Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

Zero no Tsukaima F 04

Kabitzin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:59:41 +0000

Written by: Kabitzin at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

I was most impressed by the wooden Derflinger

Summary:

Don't worry Louise, we'll fix it for BluRay version

After a bunch of terrible fruit-breast jokes, we learn that Vidashal had the antidote to cure Tabitha’s mom. Sadly, even when not drugged, Tabitha’s mom makes crazy decisions like making her daughter the new queen of Gallia. Meanwhile, Saito is the toast of the town and there is even a play based on his adventures. With Siesta’s goading, Louise decides it’s time to move Saito into a mansion to cut down on the access that large-breasted skanks will have to Saito.

To Louise’s great displeasure, Siesta tags along as she is Queen Henrietta’s appointed official maid to Saito and cannot be fired by Louise. Henrietta then shows how generous she is by rewarding Saito with the small fiefdom in western Tristania called De Ornieres, which translates roughly as Crappy Place In the Middle of Nowhere With More Ruts than People. The mansion there is a fixer-upper and even worse is that Tabitha puts off her coronation to make a Tabitha-Saito-Siesta sandwich on the tiny bed in the master bedroom. Louise decides not to wait to begin demolition, and quickly takes out a wall with her Explosion spell.

Reaction:

Pawn becomes queen; attempts to take knight

Crappy story and crappy comedy are to be expected at this point, but can we please stop with the fruit-breast jokes? They are not at all fetch and feel like a dumb forced meme. I kinda liked the housing search since I went through one myself last year, and that mansion needed a lot of love. Still, free is free, and it wasn’t in such bad shape… maybe. It’d probably be a good idea to get an inspection, though.

We still get more prude Louise action and of course she is threatened by her more aggressive peers. If Tiffania wasn’t so friend-zoned, she’d probably be a big threat, since we all know the contract is the only thing really binding Saito to Louise. The two of them are one of the worst anime couples ever. Whenever I watch the Bachelor (with my wife! WITH MY WIFE, STOP JUDGING ME!!!) I think about how Louise would have been immediately sent packing. I mean, at least Tabitha has a freaking cool Rhyme Dragon.

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Shakugan no Shana Final 17

Kabitzin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:48 +0000

Written by: Kabitzin at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

Fight? When you said it was a big gamble and that you had serious reservations, we thought you meant you were starting a casino!

Summary:

Listen man, Ike hasn't gotten it in yet and he's the only one without a woman; don't you have that triclops chick on the side already?

WestShore, EastEdge, SouthValley are all gathered in NY, although Outlaw paparazzi wait outside spying. With some creative reasoning, the three decide they will fight because if all the Tomogara leave for Xanadu the PoE will flow back to Earth and stop global warming while Xanadu will be all jacked up; for some reason this is bad, even though it sounds awesome. It’s like the opposite of Shana enjoying an out-of-season raspberry so much. Also on the campaign trail is Yuujevil, although he just looks like Yuuji during a meet-and-greet with Kasumi and Eita.

Eita is upset that Yuujevil is there to recruit Kasumi for his plan, but Yuujevil infodumps all over him until Eita realizes that the plan is pretty much totally awesome… on paper. Obviously Shana would never go for Yuujevil’s idealistic plan because she’s seen how crappy Darker than Black 2 was, and because parallel world is just code for infringement, the way all manufactured goods also live as copies in a parallel world in Asia. However, Kasumi isn’t deterred and decides to go with Yuujevil, and Eita gets a promise that none of the Tomogara will eat the named characters in Misaki City and so goes home to have some dinner.

Reaction:

Yeah, I've been using the same phone for 3 years... what?

I liked how they showed Yuuji’s thought process and how he struggled but eventually threw his all into the plan. I mean it all sounds good, having Tomogara pillaging PoE from some clones and leaving the destruction of the Earth to the humans. But Flame Hazes know that that means that all their jobs will be outsourced to clones in Xanadu, and this can have devastating long-term implications. Then once the Tomogara have done their thing, you know the Earth will get flooded with cheap crappy Made in Xanadu goods. Who wants that?

As for Kasumi, this is pretty typical doormat behavior from her, and I’m sure she’ll call Pheles at the critical moment. I wonder if this is a death flag for her or if she will get some nonsensical reprieve like how Shana can Tempa Jyosai without any unfortunate side effects (like death). It was funny how Eita tried to protect Kasumi with some token resistance and then somehow ended up letting her go so that he could make it home in time for dinner. He even shook Yuujevil’s hand! Ike is gonna be pissed when he finds out…

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Gundam AGE 17

Epi — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:27 +0000

Written by: Epi at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

Golly is that a girl? I've only read about them in books!

