Alright, catching up on moesoft. Actually, that’s not fair – C3-bu is far more of a sports show than a blob show, and the work they’re doing with Yura is definitely pretty solid. But anyway, two episodes behind at this point, so no time for chitchat. Show us the dark side, Yura.
Category Archives: Episode Writeup
Free! – Episode 10
Ooooh god. Food coma. Hurts. Too much kebab, too many greasy fries. And here I am, about to watch lithe young swimmers show off their somewhat terrifyingly toned bodies, while I sit here drinking a beer and just get fat.
No, fuck that. I have a great self-image! Just had my annual physical, exactly the same weight as last year, exercise regularly and don’t overeat and everything. In fact, I’d say that pretty much my only vice is my borderline alcoholism. I know. I’m impressed too.
So fuck you, swimbros. I don’t gotta prove nothin’ to you. I’m gonna sit here and drink (one for glasses-push or smarmy Makoto stare, two for HaruxWater moments, three for emo Rin) and feel perfectly good about myself. In fact, everybody feel good about yourselves! Only good times now! We are watching the fruit of an entire company’s worth of people working diligently for months, all in pursuit of animating some teenage boys prancing around half-naked for twenty minutes a week. Fuck feeling bad about my decisions. I don’t feel ashamed for shit.
Wait, I’m actually watching those teenage boys, just so I can make silly jokes about them for strangers on the internet.
Oh god.
Oh god what am I doing with my life.
Fuck it cue the episode.
The World God Only Knows S3 – Episode 10
Keima how are you going to make this okay. Last episode sucked. And by sucked I mean it was clearly the best thing this series has ever done, holy shit TWGOK when did you get this good. Keima is finally suffering real consequences from constantly manipulating people, and the show’s not pulling any punches. I’m glad they’re also revealing how tired of all this he’s become – he isn’t just an asshole, and the fact that his standard system of dealing with the world has deeply hurt someone clearly weighs on him. I hope they don’t give that weariness up – frankly, I like shows that put their characters through the emotional gauntlet, and I’d like to see more cracks appear in Keima’s heretofore close to unflappable confidence. This is honestly the last show I thought I’d be hoping would take its characters emotions seriously, but last episode was a complete game-changer.
Of course now that I’ve said that, we’re gonna have a wacky misunderstanding festival date episode or something, right?
Episode 10
0:12 – Uh oh.[1] Looks like he’ll have to use… that
Gawd that line’s so trashy. Can’t believe they used it in Gargantia
0:19 – Yeah I’m still good for another few of these[2]
0:32 – Predator mode activated[3]
2:38 – Will Keima’s talents ever stop emerging?[4]
3:04 – And we’re back into anime archetype land[5] . Sure, he callously mocked my best friend’s feelings – but he might like me!
3:31 – MAKE IT STOP NO GO BACK TO ANIME ARCHETYPE LAND[6]
3:42 – This director really loves Ayumi’s boobs[7]
3:49 – Seriously though these shots[8]
5:17 – Oh god Chihiro’s scenes are like pulling teeth make it stop[9]
6:10 – Maybe if you hadn’t shut her down in the dickest way possible this wouldn’t be a problem[10]
7:08 – This isn’t wacky at all[11]
7:34 – NOW he chooses honesty? Yeah, seriously[12]
7:53 – I really could get used to this.[13] Also love Keima’s incredibly terrible plan here
9:12 – Yeah jeez,[14] how dare she be honest with Chihiro
10:09 – Still not seeing the wackiness[15]
10:34 – Well crap.[16] This escalated quickly
11:17 – Aw, Haqua gets her big damn hero moment[17]
15:03 – It’s a self-aware harem comedy romance battle shounen[18]
16:26 – Maybe my favorite line of the show.[19] Look, we’re not making Shakespeare here, alright?
