Tag Archives: Nazo no Kanojo X

Weekly Musings – For the week ended May 28

Posted on by fnzna
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主食は紫陽(ry / クラソラ

They say good thing comes in pairs (Wikipedia). This saying is especially true for this week: not only did I get the chance to go to Anime North and see Twitter friends in real life, this week’s anime were generally excellent, with some series that were doing not that great for the previous weeks displaying their best episode this week. While it is all joyful, it is a bit troubling also, since I was not able to see some of those good episode before I had to hand in my ballot for Anime Power Rankings for this week because of Anime North, which in turn made me overrate some shows while completely leaving some really good episode off the ballot. I doubt that it will change the result that much, but it is still a bummer to see you not actually voting what you actually think is the best. (FYI, I voted Apollon, Space Bros, Natsuiro Kiseki, Tsuritama, Hyouka for APR)

Fate/Zero – Episode 21 (14 points): The week’s Fate/Zero can be divided into two main parts, the first part being the confrontation and battle between Rider and Saber. While the main battle only lasted a short time, a lot more time were spent on the race between Rider and Saber. The idea of the race itself was an interesting idea, since by definition Rider must be excellent in races, and because of Saber’s special ability of riding, she is also quite equipped for races, and putting the two for a race around the roads with different types of mounts (horse chariots vs motorcycles) is just an obvious but awesome idea. Aside from the idea, the execution of the race was fluid, all to remind us of how excellent ufotable is at making such animations. The second part….O DANG YOU GEN, how much more despair must you put into your characters. As if making Kariya take Sakura’s magic wasn’t suffering enough, now he must face anger and rejection from the one that he loved and did all to help. Ya, the second part of the episode was quite haunting, especially Kariya’s speech… Lastly, it is really embarrassing, but it seems that I was totally off in my conclusion in my previous Weekly Musings, at least it is good to see that Rider is still true to his beliefs, but it is also true that the toll from the previous battle have caused him to be more reserved.

Sakamichi no Apollon  - Episode 7 (13 points): After few episodes of mediocre jazz-lacking episode, we are finally given a powerful and touching episode between Kaoru and Sentarou. Yea while the first part is more of the romance drama, which I don’t enjoy a whole lot, there is always this issue with the strained friendship between the two, something which I like more. Then finally, coming in full conclusion, the two finally overcame the wall with music, complete with Ritsuko commenting on it and tearing up. The scene where the whole school running to the gym to listen to the two is a nice addition, but really it is the ability to finally incorporate jazz so deeply into this episode’s plot that I have finally put this episode back so high.

Nazo no Kanojo  X – Episode 8 (11 points): Aside from the difference between male and female in relationships, this episode shows the similarities of responses between the couple, with Tsubaki tearing up as he understand the texture of Urabe’s oppai’s and then with Urabe tearing up when Tsubaki starts licking her ears. By the end of the episode, we can conclude that both are akin to tears of happiness, but it is interesting to see how with the similar responses the other partner can interpret it so differently. In this episode we also see Urabe starting to experience and get confused by physical pleasures, to the more intimate levels of relationships. Also, seeing Oka fogging up her glasses because of the strong emotions she received from Urabe’s saliva is pure gold. Lastly, the music continues to do a great job in adding the whole mystery feel in the idea of dating and knowing your partner.

Smile Precure – Episode 17 (11 points): The rumored 6th Precure has appeared, and his name is Cure Gorilla. O man, that comedy duo, I don’t care if they are actually based on a real comedy duo or not, but they are pretty jokes. Yes, with Kansai-ben and comedy, this is another Akane episode, and man does Akane shine (ahahaha) during the battle this time. To be honest, I was a bit tired out by how active they were in the beginning, but that was made better by the good amount of jokes in this episode. I lost Yayoi in jankenpon but that’s OK, since Akane is the star this episode, and surprisingly, I enjoyed on how well Reika played the confused tsukkomi here. Yet, the best scene is still the ‘transformation’ scene of Cure Gorilla.

Space Brothers – Episode 8 (10 points):  With Mutta knowing his results and going back to Japan, it concludes what was discussed for the last two weeks. Aside from the potential cliffhanger from the end, there wasn’t really anything special or anything that stands out. It is still a steady solid show, taking time to develop the plot slowly, sadly making it less interesting than some of this week’s shows.

Natsuiro Kiseki – Episode 8 (9 points): With the four going on a trip to where Saki will move to after the summer, the show again does not shy away from the issues of coping with the moving of a close friend and more so, Saki’s unwillingness to voice her opinions in this whole issue. While it is still fun and games as the four enjoy of what it might be the last trip the four has together, a big focus was on Saki unease of going to the island, and her personality of just “going with the flow”. O ya, since friendship is a major plot in this show, I’m continuing liking this; too bad this week was ruined a bit by QUALITY animation.

