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.

Ah, this is really a great stretch of episodes lately. Just last week there was the Omni-Directional Barrier overload explosion, Kakizaki’s death to make it feel real, and the Macross being forced to leave Earth. Now much progress is made on the romantic front in the Misa/Hikaru/Minmay/Kaifun conflict and the Zentradi get smart with the return of Britai from Zentradi HQ. Minmay’s singing and motivation improves while Millia stalks her prey aboard the Macross and the situation for many of the characters takes some interesting turns.

Minmay has a plan, but even the best plans do not survive first contact with reality.

Stop embarrassing yourself you washed up old floozy. I bet the discount bin won’t even stock your albums.

Minmay will break down the fourth walls separating everyone.

Another nice technical touch: since the town was built inside the ship, it’s logical that the only working phones would be these emergency, battery operated phones furnished by the military.

Minmay has a short break at a reception to celebrate the release of her movie and luckily avoids Jamis’ ugly and unbecoming attempt to spill wine all over her dress. She’s managed to get a front row seat ticket to give to Hikaru and is looking forward to inviting him. But when she later tries to call him he’s out escorting a recon patrol so she leaves a message. After she goes to bed for some well deserved sleep Hikaru returns from the mission, but is unable to reach her. The next day the premiere opens to much fanfare, and even Millia gets sucked in. Hikaru leaves halfway through the movie out of disgust at the Minmay/Kaifun kissing scene in low spirits, but right outside he bumps into Misa, having also just left the theater.

Itsuka kimi wo tsukamaeru.

Max is such a fanboy. He probably camped out for the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings premieres.

Meanwhile the Zentradi continue to pirate the Macross’ premium channel subscription. Hilariously enough they see Kaifun’s special effect attacks as indicative of all humans’ abilities.

Only one unnamed character between them. Soon the red threads of destiny will draw them even closer!

Hikaru does not approve of this incest. What are they, medieval European nobility?

Venus guided his hands.

Do not question the will of the gods!

Hikaru and Misa continue talking outside after she drags him away from the crowd so as not to embarrass the military when it is announced that the ship will be transforming. Everyone runs to the nearest shelter, but Misa tells Hikaru that they should head to the hangar instead. But this only leads them into a blocked off pit as the ship transforms around them, trapping them there until the skirmish is over. Minmay and Kaifun are making their escape as well when the floor opens up in front of Minmay. As she falls Kaifun catches her in the same manner that Hikaru once did, and indeed her eyes deceive her and she sees Hikaru for a moment before the illusion melts away. On the bridge Shammy is left in charge of coordinating defensive deployments in Misa’s absence.

Just at the moment I thought to myself that this scene was nearly exactly alike the earlier one with Hikaru there was the shot of Kaifun appearing to be Hikaru. Very nice.

Her apprentice will be tested.

First day on the job.

While the Genshiken Team and their followers founded the Cult of Minmay, it appears that the bridge crew adheres to the One True Faith of Misa worship.

Down in the pit formed by the shifting ship sections Hikaru and Misa wait out there time. It starts out with small talk as both of them admit to feeling lonely without any conversation. But then the two get to their reasons for leaving the theater. Hikaru guesses correctly that Misa was there to see Kaifun in the movie and left because of the kissing scene, and she replies with a perfect riposte about how things haven’t been going well between him and Minmay either. After a moment of silence the two let out some of their feelings that are causing them trouble. Misa admits to not really liking Kaifun, but that she was drawn to him due to his resemblance to her dead love. The two are hurt by these complicated relationships and begin to realize that they need genuine love. And they nearly kissed too, dammit, but the ship transformed back with the worst possible timing.

When the truth is found to be lies…

And all the joy within you dies…

Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love?

Wouldn’t you love somebody to love? You better find somebody to love.

After exiting the pit the two stop for something to drink at a vending machine and Misa insists on paying for her subordinate. There they see Kaifun and Minmay acting all rabu-rabu on their way to a <strike>love hotel</strike> the hotel where Minmay has been staying. For a moment they wonder about the two, but then Misa grabs Hikaru’s hand as he is about to walk away and asks if he will stay with her for a while longer. It was at the same time an invigorating moment as the two kick those loser to the curb and so sweet I almost died.

She’ll even pay for things on dates. Add ‘rich ojousama’ to her many points of appeal.

This is most suspicious.

This is anime Misa, cousins are somehow ok. That or they’re from West Virginia.

It is not merely Misa’s hand, but the hand of destiny reaching out to you Hikaru.

While this may seem more at home in my Kimi ni Todoke comments: DDDAAAAAAWWWWW!

Elsewhere many plans are in motion aboard the Zentradi ships. The Genshiken Team continues to spread the gospel of the Cult of Minmay, heavily embellishing their interactions with their deity while they were aboard the Macross and bringing many new converts to their faith. They even plan to desert if they are ordered to attack the Macross and begin to convince others to do so. Kamjin hears of this potential insurrection and reacts with disgust, but for some reason doesn’t dispatch the marines to put the Cult members into the brig. Britai also returns, with new orders to capture another Miclone for questioning before a course of action can be decided. And his assistant comes up with a brilliant plan to lure the Macross into performing a Daedalus Attack on the flagship and then ambushing the Destroids and using the Daedalus as an entry point for a boarding action.

Their numbers are growing.

They plan an exodus to their holy land.

Very good thinking.

Hikaru still holds onto the idea of protecting Minmay, and Misa of protecting Kaifun in moments of weakness when the attachments to their past feelings are still in the process of being shed. Mamoru-ism is the psychological fallback of the weak, and soon both will move beyond this short-lived phase and (as Crusader is so fond of saying) SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS as they leave behind their unworthy attachments of the past! Minmay prepares for and begins her next concert, singing probably her best song so far. Much better than those overly pop-ish songs that came before. Indeed it is enough to touch Claudia and Misa, bringing up memories of losses past. But as the concert continues the Zentradi ships make their move on the Macross.

While I can only guess at the creators’ intent, I really liked this image. Hikaru is standing their in full form and even casts a shadow while the Minmay in the post is sketchy and fake, almost fading away amidst her fame. Hikaru seems very real and there and Minmay just the impression of a character that has metaphorically faded from his life.

Image has been fixed.

A much better tune, and it even has appropriate lyrics.

It reaches Claudia as well, breaking down some of the front she’s put on while trying to hide her grieving in public.

They worry for their senpai.

Perhaps it will help her move forward.

The Zentradi launch their mecha, Britai wisely giving Kamjin the task so as to keep him occupied instead of planning his next unauthorized attack. The Macross scrambles fighters to intercept and the Zentradi fleet maneuvers to surround them. Onboard Minmay is once again on stage when the attack begins. Kaifun has another moment of decency when he gets on stage and tells Minmay to keep singing to prevent a panic. The Macross the performs a Daedalus attack on the Zentradi flagship, and everything goes keikaku doori for Britai as the Destroids are ambushed and boarding begins. But this also gives the Cult of Minmay a chance to break away into the ship and desert.

Normal Regults never looked so cool.

Valkyries launch to intercept the Zentradi mecha. Unfortunately everything is happening according to Britai’s design.

Wow, if he wasn’t hot for his cousin I might actually have had to start giving Kaifun a little bit of a break.

The Regults were in perfect ambush positions. Though there seemed to be a lot fewer Destroids for this Daedalus Attack than normal. Not even one Monster.

Now inside the city section of the ship the Zentradi begin shooting anything that they see, and although the Destroid platoons are doing what they can they are outnumbered and scattered around the ship. The Valkyries are recalled to help repel the boarders and start making an impact quickly. Minmay keeps singing until the stage area comes under fire which stuns and confuses several of the Zentradi pilots. Millia, hiding behind some rubble, then spots Max as he racks up several more kills and can now start tracing the identity of the blue Valkyrie’s pilot.