17:23 – Wow, this really brings[20] the harem masculine savior fantasy thing to a whole new level
18:09 – A third-act peace offering from the loose cannon who doesn’t play by the rules?[21] Hey, if the narrative shoe fits, wear it
19:27 – Ooh, good trick.[22] Totally forgot about that
20:16 – Aw, just let her join the damn team.[23] This show’s a big jerk
And Done
Welp, guess it’s endgame time. I’m glad they haven’t just dropped the significance of Chihiro’s situation – this episode certainly wasn’t very kind, but that’s vastly preferable to just dropping her character to focus on the derpy fantasy stuff (I agree with Ayumi, it could use a rewrite). As I’ve said before, her and Keima seem to possess actual chemistry, and not just senpai-noticed-me archetype-versus-MC level chemistry. I would be happy to see her be a more regular presence going forward.
Anyway, aside from that it was a pretty workmanly episode, mainly lifted by its best gags (Elsie once again works incredibly well in small doses). Looks like we’re well on our way to the thrilling finale.
Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 10
Oh hey. It’s the most wonderful time of the week again.
Last week was beautiful as always, but it was also as close to this show comes to a board-arranging episode. By having the episode’s chosen character (as I’ve said before, the second half of this show has built its narrative structures around further illustrating one relevant character at a time) be the constant observer, the episode was able to give us a fairly broad overview of the different plots up to this point. The election is in two days, and the New Year’s Bash will swiftly follow. So was rendered powerless by the mere appearance of Benten, which might explain his being captured more than the liquor would. The Ebisugawas have at least one more trick up their sleeve, and it’s clearly a nasty one. We have yet to see the last two members of the Friday Fellows, and it’s likely Benten chose to introduce Yasaburou on the night she did specifically because they would be absent.
Even if I didn’t have absolute faith these threads would be successfully tied together based on the show so far, this is by the writer of The Goddamn Tatami Galaxy. Let’s see where we’re headed.
Monogatari S2 – Episode 10
So do we get to see adult Mayoi now? That’s clearly what they’ve been baiting, but knowing Isin, the answer is no because fuck you. Not that I’d be moved much either way – frankly, last episode was so good it’s already justified whatever other nonsense this arc pulls together, and we haven’t even gotten to the full thematic point yet. Good times ahead!
Incidentally, I missed last week’s episode because busy, but I’ve caught up and put together a writeup for that one as well. You can find that here.
Episode 10
1:27 – Have to admit, Mayoi as a zombie hunter is pretty badass. And Araragi knows it – nice series of ‘holy shit, that’s Mayoi?’ shots there
1:59 – Shinobu, if you haven’t realized by now that this universe runs according to the rules of narrative convenience…
3:15 – Nice. They are playing with shadows a lot in this arc. Clues, clues…
3:53 – Well, there’s a clarification. We are indeed in a many-timeline universe
4:26 – Isin has trouble keep a straight face in pretty much all his stories. Nice name, Shinobu
4:43 – I always love these interpretive sequences. And I guess this makes two stories in a row where the antagonist is an unwanted version of a character’s self
5:22 – Also great. Also, Oshino’s line about the impossible hope of his mission kind of resonates with Shinobu’s line from last week about maintaining optimism and pushing forward just to avoid stasis. Which in turn works with the red light/green light thing, and the futility of dwelling on (or attempting to change) the past
5:32 – When have Araragi’s powers EVER been relevant to his missions? Outside of Hanekawa’s issues, he mainly just gets beat up while talking the enemy to death
5:49 – As if Araragi could resist that
6:56 – I love her replacement badass survival backpack. Also, all this work to save her and she’s still alone
8:35 – New palette! And what a lovely color scheme it is
9:15 – Even this world is beautiful now that Araragi knows that somewhere, Hachikuji survived
10:29 – Not quite sure what all to make of this conversation. Nice view, though
12:31 – They make for quite the silly pair
13:11 – I kind of jokingly referred to this as an Araragi/Shinobu buddy cop arc early on, but… yeah, that’s pretty much exactly where they’ve gone with it. Fun bonding time in alternate universe zombie apocalypses
13:22 – Well this is a new one
14:11 – Isin finds outer demons significantly less interesting than inner ones
Okay, that was hammy, even for me
15:02 – They are getting so much visual mileage out of this shrine
17:27 – This Shinobu required the same thing our Araragi did – to know that there is still hope somewhere.
