Koi Wa Sekai Seifuku No Ato De

The old classic trope of Romeo and Juliet never dies until today. In the sense that romance between 2 people from 2 different rival sides is still going strong at least in the fiction world. So, if you think Kimi To Boku No Saigo No Senjou Aruiwa Sekai Ga Hajimaru Seisen is too serious and fantasy-like and Kishuku Gakkou No Juliet is too high school-like, perhaps something more light-hearted, comical and leaning more towards sentai theme? That’s right. Koi Wa Sekai Seifuku No Ato De is yet another Romeo and Juliet trope in which the main hero of an organization that protects the world and main villainess from an organization that is all for world domination, fall for each other and try to date each other in secret without having their tryst busted as a public scandal. Can their love blossom amidst the eternal rivalry between both organizations? Well, the only good thing I know is that nobody is going to die in the end, right?!

Episode 1
Fudo Aikawa AKA Red Gelato is having a lovely picnic with Desumi Magahara AKA Reaper Princess. Such a nice lovely date until you realize that their comrades are fighting each other in the background! When Fudo’s colleague goes to him for help, they have to pretend returning to fight each other. Seeing how intense their fight is, I guess he better not interrupt. Flashback shows that Fudo is part of a hero organization known as Gelato 5 that consists of Haru Arisugawa (Pink Gelato), Hayato Ojino (Blue Gelato), Misaki Jinguji (Yellow Gelato) and Daigo Todoroki (Green Gelato). They attend a meeting by the supreme commander Professor Gelato who warns them about Gekko, the secret society who is aiming for world domination having an upcoming formidable warrior on their side known as Reaper Princess. With the alert sounding, it’s time to move out. Gelato 5 vs Gekko at the park. Fudo has his comrades fight Culverin Bear and his Moonlight Soldiers while he takes on solely Desumi. Both are able to match up to each other. But with Bear defeated and calling for a retreat, until next time. Back at the base, Professor wonders if there is anything on his mind other than muscle training or justice. Fudo surprises him that there is a girl he loves at first sight but of course can’t confess to her because they’re from different worlds. Instantly Professor slaps him and tells him to confess right away. That’s an order! Life is more than just fighting! He’ll take responsibility afterwards! Okay. You said so. Hence Fudo calls out to meet Desumi. She thinks he is here to settle the score when he confesses he loves her. Shocked, she thinks this is a ploy to throw her off her balance as she attacks him. However Fudo knows all her likes because of her postings on social media. Isn’t Fudo a creepy stalker?! After all that positivism and asking her to be his girlfriend, Desumi too would love to give this a shot. Don’t worry, nobody knows anything about dating. And now, we see them continuing their lovely time as she shows him pics of her cat, Hellko. They note that they must keep their relationship a secret or else there will be a national scandal and they can’t be together anymore. When Misaki comes to see for help, Desumi has to pretend to deal Fudo the finishing blow. Until the next time we meet again! Perhaps the day after tomorrow? I’m sure they’re looking forward to it.