Summary:

Hilariously funny how easily they found the Gundam

After the battle in the previous episode, Asemu and Romery are told to keep the Gundam a secret by Vargus as he suspects that the Veigans are after the Gundam. Meanwhile, Romery has developed an interest in Asemu as she visits the mobile suit club after school. After analyzing the battle from the day before, Zeheart’s companion has figured out that the Gundam likely originated from the heavily guarded Asuno compound, which makes sense considering they know that his dad was the former pilot of the Gundam. In order to gain access to Asemu’s home, Zeheart pretends to join the Mobile Suit Club, helping the club prepare it’s entry for the upcoming fighting tournament.

When I saw this, I could only think of Ranma 1/2 for some reason... oh how I miss that show!

After some heartwarming scenes where Zeheart befriends the club and Romery as well, Zeheart returns to spy mode and manages to get into the Asuno compound where he confirms the existence of the Gundam. The day of the tournament is finally there and the team manages to get to the finals. With Asemu distracted, Zeheart launches his attack on the Gundam, but Vargas contacts Asemu who runs off to defend his home. He gets home just in time to fight off Zeheart’s companion while Zeheart confirms Asemu is pilot of the Gundam. As Zeheart moves in to capture the Gundam, Romery suddenly shows up which startles both Asemu and Zeheart, enough time for Asemu to escape death as Federation reenforcements arrive.

Funny how they both manage to hear Romery screaming from within their suits

The episode ends with Zeheart wondering if he was relieved that Asemu was alright and the Gundam being hidden at a federation base commanded by Flit.

Reaction:

This was somewhat of a mixed episode. We start off with seeing just how effective and coldhearted a spy Zeheart is, perfectly playing the friendly mobile suit club member while actually trying to capture the Gundam and perfectly tricking his new ‘friends’. But the episode ends with Zeheart wondering if perhaps he doens’t feel something for the enemy after all.
I am not really sure where the series is headed with this. Will Zeheart eventually be the MASKED MAN and secretly harbour feelings for Asemu/Romery, or will he even switch sides? Without realy knowing the actual plans of the Veigans and what they are fighting for (we rarely see things from their point of view except when they are making evil laughter) it’s hard to see where this will go. I wish there was more character development on the ‘enemy’ side as Gundam is usually really good at this.

Secondly, I wish there was more to the tournament. I like tournaments, but alas that’s not the focus of the story, and every Gundam episode must include some sort of battle.

Thirdly, I hope that the characters from the previous arc are better used as the story progresses. It’s fine to include them as bit players, but considering how much time we’ve had with the old crew already, it would be a shame to have them be window dressing.

Finally I liked the insert song in the middle of the episode when Zeheart joins the club.

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Another 05

Cholisose — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:36 +0000

Written by: Cholisose at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

Guy and Dolls

Summary:

Kouichi, his grandparents, and class 3 lament the death of Mizuno, the nurse who took care of Kouichi (and the sister of one of his classmates). Later in art class, Mochizuki worries that their teacher may pass away, since she hasn’t been feeling well. Kouichi asks if Sakuragi and Mizuno’s deaths are related then, but Mochizuki doesn’t comment. Kouichi goes off to the old library, and tries finding Misaki in a portfolio of the school’s class pictures. Instead he finds his mother Ritsuko in the class of ’72. Chibiki, the man with light hair and glasses, speaks with Kouichi. It turns out that he knew Ritsuko, and Kouichi explains that she died 15 years ago.

Akazawa sends Kouichi to the faculty room, and makes an apology to him in advance. A couple investigators speak with Kouichi, and go over the events behind Mizuno’s death. Apparently the building was old and went through a number of structural modifications that led to elevator parts breaking apart. Kouichi returns to class, only to find nobody there (though everyone’s stuff is still there). A teacher tells Kouichi to go on home, and explains that Akazawa was chosen as the new female class rep. Kouichi goes to Mei’s desk and finds the words “Who is dead?” scratched into its surface.

After school, Kouichi gets Mochizuki and Takabayashi (the freckled boy with a heart problem) to walk home with him. When asked where everyone was during sixth period, Mochizuki explains they were in a meeting room, but won’t divulge what was discussed, save that things may be unpleasant for Kouichi soon. Takabayashi is upset that Akazawa is forcing them to keep everything a secret from Kouichi, and decides to let Kouichi ask him some questions. Kouichi asks if Mei exists, but Takabayashi dies of a heart attack before he can fully respond.

