Nakuru drops by to visit Kinjiro’s house needing advice. However, what she needs advice on apparently entails asking Kinjiro out on a date, which surprisingly he consents to (even if half-hearted). During the date, she explains a situation where she tells him that a boy confessed to her, and she was wondering why, and wondered if her larger bust might be the reason. She admits she has a complex over her large breasts and won’t be able to concentrate on her BL novels until she knows that boys won’t keep asking her out over them. So she smashes her boobs against Kinjiro to “prove” that he won’t go bonkers over them. However, this also makes Nakuru find Kinjiro “cooler”…

I’m trying to figure out why the writers made this, of all things, the final episode to the story, unless they pretty much already have a second season planned and wanted to use this as a sort of bridge to it. Either that or they had some money left but ran out of material after episode 12 and were like “what the hell, let’s make another episode.” It’s not this episode was bad in of itself, I just found it curious that they made this the last one.

Overall, this was a so-so series. There were some good parts to it, but there were an awful lot of parts that just kind of grated. It got tiring watching Kanade torturing Kinjiro in an attempt to “cure” him at times. The best part of the series always involved the interaction between Kinjiro and Subaru and between Kinjiro and Usami. Most everything else was just kind of boring and/or annoying I thought.

If there is a second season, I’d have to think about whether to watch it. It may depend on what else is airing at the time. This wasn’t so bad that I’d say I don’t want to watch any more ever, but it’s not good enough that I would definitely watch a second season either.

D’awwwwww ;____________________________; I don’t know where I stand after this…I wanted Hilda to get her memories back, but after that …

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If their previous actions weren’t enough, here is another way of showing Black Phantom kicking the dog…by blowing up her …

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Kind of. He finally came out and outright said it, if his actions weren’t enough, him saying it would, right? …

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The Holy Day celebrations start in No. 6, but the parasite bees start attacking everyone in sight. Meanwhile, Safu explains to Nezumi and Shion that No. 6 used her as a medium to access Elyurias. However, this was a trap by Elyurias, who has Nezumi destroy the main computer. However, Safu decides to stay behind. Nezumi and Shion try to escape, but Nezumi gets shot. Shion tries to drag him out, but gets shot in the chest and is killed, with Nezumi somehow getting them back to where Inukashi and Rikiga are waiting for them. However, devastated by Shion’s death, Nezumi refuses to leave, so Inukashi and Rikiga leave without him.

Meanwhile, all the bees that appeared from No. 6 citizens form into giant tornadoes when Elyurias, now fully freed, flies over and start destroying No. 6′s walls. Safu-Elyurias then returns to the facility, transforms into her true form (a giant glittering bee) and resurrects Shion.

I guess that was an OK ending. Safu “lived” but only in the sense that she’s now Elyurias and is essentially immortal. Meanwhile, we never really learned what Elyurias was other than some sort of powerful being. Clearly the rulers of No. 6 were in way over their heads in trying to harness Elyurias’ power.

We also never got a complete description of what the bees were or what their purpose was, but as far as I could tell they were the doing of Elyurias. No. 6 was obviously aware of them, and perhaps even controlling them to some extent in their experiments to unleash Elyurias, but clearly the bees were used as a trap by Elyurias to punish No. 6 and pretty much wipe it out (though clearly, many people in the city still survived). Why the bees decided to attack some people and not others…I don’t really know.

In a sense, at the end, both Nezumi and Shion got their wishes. Elyurias brought the walls down, much like what Shion wanted, but No. 6 took a beating like what Nezumi wanted, and most likely most of the people in charge of it were wiped out by the bees, and even if they weren’t, they’re not going to be able to pull off the “we’re a great utopia!” thing anymore.

In the end, I suppose this was a decent ending to the series. I think it could have been better – I would have loved if Safu had survived as herself – but it certainly could have been worse too. I think the series as a whole was overall pretty good. I never necessarily like major plot points not entirely explained, like the bees, but I guess I can live with it. The series is probably good enough that I would recommend it to someone who is looking for something to watch, but I don’t know if I’d tell them to put down everything they’re currently watching to go watch this.