Episode 2
Another day, another fighting between Gelato 5 and Gekko. Of course, great acting between Fudo and Desumi to make their fight believable. They head away from the cameras to go spend some time alone between some containers. As they’re about to take a selfie, Misaki comes by to say they have defeated Gekko. Fudo fears they have been busted but fast thinking Desumi plays dead. Misaki also says the media wants to interview them so Fudo has to answer questions about the enemy he just defeated. He puts it in an ambiguous way that can be read both ways. But of course this embarrasses Desumi and she really wishes she is dead! Finally, they ask if he is single. All his female fans are dying to know! Misaki interjects and doesn’t think so because this dude only thinks of building muscles. But she doesn’t mind taking applications?! After the interview, Fudo goes to check on Desumi. Right, she’s sulking. Very popular with female fans, huh? Don’t worry, she’s the only one for him. Well, prove it by taking her out on a date. Deal. Too bad Fudo is blur on what a real date is. So he goes back to Google Gaagle and finds it overwhelming. Oh man, this won’t end by the time he decides. With drunk Misaki here to offer her advice, you bet Fudo now knows what to do. Just do whatever you want as long as you both enjoy it, huh? Uh oh. Doesn’t look good… Next day, Fudo and Desumi meet. Guess what’s on the agenda? Going to the gym! Great workout! Oh sh*t! And you think at the end of the day is a romantic dinner but he hands her a protein snack! Then she excuses herself to the toilet. Just then, Misaki calls to apologize for yesterday. You can’t just do anything you want on a date, there are certain rules to follow. Safe to say, he broke every one of them! Fudo then realizes his mistake. Yeah, Desumi hasn’t been back. He goes in search of her hoping she would give him another chance. He thought it is over but she has returned with some drinks because eating protein bars can be dry and the queue at the stall was long. When Fudo tells her the truth, she laughs. In fact, she was enjoying this date. Because he made it for her and that’s who they are, that’s why she’s not mad. The moment is right for them to kiss but their damn alarm goes off. Time for another group battle. Yes, another Gelato 5 vs Gekko but our main duo are so deeply in love to even concentrate on fighting. We hear Hellko narrate about Desumi’s normal life in her dorm. Pretty average to say the least. She often gets sad about rumours but one day she was smiling more often and even dresses up to be prettier. Of course Hellko knows Fudo is behind this change but warns if he ever makes Desumi sad, they’ll be hell(ko) to pay!

Episode 3
No attacks from Gekko for 2 weeks? Damn, Fudo is having withdrawal symptoms of not seeing Desumi! Speak of the devil, the alert sounds as Gekko has been detected to be developing new weapons at their base. Hence this is an infiltration mission. Because other Gelato 5 members are away and the only ones around are Fudo and Misaki, Professor thinks only 1 can do this seemingly suicide mission. Instantly Fudo volunteers. Yeah, such a brave soul. We all know why… Look at his happy face… Meanwhile, Desumi too is having withdrawal symptoms of not seeing Fudo. But her goons think she is out for blood when she asks when the next attack is! She gets shocked when Fudo sneaks in to say hi. She quickly ushers him to her room where they play, uhm, Uno? Sorry, Unon. When a goon tries to warn her about an intruder detected, she quickly hides Fudo to take the video message. Yeah, she’s sitting on his face! After that, because Bear comes in to warn her about the same, she has to shove Fudo into the closet. However she also shoved herself in. In this tight space, he can’t prove so he removes that thing to breathe easy: Her bra?! She punches him but this has him thrown out and knock Bear out too. This activates his cannons that destroys the base! Just like that, the infiltration mission is a success! Later, Fudo gives Desumi his number for him to call. That night she nervously does that and Fudo’s mother’s answer the call before her son takes over. What a nerve wrecking experience. High time for him to buy a handphone.

We see the Gekko generals in a meeting with their high commander, Bosslar. Oh f*ck! You mean it’s not Waluigi?! Anyway, he takes people’s negative emotions to create phantom monsters for his world domination so they’re discussing on the location of their next attack. Seems Desumi is spamming date-like locations. All rejected until Bear thinks the amusement park suggestion is teeming with life. With that, Bosslar agrees. Desumi sends a message to Fudo about Gekko’s next attack as well as their next dating spot. Misaki shocked at Fudo having a handphone, thinks he has an ulterior motive and will go spy on him. With Haru, they see him entertaining the kids at the stage. Nothing suspicious. Fudo will always be Fudo. Nothing to hide. Of course Gekko is here and many are shocked that the heroes are here. How the f*ck they know our plan? Time to retreat? Nah. Desumi goes out to fight Gekko. In that case, everybody else too. While they’re fighting, Fudo and Desumi sneak off to have a wild time at the park. Uhm, nobody evacuated? Okay then. Just a small time fight. They had lots of fun and it’s time to go home once Gelato 5 defeats Gekko. Again. In the aftermath, Haru spots a photo of Fudo taking a roller coaster ride. Something fishy…

