to leave. So, the group heads to a batting cage where Yuusaku works off some stress. Taiga gets up next and too Yuusaku's amazement, does quite well in the cages, even managing to hit the small home run target.

Returning home that evening, Ryuuji's mother is back to her normal, bimbo self and is waiting for them. She asks Ryuuji to hold Yuusaku, which he does. At that point, she gets up and reveals that she's wearing rubber gloves, has a box of black hair dye, and an applicator. She explains that the next student council president can't have blonde hair and that Yuusaku's father called her about this. Yuusaku is angry about this and breaks away, running out into the night. Ryuuji and Taiga talk about Yuusaku later that evening, wondering if he's doing what Minori does. So they come up with a plan and the next day, Taiga announces to a horrified school that she's running for student council president and she's going to make their lives miserable.

Thoughts/Review: What the...?!

OK, so where does this angst-ridden Yuusaku come from? Granted, at the end of the last episode, he was contemplative over whatever Sumire told him, but this screaming (though the first scream had a drama AND comedy effect), dyeing his hair blonde, running away from home, and basically acting nutty about not wanting to be student council president seemed so out of character and so out of left field that as a viewer, it passed a certain level of believability. Yeah, I know, people can snap and that was the eye I attempted to view this episode through. If Yuusaku is doing the reverse psychology thing like Minori does for horror, well that won't make it any better.

Selfishness seemed to be the major theme of this episode though, which I suppose isn't surprising since in many ways, the anime has a lot of selfish people. Still, it seemed more of a theme here with Yuusaku acting in his own self-interest by running away from the duties that were expected of him (becoming student council president). Minori rejection of Ryuuji's remark about her being nice by saying she's a selfish, arrogant, and dishonest person continued that theme (though I've no idea where she's going with that). Taiga remarked on her own selfishness at being happy to be spending time with Yuusaku when apparently all the time he's been suffering under pressure. That I can understand.

Ryuuji's mother continues to not be a character I care for. I don't like the drunken bimbo types and she's that. Plus, what the heck business of hers is it to try to force-dye Yuusaku's hair black again because Yuusaku's father called her? Although I am an adult, I would certainly be pissed if my best friend's idiot mother tried to do that to me where I in a similar circumstance as Yuusaku. As an adult, it isn't my job to raise another parent's child. However, it is possible that Yuusaku's dad may see Ryuuji's mother as a client and being a bimbo, she didn't think anything of it. That said, I do admit that tired, angry Ryuuji's mother was surprising and funny.

One little nice touch was the batting cage scene. I liked how that after Yuusaku had his go, Taiga got in there and began getting hits and even got the home run. Where was her prize though? My understanding of those batting cage parks is that if you hit the little home run tag, you get a little prize. Not important, but it did cross my mind.

Taiga running for student council president. Man, I sure hope her and Ryuuji's plan backfires and she actually wins. That would be both funny and interesting. However, I expect Yuusaku to "wake up" if you will and become president. We'll see I guess.

Well, as I write this, I've caught up current to what's in Japan (though this won't get posted for days). I hope this episode doesn't mark a "jump the shark" moment.

Paradise Residence Manga Chapter 01 (Ah! My Goddess's Fujishima-sensei has a new manga.)

パラダイス レジデンス Chapter 01

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: At the Kikka Academy Dorm, the teen girl Takanashi has multiple alarm clocks go off, which she silences and goes back to sleep. A young girl with a bull horn yells for Takanashi to wake up. The young grade school girl, who's also the dorm mother, marches Takanashi down to a Japanese breakfast of rice, miso soup, and nattou. Takanashi is loudly opposed to eating rotten soybeans, which irritates the young dorm mama since nattou is fermented soybeans not rotten ones. So, Takanashi breaks out a negi stalk (green onion), slices it up, places it on the nattou, and offers it to the girl. She doesn't want to eat it since she doesn't like negi. Their verbal fight continues until Takanashi notices the time and races off to school on her mini-bike. The young girl smirks at her win, forgetting about the negi still in her nattou, upon which eating it, she falls out of her chair.

Thoughts/Review: An 8-page manga in a monthly publication? I've heard rumors that this will be a bi-monthly publication (not twice a month but once every two months) in good! Afternoon magazine. We'll see about that but regardless, eight pages aren't much even for a weekly publication. Hopefully, this won't be how things are with every chapter.

Fujishima-sensei's art is as good as ever. Looking at this, I was reminded that I don't care for the current Ah! My Goddess character designs much (haven't for years) but that's because around volume 8, I thought the character designs were the best. Without the prejudice of prior art, the two characters shown here look fine.

As to the story, there's not much to say because not much was revealed beyond two girls being the only residence of a dorm and the dorm mother is a grade school girl. I'm hoping to get a better grasp on things with the next chapter because the only thing revealed here is the cliched character who doesn't do mornings well and the bossy little girl. The bullhorn is a nice touch though.

Slayers Evolution-R 01

スレイヤーズ EVOLUTION－R Episode 01

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: As Prince Phil oversees the repairs to Saillune, Lina takes the time to use the vast library there to do some research on the soul jar (vase/pot) that Rezo may have used. Unfortunately, her extensive research is for naught. After discussing this, Ozel, and Xellos with her companions, there's nothing left to do but head out. While hitching a ride on a hay cart, Pokota recounts how a soul jar was used to transfer him from his human body to his current form. Lina whacks him and Gourry (for ignorance) because that jar is exactly what they are looking for. Pokota reveals that the jar used on him was called "Hellmaster Jar," which makes sense to Lina since this would be Hellmaster Fibrizo abilities. Thus, if something happened to Rezo, he could use the jar to stay alive.

They return to Gioconda's castle to look for clues. Lina puts Gourry and Pokota to work digging in the rubble while Amelia and Zelgadiss search elsewhere, Zelgadiss holding a crystal on a string. He gets a reaction and a spell from Amelia clears the rubble to reveal a passage. Lina, Gourry, and Pokota join them, where they find the remains of Duclis lab. Zelgadiss finds a hidden passage behind a wall, so after Gourry opens a path for them, they proceed down the new hall. After a time, Lina hears female singing. Investigating closer, they discover the singing is coming from an elaborate full suit of armor.

The suit suddenly comes to life with a loud, obnoxious "HO!HO!HO!HO!" laugh and on the second round of laughter, Lina blasts the armor with a spell. Everyone wonders why Lina reacted this way. Lina doesn't even know, saying it was instinct. The suit of armor comes back together and is insulted over having been blasted. Zelgadiss surmises that this is a suit of living armor. The armor calls itself "Nama-chan," but says that may not be right, having suffered amnesia. Nama-chan explains that she was treasure hunting, found a jar, then found herself as a suit of armor. She started singing to comfort herself.

Lina is very troubled by some of Nama-chan's mannerisms, her voice, and especially her laugh, feeling sure she knows the voice. She doesn't want to think that this could be her worst nightmare. Because Nama-chan is not being very helpful combined with her wanting the annoyed Lina to bow and apologize to her, Lina has had enough and the two end up back on the surface to duel. Lina's Flare Arrow spell has no impact on Nama-chan, but Nama-chan proves quite the mage with her command of the Freeze Arrow spell. Lina finally hits on a plan and zaps Nama-chan with a Digger Bolt spell, turning her into a magnet. Now frozen in place, Lina then blasts Nama-chan with a Dragon Slave. While the armor survives, the spell is enough to get Nama-chan to cooperate with Lina.

Elsewhere, Ozel is nursing the injured Zuuma back to health, having apparently done something to give him new arms.

Thoughts/Review: Well, I guess those who don't like Slayers won't like this but for me, Slayers Evolution-R got off to a great start.

Having Lina shown studying text at the beginning of the episode was a win for me. If I recall correctly, the novels speak of her doing research like this. I know the anime episodes have Lina looking for new things and knowledge, but I don't remember her taking time to research the texts, which is something a mage like her would do. So nice touch there.

So, why is Ozel nursing the injured Zuuma? She's been mysterious since her introduction, both helping and fighting Lina and company. Should be interesting to see what she ultimately is.


Nama-chan. OK, I agree that this is most likely Naga, the older sister of Amelia and nemesis of Lina before she met with Gourry. Besides the fact that KAWAMURA Shigeyo is Nama-chan's seiyuu, Nama-chan's laugh and some other mannerisms were the same as Naga's, only this time it is a suit of armor. Convenient way to have Naga and Amelia not "see" each other -- make Naga a suit of armor and give her just enough amnesia so that she doesn't recognize either Lina or Amelia.

I am not a fan of Naga. One of the reasons I never bought the OVA's or movies (save for #5) is that I just couldn't stand Naga most of the time. There were some things where she wasn't so bad. Indeed, I think one of the OVA episodes had a scene with multiple Naga's that just made me laugh and laugh. That said, not having to see Naga in her traditional costume is a relief. I can take Naga a bit more as a suit of armor. Knowing Naga as I do, it makes Lina's reactions to Nama-chan funny. After all, Naga was always a thorn in Lina's side and while a powerful mage in her own right, Lina was always the superior mage.

I do hope that since Nama-chan will be with Lina's gang for a while, somehow someway Nama-chan is completely revealed to be Naga. I'd really love for she and Amelia to have a reunion, but I dare say that won't happen. Instead, if Naga regains her true form, Amelia and Naga will likely never see each other for any number of reasons, as was done in Slayers Premium (the 5th movie).

While I'm thinking of it, having Lina face her former foes in the OP before her comrades come to her was both strange and interesting. It was strange to see these defeated mazoku and the like while at the same time, I liked how the OP shows that Lina didn't defeat them alone. The OP song hasn't gripped me yet, but we'll see what happens down the road.

So some traditional Slayers humor with Lina going off and the start of the new story. I'm very glad FUNimation has this for my future collection. ^_^

Toradora! 14

とらドラ！Episode 14

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ryuuji and Taiga come to school to find a couple thanking Taiga for what she's done. Taiga has no clue what this is about and is not happy when she has to dodge two male classmates who try to touch her. It seems that the entire school wants to touch Taiga because everyone whom Taiga touched (in whatever fashion) during the wrestling event has had good luck. Now, Taiga is known as Happy Palmtop Tiger, which she finds ridiculous. She tells people that only Minori is allowed to touch her.

Rumors are going around that Taiga has broken up with Ryuuji and is now dating Yuusaku since Yuusaku and Taiga danced during the cultural festival. Ryuuji wonders if Taiga shouldn't stop those rumors, but Taiga is pretty happy with what she hears -- she's the girlfriend of Yuusaku. By lunchtime though, Taiga is a bit weary with all the staring and when Yuusaku joins them to each, she chokes on food and refuses to drink anything but orange juice. So Ryuuji is forced to go buy some only to discover Ami near the vending machines on the phone. Ami won't tell Ryuuji who she talked to and learning he's buying juice, she hits another beverage button before Ryuuji can press the juice button, then leaves him to deal with this.

Ryuuji returns to the class and is met in the hall by an irritated Taiga. After dealing with an underclassman who is desperate to touch Taiga, Taiga grabs Ryuuji and drags him to where the pictures have been displayed from the cultural festival. She's of course going to buy copies of pictures with herself and Yuusaku. Ryuuji is going for one with himself and Minori crossing the finishing line. Minori comes up and wonders what picture he's going to buy. When she realizes which one he's buying, she and he blush, but she decides she'll buy one too for the memories.

After class, Ryuuji and Taiga set off with Taiga wanting something good to eat. The boy from before tries to touch Taiga, trips and falls. Taiga is not happy and gives chase to the boy to give him a beating for trying to look up her skirt and generally annoying her. This is seen in the student council room, and a girl named Sakura takes off to help the boy -- Tomiie-kun. Yuusaku explains to Sumire about the new legend of Taiga. Sumire then has something she wishes to tell Yuusaku. Elsewhere, Ami is having coffee with two female classmates and discussing Tiaga and Yuusaku. She doesn't believe in the whole idea of touching Taiga gives you good luck.

At the supermarket, Ryuuji is wondering which mean to buy -- a single steak for ¥1800 or some packages of pork for the same price. Ami comes up and suggests that if he can't decide which to buy, he should touch Taiga. Then he might get some money. Ryuuji wonders if the rumor about Taiga giving good luck is true. Ami doesn't believe that but if it is true, Ryuuji wants to make Taiga blessed. Ami thinks Taiga is already blessed, so she suggests that Ryuuji buy the pork and go for quantity over quality. Ryuuji agrees and when they get out of the store, he gives two packs to Ami, telling her she needs to eat properly. Ami is genuinely touched by Ryuuji's concern for her and accepts.

Taiga is a bit annoyed with Ryuuji not waiting for her but she then spots Yuusaku seated near the river and comes to see him. Yuusaku touches her, then apologizes. Seeing he's troubled, Taiga wonders if the student council president has been bullying him. She offers to allow Yuusaku to touch her as much as he wants. She realizes what she's saying and shuts up, but the thought is received and Yuusaku thanks her. On the street at the top of the embankment, a happy but bandaged Tomiie-kun is being held by Sakura-chan, who's concerned that he's OK.

Taiga comes to Ryuuji's home and is impressed with the effort he's going through on this western-style meal. Ryuuji lets it slip that he's not going to lose to the fancy places Taiga's father took her to eat. Taiga reminds him that she's fine. When Ryuuji's mother gets up, they eat and she's very happy with what she sees food-wise. Hearing about the Happy Palmtop Tiger legend, Ryuuji's mother starts rubbing Taiga's hair, saying she can feel the goodness pouring in. Ryuuji's mother is happy just to do that since she considers Taiga part of the family. Elsewhere, Ami looks at her hand and tells her mother she'll stay in this town where she's made new friends while Yuusaku and Minori also reflect on things.

Thoughts/Review: Having lived in Japan where trains and walking are common forms of transportation, I do understand the idea behind buying small amounts of food. Imagine walking a couple of miles with a case of sodas and other food stuffs. Not fun, let me tell you. However, while I also understand Ryuuji wanting to give Ami a gift, I don't understand his excuse for giving her the pork. It must be the American in me because when meat is on sale for a good price, its freezer-bound, y'all. I may have to ask some of my Japanese contacts about this and see if the Japanese are afraid of storing meat in the freezer for a future date.

Now that the food topic is out of the way, I liked how this episode dealt with a lot of the aftermath of the school festival. That was shown in many placed, but I liked seeing Ryuuji trying to make a fancy meal for Taiga like she might find in a restaurant her father would take her to. When Minori discovered that Ryuuji was buying the picture of them crossing the finish line together, I have to believe that she knew why Ryuuji was buying that. I did like that she bought one too though. Of course Taiga gets her picture of her and Yuusaku and now everyone seems to believe that she and Yuusaku are a couple, which I found Taiga's reaction too amusing.

The odd thing (and not in a bad way) is the obviously funny Happy Palmtop Tiger blessing that Taiga supposedly bestows on people who touch her or are touched by her. It was funny seeing everyone wanting to touch her and getting blessed by it. However, the odd part is how Taiga's friends also reacted to it, only in a serious manner. As I said, "odd" doesn't mean bad, but I could not find a way to express this shift from pure comedy to drama with Minori, Ami, Yuusaku, and Ryuuji all having wishes they want granted. Indeed, even Taiga has one she wants granted and in a weird way, the rumors about her and Yuusaku did just that. However, I don't think her happiness will last though. I bet the student council president said something to Yuusaku that unsettled him.

So kudos to the writers for combining some wacky comedic moments with some poignant moments too.

Clannad After Story 15

クラナド アフターストーリー Episode 15

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Nagisa's pregnancy proceeds with her getting a bit ill as she enters her third month but recovers. Nagisa tells Tomoya that she wants to give birth to their child at home. Tomoya is a bit concerned, but the two of them then talk it over with Nagisa's parents before making their decision -- they will have the baby at home. Sanae-san introduces them to Yagi-san, who is a midwife. Sanae-san doesn't want to trouble Nagisa and tells Tomoya that while Yagi-san knows the situation, they aren't going to mention their worries. However, Nagisa already knows they are worried and tries to assure Tomoya.

Nagisa has an episode which causes her to collapse, but the baby is OK. Sanae-san tells Tomoya that she'll stay with Nagisa during the day from here on out. Early one evening, Sanae-san meets Tomoya as he's coming home and the two go to the family restaurant where Nagisa used to work. There, Sanae-san tells Tomoya of the danger to Nagisa should the pregnancy continue. There's a good chance the baby can be born fine but the pregnancy is likely going to be tough on Nagisa's frail body. At minimum, they may have to have the baby in the hospital. Tomoya goes home and finds that Nagisa is adamant about having the child no matter what. She will go to the hospital though if it makes things better.

Nagisa continues with her parenting classes while Tomoya consults with Akio-san. Akio-san takes Tomoya to a dirt lot where some kids are playing, which is right next to a construction site for a new hospital. Akio-san explains that he often comes here to play ball with the kids or to do nothing. The reason for this goes back to when Nagisa was a child and nearly died. He reminds Tomoya of the story but adds a piece that he'd never mentioned to Tomoya before. When it seemed that all was lost for Nagisa, Akio-san took her into the night and ran until he came to this field, where he prayed for Nagisa. When the sun rose, Nagisa recovered and what's left of that field is this dirt lot and construction zone. In the end, Akio-san tells Tomoya that whatever happens, they'll just have to accept the result.

Tomoya and Nagisa go to a deserted beach where they decide on a name for their baby. Using Nagisa's name as a basis (from the Kanji), Nagisa comes up with the unisex name of Ushio. Tomoya likes the name and as he holds his wife, he tells her to promise him that next summer, she, he, and Ushio will go to the beach together. She seems hesitant to promise, but does so anyway.

Thoughts/Review: Oh, I just know the tear-jerking, tissue using, waste-basket filling moments are close at hand. I swear, this episode just screamed, "NAGISA IS GOING TO DIE! SHE WON'T SURVIVE CHILDBIRTH!" *sigh* Don't get me wrong, if it happens, it happens and I'll cry like a baby. Heck, all these Key stories makes one cry, don't they? I guess it is just that as I get older, I'm less and less a fan of depressing stories no matter how good they are. That's not to say that I don't like either Clannad or Clannad After Story. I love both. I just prefer a smile put on my face or a laugh in my mouth.

Initially, when Akio-san retold his story about Nagisa's near-death as a child, I thought that maybe she did die but came back to life. I re-watched it and I think that she almost died but pulled through after Akio-san's prayer. I wonder if Nagisa will be taken there by Tomoya should she be near death.

I would have said that they would end up giving birth in the hospital to try to do what they could to protect Nagisa. However, the previews indicate she'll give birth at home anyway.

Speaking of the previews, the Illusion World gets shown again and I guess will be discussed. Its about time I guess since they've teased us with this for ages.

Fortunately, there were still a few moments of humor with Akio-san not liking being addressed as "grandpa," telling the fetus that he's the father, and then wanting his grandchild to address him as "Akki." Oh yeah, and there was that licking story.

Well, we'll see how things proceed. I have the tissues on standby.