Kinjiro, knocked out by Subaru’s kiss at the end of the last episode, is found by Usami, who agrees to take him to the graveyard where Subaru’s mother is buried, and sure enough Kinjiro finds her there. Subaru doesn’t want to go back home yet so the pair stay the night at the inn. The next day of school Kanade tells Kinjiro that Subaru has transferred to another school. However, Subaru’s alter-ego, Punyuru, has decided to join the school. Kinjiro then enlists the help of the two rival Subaru fan clubs at the school to start rallying support to reinstate Subaru as a butler, which apparently works.

Well, this was a pretty decent episode. As I kind of expected, we wrapped up the “Subaru becoming a butler again” thing in one episode and not two, and Subaru wasn’t even outed, though I have to agree with Usami wondering how people aren’t getting that Subaru and Punyuru are the same person. One can only stretch that so far, I think, unless they’re just feigning it somehow.

I guess this leaves open how this series will end. I think this episode would have been a good conclusion, but apparently the writers have something else in mind. Oh, and Kinjiro is your typical male lead who just doesn’t get it.

Hey, two weeks in a row.  One more week and this might become “a thing.”  Unfortunately, that won’t happen, because I’m going away for the weekend to Ohayocon.  Ah, Ohayo.  I don’t really like the convention that much, but it’s an opportunity to see a lot of my friends from around the Midwest.  Since the next opportunity for that won’t be until the end of April, I’ll take what I can get.  In any case, my personal life isn’t all that interesting, and if you’re here to read anything, it’s my thoughts for the week.  So let’s get this show on the road.  As always, check out the Anime Power Rankings for yourself week over week to keep up with the trends in the aniblogging community!

Oh, and one more thing.  Today, 2DT announced the closure of his blog.  He capped it off with another of his fantastic posts, and you should definitely head over to the Teleidoscope to read it and wish him well.

1. Guilty Crown

Okay, how much did I love this episode?  We’ve got MISSILE KICK!, Segai’s amazing disguise, and Ayase on rocket boots.  We see not only the physical aftermath of the recent catastrophe, but also the start of the social ramifications.  People try to get away with more things, they let themselves be controlled by greed, and they suffer from isolation, uncertainty, and sooner or later, the depression.   Morale’s going to become a precious resource, to be sure.  I think I can definitively say I am finally on board with this series.

2. Daily Lives of High School Boys

Last week I felt like the show was too hit and miss, at least for me.  This week has put that concern to rest.  I am an absolute sucker for RPG parodies, and the first segment was brilliant.  I also want to see more of the butlers in the new “Daily Life of a Lady” segment.  And, what is it with little sisters and being mildly sadistic bullies?  So many unimportant questions and so much time.  The male Nichijou is definitely on my to-watch list now.

3. Chihayafuru

Chihaya lost just as predicted.  Really, losing was the theme of this episode.  Not just the pain failure can bring, but also the drive for success it instills.  Our friendly neighborhood karuta team is ready to train harder than ever to have a strong showing at the next tournament.  So is Arata as he reenters the world of karuta, and Shinobu as she works to crush the indomnitable Chihaya when the next meet.  The second half is shaping up to be more exciting than ever!

4. Persona 4

Ano Natsu tried to do the whole drunk hangout thing, but Persona 4 did it better, and they weren’t even drunk!  I thought it was pretty funny that the girls weren’t put off by Narukami’s frank observation they were staying at a love hotel, when he’s CLEARLY the biggest stud of them all.  We got even more of the friends’ escapades in preparation for next week, where things get back to the plot.  You know, the plot.  The whole murder thing.  You remember, right?  …right?

5. Future Diary

Kousaka is brilliant, and I’m glad his brilliant diary filled with brilliant accomplishments has become an brilliant Future Diary which makes him even more BRILLIANT!  It’s also about time Yukiteru’s balls dropped.  Of course, this sets up the inevitable confrontation where Deus’ and Mur Mur’s bet will conclude.  As much as Yuno wants to believe in her happily ever after, it’s got to be lost forever at this point.  I guess that’s what happens when you’re a psychotic murdering stalking sociopath.