Episode 4
When Desumi isn’t working for Gekko, she is just a normal high school girl. On her way after school, she spots Fudo with Haru at a café! Obviously she jumps the gun and runs away in tears. Apparently Haru invited Fudo out to talk as she wants to ask about that picture. Is that his girlfriend? However, she is deliberating if that is being rude or not but Fudo thinks she wants to ask about bodybuilding! Are you serious! Yeah, he recommends this protein diet and guide book! When she denies and asks about the picture, don’t worry, this book comes with pictures! Oh well… Sorry for being a fool to ever doubt Fudo has a girlfriend! When the next Gelato 5 and Gekko clash, it seems Desumi is beating him up for good. It feels much more pain this time. Yeah, took him a few beat downs to realize something is really wrong. So when she says about seeing him and Haru together, he explains the truth. She actually knows he won’t cheat on her but since it still made her jealous, hence she thought she might not be cut out for love and he shouldn’t associate with her. Being in love has made her a weaker woman. Fudo hugs her while assuring he will always love only her. That good enough for you? So as they talk things out and all is forgiven if he will ask her out on a date after school, suddenly Haru sees everything! OMG! BUSTED!!! In fact, she heard the whole thing! AWKWARD! What now? Well, let’s go home. Uhm. Okay.

Fudo is now thinking that this scandal will cause Gelato 5’s downfall and he will be grilled for this betrayal. So in the next meeting, Haru has an announcement to make. Oh sh*t. She claims that she and Fudo has exams so they want to take their leave early. Uhm. Okay. Secret still safe. For a week, Haru acts normal. Hence Fudo and Desumi meet to talk about this. Is she up to something? It’s getting on Desumi’s nerves so she wants to silence her for good! Not so fast! After she has Fudo go get her a drink, she calls out Haru from hiding. What is it that you want? Haru wants to fight her. So as they do so, obviously Desumi is way better than her but Haru doesn’t give up until she loses all her strength. Haru reveals the truth that she is in love with Fudo, the reason why she joined this team. But when he started acting strange, she suspected he has a girlfriend but never thought she would be the enemy commander who also turns out someone she knew. You see, when Haru was assaulted by thugs, it was Desumi (a stranger then) who came to her rescue and told her to become stronger. The reason Haru did not rat out on them is because she saw Fudo’s smile. He has never looked happier. That’s why she doesn’t feel the right to steal that happiness from them. Both girls can only hug each other and cry their loudest. That’s love for you. When Fudo returns, he is shocked to see Haru sleeping on Desumi’s lap. No Fudo, she has not silenced her! Haru assures she will root for both of them but hints that if she falters, she will take Fudo for herself. So you better get along well.

Episode 5
Bosslar reveals the latest rankings and Desumi tops the charts by a mile again. This doesn’t sit well with Beast Princess who thinks she is trying to steal her limelight. Beast is friends with Steel Princess who of course is at the bottom of the rankings and is in a world of her own. When Desumi hears Steel is in love and has a man she wants to confess, you bet Desumi will do all she can to help out. Somehow Beast gets roped in despite she doesn’t want a part of this. Because Steel feels herself as inferior and not very feminine, Desumi starts giving her feminine lessons but Steel butchers them all. In the end, this only serves to prove she isn’t cut out for love and will give up on it. Desumi then talks to Fudo about her friend and hopes to do something but instead she hurt her instead. After all, Steel reminded her of herself like she was. Desumi asks if Fudo wants anything of her and thought he is joking that all he wants is by her side and nothing else. He likes her the way she is. Desumi returns to Steel who has now barricaded herself in her room. Desumi admits her mistake of trying to change Steel because now she believes Steel should remain the way she is. She doesn’t have to change. Just don’t give up on your love. Steel comes out of her hiding and vows to confess her love. Beast not impressed she is very well endowed… That person is Bear?! What a strange but lovely couple they make… During the next battle with Gelato 5, Bear brings Steel to the battlefield, throwing the heroes off their course. So they can’t fight Gekko members from other teams? Anyway, as usual Desumi and Fudo are secretly flirting. As Desumi is about to feed him, suddenly his stomach pains like hell and he collapses. A few days later, he is recovering after being hospitalized for appendicitis. Misaki visits and tries to feed him but Fudo will not allow any other woman to do that first except Desumi! Haru gets the hint and eats them. Later Desumi visits and finally he gets fed by her for the first time. Too bad this mood is interrupted when mom is here. But she is a member short in her volleyball match and drafts Desumi into her team. Better luck next time. But thanks to her, their team decimates their opponents. Sudden Death Seniors?! I bet they’re all on the verge of death… Later Fudo’s mom apologizes for taking away Desumi when they’re in the middle of that. She hopes Desumi can take care of Fudo. She shows a picture of herself when she was younger and prettier. Uhm… I don’t know about that but Desumi is more infatuated with the cute baby Fudo!