They must be cheaper to manufacture because they don’t’ seem to have half the combat ability of a Valkyrie.

They stopped to LISTEN TO HER SONG.

Millia witnesses the skill of the Blue Baron up close.

What is this, a Hosaka fantasy?

Get away, she’s been taken over by the Black Oil!

Hikaru has come along nicely from annoying kid to an exceptional commander and pilot.

Final Thoughts: – Episode 21 was just the thing I needed after a long and busy day. Once the last remnants of Minmay and Kaifun obsession are burned from the minds of Hikaru and Misa by their feelings for each other and by reality, my main character OTP will be complete!

- Though I have to feel a little for Minmay. Though at too late of an hour, she is trying to reconnect with Hikaru. But circumstances and timing were against her with the missed phone call, Hikaru and Misa being trapped together, and Kaifun’s incestuous feelings coming out more openly.

- Yay for smart antagonists! Using the Daedalus Attack against the Macross was brilliant and a lesson for all antagonists to learn.

- I wonder if the Genshiken Team’s boasts to the Cult of Minmay might have some adverse effects. Are the defector Zentradi going to feel disappointed when they find out that not everyone gets to kiss Minmay?

AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A DUDE!

?Well we finally got some hint of plot but I am most displeased with the excessive amount of screen time given to this spiky haired dick wad whom I shall refer to as Spiky-kun. This Spiky-kun needs to GTFO and die, I hope Kuroko goes Liang Qi on his sorry ass make him GET SOME with a Wiimote of DOOM. At any rate Biribiri was awesome as always with her martial prowess which was sadly negated by Spiky-kun’s overpowered magical GN hax. Just goes to show that Biribiri has much to learn when it comes to close combat. I hope that the Tokiwadai no Ace starts taking lessons from Alphard onee-sama so that she might avail herself against that cheating spiky haired two bit loafer. I was overjoyed as Almighty Zeus SMASHED HIS EGGS INTO ATOMS.Saten-san was unusually delightful this time around as she whispered suggestive things into Kuroko’s ears. Of the four of them Saten had particular interest in Nugi Onna, and even wanted pictures… I think Saten shows great promise as a future master of Yuri. Poor Kuroko was pretty much left out in the cold to make way for that insolent Spiky-kun but at least she managed to make one love love attack to bring Biribiri back to the the light. Nugi Onna gave plenty of hints as to where the plot is headed, and for a while she made Biribiri blush profusely which is always a plus.

I like how Biribiri utilized her powers to create a most interesting weapon, which sadly amounted to little in the face of Spiky-kun’s hax. If only she took a few close combat lessons instead of relying on her own prodigious powers she would truly be invincible. Maybe at some point she can learn to dodge from Kuroko who at least married her teleportation skills with a mild level of CQC. Still Sipky-kun annoys the hell out of me, that good for nothing sexual predator who shamelessly assaults women. Even if the story moves forward the less I see of him the better.

Calawain’s Admiration of Railguns

While Crusader’s panties got in a bunch, I loved this episode because I love the tsundere side of Biribiri. The crazy teleporting lesbian is fun and amusing, but I like how they mixed it up here. I mean, seeing as how Touma is Biribiri’s love interest he is bound to make some appearances, even if this is a spin-off of sorts.

Speaking of Kuroko, she had some amusing parts of her own with her going batshit insane over the undressing woman curse. One assumes said woman is important in the theoretical “plot” this show may or may not possess, but I wasn’t really paying all that much attention. Too busy drooling over dere dere Biribiri and a nice dose of combat for this episode. Tsundara?

Screen Caps

In fact Biribiri found it quite hawt.

I smell a future development.

Who is this Flame Haze?

Pffft… no Wired, no Armchair Genral, and WTF Where is my Nintendo Power?!

But the do not SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS.

A DBZ reject is what he is.

He plans worse than Dr. Hell…

He’s a arrogant attitude and has no respect for women.

He may have pretensions to being a hero but he’s acting like some loser harem Gundam Seed animu male with haxx0r powers.

Miss Biribiri I share your sentiment.

SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS, comrade!

Oh it’s that spiky haired enemy of women everywhere stalker!

He doesn’t need help, he needs to be fixed with a wrench…that is thrown at a high velocity.

…

Reminding you where your sexual preferences lie…

WE MUST KILL HER ATTACKER BEFORE HE STRIKES AGAIN!

Indeed he did, that monster!

He even has the gall to lie about it too.

Ah so good to see that Biribiri likes to take articles of clothing from onee-samas too. So Kuroko was only emulating your behavior…

Wai wai Yuri Tea Party!

Note how that is the only Urban Legend of Saten-san’s interest.

A most excellent opportunity to cop a feel from Kuroko, you have learned much Saten-san and Uiharu-san.

…Let them continue.

Oh Lecherous Saten is Lecherous.

Indeed if only Biribiri were here too.

I think Saten-san will make a fine onee-sama one day.

You should. I insist that spiky haired fellow must still be around trying to harass Undressing Lady.

Kuroko I suggest you be cautious… bad feeling have I.

Hey at least it wasn’t chocolate.

Oh I bet that kid had stories to tell when he grew up.

That sounds…quite interesting.

Uh oh…she went to a guro page…

Sadly it seems that newtype bullshit is about to hit as hard as a colony drop…

Hmm…I imagine Undressing Woman attacking Biribiri to be quite awesome actually.

ALL THE BETTER amirite Kuroko?

Some curse…

QUICK grab your camera! Got to love Saten’s face in this shot.

Oh but she should, for you of course…

Let Kuroko defend the chastity of her Biribiri onee-sama.

Oh Uiharu it seems that you are always the subject of attacks.

AMEN! SING IT SISTER!

…

Yeah she’s one of them Tsunjires.

I like it when she blushes.

Indeed it is all his fault. He is the cancer that is killing this show.

So this is the grandmother that Stinky Wizzleteats taught to suck eggs…

And thus did he show his GSD ancestry…

Fuck you hippie cut your hair and join the Army, the commissary never overcharges.

Miss Biribiri, please start killing him.

Your hate will make you powerful.

Sounds so much more fun than a beam saber.

When a problem comes along…you must whip it!

That Spiky-kun is most weak.

Perfect now twist his arm and BREAK IT!

BOO! Spiky-kun is into abusing women.

Just look at that smug face…If only we could BIG BANG PUNCH it.

Kuroko where are you?!

…

So moe he died.

You ought to be embarrassed, Alphard onee-sama has much to teach you…

Aand how could you assault women without hesitation?

…

Oh Kuroko you could wait a bit longer…

IT’S THE ONLY WAY!

I could scarcely believed how she DUUUUUHHHED.

LOOK! KUROKO’S LOVE IS BURNING RED!

Sleep well you princess of Tokiwadai, ye queen of electroshock.

Though next time could you finish up whatever it was your were doing with Kuroko all tied up…

A little slow on this one due to midterms and internship applications, but now I finally get to this episode and have Crusader onboard to boot! After the fast paced events of the previous two episodes we now have a somewhat slower paced episode as the characters have a short break. In one case this is spent relaxing (to a degree) while Sesshomaru and his group contemplate Kagura’s recent death and prepare for the next move. As this happens, Totosai appears before Sesshomaru and tells him the time is right to begin the weaponization of Tenseiga.

