Hanasaku Iroha 19 - Super Tsundere Minko

So, this episode was the start of the arc for the culture festival. It was a pretty standard boring episode all the way up until the end. Maybe if the episode started on a high note, I wouldn't be so bored watching this anime every week. For the sake of completeness, I must endure!

Yuru Yuri Eps02-03

I had initially intended to batch together eps02-04, but it turned out that I had a lot more to say. Surprisingly, I'm liking this anime a lot more than I had initially expected after watching the first episode.

Super loli!

I had previously drawn a lot of similarities to A Channel and, while most of them are still true, I have to throw in that Yuru Yuri has something that A Channel was sorely missing - comedy. The allusions to lesbianism is still in full-force with these two episodes, only getting more extreme with the introduction of characters that are honestly just fangirls. The over-the-top element is what adds to the overall hilarity; while an everyday life is depicted, these episodes add the humour that kept me going back for more. Ep02 sees the introduction of the student council (sans the president) and ep03 deals with Yui's living alone.

Mawaru Penguindrum 05 - The Storm

What does this have to do with borrowing money?

So, this episode was more of an info-dump than anything else. At least now we know a bit of the history, with the long flashback, and few more mysteries showed up. The path off the main track could signify that it would be an episode heavily-based off of a flashback, or the change in direction that they will be taking soon.

Nichijou Ep18

Sadly, the delay of Nichijou this week wasn't my fault; Doki was pretty late in releasing it. Considering I'll be keeping this series for archiving, I'd rather wait for a good copy rather than rush it.

I'm reminded of Kyouya from Ouran...

This episode reminded me a lot of ones from the previous half, partially because it returned to the format of having a few long sequences broken up by lots and lots of smaller ones. The biggest difference was that the long sequences here were continuing a concept already presented, which made the little details really pop. From Biscuit #2 (the successor to Biscuit #1, obviously) and Mr. Rust+ (after Mr. Short Circuit failed) to the fantasy world that created Mio's hairstyle, this episode really reminded me why I like Nichijou to begin with: a funny joke isn't repeated; it's the funny concept that's never discarded.

Tiger & Bunny 19 - The Not So Big Reveal

As the title may suggest, the Big Boss of Tiger & Bunny has finally been revealed. Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise, because the writers have thrown hints in here and there, in earlier episodes. The first half of this week's installment is just a bunch of angsty drama, which I don't really care for. The latter half is much more entertaining.

Ikoku Meiro no Croisee Eps04-05

I procrastinated a full week before even watching these two episodes. Maybe it's because I'm feverish, but it was pretty difficult to watch this anime. I think I'm losing all interest.

That's pretty quick development...

These episodes continued the "every simple day" feel presented thus far. Ep05 dealt with the appearance of Alice - who, after being introduced as a spoiled brat who would have her way no matter what, became pretty demure in the course of one episode, obviously not going to get in between Claude and Yune in any kind of malicious way. Ep06 was about Yune shedding some of her innocent trust - although, not really, since she went back to her old ways, more or less, by the end of the episode. It also showed a homeless child that'll most undoubtedly be a part of the story to come.

3DS: August/September Update

The latest news from Nintendo has me excited all over again about their near-future plans for their latest handheld.

After giving us the ability to have Netflix on our lovable 3DS, as well as Internet-access, free (short) 3D videos, downloadable games and more, Nintendo has announced the following updates.

Price Drop!
Nintendo has announced that the 3DS will be lowered to $169.99 on August 12.

Steins;Gate 18 - Mastery of Awkwardness

So, we finally got an episode focused on the trap and his ending. This episode was just brutal for me, being pretty much the horribly awkward first date. It's almost like Steins;Gate became a slice-of-life romance crap. I think it is the first time I had to pause this anime so many times in one episode.

Hanasaku Iroha 18 - A Mermaid's Dream

She looked horrible in that. The hat was the only thing tying it together.

So, it was an extremely short one-episode focus on Nakochi. I guess even the writers knew how boring this would be but felt obligated to throw it in. This episode was just brutal; watching Nako just squirm under pressure was a flimsy-as-hell plot for this episode. It was just brutal, from start to finish.

Uta no Prince-sama Eps04-05

At this point, I kind of look forward to watching this anime, because then I can see just how many tropes they've overused and then bash it. It's a weird kind of pleasure.

Wow, even I kind of want a cat-shaped cookie.

These two episodes quickly showed more of the "harem of boys", with the focus on Ren and then Sho. At least Ren's episode was music-oriented - he had yet to submit his lyrics assignment from before, due to some random emo on his part regarding his family. Sho, on the other hand, had an episode dedicated to attempting to get a small part in a movie, which made me wonder why he needed to be at a music-oriented school if his interest was acting. Idols do lots of things, but Saotome Academy is clearly for music, first and foremost. Anyway, only Natsuki is left to be focused on, after which I'm sure (or maybe just hopeful) that Tokiya and a story will get some screen-time.