Episode 6
Another day, another fighting. Or picnic for Fudo and Desumi. This time they plan to go to the beach. Back at Gekko’s HQ, Bosslar calls an emergency meeting for all his division leaders. Short explanation how the monsters are the division leaders and the princess series are the sub division leaders. Then he announces that thanks to Desumi’s great efforts, she will be promoted to a new unit of her own. This means she will become a monster! And that means fused with an animal! While everyone is cheering, Desumi is not impressed. And you thought it could be a cute bunny but nope. She’ll be a gorilla!!! Back in her room as she is thinking about this, her parents call and they are so happy their daughter is getting promoted and will support her all the way. Even her reclusive sister, Urami pops up just to show her support. Making it harder to turn down now, eh? And then meeting up with Fudo, he learns what has happened. Don’t worry, she’ll still be the world’s cutest gorilla! I DON’T THINK SHE’LL TAKE THAT AS A COMPLIMENT!!! He says what he thinks is not important as what she wants to do is important. This has her think she has never done anything like this before. And so she has decided since she wants to be with Fudo like this. So when she turns Bosslar down, everyone gets mad thinking she is disrespecting his great offer. But Bosslar congratulates her! He thinks Desumi believes in her own fighting skill and will not fuse with other animals, a sign of weakness! Oh dear, does this mean those other division leaders are weak?! And just like that Desumi remains looking hot and sexy. Now we see Gekko at the beach having fun. Apparently Fudo tipped off Desumi about Gelato 5’s next outing to test their new robot. And before Gekko knows what hit them, the robot fires a missile at the beach! How did Professor mess this up? Not sure if any Gekko survived… Desumi and Beast hide as they spot Fudo coming on the beach. Beast is shocked that Desumi just runs towards him. Uhm, the duo not caring their identity will be leaked?! Whatever. Desumi and Fudo having fun but in Beast’s eyes, she thinks Desumi is torturing him! Even infiltrating Gelato 5’s ranks?! Yeah, Desumi having BBQ fun with them. Beast then gets hit on by Hayato. She tries to run away but the playboy remains persistent… A nice fireworks to end it all. When Desumi returns to Beast, she thought Desumi did her worse when the robot explodes! Actually, Professor did some accident that caused a malfunction. Desumi so terrifying…? Yeah, she had so much fun.

Episode 7
Daigo must be gay to brush off advances from Misaki even though she’s just fooling around. When he talks to Fudo and learns that girl is Desumi he brought at the beach, he goes into panic attack! WTF?! After calming down, he says he knows Desumi as a childhood friend and is a monster he created. Of course Fudo wants to know all about her. Back when they were still young in Hakata, Daigo was peerless as a student in some dojo. Until Desumi came. You could say that she really packs a punch in all her moves. Each time, Daigo tries to withstand all the pain he got during practice. Until one day the dojo closed down because Desumi defeated the teacher! Yeah, he went on to be a hermit. Desumi was saddened but so as to give her hope, Daigo agreed to be her teacher. That’s when the nightmare started. That’s right. He suffered in silence as he takes on all of her monstrous punches and kicks. Because of his stupid pride, he never admits to all that. Desumi continues to grow in strength and even beats up a group of punks who tried to harass her. One day after his parents got divorced and before he moved to Tokyo, he decided to have a final showdown with Desumi. As expected, he lost. She thought he didn’t go all out. Yeah, she held back too! He hoped never to see her again and sealed those traumatic memories, the reason he didn’t recognize her then. But it seems she too didn’t recognize him. But now Daigo is on a mission. He wants Fudo to give up dating Desumi because he wants to scout Desumi into Gelato 5. Uhm, will it be Gelato 6? Anyway, this is because romance in the workplace is forbidden. So Fudo brings Desumi to meet Daigo officially (damn, Daigo still shaking all over). She is glad to see him. So she didn’t recognize him because of his different surname? When Daigo tells of his intentions, Desumi relishes at the idea that they don’t have to hide their relationship from the public. But thinking about all those ‘wonderful’ people at Gekko, she declines because she thinks she’ll get karma if she gets happier than this. Daigo wonders if this is the same Desumi and challenges her. But when he mentions if he wins and she must stop dating Fudo due to their policy, this is when she gets upset. Should have said that earlier because she won’t lose now! Even if Daigo transforms, he still loses to Desumi! And she still didn’t go all out! Wow. Some monster. As promised, Daigo will give up scouting on her. He warns that many are after her power and of all the organizations she must avoid, it is Gekko. Uhm… A little too late and ironic, I think? Fudo and Desumi head home hand in hand but unknown to them, somebody snaps a photo of them. Scandal time?