Sankarea – Episode 8 (8 points): As much as I don’t like Rea’s father, I do think the presence of her father and the issues that arises from her father is much more interesting to look at than just a love triangle between Rea, Chihiro and Wanko. It is interesting when you compare Chihiro and Rea’s father (I think I have talked about this already), but in this episode in particular, Chihiro was fixated on filming Rea for observational purposes, while as we can recall, Rea’s father did something similar to Rea at her birthday, all to ‘measure her growth’. While it is argueable both are filming her for observational purposes, we see two completely different responses from Rea, one of embarrassment and another of disgust. Obviously, Chihiro is doing so out of care and want to know more about her so he can help preserve her better (as his responsibility), while her father is well….hmmm, to protect her from all traces of evil, and to preserve her innocence? This is why Sankarea is more interesting when Rea’s father is in it, since it compares the issue of love (Chihiro) and obsession (Rea’s father).

Others: Tsuritama (7), Hyouka (6), Saki Achiga (5), Mouretsu (4), Tasogare (3), Jormongand, Eureka AO (2), Zombie desu OTD (0)

What do you know, both Tsuritama and Hyouka didn’t even make the top 7 after all, sigh.

Weekly Musings – For the week ended May 21

Posted on by fnzna
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夕子さん / 軽部かる

This coming weekend, from Friday to Sunday, I will be attending Anime North, mostly just to go and see how an anime convention is like in North America (went to one in Hong Kong before). For anyone else going to Anime North, just hit me up on twitter to hang out. =P. That being said, since I’m at Anime North, I will most likely be missing shows from Friday to Sunday, meaning I have some catch up to do after the convention. You know what part of Anime North I’m looking for? It is to meet up with people that I have known through Twitter. Also since I don’t have anything really planned during Anime North, talk to me on Twitter or email =P.

Without further ado:

Fate/Zero – Episode 20 (14 points): You know what, since the very beginning of the second season, someone important dies in every episode, and this episode follows the trend by killing off Maiya, which is kind of a pity since we didn’t really get to know more the relationship between Maiya and Kiritsugu (that speech only seemed to surface that), so her death was less heart-breaking then, say, Natalia (so a bit of a let down). Aside from Maiya’s death, this episode was mostly all talk, with each surviving master, bar Kotomine, getting their own focus. We see the toll that the previous battle had on Iskander and how he not only had to hide his presence, as opposed to being constantly visible before, and ultimately used underhanded methods for battles, and not running to the battlefield with pride. Kariya’s sequence was even more cringe inducing, of how he was given Sakura’s magical energy obtained from the process that he was fighting the War to get Sakura out of. In short, we see both the desperate situation that each are in and their resolve to win and obtain the Holy Grail.

Space Brothers – Episode 7 (13 points): This episode is just the continuation of what was started last episode, with the idea of luck being tossed around again, but also we are given a bit more about Mutta’s quirks and ability. Yea, it is less fresh and less touching, but since it just progresses what was revealed last episode, I still enjoyed this episode quite a bit. I guess also because of the change in my personal life recently that I can relate more with the show. While I didn’t recently get fired as Mutta did, I have finished all my undergrad courses the past April but do not have a full time job lined up, and hence is currently undergoing job search. The tension of going through the interviews, the depression of knowing you did a bad job in the interview and knowing that you are likely to not go into second round. With all those happening recently, it is no wonder I was tearing up last week, because of how much encouragement that last week has shown.

Nazo no Kanojo  X – Episode 7 (11 points): You know what, this show has a great formula, and as long as they are able to follow it properly, and to make each episode different enough to make it not boring, I will continue to like this show. This week, we deal with Tsubaki’s sickness and Urabe’s possibility of joining a club. Within those two issues, we again see Tsubaki’s desire to want her all for himself, and Urabe’s happiness from knowing his desire. This shows the differences between male and female, of how male tends to think more physical, so our desires when we are in a relationship tends to be more physical, whereas females tends to be more emotional, and hence they tend to desire more the emotional aspects of their partner [citation needed]. This is shown through Tsubaki’s sadness from the idea of Urabe possibly not being there with him when he is walking home from school (physical presence), he hugging her when he is happy for what Urabe did/said (physical touch), and finally by Urabe putting Tsubaki’s nametag on her leg, showing ownership of her legs, and by extension, her body. As for Urabe, she was happy when  he supported her during the race, and from knowing that he would be sad if she joined track team, both showing how much Tsubaki cares for Urabe. When I put it that way, the relationship between Tsubaki and Urabe is nothing out of the ordinary, but really, for both of them, fresh new to this dating thing, every step is mysterious. Again follow The Untold Story of Altair & Vega’s for more in-depth write up.