Always having a flair for the dramatic, Sesshomaru sits on a seaside cliff, his thoughts preoccupied with the recent death of Kagura. Though he maintains his cool, he clearly was affected deeply by her passing. Tenseiga appears to have noticed this turmoil in his heart as well for Totosai appears before Sesshomaru at the calling of his sword. He tells him that the sword has responded to the grief in Sesshomaru’s heart and that it has called out to be reforged into a weapon. Meanwhile the main group is resting in a village and filling in Kaede on her sister’s plans while Kagome attends to her studies back in the present era. Splitting her time between the feudal and modern eras continues to vex her come test time, and the stress even gets to her to the point of dreaming that she’s solving math equations at the speed of Light.

At this point both groups divide up the remainder of the show with their stories. In contrast to the dramatic and fast paced events in the first two episodes the Inuyasha group seems to take a break on something not very plot related while Sesshomaru works on reforging and learning to use his weaponized Tenseiga. First up the Inuyasha group is walking through a forest and being shadowed by an unknown figure when they come upon a suspicious looking inn. Several women beckon for them to stay the night, a ploy which works perfectly on our Good and Pure Monk. After Miroku basks in attention as usual, the women change form into fox youkai and receive points for tricking him. Shippo then follows them and finds out that this is a ranking exam for other fox spirits. Through the night the youkai try, successfully and not, to trick the humans and Inuyasha to receive points.

As day breaks the person stalking the group reveals herself as Mujina and asks for Shippo’s help in taking some of Inuyasha’s power to avenge her father. Shippo, for some reason goes right along with this even when Mujina straight out attacks Inuyasha in an attempt to steal Tessaiga, absorbing his Wind Scar attacks into her sword. She then uses Shippo as a hostage when her attacks prove useless, to which Inuyasha responds with a fist to the face, revealing her true identity as Mujina’s father. After attempting to threaten Inuyasha with the Dakki sword Inuyasha simply cuts it in half and punts the annoying youkai away and dispenses a punch of justice to the head of his treacherous comrade. Still, the fact that Mujina’s father even had a blade that could absorb Tessaiga’s Wind Scars makes Inuyasha want to investigate.

At an undisclosed location of interest to UN weapons inspectors, (Totosai claims he is only enriching swords for peaceful purposes) Totosai finishes the weaponization of Tenseiga for Sesshomaru. Guided by the intelligence that resides within the sword Sesshomaru unsheathes the blade for a test. An oni is summoned as a test subject and Sesshomaru makes his first attack with the Tenseiga: the Meido Zangetsuha. Appearing to not even touch the oni at first, the slash forms a rift between the living world and the underworld behind the target, rending the body into pieces and taking some of them into the underworld. Totosai is once again a little jealous at how quickly Sesshomaru can pick up new techniques, but knows that his heart and the sword are now aligned for a righteous purpose. Sesshomaru has a brief flashback to Goryomaru’s words taunting Kagura’s death and reaffirms his determination to avenge her. As he sets out, the wind picks up behind him, Kagura’s spirit following him on his journey to strike down Goryomaru and Naraku with great vengeance and furious anger.

Crusader’s Song of Sango and Other Observations

It has been many years but it is good to see Sango-san beat the crap out of Miroku once again. How I have missed her, but at any rate times have changed Miroku has not and was most faithless. As for the tail check it was understandable and warranted as Miroku cannot run if he has no tail to tuck between his legs. I must say though I am sure those transforming fox demons would have probably at least known loyalty but time changes nothing and Sango-san is willing to marry well below her stature. The Lord of the West was noble as always as he conducted a Soviet Style Weapons Test, no doubt the ogre was a coward who violated the “Not one step back!” order and as a result of “There are no POWs only traitors” order, met a most well deserved fate. Rin might not be Noto’s best role of the year but I have no ill will towards the kid, but i hope at some point she supplants Jaken as Sesshomaru’s #1 fan. Besides as a poor war orphan she has suffered enough though I await the day that the Lord of the West metes out justice on Koga for massacring Rin’s village all those years ago. I kind of feel bad for Kagome as time has not been so kind to her situation as she lacks the latest in educational technology, as surely there is a lightning demon somewhere to charge lithium ion batteries. If she is having problems with math…well there is an app for that. I still find Shippo to be rather annoying, as he’s the kind of achievement whore that would throw his friends under a bus and sell his father’s pelt for a PSN trophy. I was most delighted when it turned out his new playmate was a dirty old geezer. I doubt his masculinity will soon recover after he was attracted to an old man in young woman’s clothing. In the end it was delightful, though I by this point I don’t really mind filler if the episode gives me a so much as a hint of my adorable Sango or even a bit of the Lord of the West being badass.

One last not though, the weaponization of Tenseiga was within the confines of the Treaty, after having lost Tokijin the development of a new weapon was mandated to retain the balance of power. Though please not that the Lord of the West has the option to convert his weapon to have multiple warhead capabilities should he feel the need to match Inuyasha’s ever increasing arsenal and Naraku’s military build up of questionable quality and loyalty.

Executive Otaku’s Screencap Commentary, References and Bad Puns

Sesshomaru has huge rats to kill and needs a Totosai blade.

How dare he imply that my liege’s heart is not filled with wisdom and compassion!

Sesshomaru can now obtain his Soul Calibur.

Sango can be just as much of a lech. Well, she claimed to be making sure he wasn’t Shippo, but really now?

Trying to get into the same school. Best bet: somewhere with a great history department.

Kagome seems to be having a visit from Queen Mab. Though a rather boring one going by what Mercutio spelled out.

Kagome is definitely an F-Class Kotoko girl.

Welcome to the Hotel Youkai Yashiki.

Such a lovely place.

Such a lovely face.

Miroku’s living it up at the Hotel Youkai Yashiki.

Sango’s not surprised, hope he brought his alibis.

Shippo’s ambition.

Don’t feel bad fireball illusion youkai, if the test doesn’t work out for you then you’ll have a promising career as a reading lamp.

Shippo’s surely got those minerals.

Miroku’s just doing his part to help out young youkai students. Yeah, that’s it.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Even Sango gets tricked sometimes.

Group hug!

It’s just a cheap knockoff.

Not impressed.

Tango has taken a hostage, Alpha Team go!

Tango down.

Must have bought it on the Shop at Home Network.

Not only has it been weaponized, it’s been equipped with a sophisticated spiritual guidance system.

Tenseiga in action.

It is indeed a potent weapon. Saku has foreseen the source of its power.

Vengeance will be his.

Blood cries out for blood! F*** YEAH SESSHOMARU!

This image furnished for fanboy purposes.

Kagura is with them in spirit.

With Tenseiga thirsting for righteous vengeance and Kagura watching over them Sesshomaru, Rin, and Jakken set out. SO AWESOME, SO BADASS!

Indeed, my liege is the personification of ‘kakoii’.

That is some wish ya got there.

This week was a bountiful feast of Shizuku goodness that ought to make Calawain a most happy lawyer, and to be sure I admire her because she is clever and inventive. For now Shizuku has done a wonderful job of making sure that Natsuru Girl-type is the default mode with entering Natsuru into the beauty contest, as increasing popularity means much more hostility to Natsuru the Boy-type who will be assassinated by legions of fangirls and fanboys. But first she had a little bit of fun while telling us of her dreams of becoming a comedian, should she succeed as I am confident that she shall, then her humor will be most black. At any rateShizuku is most adept at this seduction thing, I have not the words to describe so I shall let Calawain sing praise to Shizuku. It is most telling how no one seems to take Natsuru’s assertions that she is guy seriously. Even Akane calls Natsuru a pussy and a chicken. While Normal Akane has a ways to go Kampfer Akane is awesome I just love it when she curses and insults Natsuru. I give her more credit for gunning for the alleged cheater than the other woman as lesser girls often do. Shizuku goes even further and declares that Natsuru’s humiliation at her hands would only cover the damages that Akane caused, as they were after all partners…