Episode 8
Fudo gets a threatening letter from an anonymous person who claims to know his secret. Meanwhile at school, Desumi gets her lunch stolen by delinquent gal, Anna Hojo. It seems Beast and Steel are also students of this school as they protect Desumi from further bullying. Though, Desumi is already used to it. Anna hints that everyone has a secret or two and that she has something she really wants. When Fudo goes to meet the perpetrator behind the letter, it turns out to be Anna. When she threatens to publish it, Fudo begs to at least censor out Desumi’s eyes. He doesn’t care about his own reputation but doesn’t want trouble for Desumi. Anna tries to make him break up or do fake confession to her and even kiss her hand for some master-servant pact but Fudo will not do it. Considering he said he’ll do anything but that! In the end, Anna gets embarrassed by it all and leaves. Tomorrow night, same time, same place. When Fudo tells this to Desumi, you bet that girl is so mad she wants to silence her permanently! But as he explains, she thinks she is in love. Fudo thinks Anna is in love with him so when he meets her again just to reject her love, she slaps him and reveals that she is in love with Desumi instead! Oops! Flashback shows everyone ignored her but Desumi being honest and all was the only one who talked to her. She has a crush on her ever since. Fudo is impressed with her good taste and they can talk about Desumi the whole night! Of course she won’t. They’re rivals. She hints she’ll continue to cause trouble and if he’s not careful, she’ll steal her away. Of course there is a secret that Desumi herself doesn’t know. Why, Anna is also part of Gekko and known as Heat Princess. Nobody has seen her face or heard her voice. Keep admiring Desumi from that hazmat suit of yours. As Haru seeks Fudo’s help to study, Desumi suggests coming to her dorm to do so. Don’t worry, just put on this Gekko suit and the security is lax enough to let them in! Fudo has finally reached the holy land. Yes. Desumi’s room. Thankfully Hellko smacks him back to reality. Thanks, kitty. As they start, it seems Fudo and Desumi aren’t really good teachers. Not sure WTF they’re saying. Especially Fudo, maths and muscles?! HUH?! Haru pretends to understand so she leaves so as to leave them alone. Desumi learns Fudo’s dream of becoming a teacher. Her dream would be to go to the same university with him but thinks her father would object to it since he expects her to be a full time Gekko employee after high school. Don’t look now because her father is here to visit!