Toradora! 13

とらドラ！Episode 13

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ami is helping apply makeup to Taiga before the Miss Ohashi contest while Ryuuji finishes work on Taiga's dress, the work of which amazes the other girls in the class. Taiga is checking her cell phone but denies she's looking for messages from her father, stating that he's probably working late. Ami says that the lines for Taiga should be changed, but Taiga won't hear of it. Ami is called out to get ready to be the M.C. and Ryuuji is sent out so that Taiga can get changed. Ryuuji believes Taiga's father will come no matter what.

The Miss Ohashi contest starts with Ami dressed in a leather outfit and a whip. When the crowd won't get silent, she allows her real self to come out to shut them up, then plays it off as if role playing a dominatrix. As the first contestant comes out and is interviewed by Ami, Ryuuji gets a text message from Taiga's father, asking Ryuuji to apologize to Taiga for him as he won't be attending the Miss Ohashi contest, nor will he be living with Taiga as he will be away for quite some time. Ryuuji is horrified by this, realizing the truth and that Minori had been right all along. Ryuuji blames his own selfish feelings for blinding him to the obvious.

Ami introduces Taiga and the crowd is awed as the infamous Palmtop Tiger looks beautiful in her white dress and angel wings. However, Taiga looks a bit depressed, so Ami presses on, announcing that Taiga's father is there and invites him forward. Of course nothing happens and as the crowd gets restless, Taiga tries to leave, but trips and falls. She rips her dress in anger as Ryuuji begins to clap, as does a crying Minori in the back. This gets the crowd to clapping, but Taiga is not done, grabbing Ami's mike and yelling in rage. After putting down fathers, she has someone bring her a large clothing bag. Taiga gets in it, has herself zipped in, then unzipped and she re-emerges. After Taiga gives a "hmph" of disdain, the crowd goes wild for her and she wins the beauty contest.

The president of the student council gets on stage and announces that there will be a "Mister Lucky Guy" ("mister" being used in the Japanese) contest with the guys having to run a race. The winner will not only get to crown Miss Ohashi and dance with her, but they will also get all of the president's class notes and the answers from all tests from her time at school. That fires up the guys and the race is on. Ryuuji is determined to win, but he is knocked down as part of the other guys' strategy. Ryuuji comes back though and knocks down people of his own. He gets into the lead, only to find Minori passing him. Then two members of the track team pass and knock Ryuuji down before doing the same to Minori. One of Minori's softball club mates tosses her a softball, which she uses to knock out both track team members. Other guys are rapidly approaching, so Minori charges them, managing to knock them all down. She tells Ryuuji to go on and win the race for Taiga, but Ryuuji instead helps her up. Taking her by the hand, they run together and cross the finish line. As they do, Taiga thinks of how they don't have to worry about her because she is standing on her own again.

At the post-festival dance, Sumire (the student council president) thanks Yuusaku for his efforts in making the festival such a success. Elsewhere, Taiga and Ryuuji talk about recent events with Taiga wondering when Ryuuji and Minori made up. Taiga sees Minori and calls her over to give her a big hug. Taiga then decides to give Minori and Ryuuji time alone and so takes off to bash "baka chihuahua" (Ami) for flirting. Minori and Ryuuji talk, with Minori explaining that Taiga's father did something similar a year ago. She apologizes for not telling Ryuuji about it and goes on to say that she and Taiga don't discuss Taiga's family situation and that Taiga likely would have gotten mad anyway. Ryuuji wonders why Taiga didn't say anything, so Minori explains that Taiga loves her father and doesn't want people badmouthing him.

Yuusaku asks Taiga to a dance and she gracefully accepts. Meanwhile, Minori wonders if she's a lesbian for being jealous of how close Ryuuji and Taiga have become, so Ryuuji assures her she isn't. Minori and Ryuuji join the dance along with Yuusaku, Taiga, Ami, and the rest of the school.

Thoughts/Review: Well, as expected, Taiga isn't going anywhere, her father won't be moving in, and Minori and Ryuuji have made up. However, the unexpected aspect of this was the presentation. After Taiga won the Miss Ohashi contest (which I'll speak a bit more on later), Ryuuji and Minori winning the race to dance with the queen as a joint effort was a nice touch to show that they were friends again. Further, even though they were holding hands, it was also nice that Ryuuji wasn't shown all flustered. Its little touches like this that help to make this anime so enjoyable.

When Taiga got into the bag, I really expected her to have on a new outfit when she came out rather than the dress she had on. When she didn't, I briefly wondered what the point of that exercise was since a different outfit would represent a "rebirth" if you will. However, the writers made sure to clear that up at the end with Taiga's remarks, which I found to be another one of those nice touches. It is unfortunate that her family is as it is and episodes like this make me even more thankful for God blessing me with a great family.

Another nice touch was Ami doing Taiga's makeup for the beauty contest. I guess they are friends after a fashion. To be honest, a big part of me is surprised that Taiga won because I just couldn't imagine it. I had read that in the light novels, Taiga is considered to be cute and is often asked out by guys but she turns them down. In the anime, Taiga doesn't come off cute to me most of the time, though she did look good in the dress Ryuuji made. I did like how the writers had her win (no doubt coming from the light novel). Well, now that she's won Miss Ohashi, I wonder if the anime stories will have guys trying to date Taiga.

It is nice seeing how this anime title surprises me in small ways. No wonder so many people find it to be such a delight.

White Album 03 (or Lessons On What Not to Do On Your First Day At a New Job)

ホワイトアルバム Episode 03

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Touya takes a call from Rina at the same time that Yuki tries to call and Haruka is at the door with news about orientation on Saturday. Rina offers Touya a part-time job, then Yuki gets through to hook up with Touya on Saturday since she has the day off. Touya gets Haruka to take his name-stamp and attend the re-registration and orientation for him so he can be with Yuki Saturday, but he doesn't tell Yuki about his new job working for Rina. At the new job, Touya finds he's already been promoted to Rina's manager. Rina attempts to give Touya and Yuki some time alone by throwing a fake tantrum, but they are discovered and Touya is fired. Since Touya gave up his tutoring job, he goes to beg for money from his father but gets food instead.

Touya gets a tutoring job again and finds that the person, Mizuki Mana, is paying twice the going rate and wants Touya. However, when Touya arrives, she doesn't answer and tosses a note down to him telling him to go home for the day. Touya ends up at Echos, where Akira figures out everything that's happened to Touya in the past day. Rina arrives at Echos and goes into the back to confront her brother about firing Touya. Ogata-san leaves and Rina follows, promising Touya to make things right. Touya opens the door where Ogata-san came from and finds it to be a broom closet.

Thoughts/Review: Have I mentioned that I don't care for the presentation of this anime? I swear, because of the jumping around that happened, I wasn't sure if Touya got fired from Echos or what. I actually thought he might have gotten fired from Echos at first for some reason based on what was said, but then I figured that this couldn't be if he (1) tried to beg for money from his father and (2) he got back on the tutoring list. He's desperate for money and I know why -- he is irresponsible when it comes to work. He's already been fired twice and we are only into episode 3. Plus, Haruka had to tell him about having to re-register and go through the new orientation, otherwise he wouldn't even have been in school the next term.

Touya and Yuki's so-called romantic relationship. OK, this is a strange one indeed. After this episode, it does indeed seem as if Yuki cares deeply about Touya and vice versa. Yuki had her arms around Touya from the back and just wanted to spend time with Touya. Touya likes spending time with Yuki. So why don't they act more like a couple at other times so far? Is it because she's an idol and he's afraid of losing her and starts putting her on a pedestal he can't reach? Maybe it is something simpler than that. I honestly can't say. If they are truly a couple, then it is a strange relationship considering everything we've seen thus far.

Rina and Touya. This is another odd relationship and at the moment, non-romantic. Oh, I think Rina likes Touya to some degree still, but with this episode, I'm guessing that just maybe Rina and Yuki may have discussed Rina hiring Touya. Yuki didn't seem all that surprised to see Touya, but I could be reading too much into things. Regardless, Yuki didn't seem concerned about Touya working for Rina as her new manager. Then Rina provided cover so that Touya and Yuki could spend some time on the roof together before being found out (and I'm guessing that was Yuki's manager that discovered them). Then after Touya is fired, Rina is trying to get Touya back. Is that just for Yuki's sake? I doubt it. Rina may be close to Yuki, but she's also spoiled. So in the end, I think she has eyes for Touya.

Haruka and Touya. Poor Haruka -- she comes by to visit and I don't think that Touya even has a clue that Haruka might be interested in him. Instead, while she watches out for him, he uses her like toilet paper. That's sad to watch to be honest. I've no idea what Haruka sees in Touya, but sadly she's the type of character to let herself be used in the hopes that the person she loves will come to see her as a special person. He won't ever see her as more than a friend, but being a guy, he could see her as a one night stand (where this not a family-friendly anime).

Not sure what to say about this new no-show character other than, "looks like another girl is being added into the mix." I'm guessing that even if Touya gets a job back as Rina's manager, this new girl will play a role in Touya's life.

Well, I'll keep blogging White Album out of sheer curiosity (plus, I seem to have the free time).

Toradora! 12

とらドラ！Episode 12

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Preparations for the cultural festival are well underway. Coming home one afternoon with Ryuuji, Taiga finds her father there early to take her to some random, fancy restaurant so that she doesn't have time to even change. Because Taiga's father has decided to see her performance, Taiga wants to play the hero for the specific performance that he comes to instead of the villain. That means bribing Ami, and to do this, Taiga has a box of macarons (French pastries) and is not happy about this. Ami is naturally suspicious of a gift from Taiga but is amazed because even her modeling friends can't get these. Once Taiga convinces Ami to eat a macaron, Taiga springs her trap, saying that now Ami has to listen to her proposal.

Ryuuji is watching this from the doorway and is happy that Taiga and her father are getting along. When Minori comes in and sees Taiga wanting to play a "good guy," Ryuuji mentions that Taiga's father is coming. This causes an immediate change with Minori, who is not happy with this news to the surprise of Ryuuji. Minori attempts to leave to warn Taiga not to fall for her worthless father's words, which angers Ryuuji, who then stops Minori. Minori says she will not stand and watch Taiga get hurt again. Ryuuji gets really angry, defending Taiga's decision and Taiga's father. Minori gets angry with Ryuuji for not examining Taiga's father more closely. Their angry retorts bring Ryuuji over to try to reconcile things between them, but Ryuuji storms off.

Ryuuji is depressed over his fight with Minori and heads to the vending machine area. Ami follows, forcing him out of the spot between the two vending machines where she normally sits. Ryuuji asks what happened with Minori after he left the classroom, to which Ami answers that Minori went home. Ami can't understand how Ryuuji could get angry with the girl he likes. Ryuuji blames Minori for the whole thing, but Ami isn't there to listen to him complain. Instead, she gets him to return to class, citing that returning with her will give him cover. Her whole attitude is different from when Ryuuji first met her, meaning she's changed which is something he wants to do as well.

That night, Taiga is late coming home and as Ryuuji makes dinner, Ryuuji's mother notes how terrible Taiga's father is, which stuns Ryuuji. When Taiga gets home, she and Ryuuji talk about his fight with Minori. Taiga wants Ryuuji to make up with Minori. The following day starts the festival and Class 2-C's wrestling event is a huge draw. During the final preparations, Ryuuji and Minori cannot look at each other. The first show is well received, though Yuri-sensei snaps at the parody of herself and tries to storm the ring, forcing members of the class to drag her away. After the performance, Ryuuji notices Taiga frequently checking her cell phone. Ryuuji, Taiga, and Yuusaku are taking a break with Taiga eating a crepe when Yuusaku takes a bite of it. This flusters Taiga so much, she ends up cramming the rest of the crepe down Ryuuji's throat, regretting it later.

Ryuuji and Taiga go for a walk when Ryuuji asks if Taiga's father sent a message, noting her frequent cell phone checking. She denies looking for a message and claims to have been playing a game. Ryuuji knows there are still more performances that Taiga's father can attend, but Taiga isn't interested in talking about that, instead asks what he's going to do about Minori. However, the school day ends and Taiga's father did not come, upsetting Taiga almost to the point of tears.

Thoughts/Review: Well, this took an unexpected twist for me. I never would have thought that Ryuuji would get angry with Minori and vice versa, leading to them no longer speaking to each other. However, it appears that Minori was right about Taiga's dad, which is unfortunate. I guess Ryuuji longs for the father that will never come home, so much so that he's been blinded by how Taiga's father really is. When Ryuuji's pathetic excuse of a mother can see Taiga's father as a cad through her brain-damaged haze, it must be pretty bad. However, the anime writers play things as Ryuuji sees them, so as an audience member, I never saw a hint of Taiga's father being scum. I guess this means that next episode, Ryuuji and Minori will make up and Taiga will continue to live alone in the apartment next door.

I was disappointed in the play as it didn't end up being funny as I'd hoped (beyond a mild amusement when Yuri-sensei snapped and had to be dragged out of the classroom during the first wrestling performance). What the class did was more of a play with a tiny bit of wrestling a the end (aided by the other class members) and so there was no opportunity for humor. Besides, the Minori-Ryuuji fight hung over everything like a cloud (at least to me), which kinda kills the humor mood.

While I'm thinking of it, I liked how Ami's character is coming along. Granted, this kind of character path is predictable (beautiful, spoiled, famous, rich girl becomes like a normal girl), but I still enjoy it.

Well, I'm almost caught up with the releases in Japan. Onward, ho!

Where are the Negima! Chapter 240 Spoiler images?

Since this always happens every time there's a break, there is no new Negima! this week, thus no Negima! chapter 240 SPOILER images. I don't expect to see any new spoiler images before January 31, but I'll keep my eyes open just the same. In the meantime to tide you over, here's an excellent picture of Yue. Sadly, I've no clue where I scored it. It looks fantastic but I don't know if it is Akamatsu-sensei's or not. If you know, let me know. ^_^


So hold for a while longer, y'all.

UPDATE!: Compete spoiler set --> HERE!

Space Battleship Yamato 2 18

Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2 Episode 18
宇宙戦艦ヤマト2 Ep. 18 (TV, Anime)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Yamato completes a 2000 light year warp, but despite Teresa having slowed the White Comet, it is still figured that the battleship only has a 3-day lead on their enemy. Meanwhile on Gatlantis, Emperor Zwordar pays a compliment to Teresa has having been the only person to cause the White Comet to change course. So he officially declares the operation to invade Earth on and the White Comet is back on course, only at triple the speed. As part of the invasion, he orders Admiral Balsey on board his flagship Medaluza to take his fleet to Earth's solar system. Balsey is joined by the Procyon Sector fleet.

The White Comet fleets are detected and this is reported to Captain Hijikata. When he inquires as to the size of the fleet, he learns that there are 80 battleships, 66 carriers, 288 destroyers, and a number of other ships of unknown type. To complicate matters further, the enemy battleships and carriers are larger than the Earth battleships and carriers. Hijikata decides to take charge of the solar system's defenses and orders the 1st through 5th fleets to Saturn as well as other fleets. He orders the evacuation of bases on Pluto and the like. His aide protests this since Hijikata hasn't received permission from Earth, but the situation is to dire to wait for Earth approval.

Earth Defense Force HQ detects the massive fleet movements when Hijikata contacts them. He apologizes for asking for permission after the fact but needed to act to get their defenses ready now. Advisor wants Hijikata countermanded and fired but Chief listens to what Hijikata has to say. Chief is concerned that concentrating their forces in one area is a dangerous move, but Hijikata counters that they have no choice as the would be unable to defend Earth if the fleets were left in their normal positions. Since the enemy fleet is on course for Saturn, Saturn is the place where they will make their stand. Chief says nothing so Hijikata takes command of the entire Earth Defense Force fleets.

Back on Yamato, the stress of the long-distance warp has caused the ship some damage, thus they are having to make repairs. Daisuke is on edge and orders the repair crews to speed things up. Sanada reminds him that haste doesn't do any good and that he should get some rest. Yuki also speaks to Daisuke about his change in attitude and apparent stress levels. Daisuke comments that Yuki and Susumu should get married since there's no guarantee that Yamato will survive the forthcoming war. After their talk, Yuki speaks with Susumu, who assures her they'll get back home safely before they embrace.

Back on Gatlantis, Sabera goes to see Desler and gloat over how they will soon destroy Yamato. Desler asks to be executed rather than rot in a cell, so when Sabera agrees, Desler takes advantage of a distracted guard to take Sabera hostage. He makes his way to where Talan has a car waiting. They then make their way to the space port where they leave Sabera and escape in a craft, where they rejoin the Gamilus Fleet. Emperor Zwordar learns of this and because of Desler's actions combined with the Gamilus Fleet coming to get him, he realizes that Desler had done nothing wrong and that Sabera and Goenitz are at fault. However, Zwordar pardons them just this once since he needs their services for the fight to come with Earth.

Thoughts/Review: I suppose the writers needed a reason to drag things out and add tension by giving Yamato those age-old "the ship is damaged" events. However, the drag-out is in how the repairs aren't magically completed, but now need a great deal of time to finish.

I'd pretty much forgotten about Desler until this episode, but now that he's escaped and is back with his fleet, I guess that it will soon be time for the cliched battle between his fleet and Yamato where Desler will somehow lose again. *yawn*

At least Hijikata is being portrayed as a competent leader. I bet he dies.

I was stunned that the Yuki-Susumu non-romance romance was even addressed this episode. Well, that whole thing has not been done well.

While I'm thinking of Yuki, she was the gardener this week, though that could be part of her role as a botanist. I was amused that when Susumu made the warp announcement, she's watering plants and then seconds later, she's on the bridge ready to go to warp. She's got it going on with the multi-tasking apparently. You go girl!

Toradora! 11

とらドラ！Episode 11

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Returning to school, it is time to prepare for the school cultural festival, which Haruta is excited about and the student council plan to make a great one. During P.E., the boys watch the girls play basketball, which includes a customary fight between Ami and Taiga. Afterward in that locker room, Haruta is on the festival committee and states that he'd like to do a maid cafe to get the girls into maid costumes. The guys are generally OK with that, but one of the guys would rather see the girls in Chinese dresses. Ryuuji is down with that, thinking of seeing Minori in such a dress but when he imagines Taiga in one, he changes his mind. That leads to a breakdown with everyone wanting different costume, leading Yuusaku to suggest a cosplay cafe. The guys agree.

Before the next class, an irritated Taiga hands her school sweatpants to Ryuuji to fix, blaming everything on Ami. Ami protests this loudly before they enter the classroom. That night, Ryuuji is working on sewing up Taiga's sweatpants while Taiga waits when her phone goes off and she refuses to answer it. Ryuuji is a bit annoyed with this, but Taiga is more annoyed with being pestered, revealing that it is her "excrement old man" -- her father. She doesn't want to talk to the man who remarried and basically kicked her out. Ryuuji is uncomfortable with Taiga continuing to address her father as "crap."

