Nisemonogatari - Episode 4

Finally freed from his captivity at the hands of Senjougahara, thanks in no small part to Hanekawa, Koyomi finally gets the chance to return and aid his sisters after Tsukihi's plea for help received to his mobile phone.

The trouble is, do the Fire Sisters really want their big brother's help?  It certainly doesn't seem like it as they refuse to tell him anything about what's doing on, much to his irritation.  Luckily, Tsubasa's presence and her apparent assistance with whatever Karen and Tsukihi have been up to gives our protagonist a chance to find out at least a little of what's developed here - a story which unsurprisingly involves the Fire Sister's attempts to track down the peddler of curses which affected Nadeko and others at their school, and even less surprisingly led them to Deishu Kaiki.

As Araragi goes for a bath to cool off and mull over whether there's really any danger from a supposed swindler like Kaiki, so a wild Shinobu appears - not just to tease Koyomi in terms of both body and mind as she proves surprisingly talkative, but also to offer her own thoughts on the situation, even if she's at pains to announce that this is on account of her boredom rather than any true desire to help.  Recounting a story she heard from Oshino, it seems that Karen has been afflicted with a cursed disease known as the "wreathe-fire bee", a rampant fever that sure enough has now struck Karen down.  That, of course, leaves the question of what to do about it - Shinobu is unable to help with any simple resolution in this case, which means that Koyomi is likely going to have to take far more direct action to save his little sister.

After all the japes and joking around of its early episodes, things have finally taken a more serious turn as of the latter half of this week's episode of Nisemonogatari, although this series being what it is even the most worrying of situations are served up with playful banter between characters, in particular as we finally get a proper introduction to the formerly mute Shinobu as she toys with her "master" while also filling him in on the gaps in his knowledge.  This makes for another dialogue filled, visually stunning, frequently perverted and generally engaging instalment - yet there's still an indefinable something missing in comparison to Bakemonogatari.  I can't quite put a finger on what that something is, but it continues to nag at me as the series goes on, somewhat akin to an worry that the series is trying too hard to appease the fans and losing some of the heart of what made its predecessor great in the process.  I don't want to say that I'm not enjoying this series, because that wouldn't even be vaguely true, but somehow I feel it's leaving a gap in my heart that I can't quite grasp.

Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing - Episode 15

Despite their secretive armaments and an Exile of their own, it seems that even Glacies' massed forces are powerless to resist the Federation's own Exile, brought to bear once again courtesy of Princess Liliana.  But with Glacies laid to waste, is the horror of the destruction wreaked upon this land the final straw in turning opinion against ruling president Luscinia within factions of the Federation?

While the suriving pilots of Glacies are greeted by an unexpected figure, the Sky Pirates have problems of their own as they being repairing the destruction caused to their own hideout by the Federation, giving them more than enough evidence that Kartoffel and its people are also within Ades' sights.  Given that, it's no surprise that the Sky Pirates are more than willing to lend everything at their disposal to Millia, although what she's actually going to do with such dwindling power is another question entirely.

Indeed, much of this episode is really about Millia's inner turmoil, with her loathing of what her sister Liliana has done using her control of an Exile offset by the fact that she is, after all, still her sister.  Her outer determination to kill Liliana to put an end to the suffering and destruction she's caused brings an angry reaction from Fam, who sets out to prove her friend's idea wrong the only way she knows how - by racing with her Vanship.  Come the end of this demonstration, Millia and Fam are singing from the same song sheet once again, the song in question being one of creating happiness for all and sundry - an idealistic concept, but one that might just fit in with the news delivered to their doorstep by the end of the episode.

After an episode of wall to wall action last week, things were bound to be a little more sedate in terms of warfare with a requirement to focus instead on the personal and political.  I still can't shake the feeling that  Fam, the Silver Wing's politics still haven't been hammered out and depicted well enough to really have any impact, but thankfully the depictions of war, destruction and loss coupled with Millia's conflicting emotions had enough to power the episode forwards somewhat.  Some of its developments may still feel a little too convenient, and it certain manages its warfare in the sky better than its other elements, but I'm continuing to enjoy this new take on Last Exile's world nonetheless.

Guilty Crown - Episode 14

Never mind culture festivals, the inhabitants of Tennozu First High School and the wider Loop7 region have some big problems on their hands - namely, that they've been labelled as contaminated by new president Keido and have thus been quarantined from the rest of Japan.

