Category Archives: Episode Writeup

Bocchi the Rock! – Episode 10

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I thought we’d check in on the misadventures of Bocchi and the gang, as our crew settles back into their school routine after a semi-triumphant summer break. Bookended by the shining victories of Kessoku Band’s latest performance and their trip to the beach, Bocchi’s vacation was otherwise characterized by a retreat to Bocchi’s familiar bedroom hermitage, emphasizing how personal growth is never quite as easy or consistent as we might hope.

That said, Kita has promised she’ll be paying more attention to Bocchi at school, so I imagine we’re in for a fresh run of socialization immersion therapy as classes reconvene. Can Bocchi square her desperate need to be seen with her paralyzing terror of being known? Let’s find out!

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Tsurune S2 – Episode 5

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’d like to check back in on the boys of Tsurune, and see if Minato’s team can drag themselves out of their current funk. Having failed to compete as a true unit in their recent tournament, Masaki ordered all of them to figure out what they’re lacking, and that’s precisely what they’ve been doing. After most of an episode of morosely practicing off the range, Minato seems to have realized he’s lost sight of his team – and what’s more, that he doesn’t actually know what his own preferred style might be.

With the bold examples of Nikaidou’s team proving the variable nature of “correct form,” Minato isn’t alone in this uncertainty. Ryouhei is beginning to doubt the value and nature of “beautiful archery,” while Kaito is realizing for the first time how his own play inherently builds off the performance and mentality of his teammates. Their strategic concerns serve as natural echoes for the process of identity reassessment all adolescents experience; social pressure instigates a process of self-analysis that causes us to doubt our unconsidered modes of behavior, and perhaps consciously assign ourselves new patterns and perspectives. Given this, it’s little surprise that the already self-critical Seiya and highly emotionally intelligent Nanao are weathering this challenge with grace; after all, self-assessment is second nature to both of them. But our other boys will likely need a little help, so let’s see how they’re fairing in a fresh episode of Tsurune!

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BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! – Episode 1

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’re embarking on a new adventure, as we explore the first episode of the currently concluding BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! I’ll confess, I have virtually no experience with the overall BanG Dream! franchise; I found the first season’s first episode perfectly watchable back when it premiered, but have since then skipped out on the continuing struggles of its various bandmates. However, I’m told that MyGO is more or less self-contained, and beyond that, everything I’ve been learning about this show via twitter osmosis seems to indicate MyGO is a unique and apparently kinda devastating experience.

I’ve seen musicians choking out performances through tears, memes wagering the relative toxicity of all the show’s principle relationships, and all manner of other inexplicable reactions to MyGO’s clearly tempestuous drama. Alongside their wealth of experience composing for various idol shows, series composer Yuniko Ayana also tackled the brilliant and devastating given, so I’ve no doubt they can articulate convincing human tragedy. What form that tragedy will take remains a tantalizing mystery, so let’s not waste another moment – onward to MyGO!

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Land of the Lustrous – Episode 11

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Land of the Lustrous’ eleventh episode begins moments after the last, with Dia shattered on the floor and Bort squaring off with this imposing, now apparently divided Lunarian. Having faced this creature on the shoreline, Bort’s finely tuned instincts came to an obvious conclusion: we cannot defeat this creature, and thus we must flee to await Sensei’s guidance. Ensconced in the certainty of their role and purpose, it was an easy call to make, and thus Bort fled without a second glance. Though Bort takes pride in their strength, they are not arrogant or foolhardy; the very fact of their strength means they must take all the more care in applying themselves, ensuring their abilities serve as not just protection, but also a model and guide for their fellow gems.

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The Demon Girl Next Door S2 – Episode 12

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m eager to hop back into The Demon Girl Next Door, and join our heroes in exploring Mikan’s tempestuous mindscape! With the instigator of her curse having been identified as the demon Ugallu, Shamiko and Momo hope to negotiate with the creature, and perhaps come to some sort of compromise that will allow Mikan to enjoy her daily school life. Well, that’s Shamiko’s hope, at least; I imagine Momo thinks that goal is very cute, but she’ll probably have to end up cracking some skulls nonetheless.

All of this serves as a commendable and perfectly normal final goal for a season that has committed itself to a variety of perfectly normal milestones. And I don’t mean that as a jab at all; I was genuinely curious where the show would go after its apparent half-season climax, and have been delighted to learn the answer is “illustrating commitment to the everyday practice of self-improvement and bonding with the people you love.” So many shows end at the moment when some pair of characters commit to a life together, but I personally find the perpetual compromises, commitments, and personal reorientations of life as a couple even more interesting than the breathless courtship. Beyond its layer of magical girl as metaphor, The Demon Girl Next Door is simply a thoughtful, earnest human story, and it’s been a privilege to watch these characters grow together. Let’s send them off right!