20:00 – One more shadow for good measure. Right, shadows have always been relevant
23:01 – Alright, moral of the story time
23:15 – And two…
23:35 – …and three
24:05 – Jeez Araragi, leaving a little explaining for the rest of us, would you?
And Done
Route down! That was pretty solid – I enjoyed the second half significantly more than the first, but that’s mainly because I find Shinbo’s gorgeous cinematography far more satisfying than Isin’s campy humor. I liked how it was primarily a Shinobu story, and that Hachikuji’s own theme was kind of just sewn in along the edges – Hachikuji’s general theme of “you must go forward, come what may, because going forward is its own reward and what makes you happy will often come as a surprise” basically bookended the series, whereas Shinobu’s far more classically Monogatari story (accepting all elements of yourself, a very close parallel to Hanekawa and Tsukihi’s stories) basically took over in the parallel world. I really like how Isin tied the two resolutions together – the parallel of Araragi’s satisfaction at seeing a world where Mayoi had a chance to be alive and happy with alternate-Shinobu’s (no, I will not type out her ridiculous name) combined happiness and grief at her own better self is pretty satisfying stuff. Not just elegant, but also emotionally effective – Araragi introducing that concept helps on the emotional sell of Shinobu’s climax.
Overall, I don’t think this arc was as strong as the first (which isn’t really a fair comparison, since I think that arc is the best thing Monogatari’s done yet), but it was still some solid Monogatari. Bring on the next one!
Monogatari S2 – Episode 9
Well I’m certainly ready to see this kick into high gear. This arc hasn’t been as tedious for me as the first Mayoi one (which is still easily my least favorite part of the series overall), but personally Isin’s comedy is kinda hit-or-miss for me, and not really what I’m here for. So I’d say an apocalypse or something is definitely in order.
Episode 9
0:02 – Nice establishing shot
0:18 – Sweet, they weren’t kidding. This is a lovely series of shots, too. This one in particular is very interesting – all these shots possess much more detail than Monogatari’s usual highly stylized and flat aesthetic, and here we see the telephone poles’ usual appearance (a solid block of color, usually white) shift into more color as they reach the point where the corruption/natural overgrowth has reached them. Like the normal aesthetic is representative of the clinical, controlled environment these characters normally live within, and destroying that world also destroys that aesthetic
0:24 – God damn that’s nice
0:40 – There’s one for the “inappropriate OP transitions” highlight reel
2:17 – Another beautiful composition. Love the use of shadow here – those ominous power lines reflected in black
2:27 – Back to the flat colors. Araragi’s house has escaped the destruction
3:01 – More great shadows. Really enhances the ghost town feel
3:39 – Shinbo gets to have so much fun with composition. I get that not every show would be appropriate for such a stylized approach, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of it
5:30 – So Shinobu’s obviously got some kinda secret. Good to know!
6:16 – Seems trustworthy
6:39 – They keep changing the color palette of this place
6:55 – Ermahgerd this show’s design. They are really going all-out today. It’s like the characters, the talisman, and the background have all been pulled from disparate worlds
7:25 – They are making it very hard for me to get through this episode
7:47 – God, look at it. I love the consistency of the color trick – not only does the overall image fade from green to red, but you can see the individual trees in the distance do the same. It might be stylized, but it’s like the colors themselves are the ecosystem
8:02 – The green has spread significantly since they entered. Not yet sure what to make of that
9:09 – Well this is different. Their shifting, cut-paper texture kinda reminds me of Madoka
10:09 – Today is a good day
10:47 – And to think I was complaining about this arc. This episode’s an embarrassment of riches
11:39 – Well I can see why she had trouble telling him. Wonder where they’re going with this…
12:26 – “Me that isn’t myself.” Pointing to some common Isin topics here. Links easily enough with fate, but there’s not yet enough pieces to tie it into the red light/green light stuff
13:32 – Jeez, that’s a morbid way to reference that
14:39 – I like that this is more of a Shinobu arc than a Mayoi arc. Shinobu secretly being a possibly unbalanced world-shaking power is something the show generally breezes over, and keeping it relevant makes the Araragi-Shinobu relationship more interesting
17:08 – An interesting play on “true self.” Shinobu isn’t actually reformed, this is just a new version of her self, and that other self still exists
19:50 – Hanekawa reforms by embracing the various interpretations of her ‘self.’ Shinobu reforms by denying hers
20:45 – I like pretty much every shot of this episode, but here’s another particularly nice one
21:23 – He’s even at the playground? Jeez, I wonder who they’re gonna run into
And Done
What a great episode! Goddamn. Excitement about this season = renewed. Beautiful shots throughout, digging at some interesting stuff about Shinobu’s character, and who doesn’t love a good zombie apocalypse, particularly in Monogatari’s fantastic style? Still not sure of everything this arc is really about (though Shinobu’s little “you can’t always be pessimistic and wait for things to happen” speech at the end seems suspiciously relevant), but as long as the ride is this beautiful and exciting, I’ll remain happy to find out.
Gatchaman Crowds – Episode 9
Oh man am I excited for this one. The Gatchamen have had their first semi-formal press conference, Hajime has pretty much completely taken over leadership of the group, and Rui has specifically been called out to collaborate with them. Hajime has no time for Rui’s careful backroom machinations, and she’s ready to draw the world kicking and screaming into a flatter future. No more secret heroes – we public now.
Incidentally, I was late on last week’s episode, but I didn’t skip it. That writeup’s here.
Episode 9
0:10 – Take THAT, idealism!
0:31 – Oh my god these two I can’t take it
And yes, she does indeed got him now. The Hajime always wins
0:45 – Of course Sugane’s all freaked out
1:05 – All this Reiservice . Hell, even Uchouten Kazoku had a bathhouse episode that was all dudes. SEXISM IS OVER!
Editor’s note: sexism is not over
1:29 – Pai is the clear choice for public relations manager. Also his phone charger is also a panda yes
1:44 – Yep! An excellent way to keep Pai busy
3:25 – This OP is always so damn good. What style this show has
3:45 – Utsutsu’s certainly changed
4:19 – Yeah, the internet is goddamn scary . They’re not sugarcoating it, and they’re portraying its ability to destroy the idea of personal space very efficiently
4:32 – Jeez, I can’t imagine anyone thinking that!
4:45 – This is amazing . “Is Hajime retarded or something lol”
Lol indeed, internet. Lol indeed.
5:13 – Not a fan? Hajime don’t give a fuck .
Well, this is probably the first and last time I’ll see an anime character directly mock their own internet hatedom. Nice work, Hajime
5:24 – Light and dark yada yada. Hurray for visual motifs
5:30 – Really like this shot. Discussing the dark heart of human nature while being reflected in the black screen behind which hides the internet. That is a classy little metaphor
5:44 – Behold the glory of Hajime’s interior decorating.
5:52 – And there’s the light. Not sure what depth to draw out of the contrast. We’ll see where they go with it
7:01 – Again, limited budget is not a strike against a great visual aesthetic . Love the rough watercolors feel. Again they draw the contrast extremely sharply by portraying the brightly lit school of last episode in grey darkness
7:15 – Not just change, but recognition
7:55 – Hey, Katze just wants to make everyone a superhero, right? Equality! Unfortunately, not everyone is Hajime or Rui
8:18 – Heeey, waaait a second
9:05 – This is clearly the best use of opera-dubstep there has ever been . This soundtrack you guys
10:13 – Ah, I get it. The light/dark stuff perfectly mirrors the mask/invisibility/transparency stuff. Hajime’sphilosophy centers on equal transparency – she does not want to hide what she does, she communicates directly with people, she values showing her face and meeting in person and speaking frankly. Everything she does is thusly fully “lit” and transparent. Katze and 26 (and Rui, initially) use masks, obscurity, invisibility – they set themselves apart from others, and cloak their intentions, and force change instead of opening dialogue. So the light/dark isn’t about good/evil, it’s about honesty/dishonesty, equal dialogue/forced change, transparency/obscurity.
10:33 – Very smart of Hajime to act quickly. It’d be much more difficult to pin this as the act of an exterior party after the fact. And in spite of Hajime wanting to have everyone work together, people knowing the Gatchamen exist will definitely reduce panic here
10:48 – They’re really focusing on these candy . Maybe just a visual subtheme of this episode – Katze scatters candy carelessly, Utsutsu is given a single sweet by Hajime, which she carefully sets aside with her Note
11:49 – This is all some very pretty destruction
12:37 – As if I needed more reasons to love this show
But yeah, that’s pretty much the ultimate example of our misplaced faith in higher powers, ain’t it?
12:55 – Vertical bonds are not strong enough
13:58 – Utsutsu lays down the law . Her voice is too adorable
14:16 – Hey look the sun came out oh well that’s probably a coincidence
14:30 – Even computer programs are not immune to Hajime’s pro-dialogue optimism
14:56 – YES HAJIME YOUTUBE CHANNELS WILL SAVE THE WORLD
16:03 – He’s a changed man, Katze . He’s seen… okay, I’m not gonna say it
17:09 – Galax isn’t the enemy. It’s just one manifestation of an inevitability. Very glad they haven’t simplified this conflict
17:47 – Is she intentionally abusing how incompetent he is to humanize the Gatchamen, or is she just a huge troll?
18:16 – Can we rely on you? No, you probably shouldn’t . But we’re on the same side
19:07 – Very excited for this. You guys seen those suit images? Much style
20:05 – Rui’s prior honesty with X may save him now
21:07 – GO SUGANE. KILL YOUR GODS
And Done
Oh man, what a sweet conclusion. This world doesn’t need mysterious benefactors dictating justice from on high – not anymore. Brilliant.
Agh, this episode was so good. It’s all coming together so well. My fears from last week were happily unfounded – social media isn’t good or evil, it just Is. It’s powerful, and it’s here, and it changes the dynamic of human relations. It can be used to obscure truth and cloud human relations, but it can also be used for honesty and genuine connection. And that stuff about gods… yeah, I’m a big fan. This was maybe the best week yet, in fact. This show is absolutely killing it.
Free! – Episode 9
Alright you fucks it’s time for Free. It’s been a love-hate-tolerate-resent relationship for me and this show – the novelty lasted about 2.5 episodes, so when it’s not being funny it’s either K-On with abs or Girls und Panzer minus the girls, the panzer, and the actually kinda good writing. Even the animation and direction can be somewhat inconsistent – Yamada’s episode was great, but outside of that it doesn’t really feel like KyoAni have been applying their A-game to this one. Which is honestly fine by me, because if their A-game isn’t here, it’s probably busy over here, which is an arrangement I am perfectly comfortable with.
But anyway. Free. Yeah, this is a kinda crappy show, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. And yes, it lacks Crime Edge’s gift for the whimsically absurd that made even mocking that show a kind of friendly gesture. But hey, at least it’s got… well, upper bodies. It’s got plenty of upper bodies. And I guess that’s something we can all be thankful for.
Episode 9
0:30 – Swimming: still a non-interactive sport
0:32 – But I do love the girls being silly
0:55 – One more time!
1:22 – Get your filthy paws off him, Nagisa
1:28 – Well this episode isn’t wasting any time
3:06 – I am extremely uncomfortable with this episode title
3:58 – And occasionally this show is really great. This song is fantastic for the job here – upbeat and mid-tempo and nostalgic. The heavy filter obviously implies the meaning for Haru. Looking out the window to reflect on memories is a cliche, but it’s a fine one if used effectively. And this pushes Haru into a new plot arc, where he actually enjoys the full experience of swimming with his friends (I’m guessing), without having to over-explain anything. Nice sequence
4:24 – Well I guess remembering he has teammates is still a work in progress
4:45 – Fuckin’ Gou doesn’t even realize this is 1-cour
4:52 – Rei assumes his battle stance
4:59 – Oh my god every
5:00 – frame
5:01 – is a gem . Gah, works better in motion. Rei you are ridiculous
5:32 – Oh, don’t mind me
6:05 – NO HARU YOUR SECRETS THEY CAN NEVER KNOW
But what did it matter if they knew, anymore? The tournament had been a failure, an unmitigated disaster. Rin-chan had… changed.
No.
No, that’s a damned excuse of a lie.
Rin hadn’t changed – Rin had standards. And I had failed them. I had failed him. The truth hung heavy in my throat, not even the rich chlorine musk clouding my nausea. My presumption. Like I had earned him. Like he was something to be won. What did it matter if they knew? I deserved to fail.
6:11 – Gou asked the obvious question, but then, suddenly, Makoto covered for me. He knew – of course he knew, how could I have hid my obsession, my love, from eyes as sharp and good-naturedly half-open as his? But what did he have to gain from protecting my secrets?
6:22 – What did he want from me? I gazed intently at the water, as if one more entreaty would reveal its wisdom. But in truth, the water in my eyes held no chlorine. Why wouldn’t he just let me be shamed?
6:29 – Stupid stupid gah why are you such an insensitive PRICK? Why would I push him away?!?
6:33 – Oh god it’s him. Of course the coach would bunk me with the most emotionally fragile child in the school. Guh, fine, time to act aloof and senpai-ish
6:42 – Look, I get it, you’re pissy because you lack any and all talent. Kind of having a moment here, guy
6:47 – Great. What a relief
6:57 – The kid may have the grace of a manatee , but he’s not stupid
7:14 – Move on? But… but…
7:28 – Really? We’re actually getting a festival episode? KyoAni you’ve outdone yourselves
7:46 – That was the moment I resolved to never, ever have children
8:06 – I was seriously about to make this joke . Can’t even believe this show sometimes
8:13 – And Nagisa even catches it. Brilliant work, Free
8:42 – All flavors are but ash to Rin now. Even candy apples
9:05 – Rei’s acting clingy again. Lucky for him I’ve tired of hating him
9:24 – Because seriously, they will get themselves abducted or killed
9:49 – I just now realized Nagisa and Rei are wearing yukata, but Haru and Makoto aren’t . Yeah, I’m sure that was an accident
I really hope someone writes the article discussing gender roles in shows like this or UtaPri or whatever versus classic moe shows. Personally I generally only find these shows interesting on a cultural/psychological level, so if someone else wants to do the work…
10:38 – Seriously if I drowned him would anyone even notice
10:59 – Oh god what are these idiots gonna do
11:23 – Oh no our brilliant plan
12:02 – Wow they just ripped this wholesale from a crappy romcom . This may be the best/worst episode yet
12:42 – This is amazing . I guess I’m a sucker for stupid, self-aware genre tricks
13:00 – YEEEEESssssss
13:06 – Ermahgerd he even did the sasasasasa
13:33 – Jeez, this episode’s doing ALL the romcom cliches
13:44 – Yeah no question this is the best episode yet . As I said initially, this show can really stick a comedic landing when it wants to
14:06 – That’s fine. I’m only here to drown you anyway
14:26 – Again, brilliant . Rei is kind of becoming a breakout character at the moment
14:56 – So yeah, they’re doing a whole thing Haru learning new forms of motivation blah blah blah
16:21 – Good scene. Using the chain as a kind of visual/aural percussion works to both highlight the contrast between the two scenes and is obviously a pretty on-the-nose but effective visual marker of Rin’s attempts to reclaim what cannot be reclaimed. Someone should get a bonus for this one
17:51 – Finally, the men get a moment alone
18:49 – Very lovely. Also once again a great song choice for this moment. This episode has been less impressive on a direction level than Yamada’s one, but likely more effective on a composition/storytelling level. I like how focused the story really is on Haru, Makoto, and Rin – Nagisa and Rei are essentially both comic relief, so whenever a big emotional moment strikes, they pare it down to the critical group. This has been quite a good episode
20:08 – This moment is pretty damn cute. Maybe it’s just the beer, but I think they’re nailing this one
20:55 – Aw man, they even underscore the character turn by bringing back the goldfish? Jeez, Free, ya shouldn’t have
21:34 – Oh jeez, who could have predicted this WaCkY PlOt TwIsT??? Not that I’m complaining, I mean, what else was the show gonna do?