At a loss for what to do for the contest Akane tries to make Natsuru Girl-type sing anime songs, but first they need to purchase proper attire as the school uniform simply would no cut it. They then agree to go shopping and singing, In regards to this almost date it seems thatNatsuru is as thick as Kana and Kyoko when it comes to love, nevertheless Akane makes the most of the opportunity to doll up Natsuru Girl-type. I am sure Kuroko would approve. In the end Shizuku had her fun and it seems Akane’s mission to make Natsuru Girl-type into panther with fish net stockings ended in tragic failure. Combined with the sub par karaoke it seems that Shizuku mocked me with her Hiromi persona, as she sang about, lines someone else drew as not being absolute (clearly a jab at Shinichiro’s written confession to Noe), removing self imposed limits, and randomly taking off her shirt. I wept True Tears of hot rage when I realized what was going on.Sakura being egotistical as ever sang of her time as Ranka, I suppose the cessation of hostilities will not be soon as Ranka is as arrogant as ever when she told Shizuku that she would win despite the strong competition. The winner of the singing contest was clearly Akane as she had more sparkles. While we have yet to meet this Mikoto it seems that she is pretty damn awesome for she is a fan of Fire Bomber and Sheryl Nome, perhaps she is a mechatard as well. Sadly Shizuku was unable to humiliate Natsuru Girl-type and have her sing in a cute voice, but I suppose that will come next week at the culture festival. I hope there Akane will protect the feeling of love in Natsuru Girl-type and turn Sakura into a honey comb.

This series might be garbage, but it is so much fun. I quite enjoyed the BIG FIGHT between Akane and Sakura as Akane was standing up to that bitch. The Macross Reference was just gravy. The show pokes fun at a lot of anime tropes and I very much like the nerdy references though they are obtuse. Besides it is plenty yurilicious enough as is. Still that song about Hiromi’s triumph was rather hard to swallow, Shizuku is indeed a most fearsome master troll.

Calawain’s Crossdressing Corner

As Crusader mentioned, I love Shizuku. Obviously not as a shipping with Natsuru or anything like that (Akane fills the obvious part there), but because she’s delicious. That sultry, teasing woman who acts beyond her years I just find really appealing. Everyone else just wants to jump in Natsuru’s pants, she’s just enjoying screwing with him and everyone else for her own amusement. Once again the episode had no plot, but it was probably the best episode so far because of Shizuku’s manipulations of everyone. Highly entertaining.

Screen Caps

In Soviet Union contest enter you!

Yes a guy…sure you are and I am a Godless Communist that has forsaken Almighty Zeus.

Not to mention Shizuku-san…

But Madame President she lacks the will to abuse her powers.

Oh wow.

Oh YEAH.

Oh…

Nat-chan sounds way too proud of this fact.

Oh she’s a clever one.

Haha I like Shizuku’s sarcasm.

Praise be to funny girls, Alphard onee-sama approves of thee!

I admire her desire for an honest profession.

Wait she’s been snacking on Doritos too?

Oh my…

…

I think if you were a guy you’d have kept going.

Halt! President for Life Shizuku is not done with you yet…

Sounds delicious.

I like where this is going.

Oh but Shizuku-sama only sees a girl in need of love.

We must work on that one man entry of yours Akane.

Well at least there were no blue on blue casualties.

Hehe good luck finding one.

Ah so Akane wants to be the onee-sama.

Consensual is good.

Akane knows Nat-chan far too well.

Notice how no one treats Natsuru like a guy.

Hehe wonderful choice of words.

Oh Natsuru Girl-type, when in doubt lie.

Akane is a smart one she’d roast the cheater before the other woman.

Bad Pun GET!

Ah yes Akane can see it now, if only we could peer into her mind.

Wow even when in normal form Akane is the one wearing the pants.

Akane, opportunity is a knocking…

As Zeus intended.

…

CHANCE!

We need to work on that greeting of yours Nat-chan, it is most unladylike.

But of course…

Way to man up there Natsuru.

Take heart Akane for you can think for the both of you.

Akane you don’t have it that bad, certainly you are no loli.

Ah yes LET”S BE FRIENDLY.

So that’s how they work…

So who’s up for a three way?.

Oh Fuck…

Nah Shizuku is just a troll.

Please note that your claim to masculinity depends on your choice of song.

Shizuku is so delightful.

Man even the stuffed animals have declared Natsuru Boy-type to be dead.

Oh a Nyan Nyan Service Melody?

Hiromi be trolling me again…

Oh Ranka if only you were more than that.

Oh Akane you may win thins one but I think you should have gone with THE WINNER.

Pwned! Mwhahaha take that Hiromi and Ranka! How does it feel to lose to Ayu Ayu?

I like that senitment.

Ah a fellow Fire Bomber and Sheryl Fan.

That is an innovative way to make you LISTEN TO HER SONG!

If only those three believed in teamwork..

I see Ranka has learned her lesson…In Soviet Kampfer Ranka chases you!

Come on Kana be the BOSS.

To be honest I do dread every time she reverts to a guy.

What isn’t she doing?

Smile for the camera.

Shizuku wants you to beg…

Uh oh…

Ah so you do feel a disturbance in the yuri.

I think that’s her default voice.

Friends, freinds with benefits.

Your underhanded tactics will not avail you Follower of Minmay!

I have to say I still think you lose out to the blue haired one, pray she doesn’t use a red string to tie her hair…

Trolling again?

It got a whole lot interesting.

Bah Hiromi wins in the end…again.

Sawako was born ready.

I finally got over my jet-lag or at least I think I have, so I can finally give praise to Sawako. Sawako might be shy and overly modest but she is holding up just fine and making steady progress. I like how she is dealing with the walls that everyone put around her by SMASHING THEM INTO ATOMS with her polite attitude and saintly qualities. While usagijen thinks the rest of the class as unworthy miscreants who are undeserving of Sawako, Sawako is of such good quality that she cares not about their misconceptions and her desire to be friend them is undiminished by their spiteful ignorance and craven fear. Indeed many in Class 1-D are unworthy of such a friend, but they will be turned eventually. Yano and Yoshida may be rough around the edges but they are genuinely nice blokes, and do a decent job of providing snarky rabu rabu commentary. Yosida and Ryuu seem to have some history and Yoshida delightfully reveals how utterly ignorant the Kazehaya fan girls are. Seems back then they went communist and decided to institute the collectivization of Kazehaya. I look forward to seeing Sawako end this Kazehaya Soviet, though I think that Kazehaya is going to end it himself.

Pin the assistant homeroom teacher seems to have set integrating Sawako as an objective given how he took particular interest in our dainty heroine. While Pin comes off as a selfish prick I think part of him wanted to dispel the rumors of ill-fortune that surrounded Sawako, Zen probably wanted to as well but Zen was far too meek a man to alter the situation. Sadly his attempts to make the rest of the class pull their own god forsaken weight was all for naught as Sawako selflessly volunteered. Kazehaya adroitly sensed that opportunity was knocking and elected to help out, at point his fan club came out in force. I laughed when Kazehaya was overawed by looking Sawako directly. If nothing else Pin deserves some credit for giving that worthless puppy from ep 2 a proper name, Pedo Matrinez or Pedo-san. That dog is most fortunate that Sawako even gives the mutt so much as a snack.

I thought the note taking thing was pretty sweet, it made me dawww that Sawako could not imagine herself as the intended recipient, but the integration continues as two more girls come to understand Sawako. Using her brilliant mind that SHINES IN THE NAME OF ZEUS Sawako gets the whole class to gather around her. IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS I must say that Sawako’s smile is something to behold and now the whole class caught a faint glimpse of Sawako’s true nature. Sawako had a little run in with the French whom I shall name Vichy-tan. We must be cognizant of the fact that Vichy-tan is not an ojou-sama but a coward and therefore thinks deviously. I for one do not fully understand her nor do I want to understand anything about her except for how much lead it would take to kill her. At any rate this weak and puny girl would not dare go head to head with Sawako’s might and decides to spread vicious rumors about Yoshida and Yano. I hope Sawako can stem the tide and rectify this situation and turn that bitch Vichy-tan into a honey comb. One could hope, but I think Sawako is going to consolidate her new newly won friends before launching a breakout to put Vichy-tan into a pocket and annihilate her win her over.