An extreme long Shot or a POV shot? >_>

The next day, Kouichi goes to class, surprised that everyone is there so early–it turns out Akazawa and Kazami were just concluding a class meeting. Throughout the day, Kouichi tries talking with any of his classmates, but they all ignore him. The most he can get out of anyone is a quiet apology from Teshigawara. Kouichi realizes this is what Akazawa was apologizing in advance for.

Kouichi goes to the doll shop to meet with Mei, and shows her the note and class roster given to him by Mochizuki. Mei’s name is crossed out on the list. Kouichi explains the situation, and comes to the conclusion that the class is now treating him the same way they’ve been treating Mei. Mei welcomes him to the Metaphorically Nonexistent Club, which has now doubled in size! Kouichi is glad to at least understand that Mei does indeed exist. He also figures out that Mei lives at the doll shop, since she “lives around here” and isn’t a customer. Mei’s mother is Kirika, the woman who makes the dolls upstairs.

Gothic Genre 101: Reflections = Doubles = "Not Real" = Serious Business = Ominous Tension

Mei takes Kouichi upstairs, and decides that at this point Kouichi can ask any questions he wants. She explains that she hasn’t “existed” to the rest of class 3 since May 1st. After Misaki died 26 years ago, class 3 drew closer to death. The curse entails someone dying each month, be it a student in class 3 or a family relation–and it’s all triggered when the number of students in the class increases by one. Who is this extra student? This is the mystery, as nobody can ever figure out how they could be short a desk each year this occurs. The year after Misaki died, six students and ten family members died. Why? Unknown–but the extra student in the class can’t be counted among the living, despite having a body, soul, and memories. These extra students are those who have died from the curse over the last 25 years. Thanks to class 3′s bizarre charade 26 years ago, the dead have found a way into the class. Over the years, class 3 has come up with countermeasures, including what may be their most effective solution: treat one student like she or he doesn’t exist, to make up for the extra student. This way the class has the “correct” number of people, and the curse is avoided.

Reaction:

First of all, I feel really good about saying this in my post on episode three:

I really must wonder how much of the information we’re being given in this episode is true! Or perhaps rather, I wonder if we’re interpreting these events and revelations correctly…. Is Mei telling the truth when she says she doesn’t exist? Or rather, perhaps we should ask: What does Mei mean when she says she doesn’t exist? Could Mei mean that she as an individual in charge of her own life, doesn’t exist? And that by Kouichi seeing her, she means seeing her for who she really is?

I love how it’s been revealed that Mei is indeed a real, living person. And it all makes sense that she didn’t want Kouichi to believe she existed! She didn’t want Kouichi to mess up the counter charm to the curse! And she didn’t want Kouichi to suffer the same fate she’s been dealt by the class.

The No-Nothing Party

If you go back and watch the first four episodes again, you’ll start to notice all the little things the characters do, that didn’t quite make sense at the time. But now the way everyone acts… It makes a whole lot more sense now! I’m really quite impressed with how things have turned out for this show.

In episode one, Sakuragi panicked a bit when Kouichi brought up Mei. She didn’t know what to do!
Mei was reluctant to speak with Kouichi, and advised him to stay away from her. To counter the curse, it was important for Kouichi to treat Mei like she didn’t exist! This could also explain her going to the roof, to try to avoid her classmates in general.
In episode two, Teshigawara tries to explain the situation to Kouichi, but is stopped because the act of acknowledging Mei’s existence will mess everything up. The more students treat Mei like a real human being, the more likely the curse will trigger.
Chibiki tells Kouichi to leave the library, all while carefully saying nothing about Mei (sitting right there). Everyone wants to keep Kouichi from speaking with Mei, without actually saying anything about Mei.
Why was Akazawa so upset in episode two? She saw Kouichi running off after Mei! (The very last thing she wanted him to do!) She couldn’t tell him to stop chasing after Mei… That would be acknowledging Mei exists.
The doll shop owner says there are no other customers. We’re led to believe the owner doesn’t realize Mei is there, but as it turns out, Mei is not a customer because she lives at the shop.
In episode three, people mention how Kouichi only knows about “the first year.” In other words, he doesn’t know about people dying due to the “extra students” that keep showing up in class 3 over the years.
Aunt Reiko, of course, is also reluctant to say much, since she was also in class 3, and knows it will be problematic if Kouichi interacts with whoever the “nonexistent” student is this year.
Kazami looked up at the rooftop, and his change of expression gave away that he did see something up there–and indeed, he saw Mei. Not knowing what to do, he got Teshigawara to call Kouichi to try to stop him from speaking with Mei further. Unfortunately, Teshigawara’s cryptic message didn’t solve matters.
Mei tells Kouichi that she doesn’t exist, perhaps in hopes that Kouichi will start to treat her that way. But by this point Kouichi has interacted with her several times, and it’s at that moment that Sakuragi runs out and sees–not just Mei… but Mei speaking with Kouichi. In other words, Mei interacting with someone. The act of breaking the two apart would be further acknowledging that Mei exists, so Sakuragi runs down the opposite stairway, where she meets her untimely demise.
In episode four, Mizuno is quick to accept helping Kouichi out because she went to a different school when she was younger. She did not know that the more Mei is discussed, the further she’s stepping into her own grave.
It is in this episode that Mei appeared very little in. She told Kouichi to stop trying to find out anything more about class 3, and decided to skip on class a second day, in hopes of avoiding any further tragedy.
The rule that Kouichi broke, of course, is interacting with the classmate who “does not exist.” And Mizuno’s brother was adamant about Mei not existing, because he didn’t want any calamity to befall him or his sister.
The two instances where Kouichi’s phone fills with static is when Mei’s existence is being discussed.
The three deaths all occur right when the character acknowledges Mei’s existence. Sakuragi blatantly reacted upon seeing Mei. Mizuno’s phone call was to determine from Kouichi whether or not Mei truly existed. And Takabayashi was about to straight up give Kouichi some huge spoilers. ~~(SPOILERS: Mei exists.)~~