And seeing as I’m writing something for everything in the off chance it’s left in my Top 5, here’s two more for kicks.

6. Mouretsu Pirates

I have never been so excited about absolutely nothing happening.  That’s how I felt as the girls waited to disembark from the airlock.  No, not that way you pervert.  The sense of adventure, it’s difficult to quantify, but it’s present.  Of course, a spacewalk is really nothing as the show looks poised to drop them into the fire with a potential space battle.  Now if only they’d give a little more personality to the girls who AREN’T Marika…

7. Ano Natsu de Matteru

Watching Ichika try to talk her way out of things was amusing.  The girl couldn’t lie her way out of a paper bag if any of the characters paid close attention to her.  Then we have Lemon, who’s probably more disruptive than the alien amongst them.  It seems like she’s up to more than just screwing with a bunch of high schoolers.  All that, plus a love triangle means a lot of stuff can go on at any time.  I hope the directors can keep it together.

Oh man, Keima, you have really been on a bad streak with Chihiro. Always screwing up and doing the wrong …

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I wonder what the mirror is going to do now…it’s mutual so I don’t think her memories will be erased …

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Rin is over her cold, but now Yukari has a cold, and Rin is feeling guilty over possibly giving her cold to Yukari. Rin, Kouki, and the kids of Daikichi’s father friends practice jump rope where they talk about containers that hold their kid’s baby teeth and Daikichi thinks Rin would love that. Daikichi soon decides to join Rin in jump rope after seeing that he’s gained weight. The pair then visit Daikichi’s parents, where one of Rin’s teeth finally comes out.

Rin and Kouki practicing jump rope was another DAWWW moment, partly because I think I remember doing some of the stuff they did while trying to jump rope too. I also liked how Rin teased Daikichi by acting all depressed over screwing up the jump rope contest but then being like “I kicked ass at the backwards jump rope!*” (* not actual words Rin used). I also LOLed at Rin stepping on the scale when Daikichi was weighing himself later.

As I said last time, I really hope they continue this series later. It’s cute and full of DAWWW and it’s fun to watch Rin growing up and seeing Daikichi having to deal with it, but still loving it himself too. I guess if one wants a series is a strong and defined story line, this isn’t a show for them, but this series still manages to be great. If you like this type of series, I’d definitely recommend trying to see it the first chance you get. I’m just sad it’s over.

It’s the start of a new semester, and Kanade wastes no time starting her antics, putting a little wine into Subaru’s lunch, which apparently is enough to make her strip and do just about anything, and faking hiccups in a ploy to get Kinjiro and herself alone. However, later, while not paying attention Kanade falls down some stairs and injures her ankle. While Kanade doesn’t blame Subaru, Subaru’s father arrives to tell her that she’s being fired as a butler for allowing Kanade to get hurt. This angers Kanade, who vows to persuade her father to change his mind. However, Subaru seems content to quit, guilty over what happened. Kinjiro chases after her, however…

The first part of this episode ended up being some of the usual stupid which makes this show grating to watch sometimes, such as Subaru randomly stripping due to just a tad bit of alcohol, as well as Kanade once again trying to jump Kinjiro.

However, the second half started getting better as we started ramping up some drama and starting what appears to be the final story arc for this series. Subaru clearly doesn’t feel like she’s worthy to be a butler anymore, which is just made worse by the fact that she’s been fired, and now it looks like it’s up to Kinjiro and Kanade to try to save Subaru’s job. We still have two episodes left, so I guess we’ll see if it takes the whole two episodes to get through this arc. I’d say there is also a reasonable chance that Subaru gets outed as a girl to most everyone at some point too, probably the end of the next episode if it happens.