Kazehaya is unfortunately no Patrick, and it is starting to show in how he wants to keep Sawako all to himself, while at this juncture he is willing to help Sawako join the rest of the class, I am suffering from a bit of Bad Feeling Have I. Now that the rest of the class is starting to realize how great Sawako is I think Kazehaya might get tempted to start shutting Sawako away to keep her all to himself. I can understand on some level how Kazehaya wants to position himself optimally once Sawako’s feeling of love is awakened, but there is no reason why at this point Sawako should not be hanging out with the boys for a walk home… after I give Sawako a police baton, FN Five-Seven with two extra mags, a taser, and OC Spray, and of course hand to hand combat taught by Alphard to follow. Epi thinks that Sawako’s reaction to Kazehaya is too perfect I just think she’s stuck in a phase of hero worship where she doesn’t see the hero’s faults yet. Given how Sawako was pretty much alone for so long it is understandable that she has a special regard for the first friend she has probably ever known. Sadly being a social neophyte means she has little understanding of love, given how the general emotional response she gets is fear.

ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako

“I am secure in my masculinity. Now let’s watch shoujo!” ExecutiveOtaku here, beginning my joint operation here with Crusader on Kimi ni Todoke. It’s probably better that he is the primary on this series, because 90% of my blogging would just be one long string of “daaawwwww” interspersed with me going on about how great the visual style is. With that out in the open, this episode our lovely Sawako consolidates her new friendships, gets to know others in her class, meets her (much inferior) rival, and has some more touching moments with Kazehaya. Sawako and Kazehaya continue revolving around each other, each giving the other confidence to open up to others in their own ways: Sawako on a more general level and Kazehaya in his growing relationship with Sawako. It’s so nice to see a romance-centered series that starts off the main couple as something of a pair, instead of the many one-sided romances in shoujo that only get reciprocated at the half-way point or possibly not even until the end. Internal monologue from Kazehaya, though rare, is key to this. It reminds me of how in Honey and Clover the viewer was able to see different facets of the relationships by having ‘access’ to the thoughts of most of the characters. And the art continues to impress with elements of watercolor and sketch techniques. Like the riverside and classroom scenes between Sawako and Kazehaya. Daaawwww.

Sawako follows the Natsuki Minami school of smiling.

Sawako can see time, the universe, and Kazehaya’s abilities. Yes, her Newtype abilities are manifesting nicely.

Daaawwww.

A sweet moment, in a beautifully drawn schoolroom.

More love for this art style. Nice sketch-looking lines flowing from the sunlight. It really creates a very ‘active’ feeling for the shadows.

I think Crusader likes where this is going.

More great art, more cute moments between the cute couple.

Her true powers revealed.

Vicious rumors and lies, likely spread by that blond haired rival b****. Her day of shoujo reckoning will come soon enough.

Crusader’s Screen Caps with Liberal Interpretations

Good to see that Yano and Yoshida don’t want to make Sawako mad.

Turn that frown upside down!

Sawako has much smiling practice to do.

Oh but she already does…

First blush of the morning to ya.

I’d go with Good Day instead.

Seems only scary Sawako is recognizable.

Same here I though I have a tendency to make up names for people like dip shit and dumb fuck.

Name it Shinji Ikari, to reflect how much of a loser and puss-cake it is.

Man that is pretty low.

Hehe Pedo…

Pin was picking a fight…

Soon this one will have grave misfortune.

But if he is, it would be great for the whole class!

:3

…

Sawako WINS FLAWLESS VICTORY.

Sawako has never been stalked before.

Such a do gooder.

And much blood was spilled right?

They committed Hara-kiri right?

Fuck they resorted to Communism.

Kind of like every one’s bitch…

Indeed this Collectivization of Kazehaya was doomed to fail.

Sawako’s saintly sense is tingling.

Wow so sparkly this week.

Welcome to High School.

This makes me dawwww.

Will marry at 20.

Sawako will make a lovely blushing bride.

Better memorize Patrick Colasour’s On Love, if you want to see her at the altar.

Like that time in middle school when Yoshida…

Sawako would make a great yakuza boss.

Well I’d be pissed too if I had you guys for classmates.

Ah the domino effect.

Sawako do you now realize your importance?

I am happy too that you made some new friends.

At least they realized Sawako brings blessings.

Hey Stalker-tan you ready to run into that fatal funnel?

…

Such modesty.

Yano and Yoshida realize that they should not take credit like Sayaka.

I stammered too.

Yano has been through this for some time…

…

Sawako was most ready to break class rules.

EPIC MANUEVER.

Well I hope your love will be as persistent as a cockroach.

What three eps in and already treachery?!

FISSION MAILED.

Kazehaya needs to work on his manners.

Dawwwww.

Yes you are Kazehaya’s target.

So you decided to finally show your face…

Indeed she’ll hardly put up much of a straight up fight, feel free to turn that bitch into a honey comb.

Sawako is smart and industrious, thus she is most suitable for a position in Yang Wenli’s staff.

Ain’t friendship wonderful?.

Yes and she can help you idiots too.

Permission granted.

Sawako proves her intellectual superiority once again.

I like her attitude, this one fights for something rather than live for nothing.

10…9…8…

7…6…

5…4…

3…2…1…

0…We have a smile and what a beautiful one.

I took a picture did you?

How polite, but no need to thank him.

Dude this selfishness bodes ill.

Well Sawako’s radiance is far too great for your puny abilities to hide.

Sawako fear not for you can turn him into a honey comb too if need be.

Patrick is most disappointed in this one.

Ah yes High School rumor mongering.

I prefer to call it the War Academy.

Yano is of the hetero, but that’s okay.

Yoshida has not the time to waste on the likes of you, I want names.

…

It seems the French Doll must be taught a lesson on how generous Sawako is…

Several members of the crew are still dealing with the death of Roy as the Macross descends to low altitude in an attempt to force the UN HQ to allow the civilians off the ship. While the UN’s intentions aren’t clear, they will not permit the civilians to be offloaded and Global hopes that an independent region will hear the signal and bring them in. The Zentradi fleets are waiting in orbit, some more patiently than others, as their high command deliberates on the next course of action. And a new defensive system, the Omni-Directional Barrier (ODB) has been readied for use.

Captain Global tries to pull a stunt to get the UN to allow the civilians to disembark.

Claudia is continuing on with her duties, but in private is still grieving.

Hikaru as well, as Misa tries to talk to him.

Elsewhere Minmay has collapsed from overwork.

It seems like they just put the script into romanji and displayed it as the message. The text is basically: Shammy gets message on console, Global enters, turn the page, Global stands and says to head to where it came from. They didn’t even name it Ontario, just nantoka (something).

After receiving the message offering to take in the civilians from Ontario, the Macross departs for Canada.

In orbit Kamjin is once again impatient with his orders to standby, and after yet another argument with Laplamiz he decides that he’s going to take action without orders once more. Millia then enters the bridge and asks to be assigned as a Miclone spy onboard the Macross. Her commander is reluctant, but eventually acquiesces. After her duel with Max Millia has become unsettled in her defeat and now wants to meet this ace, the only one from scores of battles who ever bested her.

This guy makes Bull Halsey look patient.

Though who the Supervision Army is still remains unknown to us.