The next day at school, Haruta proposes that Ami be their representative for the school's Miss Ohashi contest. She declines since she's already the MC, so she picks Taiga. Taiga is angry by this, but when the class considers her fame throughout the school, the pick her anyway. Next is the picking of the class event, so one of the boys quickly suggests a cosplay cafe. The girls aren't thrilled with this and Minori tries to get herself to suggest a haunted house. When Yuri-sensei throws cold water with her cynicism, Haruta proposes a vote. The guys are happy with this since there are more of them and all the guys will vote for a cosplay cafe. Unfortunately, Haruta decides it will be a lottery, not a vote, and to the horror of the guys, the event chosen is a pro-wrestling type match.

After school, Ryuuji is with Taiga as she stops at an ATM machine, only to discover her bank account has been emptied. She knows it is her father's doing for ignoring his calls. On cue, her father calls and she still won't answer. When Ryuuji suggests she talk it over with her father, Ryuuji finds himself sent to meet Taiga's father instead. Taiga's father is disappointed that his daughter won't see him but understands, explaining the situation to Ryuuji and saying that he'll soon be divorcing his 2nd wife. Thus he wants to live with Taiga. He hands Ryuuji a large packet of money to give to Taiga and insists on eating something with Ryuuji at the restaurant they are currently at.

Ryuuji comes home and Taiga is doing the dishes as payment for sending Ryuuji in her stead. Ryuuji isn't happy with the way she's washing dishes, but Taiga doesn't want to hear about it. When Ryuuji tries to explain how much Taiga's father wants to see her, she really doesn't want to hear that and leaves, returning to her own apartment.

The next day at school, the class look over Haruta's script and approve of what they see. It has Ami as the chief good guy wrestler and Taiga as the main villain with her Yankee underling, Ryuuji. Ryuuji objects to this as does Taiga. Since Taiga is worked up over this, Ami decides to quote one of her lines from the script, setting Taiga off. This causes the class to believe that Taiga is only play-acting, not serious. Yuusaku interrupts their wrestling with an announcement that all classes will be in competition and cites a list of prizes for the winning class. Everyone is now very excited to put on this wrestling production.

Ryuuji and Taiga walk home after school only to encounter Taiga's father, who's been waiting for Taiga. Taiga greets her father by kicking him in the balls and calling him a stalker before storming off to try to find refuge in Ryuuji's apartment. Ryuuji is angry with the way Taiga is treating her father causing Taiga to get upset, feeling Ryuuji is taking her father's side. He gets more angry, tells her he's always on her side and lets it slip out that his father will never be there for him no matter how much he wants it. Realizing his slip up, Ryuuji immediately shuts up but Taiga now understands Ryuuji's anger. Caressing and pinching Ryuuji on the cheek, Taiga agrees to speak with her father and so does.

Thoughts/Review: I really can see why people like this anime both as a romantic comedy but also as something that gets poignant without really getting too angst-ridden. Ryuuji never talks about his dead father nor about his slutty, drunken mother, yet clearly the impact to him is greater than expected. His adaptation by being the opposite of his mother (hard worker who loves to cook and clean) is understandable and while he's never liked his mother comparing his face to his father's, his words to Taiga made it clear that he misses the father he never knew. While that's certainly understandable, it was not something that I expected to come out in the anime.

For some reason, the anime decided to have Ryuuji get a little flustered over Minori for some reason. At this point, that seems a bit of a stretch to me. Why? Because they've already done quite a lot together, though mostly as part of a group. Still, if he could handle being around her and talking with her then, it would seem that seeing her in front of the school should be no big deal beyond a sense of, "I'm glad I got to see her." Taiga, on the other hand, has always frozen up around Yuusaku, so her continuing to do so is not hard to believe.

Having seen many an anime title, I've seen the school cultural festival portrayed many, many, many times. That said, I have to say that this is the first time I've seen a class scheduled to perform a pro-wrestling parody match. I hope that aspect isn't dropped in episode 12 because I think I'd rather enjoy seeing this production put on for its uniqueness as well as the humor it could produce.

Clannad After Story 14 (or Comedy and the Family Restaurant)

クラナド アフターストーリー Episode 14

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Nagisa and Tomoya pay Nagisa's parents a visit. Akio-san wonders when the official wedding will be (Nagisa and Tomoya already legally married), to which Tomoya replies that the wedding will take place when they get enough money. Entering Tomoya's apartment for the first time as husband and wife, the place becomes their apartment and Nagisa pledges herself to Tomoya. Nagisa taking a bath causes Tomoya quite a stir, though as Nagisa reminds him, he has to work the following morning. However, that night they talk with Tomoya wondering about the story of the lights and the wishes that could be granted. The conversation ends with them holding hands.

Tomoya and Nagisa's life as a couple continues with Tomoya working and the two sharing household chores. Nagisa decides to get a job and has a recommendation from two former school mates (music club members?) who work at a nearby family restaurant. One day, Tomoya gets off work early and pays a visit to his father-in-law, who's keen to see his daughter at work in a waitress uniform, something Tomoya suddenly wants to see too. However, Akio-san decides to go in disguise and get some pictures, so wearing sunglasses and baggy shirt, he is now a "rapper" and calls himself M.C. Akio.

At the restaurant, Nagisa doesn't recognize her father as Tomoya orders a coffee for himself and a giant parfait for Akio-san, who'd been commenting on parfaits earlier. When two thugs start hitting on Nagisa, then start to accost her for not going with them, Tomoya and Akio-san step in, at which point the thugs ultimately flee. When the manager comes around, Akio-san flees as well. Tomoya talks with the manager, who knows that Tomoya is married to Nagisa. He's not upset with Tomoya since he saw the whole incident. He does tell Tomoya that Nagisa gets easily depressed over making little mistakes and that Tomoya should make sure to take care of Nagisa at home.

That night, Nagisa and Tomoya are talking when Nagisa reveals that their old high school building will be torn down to make way for a new building. This upsets Tomoya greatly, enough that Nagisa thinks she's said something wrong. Tomoya apologizes to her, saying that the loss of the old school building means the loss of their old theater club room and more, thus a piece of their past is being destroyed. Nagisa understands.

Sometime later, Tomoya and Nagisa are visiting her parents where Akio-san reveals a massive number of pictures he's taken of Nagisa in her waitress uniform. Hearing a crash in the bathroom, Akio-san and Tomoya come running, where they find Sanae-san comforting her daughter. Since Nagisa is clearly ill, Akio-san kids his son-in-law about making Nagisa pregnant, saying that a real man would have already done so. However, when Sanae-san says that Nagisa is most likely pregnant, Akio-san's disposition changes to the negative. Nagisa defends Tomoya, citing the fact that they are married and doing "ecchi," which shocks Tomoya and does not please Akio-san.

Thoughts/Review: M.C. Akio? *LOL* Oh man, that was too funny. Having become a fan of rap from the early 80's (though mind you, I can't stand that vulgar stuff today beyond maybe some beats) and having even made a few blog entries here on Japanese rappers (and you can see an example HERE), the scene with Akio-san pretending to be a rapper made me laugh even more. I guess it goes to show how rap has continued to work its way into more of a mainstream of Japanese youth. That is also seen in something like Samurai Champloo (for example).

While on the subject of Akio-san, I have to say that he made this episode on the comedy front. In addition to the rapper stuff mentioned above, he and Tomoya calling each other "father" and "son" ended up making me laugh out loud. Akio-san's whole reactions to learning that his little girl was pregnant with Tomoya's child just had me almost in the floor. Poor Nagisa though. I can't believe she actually said that she and Tomoya were doing "ecchi." *lol* Just too good, though on a serious note, with the constant refrains of "Nagisa is physically weak," I started thinking, "is it really OK for her to have a child health-wise?"

Also while I'm thinking of it, we received the explanation on the wedding, so I suppose there's still a chance to see one (though I doubt it). Beyond that, I rather enjoyed seeing Tomoya and Nagisa as a married couple, though I wouldn't have minded seeing them kiss. Aside from the comedy reference to "ecchi," the anime handled Tomoya and Nagisa being together in a sweet way with them holding hands while laying down in their futons.

I find it amusing that after having commented on family restaurants for Torodora!, this episode of Clannad After Story features one. The name of the place is a fictitious "Ernesto Host," which I'm fairly sure is a parody tribute to the kick boxer Ernesto Hoost. He may be better known as one of those YouTube celebrities with the most widely circulated Downtown Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! clips -- the infamous "Silent Library" (though this isn't the "Silent Library" as some believe). If you haven't seen it, see below (and as an aside, I hear that the guys from Downtown have done a 2008 version).



I've noticed a strange lack of Illusion World lately. I wonder why.

Well, nothing to do but wait for the next episode.

Negima! Manga Vol 26 (Ch 239) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 26 Chapter 239 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 239

Summary/Synopsis: After reuniting with Yuuna and Makie (who witnessed Negi's Thousand Bolt's spell), the two are amazed that Negi's father is the infamous Nagi whom they've heard so much about since arriving in the Magic World. Negi is then introduced to Princess Theodora, who asks to be addressed as Theo. After learning that Jack had already shown Negi something about her (via the movie), she apologizes for not being able to do anything for Nagi and Arika in the end. He is confused by this and realizing that Negi knows nothing, Theodora will say no more.

Ricardo and Seras arrive to help train Negi, though shadow-Eva considers them small fry and not worth Negi's time. Ricardo will train both Negi and Kotaro in martial arts, Seres will train Negi with combat magic so that he can perfect the Thousand Bolts spell, and Theo will do what she can. Using a Diorama Magic Sphere, every day that passes in the Magic World will be ten in the sphere, thus they can get 30 days of training. Negi starts to believe that maybe he can beat Jack now, which shadow-Eva chastises him for as Negi's situation really hasn't changed. At the end of the day, Negi has to find the power to defeat Jack.

Negi begins training under all four teachers and after 16 days of training, he and Kotaro emerge to do one of their matches. Returning to training, Negi and Theodora talk with Negi asking the obvious question -- is Arika his mother. Theodora cannot say because the members of Ala Rubra decided not to tell Negi of the Magic World affairs until Negi reached full manhood. That said, she doesn't know anymore than anyone else as to what happened with Arika after the war. Negi asks if Jack would acknowledge Negi as having reached full manhood should Negi win. Theodora cannot answer.

Chamo prompts Theodora, who states that what she's about to do is problematic considering her position, but if restricted to the tournament, it should be OK. Negi is confused, so Theodora explains that it is a victory charm, at which point she kissed Negi as the magic circle appears around them and a pactio card appears. Theodora states this is their first trump card.

Thoughts/Review: Yeah. Wow. Let me get started here so some of you can agree or disagree with me. ^_~

I find it interesting that the three rulers of the major powers in the magic world would be so interested in beating Jack. I suppose they wouldn't mind seeing him taken down a peg or two, but I can't help but wonder what other motives they may have. It is amusing that shadow-Eva is so disdainful of those three. Unfortunately, an explanation of how Theodora obtained an Eva artifact (the scroll) is missing.

I've never had the sense that Eva was part of the war (and it hasn't been mentioned), but I have had the strong sense that Eva interacted with the Ala Rubra group when they were still intact, to include Jack. Why Jack as well? Well for starters, he had an Eva scroll and knew a great deal about her. Secondly, Takahata mentioned going to school with Eva, and since Takahata was a boy when he joined Ala Rubra, he was training then and may well have been learning magic then at the same time as Eva. Just a possibility. Still, why would Eva leave artifacts with shadow-copies of herself behind? Despite herself, Eva has shown herself to be willing to help others who truly want to advance themselves, likely due to her own past. So I suppose that's as good an answer as to the "why leave artifacts" as any.

Arika. Again, Akamatsu-sensei teases fans and for the FIRST time that I can remember, Negi mentions that he has a mother. Before this chapter, it was 100% his father and no thought was given to the woman who bore him. Now, he's suddenly wondering about having a mother. However, I have a theory (heh!heh!) that in addition to Negi being Nagi (and having recently re-read some of the manga wherein I note that Nagi made two people promise to do things for his son who hadn't even been born yet -- Al and Stan), I begin to strongly think that Nekane is in fact the daughter of Nagi and Arika.

I keep remembering Negi's remarks on how Asuna (who is kin to Arika somehow) resembles and smells like Nekane. Even Anya acknowledges Asuna resembling Nekane. That suggests to me that Nekane may very well be related to Asuna. Considering the Japanese use of family titles for people who are not in their actual family, Nekane addressing the man who took care of herself and Negi as "Otousan" (Dad) doesn't mean much. Negi addresses the same man as "Ojichan" (Uncle) when that man is not his uncle (even if Negi is in fact the child of Nagi and not Nagi in disguise). Add to this that while Nekane would tell Negi stories that his father Nagi was like Superman (using the original Japanese term) but other things she would not, saying they were a secret (like if Nagi had ever rescued her).

If Arika died after giving birth to Nekane, Nagi may well have given her over to the gentleman to adopt Nekane, keeping his relationship to her a secret so that he could do his work against the evil organization without worrying that his daughter would become a target. Since that English village was populated with people because of Nagi (which likely means they migrated from the Magic World, thus that would explain their culture complete with Japanese honorific usage since they are used in the MW), some infant female child brought over by Nagi wouldn't raise any suspicions. Then if my theory about Negi being Nagi is correct, the same man gets Nagi's "son" to raise as well. Just my theory. :-P

Moving on, lets discuss Theodora. My initial reaction to seeing the first spoiler image was that Negi scored a pactio. Indeed, he may have done this because whatever Theodora and Chamo came up with might require her to use a pactio card with its artifact. This may still be the case as Theodora may have had a pactio in the past, knows what artifact she'll get, and though making a pactio with Negi would place her as a subservient ministra role to him (which would explain her remarks about this pactio being problematic due to her being a princess and leader of her people), her artifact would help bring down Jack somehow.

On the other hand, it seems like it would be more probable that if Theodora is a mage, then her making Negi her minister. She would then be able to give Negi a magical boost, which would certainly compensate for the draw from Negi's own ministra's. However, having Negi as a subserviant partner doesn't seem like it would be a problem (beyond Negi being a wanted person, but that didn't seem to be Theodora's concern). Also, I'm not a fan of a magister being a minister/ministra at the same time for various reasons, but obviously if that's where Akamatsu-sensei takes things, then that's where we'll go.

One more thing -- since Theodora brought out the Diorama Magic Sphere, could Theodora be from whom Eva learned to construct her resorts? That might explain why Theodora had an Eva scroll.

I laugh at how folks were all worried about a lengthy training arc. Already, sixteen days of the thirty have passed, so training isn't going to be a major focus. Since my thoughts of Negi learning more about Nagi and such through the training arc has proven false, I hope that Negi is smart enough to realize that Seras is Yue's "boss" and as such is able to let her know that Yue is one of his Ministra Magi (rather I hope Akamatsu-sensei doesn't get them out of the training without Negi and Seras having that discussion).

One final comment -- Sayo. *lol* She's such a scene stealer but it looks like the scout team has fought and defeated three dragons. Impressive. Most impressive. ^_^

Guess what gang? Negima! 240 won't be out this week due to it being the normal "4+1" break. I'll put out a reminder on Saturday along with a nifty Negima! image I'd never seen before and I'm not sure how I scored it. ^_^; It's cool though.

Minami-ke Okaeri 03

みなみけ おかえり Episode 03

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Touma comes home to discover that her brother Natsuki has eaten her pudding, purchased from a certain store known for making quality puddings. She heads to Chiaki's home, where Kana figures out immediately why Touma left home. Haruka gives Natsuki a call to let him know that Touma is there and getting confirmation that Natsuki did take the pudding, Haruka gets angry with him for not understanding why this would upset Touma. Haruka has three puddings from the same store, but one is missing. After a lengthy pause, Takeru comes by with three more puddings from that store. The three sisters confess to each eating a third of the missing pudding but now there are five puddings, one for everyone.

Uchida comes by with a big bag of apples for the Minami sisters, but is surprised at Haruka's strange reaction to this. Kana says that Haruka has a gift of knowing what to make from an apple. Chiaki comes in but seeing the bag off apples, Chiaki leaves, saying she's ill. Uchida finds this odd. Kana says she needs to visit the toilet and tells Uchida not to look in a nearby box. Naturally Uchida does this and discovers a box full of apples that others have brought the Minami sisters. Touma comes by, eager to eat, but gets ill having to eat too many baked apples and goes home with an apple. Her brothers study the apple for quite some time before decided to make baked apples for Touma.

Haruka is on the phone with Natsuki and instructing him on how to make cookies. Touma comes by and since everyone is hungry and Haruka shows no sign of getting off the phone, they decide to make the curry for that night's dinner. Kana overhears Haruka say to add sugar, so she adds sugar. Chiaki gets irritated and says to add curry powder. Haruka hears that and tells Natsuki over the phone to add curry powder. In the end, the curry the girls make is inedible so when Touma comes home, she's still hungry. Natsuki brings out some cookies but unfortunately, they smell like curry.

Natsuki eats another of Touma's puddings despite her having written her name on the cup. So Touma again goes to Chiaki's house. Kana says that maybe Touma's name-witting wasn't good enough, so when Haruka brings out some western-styled omelets, Kana uses ketchup to write out "100." Kana then explains how "100" can be used for the name "Touma." Touma is impressed, so she writes +7 in ketchup on Kana's omelet before explaining how this could be used for the name "Kana." They then begin to think things are too complicated, so Chiaki tells them to get Haruka to check it out. When looking at their omelets, all Haruka sees is "100+7" for "107."

Thoughts/Review: Normally I don't comment too much on art or animation, but this episode at times seemed to have to different character designs, almost as if two different animation companies worked on it. Wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened (if indeed it happened), but that's what struck me for the pudding story. The others seemed fine.

Sadly, I didn't laugh at all this episode. I'm well aware of the elevated status a pudding has in Japanese culture as relayed through anime and manga. I've seen them featured often. Don't get me wrong, I likes me a good pudding at times and shockingly enough, the "mini-cafe" at one of the places I used to work sold a good chocolate and vanilla pudding that they made themselves. However, the story in and of itself did nothing for me except make me think, "puddings are good but not all that."

The story about the apples went down a step from the pudding one. Again, I know the importance of fruit as gifts in Japan. Fruit is outrageously expensive over there, so a basket of fruit is seen as a very nice gift. A bag of apples would be the same. However, I was just bored with this whole notion of the Minami girls having too many apples, being sick of apples, and trying to make things from the apples.

The food-making story was "meh" to me. Haruka and Kana hearing each other speak and getting that mixed up with what they were making (Kana) or instructing to make (Haruka) wasn't funny to me, nor could I see that actually happening.

The final food-story about putting one's name on food products didn't do anything for me either beyond remind me that the Japanese love ketchup with western-styled omelets.

So a very disappointing episode with some parts looking as if they were done by a B-team. Well, not every episode can be a winner.

Toradora! 10

とらドラ！Episode 10

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Having spent the night awake due to the unexplained hair and wet clothing on their beds, Ryuuji and Taiga wearily wonder what today's plan of action is to scare Minori and hook her up with Ryuuji. Yuusaku comes up on them and wants to get involved in this scheme once he's told Minori actually enjoys horror stuff. Yuusaku enlists the help of Ami. Meanwhile, Ryuuji makes breakfast and Minori helps. Both are very good at food preparation and both help make the lunches while talking. All of this is quietly observed by Ami.

