When Sawako was loli she was able to play with all the other kids…

T’was a most glorious episode as the first of Sawako’s foe’s felt the sting of defeat and were SMASHED INTO ATOMS by their own pride and subsequent inferiority to Yoshida. After being battered and bloodied for their infantile assault on Sawako Kazehaya delivered the coup de grace and voiced his disdain for rumor mongering bitches. While Hirano and Endo have no combat ability they mounted a successful PR campaigned that reaffirmed Sawako as the Zashiki Warashi of the school. All is well as misunderstandings are cleared up and oaths of friendship are taken openly and in a manner most straightforward with the lavatory. The venue mattered little and Yuuka the insolent bully was decisively crushed and she ended up in a manner most fitting. I was over come with glee as Yuuka was forced to beat a brave retreat and after escaping with no wounds begins to weep delicious False Tears that Noe dislikes. Ah that alone was the high point as her hopes and dreams of being with Kazehaya were SMASHED INTO ATOMS it was glorious to have Yuuka feel the revenge of reality despite being spared by Sawako. Long may Yuuko weep and long may she cry hot False Tears of lamentation and deplore her own folly!

On a more pleasant front Sawako seems to have had a colorful childhood, but it turns out that poor Shino-san was the one who got the ball rolling though I hold her blameless for it was the ignorant masses that created all the subsequent falsehoods. At least Sawako did not experience undue pain from her ostracism. Now she has some reliable friends and Shino-chan decides to conform to Yano and Yosida’s movements and relinquishes the mantle of Sawako’s only friend. Kazehaya is in a way glad but having been denied the chance to be the hero and with Yano and Yoshida’s monopolizing of Sawako’s time he is becoming increasingly jealous. I can only hope he keeps it in check… Meanwhile the original instigator seems to have started another rumor passing off blame to Team Yuuko, but while idiots may believe Vichy-tan and hope that it was not her, all suspects are guilty, otherwise they wouldn’t be suspects…  Yuuka may have cried a river, but when Vichy-tan gets what is coming to her Almighty Zeus shall ensure that that she will be hit with the force of a BIG BANG PUNCH. I look forward to the day that Vichy-tan’s fate is sealed.

ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako

Rejoice! For the crisis is over and we get many sweet moments of Sawako and her comrades coming closer together! This time justice is done upon the perpetrators of the cowardly bathroom attack. Apparently the head of this faction is called Yuuka, one who was led to the Dark Side by her unworthy jealousy of Sawako. After showing what a barbarian she is by pushing Sawako down, she is still unmoved by Sawako’s heartfelt and sincere declaration of the truth. Outside Kazehaya is restrained from intervening due to the cowardly choice of ambush location, but Yano and Yoshida show up to save the day. After routing their enemy they talk to Sawako and all are moved by the intensity of their bonds of trust and friendship in each other. As the Yuuka Faction flees in disarray before the might of Sawako, Yano, and Yoshida, Kazehaya waits outside to deliver the killing blow. Declaring loudly that he hates such vile rumors and those who spread them, his words pierce the heart of Yuuka as fatally as if they had been arrows. The consolidation of the Sawako Alliance continues for the remainder of the episode, with Kazehaya cutely worried that Yano and Yoshida are going to steal Sawako away from him. And in the end Vichy-tan reveals herself once more, dismissing the Yuuka Faction as mere children. Whether she is allied with them, manipulated them into their rumor offensive, or is (unlikely) just misunderstood as being an enemy, she obviously does not think much of them.

EO’s DAAAWWWW of the week.

ALPHA GO!

TANGO DOWN! Hostage has been secured.

The three shoujo-teers.

All for one, and one for AAWWW.

And Kazehaya was filled with the righteous fury of the just. For the ground itself shook as if frightened underfoot, and friend and foe alike trembled before his angry visage!

To quote Dr. Cox from Scrubs: “I love this moment so much, I want to have sex with it.”

True Tears of happiness.

Another radiant smile. May there be many more.

Kneel before your refreshing and compassionate goddess! Sawayakyaa!

No worries Kazehaya, this isn’t a yuri series.

See, she’s already looking back at you and smiling.

CRY SOME MORE YUUKA, YOUR TEARS ARE DELICIOUS TO ME!!!

Were they mere pawns in her larger war?

Dispatches of the Second Kazehaya War

Oh Shino-chan it was you?!

Yeah you fucked up…

That’s not that great of a silver lining.

Class A War Criminals! We must hunt them down and destroy them!

She already is, you on the other hand…

Note that this will be a most fatal mistake…

NO YOU!

I say we butcher the lot of them…

Leave it to Moi…

Which is why they fail at school…

They only know of jealousy Sawako…

I know…

Bravely bold Miss Yuuka rolled forth from Class A
She was not afraid to die, O brave Miss Yuuka
She was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways
Brave, brave, brave, brave Miss Yuuka…

She was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp
Or to have her eyes gouged out and her elbows broken
To have her kneecaps split and her body burned away
And her limbs all hacked and mangled, brave Miss Yuuka…

Her head smashed in and her heart cut out
And her liver removed and her bowels unplugged
And her nostrils raped and her bottom burnt off
And her penis…

Well that’s enough music for now, ladies…

…For second after second Brave Miss Yuuka held her own, but scarcely was her shirt damp…then she suddenly… dramatically changed tactics…

Brave Miss Yuuka ran away – No!
Bravely ran away, away – I didn’t!
When danger reared its ugly head
She bravely turned her tail and fled – No!
Yes, brave Miss Yuuka turned about
And gallantly she chickened out
Bravely taking to her feet
She beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the brave, Miss Yuuka…

Yuuka buggerd off…

Your hate will make you powerful…

Those words homed in and found their mark…

When Sawako was loli she was able to play with all the other kids…

At least the Ferengi know to hear all and trust nothing…

You’re doing something now…

Yes so begins the Sawako Propaganda offensive which is armed with the truth, Vichy-tan’s lies are no match…

Can I get a Bro-fist?

You will remove all obstacles…

Love has a funny way of sneaking up on you…

You have history…

You can…

Bah Spiky-kun returns to ruin another moment…

Spiky-kun sucks at everything…

As I have said time and time again Spikey-kun is the enemy of women everywhere…

This one is on the slow side…

…

Weak in the knees is it…?

You know it’s not too late to take responsibility and be part of their little group Shino-chan…

If only you walked down the aisle before the handoff…

Yes I wish to hear it again…

Oh you can’t hurry love I guess…

Look you all of you vermin cowering the lockers thinking what…? That you might escape the coming fire?! Your class will burn and not even you Yuuka will be able to slither from the blackened and charred remains to mar the continuation of Sawako’s friendships.

Indeed it makes the obliteration of her hopes all the more satisfying…what was nursed over years was undone in mere seconds.

No that mole doesn’t help you! I curse you with a Gendo Ikari for a love interest…

Packing it in and packing it up…

Slinking away and buggering off…

Chickening out and pissing off home…

Yes, bravely she is throwing in the sponge…

And don’t come back!

Vichy-tan is most devious…

Great we have kindling for the FIRE!

As fans we all have certain moments while watching anime that really capture our hearts. A moment or a scene that we really experience as closely as is possible with a fictional event. Everyone has their own. They may not always be the most technically well done scenes, the most artistic, or those with the most significance to a story. But something about them connects with each of us in a very strong manner. In this editorial I list ten of my own, and invite you to list yours in comments. Or even to write your own post and put a link to it. Join me as I nerd out about my favorite moments and hopefully communicate some of their significance to me as a fan.

NOTICE: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. I have chosen images and headers that are not spoilers in and of themselves, but if you haven’t seen the series (and don’t want anything spoiled) for Char’s sake scroll down to the next one! I would also ask comments to be setup in a similar way so that people can read the first line and know whether to skip it for spoilers or not.

The idea for this article originated from Scamp over at Bokutachi no Blog. He wrote a similar list of his own favorite moments after an off-topic comments exchange in one of his posts that we had concerning Code Geass episode 22 (though the post was about an episode of Hetalia, go figure.) Just so you know, he’s cool with me stealing using the format, heh. This is why the fandom is great: conversing with each other, sharing ideas and influencing each other in turn! *clenches fist to chest and cries manly tears of respect* Now, my ten moments, in something of an order leading up to my singular favorite. As a note, I attempted to find a video link for each scene, but in some cases it wasn’t possible to find one that doesn’t need to be fast-forwarded to the scene I wrote about, or in two instances clips that have no English subtitles (I could have picked an English dub for one, but it was pretty terrible.)

10. Kidou Senkan Nadesico episode 16

SCENE 8:24-9”25, sorry, couldn’t find English subtitles in an online video and you wouldn’t want to hear the dub.

Megumi: “We’ve all been tricked! These people are…”

Akito: “Human beings. Descendants of those expelled from the moon.”

…

Megumi: “Why are you stuck fighting such an old war?”

Akito: “You don’t understand. This has become our war!”

The crew of the Nadesico has just discovered that Nergal has been hiding the fact that the Jovian Lizards are actually humans that were forced off of the moon and then Mars a hundred years ago. Megumi and Haruka find the escaped pilot of one of their Gekigangar mecha and aid him in his escape, leaving with him to try and find out what’s really going on. But Akito has seen enough of the war that the Jovians have brought and now is solely focused on their destruction.

The fight with Akito in the Lunar Frame against the Gekigangar sent to destroy the Nadesico as it undergoes refit was perfectly grim and tragic because it was understandable. Akito kept fighting against the Jovians, humans or not, with a fury born of his personal experiences in the war. Mars, the death of Gai, the refugees in the lunar base. He’s not like some typical anime characters (usually antagonists) who keep fighting because they’re convinced that they’re right, or won’t listen to anything that contradicts their ideals, or because it’s all they know how to do. Akito started out as a cook not a solider, he’s listened to the broadcast, and he knows that his enemies are humans that have been wronged in the past. But he doesn’t care. The war is starting to turn against the Jovians, he’s endured and witnessed suffering at their hands, why turn back now when they’re finally getting what they deserve for what they’ve done? The way Akito’s change from reluctant to dead set was presented suspended that rational part of my brain for a time, the part that would go along with what the rest of the crew was trying to do (stop the war), and made me feel his hatred towards the Jovians control his actions, facts be damned.

9. Cowboy Bebop episode 05

SCENE, PARTIAL.

Fay ends up captured and used as bait to lure Spike into an ambush as we get our first major glimpse into the history that Spike and Vicious share. The scene in the abandoned cathedral still echoes through my memories. It wasn’t so much for content (though it is important to the story) but for the way in which the scene was presented. The organ music combined with electric guitar during Spike’s walk to the cathedral, the lack of music during the action scenes, and the choir music as Spike fell through the window set up a great atmosphere in terms of sound. Visually I thought the episode was the best combination of two of the major visual and thematic influences in the show, Film Noir and Hong Kong crime/shooter movies. The cathedral was cast mostly in slanting shadows and the color scheme almost entirely black, purples, and blues. The way the fighting was done reminded me more of the classic A Better Tomorrow instead of later films that often added a little too much (or way too much) stylization and acrobatics to the gunplay. Spike and Vicious have their personal duel and exposition ending in a draw when bombs go off and throw Spike from the building amidst flashback to his past and of Julia. Though the beginning really made the scene for me. “In the Rain” being played while Spike walked up to the front of the cathedral under an overcast sky has stuck with me ever since.

8. Toradora! episode 16

SCENE

Several important events happen during the school festival in this episode, but to me the crowning moment of awesome of the Taiga X Yusaku arc was when Yusaku was dejected from his (seemingly) one-sided love for Kanou, and Taiga decides to do what she can for him. Despite being in love with him, Taiga takes out her boken and hunts down Kanou after telling Ryuuji to stay by his side while she helps him the only way she can. Finding her in a classroom, lit with heavy, yellow beams of late afternoon sunlight, calls her out for being a coward about her feelings and challenges her to fight. She accepts and the fight goes from shinai/boken to fists, each combatant powered by their feelings for Yusaku even though one turned him down and the other know he’s not interested in her. Eventually Taiga calls Kanou a coward and she then admits that she turned Yusaku down because she knows he would follow her even if it wasn’t in his best interest. While it was melodramatic to express their opinions on each other and Yusaku by fighting, it was a hell of a powerful way to do so, and not so far fetched given the intensity of their feelings and their personalities. And it was the high note that the original Taiga X Yusaku arc went out on. As Taiga and Kanou are restrained by their classmates, Yusaku enters, saying that he was glad to have fallen in love with Kanou, and Minori also watches from the sidelines. The beginning of the next drama arc begins here just as the previous one ends, as Ami returns Taiga’s photos to her and speaks some story altering words to Minori.

7. Gundam 0083 episode 12

SCENE (fast forward to 20 minute mark).