Episode 9
Desumi claims Mudo (?!) is her colleague and is here to help her study. Of course daddy isn’t happy with that as studies aren’t going to be of use if she is going to be a full time Gekko employee. He feels sad she turned down Bosslar’s offer and when Fudo tries to speak out, Urami beats him up! Don’t think you know about my onee-chan! Desumi warns him about that since Urami has a very serious sister complex. When daddy insists she stop the studying, Fudo again voices out to consider Desumi go to university as this is her wish. Now, Urami would’ve whacked him again had not Desumi stop her and end her tyranny with those piercing glares. Poor Urami has to cry in the closet… Since the guys are at an impasse, they’re going to fight?! But Fudo didn’t do anything and daddy tumbles to his defeat?! Seems he has been perfecting the art of defeat ever since. Just like that, both guys click? Father will hold off the university thingy for now. After everyone leaves, Urami believes her sister looks lovely like this and blames Fudo for it. Flashback 5 years ago, Urami is always a loner and bullied by boys. Only her sister will make them cower in fear. As Desumi takes Urami to her workplace, Urami is impressed to see all the soldiers respecting her. Though, Desumi is being very casual with them. Urami even sees the big boss herself. Shivering in your boots? But not as much as Desumi being too casual with everything that Urami has to apologize on her behalf! In town, Desumi treats Urami to lots of things. However she doesn’t appreciate it and thinks she is weak and goes off herself. More flashbacks of how she continues to get bullied in middle school. Then the rest of her family celebrates and cheers whenever Desumi appears on TV. It made her want to be like her. As Urami sulks, a few guys try to hit on her. She panics but don’t worry, onee-chan is here to save the day. This guys won’t know what’s coming as they get their asses handed to them. You’re dealing with a pro baddie here!!! Later Desumi tells Urami to fall in love because that’s how she can survive. Urami finds it nonsense although Desumi believes she’ll understand it one day. Urami notes Desumi has changed but this itself isn’t such a bad thing. She still views Fudo as the problem and when she joins Gekko, she’ll purge him first. Good luck finding him there…

Episode 10
Desumi invites Fudo to her cultural festival. Fancy seeing her in a maid outfit? I CAN’T WAIT! But come on the last day. Their school legend has it that a moon prop will be put up for an hour. Couples who get their picture taken there is said to be forever. That’s right. They’re going to be the invincible couple. But come that day, WTF Hayato is riding Fudo like a horse?! This is payback for not telling him about this and going to have fun by himself. Hayato is being flashy and attracting all the attention from the girls. Fudo manages to slip away but a few of his fans give chase. Meanwhile Beast is trying to break up couples trying to have fun together. Yeah, sucks being you because Steel is dating Bear here. Oh wow. Bear without his getup is just a normal bear! But nobody suspects anything since everybody at the festival is wearing some sort of cosplay. Fudo manage to join Desumi in the horror house. Their nice time interrupted when Beast has gone berserk, trying to sniff out couples. This leads to Desumi trying to fend off Anna who is hell bent of wanting to go round the festival with her. As for Fudo, Hayato has found his ‘horse’. Back in the limelight again. As Desumi runs away from Anna, she is forced to seek help from the school nurse who is no other than another princess series member in Gekko, Blood Princess. Since she is in love with Bosslar, Desumi will give her a Bosslar doll in exchange for helping her to escape. So now Blood and Anna will have an epic fight in the infirmary. Beast wants Desumi to help break up couples. But now she has to run away from Hayato who has spotted his lover. At least this frees Fudo but now there is a problem. A long queue at the moon and Fudo is very recognizable. Then they spot Steel in a rage because the Bear she is dating is someone else wearing a bear costume! Yeah, so real… This gives them an idea so both transform into their fighting outfit and just walk through the crowd. Nobody suspects them and even think this is very a well-made cosplay. They can never think that Fudo and Desumi would get together! The truth is right under their noses… With that, the duo manage to get a picture. What a lovely couple. Elsewhere, Beast beats up Hayato, Blood and Anna’s match comes to a draw while Steel reunites with the real Bear.

Episode 11
Judgment Princess rarely associates with anyone. So when Desumi tries to talk to her, she masks up and walks away. Drone Rabbit apologizes as she is under her team which specializes in covert operations. Hence her behaviour but she hopes she could open up to her comrades a bit more. Under the pretence of a strategy meeting, Desumi calls the other princess series for a pyjamas party. Shockingly Fudo shows up! Turns out to be Judgment in disguise as she is testing their battle readiness. She wonders how Desumi knew it wasn’t the real deal. Yeah, she knows every inch of that guy! So they have a real great night and when they start to talk about romance and love, Desumi starts to panic as Judgment closes in on her on the one she loves as someone she knows. Well, technically she’s not wrong… Desumi changes topic by giving each one a present. Nice scarf. Judgment’s random transformations into Fudo still gives her a heart attack, though. Next time she sees Fudo, she gets rough with him and inspects his body! Just trying to make sure he is the real deal… When Gelato 5 and Gekko’s fight take place in the snowy mountains, I guess nobody can move, huh? As usual, Fudo and Desumi are in their nice warm igloo. Fudo says he is going to publish his first book tomorrow and there will be a signing ceremony. You bet Desumi will want to come. However come that day, she has a fever and falls weak. Her classmates take her to the infirmary instead. Now let Blood mama take good care of you. She relishes treating Desumi like a baby since it is rare that she gets this weak. When Beast and Steel heard about it, they rush off to go rescue her. They too have their own trauma with Blood as she goes into extreme motherly doting mode. They’re almost too late as they see Desumi now dressed as a baby and being coddled to death. The duo try to feign sickness to get her guard down but she is ahead of them and sends them to a special room where they’ll be specially treated like babies. That night, Fudo sneaks into the infirmary to see Desumi in this state. He reads his book to her until she gains consciousness and gets embarrassed with this getup. As for his book signing, not a single customer showed up. Wow. But hey, good news. At least Desumi can still be his first customer! Gladly. Meanwhile Beast and Steel have fully succumbed as babies. Mama is so happy…