After breakfast, the group sans Ami are ready for the beach. Minori races ahead and Ryuuji goes back into the house to find out what the holdup is with Ami. He finds her admiring her figure in the mirror, having on a new bikini with a removable bow which shows off more of her cleavage. Ami wants to know why it is that Ryuuji wants to make Minori happy. He won't say. So, she tells him that if he doesn't tell her, she won't help. Even after counting down from five, Ryuuji still won't say. Ami can't believe it and tells Ryuuji she won't help. She then proceeds outside to tell Yuusaku the same thing.

Yuusaku goes to a nearby cave and sets some scare traps without Ami before returning to find everyone eating lunch. Ami decides to help a little but telling Minori of a cave she's fond of, so it is decided to go exploring after lunch. They enter the cave and start exploring with Minori talking of being scared and staying close to Yuusaku. They get to Yuusaku's first trap, but it misses Minori and hits Taiga instead. The next trap isn't any more impressive but then Ryuuji finds the same seaweed and hair that was on his bed the night before. Now, Taiga and Ryuuji are somewhat afraid of what might be here.

Ami decides she's had enough and goes down a side-passage to return back home. Taiga, Yuusaku, and Minori have gone on down the main passage, so after a moment's hesitation, Ryuuji follows Ami. She wonders if Ryuuji would have been lonely without her since he followed her. She pretends to be lost which doesn't set well with him before admitting it is a joke. She admits to liking the scared, helpless side of Ryuuji and tells him that he really isn't suited for Minori. That's because Minori is the sun and Ryuuji is the moon, thus if they were to get together, Ryuuji would be burned up by the sun.

Minori's scream brings Ryuuji and Ami running back to the main passage where Yuusaku says that she just disappeared, leaving only a sandel behind. With the flashlights going out, Yuusaku says he'll go ahead and does so before making loud noises as well. Despite being afraid, Taiga races down the dark passage for Yuusaku, only to slip and fall. Ami and Ryuuji come up, where they learn that this was all a prank set up by Minori with help from Yuusaku. That night, Minori explains that she knew Ryuuji and Taiga were trying to scare her the day before, so she thought she'd show them how to do it right.

That night, it is time for fireworks and as the others play, Ryuuji talks with Ami, saying that he would have been lonely had Ami left him in the cave. That said, he wonders about her own sense of loneliness, which is something she's never considered. After she walks away, Minori comes up to Ryuuji and they talk and do fireworks. He thanks her for the fun of the day and says that being with her is fun. She says that's her line, thanks him for listening to her weird story the night before, and then wonders why he was so keen on scaring her the day before. Ryuuji says that it is because of what Taiga said and his own desire for her to meet a ghost. She accepts this and says that next they should try to see a UFO as the big fireworks display goes off.

Thoughts/Review: I knew it. Minori is not nearly as airheaded as she's made out to be. I had a hunch that she knew that Ryuuji and Taiga were behind trying to scare her and she paid them back in full. *lol* While Ryuuji didn't act like a stumbling fool, I was hoping that he'd at least try to confess to Minori when they were alone and talking again. In some ways, I think Minori wanted him to do that as well. Would Minori and Ryuuji be a good couple together or would it be as Ami stated -- sun and moon? They are good at some of the same things (cooking and cleaning) and the romantic in me wants to think that they'd be a good couple together. However, Minori and Yuusaku would be a good couple too.

Unfortunately, I really can't see Yuusaku and Taiga as a couple, at least not now. With Taiga freezing up like she does everytime Yuusaku gets around her, it is impossible to see them as a couple. Of course, Ryuuji and Taiga would do alright together. They do bicker but they do genuinely like each other and accept the faults in one another. I suppose if one can do that, then there is the making of a really good couple in the works because one is laying he groundwork of a friendship as a base for being a romantic couple.

Ami and Ryuuji's conversation on being lonely was rather interesting. Despite being rich and well liked, Ami very likely is somewhat lonely. As such, her being part of the group with Yuusaku, Minori, Ryuuji, and Taiga is not whom one would expect to see a model hanging out with, yet they are the ones spending time with her, not for personal gain but just because. So in many ways, I think that Ami subconsciously enjoys spending time with this group even if she doesn't outright express it. In that way, maybe some part of her really does think that Ryuuji is a potential boyfriend.

While I'm thinking of it, I was pleasantly surprised that Ryuuji didn't take the opportunity of telling Ami why he wanted to make Minori happy, even though it meant losing her help.

So, a rather poignant and fun episode which wraps up the summer vacation.

More Negima! Chapter 239 SPOILER Images

More Negima! 239 SPOILER Images!
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 239 (Images)

Man, I was asleep at the switch yesterday and missed the release of the 2nd and 3rd batch of Mahou Sensei Negima! chapter 239 SPOILER images (click pics to make bigger, y'all). The 3rd one is some closeups.


I think this should lay to rest the fears of some sort of extended training arc since it appears clear that the days are passing by. Of course, there's that pactio thing at the end...^_^

Mai Otome 0~S.ifr~ -- Final Thoughts

The Mai-HiME/Mai Otome franchise is one that I've followed from the beginning. There are a lot of items of interest to keep me coming back, though the frustrating part has always been a lack of clear answers. However, when the prequel to Mai Otome came out featuring Arika's mother Lena, I was excited to see this. So how did it fare? Pretty good, though with some of the same faults as its predecessors.

I have to say, the writers went all out with this prequel. Right from the start, there is no wasted time getting straight to the action with the kidnapping of Sifr. There is quite a bit of action in this title, especially in the final episode. Things aren't all about the action though as we get some of the humor one might expect from a Mai Otome title. Further, the story is pretty good too as it is neat seeing Akira's mother in action. However, the story begged the question of just how was she killed by the time of Mai Otome to be used as the mechanism for the Valkyries there. By episode three, Lena is so powerful, she can defeat four Column Otome in under a minute with simple illusions of herself.

This is the area where the whole franchise suffers IMO -- there's not enough explanation of things. I understand that Otome can never marry or engage in sex because that will cause them to lose their Otome abilities by their bodies building a resistance to the nanomachines within them. So Lena marrying Akira's father would weaken her over time. However, with Lena also appearing to have a Child named Artemas, which allows her to activate her Robe without a contract from a master, she's clearly not your normal Otome and so it seems strange to me that she would be killed like that after seeing her withstand a weapon of mass destruction without breaking a sweat.

Also, the writers don't make clear links of Sifr to the Mai Otome series, so you have to be on your toes or do some research. Otherwise, I wouldn't have realized that she's the mother of Nina Wang. One almost needs to rewatch Mai Otome from scratch in order to gain some better insight on things (which I have not done, only having rewatched episodes regarding Lena). Since Sifr is a "Weaver," she's a danger though she eventually becomes queen, has Nina, somehow Nina is taken away, somehow Mashiro becomes the young illegitimate queen, etc. It really can be a tangled web, especially if you are not well versed in things, which I am not.

The Schwartz were strange here. Clearly, they have access to a lot of old technology and weapons of mass destruction. However, once they reach their space base with it's pulverizing beam weapon, once the Otome working with Bruce arrive, Schwartz goes, "time to self-destruct the facility." I didn't understand that quick give-up because it comes off as such a huge waste. OK, maybe the Otome would gather and destroy the station anyway, but the way things play out, it just seems strange to abandon the station and lose all those android fighters (at least to me).

Still, despite the frustration of clearly linking the pieces, I have to say that I like Mai Otome 0~S.ifr~ the most of all the Mai Otome titles. I liked all the new characters and their interactions. I liked how Schwartz is the main villain here (again), but this time the Garderobe Academy is also a foe since they want Sifr dead to keep her away from Schwartz. I also like how this series more clearly sets out the notion of "fake" war (Otome from different countries forced to fight each other to determine the winner) vs. the pain and suffering that a real war could cause. I just wish that in addition to the better explanations for characters, a better explanation of Lena's Child and the linkage to Mai-HiME would finally come about (oh, and an explanation of the Weaver as well).

Ultimately, I'd buy this title, were it licensed because I enjoyed it that much despite its flaws. If you've seen the other Mai Otome titles, you'll certainly want to catch this one.

Toradora! 09

とらドラ！Episode 09

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ryuuji has a strange dream that he asks Taiga to marry him and she accepts him like a dog. When he wakes up and does laundry, he finds that Taiga has had a similar dream, which is a bad omen. The two take off to the train station, where they are shocked to find Yuusaku and Minori already there, doing windmill-type motions. Ami arrives a little later and is embarrassed by the little act the other four put on for her. Later on the bullet train, everyone is enjoying lunch, say what they've been doing over the summer, and Ami and Taiga have their normal verbal exchange. Taiga plays an audio file for Minori which supposedly has a ghost voice on it. Minori is freaked out by it, but it is part of the plan she has to get Minori and Ryuuji together.

Arriving at Ami's beach residence, everyone is eager to hit the beach except for Ryuuji, who can't resist giving the place a clean. Later, when Yuusaku is going into town to pick up some food, using the motorcycle on the grounds, Taiga passes on an opportunity to go with Yuusaku out of fear of riding the bike, so Minori goes. Ryuuji points out that it was the perfect chance for her to be alone with Yuusaku, but Taiga puts it off, saying she's supporting Ryuuji's efforts with Minori. Ryuuji returns inside and is exploring the place more when he finds the bathroom. Ami is inside in the shower and grabs Ryuuji before he can leave. She's talking of him getting into the shower with her, but it is all a tease as all she was doing was cleaning. Ryuuji escapes and reports this to Taiga, who goes up to take care of Ami and gets a surprise.

After Yuusaku and Minori return, Taiga plays on Minori's fears while Ryuuji makes curry. A battle between Ami and Taiga breaks out on how to make the curry but when Minori says "extra spicy," that's what Ryuuji makes. Yuusaku comes down in only a towel from the commosion which nearly puts Taiga into a coma and Minori taking pictures. Everyone eats and are surprised that it wasn't that spicy. Then, the heat hits everyone, thrilling Minori who loves hot food. However, this makes Taiga's stomach hurt, so Yuusaku takes her upstairs to lay down after taking stomach medicine. Taiga is very nervous the whole time.

Meanwhile, Ryuuji is on the deck with Minori looking at the stars. Ryuuji asks if Minori has a boyfriend. Instead of answering directly, she talks of ghosts. People claim to see them and everything but she's never seen one. She relates the ghost experiences to her having a boyfriend, which she does not have and doesn't believe she ever will have one. Ryuuji picks up the topic to relay that he would like to have a girlfriend and that he hopes Minori can find someone because he thinks there's a ghost who wants her to see them. Minori sees something in the sky, thinking it is a UFO. Ryuuji explains that it is just a satelitte.

Later in his room, Taiga pays him a visit, feeling better. She's hungry, so Ryuuji makes her some food. Taiga asks what the plan will be for tomorrow regarding himself and Minori. He asks her about her plans for herself and Yuusaku. She reminds him that she's supporting him this time. However, she does remark on how spending time with Yuusaku has been a nerve-wracking experience for her, which is not what she expected. Taiga then reflects on how she's not nervous with Ryuuji and that even though they are in a large room, they are still close together. She then thinks back to her dream about marrying Ryuuji and ponders it for a moment. The return to their rooms where they find that their may well be a ghost in the home.

Thoughts/Review: At last, some movement on the Ryuuji-Minori front. I can't help but wonder if Minori actually knows what Ryuuji and Taiga are up to, based on her conversation comparing ghosts sightings and meeting "Mr. Right." Minori is often portrayed as somewhat of a cheerful, optimistic airhead who's good at sports, but I do get a sense that maybe she's not at airheaded as she seems. Question is, does she even see Ryuuji as a potential boyfriend, or just another friend along with Taiga and Ami? I don't have an answer there. At least this episode had Taiga working to get Minori and Ryuuji together, and Taiga doesn't get all flustered like Taiga does around Yuusaku.

That brings me to another point -- Ryuuji and Taiga. Their relationship kinda reminds me of my days in the military and the female friend I had at one duty station (whom I am still friends with to this day). Actually, it was something Taiga said about being comfortable around Ryuuji that reminded me of what the Wigster told me -- she was comfortable being around me. We often spent lots of time in each other's room and in many ways, it is a wonder that we didn't just become a couple. The reason I even mention this is that the moment with Ryuuji and Taiga together with Taiga using Ryuuji's back as a footrest made me think for the first time that I could see them actually being a real couple. Assuming this line of story is followed, I wonder if we'll see a "we shouldn't ruin our friendship" element injected at some point.

Well, summer at Ami's place continues with the next episode.

Space Battleship Yamato 2 17

Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2 Episode 17
宇宙戦艦ヤマト2 Ep. 17 (TV, Anime)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: The crew of the Yamato discover that the White Comet has increased in speed and will reach Teresart in a day rather than the three days originally estimated. That means that Yamato will be overtaken in three days now. Daisuke is again depressed at leaving Teresa behind and thus is not at his station, forcing Susumu to find him and get him back to work. Teresa sees that Yamato is not leaving as fast as she thought they would and sends them a message to inquire as to why. Susumu says that they can't warp out because there are too many obstacles in their flight path. Daisuke speaks with her briefly and Teresa assures him that she'll be OK.

On the White Comet, the mood is upbeat as they bear down on Teresart. Teresa sends a message to the White Comet, which is detected by Yamato. Sabera is amused by Teresa's communication warning them to stop their approach but Emperor Zwordar does not wish to fight Teresa. Instead, he orders a message sent to Teresa to abandon her planet and escape. Sabera is not convinced that Teresa is so powerful, but a powerful energy surge from Teresart causes electrical problems throughout Gatlantis. Zwordar responds in person to Teresa, where they have a conversation on his universal invasion plans. At the end of their conversation, Teresa tells Zwordar that she will stand in his path. This causes Sabera to order that the White Comet accelerate to Teresart.

On Yamato, the conversation has been overheard and they see that the White Comet has sped up so that it will hit Teresart quickly and overtake Yamato in a day. Daisuke is horrified by this while on the White Comet, they are amazed to see energy levels on Teresart rising. Sabera still thinks Teresa is bluffing but soon it becomes apparent that she's not. Teresa causes the explosion of Teresart with the energy release targeted at the White Comet. On Yamato, this is seen and many of the crew believe that the White Comet is destroyed. However, it becomes clear that the White Comet was damaged, slowed down, and knocked off course cut not destroyed. As such, Yamato can escape but will still have to deal with the White Comet.

Thoughts/Review: Again, I'm just not feeling the love between Teresa and Daisuke because it has never been set up properly. That aside, I suppose it was only natural that if Teresa wouldn't attack and destroy the White Comet, then she'd have to sacrifice herself to try to save Yamato and Daisuke. Of course, to have nine more episodes, that would mean that Teresa's sacrifice would only buy Yamato time to get home, possibly get an upgrade, and then go back out into the fight. The preview image for the next episode shows a bunch of Andromeda class battleships heading out, so I figure they'll be destroyed and Yamato will be the savior.

I will be interested to see how Sabera and others on Gatlantis handle surviving Teresa's sacrifice. I'm going to guess that everyone lives since that's how things go with this series.

Toradora! 08

とらドラ！Episode 08

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: It is decided that a 50-meter freestyle swim will determine the outcome of the battle between Ami and Taiga, with Minori being the referee. The class starts betting on the outcome and while they try to hide the fact from Minori, Ami, Taiga, and Ryuuji, the note being passed through the class ends up in Ryuuji's hands anyway. Seeing what is up, Ryuuji sends the note over to Taiga, who upon reading it and seeing Ryuuji's bet, stands up in class and gives everyone an evil eye, causing them to hide their faces in fear.

At the pool, Taiga is not making good progress learning to swim and the comments of her classmates make her vow to do no more training in front of them as she can't even put her face underwater. So, she begins visualized training, reading a book and practicing on her bed or on the floor. One rainy day, Yuusaku hands Taiga and Ryuuji a couple of tickets to a local pool amusement park with the comment to keep working hard at practicing to swim. He also indicates that he's betting on Taiga.

Later in the day, Ryuuji finds Ami sitting between two vending machines at school. They talk for a bit with Ryuuji asking Ami to layoff antagonizing Taiga so much. After school, Ryuuji is about to walk home in the rain when Minori comes up. She's happy for everything Ryuuji is doing for Taiga and while she's the referee and can't officially take sides, she is pulling for them. That night, Ryuuji hangs a Teruterubouzu and prays for good weather the next day. Sure enough, the next day is mostly sunny, so Ryuuji thanks Teruterubouzu-san, but he's not amused at Taiga's pretending to swim while in the kiddie end of the giant amusement park pool. Using an inner-tube, Taiga shows she has great leg strength and thus speed in the water. Ryuuji tells her this and that he thinks she has a chance of winning. Taiga thinks about this for a moment, then says she will win.

The rains return, so the training has to come to a stop. While they wait, Ryuuji makes a flippant remark about spending the summer with Ami which angers Taiga. Ryuuji doesn't understand why Taiga is getting upset over his joking remarks, nor why she's been acting weird ever since she found Ami in his apartment. Taiga is upset about about people claiming to understand her (like Ryuuji) when she's doesn't even understand herself. So she storms off crying, leaving Ryuuji to wonder what he did wrong.

Late that night, Ryuuji is still up when his drunk mother comes home. Seeing a prepared dinner for Taiga wrapped in plastic untouched, Ryuuji's mother asks if Ryuuji and Taiga had a fight. Ryuuji tells her what Taiga had told him -- that he didn't matter. Ryuuji's mother explains that Taiga always says the opposite of what she feels, thus Ryuuji does matter to Taiga. His mother then passes out, forcing him to put her to bed. The next morning, it is raining again when Ryuuji meets Taiga on the street. He has a bento for her, which she takes only because the bento did nothing wrong, and words saying that he really did want Taiga to defeat Ami.

The sun comes out and the match is on. Ami decides to play the crowd by wearing a bikini, but Taiga doesn't show up. After a long time, Minori is just about to call the match when Taiga shows up, decked out in flotation devices. Just before the starters whistle, Taiga distracts Ami by saying "hair," then when the whistle blows, Taiga throws everything but a paddle board at Ami, causing her to fall into the water. Taiga dives in and before Ami can react, Taiga has taken off Ami's bikini top. Taiga is off with her paddle board as Ami gets her top back on. Taiga cramps up, causing Ryuuji to dive in to help her. This allows Ami to catch up and get ahead before Taiga is able to go again. However, an accident causes Ryuuji to nearly drown, so Taiga loses the race to save him. Once out of the water, Taiga cries and demands to know why no one else tried to save Ryuuji. She then declares loudly that Ryuuji is hers and cries heavily.