Kou races to catch up to the colony and the Zeon forces guarding it, engaging in fierce combat as he makes a desperate run in the GP03 Dendrobium straight for the colony. The countdown to the point of no return, past which it will be impossible to divert the colony from Earth, is announced several times in the middle of the battle. But despite the best efforts of Kou, the Albion and other EFSF forces, the hijacked colony passes the point of no return. The defining moment for me was when the operator on the Albion announces “The colony…has passed the point of no return.” Absolute silence on the bridge and in the GP03’s cockpit. At that moment, despite all they did, there was no more that could be done (to their knowledge, Bask Om had one more card to play) and it sank in quietly, with just those words and silence. The silence spoke more than anything that could have been said by any of the characters, it descended over the Albion and over my mind like a fog. It was shocking and confusing and made you feel how despair and the desire to do something were straining against each other in the characters’ minds. Whether or not you had seen Zeta Gundam first or not (I had not), what happened was both dire for the characters and those on Earth, but also went against your expectations as a viewer. What do you mean the bad guys win?

6. Initial D Fourth Stage episode 08

SCENE

There were several moments of pure awesome in the various seasons of this show (if you’re a car fan like I am), but this one has always been my favorite and has always impressed me with how several great components all come together to make a great decisive moment in this race. Keisuke in his twin turbo FD3S Mazda RX-7 vs Kyoko in her nearly identical model FD, only modified with a large single turbo. Always a hothead to a degree even with his more recent training under his brother, Keisuke is having a difficult time with the roughly paved roads that he races Kyoko on. But slowly he starts to understand and learn, slowly adjusting the pressure he applies on the accelerator by tiny increments to stop from spinning the rear wheels. As he does this ‘Right Now’ by Dark Angels starts playing, a wonderful combination of eurobeat with some rock guitar. The two FDs are very close, making the same moves and as the music continues there’s even a point where Kyoko’s taillight light trail stays on screen after she breaks and then Keisuke’s brakelight fits the exact spot and brakes at the same point. SO COOL! Kyoko wants to keep racing with her crush, hoping to bring the match to a second round by keeping ahead. But while she’s thinking about this she’s distracted and lets her tires slip on the rough pavement, and letting off the gas causes her boost pressure to fall. Keisuke instantly notices and figures out the weakness of the single turbo, that it takes more time to spool up. Going around a corner, he slightly bumps her rear fender with the nose of his car, causing her to let off the gas for an instant, bringing them neck and neck as they exit the curve. Here Keisuke’s twin turbo system has the advantage, using its greater acceleration to get ahead before Kyoko’s more powerful single turbo can spool up. The music, the matching moves, the importance of the different turbo systems, Keisuke learning to control himself despite his brash nature, it all just came together to form a nearly perfect moment of racing.

5. FLCL episode 01

SCENE

From the first ‘tap tap tap’ of drumsticks as the instrumental version of Bran New Lovesong began, the scene where Naota runs feverishly to meet Mamimi on the bridge struck me and carved a place in my mind for the density, melancholy, and futility of what was expressed in it. The everyday life where ‘nothing extraordinary happens’ that Naota is both discontent with and accepting of is challenged by the arrival of Haruko, but what does do about it? He runs full speed back to it by running, out of breath to meet with Mamimi again. She’s once again smoking, and the first closeup is of her crumpled cigarette with “never knows best” written on it, seeming to comment on both her and Naota’s lives and their weird proxy relationship with each other. After this visual, as the song continues, Naota arrives with the left over, stale bread for Mamimi and he brings up the basis of their relationship and Mamimi’s with his brother in a way that was not spoken of before. He first asks if she likes him, and she replies with a list of similes “like a panda with a mean face…or the smell of a chalkboard eraser, or a Sunday when you wake up and it’s been raining”, an odd list that is still very real in its sublime and melancholy descriptions. She embraces him in the one-sided way that they’ve been doing things, and the atmosphere of the scene is just absorbed by watching it. Naota as a proxy for his brother, Mamimi not letting go now that he’s left for America, the desperation of Mamimi’s life, and their mutual acceptance of such a hollow but still desperately important relationship. They’re sad and kind of despicable, but you certainly feel the static desperation of the characters, accentuated by the music and set on the streetlight-lit bridge in the middle of the night.

4. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann episode 26

SCENE, key part starts at 3:50, sorry no subtitles.

Nearing the end of the fight, the crew of the Chou Ginga Gurren Lagann is caught by one final trap and imprisoned in a false reality that’s meant to give everyone their own personal dream and trapping them in this appealing illusion. But eventually Simon sees through the recreation of his childhood, breaking the illusion’s grip on his mind. As this happens he meets Kamina again. There they stand in rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds, the two leaders and friends together once more. The line that brought the moment to the highest point for me was when Kamina, after a word of encouragement, remarks to Simon that he’s grown taller than him. The time shift and aging of the main characters was one of the best parts about this show, but here is the culminating moment, when Kamina, great though he was, has now finally been eclipsed by his former younger follower. He’s now a hero in his own right, leading everyone on after Kamina and no longer the kid idolizing his brash sempai. His old friend is obviously proud of him, and they share a parting look and moment before Simon says it’s time to leave, leaving both the illusion, his best friend, and the shadow that he grew up in.

3. Honey and Clover season 2 episode 12

SCENE

This scene! It’s the last moment of my all time favorite series and it was so bittersweet that I’ll never forget it. All the other storylines, characters, and dramas have been resolved, and now Takemoto boards the train to leave Tokyo for his architecture restoration job when Hagu comes to see him off at the last minute and hands him a gift. They embrace, then place their hands next to each other on each side of the window, and as the train moves away Hagu chases it smiling and teary-eyed until she reaches the end of the platform. Sitting alone in the empty train car Takemoto opens the gift to find a stack of bread…and in between each slice honey and a four-leaf clover. His memories of her come flooding back as tears stream down his face and “Inaka no Seikatsu” by Spitz begins to play. All his memories of Hagu and thoughts about their failed love come back as he stuffs the bread into his mouth as if both trying to take in the memories like the bread and as a way to ease his emotions. Despite their love never materializing, the last line of the series is Takemoto’s “I’m glad that I fell in love with you.” Finally there’s a last montage of the other characters as the ending theme plays. This whole episode was an emotional experience just for the fact that a series I loved so much was ending, but the final scene at the train stations/on the train was the peak of it all. I cried. I felt emotionally and physically drained of all energy. And I still can’t listen to “Inaka no Seikatsu” or “Split” anymore. Hearing the music just brings back this scene and feels like my insides are being twisted. It was a great ending, keeping with the genuine emotional expression of the entire series as well as its realism; not everything works out for a happy ending, but you should still treasure the moments anyway. Gah, I need to finish up the part about this scene, I’m starting to feel that emotional drain again just from writing about it.

2. Code Geass season 1 episode 22

SCENE

Where were you when Season 1 Episode 22 happened?

Talking about this scene is what inspired Scamp to write the post that inspired this one, and I think I’ll reprise some of  the comments I made on his blog for this amazing moment. While on a much smaller and infinitely less serious level it’s kind of like one of those historical milestones that otaku point too like the regular public would the Moon Landing, Kennedy Assassination, 9/11 attacks, etc. The moment it happened kind of crystallized in everyone’s memory. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first saw it. And after it happened, everything changed. Eupehmia has put together a plan for Japan to be run autonomously, Zero/Lelouch is onboard with his Black Knights, and all of a sudden his Geass becomes permanently active and a casual remark forces Euphie to order the killing of any and all Japanese. Not only was it a huge and sudden plot twist, but Euphie’s death at Lelouch’s hand early in the next episode began Suzaku’s journey to hatred and nearly Titans-level obsession with rooting out the enemy (which just made him even cooler in my eyes, both he and the Titans had good reasons even if they went overboard at times.)

For me I was in my Temple University Japan dorm room on study abroad one afternoon after class. It was a nice sunny day outside and I was relaxing after class and catching up on the shows I was following that season. It was such a rush of emotions as I had no way of knowing that it was coming. My mind just kept racing between ‘WTF’ ‘what now?’ and ‘OH S*** THEY DID FORESHADOW THIS SLIGHTLY!’ while I kept alternatingly yelling ‘what the f***’ at my computer screen and laughing at the insanity of it. It was by far one of the best moments in my years of watching anime.

1. Honey and Clover season 1 episode 15

SCENE

It may not be as overtly intense as some of these other moments, but when I think of moments in anime that I’ve watched over the years, this one scene has been the one I think back to the most, the one that can definitely point to as a favorite above all others. Maybe it’s because I was a big fan of Mayama and Rika throughout the series, maybe it’s because I’m just a cheesy romantic who is composed entirely of mush on the inside. But this scene just brought things from the depths of despair to the heights of hope and kyyaaaaa for me. After visiting Asai in the hospital Mayama finds out from him that Rika came to visit and mentioned seeing him in the park over the summer, something Mayama though was just his imagination at first and was driving him nuts. In the lobby he runs frantically to find her, finally spotting her in an elevator and running, shaky, slanted camera angle as he does so, to reach the elevator doors and holds them open as “Yoru wo Kakeru” starts playing. Throughout this series the use of insert songs was particularly amazing, this episode being the pinnacle in my opinion along with the scene where “Tamagawa” plays during episode 07. Upstairs they talk, and as Mayama has guessed in his internal monologue, things are still the same and Rika pushes him away again against the beautifully done backdrop of the huge windows and rainy skies outside. After she leaves to visit Asai again Mayama thinks to himself that things need to start again, and hours later that evening he is there waiting with a rental car to give Rika a ride home. But he intentionally (and he admits the selfishness to himself) drives the wrong way to give himself more time with Rika as the car spirals down the Daikoku Fuutou on the Wangan highway amidst the rain and orange lights.

Things start to change with this, though the rest of their relationship is by no means straightforward or easy. But it was a stunning combination of mostly restrained, subtle emotional content, Mayama’s dramatic chance taking, great music, and rich, artistic animation in the still backgrounds and rainy color palette, the placement of the characters both on the bench and in the car, angles from which they’re viewed, and the objects in motion parts such as the car’s blurred taillights. There was a great visual metaphor used in this scene too, contrasting stillness and motion. Mayama and Rika sit still on the bench, discussing the same things and having the same result as their relationship moves nowhere. But then as Mayama makes his play to change the status quo with the car ride, there’s a great deal of movement with the car, the windshield wipers, passing lights, and moving shadows on their faces as their relationship begins to ‘move’ again. And not only was this scene wonderful to watch the first time (and again and again), but elements of it will always be in my mind.

The coward was making IEDs…

So after much lamentation of the lack of Biribiri goodness last episode Kuroko’s onee-sama infiltrates judgment in an attempt to flush out IED Ishii as the no good terrorist has been planing his bombs in children’s toys in a bid to be a jackass. The Electroshock Princess is quite haughty and dismisses the hard work thatKuroko puts into Judgment. Biribiri thinks that it is all action but sadly there is a harsh disconnect on the level of that betwee Modern Warfare 2 and actually being int he USMC. Turns out Judgment has to do the crap things in garrison too and deal with a shitty public that causes more problems that make you question whether or not they are even worth defending. Even if zapping civilians is bad, littering is worse as it pollutes the Earth, but these days students are as lazy as they were in the Cultural Revolution days, cutting class, vandalizing everything, etc. Bullying has taken a turn for shitty as Mr. Hippie with his long hippie hair was punchingIED Ishii while dancing like a white guy with no rhythm. Good to see that stupidity and evil feeds upon itself, though Biribiri held back her terrible vengeance. IED Ishii was most unappreciative as he wanted preemptive arrests, I think he should GTFO and move to the PRC. So Biribiri goes about with Mii-chan to look for a pink hand bag, and gets some delicious thigh meat, but in the end Biribiri sees no combat action and gets found out by Kuroko. Having a new found respect for the crap job Kuroko volunteered for Biribiri confesses her admiration of Kuroko. Kuroko then takes it, rightfully so, as a confession and goes nuts in a yuri powered hurricane, which is sadly cut short. In the mean time IED Ishii continues his reign of terror by placing bombs under chips display at the local 7/11 knock off.

Over all a rather fillery episode and not the yuri powered Kuroko and onee-sama fest I wanted. However I did enjoy how Kuroko was listing Misaka’s faults and attempts as raising awareness of how un-ladylike her onee-sama was. Kuroko just can read Misaka like a book though sadly Kuroko’s fanfiction segments have yet to become reality. Konori Mii-san was delightful and I am glad she got plenty of screen time and was thrilled that she rode atop Biribiri for a while though the latter was more worried about bugs than relishing the experience. I did very much enjoy Kuroko’s betime assault after hearing her onee-sama’s praise, and I am sure that is how Liang Qi would have reacted to Alphard’s praise. I am sure Calawain found it to be a little “meh” but i do very much enjoy watching Kuroko’s antics as a substitute for the Alphard onee-sama and Liang Qi, Canaan spin-off that will never see the light of day. I like Biribiri just fine but I simply adore how Kuroko is aggressive, refined, elegant, skilled in CQC, and essential is the love child of Alphard and Liang Qi as she displays traits of both, good to see that Misaka thinks of Kuroko too. Next week some terrorist gets his comeuppance I hope it will be particularly painful for him.

Crusader’s Chronicle of Kuroko’s Love

This Kampfer is a Level 4…

Well fighting crime is interesting stuff…

It’s not that bad to want a BIG FIGHT…

And she does it every day…

Yeah it requires sound judgment.

FUCK YEAH PINKY SWEAR!