Episode 12
Fudo tells Desumi he is going to appear in a commercial: A wedding commercial! Of course Desumi puts her foot down and says no! Fudo doesn’t get it so she calls him dumb and runs away. Haru then has Fudo imagine if Desumi was doing the cake cutting scene. Now you get it?! He tries to talk to Professor that he can’t do this commercial but it seems they can’t back out of it because this wedding organization is their biggest sponsor. Yup, for world peace. But at the cost of Desumi’s unhappiness? Hence Fudo’s idea is to bake a cake for Desumi and him to cut first! Meanwhile Bosslar shows his minions the Ultimate Phantom he has created. A giant baby demon? He goes haywire and starts smashing down the place. You can tell this is a bad baby because it smacks our big guy Bosslar. No respect! Everyone tries to stop him but he destroys the place and even ultimately eating Bear and gaining his cannon abilities. So this is how Gekko’s base is destroyed, huh? And all Desumi can think of is Fudo in his stupid commercial… When Fudo is done with his cake, he calls her but stubborn Desumi won’t pick up. Fudo starts shooting his scene but realizes he cannot do this cake cutting scene without Desumi first. Suddenly Ultimate Phantom attacks the place. There goes his cake for Desumi. Fudo and his Gelato 5 transform to fight but the big baby proves to be a handful. When Beast and Steel jump in, they thought Gekko has sent reinforcements. They then attack Ultimate Phantom in which Steel gets eaten. He also eats the cake and turns into a giant cake monster. With no way left, Professor tells his team to combine their weapons to form Gelato Claymore. It might be in experimental stage but they have no other choice. However Fudo is too weak to wield it. That is when Desumi comes to help. She saw his destroyed cake and now has cleared her mind and heart. She thought he was mad but he claims he never was even if heaven collapses. With that, they both cut down Ultimate Phantom. Hey, not their ideal cake cutting moment but technically still their first cake cutting event! In the aftermath, both reconcile while Ultimate Phantom is now a cute little docile baby. Aww… Ultimate Baby? Calling them their parents, huh? Ultimate Parents?! Anyway, Desumi beats up Fudo when the film crew comes by. Both pretend to renew their rivalry. Till we meet again! And don’t worry, Bear and Steel are still alive. Just unaware of what the f*ck just happened.

Love Is War! Love Conquers All!
When it comes down to it, it looks like both Gelato 5 and Gekko can actually somewhat work together for the common good, right? After all, it wouldn’t be nice if another different third party comes into the fray and changes the status quo, right? So at least for now, with this sort of arrangement, Fudo and Desumi can still get to see each other and pull the rug over everyone’s feet. After all, everybody still thinks they hate each other and the media definitely play a big influence in making everybody think so. Yeah, they think those lovely words they exchange are insults or something. Thank goodness the sound picking microphone technology isn’t that good.

The main plot isn’t much and every episode somewhat tells the same story of Fudo and Desumi trying to get close to each other without letting others know. Despite this same formula repeating itself again and again, however it is a good thing that I don’t seem to get bored of it. I suppose there are so many ways we can see how the duo can have a fun time together while at the same time keep their real identities in check from their own organizations. Yeah, the thrill of being with each other could only be half of the fun. Because the other half of the thrill is keeping their tryst a secret. Uh huh. Some psychological move there but that’s just me speculating. Here I thought I might get tired of seeing the plot and pacing heading down this way but I’m proven wrong as they showed us how hilarious it can be that 2 people from 2 different sides can do the impossible right under everyone’s noses.