Also, all the times that Mei suddenly disappears can be explained away by her running off, not wanting to tell Kouichi too much for fear of triggering the curse. It’s a conundrum: Kouichi is desperate for answers, so should she not say anything, and hope Kouichi will just drop the matter? (Unlikely.) Or should she just say a little bit, warn him to stop, and hope he will be appeased? (Again… Unlikely.) In the end, neither approach can be wholly effective–the situation is just too strange to accept without a thorough explanation.

See no evil...?

This also perhaps explains why Mei’s desk is in the back corner, where she will be less noticed by everyone. And why she’s able to skip out on class from time to time–it’s not like the teacher’s going to stop her. XP

Of course, not all the questions have been answered. There still must be a reason for Sakakibara to be a cursed name, and for Akazawa to believe Kouichi was someone she knew. Plus there’s a similar situation that happened two years ago that we don’t know about, and presumably an important plot point involving Kouichi’s mother. Also, I wonder if Mei’s cousin who recently died has anything to do with this. And if there really is something special about Mei’s fake eye.

And, obviously… Who is the “extra student” this year? ._.

A good "deleted scene" would have Kouichi dancing around the class, to test how strong everyone's will is! (Must... ignore... Kouichi...)

But perhaps the biggest question of all… How are they going to stop the curse? There’s no way Kouichi can just pretend Mei doesn’t exist anymore. They’re both nobodies now, so they simply don’t have anyone else to turn to but each other (at least in class 3). I do wonder if having a second “nobody” in the class will throw things off for the charm, though. Will the curse only grow worse? Does that mean a second “extra student” will appear, with nobody realizing it? Or will the “nonexistence” of Kouichi help undo the damage caused by how much Mei was acknowledged to exist?

I’m really curious to see where this show will go from here! I didn’t expect to get so many answers all at once like this, but suffice to say I’m really excited for the rest of the mysteries to unravel. I genuinely wonder if Kouichi and Mei will find a way to stop the curse, or if our best hope is for them to survive the horrors that will unfold in coming weeks… TT.TT

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Natsume Yuujinchou Shi – 06

Totali — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:07:11 +0000

Written by: Totali at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

Who knew Natsume could look this cool?

Summary:

With Tanuma’s help, Natsume becomes a good enough shogi player to beat his schoolmates. This usual group attends a nearby festival afterwards, where Natsume is eventually handed a flyer from a yokai. Noticing his strong spiritual power, two ayakashi attempt to capture Natsume. They flee, however, after they notice his friends approaching. A bottle is thrown into Natsume’s room that night, and when he attempts to pick it up, he becomes trapped inside of it. Madara is unable to open the bottle, then opting to impersonate Natsume in order to prevent a fuss. One of the spirits from earlier attempts to retrieve Natsume that night, but Madara chases him out. During the conflict, Natsume and Madara learn that the spirit was attempting to gather a sacrifice for an entity known as Omibashira.

As Natsume’s friends were talking about Omibashira the previous day, Madara again impersonates Natsume to question them at school. Madara continues to cause trouble for Natsume throughout the school day, but is eventually able to learn some details about Omibashira. Apparently due to construction, a stone that once sealed Omibashira has now been released. As word has spread about this throughout the yokai community, offers are now being gathered for the powerful spirit. As the owner of the bottle is not Omibashira, but Onizaru, Madara suggests that they stay clear of the more powerful spirit. Tanuma eventually meets with Madara, and after learning about Natsume’s situation, he volunteers to help. The spirits from earlier succeed in capturing Natsume afterwards, but Tanuma follows them to where the yokai have gathered.

Sasada Jun's Tokimeki Memorial

Reaction

So it wasn’t possession, but impersonation! And it looks like Nyanko-sensei didn’t exactly save the day… In fact, it was probably quite the opposite! There were a ton of hilarious scenes in this episode, from Madara’s different attempts to open the bottle to the trouble he caused for Natsume at school. With Sasada’s new misunderstanding, Natsume is now getting close to harem status without even wanting or knowing about it! The impersonated Natsume’s constant switching between casual and polite forms was a real treat, and I’m sure anyone that’s taken a Japanese class would have been able to fully appreciate the humor behind it. I am curious about the animation team’s decision to use a different voice for Natsume though. Was it just to further imply the impersonation to the audience? Because it didn’t seem like Natsume’s classmates seemed to be able to make the distinction. There may be plenty of time to dwell on that, as next week continues this arc in part 2!

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Mirai Nikki 17

Leenina — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:37 +0000

Written by: Leenina at Sea Slugs! Anime Blog

I'm not mad that you left our son to die, I'm still fuming over the fact that you spent your last cent on a suit that ugly!

Summary:

This episode opens with ample back story for Seventh; it seems when Ai was younger and abandoned by her parents, Marco took her to live with him in Mother’s Village. The two ended up forming an inseparable bond which only grew stronger as they surmounted later obstacles, including Ai’s sexual abuse at the hands of a few hateful high school students. In present day, Yuki grabs hold of Yuno’s hand over his father’s in order to save himself, and after Seventh take Kurou hostage again, Yuki and Yuno devise a plan to defeat them. Using Yuno’s fake future diary, they keep Yuki’s location a secret long enough for Yuno to slit Ai’s throat before she and Marco can parachute out of the tower.

Yuki reprimands Yuno, but rubble from the tower’s collapse traps the two of them with Ai after Kurou steals one of only two parachutes in order to escape. And though his stomach had been pierced by stray piping during the tower’s collapse, Marco manages to pull Ai from the ruin before she dies of blood loss while he simultaneously lectures Yuki and Yuno about their personal faults along with those of their relationship. In the end, Marco gives the last parachute to Yuki, saying that he has decided to stay and die there with Ai, both of their lives ending with a last poignant diary entry. After landing, Nishijima tells Yuki that his mother has been stabbed and killed, presumably by Kurou.

Reaction:

Childhood friend finally comes out on top. Kind of.

After seeing this episode, I’m convinced Yuki’s utter shittiness is what caused Yuno to go crazy. We’ve got Ai, a girl who keeps an obsessive diary on the guy she has a crush on (sound familiar?) but instead of stalking some spineless wimp, she ends up staying sane and falling for a dependable guy. I couldn’t stop myself from viewing Yuno and Yuki as the villains in this episode; I felt like I was watching Seventh the Spin-Off Series, which is actually what I wish I had been watching. They got great back story, which, even though the creators reused the whole rape thing, was the best any of the other diary holders got before they died (I’m still holding out for Minene’s). The best part about their diaries is that you know Marco had to be keeping a diary to watch over Ai the same time she was keeping one about him, even when he tried to act aloof and distant. That’s pretty sweet. Marco took a pipe through his gut and managed to lift what was literally hundreds of pounds of rock so that his lover could see him once more before she passed away. You know what Yuki would’ve done if he’d gotten stabbed in the stomach? That’s right, died.

Yuki is basically a less corrupt and impulsive version of his father, who he might end up hunting down since the guy killed his mom. I’ve liked parent-child conflict ever since I saw Star Wars, so it’d be a nice addition, but what will probably go down is Yuno will chase after Kurou while Yuki cries or something. The show has a thing for cheap tricks, which was only confirmed after the stunt Kurou pulled, so I keep trying to convince myself Yuki will end up dead in an episode or two and the rest of the show will be this awesome duel between Yuno and Minene with some other diary holders mixed in. One thing I wish wasn’t true was Seventh being that strange woman’s minions. I mean, they were great stand-alone characters. Why do you have to associate them with a character whose design is so ridiculous that I definitely won’t be able to take her seriously? If that lady ends up having awesome back story, I’ll eat my own socks.

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