Category Archives: Episode Writeup

Orange – Episode 13

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Welp, Orange finally finished up this week, offering sturdy conclusions to both the Naho/Kakeru romantic drama and the gang’s attempts to save Kakeru in general. Those two scenes basically justified this episode, even if the connective tissue was a little shaky – the first offered one of the sharpest descriptions of depression this show has managed, and the second was just a richly earned moment of friendship and catharsis for everyone involved. Orange didn’t really end up a good show, but it certainly had its moments.

You can check out my full review over at ANN!

Orange

Nichijou – Episode 9

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We’re back to Nichijou, for one more round of exuberant and nigh-useless notes. But hey, you guys are only paying a slightly overpriced movie ticket’s price for them, so let’s just huddle in and enjoy the madness together. Anything can happen in this ridiculous friggin’ show, so let’s see what portion of anything today will provide!

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Why It Works: The Chromatic Battle of Koichi and Kira

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I guess I just can’t help myself. I returned to the JoJo well once again this week, since Koichi and Kira’s fight offered such a handy demonstration of one more of the show’s myriad strengths. You could probably do some further writing on how JoJo manages the hues of its palette shifts to echo their emotional intent, but I stuck to the basics this time – most great comic/animation artists give their characters distinctive visual signatures, and JoJo is able to use those signatures combined with its own style tricks to create some profoundly impactful battles. Let’s get to it!

Why It Works: The Chromatic Battle of Koichi and Kira

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Nichijou – Episode 8

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And we’re back! Last episode saw Nichijou’s various subgroups nearly approaching a meeting, which I’m sure portends good things for the future. I’ve regularly heard this show actually improves as it goes along, and considering its quality is already best-in-class among anime comedies, I’m excited to see how that’s possible. Let’s dive right in to another friggin’ episode of Nichijou!

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Mob Psycho 100 – Episode 11

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Reigen was ascendant in this week’s Mob Psycho, making the most of his reentrance from the first minute to last. I was very curious about how he’d actually fit into this arc, and having him start off by accidentally winning the loyalty of all the Claw also-rans was a pretty great start. This episode also had plenty of Mob Psycho’s usual pleasures – some visually creative reactions, some truly gorgeous highlight cuts, and a light sprinkling of emotionally satisfying reunions and conversations. Mob has really grown into a great character by now – I was skeptical for a while, but at this point, he can easily sell moments like his genuine relief on seeing his brother okay. Earned character warmth is an extremely valuable dramatic quality.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my notes below!

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Mawaru Penguindrum – Episode 10

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Shoma awakes in Penguindrum’s tenth episode, and seems not much worse for wear. In fact, Ringo seems far more changed by Shoma’s accident than Shoma himself – standing outside in the hallway, she seems legitimately concerned for Shoma for perhaps the first time. Now, with the diary torn in half, Ringo’s own mission seems somehow less important than the health of someone she can actually call a friend. The two have aired all their baggage now, and as Ringo listens outside, she learns Shoma doesn’t even blame her for the accident. For once, it seems like a tragedy might actually bring Penguindrum’s characters closer together.

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Orange – Episode 12

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Orange continued to rally this week, offering an episode that felt even more sharp than last week’s shrine visit disaster. Actually getting inside Kakeru’s head made for a poignant and claustrophobic experience, giving a real tangible weight to his feelings of guilt and hopelessness. Naho can’t tell Kakeru the truth because she’s Naho – Kakeru can’t tell his friends the truth because he’s trapped in a cycle of self-loathing that only isolates him more and more over time. Orange is handling its heaviest elements with some real sensitivity here.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my brief notes below!

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Why It Works: The Living World of Ancient Magus’ Bride

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The Ancient Magus’ Bride’s first prequel episode came out last week, so of course I had to dig in for Why It Works. This adaptation is definitely doing a strong job of capturing the offhand style of magic that makes the manga so charming, even if its story isn’t really focused on the relationship that keeps it strong. My only real complaint is the somewhat impersonal CG layouts – I briefly mention them in this article, but they were certainly at the back of my mind pretty consistently through my viewing. But aside from that, this was a beautiful and very atmospheric premiere!

Why It Works: The Living World of Ancient Magus’ Bride

The Ancient Magus' Bride

 

Nichijou – Episode 7

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That time has come again. Pull up a seat, grab a snack, and let’s dive into another episode of Kyoto Animation’s stupidly brilliant and brilliantly stupid comic masterpiece. There are some changes to the formula this time, as the show seems to have established what passes for a sense of normalcy, but Nichijou is still full of its sharp, absurd, and very endearing gags. We’re all busy people, so let’s get right to it and watch some cartoon madness.

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Orange – Episode 10

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Management: Woops! I apparently forgot to post this one back when it should have gone up. Here it is now!

Orange is frankly starting to drag for me in basically all respects. The show has played its hand – at this point, basically every facet of Naho and Kakeru’s feelings have been thoroughly considered, and most of the emotional peaks just kinda resemble emotional peaks we’ve already seen before. It’s pretty clear that a full television season was not a great choice for adapting this material. Ah well.

You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my very limited notes below!

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