Says the most egregious offender…

Kuroko wants to watch your back, literally…

This a personal request…

Oh it means everything…to Kuroko.

Man the imouto is lecturing the onee-sama…

Kuroko wants Biribiri to be an ojou-sama from a distinguished family that has been continued for a thousand years, skilled in both literary and military arts,  with wit and beauty, the intensity of summer, the grace of autumn, the pride of winter, and the gentleness of spring …

Please do not interrupt Kuroko’s fantasies…

Man why is the onee-sama more childish than the imouto?

Be a Lady.

Kuroko has seen them all!

Yeah when will you level up?

No but Kuroko is Alphard and Liang Qi’s love child, so she has a bit of onee-sama in her.

That sounds like al Qaida to me…

How could you order a Parfait without her?!

Kuroko thinks this is some sort of date…

Someday Kuroko will be pelting Uiharu with airsoft pellets…

It does look yummy…

For Biribiri goes three times faster…

You have been conscripted…

…

CHANCE GET!

Show me you dedication…

Arrows?

Hey even US Marines clean latrines…

Your littering…

Your pushing it…

Worry not for while your head will heal the shock you gave him should have caused permanent damge…

More apology letters…?

Loli spotted…

We also use fists…

She has none…

Kuruko was right…

You will require better map reading skills than that…

Alert Heterosexual activity detected…

Cease embarrassment and initiate combat protocols…

Yes take the girl…

To the yuri side with you!

I guess she was too stupid to be saved…

Yeah I know you wanted to have a bit of fun with her first…

Indeed but take heart you still have Kuroko.

Now do you see how well Kuroko knows you?

Fondly remembering Kuroko eh?

Seriously keep looking…

Well right now it seems that Biribiri is on the bottom even when it comes to Kuroko…

You know that is a most enviable position…

That only see onee-sama…

Yo Shin this one’s gone yuri

What’s that?

Take that al Qiada!

Why you sneaky little terrorist…

That one was most suspicous…

O RLY?

Note how the lolis go the closest.

Kuroko asks that question everyday…

Kuroko has them…

No Panties onee-sama…

She always gets her handbags…

Who would have thought she liked such things…

Wait it’s coming together now…

Kuroko found her onee-sama all wet…

Kuroko knew…

DAWWWW…

Not used to being thanked are we?

That is exactly how it happened.

Just look at her list of activities and you will know…

Now you know and knowing is half the battle.

…

Oh ho…

Shocked and awed…

Too long…

Yes!

And she means EVERY nook and cranny…

There is no escape now…

…

Ouch…

Time for punishment…

So GTFO!

Like every stupid chick she just has to break a leg now…

Amateurs, look high and look low…

Captain Judgment has a invincible shield…can’t wait for the FINAL JUSTICE attack

I bet your leg wasn’t even in any pain…

Man they should make body armor out of those armbands not so much as a tear…

Ever since I became an anime fan I knew that CLAMP was the bandwagon for me. Is it the pointy faces? The impossibly wide shoulders? Or is it the strange undercurrent of bisexuality in all of their works? I may never know, but one thing I do know is that CLAMP is a team of four super-genius women who know exactly how to catch my attention again and again.

CLAMP’s newest manga turned anime has once again achieved instant success in my heart due to overwhelming cute. You see this time, in the city of Townsville Tokyo, there is some girl who in the opening floated down from space…

This is the star of the show, Kobato Hanato herself. Note the wide-eyed innocence, the far-off blank stare and the cherry blossoms everywhere. Honestly the only way this could be cuter is to add a mascot.

Uh, not quite like that. This blue dog-like stuffed animal is Ioryogi – a somewhat mean spirited instructor for Kobato. Kobato is trying to fulfill her own wish by creating a flask and filling it with mended hearts. Unfortunately, she must past Ioryogi’s test before she can even have the flask. The test? Pass as a normal human for the entire day in the park using human common sense.

At least it’s normal for homeless people.

Her second test involves a woman who dropped her trash. Kobato must dispose of it correctly. The image above is horrifying and will haunt me in my dreams for nights to come.

Needless to say, she fails. Though Ioryogi seems to think she needs “human common sense” I’m getting the feeling any type of common sense will do. After enacting a scene from The Birds, Kobato is approached by some men who want to have a drink with her.

Kobato is sufficiently in awe of these possibly raping thugs.

No! It’s a trap Kobato! Use your alien common sense! (For those guessing along at home she does not actually use common sense in the next scene.)

Of course it’s the first episode so there’s no horrific rape scene as Syaoran-kun this guy comes to her rescue. He’s pretty angry in general and runs off too quickly to even leave us his name. I’m sure we’ll never see him…

…again. We learn that his name is Fujimoto-san and he’s very busy working a part time job at this food stand during the cherry blossom festival. His phone rings and he leaves quickly for an emergency at a nursery.

Beautiful scenic la-la land.

Meanwhile, Kobato is enjoying the cherry blossoms. When she sees a bunch of children who’ve lost their ball she throws it to them and I’m not sure what. It happens off screen but I assume she really stuck it to some guy.

Is there anyone in need of cute sir? It’s all I have left…

She apologizes to the owner of the shop and offers to help him because she’s mortally wounded someone.

Soon after a man asks her to put the ingredients in his hot pot and she freaks out. Apparently this is very stressful for Kobato even though I’ve done it many times myself and have never seen the difficulty in sliding food into a pot.

Let’s just say there was no common sense to be had.Natto is so gross. Seriously.

And the thing she makes is so horrific that at least a half-dozen people gather to be grossed out by it. When consumed, it’s delicious much to everyone else’s surprise.

After her job is over, Kobato sees an old woman with a baby. This baby to crying at a volume so loud I had to mute my speakers for a minute.

Since the woman says the baby cries unless its mother sings for the first time all episode Kobato finally puts two and two together correctly and sings.

Somehow Fujimoto-san also hears her and is impressed and/or annoyed.

After she’s done everyone is overjoyed but not me. The song is plain and she struggles really badly on the high notes but yes, let’s all clap anyway because she’s the main character.

Going back to the park they started in Kobato is upset that Ioryogi decided she failed the day. He determines that the only thing she did that was okay was her singing as everything else was a mess.

Old woman comes to thank Kobato for her singing. Considering I think this is only a short while after the park incident I assume the old woman ditched the baby nearby since it’s nowhere to be seen.

Ioryogi decides that because the old woman thanked her that means Kobato should pass the test. I got excited for what I assumed was going to be a magical girl transformation….

And am totally disappointed with the fact that it’s just the flask Kobato wanted. The angry dog thing reminds her to fill the flask with mended hearts to get her wish.

Kobato loves it and hugs it and names it George.

END EPISODE 1.

Final Thoughts:

Opening: A familiar voice, Maaya Sakamoto sings the opening theme “Magic Number”.  I can tell it’s not composed by Yoko Kanno though making it at best a 5 out of 10. It’s there. I probably won’t be listening to it again as Sakamoto’s voice is soothing but boring sometimes. The animation in the opening is minimal and forgettable as well.

Closing: The closing is about as interesting to watch (it’s just a bottle spinning around with credits) as the opening and reminded me very much of the Tsubasa 1^st closing “Loop”. The song is called “Jellyfish’s Confession” and is sung by Megumi Nakajima who you may know from Macross Frontier as Ranka. The song is interesting lyrically and may need a second listen before I decide if I just like it or love it.

Overall: If you already liked the Kobato manga, you’ll probably like this show. The first episode was painstakingly slow but depending where it goes I could see myself really getting into it. The voice acting seemed pretty strong and the animation was clean. I found myself inadvertently smiling as Kobato did everything wrong. I can’t help but cheer for the idiot characters, I blame Sailor Moon and give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

I can’t believe the stupid perverts (i.e. Crusader and Calawain) laughed at my title post. What’s so funny about the title anyway?

So, let’s get the key thing started first. We need your feedback on our new spanking blog design. Kabitizin of Sea Slugs Team fame helped us with this wonderful blog design, and we love you to give us some feedback on how it can be improved. In essence, we are asking you to give us feedback so we can torture Kabitizin until he goes like “no more, no more changes, SCREW THAT!!!!” Actually, no, That will be fun ugly. As you do know though, we always respect your feedback, so give it to us!

Secondly, the stupid poll about where I am gone is finally taken down since I am back. FYI, I was gone not because of the reasons in the poll but it was due to a time traveler kidnapping me for a inter-galactic sales call. Meh. It’s time for a new poll and I blame the anger in my head for this really weird poll. I swear it is my viewing of “Lost” and the games with Battle Royale-styled themes. Anyway, tell us why you think a certain blogger would win (I personally know who would, actually) in an online Battle Royale fight? Tell us how the fight will go, and the likely weapons we might use.

Edit: Fixed author’s page.

Big things are happening in the UN and Zentradi forces, changes that will fundamentally alter the nature of the rest of this conflict and the future of the two peoples. Millia tracks down Max to settle her duel, only to have the two of them fall for each other and proceed all ahead full into marriage not long afterwards. Max seeks Hikaru’s advice and blessing, and then the ceremony takes place, the first between a human and a Zentradi. This is broadcast onboard the Macross, to UN HQ, and is intercepted by the Zentradi fleet, further spreading human culture to their current enemy. With the effects of ‘culture’ being felt more strongly, Britai decides to send a peace envoy rather than have his fleet tear itself apart, further encouraged to do so by the distinct possibility that Bodolzza will annihilate his contaminated fleet along with the Macross and Earth.

Millia puts on her Chiri face for the fight, throwing Max a knife and challenging him to fight.

Love counter!

YES!

Max and Millia will kick reason to the curb and make the impossible possible! MAX WO OMAE DARE DA TO OMOTE YAGARU?!

The wedding proceeds quickly thereafter, with most of the characters in attendance and Max and Millia making a grand entrance via Valkyrie. The ship and its fighters create a brilliant display for this flight outside as Max’s VF-1J approaches the ship. After their arrival and vows Captain Global gives a speech that initially touches on the conflict and reasons for mistrust between the humans and Zentradi, but then continues into his main point about how this moment is the first step forward towards ending the fighting and living together in peace. The happy couple is presented with the coolest wedding cake ever and the guests erupt in cheers at their joining.

So that’s the real reason Max got upgraded to a VF-1J: so he could have a backseat.

The Macross spared no expense in celebrating this most worthy union.

They’re so cute. But badass. But cute. But badass. But cute.

The inspiring sight even gives hope to the Genshiken nerds. Bridge bunnies like otaku I guess?

By far the sweetest wedding cake in the history of mankind.

Their offspring will be invincible!

Not everyone is so happy about this. But who could possibly stand against the power of both mecha and love?

At the ceremony Minmay also sings for everyone there and watching at home, and in a sign of her improving skills as a singer her song once again touches those who hear it. Even Misa, far away at UN HQ, hears it and thinks of Hikaru fondly. Though increasingly she’s feeling isolated from him and the rest of her friends as the Alaska Base continues preparations to use the Grand Cannon. Captain Britai was also watching the broadcast, and reluctantly determines that he must follow his orders and destroy the Macross. The order to launch and attack is given. Fighting breaks out between the fighters and Millia advises Max of a weakpoint in the Regults that allows them to be disabled with one shot. Despite siding with the humans, she doesn’t wish to see more of her fellow Zentradi destroyed. Hikaru notices Max’s attacks and does the same, disabling most of the Regults that they encounter. Onboard Zentradi ships followers of the Cult of Minmay threaten violence if the attack is not called off, a large portion of the fleet now under the sway of human culture. Britai then calls off the attack and both sides consider their next moves.

Minmay’s songs brings forth many memories and emotions.

They probably wanted a Klingon wedding ceremony but couldn’t find any Batleths.

The Valkyries scramble to intercept the attack as Global wonders about the future of the conflict.

Britai is now disobeying the orders of his superiors.

At home after the fight indulges in some ‘can’t cook’ moe.

While next door Hikaru just misses Misa more after seeing the happy couple.

Some time after a Zentradi capital ship approaches the Macross, broadcasting a message that it wishes to send an envoy aboard to negotiate a cease fire. Kamjin tries again to disrupt any attempt at peace, to which Britai forcefully responds by shooting down several of Kamjin’s fighters. Onboard a Regult, Archivist Exedol is brought to the Macross in Miclone form to conduct the negotiation. Captain Global, his senior officers, Max, Millia, and Hikaru are all assembled for the meeting. Exedol also requests the presence of Minmay and the superhuman he saw in the martial arts movie, having mistaken Kaifun’s special effects for actual abilities. There he informs them of the threat to both Earth and the Britai fleet now that the main force under Bodolzza has been mobilized. After some further negotiation, it is decided that the forces under Britai’s command will join with the Macross against the main Zentradi forces. This is fortuitous timing for Laplamiz has just informed Bodolzza of recent events and the fleet is preparing to fold in as soon as it can. While Kaifun surrenders to despair, everyone else is ready for the fight, and with Exedol’s information on the main fleet’s command structure they may well stand a chance. Britai speaks with his other commanders, and Laplamiz joins with him while Kamjin decides to make a break for it. Though I suspect we haven’t seen the last of him. I’m betting he’ll return to the stage at an opportune moment later in the story.

Britai has had quite enough of your antics Kamjin.

…

LOL.

Back on Earth, Misa tries unsuccessfully to convince her father to approve her transfer back to the Macross to join her comrades in the coming battle. Somehow I think she’ll make it back soon, orders or no orders.

I suppose she was just following orders, but given her later decision to join Britai you’d think she might have waited before deciding to inform Bodolzza.

We now need Max to sing his Minmay cover/remake,  ”Ore no waifu mo piloto.”

An historic moment.

Minmay does one last song before the fight to ready the troops.

Well they are pretty sweet planes.

If the Bodolzza’s ships block out the sun then the Macross shall fight in the shade!

Final Thoughts: – The Millia/Max wedding was very sudden, but they make such a both sweet and awesome couple that I don’t care. They just better not get any of that dying together that they keep talking about!

- Some of the Zentradi joining with the humans has seemed like a strong possibility for a while now. Now with a common enemy and still many episodes left to go, I wonder where this conflict will end. There seems to be far too much time remaining for the issue to be resolved in the space around Earth where most of the fighting has taken place. The UN HQ’s response to all this could also throw things into disarray unless they coordinate with the Macross-Britai fleet.

Welcome to blogging Mabdese! (added by ExecutiveOtaku)

Dearest readers, friends, and hangers-on of THAT!  ExecutiveOtaku here, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the newest member of our blogging team/family/international hikkikomori conspiracy: Mabdese! She has impressed us with the breadth of her interests and experience in the fandom, and we hope you will welcome her to the blog and enjoy her entries. Ah, to think that only a few months ago I was the newbie and now I’m introducing our newest writer. Oh the transience of blogging youth! Without further ado, I hand the remainder of this post over to my good friend Mabdese.  Welcome to the team!

Hello all you readers out there in THAT land! It is I your newest addition to the blogging crew, Mabdese. I’ve come to you from a distant land to save you from the mediocrity that plagues all of our lives. For my first series I’ll be reviewing Kobato and probably doing recaps of this seasons hot new j-drama Samurai High School. I’m sure you must be wondering what anyone could add to this wonderful blog but I’ll do my best to do the following things:

- Adding my unique feminine/old school insight into anime in weekly editions of reviews/recaps.

- Review some j-drama, stage plays, albums, and other tangential aspects of anime.

- Keep a keen eye out for overlooked animes.

- Have a wonderful sense of humor about otakudom.

Now I know you, you’re thinking hold up, who is this? so I’ll introduce myself properly. I’ve been in anime fandom for nearly 11 years now ever since attending a sci-fi convention and accidentally watching Eva.  I am an avid (sometime rapid) fan of 90’s anime and probably one of the last people to hop the bandwagon before for the internet. In case you are wondering about my street cred, I watched Macross  7 in my friends basement on third generation VHS with the subtitles nearly unreadable back in ‘99.

I’ve been involved in the behind the scenes for a few conventions, been the head of panels, written fanfics and done some cosplay. I have shaken the hands of many seiyuus I admire and connected with some really great friends through anime. By day I’m your average 20-something with a full time desk job. I  live Seattle, WA currently but grew up in NYC and double majored in linguistics and communications with a minor of Japanese. I love to cook and write and play video games. My anime interests are usually more girly with some my favorite series being Saikano, Earth Girl Arjuna, Paradise Kiss, and Blue Sub 6. I happen to like ecchi series a lot as well especially ones like Oku-sama wa Joshi Kosei, GreenGreen, and REC. My favorite anime might just be Record of Lodoss War. I own nearly all the merchandise produced for the series from wall scrolls to little action figures.

If you’re still not convinced I’m clearly awesome I submit this to you:

This is my soap dish. Yes, this is actually my soap dish.

I look forward to my time blogging here at THAT and hopefully forging more friendships through anime! Please support me~

In Benevolent Retribution for the unfair treatment of Sawako by Vichy-tan and her collaborators Lord Zeus has commanded that there be one test for every false rumor…

As the vicious rumor assault continues Sawko is forced to do some soul searching as to what she wants and how much Yano, Yoshida, and Kazehaya mean to her. Sawako concludes correctly that she can never go back to being alone and with Kazhaya’s prodding decides that her friends are worth it and the rumors be damned. In the mean time Yano and Yoshida do a bit of soul searching of their own and realize just how much Sawako meant to them and how they had overestimated themselves. Ryuu tries to work his charms on Yoshida and I get the feeling he’ll be winning ground on that front even if it measured in inches. Sadly Vichy-tan is not the only worthless bitch in the joint as Toilet-san is also a belligerent bitch who likes to talk shit about people based on silly rumors. Rumor has it she does donkey shows…
With that hopefully the antsy phase has passed as all parties come to grips with how to define what they mean to each other. Poor Sawako’s selflessness is at least moderated by the fact that Kazehaya assured her that a ruined reputation was worth her companionship and in the case of Yoshida at least the rumors were rehashed ones. Yoshida wants to trust Sawako but seeing Shino-san led to doubts, still I am sure all will be well once they meet face to face. I think animation quality dipped in places and most notably when Ryuu was trying to charm Yoshida, I understand that these aren’t the most well funded episodes in existence but it could have been better since it was supposed to be a sweet little moment of just the two of them. Ah well I assume that Ryuu will be a little more persistent in the future so not a total loss. What irks me is the unruly mob that now threatens Sawako with physical harm. I don’t pretend to understand women especially high school chicks but I would meet such belligerency with a head butt and a good knee before breaking out the concealed pistol and getting them all down on the ground and crying for mommy as they wonder if their miserable existences will survive so much as another minute. With any luck Yoshida will beat them all up with a roll of toilet paper. I can’t wait for the healing to begin and I have to say that the whining wasn’t so bad, though mostly because of Yoshida’s SD moments. Kazehaya came out fighting from the outset and didn’t even undergo much doubt at all, though I am getting an increasing sense of “bad feeling have I” when he grabbed Sawako’s hands.

ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako

Vichy-tan’s vile slander continues to do damage, but its effects are rapidly dissipating as the shock has worn off with Sawako’s friends. Using such terrible and illegal weapons in her unprovoked attack the Sawako Alliance, Vichy-tan has violated many treaties including the Geneva Protocol on Shoujo Warfare and as such has forfeited any of the protections of civilized love warfare. Armis bella non venenis geri, Vichy-tan, or in this case “Shoujo war is fought with love, not with poisonous slander”. As the members of the Sawako Alliance begin to reflect further on the falsehoods spread throughout the school, they develop more as characters in their own rights, which is one of the things that’s really setting the series apart from most shoujo.

Sawako reaches her nadir of despair, wondering if it’s possible to go back to not being happy, but quickly rebounds and after a talk with Kazehaya redoubles her efforts. Kazehaya in particular shined in this episode, taking a firm stance against the lies and boldly encouraging Sawako to rise above the rumors and to believe in her friends’ affection for her. Inspired, she sets out to dispel the rumors and clearly express herself to Yano and Yoshida, and in the course of this happens upon some lowlife girls talking about the rumors in the bathroom. While trying to set their degenerate minds straight she’s cornered by a particularly aggressive one. But clenching her fist in what I hope is the windup to a Gekigan Punch to the face of said girl, we see the determination evident in the eyes of our beloved heroine. Physically threatening postures will not be tolerated, and should Sawako currently lack the resolve hopefully Yano and Yoshida will arrange an appropriately unpleasant day for said belligerent girl that will not be quick and will not be enjoyable. I look forward to the next episode when things look set to be cleared up within the Alliance and perhaps Vichy-tan will show her cowardly face for once. May the mistress of the dark lands come forth, and have justice done upon her!

DAAAWWWW of the week. My head nearly exploded from the cute overload.

Kazehaya also hurts from Vichy-tan’s dishonorable lies. But he seems the most resolute member of the Alliance, and will walk through fire and shadow for his love.

At least loneliness even looks beautiful in this series. I like how there’s just barely a little bit of color for the floor directly beneath the desk, but that it is without much detail.

Believe in the Kazehaya who believes in you! KAZEHAYA IS SHOUJO GAR!

Lelangir put it this way on Twitter: “OH KAZEHAYA-KUN YOU’RE SO FORCEFUL TAKE ME TO BED! щ(ﾟДﾟщ)”

Ever so humble Sawako, you must learn to accept that which is freely given.

Double cute combo!

Ryu went from completely in the background to having his own personality in this scene. And Yoshida freaking out to him about Sawako was great. Heh, the guy who comes off as gruff and silent and the violent tomboy; they kind of have a Ryuuji/Taiga thing going there.

Good to know the previously silent guy has a sense of humor.

Reminds me a little (visually) of a favorite scene from FLCL episode 01.

Loved the crazy Sawako eyes, loved the pan up then reverse and pan down transition to this shot from the previous scene.

The face of determination.

Crusader’s Photographic Record of Kazehaya War II

A friend that intents to prove that the seat is blessed and lucky by acing this test.

All that is left is for you all to be on a first name basis.

They will be there no matter what, or at least I will hold them to that.

Beware the agents of Vichy-tan though they may be fair in appearance they are utterly alien to civility.

Why not?

I fear something terrible has happened…

Your denial makes me wish that you will soon feel the revenge of reality though in your case you might actually benefit from it.

Dreams do come true for those who earn the blessings of Almighty Zeus.

The agents of Vichy-tan deserve no help from you, your mere existence is anathema to them for it reminds them of how much they suck.

To fix this problem you will need a wrench…to fix Vichy-tan good.

So long as you don’t half ass it then you were of significant help.

The face of epiphany…

By Zeus she cannot even tell a lie!

In retribution for the unfair treatment of Sawako by Vichy-tan and her collaborators Zeus has commanded that there be one test for every false rumor…

The only reputation worth keeping is the one that make your enemies cower in fear…

It’s not that she cared she was just overly aware is all…

When you make a stand and draw the battle lines…

Oh but it is…

It’s a mutual agreement otherwise that stalking…

This looks rather…disconcerting…

You have yet to control your fear…

Fuck what the rumors say.

Quit being cheap and get her a Starbucks Double Shot.

Sawako is most fiscally responsible for it would be bad if Kazehaya held a lot of her debt…

You know what would make you feel even better? Reaffirmation of your friendship with Yano and Yoshida.

The one who started these rumors must also be silenced…

The feeling is mutual…

Why do I get the sense that Kazehaya has been doing some stalking of hiw own…

You’d be invincible as Alphard onee-sama given the low power levels in this student body.

:3

If only this led to a BIG FIGHT…

And Pin is quite stupid because of his Spiky-kun apperance…

But it will make you feel better…

The root of all evil…

I’d rather Yano fix you…

Indeed she should throw in some science fiction too…

Ah is see…

Yes you seem destined for an osana-jimi pairing…

I agree with the former, but not the latter…

Beating up rumor generating  bitches is not a bad thing…

With a lawn chair and a shotgun right?

And he ran…

Were it so easy…

Vichy-tan can’t get under Yoshida’s skin in a direct assault, but her target is Sawako…

You aren’t stupid, you’re just blunt and direct.

The confusion will pass…

Then I suppose these will be some rough times you have before you…

Their numbers are negligible and they are stupid.

Good point…

Well until now…

You would have gotten it eventually…

And HOW!

You will meet eventually…

…she didn’t finish her sentence…

Still waters run deep.

There are many reasons for evasive action, like avoidance of catastrophic collisions.

I bet…

Oh ho…so some one has been bitten b the love bug too.

We shall see about that…

Sneaky diction I bet like “conflicts other than war”…

Sawako should not go into manga that is for certain…

At least it is awesomely bad…

Noe finds these to be True Tears.

It makes me rather mad…

Just goes to show how the average person is a total douche bag.

Now at the end do you understand?

…

So was I if you remember.

Why does everyone assume Yano doesn’t think?

I say let the spice True Tears flow.

Your knowledge is a but a fraction and small one at that, but it can be increased…

The fun is finding out.

In a way not being newtype now is rather bothersome, but so long as we don;t get funnels and beam spam we should be good…

Again the fun is in finding out…

As it should be.

How about now?

Love is a beautiful thing.

…

I just got a dirty thought in my head when I saw complicated…

So LET’S BE FRIENDLY eh?

Clear your mind of thoughts…

That one in the middle farted…

They are part of your fire team.

Amen Sister!

Laugh it up bitches, but you should see what Zeus will do to your face. He’ll show you his true feelings for you…

How about you face her one on one?

Unless you plan on kissing her I insist you back off…

I like this parting shot.

Well a bucket of sweat saves a gallon of blood, that it does…

After a wee bit of background on Biribiri and her boy troubles we get some glorious fluff about Kuroko and Uiharu. While both are rather young in years they were quite adorable in when still in elementary school. I was surprised that Kuroko was so negative about going to Tokiwadai and had some very nasty things to say about the Tokiwadai no Ace. Uiharu however seems to have always been into yuri and imagined going to school with Long Haired Kanako and Ayarin, I wonder how far her fantasies go…

At any rate Kuroko seems to be Alphard onee-sama and Liang Qi’s adopted love child given how she has strong similarities to both. Her combat abilities were superb for a young girl at her age and her courage was beyond questioning. Still while herèlan is in force it needs to be sharpened by experience which I shall enjoy watching her gain. Kuroko’s first opponent was a champion marble player gone bad but despite the difference in size Kuroko bested him and made a firm stance on her ideals. Perhaps one day Kuroko could be the hero Alphard wanted to be, but at any rate in Kuroko Alphard and Liang Qi’s spirit shall live on. I will follow Kuroko’s career with great interest… Uiharu might have zero combat ability but I like how she stood up against Kuroko who forgot their childhood promise. At the very least Uiharu isn’t spineless and can stand up for what she thinks is right. Ah to be young again full of ideals and immune to cynicism. Overall I liked it better thanCalawain because I think Kuroko is awesome in her own right, even if she wasn’t assaulting her onee-sama.

Calawain’s Admiration of Railguns

Pretty mediocre episode overall, with fillertastic nonsense mostly surrounding Uiharu, by far the weakest character of the four mains. Reckless loli Kuroko was rather awesome though, no guts no glory. The distinct lack of Biribiri really took a toll on the quality of this episode.

Crusader’s AWACs of Kuroko’s Admiration for Onee-sama

Come ON! ONE FOR THE CORPS!

…

Hmm…It seems Kuroko was passing out PC Parts cocktails for a sometime…

…

Just because you have been in the field doesn’t mean you have been in the shit…

In boot camp everything you do is wrong, what matters is that you never give up.

…

I habve prayed long for a year of yuri and BEHOLD!

Uiharu believes in overwhelming superiority.

Only if you go in with with teleporting needles blazing…

Well a bucket of sweat saves a gallon of blood, that it does…

Kuroko would rather write love letters to onee-sama…

…

Well that diffused her anger quick…

Oh ho…an illicit affair between two imoutos…

That’s one way of getting excuses to spend time together…

Take your time.

It’s just not fun when Uiharu doesn’t get all flustered.

I bet…

Komori rather enjoys her yuri couples.

Tenderly of course.

I see that the Yuri is strong in this series, just look at those two girls ogling Uiharu…

Oh it’s confession time…

…

So can you you please accept Kuroko as you petite soeur…

Kuroko wants to kick ass and take names…

Kuroko wants to outshine all the others like her mother Alphard onee-sama.

:3

The Yuri is strong in this one.

Someone likes to pet the loli…

There is no “I” in team but there is a “we” in weapon…

It’s only because you are so cute.

Uiharu be stalking.

…

O_o

Looks like it.

Oh but when you are older you will want it the other way around.

It was destiny…

…

It totally should be like this.

But it is better to live in a fantasy of Kanako’s creation that go along with moribund reality.

Hard to believe she would be gushing about being a proper lady and sipping tea later in life.

Well they will raise that level cap in the next WoW expansion.

Well a bucket of sweat saves a gallon of blood, that it does…

Oh you will know her name and never forget it, that you will…

I trust that eventually you will never be so glad you were wrong…

Futari ga kitto  deaeruyouna mahou wo kakete
Ryoute wo sotto kasanetehora hohoemukara

Komori wants to see if Kuroko is wearing that T-Back…

Integrated scouter…?

I suppose so assuming he plans to hang himself…

So stern this one is…

I see that Alphard onee-sama’s love of boots has rubbed off on Kuroko too…

She’s an ojou-sama from a distinguished family that has been continued for a thousand years, skilled in both literary and military arts,  with wit and beauty, the intensity of summer, the grace of autum, the pride of winter, and the gentleness of spring…

All too easy…

Why are you using a fruit knife fruit cake?

Such corporate loyalty…

I like it’s line of thinking…

Tell that to James T. Kirk…

Unless you BIG BANG PUNCH the guy right off the bat and SMASH HIM INTO ATOMS.

Yes Komori sempai copped a feel before losing consciousness…

This guys stinks so bad it make Uiharu cry…

Skinship~desu.

…

Oddly enough couldn’t Kuro0ko just have teleported the jerkass into the ATM?

You need more training, not ready for the burden were you…

Back in those days Biribiri was known as the Pink Muffler.

Too bad you throw so slow, otherwise you could have been a great pitcher…

I felt like facepalming too…

I like that look of disgust she has…

Kuroko is not interested in boys in general…

Will always loooooove youuuuuu…

I see that Alphard onee-sama shared with you her deepest regret…

Well some one is compensating for his lack of balls…

…

Your recovery time is shit.

…

I would have likes to see him try…

At least Uiharu is not taking all the credit…

The Pink Muffler Strikes AGAIN…

Komori doesn’t share Kuroko’s love of underwear, seems she has no love for underwear period…

I am going to hold you to that.

LET’S BE FRIENDLY…

Indeed how could you forget…

I hope your apology goes better that Captain Needa’s…

Next post will be your turn to SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS.

Obi Wan has taught you well…

May one day you four be the Immortal 4th Team…

Alte Kameraden auf dem Kriegespfad

I'm back!

You should see how much I’ve grown. Or not.

Yeah, it’s been almost a year since I last blog anything. 3 more papers till I’m finally free from my nightmare of having to take paper after paper after paper after paper after paper…

Oh, sorry. Did I rant too much? Silly me.

Yeah, so while I was away, I still get the chance to see quite a few anime series, some as good as Kimi ni Todoke, Umineko and Eden of the East and the crappy ones like Asura Cryin’ (Did not cry, you piece of junk), Miracle Train (Man, I don’t anyone watches it, but I only watch it for the sake of boredom.) and 07-Ghost (I’m starting to hate Studio DEEN ever since I watched Vampire Knight, but I’m still respecting it due to their involvement in Umineko, which is still as awesome as the 1st episode.)

Before I began ranting how much I’ve struggled over the year, let’s get into it. (Note: List of anime I’ve watched is not in order of the worst to the best and vice versa. I just jot down things that my brain pops up.) Erm, I’m getting extremely loquacious, let’s move on.

Note: Will be listing a number of series from Production I.G, Studio DEEN and Bones. It’s a good year for them, fortunately.

Eden of the East

Ahh…before it was aired, I thought it was some kind of unoriginal crap I’ve been getting after watching crappy anime series again and again. But the 1st episode proved me wrong. Love the ED sequence especially, with the creative use of paper, paper and more paper. And the best way for our main protagonist Akira to suffer from amnesia. (Why is he naked in the first place? D:)
Unfortunately, the story suffers in the middle and towards the end, but it get me some time to get used to the terminology of the series and know what on Earth is going on. But I shall praise for the clean animation (Though I’m not used to the character design. I guess that’s me.) and the decent use of CGI as many series which used CGI turns out like shit in the end.

Score: 8.5/10

Fullmetal Alchemist:Brotherhood

My friend and I sometimes compared this with the original series that aired a few years ago. Coming to a conclusion, this series is very, very faithful to the manga (With some minor changes of course, but it doesn’t affect largely on the series.) unlike some other anime series like Vampire Knight and 07-Ghost which butchered the plot in the face of fans of the manga series. This series mixes humour and seriousness together quite well, keep it up, BONES (Thumbs up.) and also triggers my emotions at certain scenes (Such as Winry meeting the murderer of her parent Scar and the recent Ishbal massacre that made me feel sympathetic towards the soldiers who are involved in this war and angry for those who started it.)

Yeah, it was good with unexpected plot twists (For those who avoid reading the manga or just too lazy to check it out. I’m one of them) and the animation was crisp and detailed. It’s still ongoing, so go check it out if you can, though you have to tolerate the violence and gore in some of the episodes (Warning to those who can’t stand gore.) The music is good, anyways. (Rush to check out OPs and EDs.)

Score: 9/10

Umineko no Naku Koro ni

Man, it’s getting more and more exciting. Until now it has been a very one-sided match between Battler and Beatrice, but episode 19 has gotten my feet up together to see the awesomeness once more, most of all the inclusion of Battler’s half-younger sister, Ange, and the use of blue text, which pars the power with Beatrice’s red text. Of all the WTF moments they have, this series is probably the 1st of all series I’ve listed to have it (Next to FMA: Brotherhood.) Though some parts Studio DEEN cut are also very crucial to the story (Which there are too many of them to list down.), they still do quite a great job on it and keeping as much consistency as possible, all thanks to the director who also did on Higurashi. (At least they did the right thing to picked someone experience to do Umineko, or else I would have switched this series off long ago.) I love the OP, but I don’t really get what the ED has to do with the series though I’m starting to get the hang of the ED. And unlike VK and 07-Ghost, they avoid showing their flaws as much as possible.

Score: 8.5/10

Kimi ni Todoke

Feels so familiar, now that I’m leaving school after my papers are over. Time for me to get a part-time job before my magic paper pops right in front of me before I know it. Back to the topic, it’s unique in its own way and the character design is on par with the manga. The pacing is good, as least for those who just want to chill in everyday life and make yourself happy. But most of all, I feel the same way as Saint Sawako Kuronuma, feeling the same way of being somewhat of an outcast and starts to open up to have friends who really care about her. Like FMA: Brotherhood, I’ve cried several times in the series, just like how Ouran has made me laugh of their shallow jokes and nonsense.

The only problem with the series is the male lead (Don’t bash me up, it’s only my opinion, not yours.). Don’t really know if a person like Kazehaya can exist in reality, but to me, he’s trying to be to please everyone (Or not) but he could just be trying too hard or become a yes-man to everybody (Except for a few instances.) But other than that, the characters are quite lovable, especially Pin, the temporary homeroom teacher of our fellow main characters. Just really wish that an anime series can stand out in their own way rather than being just carbon copies of each other.

Score: 9.5/10 (Yes, call me biased, or whatever.)

CANAAN

With plenty of bitches (Liang Qi), woman that fight and show off their guns (Alphard and Canaan) and very annoying girls who always acts as damsel in distresses (Maria Osawa, Yunyun but not as much as Sugoi Girl as some of our members in THAT put Maria as), I only watched the series for its animation awesomeness and the UA virus that has been affecting very important people, such as the Vice-President of Japan and the villagers who were infected by it. Well, it’s the only Type-Moon series I’ve watched, aside from the Kara no Kyoukai movie series, so I don’t know if this series is a miss or hit. I empathize how many of you by your reaction of Maria’s character (And speaking of Osawa, I almost mistaken from a pr0n star by the same name, only that her surname is Ozawa instead of Osawa). Also, that reminds me of a girl in Miracle Train that somehow talks like Osawa at the beginning of episode 5 with sugoi, sugoi sugoi!!!! Still, once again, P.A. Works has prove us right that they can do action scenes as well.

Score: 7.5/10 (All because of Maria. That’s why.)

Asura Cryin’

This series is trying too hard to squeeze too many things, mainly a mecha theme, a harem (And a very stereotypical one in that.), science fiction, magic and way too many things that I found myself unable to count after 5.

The animation doesn’t really stand out (Seven Arcs, why???) and the only reason why I watched this series because I thought it has potential aside from it’s animation, but I was wrong. Let’s not talk about all these things, shall we? At least it has the guts to try out something new, but the 2nd season has pushed the series in oblivion. So I’m going to end my rant here, once and for all.

Score: 4/10

Shangri-La

I only start watching this series till the end at the middle of the series, ’cause the earlier parts has turned me off. Despite GONZO in the brink of bankruptcy and all (So sorry if I am inaccurate at GONZO’s position of that time. I was away from the anime world at the earlier part of the year.) and it was quite consistent, from the looks of it. This series gives us some time to get used to the world they are living in, and imagine what will happen to the world. (Please do not talk about 2012 all over again for me. I’m somehow sick and tired of this prediction, may it be true or not.) But they pulled a rather rushed ending, but I think that’s GONZO for you.

Score: 7/10

Valkyria Chronicles

Probably one of the most decent anime adaptation from a console game. Been very wary of reviews that anime adaptations from a console game doesn’t live up to an average anime standard (Maple Story, Ragnarok etc.) but for Valkyria Chronicles, it’s still quite acceptable (I don’t own a PS3, if you ask.). But also, I’ve been doing some research about the game too (And it’s sequel releasing next year in Japan.) and found out that some parts in the game are missed out but there’s no way for us to do anything, now that the damage has been done. But unfortunately for me, I stopped watching the series halfway (One reason was that I was too stressed if I am able to continue this series, so I didn’t really see the later half.) but it was still quite both a surreal and refreshing experience for me.

Score: 8/10

07-Ghost

This series has left my friend crying and lamenting in a corner, for obvious reasons. The anime doesn’t live up to the standards as the manga.

At first, before the airing of the anime, my friend encouraged me heavily to catch this series, “’cause the manga’s really good,” she says. Then, after the 1st episode aired, she went fuming away, and only stayed to watch it to compare the difference between the anime with the manga. Me, like she said, I picked it up, but the 1st episode gives me a feeling that it’s gonna suck. (Sorry, fan girls, if I have hurt your feelings about this series, which I will explain later below.)

Now and then do I pick up any random episodes as for and when I like and watch it, but seeing the characters and story unfold very slowly and painfully has got me click ‘back’ whenever I get really upset. Speaking of which, whenever I watched any of the scenes in any episode, I always have this Vampire Knight (anime) vibe onto me, telling me to stop watching this piece of crap and do more useful things instead of hogging in the computer all day long. It was a bad experience watching all the characters having stale personalities, but the animation and special effects are still decent. (When I asked my friend about it, she told me that the anime is only the exam arc or something, ’cause I never want to try getting into the series, fearing that the manga will hurt my feelings more.)

Score: 6/10 (At least the animation and special effects are decent.)

And there are some series that aren’t worth mentioning, but since mentioning, I’m only giving a three-sentence review about it and only watched them out of boredom and curiosity. So don’t ask why.

Note: I’ve only watched a glimpse about the shows, or read about others review of the series’ below either from word-to-mouth or from random sites :

1. K-ON!: Too much moe blob, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT! (Especially Mio, I don’t see why so many Japanese otaku or whatnot picked her as a waifu if she exists in real life.) but it doesn’t appeal to me. Dropped.

2. Haruhi Suzumiya: Didn’t bother to watch it. I’ve heard from several reviews that the 2nd season is quite bad, especially the Endless Eight arc. Dropped.

3. Phantom: I’ve heard from some anime sites that said that the story and action is pretty good. I shall pick it up someday, though I don’t know if this is a good time.

4. Pandora Hearts: Again, some anime sites actually praised the plot as an underrated series. The animation reminds me of those 90’s anime style. I was still very young then, about 5 or 6.

5. Saki: MAHJONG POWAR! Reminds me of the Yu-Gi-Oh series, which I don’t really even bother. Oh well, epic fail. (Only watched the 1st episode, and then it turns all crappy of yuri undertones and the WTF power-up like those seen in typical shounen titles.) Dropped.

6. White Album: Only watched the first episode of season two, shut the series down after completing the same episode. A no-no for me. Dropped.

7. Cencoroll: Impressive, given that this is done only by one person (Besides Makoto Shinkai). I was still quite confused what the plot is about rather than fighting one another with monsters or something.

8. Higurashi OAV: It was really well written both humorous and serious. I kind of loved the last episode of the OAV, at least the mahjong part was not as creepy as Saki. (Should pick it up, even if you don’t know what on earth is going on in the previous 2 seasons.) Unlike all the other series, I watched the entire series from the 1st to the last.

9. Maria Holic: At least it was funny and the animation style kind of separates this from the rest (Except for Kimi ni Todoke, which also uses their own unique style). I would want to catch a second season if they have it, despite the yuri theme, gender bender and Catholic schools aspects.

*10. Bakemonogatari: Fine. Some of you insist on this series, I shall talk about it in 3 sentence (Or not.). Okay, I confess that I didn’t have time to watch this, but I’ll definitely watch the entire series when my paper ends on Wednesday. Back to the topic, I only watched episode 13 of the series, and I was pretty surprised (In a good way) of the way the characters speak and the artistic style. (I guess Director Akiyuki Shinbo has many series in his hands this year.) Do I intend to write this within 3 sentence? Yeah, so I shall check back to Bakemonogatari within this week, if I have the time.

So there you go. Maybe the few anime series may not be so few after all. Yikes! While I was away, I too picked up my obsession with Avatar: the Last Airbender (Ya, I know this sounds out of the blue speaking about non-anime stuff in an anime blog) and I can’t wait for Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep to be released early next year in Japan after some disappointment with 358/2 Days from some fans of the series (But I’m still quite happy the story and gameplay turns out in the end.) with plans to get my on PSP, in which my brother has one but often uses it when in the army.

Three more thing before I forget. One, I won’t be blogging any series from the beginning till the end (I’ve learnt my lesson after Vampire Knight and World Destruction did to me.) and may just pop out anywhere as I like. Two, I need you guys to comment and mention the worst fathers (Sorry, no non-fictitious names of dads here.) in animation history (That includes video games and non-anime series, such as Avatar. Movies outside Japan are not allowed.), though I have some on my mind. I’ll tell you the reasons why I’m doing this later on when I come up with the post. Three and lastly, I’m having the urge to change my name in THAT, but I don’t know if it’s possible till I ask one of the THAT writer, so until then, sayonara.

Hi all random THAT anime blog readers,

My nick is Impz and I currently reside in a place known as the abyss of bloggers. You know, the place where retired bloggers think about how cool they used to be and brag about their former glories. Obviously, I cannot even say that I have ever been popular, what with no one possibly remembering me. Self-pity is probably my greatest trait right now, so bite me. I want my random attention from random online people! With that out of the way, I can proudly announce the arrival of the newest afk blogger in THAT Anime Blog.

Nonsense aside, it has been a long while since I step into this blog. It’s really strange how I suddenly decided to pick up my keyboard, and decided to type some random things on this space. I thought I have gone past the hill and over the mountain when it comes to doing any form of blogging. A few days ago, Crusader messaged me and said that I have not blogged for three anime seasons. It suddenly dawned on me that it really has been a while since I last dealt with anything anime-ish. That is, if you exclude the obsessive reading of Skip Beat (DARN YOU, DICKTARO!) AND the rampant kyaa-ing for Kaichou wa Maid-sama manga. I also finally transited from a lazy student to a working adult in the Ministry of Education. It’s definitely a huge change. You will never appreciate weekends that much until you start on your first real job.

Anyway, fast forward 9 months to the present (I love totally terrible attempts at Segue). This season came with a bag of surprises. Kimi ni Todoke was hilarious, with Sawako an extremely adorable lead. I mean, who doesn’t like leads that are adorable without trying so hard to be the cute-kawaii anime girl? I am sick of anime girls who are pandering to anime fans simply through extreme crazy forms of cuteness. In addition, it has been a while since side characters become side characters instead of decorations. Come on, you have to admit that most side characters in shoujo series are like generic stereotypes that can be easily substituted with a dog… or a cheesecake. In addition, how can a shoujo fanboy find shoujo fare boring?

Yumeiro Patissiere is another shoujo, albeit more of a food series. It is hardly a form of artistic excellence by any measure; in fact you can even consider it rather childish. The main lead, Ichigo, is a very standard shoujo female lead. When I mean standard, I mean stupid, clumsy and generally a typical damsel in distress that needs her food knights to save her from getting fat screwing up all her baking and cooking. Yet, I find myself enjoying the silly childish antics. I might eventually grow to dislike the show, but currently I am lapping it all up.

Amusingly, I also found myself enjoying Kobato. Perhaps it is the light-hearted approach of the show. Perhaps, Kobato has that innocence that manages to penetrate this old cynical man. I cannot even accurately pinpoint what is right about the show. Is it the beautiful lush animation? Is it the fact that I enjoy Clamp works (I disliked Tsubasa Chronicles though)? I do not know, maybe you have an answer?

If you ask me if I will actually start blogging (or if anyone still cares to hear what I like to say), I don’t know. Still, it’s good to be back. If only for one post. That’s what all semi-retired unpopular bloggers like to say when they make a comeback, don’t they?

p/s: I also succumbed to the greatest sin of all anime bloggers: Watching Bleach with my girlfriend and actually liking it. It’s depressing, I know.

Though I fear some eventual subpar episodes as we pass the original 26 episode season mark (apparently the series was extended during its course), we have nothing but more awesome in this week’s episodes. The Zentradi boarding action is still on going at the start of episode 23 and the Zentradi Cult of Minmay for the most part succeeds in linking up with the UN Spacy forces. Then we have the fallout from recent events on both the political-military and romantic fronts. And then Misa departs for UN HQ on carrying vital information as Max and Millia make first contact.

Hikaru’s even pulling out the Max moves lately. It’s been pretty good seeing him develop as a pilot (instead of being naturally good from the beginning like so many mecha protagonists.)

You’re telling this to the wrong commander.

Kamjin’s reply.

The Zentradi initially make progress inside the Macross until the combination of UN reinforcements and Cult of Minmay deserters disrupt their lines and force a gradual retreat. Hikaru is dealing with the remaining forces when he comes to the amphitheater in time to see Kaifun make his move on Minmay. Eventually she pushes him away, but Hikaru has had enough of it, calls for a team to rescue them, and walks off in his VF-1. Around a nearby corner he runs into several Zentradi Regults and enters BERSERKER mode, charging straight into them and annihilating the group.

Kissing cousins.

Minmay, on the path to redeeming herself.

Sad robot.

“None of you Zentradi seem to understand. I’m not trapped in this ship with you. You’re trapped here with me!”

Why bother with Coordinator genetic engineering when all you need is rage?

The Cult of Minmay deserters disembark from their craft and surrender themselves to the UN forces. After the remaining hostile Zentradi retreat Hikaru is called to a meeting. There Global, Misa, Max, two senior officers, and the Genshiken Team are waiting to hear his opinion on whether or not the Zentradi deserters should be taken in or not. While his first reaction was to turn them down, after hearing Misa’s case and reconsidering he decides that his opinion as someone who has observed the Zentradi onboard their own ships is that they should stay. Integrating them may be difficult since all they’ve known is war, but they did come voluntarily at great risk to be part of human culture. Their DNA matches that of humans as well, but the two senior officers are not happy with Captain Global’s decision and feign illness to leave early. Surveying the damage later, Misa and Hikaru come across Minmay’s relatives who they inform of Minmay’s whereabouts. As they leave to visit her at the hospital, Hikaru and Misa agree to watch the restaurant and have another personal talk. They both wonder about the future of the Zentradi defectors, but the topics also turn personal, with Misa admitting that she’s over Kaifun, and that it was based only on his outward similarity to her past love. Hikaru is still not ready to admit what he knows to be true, and Misa selflessly suggests that he tell Minmay his feelings.

Broken, like the one it was modeled on. Still, given her recent improvements there may yet be hope for something other than the BAD END.

I’m interested in finding out what the Cult of Minmay faction will be doing now that they have been permitted to stay. Are they going to continue as pilots or just stalk Minmay?

They’ve been speaking to each other more and more seriously lately.

Pretty neat part where their talk about the war is matched by a flashback background. These episode are just full of cool shot sequences, as I’ll continue to comment on throughout this post.

Misa admits her past mistakes in the CUTEST MANNER POSSIBLE.

Before too long there is a scramble alarm and Hikaru rushes to launch. There is a brief skirmish of little significance, but afterwards Misa asks Global for permission to head to UN HQ and personally present the evidence and information on the Zentradi and their defectors that has recently been acquired in the hopes of opening negotiations. However she leaves without telling Hikaru, or anyone else, lest news of her trip get out and make the civilians jealous of her ability to return home.

Hikaru is still working the last of the Minmay out of his system, but shows a slight smile after Misa wishes him luck and for once they don’t bicker or take shots at each other.

Another one of those cool sequences. Goes from Misa in foreground with Hikaru walking away not knowing that she’s leaving, to split screen that rotates and reverses facing, then back to single screen with Hikaru in foreground and Misa in the back. Though I wasn’t wild about the sketch-drawn looking last frame that they ended the episode on, thought it took away from the feeling of movement that the rest of the sequence had.

As Misa prepares to leave several Valkyries are undergoing repairs as Max readies to escort her shuttle back to Earth and spots a FAST Pack, an attachment of some sort latched onto Hikaru’s VF-1. On the bridge Shammy continues her on the job training in Misa’s steed with slowly increasing success. Right before the shuttle takes off Misa phones Hikaru, telling him of the mission and her reasons for not telling him of her departure. After that, with the radar clear of enemies, Misa and her escort fighters launch for Earth.

Her supervisor checking up on her.

A new toy.

Max is going to be extra stylish in his newly repainted blue Valkyrie.

Is that Frau Bow in the background?

The shuttle proceeds to Earth until Kamjin and a group of Regults ambush it and its escort. Max’s team is greatly outnumbered, but it will take 20 minutes for reinforcements to reach them. At this point Capt. Global calls for the deployment of the ‘Booby Duck’ apparently the codename for the FAST pack-equipped Valkyrie. Hikaru climbs in and launches, the huge boosters attached to the top of the fuselage allowing him to arrive on scene extremely quickly. The setup is also equipped with a large amount of missiles, which he uses to clear a path through the Zentradi before firing reverse thrusters and shakily coming to a near stop. With Hikaru there Max’s team drives off the Zentradi attackers with only some damage to the shuttle.

Kamjin’s forces backlit by a globular cluster.

Certainly makes it bulkier, but in space it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Not recommended for atmospheric use.

Damn Max, 30?! Max is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and evidently there’s a severe bubble gum shortage on the Macross.

While they take up a lot of space, these seat/escape pod combos are a great idea for transporting VIPs.

With the Zentradi gone, the shuttle begins descending to Earth. Before Hikaru and the shuttle part ways he and Misa have a short conversation where he thanks her for being such a good tactical officer, even when he’s complained or given her a hard time for it. Signaling a good luck message with his VF-1’s lights, the two craft and individuals then part ways for now. Landing at Alaska Base, Misa greets her father formally and heads inside to discuss the future of the Zentradi defectors and Earth’s response to the enemy fleet.

A very nice gesture.

More camerawork eye candy. Camera is close up to each character then pulls away to show their craft. I haven’t really seen many shots like this in anime, only sometimes in certain modern, CG-using science fiction shows.