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Skip and Loafer – Episode 1

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’re embarking on a brand new adventure, as we explore the first episode of last season’s highly regarded Skip and Loafer. I’ve had a few friends single this production out as my sort of thing, a school drama that takes unusual and welcome care in elucidating the nuances of its characters’ personalities, and also simply a particularly charming romantic comedy.

As for the production, I find myself immediately struck by the resume of director and series composer Kotomi Deai. Alongside episode director and storyboard credits on productions as diverse and distinguished as Flip Flappers, House of Five Leaves, and Kids on the Slope, she also served as the overall director for the enchanting Rolling Girls. Rolling Girls’ late-season stumbles and generally oddball nature have sadly dimmed its profile over the years, but the show’s joyful energy and fanciful visual style secured it a permanent place in my heart, with Deai’s personally directed first episode standing as one of the best premieres I’ve ever seen. Deai’s one of those top caliber talents who’s never quite gotten the recognition she deserves, so I’m eager to see how she brings this drama to life. Let’s get to it!

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Dear Brother – Episode 6

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m delighted to be returning to the tangled drama of Dear Brother, wherein Nanako has found herself isolated from basically everything that once brought her comfort or security. Thanks to Shinobu’s expert manipulation, Nanako’s best friend Tomoko has abandoned her, and now refuses even to answer her phone calls. Through the cruel performances of Miya-sama, it has become abundantly clear that the Sorority is essentially a kind of cult, with Miya-sama as its tyrannical leader. And even at home, the secrets her parents are keeping regarding Henmi’s identity mean they can no longer serve as confidants. The last shot of our preceding episode made Nanako’s position wincingly clear, casting her as isolated in shadow before a veil of tearful raindrops.

All of this is a real bummer for Nanako, but an absolute dramatic feast for us in the bleachers. Riyoko Ikeda is clearly a master of melodrama, spinning a variety of narrative plates with grace while ensuring Nanako’s experience feels tense and propulsive rather than simply hopeless. And Dezaki is the perfect director for this tale of woe, with his evocative compositions and clever manipulation of lighting raising Nanako’s trials into a decadent realm of visual theater. I’m frankly not sure what else Nanako still has to lose, but I’m eager to find out. Let us return to the imposing halls of Seiran Academy, and see what our unfortunate teens get up to next!

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Spy x Family – Episode 22

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am eager to dive back into Spy x Family, and also supremely embarrassed to admit that I somehow skipped an episode the last time I checked in on the Forger family. What’s more, I managed to skip the first half of one the show’s rare two-parters, missing out on all the context that apparently existed for episode twenty-three’s high stakes tennis match. I have neither explanation nor excuse for how I managed this feat, and can only sincerely apologize for my dumbassery.

Fortunately, while the context is less than ideal, this does in fact mean we get to enjoy another episode dedicated to high-octane underground tennis matches, with presumably even more clandestine skullduggery than the last (next) episode. Tatsuya Endo always nails the full-on Twilight missions, so I’m expecting great things from this preposterous assignment. Let’s get to it!

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Land of the Lustrous – Episode 10

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Land of the Lustrous’ ninth episode concludes with Phos effortlessly dispatching a Lunarian, and in the process rescuing the twin Amethysts they were previously helpless to assist. Such an accomplishment would have registered as a stunning victory for the Phos of several months ago, an affirmation of the strength they were so desperate to possess, and their suitability for the role they craved above all else. But having lost Antarcticite and acquired the strength to fight, Phos has only found a fresh sense of emptiness on the far shore. Looking down at this fresh kill, Phos simply laments that this Lunarian is one of the old models, and thus cannot help restore their friend. 

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The Legend of Vox Machina S2 – Episode 9

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m eager to dive back into the adventures of Vox Machina, who most recently secured a fresh vestige for Vex in their search for fantastical superweapons. The vestiges have so far proven a highly efficient binding agent for Vox Machina’s rambling journeys; not only do they give the group a Dragon Ball-style incentive to explore this world’s diverse landscapes, they also serve as a natural fusion of narrative drama and mechanical payoff, with each victory offering the tangible reward of a character-specific signature weapon in the wake of that character resolving some aspect of their emotional journey.

Last episode concluded one of those trials while setting the stage for another; Vex has now asserted her value outside of her father’s recognition, while Grog is on the way to answering the question “what does strength mean in the absence of physical power?” Mercer’s setup is so convenient that I’ll probably be stealing it for my next campaign (except maybe hunting down unique enemies instead of weapons?) – as for my current campaign, I’m happy to report that my Bridge Over the River Kwai mission went over fabulously. My players successfully infiltrated a city under occupation, met up with an old ally to discuss strategies (I basically stole the Inglorious Basterds bar scene for that), and then sabotaged a critical bridge while riding off into the sunset. It’s a little hard to schedule sessions with all of us scattered in temporary lodgings, but I’m determined to carry this campaign through to the end. In the meantime, let’s see what nonsense Grog and the gang are getting up to!

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