I have a good feeling about this.

In the Macross fighter bay Hikaru is readying Roy’s VF-1S for use again, taking over piloting of the plane in memory of his friend. He’s then met by Max and Kakizaki, who suggest that they have a night out to relax. Onboard Kamjin’s flagship preparations are completed for the raid, which will employ EMC jamming to enable the capital ships to move in on the Macross undetected. The battle begins with a dogfight over a town after sunset, and unbeknownst to both sides Millia is being flown into position to infiltrate the Macross.

The black tails and Jolly Roger will continue to spread fear through the skies to all enemies of the UN, Zentradi and Celestial Being alike.

Kamjin prepares for launch with some sort of Dendrobium-like craft attachment.

*drools* reminds me of Pepper Lunch. I used to go to the one in Akihabara fairly frequently with my friends when on study abroad. Nothing like a sizzling platter of meat and veggies after a long day of playing Gundam Cardbuilder and nerding out. Or before going into battle, in this case. If you’re in one of the countries that has then (pretty much only Japan and SE Asia) go there and enjoy it for me, it’s pretty cheap too.

The VF-1S takes to the skies again.

She worries about her precious Millia-chan.

After a few minutes of air to air combat the Zentradi capital ships descend to the area, rising over a mountain and opening fire on the Macross. The ODB is deployed in time and the Macross is able to withstand the intense fire from the Zentradi warships. Hikaru and his team are dispatched to attack the capital ships as they stand off away from the Macross, the ODB not allowing the Macross to use its own weapons. As they begin their attack the ODB starts overloading and the operators lose control of it. The ship appears doomed as Misa orders all Valkyries away from the ship. Hikaru’s team moves away from the Zentradi ships as they are consumed in the explosion, but Kakizaki lags behind and is killed as he attempts to escape. After the explosion the Macross remains intact, but the Zentradi ships, several Valkyries, and the town below have been destroyed.

The Zentradi capital ships spring their trap. There’s a lot of wear and tear as well as non-standard repairs visible on the Zentradi ships.

The ODB holds under intense fire…

…but overloads either from absorbing the incoming fire or from prolonged use.

Kakizaki is killed in the line of duty. He may not have been an exceptional pilot, but he served his team, ship, and planet well until the end.

The explosion must have moved outwards from the sphere of the ODB, leaving the Macross intact.

Afterwards the remaining members of Skull Squadron return to base, the area around them devastated and Ontario now canceling the agreement to take in the civilians. Back onboard Minmay has been taken to the hospital, and Kaifun hijacks a statement about her condition to spout his nonsense before the cameras. Minmay then calls Hikaru, oblivious to the damage caused by the explosion and Kakizaki’s death. She asks Hikaru to visit her, as she did when he was injured, but he’s too numbed by her lack of regard for the more important issues at hand and hangs up on her.

Macross is just full of cool shot sequences, even for something so old. This one for example has a cool moving, zoom-out through the Valkyrie transition as the two survivors return to base. This show just has way more attention to cool cinematography than its contemporaries like Mobile Suit Gundam and Armored Trooper Votoms.

Yes Kaifun, the hostile alien fleet will just leave you alone.

Even the rabbit is kind of ‘WTF Minmay?’ at her lack of awareness.

Oh snap! Though I generally find her insufferable, I thought that was a little harsh since she did visit Hikaru before. If she was reminded of what just happened and then still talked about herself then I wouldn’t really mind the hanging up.

Some time later the Macross receives supplies, new pilots, and new orders. After resupply is complete the Macross is to leave Earth space. The UN HQ does not say why this is the case, and although Global speculates that they want the Macross destroyed as part of a bid to open negotiations, I find this illogical and unconvincing. But who knows, this is anime and outside of Legend of the Galactic Heroes there is rarely a political move that actually makes sense. Hikaru attempts to write a letter to Kakizaki’s family informing them of his death, but starts crying and can’t bring himself to write it at the moment. He then learns from Max that Max is being promoted to 1^st Lieutenant and given subordinates of his own, as the two are now some of the most senior pilots left onboard. Down in the bowels of the ship, the Genshiken Team has a last meal before departing the Macross, their spy mission now coming to a close.

I hope they have grills that stamp a little UN Spacy logo onto the hamburgers.

Not what Hikaru would like to be doing right now, especially so quickly after Roy’s death as well.

This is something else Macross does better than Gundam: a sense of advancement and leadership/responsibility for the characters.

The trio discusses their favorite bridge bunnies over dinner.

The two senior officers share a drink and a meaningful glance, both knowing that their ship is really on its own now.

At the Zentradi HQ Britai is assigned a new fleet to return to Earth with, and the newly extracted Genshiken Team makes their report to their higher ups. They show tokens of the Miclone culture that they studied as well, somehow managing to obtain and load onto the Regult a variety of objects including a grand piano. After their report they all smile to each other when the topic comes up of anything that they’ve kept, which turns out to be a huge pile of stuff much larger than what they showed to their commanders. Even though they could be executed if they’re found out, they decide to show some of their friends what they’ve brought back. The group samples candy, and sits amazed by the singing Minmay doll.

Laplamiz seems to have some reason to distrust Britai, and his new orders make her suspicious.

Dramatic conference room is dramatic.

Perfect for that dollhouse they’ve been building!

And thus was the Cult of Minmay founded.

The Macross’s orders now received, Global makes the broadcast he had been dreading. Informing the civilians and crew of their new orders, he almost breaks down when he has to tell the civilians that they’re being intentionally put in harm’s way. He’s joined by Minmay, Kaifun, and Misa, and Minmay goes out in front of the camera to encourage everyone to stick together and hold on to hope that they can return. Following this she sings a new song while Kaifun, in a rare moment of decency, tries to comfort Capt. Global. Misa heads to the bridge, and the Macross departs again for the stars.

My fellow Macrossians…

A rare moment of responsibility and usefulness for Minmay.

Even lowlife Kaifun is acting decent for once.

Sarabaaaa Chikuu yoooo

Final Thoughts: - As mentioned, I’m continually impressed by the visuals in this show, compared to others of its time and modern shows. Even the more modern Frontier lacked the kind of creativity seen in many of the action and dramatic shots seen in this show.

- That explosion from the Omni-Directional Barrier was much more massive than a nuclear weapon. It was reported to Global that the destruction reached 50km, while the largest US nuclear bomb ever made was the B53 with a destructive radius of 4-5km.

- Millia as a Miclone spy? This can only lead to great things.

- It’ll be interesting to see if Hikaru and Max’s subordinates will be full characters or just red shirts.

- UN HQ is not making a lot of sense right now, and while it’s the crew’s job to follow their orders without necessarily being given the bigger picture, it’s rather puzzling right now.

Even the nameless detectives cannot die.

It’s been too long since my last Mazinger Z post and while the summary was easy enough I am still at a loss for words to properly gush over just how EPIC it was and how much it moved me as a mecha fan. In any case it seems that Hell and Kenzo were in cahoots for a while and slaughtered a whole lot of Mycenae while rotting Tristan and Iseult. Baron Ashura swore terrible vengeance and teamed up with Mazinger Z and the rest of the gang. Gamia-chan was at her loveliest this ep as she shallenged the King of Hell and held it at bay until Mazinger Z went into to finish the job. The Mazinger Army was also most useful after they revealed that within each held a part that was worth much more than the actual mecha. Wife Beater Kenzo tries to make amends but I am still sorely disappointed in Tsubasa’s for not ending Kenzo’s misery buy running her Z Blade right through his thick skull. After 100 some odd combined Rocket Punches and the most Ultra Gorgeous BIG BANG PUNCH the King of Hell is slain. It was so beautiful and made me want to punch something at the same time. Nevertheless the treachery continues as Ashura had only wanted to kill Dr. Hell so that it could commit hara-kiri by ripping itself apart. With that a sequel was confirmed in a manner most dire as the not so dead Mycenae Empire invades the Earth with many pillars and the new Big Bad cuts Mt. Fuji down to size.

