Working!! 09 – There’s Something About Kotori-chan

This week’s instalment of Working!! focused on the show’s most absurd situation yet: the episode revolved around Sota cross-dressing to meet Inami’s usually-absent father. Surprisingly, though, the subject matter was handled in a fashion which really wasn’t as over the top as I would have expected. The humour didn’t attempt to be as dramatic as the events taking place, and this created a really nice contrast between sheer insanity on screen and jokes that didn’t actually push all that hard. The show knows when it needs to go the extra mile for a laugh but it also knows when it doesn’t. The latter was definitely the case here, and suffice to say, things were absolutely hilarious. I was reduced to tears from laughing so hard.

Inami's dad teaches by example...

Durarara!! 20 – I Reject Your Reality

I had fully intended to make this post yesterday, but two problems got in my way.  First, I didn’t have access to a computer for most of the evening, and that’s mostly my own fault.  It didn’t matter anyway though, because after watching episode 20, I really had no idea what to make of its message.  I’m writing this without looking at any other posts, but I have a feeling many others felt the same way about Erika and Walker’s little exchanges during the episode.  I’ve had almost a full day to think about it.  Let’s see how well I can do at explaining things.

I can't make screencaps right now, so thanks to Random Curiosity!

Angel Beats! 09 – Lord of the Abandoned Train Tracks

I think that episode nine of Angel Beats! was the series’ strongest in a while. What humour was there was fantastic, the drama was good and a key character’s backstory got the attention it deserved. A clear direction for the rest of the show’s run was also forged, and it looks like we’re in for a fantastic last few episodes because of it.

Arakawa Under the Bridge 8 – Fathers and Son

At first, I didn’t think much of this episode. It seemed too heavy on the drama, too light on the comedy. But it’s in situations like this where blogging a series can really change one’s mind. The more I thought about the episode and as I rewatched it for taking screenshots, I grew to really like it. It certainly got melodramatic at times, but it was still damned funny, and we found out more about Riku’s past, probably more than in any other episode before it.

Somehow, I feel that this final shot is very representative of this episode.

Giant Killing 08 – Come, Try Again!

The most recent episode of Giant Killing really doesn’t revolve around the characters or the game of football.  Well, it focuses on Kuro, but that’s not the point.  Rather, it tries to convey an important life lesson.  I love it when an anime can reach past its own universe to cause an impact on the viewer, and it’s not just because it makes it easy to write a post.  It does help, though.

I hope you're taking notes. There'll be a quiz later.

Working!! 08 – The Onsen Episode Without the Onsen Scene

Episode eight of Working!! took the staff of Wagnaria to a hot spring. With promises of onsen antics, the reappearance of the Magic Hand, and Inami and her punch-happiness coming back in full force, I was expecting nothing less than hysteria. This episode, however, turned out much differently to what I was expecting. Nonetheless, it was still a huge amount of fun and we really got to see that things are moving in the right direction.

You and about 99% of the fanbase, bud.

Tenshi the AI – Round 2

Maeno posed a question in Raph’s most recent post on Angel Beats.  Why didn’t Yuri just delete Angel’s program?  Wouldn’t that have solved the problem immediately?  The short answer to this question is she simply can’t do it.  I could just leave it at that, but it doesn’t really explain anything about the underworking technology.  If you’re prepared, click past the break so I can give you a little lecture on some basic computer theory.

You are not prepared!

Angel Beats! 08 – Clones, Battles and Characterisation

As can be expected of this series, the eighth instalment of Angel Beats! was a wild ride indeed. And yet – despite the humour, action and adventure – for the majority of the episode, it looked as though we would get almost no plot progression. Until… wham! We received an absolutely killer ending (with yet another cliffhanger), which provided an excellent set-up for the remainder of the season.

Tenshi 2 shows off her sprinting prowess.

Durarara!! 19 – Your Betrayal

I just heard this song on the radio and I thought the title was appropriate for what just happened.  This episode felt like a game of roulette where the main protagonists found out some details about their major roles in the conflict.  Of course, no one knows everything, and none of them realize Izaya has done a fair amount of work manipulating from the background.  The key here is how they find out about each other or their affiliated groups.

Could you turn the creepiness down a notch or two?

The Bakemonogatari Delay: By the Numbers

It’s hard to believe, but over 320 days since the first episode of Bakemonogatari aired on July 3, 2009, the show is still not complete. It has been almost 3 months since the latest episode was released. It was easily the most popular show of 2009, dominating the chatter in anime fandom both in Japan and out. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at this incredible – unprecedented? – delay from a couple different perspectives.