With communications down and no real way of knowing what's going on in the outside world, the school's students quickly become restless, with most of their bile reserved for the student council president Arisa - despite her assertions that her grandfather and the Kuhouin group he fronts will do everything in their power to rescue them, these promises fall on deaf ears largely on account of the school's delinquent elements.  With no communications and the the whereabouts of the rest of FUneral Parlour still unknown, even the likes of Tsugumi and Ayase are powerless, although the former does just so happen to pick up a Void strength measuring device that she finds laying around.

While those within the walled-in quarantine zone wait idly, the powers that be are rather more energetic however as they put their own plan into action - effectively, organised genocide against those remaining in Loop 7 using Endlaves and a movable barrier to shrink the quarantine area ever smaller.  As news begins to filter through about what's going on, panic breaks out in the school, while the promise of freedom in return for handing in Funeral Parlour members creates a witch-hunt which threatens more than just actual members of the organisation.  As things look set to get really out of hand, it's ultimately left to Shu to step up to the plate and make a difference, courtesy of a plan involving the use of Tsugumi's newly-unveiled Void to gain the support of the students while showing that the government have no interest in the survival of those within Loop 7.  Reluctantly, it seems as if Shu is stepping into the... well... shoes... of predecessor Gai.

As the episodes roll on by, there's an ever-increasing suspension of disbelief - or more precisely, a willingness to accept what you're seeing without question - that comes with watching Guilty Crown.  So many of its twists and turns now feel like convenient plot twists, such as Tsugumi's Void and the Void measuring device, while other elements are as-of yet unexplained such as how Keido is not only alive but President of Japan.  No doubt some of these questions will be answered, but that still doesn't change the fact that Guilty Crown is pretty much the de facto home of dei ex machina of all shapes and sizes at the moment.  Then again, if you embrace these elements and just roll with it, the slick presentation and occasional "cool factor" go a long way towards making up for those deficiencies - if only that wasn't such a big "if", and if only this series wasn't marketed as a noitaminA work, we'd probably be saying far more positive things about it.

Amagami SS+ plus - Episode 4

When confronted with a random (and not to mention insincere) confession from a classmate out in town, there's nothing for it but for poor Rihoko to blurt out that she's really in love with Junichi, who just so happens to be standing right around the corner.  But did he hear her over the noise from a passing train?

We're left guessing as to what Tachibana did or didn't see and hear as first Rihoko arrives to cook a meal for the Tachibana siblings before Junichi follows close behind, albeit with melted ice cream by this juncture.  There's clearly some awkwardness from both camps in light of what's just gone on, but while Junichi clearly wants to say something he simply can't get the words out.

Still, this uncertainty does nothing to ruin a good meal (and I suspect nothing would ruin a meal for Rihoko), so a good time is had by all before it's Sakurai's turn to have a potential confession interrupted by Miya.  When a sudden downpour arrives, Rihoko finds herself invited to stay over for the night rather than getting drenched in the rain, making for an ideal chance to confess her feelings.  Thankfully, some late night insomnia and a decidedly contrived accident involving a sparkler finally gives this pairing the impetus they need to confess their feelings and (hopefully) live happily ever after.  About bloody time too, you dolts!

Its subject matter might have been unspectacular and decidedly mundane - in terms of drama it didn't really even try - but somehow this particular story arc of Amagami SS+ plus was satisfying exactly because of its normality.  That, coupled with the natural chemistry between long-standing friends Junichi and Rihoko, gave us a scenario that was believable and a potential relationship which was plausible, and given her rough treatment in the first series it was a simply joy to see a lovely girl get what (or rather, who) she wants.  This isn't a romance story that'll live long in the memory, but as enjoyable throw-away entertainment who am I to argue about what it succeeded in delivering here?

Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing - Episode 14

Fond farewalls to Dian and her country of Glacies prove to be short-lived for Fam and company, as their departure throws them straight into the face of a massive Federation fleet making their way for Glacies borders with a view to invading this secretive land.  Can one small vanship really do anything to help prevent a bloodbath?

Regardless of the possibilities, Fam immediately turns tail in the hope of warning Dian as to what's headed their way, and perhaps more importantly to inform her of the nasty surprises part of the invasion force has in store for them.  While Glacies' pilots easily see off the first wave of attackers, by the time Fam arrives on the scene it's too late to do little more than watch in horror as Glacies' forces are mown down by the Federation's anti-vanship weaponary - not that Dian and her comrades have any intention of turning tail and running no matter the odds.