And Done
Damn! Satisfying episode! One of the very funniest and also one of the most polished on an actual dramatic level. Really didn’t see that coming! I’m certainly happy to see what comes next, though, and how they’re gonna characterize Haru beyond “dude loves swimming” now that he’s experienced his big turn and everything. Exciting times!
The World God Only Knows S3 – Episode 9
Who’s ready for some tears? I’m ready for some tears. Keima’s been getting away with this date-juggling for too long, and I think it’s time for the hammer to fall. Bring on the waterworks.
Episode 9
0:12 – It begins! You might not like what you find, Ayumi!
2:49 – Oh god that expression. Yeah, I know that feeling.
Chihiro is maybe the only capture-girl Keima actually seems to have real conversations with, and not just lines from that archetype’s script. I guess that’s the consequence of her being defined as the “normal” girl
3:07 – Jeez, this scene is really good. Most romantic comedies that actually want you to care about the romance can’t pull together scenes this refreshingly grounded and honest
…yeah, you know what I’m talking about
3:47 – NO! BAD Katsuragi! We do not shove girls onto benches!
3:59 – Keima seems even more shook up than usual. And look, he’s learned about consent!
4:15 – ABORT. ABORT. Man, now I don’t want any delicious tears. These two are actually pretty adorable together
5:37 – HOLY SHIT KEIMA YOU TREMENDOUS ASSHOLE. Keima plz no
5:59 – NO it is NOT oh my GOD be a decent person
6:37 – She actually likes Katsuragi , and not one of his endless variations on debonair MC-kun. A new experience for him
7:42 – Ermahgerd this is such a good direction to take this. Keima’s greatest challenge – a girl who likes him for him
8:35 – KEIMA NO FORGET THE GODDESSES THIS IS TRUE WUV
8:40 – Keima no stop u breakin my heart
8:55 – KEIMA WHYYYYY
9:56 – Seriously holy shit this scene. That was awful.
10:22 – Don’t even try it Keima . This is gonna be one satisfying slap
10:35 – Aw man even better. HIT HIM AGAIN
Incidentally, I realize Keima’s working for the ostensible “greater good” here, but… fuck it, HIT HIM AGAIN
10:55 – Aw, Keima. His position really is pretty terrible
11:58 – Oh goddamnit Diana , can’t you see Keima is not in the mood?
12:23 – This is actually how goddesses think love science works
13:03 – This scene is pretty great . Diana is a bad friend
14:00 – Is Keima even going to be able to go back to games after this arc? Chihiro has pretty definitely shown the consequences of toying with people like this
14:16 – Suffering yesss
20:50 – Oh right the plot has to go somewhere once we’ve found the goddesses
21:35 – IT’S ALL CONNECTED . I actually love the silliness of these deductions
21:57 – Brilliant!
And Done
Christ. That was even more tragic than I could have imagined. Goddamn was that Chihiro scene exhausting.
It’s nice to see Keima actually cracking, and also being forced to do some legitimately horrible things for the sake of the mission. Apparently toying with people’s emotions isn’t all fun and games after all!
Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 9
I can’t image this show getting any more tragic than last week. That episode was focused wholly on the grieving process – but as Yasaburou stated at the end, this shared loss has ultimately pulled the family together. With secrets revealed (the only remaining threads being the identity of the last couple Friday Fellows and Kaisei) and the election looming ever closer, the time has probably come for Yasaburou to make some hard calls. He knows he’s the inheritor of the Idiot Blood, and he cares far more than he lets on. I’m not expecting old-fashioned heroism, but I am expecting results.