Neon Genesis Evangelion is a terrific work of art, but it’d be a stretch to describe it as a generally “fun” show. Instead of embracing the sense of exhilaration, freedom, and power that you might expect would come with piloting a giant robot, Evangelion instead emphasizes the great terror of that experience, and the sense of shame that would compel a depressed young boy to pilot such a thing. Given that general tone, Evangelion’s eighth episode stands as a stark break from our prior journeys through anxiety and isolation and depression and betrayal. For the first time, Evangelion proposes that maybe, just maybe, action could be fun? Could be cool? Could be genuinely validating?
Category Archives: Episode Writeup
Princess Tutu – Episode 23
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.”
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!
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!
Land of the Lustrous – Episode 1
“As long as we collect enough parts, we can be put back together.” That’s the promise that Rutile makes to our protagonist Phos, while explaining the unique nature of their crystalline bodies. It’s a true statement, and a source of comfort for Land of the Lustrous’ stars, but its implications also speak to the fundamental question and hope of this entire narrative. “As long as we collect enough parts, we can be put back together” we tell ourselves, as the world chips at us, and our bodies betray us at every turn. We can be fixed. We can be remade. Perhaps, one day, we could even be whole.
Hugtto! Precure – Episode 7
Folks, I’m so happy to be watching another episode of Huggto! The show has been a total joy so far, constructed on a variety of stellar fundamental pillars, from Hana’s excellent performance as the heroine to its great sense of humor, along with both its generally appealing art design and its major directorial highlights. Huggto! has already offered some truly stunning cuts of action animation, with their signature appeals so far seeming to be their clear sense of scale and weight. You can really feel how massive and imposing these Precures’ enemies are, as well as the impact of their attacks, be it through the carefully animated struggle of their limbs to hold back some attack, or through the understanding of tempo and sound design that informs the often terrifying distance between when a Precure is knocked aside and when they actually hit the ground.
And outside those fight scenes, Huggto! has established a clear thematic thrust and a team of heroines worth rooting for. After last episode offered Homare’s proper introduction into the team’s everyday life, I’m guessing this one will be ramping up the threat of their foes, or perhaps even moving us towards our next Cure. I have no goddamn clue, frankly, but I’m excited regardless. Let’s check out some Precure!
Bloom Into You – Episode 11
Alright folks, you know it’s time for Bloom Into You. As the season moves towards its endgame, we find ourselves approaching an inevitable clash between the rapidly diverging desires of Yuu and Touko. For Yuu, the last several episodes have seen her undergo a profound shift in how she views both Touko and herself. She can no longer affect the nonchalant, flirtatious person who once effortlessly sparred with Touko – having actually developed strong feelings for her senpai, she is now hyper-aware of Touko’s every movement, and increasingly unsatisfied with their romantic stasis. Meanwhile, challenges to Touko’s desire to replace her sister seem to have only hardened her own resolve. While misinterpreting Yuu’s newfound self-consciousness as a pushback against her own affection, she moves ever closer to fulfilling her sister’s role in the play, and thus completing her last wish. But what comes after she’s already done all the things her sister pursued? And will Yuu’s feelings even remain repressed that long? We’ve got plenty of thorny drama to look forward to as we explore another episode of this terrific show!
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s – Episode 2
Hello folks, and welcome to another friggin’ episode of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha! I’ve been having a lovely time with this series, and I hope you have as well – in addition to filling out an important gap in my history-of-anime knowledge, it’s also just been a very fun, aesthetically compelling show in its own right. It always bears repeating that few creative ideas truly come from nowhere – all creators are reprocessing and reflecting the works that inspired them, and thus engaging with Nanoha has naturally enriched my understanding of works like Madoka Magica, Symphogear, and modern interpretations of magical girl drama as a whole. And considering Wrong Every Time has not-so-subtly transformed into some kind of magical girl appreciation blog (shoutouts to Precure, Doremi, and Princess Tutu), it’s probably a good thing that I’m finally investigating one of the modern titans of the genre.
So far, the transition into Nanoha’s second season has come with a variety of aesthetic consequences. The shift from Akiyuki Shinbo to Keizo Kusakawa has been accompanied by a general consolidation of the Nanoha aesthetic, with fewer of the striking two-tone compositions Shinbo favors, but plenty of generally evocative symmetrical compositions. The show’s ostentatious post-processing work and focus on mechanical transformations remain intact, but the introduction of an antagonist who actually combines magic with physical strikes has lent the battles a newfound sense of physical weight, along with more animation flourishes. To be honest, that first episode fight was probably the best-composed battle of the franchise so far, and I’m excited to see Fate herself take the stage. Let’s dive into another episode of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha!