This was the week of pleasant surprises and episodes that blew my mind out of the park from Gangsta to Aoharu x Kikanjuu. While the season finales are closing in, a lot of the week's series seem to be stepping up their game!
MONDAY
AKAGAMI NO SHIRAYUKI-HIME EP. 7 | Okay, I take back what I said in the last episode's review. Apparently Zen doesn't hate his brother. He has a bitter admiration for him from what I can tell with this episode. While Prince Izana doesn't treat Shirayuki with the same respect or admiration that the others do, the episode was meant to establish the prince as someone who shouldn't be hated either. He, like Zen, also has the kingdom and people's welfare in mind. While Zen is more controlled on emotion as we have seen, Izana is his exact opposite. Someone who thinks rationally and logically. He's a good prince, but it obviously clashes with his younger brother. I started to like Izana more especially hearing his strategic long con between the two rivaling states. I'm excited to see more of him (much more so than the star protagonists themselves). Also, Shirayuki and Zen basically know the other's feelings. We just haven't gotten the "I like you" admittance phase of it all yet which is surprising.
JITSU WA WATASHI WA EP. 7 | I knew this show would eventually go down this road, but I was still sad--at myself for the fact that I sat down and watched the entire thing. Basically, the girls (Shiragami and the great grandmother devil principal) tried to compete in being sexy and were not sexy in the latest while Shiho basically kills Asahi with all that blood loss. I don't think there's anything more to say except that.
WEDNESDAY
JUNJOU ROMANTICA 3 EP. 7 | This week we get Junjou Mistake's arc and if the Junjou series could be boiled down to two words it would be: horrible communication. SOOO many problems and conflicts would be resolved if the couples actually talked to each other. While I'm not a huge fan of Mistake, it was kind of a repetition of all the other couples with just different characters. It's nice seeing a different and more personal and serious side to Isaka compared to the goofy, business driven president of the company. While the comedy is still there, we're obviously laughing at and not with Isaka. I'm still anxious to get a Junjou Egoist arc, but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen soon since episode 8 is another Romantica episode. I'll seriously take what I can get! (Cameo made by Takano and Onodera!)
ORE MONOGATARI!! EP. 20 | It can't be a shoujo series without a Valentine's Day episode! While most of the time the Valentine's theme is a girl being anxious about giving her crush chocolates for the day, OreMo has jumped leaps and bounds over that issue and now we're landing into the debate of when exactly Yamato is going to give Takeo the chocolate. We, like Takeo, are anxious for the inevitable. This episode dealt with a glaring issue (as noted by Suna) of Takeo and Yamato not spending enough times by themselves and always placing others before them. But, at least they worked out the V-Day dilemma. Also, Suna might be getting a love interest soon. Say whaaaaatt???? I kind of enjoy my third wheeling, aromantic, asexual Suna, but if the girl we got a glimpse of is as sweet and kind as Yamato, then I won't mind.
HIMOUTO! UMARU-CHAN EP. 8 | The brother of the year award seriously goes to Umaru's brother. While the usual shenanigans between the two continued for this episode, we got to see two different things for both siblings. First, we see Umaru and Sylphyn become closer like friends and having more and more things in common. I'm glad to see relationships being broken out of their rigid structures. Rivals don't remain rivals and you obviously can't judge a book by its cover. The other change is seeing Umaru's brother's past as a child. We catch a glimpse of their mother, the exact image of Umaru just without her extreme personality. I desperately want to know more. What happened to the parents? Are they well? Himouto! Umaru-Chan really brings out these gems of scenes sometimes and I desperately want more. Also, it was kind of creepy when Bomber was just staring at Umaru sleeping. Okay creepy friend, get lost please. I don't want any of that pedophilia nonsense.
THURSDAY
RANPO KITAN: GAME OF LAPLACE EP. 9 | While nothing happens exactly in episode 9 action wise, a lot of issues and background is covered. This episode, we learn who the fourth Twenty Faces was. The whole time I watched it, I felt so saddened and angered. A woman who is raped and sexually harassed, silenced and objectified is arrested because justice or the practical enforcement of the law was not enough. Unlike the first three or four episodes where we get a distinct evil criminal, the Twenty Faces arc of the series shows these victims being condemned for their actions. While fundamentally they are wrong, you can't help but feel sympathy for them. I certainly did for this particular woman in the episode. After that first half, we also learn more about the first Twenty Faces and Akechi's reason to pursuing these cases so adamantly. Since the beginning of this arc, I have always loved the idea of Twenty Faces and I'm glad that the anonymous figure that was meant to be a ideal representation of justice and justification for such violent actions for the sake of good and just carried out as it did. While Twenty Faces will still disseminate down to more and more people as it spreads virtually, the episode made it sound like this particular arc is closed. Honestly, I would be fine if it ended like that. Ranpo Kitan never failed me so I can't wait to see what episode 10 has in store whether or not it starts with something new or continues with this storyline.
GATE: JIETAI KANOCHI NITE, KAKU TATAKAERI EP. 8 | The other world gets to meet the modern world and did they face a large whirlwind. The highlight of this particular episode, besides the endearingly cute reactions of the girls experiencing modern Japan for the first time, had to be the Q&A at the national diet. I love how there's this twist of information utilized to make the military look bad. While I'm not a proponent for the military, I enjoyed watching this distrust between politics and military where lobbyists try to use the negative for their own campaigns rather than focusing on the truth of the matter. It was also great seeing the show incorporate more of the international influence and globalized world that we currently live in. While I'm not sure I'd consider Russia a considerable world power as America and China has, it's still a very realistic feature included in the series. Rory's outburst against the woman was by far the best. Soldiers, while protecting the nation, must also protect themselves because what's the point of sacrificing their lives so easily? The show is now delving into another issue where Itami and gang are dealing with a mole within the organization. Itami, being who he is, will surely find out who it is. I'm sure while waiting in line for a doujinishi or something.
SATURDAY
DURARARA!!X2 TEN EP. 8 | While it's not a filler episode, Durarara episode 8 certainly what I was expecting to come after the explosive moment of episode 7. This time around, we follow Izaya and his investigation into some strange gambling ring that's also connected to a drug ring. While the premise was interesting, I mean Izaya kidnapped and being sort of tortured is something we don't get to see often, I didn't really care for this side arc. I know that I'm going to regret saying that later when it pulls together into the main storyline (whichever you decide is the main one but I'm sure we all agree it's the Mikado/Masaomi one). I didn't care for these weird drug dealers. But, the revival of Anri's rival who also possesses Saika's power was definitely a shocker. Episode 9 seems to delve further into the history behind Izaya and Lizard (the boss of both the drug ring and the gambling ring), which means we see young Izaya who is still most likely a little shit and hopefully baby Shizuo too! While I found it boring, it'll definitely set up something great, hopefully.
WORKING!!! EP. 8 | If anyone worried that Yamada was gone for good after last episode's farewell, well, she's not! She's still there and never leaving. While Yamada isn't a character I pine after, she's still a large part of the Wagnaria team and I admit, it would've been a strange episode without her. I like how she's settled and is trying to find balance between her work family and her actual family. Opening up to her mother and putting a bit more effort to understand each other in their relationship is obviously going to be very difficult seeing that long and empty replied message Yamada got from her mother as a response, but already I can tell it'll be a worthwhile journey. With that said, I enjoy Souma being that pseudo-older brother even though he was initially so against it. Souma is a great guy in a sadistic sort of way. Episode 8 was sweet. That's all I got to say.
ROKKA NO YUUSHA EP. 8 | The battle with Hans and Adlet continue! Luckily, Adlet does not die, but comes out of the fight with a new bro on his side. He's manage to convince someone that he's not the seventh brave and as the episode continues, we get a GLARING HINT at who the seventh is. I'd just like to take a moment and let you go look at my old weekly round ups. Have you looked them? Can I say it? I TOLD YOU SO! It's definitely Maura, without a doubt. That scene between her and Flamie just nailed it on the head as she ruthlessly told her to kill Adlet on the spot. I screamed at my television when Adlet's mind clicked. I just hope he convinces Chamot soon enough too. Who knew such a cute thing that reminds me of something from those bubble shooting games would harbor fiends in the endless swampy pits of her stomach? Never trust the cute ones.
SUNDAY
ARSLAN SENKI EP. 20 | Episode 20 of Arslan Senki offered Arslan the final step to find his resolve in truly deciding why he wants to enter this war. He couldn't win after all if he's in it halfheartedly. It was nice seeing the parallel from the first episode with Etoile with this episode now. Arslan is fighting to establish a better state for the Parsians without caring of blood lineage. His concern is the people above all and that is what will make him a great king and more worthy of the throne. I can't wait but also dread the day when Etoile will find out Arslan's true identity--on the battlefield it seems with that obvious foreshadowing. Arslan, my son, go and make me proud.
GANGSTA EP. 8 | HANDS DOWN THE BEST EPISODE BY FAR. I don't even want to say anymore. You should just go watch it and understand the beauty that was episode 8 of Gangsta in comparison to the other episodes so far in the season. But if I had to explain what was so great about this episode it would be just the execution of Alex Benedetto's story. So far, we've seen little of Alex in the anime in comparison to her role in the manga. This time, however, she gets one whole episode and it was pure perfection. What Alex brings to the table that seems lacking when it's purely about the other two is the connection. Alex is a fusion of both Worick and Nicolas. She's tormented by her PTSD like Worick and she's a reflection of Nico's past whether it be of Veronica's drug abuse or his own desire to be overcome whatever demons and obstacles he faces. I broke down with her as she desperately tried to remember her brother, the most important person to her and yet someone she forgot. I was dead when she began singing and her memories grew clearer. In one of my Shakespeare courses, we were going over Hamlet and we reached the part that described Ophelia's insanity through her singing. Ophelia sang not because she was insane, but her grief was so large and her emotions were too grand that normal language failed her and music was the only expressive outlet she could turn to. Alex as well is bubbling with her own emotions and the music while was meant to ease the minds of the refugee Twilights, the memories solidified because she was able to connect when logical methods failed. Can you tell how much I love Alex? I LOVE HER SO DAMN MUCH I WILL FIGHT PEOPLE FOR HER. EPISODE 8 WAS A BLESSING. KEEP IT UP, GANGSTA.
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