Aside: You know what, I sometimes do find Oka to be annoying, espeically for her to intrude the relationship between Tsubaki and Urabe, but I guess she is important in helping their two in progressing their relationship. [Ok, I donno why I like it]

Tsuritama - Episode 6 (11 points): If we are to put arcs into this show, we must have gotten through Yuki’s arc this or last episode, since in this episode, Yuki, fully enjoying fishing, have stopped having any kind of panic from talking to people, showing the fruits of both his friendship with Haru and Natsuki and his new found hobby of fishing. With that arc done, this episode was more so a lead in to Haru’s arc, where Akira actually is finally a major part of the story (and not just being awesome and DUCK). To be honest, I am quite surprised at the gradual but unexpected development (the plot twist seems a bit…alien), and as always with this show, I will just go with the flow and see what this twist will lead us to. (I seriously need more fish puns)

Tasogare Otome x Amnesia – Episode 6 (10 points): After few mediocre episodes, we are given a more dark episode, yet the twist is that the scary part of the episode was not of any ghost’s doing, but initiated by a human’s hatred and then exploded because of humans’ fears. I have talked about it in Anime Power Rankings about the display of herd mentality in this episode, first used as the means of spreading of rumors, and then later of how it ended up being Yuuko being the scapegoat for relief for their own fears. Me, looking at this, is at least hoping that some of these people who cooperated the act of trying to sacrifice Yuuko as pure BS (aren’t we past the dark ages of doing human sacrifices and such), but it strikes to me on how often irrational stuff like these spreads like fire and we believe it without questioning it just because it is someone close to us that thinks it is correct. This episode reminds us of how terrifying humans ourselves can be….

Natsuiro Kiseki – Episode 7 (8 points): Singing Singing Singing. The four main characters are voiced by Sphere, so an episode where the four girls sings must be a good episode. Also, this episode again shows how friendship is not always fun and games but sometimes arguments will happen just because of differences in personality.

Sakamichi no Apollon  - Episode 6 (8 points): While this is an improvement from the last episode, romance still takes a huge chunk of the show, with a bit of friendship issues discussed/implied in the latter half. I’m a fan of the latter one, but not the former one. Yes, the show is solid, just as I have said how Ano Natsu de Matteru is solid, but I just don’t like the whole icky feeling from romance. Well, at least Karou and Sentaro’s friendship is being shaken now (and the intrusion of rock and roll to the jazz community), so next episode should be pretty good.

Smile Precure – Episode 16 (8 points): First off, I was and still am not a big fan of Reika, maybe it is just because I have yet to know more of her. While this episode does focus on Reika, it still does not seem to reveal much of her, in particular, her conclusion to this episode felt lacking. To add to the insult, I might have known more about the other 4 girls from Reika’s chilling with them then Reika herself. I guess the Defrosting the Ice Queen trope is in another episode. O, I also lost to Yayoi, maybe that is why I’m finding this episode less enjoyable.

Others: Hyouka (6), Saki Achiga, Mouretsu (4), Zombie desu (3), Jormongand, Sankarea (2), Eureka AO (1)

Dropped: Accel World – Episode 7: No Accel World, you don’t use the word Memory Leak like that, it has a totally different meaning to me. And for the preview, no, I don’t want loli fanservice. In general, the show just feels too blend.

Weekly Musings – For the week ended May 13

Posted on by fnzna
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つり球 / おか

In all, I think this week is kind of lackluster. While there are some really, really good episodes (Space Brothers), a lot of this week’s episode just seem meh; a lot of them actually just feel like it is an intermission episode between two arcs/plot (Jormungand, Eureka 7 AO) so that while it had time to deal with other parts of the show that it is not usually talked about before, it either end up not executing it that good or just because the element that made me like the show in the first place absent or less prominent (Koko not being the main part of this week’s Jormungand) . Also since May 13 was Mother’s Day, three of this week’s shows incorporated mothers into the episode, either as a main device (Smile Precure) or just a small mention (Fate/Zero), and in general, I’m pretty surprised on how directors are able to take real life event into their shows:

Space Brothers – Episode 6 (15 points): I actually teared up a bit while watching this. As I have stated on Anime Power Rankings, this episode was really inspiring, something that I presume that the anime is set out to do. The idea of luck was tossed around quite often in this episode, of how Mutta believed that he is really unlucky, yet at the same time, unknown to him, a judge looked at his situation and went out of his way to help Mutta. This judge not only know him when he was little, but was further set on supporting him because of the judge’s similar past. Heck, this is one huge coincidence (you just can’t believe how lucky Mutta actually is), bordering on fantasy (there is no way that all these things would align to each other so nicely), yet, because of the solid foundation the show had laid before in showing all the details and all the connection to real life events, this whole coincidence just looks like a small ray of hope in the depressing reality of Mutta, and maybe also to some of us who are not in the best of situation. Just seeing how Mutta is supported in the most critical moments is just really touching.

