Star Driver 21 – Late to the Party

I’d love to be the guy to add to the parade of comments about how Wako seems to be favoring Takuto over Sugata, but I feel I already did last week. Instead, I’d like to comment on what seems to be the apparent end of the Kou/Madoka arc. These two, aside from having the hots for each other, really seemed to be shallow characters without much of a back story, which may lead many to question why they were even in the series at all (Save filling air time). But, this isn’t a really new phenomenon, and many anime have utilized this late introduction of new characters to varying degrees of success, and Star Driver actually did a pretty good job.

Kou and Madoka helped Wako reach this point

Magical Girl Madoka Magica 8 – Time For Some Answers

So, wow. We’re 2/3 done with the show, which means it’s about time some questions start getting answered. And that’s exactly what happened this episode, with a couple of the most major reveals yet in the show. These were part of tightly paced and well directed package, making for one of the most tense and enjoyable episodes of the show yet, despite it having almost no action.

Gosick 07 – The Black Wind Howls

Well, I’ve managed to couple my lateness with getting a post up with my interest in the ideas and questions posed by other bloggers.  Maybe this’ll be a trend for the rest of the series.  For episode 7, I’m going to take a look at the prophecy the old guy gave to Kujo.  Flareknight wonders what it means for the couple.  I think he’s right, it very clearly points to their separation somewhere in World War II.  I also want to believe he’s right about the strength of Kujo’s character.  I don’t think he’d go back home to join the war effort despite his heritage.  So what else could possibly separate the seemingly inseparable pair?  Well, let’s expand world events in the war years.

Okay, seriously, why are all old people in this series creepy?

Star Driver 20 – Interesting Parallels

It has been a few episodes since my last post on this show, but aside from some Karaoke and late night shenanigans from Keito, nothing much happened in episodes 18 and 19. It doesn’t help that I’m not really a fan of either Kou or Madoka, as I find their characters rather shallow. Episode 20, on the other hand, threw a whole bunch of stuff at us that is worth mentioning, but my main focus is going to be on the how the modern trio of Sugata, Wako, and Takuto is eerily familiar to the one fully introduced in this episode.

Magical Girl Madoka Magica 7 – The Downfall of Sayaka Miki

Very exposition heavy episode this week, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t see some epic shit go down. Kyoko’s back story went into Key territory in its forced drama, but the way it was told was visually entertaining, and it added depth to her character. And we were finally served with some genuine character development in Sayaka as she came to terms with the fact that she’s a “zombie.”

Madoka Magica: Special Victims Unit

To those of you who really want Madoka to become a mahou shoujo, I have to say shame on you. More to the point, you’re probably not the type of person I would want to hang out with. From the discussions that I’ve seen over the past few weeks, a lot of people seem to be focusing on the finer points of contract formation and minors. While this is certainly an interesting discussion, it is a red herring. Instead, a lot of things in this series have striking similarities to one of my favorite non anime shows, Law and Order: SVU. Unfortunately, Mariska Hargitay (or her partner, whatever that guy’s real name is) won’t be there to try and save the day.

Magical Girl Madoka Magica 6 – What’s His Motivation?

Another couple weeks, another worldview changing revelation. What else is new in Magical Girl Madoka Magica? Episode 5 wasn’t really inspiring, despite having some solid action, but combined with episode 6, it has been a solid pair of episodes in this show. The fantasy set up stage seems to be coming to a close here with conflict against our first major villain in Sakura Kyoko, and new questions join old ones as we see hints of what’s to come.

Gosick 05 – Researching Rarity

Well, I’m feeling well enough to get up to date on my anime and actually make a post, so here we are at week five of Gosick.  Last week, we had the addition of a mysterious transfer student, and this week, we find out her motivations.  It turns out she’s a fake, after a treasure stolen by a thief about eight years ago.  The treasure in question is Penny Black.  Supposedly, it’s a very rare stamp, and naturally the misprints go for even larger sums of money.  It’s the opportunity of a lifetime!  Or is it?  I’ve got a bit of research for you, so hold on to your hats and let’s get on with it.

Here's the stamp in question.

Magical Girl Madoka Magica 4 – Things Aren’t Going to End Well, Are They?

There was plenty that happened in this episode that could be used to fuel speculation. At the same time, I’m not much of one for speculation; I prefer to let the work come to me at its own pace. Guessing and coming up with outlandish theories to fit what we know so far is not the game for me. Still, this episode gave lots of indications and hints that are worth at least mentioning.

Star Driver 17 – Playing for Real

That was one hell of a way to shake things up. While the last episode was more of a conclusion to things that were really inevitable given the nature of the few episodes before it, this episode added a lot of things to this show that need to be discussed. First off, and most importantly I might add, were the introduction of Kou and Madoka.

Mizu....something or other. What was her name again