Final Thoughts

It was such a fun ride and I still want more of it, from the two OPs just oozing the kind of Hot-Bloodedness that makes you want to punch something or some one with gusto to the parade of treachery, it was a all out celebration of the Super Robot genre. As a new comer I do not mind how they reinvented the canon and it works remarkably well despite being a pastiche of different works. It was not simply a retread or the kind of re-imaginary betrayal that led to that bullshit called Cosmic Era, but while the story was altered the spirit was undeniably old school and, in my opinion, all the better for it. It was most innovative of them to cut out the monster of the week and when there was a fight it was a freaking brawl and a hyper violent one at that with limbs and heads being ripped apart.

In my book I think Shin Mazinger Z gets the crown for mecha series this year because Igloo 2 was all too short and while Gundam 00 chugged along fairly well, I simply did not like how the franchise has moved away from it’s real robot roots, but at the same time cannot hope to compete in the same realm as Shin Mazinger Z. Unlike Gundam which has pretty much opted for beam weapons and beam sabers in lieu of a wider range of weaponry like in the ye olde days, Shin Mazinger Z celebrated the Rocket Punch. I admit that I am no lover of beam spam and laser light shows, but for some reason the Rocket Punch just spoke to me in ways a beam saber can’t. Overall Mazinger Z was gloriously tactile when it came to combat the Photon Beam was OP but it saw much less use than the humble Rocket Punch. I don’t really have the words to describe it but there was something more primeval about just tearing your opponent to shreds, ripping off the limbs, and punching in its face that seems manlier than just stabbing him though and having your opponent explode. I guess I just like watching pieces fly.

Jihad-Jesus-kun may have more fans, Igloo 2’s Death may be of the Yuri and toying with Nazon, but I still think Almighty Zeus is the Mecha God of the year and perhaps for decades to come. I rarely see shows that celebrate a god like figure, and in Shin Mazinger Z they gave super robot fans a new Lord to praise and a few slogans to use forever more. I cannot put into words how much fun it is to use caps lock and type in stuff like: SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS, SMASH EVERYTHING INTO ATOMS, and IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS. It just gets the blood pumping like noting else.

Story wise they did so much better than I could have expected with the radical departure from monster of the week to betrayal upon betrayal and the slow revelation of why people are fighting. While they ruined the end of every arc from the start it did not take away the thrill of the ride. I like how the good guys are just as fucked up as their enemies and don’t harp on crap like justice and arresting people. No here it’s an unapologetic stance of I’LL JUST KICK THE CRAP OUT OF YOU AND TOUGH SHIT IF YOU DIE. In this way they avoided much of the angst that teenagers lap up. Another wondrous point was how they could all of a sudden go into comedy mode with Boss, Blocken Soccer, the introduction of the Corps of Detectives, and Lecherous Schneider V2. I like how they made Mazinger Z undisputedly superior and while it would always win eventually it was the daft decisions of its pilot and other characters that prevented it from winning every inning. Mazinger Z would always prevail, but it did not win every bout which is kind really nice as it is comes of as a knock out drag out fight to the finish rather than a short duel every ep, but without going through multiple eps trying to up power levels or charge the laser.

I can forgive every one not dying since death means nothing to Hot-Blooded Heroes, given how Gamia met her demise rather early on I did not mind one bit that she was repaired and brought back. The Kurogane Five were already zombies of sort from the start, and Juuzo did really die, but his replacement, the Ultra Gorgeous Computer Grandpa kept his spirit going. It was a fanservicy show, but not in the traditional hawtness method. Gamia-chan is the kind of girl only a mechatard can love given how she still has joint lines and isn’t really a girl, ditto for Lorelei. Sayaka was humiliated more often than not and her fansevice was more lulz than ZOMG HAWTNESS. Maybe I just don’t like Sayaka and think of her as being utterly useless as Venus A, but let’s be honest here we have had traps that look better than her. Besides, her IQ is a dismally low as her combat abilities, and I don’t really like faux action girl types.

In the end I will miss this series very much as it was my kind of mecha, as I only really enjoy Real Robot and Super Robot when they celebrate all the aspects that mark them as members of each camp. If I have one complaint it would be the lack of budget, but there isn’t really much else to complain about from the stand point of Super Robot. As a Super Robot series is succeeds magnificently, but I don’t think this will be everyone’s cup of tea since Super Robot is pretty niche. There is no pretense to realism, just an unabashed celebration of Super Robot, Rocket Punches, raunchy humor, and hot-bloodedness. But still in the end, IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL, so FUCK YEAH!

Final Grade: A+ (For mecha fans only, do not take if you have no love of mecha or hot-blooded protagonists that have no time for weeping and/or women. Side effects include Punching Out Your Boss, Tossing Things That Resemble Fists, SMASHING EVERYTHING INTO ATOMS, Getting Into BIG FIGHTS, Carving “Z” into Everything You Own, and Using Caps Lock to Praise Almighty Zeus. For side effects that last for more than a month IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS watch Shin Mazinger Z again and support the sequel.)

Kenzo was wanking too hard again…

Oh way to man up Kenzo blame the Kedora…

Zeus thought little of your excuse anyway.

NEVER FORGIVE NEVER FORGET!

Gamia-chan came to kick ass today.

Aww QQQ-chan also plays homebrew.

I’d go with very picture of hell…

For the record it was all Kenzo’s fault.

Ganbatte Gamia-chan.

Gamia-chan will also SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS.

Dude which one of you farted?

Yeah I bet your remember that smell.

By Zeus on of you shat in you pants didn’t ya.

…you didn’t even flush.

Yes Kenzo is a terrible father, I hope you remember that Ultra Gorgeous Computer Grandpa can still disown you and Shiro.

Kenzo still could not hit the cocoon…

Why not OVER 9000?

Only a fool would think that their fire has gone out in the universe…

That doesn’t rule out undeath you know…

Noe finds their Fake Tears to be corrosive and disgusting.

Such is the fate of those who would defy Almighty Zeus.

Well the story of Zeus is scrawled upon the pages history with the blood of his enemies…

Like Alphard onee-sama once said those who fail to master their hatred are useless.

Oh I have been laughing at you for some time now.

Lol I was laughing without permission anyways.

:3

Ummm…Dr. Hell you have to pull the sword out to be King.

Quothed Dr. Hell…

It’s raining men…?!

No it’s raining punches…hallelujah it’s raining punches!

NICE IDEA.

Finally the most useful components are coming into play.

Go and SMASH EVERYTHING INTO ATOMS.

…

To SHINE IN THE NAME OF ZEUS.

Mazinger Z will never die.

OH YEAH

Rocket rush.

One day I would like to ride a big huge Rocket Punch.

Right in the baby maker.

How’s that for cutting him down to size?

No.

By Zeus do you all plan on taking credit for Mazinger Z’s hard work?.

I like the sound of that.

Wai Wai new mantra.

Almighty Zeus has waited long for this day…

It never gets old.

I need a wall paper of this.

And Zeus goes for the swing!

Oh how it shines!

Sending glitter throughout the universe.

Sweetness.

No Mazinger Z beat Dr. Hell you just held on for the ride.

Man Global Warming is a bitch.

Well that was a quick Endless Eight…

What can I say far too few boys want join House Colasour these days.

He could have called it a liberation then.

Then he should have asked.

Man outsmarted by Ashura…Tsubasa you have reached a new low, you should kill Kenzo to make up for it.

Piss Poor Aim I’d say.