Hikaru is troubled when he returns to the Macross, trying to get over his past feelings for Minmay and also missing Misa greatly when Max, ever the good friend, tells him to cheer up and invites him out to an arcade for a diversion. Hikaru claims that he doesn’t miss Misa, but Max, displaying his tactical genius in both air combat and social situations, deftly maneuvers around this denial and continues on with his plan to cheer him up while subtly letting his words about missing Misa stand. Apparently Max is also the best simulator pilot on the ship as well, and he racks up quite a large amount of prize tokens playing a Valkyrie simulator. But there is another skilled real/game pilot there, and Millia is attracting a crowd with her skills.

Always good to have a friend like Max.

Lupin the Thiiiirrrrddddd.

Max is being especially cutsey in this scene. Must know Millia might be watching.

Holding court at the arcade.

Once Max spots Millia and her good fortunes at the game, he can’t help himself from challenging her to a game. She demands that he bet all his winnings to play, which he gladly does and sits down. A big crowd gathers, and everyone focuses their attention on their game. He even gives a quick wink to the girl that he’s so smitten with. They play a long and intense game, and Millia flashes back to her battle over the Pacific as the maneuvers employed by her opponent are spot on to those she encountered in the past. Eventually Max gets the better of her, but before she tries to leave in a huff Max grabs her hand and asks her out on a date. And she agrees, leaving Max quite the happy guy but Hikaru feeling even more down over his current romantic situation.

The clash of titans.

What the hell is up with the background characters this episode? Upper right of both of these has some very odd looking individuals.

Wish I had this moment in animated gif format.

Rock Em Sock Em Valkyries.

Aces in love.

When someone with a knack for estimating distances goes ecchi.

Max has no need for silly games and pretend wedding ceremonies.

Concluding events this time, Misa meets with her father at the UN Alaska base where she convinces him to talk the higher ups into negotiating with the Zentradi. While they agree to this, they’ve also determined that they will use the Grand Cannon built into the base first, and then negotiate once the Zentradi are weakened. Misa however doubts that power of the superweapon in the face of superior Zentradi numbers and technologies. Back on the Macross Minmay and Kaifun give a press conference as Kaifun is released from the hospital. Nosy reporters keep pressing them about whether they have a relationship, if they’re getting married, and about Hikaru. Minmay tells them that Hikaru is just a close friend and that she is not getting married to Kaifun. But then Kaifun makes things creepy by saying that he wouldn’t be opposed to marrying his COUSIN. Hikaru is further feeling depressed as Max comes in all giddy about his date, asking Hikaru for his opinion on the tie he’s going to wear. Going out for a walk he runs into Claudia, who gives him some sage advice, telling him that he shouldn’t be down about Minmay because he already has a much better girl. Without directly bringing up Misa’s name, Claudia tells him that people often miss what’s right in front of them, and that minor bickering is just an outward face of true feelings that have yet to reveal themselves. Roy and her were the same way, and she leaves Hikaru with this thought as the episode comes to a close.

Adm. Hayase: “Misa, I am your…”

Misa: “Yeah dad, I know, you bring up that reference every time we stand on this platform. It’s getting old!”

Adm. Hayase: “Search your feelings, you know it to be true!”

“My soul hurts.”

Genetically, your DNA would be.

Kind of has the private high school uniform look going on. Guess he’s betting on Millia having a thing for younger guys.

You are transparent…Claudia sees many things…She sees dere within tsun…She sees two great rivals – House Hayase and House Lynn – competing…She sees you at the center of it.

Final Thoughts: – The Zentradi defectors are going to be interesting to watch as they integrate with the humans and potentially have to fight their former comrades.

- Misa’s trip to UN HQ comes at an inopportune time for her and Hikaru, but perhaps it will both give him time to end things with Minmay.

- The UN higher ups have a point about using the cannon, but it could also be held in reserve as a bargaining chip in negotiations. If it doesn’t live up to expectations they will have shown their hand when it might be better to bluff.

- I think Max and Millia are about to get kyaaaa cute. I swear to God, if either of them die during the course of this series I’m going to freak the hell out.

- Now that I think about it, there is a lot less emphasis on the singing and music careers in this as opposed to Frontier. This is not a bad thing in my opinion.

Fire at will commander.

The day of reckoning has finally come and for some reason it seems that the girls are putting in 110% while the boys are making pathetic attempts to become traps. Thankfully Seitoukaichou had them shot and blown to little pieces. In the meantime Akane and Natsuru Girl-type are being costume raeped for fun and profit, emphasis on PROFIT. To get rich is glorious and indeed it seems that their class will get rich first. While they have decided to socialize Natsuru Girl-type, they milk it for all it is worth and ensure that socialism is not shared poverty by taking a rich harvest of photos. Natsuru Girl-type lost her dignity sometime ago but the end result was that Akane felt that she was now damaged goods but I am sure her partner will take full responsibility though it is glorious that she felt that she lost it to some yuri fangirls… Surely her preference for Natsuru Boy-type is a cover for her growing yuri lust. Sakura is late to the party as usual and misses out on all the fun Akane gloriously tells the stupid bitch off while clinging tightly on to Natsuru Girl-type’s arm. This sends Sakura packing and weeping and such is her pathetic state that she relies on Natsuru Boy-type to console her.

When time comes for the costume party Sakura gets puts the cart before the horse and chooses a wedding gown, too bad that is not how one gets BEST END and despite the greatest wishes of Natsuru Boy-type any wedding to Sakura will be by default inferior to that of AEU no ACE. At any rate it seems that in the lead up to the Festival the yuri fangirls were out in force and took the best seats in the house and/or slaughtered enough the male student body that competition for seats was minimal. This high school rocks as the Wildlife Hottie society has more women than men and these women can count SUGOI fast. So Natsuru Girl-type waltzes out as a Revolutionary Girl, but Sakura ruins everything with her over dramatic shoujo manga storyline (it hurt so much because it sounded so damn familiar), but Akane saves the day as Mysterious Girl A. It’s always more fun with Kampfer Akane as she stammered over a kissu, sadly not only did Akane fail to make good on her checkmate move and turn Sakura into a honeycomb, but she missed out on stealing the first kissu despite an uproarious demand that she stake Natsuru Girl-type’s lips. While Normal Akane gets trampled and roped in as a side dish for Natsuru Girl-type cosplays, Kampfer Akane was given a free pass, but alas she was too tsun tsun to do it. Still I hope her heart went SUGOI doki doki when Natsuru Girl-type was on top for once. I’ll leave it to Calawain to fanboy and pray for Shizuku to treat him like a pig, but in any case Shizuku won in the end and took Natsuru Boy-type’s first kiss. No doubt Shizuku-sama is a GREAT kisser, but nevertheless THAT ONLY COUNTS AS ONE. Also she who takes Natsuru Girl-types first kissu will be declared the Winner and a Woman of Destiny.

In other news it seems that Sakura forcibly conscripted four young otome with attitude as a possible third faction and Mikoto comes back but misses out on all the action. However Sakura in her infinite wickedness makes Mikoto into a Red Kampfer forcing two osana-jimi to fight against each other. As series that makes numerous references I am not too sure if only using lines is going to work all that well, I am not sure if a visual cue would have helped, but it does flatter my nerd sensibilities when I recognize certain lines. The “Are you my wings?” comment was disproportionately funny for me since it was one of my Alto-hime’s lamer lines. Still Kampfer continues to meet my expectations, limited in scope though they may be, and I hope the eye catches continually improve for I hope for my Kampfer Akane x Kampfer Natsuru one, I am sure it would be something. Still next week is The Return of Mikoto!

Calawain’s Cross Dressing Corner

I felt the drool coming down with Shizuku’s appearance halfway through the episode perched upon high with her legs crossed alluringly. Yum. I was very dissapointed in Natsuru’s lack of excitement over her offer to have him watch her change. He’s no fun sometimes.

The references in this show are quite often excessively lame. Why Shizuku had to dress up as Lelouch of all people…couldn’t it have been something sexier? I mean yeah he’s feminine and all, but not in a sexy way unless you are into BL. She made up for it with the hot makeout with Natsuru Boy-Type complete with the spit trail. Like Crusader I am rather looking forward to whom will claim the first kiss of Natsuru Girl-Type. We have a childhood friend in the wings who is sure to enter the competition in some fashion.

Crusader’s Record of the Kampfer Conflict

Ah the Trap Massacre, no one disobeys Shizuku-sama and lives long to brag about it.

WAI WAI YURI MANGA~desu.

I wonder when it will go on sale…

SIEG AKANE!

School has never been so much…fun.

Leave not piece of clothing untouched!

Oh Natsuru Girl-type wishes to resist…

Thus the punishment was most heavy handed…

The girls all paid for the uncensored version…

Shaken not stirred please.

Wait what is that thing…

Now that is using your resources well, no cost cosplay.

Let’s get them some real guns…

I hereby pronounce you waifu and waifu.

I see the girls like their nekkomimi meido too, I smell a cafe scheme…

You never had any…

Natsuru Girl-type must take responsibility!

I guess the VP is a righ ojou-sama if she could afford that…

To Get Rich Is Glorious.

BRILLIANT!

The dressing room is a privilege not a right…

This class will Get Rich First.

Indeed I was hoping you’d take your sweet time.

Sakura has the slows…

Tsk tsk making demands in someone else’s class.

Right can’t two girls change together in peace?

Bravo Akane tell that bitch how it is.

Your imaginary friends do not count…

This is true, Akane is merely protecting Natsuru Girl-type’s feeling of love.

CRY SOME MORE.

For Natsuru Girl-type needs a hero…

AND HOW!

Because Natsuru Girl-type is your one trueself.

Oh but Akane will see that face many more times…

Your Welcome.

Shizuku-sama likes to indulge her inner child.

She grew tired of SRS BUSINESS.

Oh wow GOLF.

Well aren’t we getting a ahead of ourselves…

You still can’t top Patrick…even in your dreams.

I see that there are many young Padawans who wish to be strong in the Yuri.

Just wait the best part comes later…

SING IN A CUTE VOICE!

Finders, keepers…

Oh wow maybe we’ll even get a loli-Kampfer…

True but it will make you powerful…

This story sucks…

Yeah I was liek WTF?

Well that’s one way of preventing waste…

Just to troll PETA of course.

This sounds familiar…

In Shizuku School bouquet CATCH YOU!

Indeed I have not even gotten to “we are gathered today…”.

Oh so close…

Sakura is most devious and treacherous.

And she will lay down the LAW!

Yes GTFO.

Awwww…

Akane doesn’t care…

Nobody is above the LAW!

No…this truly sucks.

Here, here!

I think it will be a while until she stops covering for that whore.

Now it is your turn to take advantage of the situation…

At that moment her whole life flashed before her eyes…

Akane fortune favors the bold…

I like where this is going…

DO IT AGAIN!

Ah another Macross fan, this awesome.

Indeed most of this school support my OTP. I think I will have many nice things to say about these girls.

Also the outfit was biodegradable.

And the crowd goes wild…

JUST AS PLANNED…

I see some one is having too much fun…T-minus 10 seconds until some one argues how illegal moves are SUGOI DEEP.

My Calawain’s thoughts exactly.

If only Akane did do a Revy Cosplay…

Ain’t nothing gonna break her stride…

ALL HAIL SHIZUKU!

Geass power shmeesh powers, all you need is a good knife…

Oh it’s Shizuku fun time…

Alright Shizuku fans I want to see who can shop themselves in with the most finesse…

Oooo more sparkles…

That must have been some kiss…

Well that gives new meaning to giving him a big wet one…

AND HOW! Good to know that Shizuku is such a good kisser, many a fanboy will be dreaming of her tonight...

Next Week, The Return of the Osana-jimi.

And Natsuru Girl-type will play the role of Leia…Sakura can be Jabba the Hutt

Kind of a slow episode this time, though the continuing theme seems to be that the characters’ world is becoming awash in youkai sword technology lately. Sesshomaru conducts more testing of the Tenseiga while Inuyasha and his team attempt to track down the source of the youki-absorbing blade they found and broke last episode. That searching is the main focus of this episode, but we also have the introduction of another agent of Naraku, Byakuya.

Seriously, it’s like it’s becoming a course in arms proliferation. Naraku has maintained the edge in conventional weapons and in numbers, and to counter this lately several parties have embarked on research and development of their own new systems. Goryoumaru obtained his new armor shell as part of the short-lived coup. Sesshomaru continues to conduct weapons tests with weaponized Tenseiga, a dual-use technology that has been converted to an offensive weapon. Kouga has obtained the Goraishi from the burial grounds of his ancestors, making him a much stronger force than before. And Inuyasha has begun tracking down the rogue state of this scenario after he finds a youki-absorbing blade in the hands of a very minor actor.

After consulting with Totosai and tracking the source of the blade to a village, Inuyasha, Kagome and their compatriots find it under attack by a youkai. As it attacks it smashes a building to reveal the blacksmith that forged the Dakki. The youkai itself has a youki-absorbing shield that drains the force of Tessaiga, but Inuyasha intentionally overloads it and destroys the youkai. Though after this is done the blacksmith, Toushuu, uses the new Dakki to absorb the power of the slain youkai which perfects the sword. We find out that the Dakki in the previous episode was just an incomplete prototype stolen from Toushuu, and that his real ambition was to obtain power via a complete Dakki. With this he begins to attack Inuyasha to claim the Tessaiga’s power and we get a real sword fight since Inuyasha’s youki attacks would just be instantly absorbed by the Dakki. The Tessaiga begins to chip under attack and youki-energy drain and eventually reverts to its plain katana form, but not before making a chip in the Dakki. Inuyasha sees this chance, and even with a drained weapon he manages to keep chipping away at the crack, breaking the Dakki and releasing its energy back to the Tessaiga. Toushuu is killed in the process, his arm fused to the broken blade, and Tessaiga even absorbs the scaled form of the Dakki.