Sometime later, Yuusaku, Ami, Ryuuji, Taiga, and Minori are having iced coffee at a coffee shop. Taiga announces that she's going to Ami's mansion along with Ryuuji. Yuusaku is in favor of this, so Ami decides to verbally jab Taiga about the "Ryuuji is mine" scream at the pool, which means that Taiga doesn't want to be separated from Ryuuji. Taiga readily concedes that is exactly it -- she doesn't want to be separated from Ryuuji. However, she continues that Ryuuji is her dog, and that as master, she can't have her dog doing things he shouldn't be doing. She looks at Ryuuji, asking if he was expecting her to say something else. He denies it. Ami whispers to Ryuuji that they'll still have chances to be alone together during the summer.

Thoughts/Review: I suppose this episode marks where Taiga officially admits (howbeit with a denial) that she has some feelings for Ryuuji. I suppose it makes sense in some regards -- Ryuuji takes care of her like a butler. Of course, there hasn't been any romantic feeling coming out of this for me, so it could be just Taiga realizing how great Ryuuji is as a friend and companion and thus her words saying that Ryuuji is hers. However, such a statement would seem to imply more, even if more hasn't been shown. After all, she still gets flustered and happy over Yuusaku. So while Ryuuji and Taiga getting together may be the ultimate goal of the story, for now, I see a lonely girl who has someone to care for her and she doesn't want to lose that.

While there's not much to say about Taiga training for her swim competition with Ami, I will say that her strategy made me laugh, though the sudden cramp to allow Ami to actually win in the end was a stretch from me (no pun intended). Still, I did like how Taiga was able to swim to save Ryuuji. I also liked her concession to Ami at the coffee shop. I'm interested to see how things play out here, though I am saddened that Minori no longer really is in the picture as a love-object for Ryuuji apparently. Ryuuji doesn't seem to get flustered around Minori anymore and we don't hear about him trying to win Minori over.

Negima! Chapter 239 SPOILER Images

Negima! 239 SPOILER Images
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 239 (Images)

Here's what I know many of you have been waiting for -- the original-sized, sneak-peek images for Mahou Sensei Negima! 239 as brought to you buy anonymous Japanese fans (click pic to make bigger, y'all).


If that bottom image shocks you, I can tell you it has caused all kinds of activity on the Japanese side. I know American fans are big on speculating about who the next girl Negi will pactio with will be, but I know no one thought Theodora would be it. So again, another surprising development.

If there are more spoiler images, I'll post them.

Update: And here are the next batch of images (though a bit late...sorry about that). --> HERE

Urusei Yatsura 97

うる星やつら episode 97 (TV anime)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Oyuki contacts Lum, worried that Benten hasn't been seen in some time. Lum finds Benten having just taken a shower at Ataru's place. Turns out, Benten has been looking for her chain. It seems that Benten had her chain stolen when she stopped to help a girl whom Benten thought had died. Benten is then knocked out by the gas from the field of mushrooms she's in. At Oyuki's place, there's a video message about Benten's chain from a group of middle school girls looking to make a name for themselves by taking out the fearsome gang of Lum, Benten, and Oyuki. This revelation causes Oyuki to comment to Lum on how one can gain a reputation simply from hanging out with the wrong sort of people. Benten reminds Oyuki and Lum that they were both in on every bit of mischief that happened.

Benten is off to give these young girls a beating and get her chain back, followed by Lum and Oyuki. Meanwhile, the gang girls begin to panic about the upcoming fight until the Chinese-looking girl (Sugar) reminds them they have the SALT-01 computer on their side. So when Benten, Lum, and Oyuki arrive at the fight location, it turns out to be on top of Lum's school on Earth. The fight begins with Sugar lobbing insults at Benten and company. The three gang girls play keep-away for a while (despite taking some shocks and hits) until Ataru suddenly shows up on the scene trying to get any of the girls to go on a date with him. Because he gets attacked (even by Lum accidentally), Lum has had enough and electrocutes one of the girls with the chain, though the chain then breaks.

Benten arrives with Oyuki and so Sugar calls for the SALT-O1 robot. It then spews out a ton of chains before leaving. So the thre girls grab all the chains to leave the weight stops them. Benten tells Lum to blast them since Benten's chain would be able to stand up against such an attack. The girls are fried and Benten then gets Oyuki to freeze them. Benten then picks up the blocks of ice containing the girls and throws it. Benten wins and picks up the only surviving chain. The three then return to Benten's home to learn why that chain was so important. Turns out the chain is also Benten's key to her home. After Benten unlocks the door, they enter to find the other gang. Turns out, Benten had left her back door unlocked, meaning she could have gotten into her home at anytime without having to have gotten her chain back.

Thoughts/Review: I have to ask why AnimEigo decided to use the "senpai" honorific (spelled as "sempai") but use it incorrectly? Honorifics always come after, so it is "Benten-senpai" and not Sempai Benten as AnimEigo did it. Same thing for Lum and Oyuki. Ugh.

But I digress...

I will admit that Ataru just showing up out of the blue to try to score with the three female gang members (to say nothing of Benten and Oyuki) cracked me up. I was just thinking, "I wonder if Ataru is going to show up." I should have realized the second the school building was shown that Ataru would have shown up, but I didn't. Good thing I guess because the unexpected for me became funny.

Anyway, the story of gang girls looking to make a name for themselves by defeating their senpai is an old one, as seen by this being the theme of this episode. I immediately thought of Fruits Basket when Uo-chan was similarly challenged. I'm not as versed on this aspect of Japanese culture but it does show up often enough to make me sometimes want to learn more about the thug/gang life in Japan (both on the male and female side).

Toradora! 07

とらドラ！Episode 07

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ami is coming onto Ryuuji in his apartment when Taiga finds them. Ami decides to take advantage of the situation by flinging some verbal jabs at Taiga, but when Minori calls out to see if Taiga found Ryuuji and Ami, Taiga answers back that no one is there. That night, Ryuuji is making dinner and trying to convince Taiga that nothing was going on. Taiga appears to be sulking as she talks to Ryuuji's ugly bird. That night, Ryuuji oversleeps and so no breakfast for himself of Taiga as he bangs on her window to wake her up. They are off and running to get to a convenience store to buy a lunch, Taiga attacking Ryuuji along the way, but they make it to school in time, leading to a Taiga-Ami clash. Taiga soon learns something bad -- the school's pool will be open soon for P.E.

Ryuuji and Minori drag Taiga to a department store to buy a new swimsuit, where Ami is already there trying one on and being flirty with Ryuuji. Ami soon finds herself alone though after Ryuuji goes to check on Taiga. Taiga pulls him into her booth, where Ryuuji understands the problem -- all the adult swimsuits are actually too large for Taiga, especially across the chest. However, she buys one anyway after Ryuuji's talks with her but that night, she's still depressed as she waits for dinner. Noticing Ryuuji's mother's large chest and her claims that drinking soy milk gave her said chest, Taiga is now interested in eating soy products.

At Taiga's apartment, Ryuuji does some cleaning when Taiga comes in to model the swimsuit she bought. It does reveal that Taiga is flat-chested. Taiga shows Ryuuji a picture taken of her the previous year from the former photography club, with disparaging remarks written on it by the club regarding her chest. That was when Taiga went off on them, causing the club to cease to exist. She doesn't want to show Yuusaku her non-shapely form, so Ryuuji has a solution. Back at his apartment, Taiga plays a video game while Ryuuji sews some pads for her to use. It takes most of the night but the next morning when Taiga tries on the swimsuit with her pads, she's very pleased with the results.

Swim class comes and Ami is showing off. When Taiga comes out with a zippered hoodie draped over her shoulders, Ami comes up to inspect and criticize Taiga, but is disappointed to see a normal looking chest size on Taiga. Minori isn't fooled by the display though. Yuusaku comes up without his glasses, but recognizes Taiga and compliments her on her hair, which is done up in Chinese buns. Taiga is flushed by this, but later is very happy with Yuusaku's words. When people start getting tossed into the pool, Minori and Yuusaku toss Ryuuji in while Ami tosses Taiga in. Taiga can't swim, so Ryuuji goes to save her. However, he learns that one of her pads has come out, so he has to cover in order to get her pad back into her suit.

After school, Taiga is still sitting in class with her head down and Ami apologizes for tossing her in when Taiga couldn't swim. Taiga won't accept the apology, so Ami decides to barb her by inviting Ryuuji to her beach-side mansion, where naturally Yuusaku would be going as well. That provokes Taiga to threaten Ami with publication of the embarrassing photos Taiga took. Ami counters with a threat of a lawsuit for using her image without permission. This battle is stopped by Minori, who says that if they want to deepen their friendship, they can't do it via fighting but through sports.

Thoughts/Review: As I figured, Ami is not going to show her real self to others, only to Ryuuji, Taiga, Minori, and Yuusaku. So, the normal battles between Ami and Taiga continue, and those are funny. However, as a tsundere character, I feel that the character development for Taiga actually gives her an understandable reason for being this way. She is so self-conscious of her short stature and lack of development in the chest area, thus to compensate, she's a "tiger." It also provides a means by which Ami can land hits in their battles. So in many ways, this fleshing out of characters, both Ami and Taiga, have made the series more interesting than just the normal hijinks of two girls embroiled in a fight over whatever with one being tsundere and one being two-faced.

Another element of interest to me is that while the stories are episodic in nature thus far, they do have carry-over elements. Episode 6 had Taiga finding Ami with Ryuuji and that's picked up in this episode. The end of this episode has Minori confronting Ami and Taiga over their battles and suggesting they solve their problems with sports. That appears will be picked up next episode. So that's something I like as well -- story flow.

Is it just me, or has the Minori-Ryuuji element kind of been pushed aside? I thought about that when Taiga covered for having found Ami coming onto Ryuuji in his apartment. Ryuuji hasn't been thinking of how he's going to hook up with Minori, but has been working on getting Taiga with Yuusaku while dealing with Ami at the same time. I do hope that the Minori-Ryuuji element isn't completely lost.

So, the story has become more interesting to me (and I may have to look for the light novels or the manga), the humor is pretty good, and I now have a like of the characters. Onward to catch up to the current releases!

Keroro Gunsou 87

ケロロ軍曹 Episode 87
Sgt. Frog anime, 87
Keroro Gunsou episode 87

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Its December 2 and a big party is thrown for Natsumi's birthday. Because Keroro's birthday is December 9th, he decides to use the subtle approach to get everyone to celebrate his birthday. So he cleans house really well, repeating "1," "2," and "9" repeatedly. He buys the platoon snacks and works in "1," "2," and "9." Keroro keeps doing this and with each day, tears off a page on the page-a-day calendar. The 9th arrives and everyone is acting normal so Keroro plays along. However, as he day wears on, it seems no one is doing anything for his birthday. Finally, Keroro decides they are getting him presents and sets up a table for his own party. No one come so when midnight strikes, Keroro leaves in a huff, spending a day in rage. When he returns on his space bike, he runs out of gas and crashes into the Hinata home, where everyone had gathered for his surprise birthday party. Turns out, Keroro tore off two pages in the calendar, meaning today is the 9th.

The second story has a 4-judge alien panel (the Julijins) out destroying planets and come to Earth. They are about to just destroy the planet when they notice Moa there and knowing who she is, decide to hold off and create a fake world to judge Earth. Here, Moa takes the role of Alice from Alice in Wonderland with the others she knows taking on other parts. Because fighting doesn't break out between the parties over the antics pulled, the judges allow Earth to live and return Moa to the regular Earth. She thinks she must have been daydreaming and and rushes home to deliver the Gunpla to Keroro.

Thoughts/Review: Yeah, I think I will start rapid-firing this series. It seems to me that the anime has gotten more and more kiddie, to say nothing of getting more and more preachy, with this episode's message being, "fighting for any reason at all is evil." Whatever.

I will say that it is amusing to see the different characters playing characters from Alice in Wonderland though I don't remember a Shepard and sheep.

Toradora! 06

とらドラ！Episode 06

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ami is putting on her fake self in front of other girls in the class about her weight when Taiga and Minori come in for a Diet Warrior attack on her fat, whereby Ami almost loses control. Up on the roof of the school, Minori and Taiga celebrate their "win" with Ryuuji by having a canned beverage, whereby Ryuuji remarks on the fights between women as being scary. Walking home that evening, Taiga decides that she will make a salad for dinner and bring it over to Ryuuji's house. They are interrupted by a frightened Ami, who points out a guy with a camera that Ryuuji had noticed earlier. Taiga gets angry with Ami clinging to Ryuuji, so she tosses a garbage can, which lands near the photographer, who runs off. Ami then is convinced to spend the night at Taiga's house for safety by Taiga.

The following day at school, Ami looks exhausted, having suffered being made to do an imitation medley of 150 people. Taiga brags about this to Ryuuji up at the vending machines when Yuusaku comes up. To Taiga's and Ryuuji's amazement, Yuusaku wants Taiga to keep it up, figuring that the only way Ami will make real friends is if she drops the act and just becomes herself. So at lunch, Taiga "convinces" Ami to have lunch with herself, Minori, and Ryuuji. While not happy to be stuck with them, she notices that Ryuuji and Taiga have the same side dishes, so Taiga consumes Ryuuji's sides quickly to eliminate them having the same thing. Ami can't understand why Ryuuji lets Taiga get away with this and is suspicious.

After school, Yuusaku needs volunteers for a city cleaning project, so Taiga makes sure Ryuuji volunteers. Taiga agrees to help as a consolation, as does Minori. Taiga of course wants to be with Yuusaku, but unfortunately, he is teamed with the rest of the student council. So Taiga, Ryuuji, Minori, and Ami are teamed up. After Ami and Taiga have a brief verbal spar, Taiga and Minori go off on their own, leaving Ami and Ryuuji together to pick up trash. Ami slips a few times and starts letting her real self out in front of Ryuuji, but he's not buying the act and she knows it. However, before she can continue, she sees something that scares her and drags Ryuuji away.

Hiding in a covered bicycle parking area, Ryuuji discovers that Ami's photo stalker is back. Ami admits that this stalker is why she quit her modeling job and changed schools just to get away from him. However, he has found her again. As the rain pours down, Taiga and Minori approach from across the way, not knowing about the photographer that's been looking for Ami. The photographer sees Taiga and calls her a cute "youkai." To Ami's amazement, Taiga verbally attacks the photographer before chasing him to attack him. Taking courage from that, Ami also runs after the stalker, passing Taiga and Minori, catching the stalker, and destroying his camera and showing her real self, which she'd promised Ryuuji she'd do.

Later, Ami is at Ryuuji's house when she begins to come onto Ryuuji, which is then seen by Taiga, who does not look pleased by this.

Thoughts/Review: One thing that I'm liking about Toradora is that the story is doing certain unexpected (and thus interesting or funny) things while at the same time, doing certain expected things. For example, I expected the conflict between Taiga and Ami to continue and it did. I did not expect Minori to be brought into Taiga's plan to expose Ami, nor did I expect Yuusaku to ask Taiga to continue, nor did I expect Ami to spend the night at Taiga's house, etc. So that was all good. Of course, I also didn't expect the stalker to call Taiga a "youkai," which had me in stitches. I had a vision of Inuyasha (or some other youkai-fighting shounen hero) having to fight Taiga when the term was used. Well, I guess you have to be me to appreciate that. ^_^

The episode also gave Ami some nice character development while at the same time, taking a look at stalkers, who have nothing better to do with their life than live in some fantasy world they've created. In this case, the nut job became obsessed with this fantasy version of Ami he created in his mind after following every bit of information on her. Of course it could have easily been some moron who felt that Ami is some force of evil that must be stood up to, so everything she does or says must be known so that the crusader can shine the light of truth on evil. I can never understand obsession like this, but then these people are mental, thus they justify whatever they do in their mind rather than move on.

Still, the whole stalker issue was not done in a dark way, but mostly a humorous way. If Ami is true and is going to let her true self out (which I'm not totally convinced will happen but we'll see), then things could get very interesting. It would also explain the friendship she appears she will form with Taiga, Minori, Ryuuji, and of course Yuusaku (whom she's already friends with). Of course, there is the issue of her coming onto Ryuuji and Taiga seeing this.

I do have one question though. When Taiga and Minori did their little "attack" on Ami, it was storming outside. Afterward, they celebrate on the roof and it is partly cloudy. What gives?

Onto the next episode!

Negima! Manga Vol 26 (Ch 238) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 26 Chapter 238 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 238

Summary/Synopsis: Yue notes the increased crowd size, not realizing that this is due to the expected Nagi vs. Rakan fight. Emily and Collet are very excited about this and the discussion turns to the rumors that Rakan is going to test this "Nagi" to see if in fact he is the reincarnation of the original Nagi or if it is some fraud, at which point Rakan will put him down.

Elsewhere, Chisame, Chamo, Kotaro, and Negi hold an emergency Ala Alba meeting to discuss Jack's decision to fight Negi, thus ruining the best plan they had to free the slaves. Chisame is very angry with Jack's stupidity in causing them more problems. Chamo has done some additional research on Jack, learning that during the war (called the Schismatic War), Jack single-handedly took down 137 warships of various sizes, including one super dreadnought. Since Jack is classified as a swordman and not a mage, this makes it even more impressive. Jack even fought the giant ancient dragon that was at the opening ceremony to a draw and that dragon is on the same level as the High-Daylight Walker (Eva). This all seems unbelievable, except that Chamo and Konoka witnessed Jack's power when he used sheer willpower to escape the trap set for him. Chisame notes that she had directly asked Jack how powerful he truly is, and he put himself at around 12,000. Negi at his strongest was only 2200.

Negi decides to show them something and so they head out to the reef of large, floating rocks. Choosing one that is estimated to be 100-meters in size (~328 feet), Negi says he will destroy the rock and begins the lengthy incantation to cast the most powerful spell he knows -- Thousand Bolts. The spell mostly destroys the giant boulder and what's left is so hot, it is melting. Despite the impressiveness of the spell, Negi says it is still incomplete, still not powerful enough, and takes too long to prepare. Kotaro notes that Jack has been seen to take the full force of the Thousand Bolts. Chisame points out that using Magia Erebea would help which Negi agrees with, since it would reduce the incantation and increase the potency of Thousand Bolts.

A voice tells them that this still won't work, pointing out that even Negi's face says he can't win with this. It is Eva dressed in a rag. She tells Negi that he should just cut his losses. Kotaro rejects this, as does Negi, saying this is a fight he can't run from. Kotaro cites Jack's challenge to Negi as proof that Jack sees Negi as a man, not a child. Eva points out that they still have no chance and that since Jack didn't even think when issuing the challenge, she finds the contest pointless. Nevertheless, Negi is determined to accept the challenge of his father's friend. Eva understands.

Kotaro demands to know what Eva is doing here. Negi says that this isn't the real Eva. On cue, Princess Theodora arrives with a scroll and several of the girls to help him train.

Thoughts/Review: As many predicted, Eva is another phantom copy, apparently from the scroll that Theodora has. The funny thing is, while I never thought that Eva was bragging in volume 6 when she compared herself to a boss enemy in a video game (she quickly and easily defeated Ryoumen Sukuna no Kami and had Fate beating a fast retreat rather than fight her, to say nothing of the Graf not wanting Eva to detect his presence), having her compared to an ancient dragon seemed to bring home the point I guess for me. Now, her copy form will apparently be used to traing Negi more to at least give Jack a fight.

