Our twenty-third episode opens with a cradle viewed through bars, and a story that speaks to all of Princess Tutu’s misbegotten heroes. “Once upon a time, there was a princess who was held captive. She was imprisoned in the demon king’s castle. And with her freedom taken from her, she had no choice to dance like a puppet to the tune set by the whims of the demon king. One day, a hero came to fight the demon king, seeking to save the princess. However, there was no way the hero could win against the demon king. The hero did not know, you see, that he himself was a puppet created by the demon king.”
Author Archives: Bobduh
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s – Episode 4
There’s no time to waste, folks – we’re barreling ahead with more Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, as our heroes face off with the Velka knights! Given this season’s previous episode was basically all tied up in exposition or board-setting, I’m hoping for some fierce battles this time, and I’m guessing I’ll get my wish.
Though there’s still plenty of the uniquely paced slice of life material that helped inform the first season’s identity, Nanoha seems to have on the whole oriented itself in a more overtly action-focused direction this season, essentially following through on the genre transformations it underwent throughout that first season. There’s no going back to “Nanoha and her familiar seek magical shards” – that wasn’t ever the natural state of the world, that was just the only context we had for it until Chrono and his associates showed up. The show’s various reveals and structural changes since then have seen it fully embracing a scifi action template, while still holding onto some of the aesthetic touchstones and (most importantly) thematic priorities of a magical girl narrative. This isn’t a story about freedom, war, technology, or any of the other things that tend to define scifi narratives – this is a story about family, and about finding a place where you can grow into your best possible self.
That said, in terms of visual style, the shift from Shinbo to Kusakawa has definitely pushed this show in an action-oriented direction, as well. Kusakawa lacks the unique sensibilities that Shinbo used to give the first season’s mundane conversations some visual allure, but he’s proven to have an excellent grasp of action cinematography, and the sequences of warriors clashing over Nanoha’s city have been some of the franchise’s most dazzling to date. Let’s see what wonders await in A’s fourth episode!
The Woman Called Fujiko Mine – Episode 6
Alright folks, it’s time we return to The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. This distinctive series’ last episode was mostly unusual in terms of how not unusual it was – that is, it was pretty darn close to a classic Lupin adventure, from its heavy focus on Lupin and Jigen, to its consistent portrayal of Fujiko as an unattainable prize, to its ultimately straightforward grave-robbing narrative. If it had any single thematic intent, it was to emphatically reiterate that to people like Lupin and Fujiko, the ownership of valuable objects is nearly meaningless – it is only the chase for those objects they revere, the covetous glee of wanting something precious that isn’t yours. This show has regularly contrasted that thief’s creed with various characters’ attitudes towards Fujiko herself, and in episode five, she used the power of her unattainability to spin Lupin like a little toy top. In the end, these two chases collapsed into one resolution, as the team’s need to abandon the blue peacock led to Fujiko disappearing into the sunset as well.
As fun as it was, I’ve been informed that episode is basically the only “traditionally Lupin” installment in this series. With that in mind, let’s see where Fujiko’s journeys take us next, as we navigate power, gender, crime, and much else on this thrilling ride!
Spring 2019 – Week 3 in Review
Hold onto your hats folks, it’s time for the Week in Review! It turns out I’m probably not going to be following that many shows this season, but what I’m lacking in range of properties, I’m more than making up in volume of rambling. All of the shows I’m watching gave me plenty to talk about this week, with JoJo pulling off one of its best episodes in months while all three of my newcomers worked to establish their own identities. I’m also appreciated the stark contrast between this season’s two heavyweights – Carole & Tuesday seems determined to embody the strength of a classic story told well, while Sarazanmai embraces creativity for its own sake, and clearly values the power of novelty and surprise. Both of them are great, and with two sturdy action vehicles aside, I’m basically just a slice of life short of a full hand. Let’s break down all the week’s highlights as we run down another week in anime!
Why It Works: JoJo’s Bizarre Survival Guide, Part Two
Yeap, turns out it takes more than four or five handy tips to survive in the JoJo universe. Today I returned to JoJo’s Bizarre Survival Guide, and had an altogether wonderful time pulling together a few more key rules for surviving in Araki’s wild wilderness. Let’s get to it!