With their attempt to help completed, Fam, Gise and Millia have nothing left to do but leave the area, although our own focus on the battle panning out remains as Glacies pull out all the stops to halt the invaders in their track.  Indeed, the Federation aren't the only ones in possession of the ability to use an Exile, with Glacies showing off some powerful defences of their own to force the Federation's hand into using their own ultimate weapon.  Meanwhile however, Fam and Gise's major concern turns towards their own homeland, as they stop off at a Sky Pirate hideout to find it's been bombed, ravaged and abandoned.  Can anyway stand in the way of the destruction being wreaked across the planet?

This isn't going to be the first time I praise Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing for its grandiose depictions of war in the skies, and I'd wager it won't be the last either - regardless, once again the action segments of this episode were a real treat as they took an ambitious, CG-packed and ultimately great-looking view on a massive battle for supremacy in the air between two major forces.  It wasn't all just big explosions and battleships however, as this week's episode didn't forget to offer a more human view on its warfare as well, with scenes that remind the viewer as to just how much has been lost in terms of life and property framed against some potential incoming danger for Kartoffel.  In other words, this was a hugely effective and terrific episode to watch, and pretty much a shining example of this series at its absolute best.

Bakuman Season 2 - Episode 16

Takagi and Miyoshi's relationship is back on the right track (well, if you consider marriage to be "the right track"), while Aoki and Nakai's relationship is anything but, although it's probably for the best all things considered.  Thus, it's time to get down to one of the pivotal issues of the manga business - panty shots!

With Nakai putting himself very much out of the running, the questions of who is going to provide the fan service for Aoki Kou's current effort becomes the burning topic for much of this episode.  When Miyoshi mentions "fellow" manga artist Ishizawa for the job, both Mashiro and Takagi are luke-warm on the idea to put it mildly - with good reason too it turns out, as Ishizawa has even Nakai beaten in the creepiness stakes.

Enter this week's knight in shining armour Fukuda, who not only puts Ishizawa and Nakai in their respective places with a bit of the good ol' ultra-violence but also offers to train Aoki in the ancient art of the panty shot.  Despite the mutual dislike between the two of them, Aoki agrees to be tutored in this way, and so begins the start of something beautiful it seems, with Fukuda bringing out a hitherto unseen side of Ms. Kou.  Meanwhile Ashiro Muto continue to prepare for serialisation, which may prove to be less of a foregone conclusion than they're led to believe, while a new rival appears for Takagi in particular who is quickly taken under Hattori's wing.

Although things feel a little contrived this episode in terms of shifting characters and their relationships towards one another around, it's nice to return to thinking about creating manga even if we are worrying about who draws the best panty shots most of the time.  If nothing else, Aoki Kou is becoming a highlight of this second season of Bakuman as she comes out of her shell, and with worries about serialisation and the like rearing their head again here we seem on course for some more fascinating fare over the coming weeks.

Persona 4: The Animation - Episode 15

With the fun (or hardships in Narukami's case) of the summer over, it's back to school for a new term as we hit episode fifteen of Persona 4: The Animation.  Not only that, we also get a new transfer student to ponder, with young assistant detective Naoto Shirogane joining the school to suggest his increased prominence within the series moving forward.


Still, if going back to school is normally a thing of anguish, there's no such worries here as the first activity upon their return is the school's field trip to give the students a dose of excitement before they've even started.  That said, this isn't so much your typical school trip but rather a "cultural exchange" with another school in the rather fancy Tatsumi Port area, making for an impressive yet ultimately dull first day for all and sundry.  Things only really begin to get interesting once evening draws in, and the students find themselves housed in a rather "interesting" hotel while the gang find themselves with an unexpected visitor in the form of Teddie.

With the second day of their trip to themselves, it's time to go out and explore, although the group soon get split up before Narukami runs into Chie rather bravely (and impressively) fending off some would-be muggers picking on a poor young local.  The resulting conversation between the two of them signifies an increasing closeness in their relationship - a thought interrupted by news that Rise has managed to find a club for the group to hang out in.  Cue lots of drinking (but it's not alcohol, honest!), proof that Yuu is the king of cool no matter what his state of sobriety and an ultimately rather weak King's Game in that very anime-esque way we're all used to.

Aside from bringing Naoto into the fold, and despite being part of the original game I believe, it's probably fair to say that this is effectively more filler for the series as it edges ever-so slowly back towards some more serious fare.  Thankfully, if there's one thing Persona 4 has managed ably it's presenting less important aspects of its adaptation complete with a shed-load of entertainment, something which the series manages again here with great use of Narukami's staid character and with plenty of funny and laugh out loud moments to keep things ticking over.  In a way,  I almost prefer this side of Persona 4 to its murder-mystery aspects - then again, I'm just about ready to return to something a little more meaty after the fun and frolics of recent weeks.