Now, here's where people have started to complain, "Oh no! Not another training sub-arc." I don't think it will be like that at all. Yes, we'll see some training, but I also think that Akamatsu-sensei will take the opportunity to flesh out both Jack and Nagi more through Theodora. However, I also note that Shoiri-Asuna is with them, thus a traitor is in their midst and that could very well make this not some standard shounen training arc.

As to the tournament, I'm going to guess that Akamatsu-sensei will get us there but I don't expect to see the various fights shown beyond a simple page or two tops. Will Akamatsu-sensei have Negi beat Jack? Well, he has written things so that Negi defeated Eva (who was holding back), Graf Herrman (whom Negi felt was holding back), Setsuna (holding back), and Takahata (holding back). Jack has been written as the type to not hold back, so this may well be it.

However, to make Negi so insanely powerful would be needed to have him fight Fate, but it is also a dangerous place to tread. While I've never watched Dragonball Z, what I've seen via discussions and stuff is that the main focus of that is to keep powering up to insane levels. Frankly, while that stuff is good for the shounen croud, it would not be so good for me. Akamatsu-sensei has been very good with his writing thus far, so I trust he will not fall into this pitfall.

It has been pointed out to me that when Nagi cast the Thousand Bolts spell, his incantation was very short whereas Negi's is very long. I do expect Negi to be able to cast it with a short incantation even without a dark magic boost.

Also, Makie and Yuuna (in child form) are finally getting to see Negi, so I'm looking forward to that reunion. ^_^

White Album 02 (A Serious Harem Drama, Stylistic Soap Opera, or Both?)

ホワイトアルバム Episode 02

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Haruka pays Touya a night-time visit for a walk, which is actually her on her bicycle and him running. Yuki is summoned to the house of her agency's president (Rina-chan's older brother), after which Rina stops by, having foolishly taken a taxi ride and having been recognized. Rina finds Yuki crying for some odd reason, Yuki saying she's happy. Touya is on the job at the bar and is visited by Akira, who has the night off. He brought cheesecake he made for Misaki, who skipped college that day due to illness. Yuki and Rina stop by in disguise and so the cheesecake goes to them. Yuki takes off for a recording session, leaving Rina to notice Touya has the Browning book, whereby she leaves him a note asking for his phone number. Later, Touya gives Misaki a call to make sure she's OK. He comes home to receive a call from Rina as Haruka pulls up on her bicycle.

Thoughts/Review: White Album appears to be like some strange anime soap opera where all the girls seem to like Touya. Normally, a harem anime title would be a romantic comedy. This isn't a comedy, but rather attempts to be a very serious anime, as seen not only in its stylized direction, but the dialog, careful art, and careful animation. I'm trying to think of any anime title I've seen where multiple girls like the main hero and it was completely serious. The closest aspect would be other visual novel adaptations like Kannon, Air, or Clannad. However, those had their humor aspects as well, but also the hero had to solve a problem with each girl. Here, that's not the case, at least so far.

The weird thing is that it is clear that Touya really likes Yuki. Despite Yuki calling and being close to Touya, I felt last episode that this could be her just being friendly. Yet right off the bat in this episode at the conclusion of her lengthy phone call with Touya, she tells Rina that she'd just gotten off the phone with her boyfriend. Well, I'm sure Touya would be glad to hear that, yet I get the feeling that in the bar, Yuki wanted Rina to get Touya's phone number. That's just a feeling though. So I really don't know how deep Yuki's feelings for Touya are.

Haruka is a strange character. Again, there's no character development, just her there and wanting to go for a walk with Touya. I figure she must have some sort of feelings for Touya based on how she acted, starting with asking Touya for the walk, then wanting to sit back-to-back with him when they took a rest in the part (since she actually rode a bike and he ran). Despite this, she knows Touya likes Yuki. And then she shows up at the end too, just when Touya is getting his call. Weird.

Rina. Hmmm, well she's the vet and now I understand why she's so flippant with the president of the record company since that's her brother. So why would she be interested in Touya and why would Yuki encourage this (assuming that's what she did, but its hard to say for sure since this anime is produced differently)? She sees almost like the stereotypical "ojousama" type that one sees in anime and manga -- rich and used to getting her own way. Her friendship with Yuki is almost hard to believe as well.

Misaki is clearly happy that Touya called her. I get the strong feeling she also likes Touya based on the things she said. I understand Touya calling her to make sure she is OK and to thank her for the book (by which he gave the idol Rina-chan his phone number), but somehow the call seemed odd to me. Maybe it was because of the way this anime is produced. However, it sucks to be Akira, who clearly likes Misaki.

Touya. Hmmmm, I guess he doesn't recognize that Haruka and Misaki are interested in him as a potential boyfriend. Having his mind on Yuki, one could understand being blind to the obvious like that. However, how much does he really like Yuki though? I can understand him not really seeing Yuki as an idol because he's known her so long. I can understand him getting flustered when Rina-chan speaks with him because he doesn't know her, only her public idol persona. However, if he really were in love with Yuki, would he give Rina his phone number? After all, he knows Rina and Yuki work together. Makes no sense to me especially since Touya doesn't come off as a player.

This is one odd anime, and yet look how much it has provoked me to write. I'm guessing I'll keep blogging this though.

Toradora! 05

とらドラ！Episode 05

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ryuuji makes omelets for himself and Taiga to eat, but when Taiga hits in frustration over something Ryuuji says, she spills her miso soup. The noise wakes up Ryuuji's mother in the next room, who opens the door to find out what is going on, then cries when she sees they are eating omelets. After Ryuuji assures her he made one for her in the fridge, she closes the door again to go back to sleep. This becomes the excuse to go to Jonny's for a meal, but Minori has the day off, disappointing Ryuuji. Yuusaku comes in with a girl whom Taiga recognizes as a model in a fashion magazine and the daughter of an actress. Naturally, Yuusaku sees them, comes over, and introduces his childhood friend, Ami.

Ami acts kind of ditzy and seems embarrassed when she sees the magazine that Taiga has been reading with Ami's photo. After a time with Ryuuji getting flustered to have someone like Ami around, Yuusaku takes off for the toilet. Ryuuji is uncomfortable, so he too bails to go to the toilet. To his surprise, Yuusaku is waiting for him and wants Ryuuji watch and wait. At the table, Ami's attitude changes from ditzy to haughty, pampered princess. She demands Taiga buy her a drink, but Taiga ignores her. Ami says she'll steal Taiga's boyfriend until Taiga says she and Ryuuji aren't a couple. Ami makes comments about Taiga's size, leading Taiga to slap her and give the excuse that it was a bug.

Having seen and witnessed all this, Ryuuji and Yuusaku return. Yuusaku takes the sobbing Ami out. That night, Taiga is angry and eats a lot. She's afraid that maybe Yuusaku hates her now, but Ryuuji assures her that's not the case. The next day, Ryuuji and Taiga are in for a surprise when Ami is revealed to be their new classmate. At gym class, Ami does her cute ditzy routine to win over people, which is witnessed by Ryuuji and Yuusaku again. Ryuuji confronts Yuusaku on why he didn't say anything about Ami coming to school, so Yuusaku explains that he wanted people to know Ami's true self.

During lunch, Ryuuji goes to get himself a beverage and is intercepted by Ami. She puts on her act for him, not realizing he knows her game. Returning to class, Ryuuji gets a note from an angry Taiga wondering why he came into class with Ami. He also gets a note from Minori, warning him about playing around on Taiga with the new girl. Ryuuji sends a note back to Minori asking her opinion of people who call themselves silly (which Ami often does). Minori stands up and as the whole class watches, she puts on a big production to indicate that's a no-no. She's seated by the time the teacher looks around but the whole class is simply looking at Minori in amazement.

After school, Taiga is waiting for Ryuuji alone in the classroom when Ami comes in. Ami targets Taiga with a vebal insult and Taiga is not phased and returns the favor. Ami presses her verbal sparring by citing how the teachers all think she's cute and none of them like Taiga. Indeed, they are afraid Taiga will bully Ami. Taiga remarks on how she's entertained by Ami's two-faced personality, wondering when she'll get busted. Of course Taiga could make that happen real quick, but that would be too easy. So Taiga promise to watch Ami like a stalker from here on out. Ami decides to continue the verbal assault, but when she gets no traction from making remarks on Ryuuji, she scores a bull's eye when she talks of how Yuusaku hates Taiga for the slapping incident.

At home, Ryuuji has made dinner for three and Taiga hasn't come over to eat. So he goes to get her and finds her crying and cowering in her blanket. Ryuuji learns what Ami said to Taiga, so he tells Taiga that Yuusaku already knows the truth of the incident and that he does not hate Taiga. Taiga isn't done though, upset over her height and name when Ami's name is from Sailor Moon. Taiga's frustrated rant is interrupted by a wail from next door -- his mother is upset because there's no sauce for the tonkatsu (pork cutlets). So Ryuuji and Taiga go to the convenience store to buy sauce. Taiga sees the magazine with Ami in it and notices that there's a note saying that Ami-chan is taking a break for academic reasons. Walking home, Ryuuji and Taiga talk about this when they see Ami dressed down with two bags of sweets walking home. Taiga has learned something interesting about Ami.


Thoughts/Review: This anime has grown on me a great deal now that the characters are known to me. I still get flashes of Nagi or Shana from Taiga, but that doesn't matter.

However, before I go on, I just have to comment on the Jonny's restaurant which has come up several times now. It was clear to me that this Jonny's was a parody of Denny's since it has the Denny's-type sign and feel. (Actually, it is a dual parody as there is a chain called Jonathan's, which I have never hear of, which also exists in Japan and is a Denny's competitor.) So on a whim, I decided to look up Denny's in Japan and well the food looks pretty darn good. See for yourself. It is expensive though.

As to the episode itself, I will say that I enjoy this anime more and more with each new episode I watch. This episode actually had me laughing out loud. The slap incident wasn't unexpected after the "chibi" remark from Ami, but Taiga's "It was a mosquito. No wait, it was a fly" remark afterward while looking at her hand was unexpected by me and thus funny. Later, Minori's answer to Ryuuji's note was so out there, I couldn't help but laugh. The organ music and sound effects added to the moment. In fact, I giggle now just thinking about it. So kudo's to the writers there for a really good laugh. ^_^

The battle between Ami and Taiga could prove most entertaining, at least in the short run. I love it when Taiga treats Ami like she's nothing special, which obviously Ami is not used to. Still, with Ami being in the OP and shown with Yuusaku, Ryuuji, Taiga, and Minori, I guess she'll become friends with them all.

So yeah, Toradora! is moving up as a title I enjoy and I'm now starting to see what others see.

Minami-ke Okaeri 02

みなみけ おかえり Episode 02

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Touma brings over a box of sweets (cookies?) as a New Year's gift, but Chiaki won't let Kana open it until Haruka gets home. Kana issues a math challenge to Chiaki regarding the box, causing her Good and Evil to have a debate. Fujioka stops by for a visit and notices how easily Touma (whom he believes is a boy) and Chiaki get along to the point of being very touchy–feely as they tickle each other at one point. When Kana decides the box of sweets will be all hers, Touma goes after her, getting very close to Kana physically. Fujioka feels a little jealous, causing his Good and Evil to emerge and debate whether he has a chance or not with Kana. In the end, he decides to go for the box himself, so Kana quickly gives it to him -- in the face.

Chiaki comes home from school to find a message for her from Haruka on a dry maker board, asking her to buy some mayonnaise, eggs, and cream puffs. The last item has Chiaki suspicious, so her Good and Evil come out to weigh the options. Considering Kana was the likely suspect, Good says to skip the cream puffs but Evil says they should buy them and play innocent. Since Kana might alter the board after Chiaki leaves, a digital photo of the board as it is now might be in order. Good and Evil notice Kana spying on Chiaki, so Chiaki turns and confronts Kana. Kana confesses she wrote "cream puff," but only because when she tossed her bag on the table, it accidentally smudged out part of Haruka's message. Chiaki has a big heart, so Kana's please for forgiveness are heard.

After Hayami hears Maki's disgust for Hosaka, she decides to have some fun by putting the thought in Hosaka's head that to get to Haruka (the King General in the game Shogi), he must first get through the knights (or "keima," also from Shogi), in this case Maki and Atsuko, by befriending them. Hosaka likes the idea and sets out for Maki first. His actions toward her cause her to flee, but he simply thinks she must be busy. Next, he finds Atsuko in the library where his actions cause her to drop her books and disappear. Later, when Hayami tries to find out how things are going, Hosaka decides to be friendly with her, resulting in him getting slapped.

Haruka is writing down spices on a sheet of paper and when she says she needs to go to the grocery store, Chiaki volunteers. However when Chiaki gets there, she finds she doesn't know what half of these things are (spices). Hosaka is also in the store and hearing Chiaki speak some of the spice names, he gets the idea to make curry, whereby he fantasizes playing a piano concerto and sings a song of spices for curry. Because he's also singing out loud, Chiaki declares him to be the Curry Fairy. Coming home, Chiaki sings the song Hosaka sang while Haruka discovers that she gave Chiaki the wrong list. Since Chiaki bought the spices, Haruka makes an unusual but tasty curry, which Chiaki says is all thanks to the Curry Fairy.

The next day at school, Hayami probes Hosaka on what he made for Haruka's bento, and he says curry and is going to open the bento box to show her. Knowing this will cause a crowd to come, she tries to stop him, saying he'll be known as the Curry Fairy if he does that. Hosaka finds that title to be quite appealing and opens the box as he hums his curry and spice song.

Thoughts/Review: Oh yes! This is the stuff I love. This is the stuff I crave. Even if the art and animation are dodgy at times, this is the Minami-ke that I want.

The "sweets in a box" story wasn't so hot in and of itself, however, seeing Chiaki's Good and Evil side was a hoot. I've seen many variations on the Good and Evil personalities, but this is the first time where I've seen the Evil for a kid done as an adult. *lol* However, it is Fujioka's Evil that stole the show. Oh, that outfit just cracked me up. I can see someone doing cosplay of it at Comiket in front of Tokyo Big Sight. Too freaking funny.

The story with the board asking Chiaki to do some shopping, only it had the cream puff request on it amused me, partially because Chiaki's Good and Evil returned and partially because from the start, you just knew that Kana wrote that. However, I didn't expect the who "Chiaki is an angle of mercy" aspect of the ending, but that was amusing in and of itself.

Hayami getting Hosaka to try to befriend Haruka's friends Maki and Atsuko really had me laughing. I'd forgotten just how funny Hosaka can be. He was not used well at all in Minami-ke Okawari. I'd also forgotten just how much Hayami is like Kitsune from Love Hina. The Hosaka love continuing in the next story with Chiaki naming him the "Curry Fairy" was even funnier. Having Hosaka fantasize himself in a piano concerto and making up a curry spice song which Chaiki memorized was something that I just found so outrageously funny. Even now, I giggle at the memory, yet I also thing, "There are people who wouldn't find this funny at all." Fortunately, my sense of humor is just weird enough to love it. ^_^

I'm so glad Minami-ke Okaeri has returned to the goodness of Minami-ke.

Toradora! 04

とらドラ！Episode 04

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Ryuuji comes to Taiga's place to warm up some breakfast for her and get her up. He looks at her large living room that's mostly empty and spots a box with a photo album in it. Looking through it, he sees a large amount of blurry photos of Yuusaka. Naturally, Taiga appears behind Ryuuji and she's not happy that her stash was uncovered. She doesn't want to hear anything Ryuuji has to say on the matter since for some reason she can't explain, all the pictures she takes of Yuusaku are blurry. He offers to take pictures for her and this changes her attitude right away to a friendly one.

At school, Taiga and Ryuuji are at their shoe lockers talking when Yuusaku comes up, getting Taiga flustered. During the morning assembly, the Student Council President calls everyone to attention to address an issue with Vice President Yuusaku at her side. Because the President forgets to put everyone at ease, Taiga goes off on her, causing Yuusaku to have to restrain Taiga. This event has Taiga experiencing a wide-range of emotions from depression at having caused a scene for Yuusaku to deal with, happiness at having been held by Yuusaku, anger at the Student Council President, and more.

At lunch, Yuusaku decides to join Taiga and Ryuuji and when seen by Minori, she joins too. Now both Ryuuji and Taiga are stunned by this turn of events, but Ryuuji is more with it than Taiga as he realizes that if he opens his bento, Yuusaku and Minori will see that it is the same as Taiga's. So when Taiga's bento is commented on, Ryuuji mentions that he took a cue from Minori and took a job of making lunches for others, thus explaining why his lunch is the same as Taiga's. Hearing this, Yuusaku and Minori put in orders for a bento and then take off for their coed softball club practice.

Ryuuji and Taiga go to the practice as well since Taiga wants lots of pictures of Yuusaku. However, she doesn't have patience to wait for Ryuuji to figure out her camera, so she starts taking pictures. Because she can't stop moving, her shots are all blurry. Afterward, Ryuuji and Taiga are at a Starbucks knockoff shop where Taiga has printed out all the pictures and is quite pleased. That evening, Taiga decides to help Ryuuji make the bentos since one is for Yuusaku. She makes some onigiri, which tickles Ryuuji's mother. Taiga is still drooling over her photos of Yuusaku, so Ryuuji offers to laminate a few for her.

The next day, Ryuuji is wishing he had a picture of Minori when Minori brings in some photos of her making pudding in a bucket. She's very happy with what she did and to Ryuuji's amazement, one of the pictures Minori gave him shows her eating pudding out of a bucket. Ryuuji then goes and finds Taiga still trying to figure out which photos she wants laminated and in frustration, gives them all to Ryuuji and tells him to pick. So he's looking through the pictures of Yuusaku when Yuusaku comes up and sees the pictures of himself. He reveals that he has a picture of Taiga and after showing it to Yuuji, he states that he'd confessed to Taiga sometime back but she turned him down.

This revelation has Ryuuji call Taiga up to the school's roof where she admits that Yuusaku did indeed confess to her on that very roof. At the time, she had no feelings for Yuusaku and because his confession surprised her, she turned him down on the spot. However, after she turned him down, she began to see him in a new light and fell for him. However, the damage had been done and she wishes she could have an image of Yuusaku's face when he confessed to her. She then realizes what she's said and gets angry with Ryuuji for making her say embarrassing things. She tries to attack, but misses.


Thoughts/Review: The series took a somewhat unexpected turn for me with the revelation that Yuusaku had previously confessed his love for Taiga and she'd turned him down, after which she then developed feelings for him. The previous episode had indicated that Yuusaku had at least taken an interest in Taiga with him knowing she couldn't ride a bicycle but I honestly didn't think that meant he'd been in love with her. So that begs the question of why he decided to only be friends with Taiga after her confession? Well, the easiest answer is that Yuusaku has someone he likes more. I'm going to guess that the female Student Council President is the one Yuusaku now likes. Just a guess though.

I have to say that I am enjoying this anime more than at first, but it still hasn't hit that "must own" level that Kannagi did. However, higher levels of enjoyment mean a better viewing experience, and that ain't a bad thing. Plus, being late into this title means I can watch several episodes at once without having to wait. ^_^

Onto the next episode.