JoJo’s Bizarre Survival Guide, Part Two
Bloom Into You – Episode 12
Oh my god you guys it’s finally time. We’re diving back into Bloom Into You, and I couldn’t be happier. Last episode saw this phenomenal drama experiencing one of its most fundamental shakeups yet, as Touko learned that the facade she had been putting on in order to better emulate her sister was… actually a facade in her sister’s case as well. Though Mio put on a convincingly professional face as the head of the student council, in truth, she constantly leaned on her councilmates, and wasn’t really a diligent leader in the slightest.
Learning her personal ideal was a lie has left Touko understandably shaken, though it remains to be seen how she’ll actually adjust her behavior in consequence. It’s been clear all along that Touko’s desire to emulate her sister wasn’t really something her sister or family actually wished for – having seen her sister’s success, Touko has simply internalized a belief that achieving anything less would be a profound personal failure, and likely even a betrayal of her sister’s memory. Beliefs like that, the foundational myths of our self-images, don’t just dissipate when they’re proven not to match the historical record. Touko might reinvent herself or simply stay the course, but I can’t imagine her embracing full sincerity now – to be honest, it feels more likely that the coming rush of self-doubt and insecurity will only make her double down on her initial beliefs. But the fun of this show, and of character dramas altogether, is that great characters will always surprise you, and through surprising you teach you something new and true about the human experience. Let’s see how Touko handles this shift in another episode of Bloom Into You!
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s – Episode 3
Alright folks, we’re strapping in for another furious episode of Nanoha! Though to be honest, I can’t imagine this episode being any more furious than the last, which was easily the most action-packed episode this franchise has offered yet. Building upon the first season’s relatively concise vocabulary of magical combat, that episode saw Nanoha taking massive strides towards the diverse, cacophonous action madness of spiritual successors like Symphogear. Nanoha has always come off as a negotiation between magical girl drama and mecha action, but its apparent embrace of “signature weapons” this season has drawn its battles even closer to the giddy appeal of Gundam fights. Though the last fight was more a series of reveals and introductions than tactical exchanges, I’m already excited to see how the show marshals these tactical resources going forward.
And of course, there’s all the themey-wemey stuff. Nanoha’s first season had a few core themes, but the ambiguity of familial bonds was definitely its most central. Through the contrast of Nanoha and Fate, the show demonstrated the diverse influences our families can provide, along with the assurance that ultimately, we have the power to choose who we see as family. The first season had plenty of “can’t we all just get along” argumentation courtesy of Nanoha, but ultimately, its moral perspective wasn’t particularly ambiguous. Fate’s mother was a manipulating abuser, Fate was a victim of circumstance, and those who could be redeemed eventually all shuffled over the side of righteousness.
Here in season two, Nanoha seems to be testing its philosophy with an antagonistic family who are just as loving and supportive as Nanoha’s. Though they’re clearly up to some shady shit, Hayate’s family also support and care for each other, exemplifying what this show has consistently defined as its most central value. “What happens when personal moral conviction and professional obligation collide” is the root of endless dramas, and I’m excited to see Nanoha tackle a direct challenge to its conflation of familial love and moral righteousness. Let’s get right to it!
Something Good Will Happen: Forgiveness and Spirit Circle
From the beginning, Koko has clearly seen Spirit Circle as a kind of revenge narrative. She must get her revenge on Fuuta, and hopefully break the cycle in the process, but the revenge part at least is paramount. Of course, simply punishing this boy who doesn’t even know what he’s done wouldn’t be particularly satisfying – so first, she must make him understand the weight of all the suffering he’s caused her. It’s an instinct almost anyone can relate to; revenge is in large part about wanting someone else to understand and pay back the pain they inflicted on you, and if we could simply share our pain directly, then we might not lash out through other means.
Spring 2019 – Week 2 in Review
With preview week stretching well into this week’s set of episodes, a great deal of this week’s shows have already been covered elsewhere, and then also again for my retrospective, and possibly even a third time for Why It Works. Not all of them, though – the season’s most punctual contenders are already on their second episode, and JoJo’s momentum has continued unabated all through the premieres. Given all that, we’ve got a relatively small collection of episodes to break down today, but the Week in Review will not be deterred. Starting with one of this season’s most promising new properties, let’s break down one more week in anime!
Why It Works: Nick’s Anime Picks for Spring 2019
For this week’s Why It Works, I wrote up my traditional slew of recommendations for Crunchyroll-specific properties. All four of this article’s properties genuinely seemed pretty darn great to me, and though I probably won’t be sticking with all of them, they’re certainly fine entries in their own genres. Let’s get to it!
Nick’s Anime Picks for Spring 2019