Fate/Zero – Episode 19 (14 points): O Fate/Zero, I don’t know if it was planned or not, that is just such a depressing way to celebrate Mother’s Day. This is the second episode about Kiritsugu’s past, with this episode detailing the time he was under Natalia’s care. While the first was also solid, as we saw how the various mission have made Kiritsugu more and more stoic, and to have a short sequence where it hinted to form his current ideology and strategy, the best part of the episode is in the second half of the episode, where Kiritsugu communicates to Natalia over radio. Within that chat/small talk, they discussed of how they see each other as family and talks as if everything is fine (while both and most likely the audience also know that there is no way that the plane can land safely without releasing the bees also, creating more victims). In short, it does a good job of showing how Kiritsugu became more and more broken. (Source: Reverse Thieves)

Tsuritama - Episode 5 (12 points): The animation is lively, the characters are quirky (and sometimes a bit annoying), and there is a good amount of character development in every episode, this show is growing on me.

Smile Precure – Episode 15 (12 points): As if I have forgotten about Mother’s Day, Smile Precure did a whole episode about Mother’s Day, showing how important it is to give graititue to your mother (;A; I’m sorry that I only called my mom and not get her something for Mother’s Day). Aside from seeing how Miyuki fails at helping her mom and laughing at her, it is also interesting to see what the other four Precure’s made for their mom, showing their personality and their relationship between their family. Also, the Precure’s were relative collaborative in their attacks, and YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Akane/Precure Sunny for stepping up to help Miyuki and to stop Woflrun’s from dissing Miyuki. O and next episode preview, what is this…

Saki: Achiga-hen – Episode of Side-A – Episode 5 (11 points): Call me biased, but the reason that I forcefully made Saki to be so high in rankings is because of it finally being what I like about it: the characters either on the mahjong table playing or discussing about the game. Finally. The characters are still blend, they are all still rather weak, but at least they are playing the darn game and not just going on about chessy lame stuff. This finally feels so much more like a Saki sequel; now all is missing is the over-the-top playing style or abilities (comeon, I’m not asking a character of Saki caliber, but someone cool like Hisa).

Nazo no Kanojo  X – Episode 6 (11 points): Similar to last week, while there are nothing really to write home about, it just a simple cute story between the two, with each episode of them finding a new aspect that they don’t know/haven’t tried with each other, investigates it and finally understand each other more and grow deeper in their relationship. The Untold Story of Altair & Vega talks more in detail about the episode.

Sakamichi no Apollon  - Episode 5 (9 points): Yes, this is the same show that I ranked it as #1 last week. This episode is mediocre. Suddenly Kaoru’s mother is introduced (relating to Mother’s Day) and this episode talks of how Karou went to see his mom. In the end, more questions were raised than answered, leaving us hanging there for answers (and not as a cliffhanger, but as a “we-might-talk-about-this-later” type of hanging), and while we do see a temporary solution to the tension between Karou and Ritsuko and see the tension between Yurika and Junichi, the whole episode just feels off from the usual plot.

Natsuiro Kiseki – Episode 6 (8 points): Upon dropping Upotte!!, I decided to watch Natsuiro Kiseki, a show that have been getting solid rankings on APR and a show that I was on the verge of watching in at the start of the season (but forgot about it as the season went by), and to my surprise, it is pretty good. Yeah, it is the same old “4 cute girls doing cute things” setting, it does a decent job in viewing the more serious aspects of the friendship between the 4 and about themselves, not to mention the distinct personality that each characters brings into the friendship and the show.

Rest:

Sankarea (6), Hyouka, Tasogare, Mouretsu (5) [filler episode + QUALITY animation] Eureka 7 AO, Zombie desu (3), Jormungand (1), Accel World (0)

Dropped: Medaka Box – Episode 6: The show is just too shounen, with most of the times spent on the action. The characters are one dimensional, and therefore, I don’t really care about them and their battles. For people who enjoy One Piece, Naruto, Bleach they might like it. I guess I just don’t like shounen manga/anime in general, putting it as on-hold (not really dropped, but since I rarely go back to my on-hold list, it is good as dropped).