More Negima! Chapter 238 SPOILER Images

More Negima! 238 SPOILER Images!
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 238 (Images)

Man, right after I went to bed, the Japanese posted the camera shots of Mahou Sensei Negima! chapter 238 (click pics to make bigger, y'all).


Hmmmm. Looks like some interesting things going on with Negi and Kotaro going for dual training and as we saw last time, Princess Theodora arriving. The Eva aspect is what I'm most interested in though, but I figure this is another "spirit copy" (for lack of a better term).

Toradora! 03

とらドラ！Episode 03

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Taiga and Ryuuji walk to school and have a "discussion" when they hear activity coming from the ballpark and see Minori at her softball club practice. Minori is very chatty as practice goes and when it is her time at bat, she smacks a home run. This causes her to sing a whimsical song as she rounds the bases, which has Ryuuji enthralled. This does not sit with Taiga well, who gives him a Three Stooges-style poke in the eye and then proceeds to beat on him. This is seen by Yuusaka and Minori, who comment on how energetic Ryuuji and Taiga are in the morning.

Sometime later at school, Ryuuji is amazed that Minori has taken as a job decorating people's cell phones to their specification. At home, Ryuuji is dreamily rambling on and on about Minori while a hungry Taiga waits, eventually getting annoyed because he won't listen to her. However, the rice cooker is broken, so they head to the "family restaurant" (think Denny's) at Taiga's suggestion. Taiga says that Ryuuji will be glad they did and this is comes to pass when Minori is shown to be their waitress. She plops down a couple of "Taiga specials" which are not on the menu. She also tells Ryuuji that if he wants, she can hook him up with tons of french fries.

Taiga comments that Minori works at a convenience store and a karaoke place too. Minori chimes in that she's recently added a Boiled Beef Restaurant. The number of jobs she has amazes Ryuuji but Minori says she's actually holding back since she doesn't want to miss any club activities. When asked why she's working so many jobs, Minori answers that she has the free time and that she's making a portfolio of jobs. Minori walking away has Ryuuji enthralled again, causing Taiga to again give him a two-finger poke in the eye. When Ryuuji and Taiga go home, Ryuuji still can't understand why Minori needs to work so many jobs. Taiga reminds him of Minori's answer and tells him that he needs to stop thinking that he's the only one who understands Minori.

The next morning, Taiga and Ryuuji are again en route to the family restaurant because of the broken rice cooker. Taiga is annoyed by this, knowing the reason why, especially since Ryuuji dressed up. She says they should be going to a store to buy a new cooker. Their conversation is interrupted when outside of a liquor store, they find Minori working. This is yet another of her jobs, which she works from time-to-time. Ryuuji volunteers himself and Taiga to help. The owner of the store is a regular customer of Ryuuji's mother and because of that, he won't put Ryuuji to work, but he does task Taiga with a delivery. However, it is clear that Taiga can't ride a bike but to save face, she takes off anyway by pushing the bike by the handlebars at a run.

Ryuuji feels guilty about not having anything to do, so he helps Minori. They are looking for a special kind of beverage to restock the shelves with when the owner accidentally locks them in. However, Minori isn't worried and shows her normal, cheerful self. Meanwhile, Taiga makes the delivery and on the way back has a small accident that ends her up on the high grassy bank leading down to the river. She's there talking to herself when Yuusaku comes up. Seeing the bike, he assumes she's learned to ride a bike and congratulates her on this achievement. Taiga is amazed that Yuusaku even knew this about her, so when he finally leaves, she's determined to ride that bike back all the way, no matter what.

Back inside the storage building, Minori and Ryuuji are singing loudly to try to attract attention but no luck. So to pass some time, Minori makes a make-shift softball and Ryuuji uses an empty bottle as a bat. Because of Minori's constant singing and talking, Ryuuji takes notice and realizes that Minori is afraid and uses the singing and talking to face her fears. They come up with an idea to use boxes to get a platform by which they can reach an upper window. However outside, an angry Taiga has returned and is looking for the goofing off Ryuuji. So when Ryuuji makes it up to the window, Taiga is there on the other side. However, to get at Ryuuji, she knocks the ladder down and ends up inside the building. So now all three are stuck inside.

Thoughts/Review: I liked this episode better than the first two. I suppose it is in part because I'm now used to the characters. I like Minori a lot more after seeing this episode. I know it is fictitious, but anyone willing to take multiple jobs is amazing. I say this at a time when as I write this, I am unemployed and in a few months may well face the possibility of having to work a few jobs. I haven't done that since I turned thirty, when I worked a second job to make a ton of extra cash. Now at 39, I do not relish the idea of working more than one job. Of course when I was a teenager, working multiple jobs was a lot easier somehow.

Anyway, the "locked in a storage room" scenario is an old one, but I liked how this one was done. There was no "we're in a locked room so will we or won't we do something" moment, rather singing and an attempt to escape. I do admit to being amused at Taiga's discovery of Ryuuji which foiled the escape attempt. Actually, I like the scene between Taiga and Yuusaku which shows that Yuusaku had been paying attention to Taiga and she wasn't even aware of it. That was a nice moment.

I'll keep watching this as it is entertaining enough to keep me interested. I'm still not seeing the solid gold though.

Clannad After Story 13

クラナド アフターストーリー Episode 13

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Tomoya is over at Nagisa's home to see Akio-san, who's out. Sanae-san and Nagisa know the reason for the visit though. When Akio-san comes home, he tells Tomoya that if he wants to buy bread, he won't get a discount just because he's dating Nagisa. Instead, Tomoya can pay double, except for Sanae-san's bread. This has Sanae-san leaving in tears with Nagisa chasing her. Akio-san is going to do the same but a forceful call from Tomoya stops him. Tomoya wants to talk with him. So Akio-san gives him a deal -- if Tomoya can get a legitimate hit of a pitch from Akio-san, he will listen to Tomoya and accept what he has to say.

It is off to the park where Akio-san gets ready to make his pitch. Nagisa and Sanae-san come up and Sanae-san stops Nagisa from interfering in a man's battle. Tomoya strikes out but Akio-san tells him to practice and try again any time. So Tomoya practices hard and calls out Akio-san several times, including one time in the rain. Unfortunately, it is not enough and as Akio-san says, the difference in their strength is too great. Tomoya feels he understands Akio-san's message -- Tomoya isn't strong enough to protect Nagisa. Sanae-san disagrees, saying this is how Akio-san is. So one rainy day, Akio-san comes out of his own accord and gives Tomoya one final pitch. Tomoya gets the hit, then runs to Akio-san, performs a Japanese bow on the ground, and asks to marry Nagisa. Akio-san gives his permission.

It is the New Year break and the bread store is closed. Nagisa has her first sake, which is a moment that Akio-san has been looking forward to. One small cup has Nagisa drunk and suddenly very flirty with Tomoya, who's a bit embarrassed to have her acting this way in front of her parents. Akio-san stokes things and soon Nagisa is frustrated that Tomoya might prefer her mother to her. Sanae-san doesn't help things at all and Tomoya is wondering what he did to deserve this punishment. However, when Sanae-san tells Akio-san that she wasn't kidding about her flirting with Tomoya, he stops stirring the pot.

Time passes and sadly, Nagisa gets ill again, forcing her to miss the rest of the school year again. However, she has enough attendance to graduate anyway, though with the spring, she is still not well enough to attend graduation with her class. Tomoya arranges for all of their friends to gather for a private graduation ceremony, even getting everyone back into their old school uniforms. So when Tomoya takes a recovered Nagisa to school during the break, she's surprised to see everyone, including Youhei with his non-died hair, her parents, Yoshino-san and his wife (Ibuki-sensei), and . She's given her diploma by the retired Koumura-sensei. Nagisa is touched by this and has words recounting her time at school and her love of the place.

With Nagisa's graduation, Nagisa and Tomoya pay a visit to Tomoya's father in prison where he tells her he will marry Nagisa. Afterward, they dropped off their marriage registration and walk home hand in hand, Nagisa wearing a wedding band and having the name OKAZAKI Nagisa.

Thoughts/Review: Wow. I really didn't expect another massive fast-forward of time like we had here. I thought we'd actually get to see Nagisa and Tomoya get married, but I'm going to guess that wasn't in the original visual novel. I'm rather disappointed by that because I think I would have liked to have seen the group gather for that event. Oh well. The consolation prize is Nagisa graduating. That was also touching and it was nice seeing all of the various supporting characters gathered together again. I can't help but think that we won't see them again for a while, which is sad, but does emulate real life quite well.

Nagisa -- *sigh* Her getting sick again just made me feel terrible. Why? Because I now figure that Nagisa will now get ill again and whether it is her next illness or one down the road a bit, she won't recover and will die. That will depress me to no end I can tell you. However, since I've seen some promotional images of a young girl (one Christmas-themed one with Nagisa and one at a ramen place with Tomoya, Tomoya's father, and Nagisa's father), then that suggests to me that Nagisa and Tomoya will have a little girl before Nagisa dies. I think that might depress me even more if what I fear comes to pass.

While I'm thinking about it, the Illusionary World was missing. For a moment, I thought we were going to have a scene there, but it ended up just being a construction site. I wonder if that was on purpose or if I am just looking too hard into things. That is one aspect of the story that needs exploring more.


I did enjoy the moments of humor here with Nagisa's parents. I'm glad the writers managed to get some humor into this episode even without using Youhei to provide it. ^_^ Obviously, Nagisa drinking her first sake and her reaction to it was the funniest moment, followed by a tipsy Sanae-san turning tables on Akio-san by being flirty with Tomoya. *lol*

Well, Nagisa and Tomoya are married and the next episode seems to show them getting used to living together.

"It's a Rumic World" -- Where Inuyasha meets male-Ranma and Ataru hits on Kagome and female-Ranma!

I'm sure most of you have heard about the exhibition going around Japan with three new OVA's -- one for Inuyasha, one for Urusei Yatsura, and one for Ranma 1/2. While no one knows if these will come to DVD or not, I only recently learned of a low-res copy of the opening sequence being available on YouTube (for who knows how long) which has a meeting of Inuyasha and Kagome from Inuyasha, male and female versions of Ranma from Ranma 1/2, and finally Lum and Ataru from Urusei Yatsura.



If you haven't at least seen parts of all three titles, this won't mean a thing to you. However, if like me you've seen all three (though I'm still working through Urusei Yatsura), then I'm guessing you found this to be pretty darn funny. Ataru's hitting on Kagome and female-Ranma was to be expected (but still amused me). However, Inuyasha starting to attack Lum for being an oni as well as the joke when Inuyasha and male-Ranma talked (they have the same seiyuu) just cracked me up.

I really do hope the decision will be made to turn this into a DVD or Blu-Ray once the exhibition is over. Somehow, I can't imagine the Japanese wouldn't do that, seeing as how they rather enjoy getting the otaku to pay through the nose for stuff.

Crazy Japanese Commute (Or How Many Japanese Can Be Crammed Into A Train)

When I lived in Japan, I never went out and about during the morning or evening commute times simply because there is NO way I would ever put up with this (and yes, I heard stories about this kind of crowding way back then). How would you like to be packed in like this?



In the U.S., there's a push in some big cities for more light rail systems and while I have no problem with light rail as such per se, this is worse than being in rush-hour traffic. At least there, I'm sitting comfortably in my car. ^_^;

Thanks to the FAIL blog for sharing this bit of Japanese life.

Negima! Chapter 238 SPOILER Images

Negima! 238 SPOILER Images
魔法先生 ネギま！Chapter 238 (Images)

Here's what many of us have been waiting for -- the original-sized, sneak-peek images for Mahou Sensei Negima! 238 as brought to you buy anonymous Japanese fans (click pic to make bigger, y'all).


I'm sure there will be more later but I've got to get to sleep. Meanwhile, Eva? What the...?! This image is not what I expected to see at all.

Update: Here's the 2nd round of SPOILER images --> CLICK HERE!

White Album 01 (Yeah, It's An Anime Series)

ホワイトアルバム Episode 01

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Touya wakes from a nightmare where the girl he likes, Yuki, is being pulled from him because she's now an idol. On TV is Yuki, being interviewed and after Touya watches, he realizes he's late for work. He calls in but is fired anyway, so at college, he actually manages to see his old friend Yuki. She's breathlessly speaking of things before her manager comes to take her to a recording session. Touya then meets with Misaki and Akira, both of whom he's friends with. After a brief talk about Yuki, Misaki gives Touya a book of poetry for a report and takes off for the library. Akira stays with his friend even though Touya believes he would have rather gone to the library after the pretty Misaki.

Walking around campus, Touya and Akira talk when Hakura comes up on her bike and asks Touya to go on a walk with her. He has to turn her down but Akira says he'll play tennis with her. She takes off and is chased by Touya until she stops. He apologizes for Akira before she takes off again. Akira feels bad since it is clear that Hakura has not gotten over the loss of her older brother and thus has a negative reaction to tennis. Touya begins rambling about his "goddesses" -- all the girls he knows basically. He's glad to have seen Yuki today and tries to give the book of poetry to Akira, who wants to read it but is annoyed because Misaki lent it to Touya and not him.

At the studio, idol Rina comes in followed by her manager and is supicious when the Sakura-Dan idol group greet her so politely. Entering the waiting room, she finds that Yuki's costume has been ruined and that the table is filled with soda cans. Apparently, Sakura-Dan forced Yuki into buying them drinks, then ruined her costume. Rina is a bit annoyed with this, wondering why Yuki's manager (Shinozuka-san) didn't take care of buying the girls drinks. Rina wonders if what the group did is revenge for last week, but she has to go. As she does, she thinks to herself how Yuki should not give into the bullying.

Akira and Touya are at their next job, working at the bar The Echoes. There are no customers there and when OGATA Eiji (whom I guess is related to OGATA Rina) comes in from a back room and leaves , Touya is surprised to see him, wondering if Yuki is there. Akira says the Master of the bar tells them they can go home and he'll pay them. Touya refuses to accept payment but when he tries to call his father for a loan, his father hangs up on him. Toouya goes home and watches a program that Yuki is a model on as well as Rina's singing. Yuki calls and the two talk for a long time, where the audience is shown that Yuki managed to make lemonade out of her situation and apparent square things with the idol group.

Thoughts/Review: Ugh. This anime is just too strange for my tastes. I don't like the jump-about style of presenting the story. It is all over the place. Characters just pop in and out and the anime expects you to know who's who and what's what. There are no proper introductions and the flow is just poor. Yet somehow, despite never having played the visual novel, I manged to actually gleam some stuff from this, but it was not easy.

OK, so you have the up-and-coming idol Yuki and her old friend Touya, who has the hots for Yuki and Yuki sees him as a good friend but likely not more. Yuji is good friends with fellow idol Rina-chan, who's a "senpai," thus meaning she's been in the business longer than Yuki. She may be interested in Touya. There's an idol group named Sakura-Dan, who bully Yuki. There's Akira, who's friends with Touya, and may like Misaki, who's also a friend of Touya's. He may also like Haruka, who's also a friend of Touya's. Haruka is into sports, used to play tennis, lost her older brother, and may be interested in Touya. Oh, and Touya and Akira score a job at a bar that was once a cake shop, but Touya refuses to accept payment for his time at said job because there were no customers. However, Touya is somewhat estranged from his father so he can't borrow money there but did I mention that he REALLY likes Yuki?

See the tangled mess of things just from the first episode? Ugh.

On the positive note, this episode told me that should I return to Japan, I can buy Mountain Dew. ^_^

Toradora! 02

とらドラ！Episode 02

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Taiga is having breakfast at Ryuuji's place, his mother having let her in. On the way to school, they meet up with Minori, who's surprised to see them together. Taiga assures Minori that her being with Ryuuji was just a coincidence and she gives Ryuuji a look, meaning Ryuuji has to do his part to help Taiga win over Yuusaku if Ryuuji wants to be with Minori. So in gym class, Taiga and Ryuuji partner up for basketball tossing, planning to use this to get close to their intendeds, but the plan fails and Taiga gets beaned with a basketball. Next, Taiga tries making cookies in Home Economics class to give to Yuusaku, but Yuusaka isn't back in their home room class. When Taiga and Ryuuji try to catch him, Taiga falls and in the process, the cookies are destroyed. To make her feel better, Ryuuji eats them anyway.

With Ryuuji and Taiga being seen together so much, the rumor starts that these tough students are now a couple. As such, Minori drags the two of them to the roof, where she asks Ryuuji to treat Taiga well since Taiga is her best friend. She also threatens Ryuuji not to make Taiga cry. This is also witnessed by Yuusaku, who congratulates the new couple. Stunned, Ryuuji and Taiga go sit in a restaurant for a while before heading home. There, Taiga lets out her frustrations on a light pole. She's angry because people won't listen to her, including her parents, which is why Taiga moved into that apartment on her own. Ryuuji joins her in kicking the poll and Taiga feels better. She promises to not only confess to Yuusaku, but make things right with the class. As such, Taiga and Ryuuji will now just be classmates in the same neighborhood.

The next morning, Ryuuji's mother is disappointed that Taiga isn't there. At school, Taiga blows off Ryuuji's greeting and when Ryuuji enters his classroom, he finds it a disaster area with the students cowering in a corner. They apologize to Ryuuji for thinking him a Yankee and thinking he's dating Taiga. Ryuuji decides to check on Taiga and exiting from a 2nd-story door, he sees Taiga and Yuusaku below. Ryuuji hides and overhears Taiga attempting to confess. Yuusaku knows what she's trying to do and learns that Taiga is not dating Ryuuji, but she doesn't hate him either. In the end, Yuusaku wants to be friends. After he leaves, Ryuuji comes down. Taiga is going to skip the rest of the day, so Ryuuji decides to join her, promising to make her a meal and declaring he'll stand by her. She promises she won't give up on Yuusaku. She's hungry so she wants Ryuuji to keep his promise and work his tail off for her. Quietly, she's pleased that Ryuuji called her "Taiga" instead of her family name "Aisaka."

Thoughts/Review: The way this episode just suddenly jumped into things made me almost think that I had missed an episode or something. Its hard to know what to say. While I remain interested enough to want to keep watching, I'm not seeing anything really special. Its pretty clear that the couple will be Taiga and Ryuuji rather than their intendeds. I'm not sure if more plans will be created to fail for Taiga and Ryuuji to hook up with the people they like or not, but if that's how the anime goes, I'm not going to be that interested.

I guess the one thing that did surprise me was Taiga already confessing her feelings for Yuusaku so soon. I didn't actually expect that to happen, so kudos there.

Beyond that, I'm struggling to find something to say about this anime and so far, I'm coming up with nothing. It appears to be a standard tsundere romantic comedy, though the comedy hasn't really grabbed me yet and the romantic part seems ultra predictable. I'm just interested enough to want to see more, but that's it.