Elsewhere Kouga encounters a youkai that has slain a group of his fellows and the survivor that it blackmailed into helping. Once he find the enemy he makes short work of it, but an unknown individual is standing there and diverts Kouga by putting the hostage onto a moth youkai. This eventually leads Kouga and the kid to Goryoumaru, who had just consumed the moth. Midoriko’s soul is having its weighing effect on his Shikon shards, but luckily for him Inuyasha and his group arrive. The two cooperate, and Kagome and Inuyasha hit hard at the spot where Sesshomaru wounded Goryoumaru, forcing him to retreat. Though when Inuyasha tries to use the new Tessaiga form, the blade quickly heats up and then explodes, sending him flying back and harming him in the process. Afterwards Byakuya reveals himself, saying he was merely an observer without identifying his affiliation. After departing he reports to Naraku, who is interested by this new development with the Tessaiga.

Crusader’s Song of Sango and Other Observations

Sadly Sango didn’t have much to do this episode as she sat on the sidelines with most of the cast as Inuyasha and Kouga start bickering again. It’s funny how both Sponge Bob-no-pants and Captain Yin relied on armor to carry the day, there has never been a point in warfare where armor trumped everything, apparently they did not get that memo and relied on fixed defenses instead of sophisticated ECM packages coupled with high mobility, with fancy foot work. Naraku leads his Youkai Soviet but even with this conscript army it is not match the Lord of the West, or Sango and her band of merry morons plus Kagome and Kirara. Ah well the arms race continues but I am hoping for the Upgrade Complete to sound off so things start moving again. I wonder if Byakuya’s sword is merely for show if not he’s going to need a few upgrades.

Executive Otaku’s Screencap Commentary, References, and Bad Puns

Weapons tests with the new weaponized Tenseiga continue at Sesshomaru’s undisclosed location.

Apparently the Maido Zangetsuha attack will increase in size to a full moon disk gateway to the underworld as Sesshomaru masters the attack.

The North Korea of this scenario.

Much like Kim Jong-Il, Toushuu was quite willing to take advantage of the death of his benefactor if it meant he would acquire new weapons technology.

See, the sponsor youkai even had Soviet red eyes.

The blackmailed kid returns for his brother. Some observer this guy is.

Kouga to the rescue, and Goraishi in action.

Boy this hostage situation is really bugging me. *rimshot*

It can drain all that energy, but yet the steel itself cracked. Typical North Korean engineering.

Funny how both Dakki ended up breaking. They seem to have a fundamental design flaw.

It’s just as dangerous to use as to be on the receiving end. Definitely Communist engineering at work here.

But mated to the appropriate delivery system and there may be potential in the basic technology of it.

Oh Goryoumaru, please don’t give the fanfiction writers any more ammunition with your tentacle attacks.

Luckily for the kid Sango and Kirara made a daring extraction.

You can tell the game designers are getting lazy when they just give the boss lots of HP instead of cool attacks.

Always good to have a designated marksman in your squad.

Hit in the same spot as Sesshomaru’s strike. Feel the pain and remember what you got for mocking Kagura’s death!

Working so well together.

But in the end they are still like Patton and Montgomery.

There is potential if the force of the Dakki explosion can be harnessed, but as it is the energy release is uncontrollable.

*yawn* I hope he either quickly becomes more interesting or dies because his first impression was very underwhelming.

Because observers never actually intervene.

Wait so Yui was hetero? Or was it that she was more moe moe kyun for megane men?

So Vichy-tan after having been sent reeling on the field from Sawako’s infinite superiority in just about every aspect, the vile French Fry has decided to initiate a propaganda offensive. Not since the Mao Era have I seen such a disgusting smear campaign, worse still this student population believes all of it, I think it is time for a most violent purge and sending the guilty into re-education camps for thought reform. Fortunately Yano and Yoshida don’t believe much of it and Yosida makes me proud in that she now brags of having made teachers weep and BIG BANG PUNCHED every boy that crossed her path. I can only hope that Yosida will SMASH VICHY-TAN INTO ATOMS. Sadly because neither Sawako, Yano, or Yoshida is a fully fledged member of the School of the Undefeated of East they cannot communicate clearly through fists and as such they are not on the same frequency. It is reminiscent of how Halsey misread the the message from Nimitz regarding Kurita’s Center Force at Leyte and took the padding as verbatim, and now Yano and Yoshida are misreading the padding as well, all three wept True Tears, though Halsey’s were of RED HOT RAGE while Yano and Yoshida are of sadness and forlorn. At the very least Yano and Yoshida were not ready to lynch Sawako over such base rumors and struggled to keep faith. It is a most welcome revelation of what top tier friend material they are with a little more time they will be Kameraden with Sawako. Thier bonds will by then have been forged in the heat of conflict, sealed through mutual True Tears, and guarded by St. Noe, and if that insolent Vichy-tan thinks that she might win I cannot wait to see her weep crap tears of lose and fail.
Sawako’s own humility proves to be a double edged sword, and while it is good to no be presumptuous it is equally damaging to not realize one’s potential. Acquaintances do not feed each other, nor do they hand out notes free of charge. Yano and Yosida must also be inexperienced as these gestures alone did not make clear how much faith and love Sawako has for them. Sawako is many things but she is no hunter that can run down the perpetrator and decorate teh walls of the school with her entrails, as such I hope that Sawako improves her self esteem and that Yano and Yoshida realize that undying faith such as that of House Colasour requires a little more trust. All in all it was neither Yano, Yoshida, nor Sawako’s failings that I blame for this tragic turn of events. Rather it is this hateful rumor mongering culture of these school girls and Vichy-tan in particular that I would cast into the fires of Mt. Doom, such is their malice that I can forge a ring of power to match that of Sauron. It makes me furious that such activities can go on unpunished, and while I understand that wasting them is unacceptable, I cannot deny that I have the urge to run through their cold black hearts with a K-bar just to see if they can even so much as bleed like a human. It seems Pin is in fact Spikey-kun in his later years and remains hateful as ever. There was no reason to need two messengers for such a message of low importance that it is not even worth the paper and ink used to print it. Kazehaya takes to the sidelines as this week was all about the girls, I just hope that he is not the one to fix things for them. This cliff hanger is worse than the ones from SHin Mazinger Z, not that it was bad but I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS LEIK NAO. Comrade EO has more fitting words to describe the vileness of Sawako’s cowardly rival, I’ll leave it to him to describe her crimes so long as I get to elaborate upon the glorious manner of her inevitable DOOM. May Vichy-tan’s heart and soul chip and shatter…

ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako: WHITE HOT RAGE EDITION

So now Vichy-tan’s damage has been done and unfortunately Sawako’s natural humbleness has regrettably led to a different misunderstanding with her friends and her distancing herself from Kazehaya. While I would normally reserve this space entirely for singing the praises of our refreshing heroine, it is impossible to not express my RAGE THAT BURNS WITH THE FIRE OF A THOUSAND SUNS towards Vichy-tan. The coward doesn’t even have the guts to show up in this episode! How dare that pile of pond scum, that filthy, degenerate, badmouthing, gutter-born, trashy, self-centered, French, scum sucking, low-down, slandering, uncouth, worthless, treacherous, French, lying, cheating, two-faced, craven, prissy, inbred, dog of a rival, pathetic, love-destroying, crazy-ass, unremarkable, unclean, rumor mongering, French, unworthy, waste of air, libelous, oath-breaking, disgusting, uncivilized, unloved, despicable, cheap French harlot of uncertain parentage DARE spread such vicious lies against Sawako!

She’s even expanded her damage to Kazehaya, Yano, and Chizu, showing that she is indiscriminate and cares not for anyone but her pathetic self. But Sawako has already acted! Roaming the school in search of her contemptible enemy Sawako marches on! She has the heart! She has the determination! She has the love! Sawako will keep fighting! And she’ll WIN! Would you like to know more? Contact your local Fan Forces career center. Sawayakyaaa guarantees citizenship!

All was going well for our lovable heroine.

She is so refreshing that flowers bloom in her presence.

More beautiful than all those supposed ‘bishojou’.

So much more moe than those pretender moe blobs.

Your weekly DDDDAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW!

Put up with him for now Kazehaya, he will be a valuable asset when the time comes to strike back.

Crazy awesome you mean!

You’re too humble for your own good Sawako. But all great heroines must travel the path of learning and self-improvement to fulfill their destinies.

Today she hates everything!

Once Sawako becomes bancho Vichy-tan will sleep with the fishes.

Both halves of the cute couple have now been hurt. UNFORGIVABLE!

Sawako will RISE ABOVE RISE ABOVE!

To demonstrate my devotion (and level up in nerdiness), I have carved a Halloween jack-o-lantern of our beloved Sawako. Though after seeing this episode I think I should have bought some corn stalks and cloth scraps so I could BURN VICHY-TAN IN EFFIGY!

Her lovely face shines even in the dark of night.

Crusader’s Field Report on Kazehaya War II In Pictures

I’d rather you not forget those dark days, but then again Sawako is not one to keep a Book of Grudges.

And happiness is all that matters.

Worry not THE GREAT FAIRY WILL REPLENISH IT if you tell the truth

May Zeus grant you more happt times than sad times, preferably by stealing from Vichy-tan’s account.

So began the Legend of Yoshida.

The Teacher wept over paper cuts and she not only punched those guys she broke their faces for Yoshida is the Hidden Student of Master Asia himself

I am sure that there is at least one boy out there who cares more about how well you punch than how you look.

This is only half true the numbers are accurate, but the verb was not doing but rather executing…

FYI she thinks “little” of them anyway.

But in a very good way, though I guess not so much for an otome.

Still your Kung Fu is great but not that great…it will be a while before you can take down a Mobile Suit with a cloth.

DO IT.

So polite.

I take it that they have been attending Professor Kawamori’s lectures…

Impressive.

…Not so impressive. What sick rumor is this Yano loves Sawako more than she could love any mere boy.

I don’t think Sawako has a an understanding of violence or dallying with boys.

At least she has a good grasp of courage.

…

Yeah Sawako is that much of a virgin.

Apparently Sawako doesn’t understand what a lie is.

Oh dear you wish to exchange journals…

Wait so Yui was hetero? Or was it that she was more moe moe kyun for megane men?

Yoshida will soak these notes with True Tears of love.

There will be grievous consequences for you all if you took part in this rumor mongering while accepting Sawako’s good graces. There is a special hell for such traitors.

That sounds like all my stories…

We’ll need to work on your diction when it comes to describing Sawako…

Slow Gym Teacher is slow.

Oh he wishes it were so, but he has yet to earn that privilege.

Indeed celebrate your love and affection.

Am I supposed dawww here, I don’t think it’s working.

By Zeus she even thinks that is going a bit too far…

It’s worth repeating and repeating in public.

See Sawako understands why Patrick harped on repetition.

And again and again…

It’ll never happen if you never ask.

Kaehaya lacks fortitude.

Kazehaya seems rather disappointing as of late…

Oh think that they are…

One day you will know it to be true.

Yano likes you a bit more than Kazehaya judging by the look of things…

I like it when she sparkles.

LET’S BE FRIENDLY…and through food ironically enough.

Omit the “hit” part and add “other boys’” before blood and you’d have the truth.

Which is more than what boys can even manage these days.

I hope not for your sake…

Use can be found for these two.

Sawako’s situational awareness is most impressive one day we might even be singing My Sawako is a Pilot.

Give me their names and I shall make hamburger out of them…

Damn You Spiky-kun always holding women down with your boring speeches!

More like heterosexual life partners…

And their intense dis like for Spiky-kun.

It already happened but I look forward to the renewing of vows.

Dude you Gundam script is crap…it’s boring, uninspired, and unoriginal. They’d be crazy to fund some shit time line called Cosmic Era. Also who the fuck goes shopping before a BIG FIGHT? It’s not even worth the postage.

…

Yes you are that amazing.

I eagerly await the glorious tyranny of Bancho Sawako.

They’ll cut across the axis and try to draw out Vichy-tan’s fire, get set up for your attack run…

Popularity is not worth the cost of Sawako.

…

…

At least some one in this school speaks the truth.

Plotting vengeance I hope…

I too am confused…

…

Reject Vichy-tan’s reality and substitute your own!

It also sucks.

Sadly Sawako isn’t one to beat the crap out of that person to clear up the misunderstanding.

Cowards! Come and face her!

Noe certified these tears personally.

Still even now she’s so selfless.

And woe to you should you ever doubt Kazehaya…

I expect him to uphold this promise, should Kazehaya desire to prove his worth.

I am not sure if he is worthy of such selflessness on you behalf, but I suppose it is good to be generous.

You probably shouldn’t do what I have in mind.