It seems everyonw here has gattai-ed.

But you haven’t even tried anything yet…

What are you mad that she did do some godly plastic surgery while she was at it?

DO IT.

Seems Zeus broke his and her life.

This still does not answer the question of what you were packing the whole time.

Long time no see.

Ah stepping in after sending in the mooks first.

I look foward to round one, WHICH BETTER BE SOON!

Knowing that Inuyasha would finally be finished after so many episodes and filler had really gotten me excited. It was one of the first anime that I watched, during the time of Midnight Run/early Adult Swim back in late middle school and high school. And the nostalgic satisfaction is definitely there. While some annoying fans may sully the reputation of an otherwise great show, even bringing some to think themselves too good to associate with it, I (and in subsequent posts, possibly Crusader as well) will watch, blog, and enjoy the final act of a very fun show. So join us for the nostalgia and the final battles of the War of the Shikon Jewel!

The Young Turks: Hakudoshi and Goryomaru approach Kagura to enlist her support in overthrowing their creator.

Meanwhile the old gang is up to their usual downtime antics.

It can be tough for a part-time student who commutes from the feudal era.

Though her day wasn’t all bad.

Hakudoshi convinces Kagura to aid her and Goryomaru as they attempt to overthrow Naraku with the promise of returning Kagura’s heart to her as her reward. Kagura, as in the past, is playing a dangerous game working against the holder of her heart, and he is indeed observing. As Inuyasha and Kagome return to the feudal era, the Hakudoshi faction begins to move against holders of Shikon Jewel fragments as they gather resources to fight Naraku.

Kagome’s shard is the first to be captured.

As Goryomaru attempts to take Koga’s.

But Kikiyo is ever vigilant against the spawn of her hated enemy and bails Koga out.

Kagura is dispatched to take Kohaku’s shard and corners him while he hunts a youkai. But his determination to destroy Naraku overcomes Kagura’s desire to kill him for the benefit of her unsavory allies and she destroys the crystal he had planned to use against Naraku and tells him to stay away lest he be destroyed. But Hakudoshi apparently suspected that she might not be cold hearted enough for the job and appears. Kagura attacks him and tells Kohaku to run, though her attacks have no effect. Inuyasha and his group appears, protects Kagura, but also has no effect against Hakudoshi. But finally Naraku forsakes Hakudoshi and his guardian insects leave, allowing Miroku to destroy him with his windtunnel.

Temporary allies.

His arrogance has led to a quick death.

Sorry, this show only lets you have a limited party size. Plus Kagura is much more badass as a lone wolf/free agent. I only accept her joining forces with Sesshomaru.

Overall the first episode does a great job refreshing our memories of what happened last and where the characters stand, which is important given the length of time in between Kanketsuhen and the previous seasons. Going into the second episode Kohaku goes to pray with Sango at their family’s graves and the 0060s Federal Fantasy Rearmament Program kicks into high gear. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Miroku investigate the cave of Midoriko, a priestess who fought and absorbed youkai long ago. Koga knows that an escalation of conflict is imminent and goes to his clan’s ancestral burial grounds to seek their sacred weapon, the Goraishi. And Kikiyo takes the soul of Midoriko to heal her reopened wounds from Mt. Hakurei as Inuyasha follows her soul collector back to her hideout.

Everyone finds their strength somewhere.

While others seek out material aid in the fight against Naraku.

Such respect for the sacred weapon of the ancestors.

Kagome felt a disturbance in the force when Inuyasha was so eager to guard the cave himself. It is the return of her rival, the lovely Kikiyo!

Quite the cool shot.

It was as if a million the Kagome fans screamed out in jealousy, and were regrettably not silenced.

Kohaku is also drawn to Kikiyo’s location by the shard of the Shikon Jewel in his neck, and Koga feels the disturbance while fighting against the guardian of the Goraishi. With Kohaku listening, Kikiyo describes her plan for final victory over Naraku. Since he is not quite of this world, their only chance is to let him, or even help him, complete the Shikon Jewel and inhabit it. Then, in that instant he will be vulnerable to purification. But this plan will require Kohaku’s shard and removing it will kill him.

The plan.

Allowing this one battle to be lost may win the war.

Alea iacta est.

“Inuyasha, you must be capable of setting aside your fear, setting aside your hesitation, and even your revulsion. Every natural inhibition that, during battle, can mean the difference between life and death. When you can be this for as long as you have to be, then you’re a razor. Naraku is forcing us all to become razors. Because if we don’t, we don’t survive. And then we don’t have the luxury of becoming simply human or half-youkai again. Do you understand me?”

Preparation for the escalation of conflict begins elsewhere as well. Goryomaru kills and takes the shell of Meioju as armor for himself, making him impervious to attack. And Kouga continues fighting the guardian beast of the Goraishi as it denies him the weapon. After repeatedly destroying the reforming guardian, his companions are threatened by the fire it spews just as he is about to seize the weapon. Jumping in to save them, he earns the respect of his ancestors and the Goraishi fuses with him.

Everyone decided to PUT YA GUNS ON and upgrade to new kit for the coming battle.

Kouga’s wolf clan delinquent followers worship their bancho.

This hand glows with an awesome power!

Elsewhere Kagura is floating around, trying to figure out what to do now when Naraku appears before her. He offers to return her heart to her body even though she betrayed him. Despite her skepticism he does so, but then immediately pierces her body and infects her with miasma, leaving her free but condemned to death in a short amount of time. Sesshomaru is nearby and encounters Goryomaru in his new armor. The two fight, but Sesshomaru’s attacks with Tokijin are ineffective against the heavy armor. Being held in place by Goryomaru, Sesshomaru notices a blood stained petal float by. As Goryomaru sneers at Kagura’s impending death, Sesshomaru gains RAGE STRENGTH and breaks free of his grip, delivering an azure energy attack that breaks the shell, unleashes absorbed energy, and breaks the Tokijin.

Naraku eliminating another coup member.

Yes, my liege is back in his full glory!

But nearby Kagura is gravely wounded.

Don’t you dare underestimate his might, nor taunt Kagura’s pain!

Sesshomaru touches the untouchable, breaks the unbreakable! ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER!

After Goryomaru escapes Sesshomaru quickly leaves behind his broken sword and searches for Kagura. He finds her in a field of white flowers, dying but still appreciating her new freedom. He approaches, but realizes that not even Tensaiga’s power can save her now. There ther share a brief, bittersweet moment together. She assumed Sesshomaru followed the scent of blood and miasma thinking it was Naraku, but he tells her that he knew it was her. She’s initially surprised, but smiles and tells him that she’s glad to see him one last time before she passes. As she dies Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku arrive, and before he departs Sesshomaru lets them know of her final smile. Her spirit now resides in the winds, finally free.

You can call it melodramatic if you want, but I thought this was a very poetic shot.

At least she was able to face her death free from Naraku.

One last meeting.

:*(

Witnessing the passing of a fine character.

Freedom at last.

Final Thoughts: - It’s been so long since I last watched this, it’s a great feeling of happy nostalgia to see the story and characters back again, and this time moving towards a final resolution.

- I really didn’t expect two characters to die this quickly. Especially Kagura. And she was one of my favorites too! I’ll admit that my eyes got a tiny bit watery during her death scene with Sesshomaru. Watery in a MANLY fashion, mind you.

- The OP by Do As Infinity is very nice, and paired with the opening animation I think it does a great job conveying the feeling of all the characters and past events coming back together for the final showdown. I also just like DaI a lot, heh.

- The Hakudoshi mutiny was crushed pretty quickly by Naraku, leaving only Goryomaru alive. I have to wonder if he just hasn’t been targeted by Naraku yet or it Naraku is just leaving him alive to become armor as was his original purpose.

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