Toradora! 01

とらドラ！Episode 01

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: TAKASU Ryuuji lives in a small apartment with his single mother, Yasuko, who works at a hostess bar. Their apartment is overshadowed by a large, luxury apartment tower next door. Ryuuji does all the chores of the house and on his way to start a new school year, he finds that his looks still give him the reputation as a Yankee. As such, people fear him, giving him their wallets out of the blue. Ryuuji has a best friend named Yuusaku and Yuusaku is good friends with a girl named Minori, whom Ryuuji likes but finds himself flustered when trying to talk with her. The three of them are in the same class as is the short, mean-looking girl with the nickname of "Palmtop Tiger" -- AISAKA Taiga. When Taiga runs into Ryuuji in the hall, everyone expects a fight and are amazed when Taiga punches Ryuuji out of her way.

After school. Ryuuji is returning to his homeroom from the teacher's room when he finds Taiga trashing the place. He tries to get his bag, but Taiga tries to insist it is her bag. Ryuuji points out that her bag is on a nearby chair but Taiga insists. However, Taiga sneezes and loses her grip. Realizing she has lost the battle, she leaves with a "baka" insult. Ryuuji can't leave the classroom as it is, so he cleans up the place before going home.

At home, Ryuuji discovers a love letter from Taiga to Yuusaka, thereby explaining why Taiga was so keen to get his bag, having placed the love letter in the wrong bag. He's tempted to read the letter but doesn't because there's no letter in the envelope. About 2 in the morning, Ryuuji is awakened by a noise in the apartment. Since his mother won't be home from her job yet, he decides to check it out and finds the balcony sliding glass door open. She's in a nightgown and armed with a wooden sword, determined to at minimum make Ryuuji forget about the love letter. After dodging getting hit for a bit and damaging a door, Taiga is going for a finishing blow until Ryuuji says that the envelope was empty, after which she collapses.

Ryuuji ends up feeding Taiga, who is apparently very hungry. Ryuuji is amazed by this and starts to ask about Taiga's parents feeding her, but then remembers that everyone's home situation is different. To try to make peace with Taiga, he shows her a box full of things he's done for the girl he loves, including poems, MD's of songs he's made, etc. However, one of the artifacts has the name of the girl Ryuuji likes -- Minori. Since Ryuuji likes Taiga's best friend and Taiga likes Ryuuji's best friend, it would seem an alliance is in order. So Ryuuji agrees to listen to whatever Taiga has to say, just not at the moment. This satisfies Taiga, who heads home, unworried about her safety because of the sword she carries.

Making breakfast later that morning, Ryuuji gets a screaming phone call from Taiga and he hangs up right away. She immediately calls back, not happy with having been hung up on but instructs Ryuuji to go out to his veranda. He does so and is stunned to see Taiga in the new apartment building in a window just across from his apartment. Taiga threatens Ryuuji, but agrees to give him 10-minutes to finish making breakfast. Since she's hungry, he's bringing her some too. Entering her unlocked apartment, he finds the stench pretty bad despite this being a luxury apartment. It is scarcely filled with furniture but there is a lot of garbage and a sink full of nastiness. Ryuuji finds her sleeping, so decides to clean up the place.

Taiga wakes back up and is amazed to see her apartment clean and breakfast on the small table and that Ryuuji is the cause of it all. She sits down and starts to eat without the traditional "itadakimasu" that is said before eating. Rather than give Ryuuji complete satisfaction, she decides to give thanks to the rice god and manufacturers for the meal.


Thoughts/Review: Hmmmm. Well, I head a lot about Toradora! from people also reviewing Kannagi and one thing that I noticed a lot of folks saying is that Toradora! had the edge. While I did find the first episode interesting on a certain level, I only laughed a couple of times and this certainly didn't yank me in like Kannagi did from the start.

I do like seiyuu KUGIMIYA Rie, who's done tsundere characters such as Nagi from Hayate the Combat Butler and Shana from Shakugan no Shana, Rena-chan from Hand Maid May, and the non-tsundere male character of Al from Fullmetal Alchemist. I guess Kugimiya-san enjoys the tsundere characters because the character of Taiga certainly fills the bill. In fact, I got the impression that Kugimiya-san is combining her Shana and Nagi characters to come up with Taiga, since Taiga appears to be rich and also knows how to use a wooden sword. I have no problems with the character at this point, but I can pretty much tell were this is going to go.

HORIE Yui (Naru from Love Hina, Tohru from Fruits Basket, and tons more) is also in this, playing Minori. However, I did not recognize her voice right away as I did with Kugimiya-san.

As to the episode itself, it was somewhat amusing seeing how Ryuuji is feared as a Yankee (punk, delinquent) when he's not that type. It was amusing seeing Taiga's fight with Ryuuji in his home over the love letter. It was amusing seeing Taiga's luxury apartment looking pretty bad. However, I only had one laugh, and that was Taiga's first call to Ryuuji. I only mention this because I'm watching this episode and remembering the raves people gave Toradora! over Kannagi, which DID give me some great laughs. In that regard, I find Toradora! a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting a whole lot more.

I guess the other disappointment is what I've already hinted at -- this anime feels like it has been cobbled together from bits and pieces of other anime titles I've seen. Part of that is the seiyuu's chosen and part of that is that after you see a number of anime titles, they begin to start looking more and more alike.

Now, does that mean I'm done?

No. As I said, things were done in the first episode to interest me enough to keep watching. Indeed, with time this could get better to me as I know get to know the characters and follow the story. On to episode 2 then.

Negima! Manga Vol 26 (Ch 237) *SPOILERS*

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 26 Chapter 237 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 237

Summary/Synopsis: After Negi and Kotaro have won their latest match, they are met by Ako and Natsumi. Ako asks if "Nagi-san" (Negi's fighting form) can win the tournament. Negi tells her not to worry, then thinks back to a conversation with Jack Rakan just after Rakan played the movie on Paru's ship. Back then, they discussed the need to keep Asuna safe and out of Fate's hands since she seems to be the key to Fate's plans. Also, Jack discussed Negi's progress. Negi had rated 500 (Chisame's strength being a 1) before training with Jack and now is over 700. When Negi uses his Dark Mode, his power level goes up to 1100 and with Magia Erebia Armationem, Negi jumps to 2200. That's still below where Fate had been initially rated, which was 3000. However, Jack figures his initial estimate of Fate's strength is off and now has Fate rated at well over 8000 but with an unknown ceiling.

Jack looks at Negi's two battle forms. The Armationem Agilitas Fulminis form gives Negi an 1800 offense, an 800 defense, and a 4800 mobility. The Armationem Sim Fabricatus Ab Incendo form has Negi with a 3800 offense, a 2200 defense and a 1200 mobility. That means that no matter what, Negi is still way weaker than Fate. However, Jack figures the tournament should be easy for Negi. Kagetarou will be a tough opponent but no Fate. So, Jack tells Negi to conentrate on the tournament and they'll worry about Fate later.

Back in the present, Negi and Kotaro (in their teen forms) join Ako and Natsumi to watch Kagetarou's match. Natsumi is horrified to learn that this is the person who cut Negi's arm off and calls him a bad guy. Kotaro disagrees with this "idiotic" statement, saying that a fight between men doesn't go into "right and wrong" but "difference in position" and "debt and repayment." Natsumi argues that anyone cutting off another person's arm is a bad guy and since Kotaro is pissing her off, she tells him his shades look stupid.

Negi is glad that his encounter with Kagetarou is what made him as strong as he is now, but Negi has no intention of going easy on him in their match. However, Negi and Kotaro are in for a shock when Kagetarou now has a partner and that's none other than Jack Rakan. Negi's only explanation is that this must be a fake Jack but when Jack uses an attack that causes a giant fist mark to be in the sand where their opponents were, that means this Jack is no fake. In the arena, Jack gives the thumb up, saying he went easy on his opponents since they are still alive.

Negi, Kotaro, and a chibi-Chisame rush to the suite where Jack is and confront him about entering the contest AND partnering with Kagetarou. Jack laughs and says that after talking with Kagetarou, he found the shadow user to be his kind of guy. Negi is frustrated, feeling there is no way he can win now. Jack expresses disappointment at Negi giving up so quickly, leading Kotaro to figure that what Jack is doing is some kind of final exam. Chiame figures that even if Jack wins, that means he'll hand over the money, but Jack has no intention of doing such a thing. If Negi can't win, he'll have to come up with some other way to free Ako, Natsumi, and Akira.

Negi is not happy with this, so Jack tells him to calm down and think things over. Since Jack and Nagi were close to the same level and Fate and Nage were close to the same level, then Negi saying he can't beat Jack is the same as saying he can't beat Fate nor catch his father. Negi protests, saying that Jack's strength has a different feel to it, which Jack rejects as his strength is no different. If Negi is after true strength such as Nagi, Eva, and Fate have, then Negi is going to have to go through Jack. With that, Jack is done talking, ready to get it on.

Thoughts/Review: We get a look at Negi's power levels and a greater look at how he uses the different techniques to boost his base power, then uses other techniques to get the most out of what he needs (fighting or speed). I swear, it almost feels like Dragonball Z, except I've never read nor watched that franchise. Still, I do understand the importance of doing this kind of chart, not only for shounen chatter sessions, but also to show Negi's progress and how far he has yet to go.

As I read this chapter, I thought about Negi in volume 3 of the manga (which I just reread) and how much he's matured as a character and a fighter, but he still has a fault -- he's quick to give up and say, "I can't win!" He did that with his fight with Eva but then ended up conceeding he needed Asuna's help and "won" (though Eva was mostly toying with Negi and lost due to the barrier coming up faster than expected). Negi has done that with other fights too where he panics and thinks he can't win, but somehow digs deeper and with the help of others, wins -- mostly. I think to the Mahora Tournament where he defeated Takahata, but again, that's a case of Takahata not going all out against Negi (as Eva pointed out).

So, how does Kotaro and Negi defeat Jack and Kagetarou? I don't think they do. I think Jack goes on to win the tournament, keeps the money, and Negi is forced to do something else to free the girls. However, this triggers Negi to a new level of power.

There's also the possibility that during the fight, the scout team runs into Fate and discovers a captured Asuna, meaning a change of direction for focus. While freeing the slaves is very important, rescuing Asuna would be more important.

When one thinks of it, it is amazing how much power Negi has. After all, thanks to the pactio cards, he's fronting power to all of his partners.

Hopefully, I'll have some spoiler images from the next chapter up on Saturday for you guys.

Space Battleship Yamato 2 16

Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2 Episode 16
宇宙戦艦ヤマト2 Ep. 16 (TV, Anime)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Sanada gives a briefing stating that if they leave right away, they can get back to Earth just before the White Comet does. Yamato's crew is running through final repairs and checks of the ship for the journey home. A communication channel with Teresa is opened but it fries Yamato's comm circuits before Sanada can physically break the connection. Susumu orders Daisuke to the planet to find out what Teresa's message is. He does so reluctantly at first and while Teresa is happy to see Daisuke again, she says that she didn't mean to send a message, but her thoughts caused the message to go out anyway. She doesn't want to go with Daisuke to Yamato since that means she'd have to fight the White Comet people. That would force her to break her vow never to kill anyone again.

Daisuke manages to convince Teresa to return with him to Yamato and he's very happy. However, after he reports to the bridge, Susumu realizes that she's going to leave again. Her coming with "Shima-san" was her way of getting him back to his ship. She tells Susumu that she's gained courage from Daisuke and that her remaining on Teresart is where she can do the most good. Susumu promises to return with Daisuke one day. With that, Teresa simply leaves the ship and returns to the surface without the aide of a ship. Daisuke sees her glowing figure on the surface, so Susumu clears the bridge so he can speak with Daisuke alone. He has her message played back, which stated that she wanted to see Shima-san again, proving her feelings for Daisuke. After their talk, Daisuke realizes this is for the best and promises to return for her one day.

Thoughts/Review: It has been a while since Yuki was shown with a new job. She scored one today -- computer technician.


From a story perspective, I never once believed that Teresa would remain on Yamato once she agreed to go with Daisuke. That's because with her powers, there would be no further action or drama as Teresa could simply wipe out the opposition with a thought and a prayer. As I see it, she shouldn't die in the White Comet's approach, though the next episode title indicates her planet will be destroyed. She might be able to slow down the White Comet or cause other problems that might allow Yamato to get back to Earth easier, but with a character this powerful, it is hard to say what the writers will and won't do with her.

It really is too bad that the romance story of Daisuke and Teresa wasn't written properly. As such, everything they do feels like forced romantic drama without much (if any) heart. Since the writers deep-sixed the Yuki-Susumu romance, one would think the writers would have then done something more with Daisuke and Teresa, but alas, no. Oh well.

Keroro Gunsou 86

ケロロ軍曹 Episode 86
Sgt. Frog anime, 86
Keroro Gunsou episode 86

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Natsumi is in the bath when the shower begins moving on its own and spraying her. Fuyuki is on the toilet and the toilet paper begins coming to him. They are freaked but Fuyuki is also excited about the possibility of a poltergeist invasion. Natsumi thinks that it is Keroro, but they soon learn that it isn't when his Gundam model comes to life. Yuurei-chan is the next suspect, but she swears it isn't her and is frightened. The screaming bring Giroro inside, who figures this is the work of the Akuleons, who possess homes and want to eat the people inside. After a merry chase through the house trying to escape, Keroro and Giroro eventually find themselves consumed by the vacuum. However, nothing else happens as Kururu arrives, saying this was all a failed experiment for nano technology using the Parasite Miracle GP01 to bring inanimate objects to life.

Keroro decides he needs everyone's help to put on a show for space TV. No one wants to participate, so Keroro forces everyone into sleeper tubes where they are connected to a machine machine where a VR world is created. Here, the platoon become Kero Rangers, Moa becomes an android helper of theirs, and Fuyuki, Natsumi, and Koyuki-chan are the typical villain. Because Keroro can write his script on the fly, he can force everyone to do what he wants. The platoon soon grow weary of Keroro trying to kill them off so that Keroro can be the hero and constantly "correct" Keroro's script. In the end, everyone's had enough but as the scenario keeps playing, Keroro decides to take on everyone with a giant robot. The dream machine overloads though, causing everyone but Keroro to safely leave the contraption.

Thoughts/Review: I guess in many ways, the first story is a parody of some childhood fears. I'm guessing that there are similar ones in Japan as there are in the U.S. However, as the story went, I was pretty bored with it, though I'm sure younger viewers would be entertained.

For the second story, I did enjoy it more. The Power Rangers parody was amusing, but the funny stuff came from Keroro constantly trying to give his platoon-mates tragic deaths. That said, it wasn't that funny, more amusing I guess you'd say.

Gakuen Alice Manga Volume 5

Gakuen Alice Manga Volume 5 <--BUY FROM AMAZON!

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Mikan and the others discover that Luca-kun is playing the role of Snow White for the play his group is putting on for the school festival. An accident caused by "Mind Reader-kun" takes out many of the actors, causing Mikan and the others to be last-second replacements. Luca-kun's Snow White character will be put to sleep (Sleeping Beauty style) in the play. Since Mikan-chan is the prince, this means Mikan will have to kiss Luca. This seems to make Natsume jealous and he secretly flings an object at Mikan to prevent her from kissing Luca while Hotaru provides cover by killing the lights at the moment the kiss was supposed to happen. Despite this, both Luca and Mikan are blushing heavily over what almost happened.

Noda-sensei suddenly returns from his accidental time-traveling. After a tearful reunion with Mikan and the others, Noda-sensei meets with Narumi-sensei and discusses how he was finally able to get to the "turning point," where he saw "her" carrying a baby named Mikan. The two feel that Mikan's time at school won't be an easy one.

With the festival winding down, Mikan gets to see the student leaders of the high school, junior high, and elementary school divisions. Afterward, Hotaru wins an award for her invention in the festival and Mikan's Special Ability group are the surprise winners of the Special Award for their festival attraction. As a final surprise for Mikan, Narumi-sensei gives her a letter from her grandfather.

Afterward is the school dance with everyone dressing up in special costume, Mikan finds her good mood ruined by Natsume. However, she's surprised when he has words of caution for her about getting into things over her head since someone like her should stay in the light. He then returns to his rude self by calling her a name. This angers Mikan who demands Natsume learn her name. She's stunned when he addresses her by name for the first time, giving her his third and final order as his slave -- don't complain about what he calls her.

It is time for semester finals to begin and Mikan is in trouble. So she works hard to study. When the tests start, her Social Studies class gets a substitute teacher -- Makihara-sensei. This troubles Natsume, who confronts the teacher afterward. It is actually Persona in disguise, who'd been ordered to do so now that Natsume is reported to have calmed down a lot. At the same time, Persona could check out Mikan too. Seeing Natsume calmly take a test has amused Persona, but he has words of warning for Natsume from the Headmasters, who don't want their pet getting a new favorite. Natsume is frustrated, reminding Persona that he was forced to partner with Mikan. Persona informs Natsume that his partnering with Mikan was not what the headmasters wanted.

Mikan is depressed at having the lowest grades in the class but is distracted by a group of stuffed animals carrying a bucket of water. The plushies plead with Mikan to help them and she carries the bucket to a sickly Kaname, the creator of these "alive" stuffed animals. Turns out Kaname is the creator of Bear, who'd given Mikan so much trouble. Kaname is only briefly out of the hospital and the girls whom he'd given his creations too come to visit him. Mikan learns that Bear doesn't talk because it is Kaname's first creation before he'd mastered his skill. However, she also realizes that Kaname's Alice may well be what is causing him to be ill. Before returning to the hospital, he places Mikan in charge of Bear. Mikan and Bear's relationship will be a tough one though.

Thoughts/Review: As I seem to always say, I just really love this manga. It is such a delight to read because Higuchi-sensei not only has an interesting main story and sub-stories, but her art and presentation just are done quite well. There's just a lot of fun that oozes out all over the place and with Mikan being a character who has so much energy, Higuchi-sensei gets that energy to come off the page and hit the reader. There are just so many things that I like about this manga, I can't put them all into words. I'm glad that TokyoPop is using honorifics here because that makes it even more fun for me.

I rather enjoy seeing Natsume getting jealous about Mikan, such as when she nearly kissed Luca in the play (and I think Luca is somewhat attracted to Mikan as well). I think it is pretty clear at this point that his tough talk is just elementary school boy way of saying, "I like you a lot." Of course, he throws in a twist, as when he addresses Mikan by her actual name and has words of caution for her.

Natsume and Mikan appears to be where the main part of the plot will be centered with Persona giving Natsume a warning about getting close with Mikan from the school's Headmasters. What amazes me is that if Mikan's mother were someone who challenged the system somehow (Noda-sensei apparently witnessing her taking an infant Mikan to safety) and was a threat (which has also been implied), then why wouldn't Gakuen Alice have wanted to grab Mikan when they finally tracked down Hotaru? Did they not know or feel that Mikan's Alice is one that they didn't want in the school. We'll see how things play out with the main plot though as there is still not enough information for a good analysis.

Anyway, if you haven't started Gakuen Alice yet, take a chance. I think the first volume is enough to let one know if Higuchi-sensei's sense of fun meets your standards or not. If you don't fall in love with Mikan right away, it won't be your kind of manga but if you do, you have five volumes to read from TokyoPop. ^_^