Nezumi and Shion are taken to the correctional facility where they, along with a dozen truckfull of other people, are dumped into a giant pit, where most of the people die from the fall. However, expecting what was coming, Nezumi is able to make sure he and Shion survive. Along the way, Shion seems to suddenly know where to go and what security measures are in place. However, this change has also caused him to go berserk, willing to shoot, and even kill, security guards at will. They finally get to the top of the facility, where they find Safu…

This show seems to have gotten a lot better and more interesting as we’ve gotten through the later episodes, which is nice, though I’m wondering how we’ll end up tying everything up in the final episode. They’ve found Safu, which is a start, but will it be the Safu Shion knows? For that matter, will Shion by the Shion Safu knows? We still have the matter of the bees and bringing down No. 6 as well.

I’m guessing Safu’s wish for Shion to come to her led Elyurias. who promised to make Safu’s wishes come true, to either feed information to Shion, if not take over his consciousness altogether. That’s my best guess for how he knew where to go, and the change in his behavior. Who or what Elyurias is, and what happens to she/it is also hanging out there as well.

In any case, I’m really looking forward to the final episode in this series, and I’m interested how it’ll turn out.

It’s Kureha’s birthday, and she goes to celebrate with Nakuru, Usami, Subaru, and Kanade. She also reminisces about all the birthdays where Kinjiro was kind to her, but he forgot her birthday the previous year, which made her sad. However, she remembers all the other times he’s good to her, so she’s OK. When she gets home, Kinjiro greets her with a big birthday present stuffed polar bear to make up for missing last year.

This was actually a pretty sweet episode, with minimal Kanade blackmail or other of the usual stuff. This is pretty much entirely Kureha having fun on her birthday, and her appreciating how much Kinjiro does for her.

I did have to laugh at some of the presents, though, such as the Subaru body pillow that Usami got her or the fighting video game that Kanade got made for her. This episode didn’t really advance the plot much, but it was also a nice change of pace of some of the repeated stuff he had seen in previous episodes as well.

After almost 2 years of kicking around the idea of starting an anime blog I decided four years ago today to see if I could write an anime blog and keep up with it. I guess the answer was – yes I could. (With the caveat that my writing style never developed into something that I liked and I haven’t been posting as much as I’d like to .)

Looking over my previous anniversary posts I noticed that they get shorter each year and this trend will probably continue this year though I might start showing my age by reminiscing about the good old days …

… Thinking back, it was a strange decision to make about starting a blog. I was always more math/science attuned and find organizing my thoughts into something coherent on paper a very difficult task. For example, that comment I left in the previous post took me almost two hours to write. Also, during the anime season that I started blogging, Winter 2008, I was feeling burned out over anime and was only watching one series. Why this was a good time to start blogging about anime is beyond me now. …

Sorry about that; reaching four years isn’t even that old compared to many blogs out there.

Before I lose anymore eyeballs to my meandering thoughts, I want to wholeheartedly thank the people who continue to read and comment on my little blog.

I don’t want to promise that I’ll write more in the upcoming year since that hasn’t worked in the previous years but I don’t foresee myself stopping anytime soon. I love anime as much as I did when I started and I still want to see more people watching anime and more people deepening their own love of anime by trying out new genres of anime.

And because someone might actually care, some stats:

• 438 total posts
• 1,096,351 total views
• 1986 total comments and
• 84,471 spam comments

Top 10 Posts of Last Year
Title		Views
Film Review – Pixar’s UP		8,782
FLCL Series Review		7,794
The Top Eight Anime of the Spring 2011 Season, #8 to #5		7,097
Soul Eater Wallpaper 3		5,206
Toradora Wallpapers		4,573
Haruhi vs Gurren Lagann		4,397
Summer 2011 Anime Preview and Watch List		4,364
Clannad Wallpapers 3		4,225
The 5 Personal Most Influential (non-anime) Animation Shows		4,123
Merry Christmas!!		4,048

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If I had funny search terms that brought people here I’d include them but looking them over I really don’t have anything that funny .

Filed under: anime, meta/office keeping

There’s the berserk Hibiki I wanted to see! Didn’t really take much to make her rage though, but well, to …

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