I’m sure I have lots of things to ask about the setting of this series. Firstly, I wonder if Gelato 5 and Gekko are just local. What I mean is that, are there no other hero organizations or evil groups around? Because you do notice that it is always the same Gelato 5 against the same Gekko, especially Bear. To think that Gekko has different divisions, it makes me wonder where those other divisions are. Do they fight other teams elsewhere? It is hinted so although not confirmed. And the other odd thing is that strange relationship between Gelato 5 and Gekko. I know in the context of the anime and the sentai series it is always like that. But I have got to ask as I start to wonder what if their relationship is yin and yang? Both are the reason to each other to exist. It’s like whenever there is an attack by Gekko, Gelato 5 picks it up and they’re there on the dot to face their eternal rivals. It’s like the whole thing is a setup. Worse, what if both are just all acting???!!! Yup, this whole good versus evil thing is just some sort of elaborate acting because well, you don’t see the people panicking or evacuating when evil descends on the city. You would see people cheering on and even the news giving some coverage. It’s like they know the script that the good guys will eventually win. Like they always do.

And hence all this is just one big show to spice up the people’s lives because Japan in this setting is as boring as f*ck! Oh yeah! Do you not think that is the case! And when you consider the real lives of those behind Gelato5 and Gekko troopers, they’re all just normal people! If they are not busy fighting each other, they are most likely living out their normal high school lives. Especially when you see the princess series of Gekko, how the f*ck can a big bulk of them come from the same school?! And nobody gets suspicious?! Where the heck is government intelligence?! Unless you tell me everybody knows about it but chose not to say anything because, well, it’s all just a big play. That’s why I said earlier as I wonder if this Gelato 5 versus Gekko thingy is just localized. To have the princess series mostly coming from the same school to begin with, you wonder if Bosslar has some recruiting criteria or none at all. Even Desumi’s dad who is retired, aren’t the neighbourhood scared that this ex-Gekko footsoldier is living within their vicinity and raising a bunch of Gekko supporters?! Or is he just a normal dad because Gekko was just a job for him. So yeah. Gelato 5 fights Gekko for the umpteenth time. Good guy wins as always. Bad guys retreat and will return another day. The day is saved. The people are happy. And both sides get paid. Yeah!

It is both funny and heart-warming to see Fudo and Desumi trying to date each other under the radars of everybody. It’s like the biggest deception and the biggest wool they’ve pulled over everyone’s eyes. So far so good. Either they are good or everyone else sucks in giving a sh*t. Anyway, there is only so long they can put up with this charade so I have to wonder would it be good to let their relationship be known to public? Of course there is a big chance there will be some sort of scandal and backlash. Crushing the dreams of the public is not what a hero would do. Crushing the dreams of your followers even if you’re an evil organization won’t do. There would be many who cannot accept it. So it is only logical that their relationship remains a secret. After all, this also fuels my speculation that this is all a play because had the duo not give a damn about public opinion and go public with their relationship, it would end the Gelato 5 and Gekko war. Imagine if both sides are at peace… BORING! That shall not happen! War will continue among both sides! Or, both might get fired and they replace them with someone else. Which works too because now the duo can be together forever. Only, maybe they can’t be in public as many will feel betrayed and won’t allow them to live normal lives. Yeah. So I guess status quo is the best option for them now.

There’s nothing much I could say more on Fudo and Desumi because they’re just very normal and ordinary people who are in love with each other. Just that they are under extraordinary circumstances and have to go with the flow. It could have been better, it could have been worse. But at least for now they know that with this current arrangement, it is the best kind for them to meet up and see each other. The mind boggling part is that both are the best and top personnel in their organization and to see them being able to have secret tryst without stalkers, secret service MIBs and the likes, hmmm, it all feels a bit suspicious. Because you see them freely able to go meet each other at other hours too. People respect privacy here, huh? Strange but whatever. It also helps with everyone else are particularly simpletons and many don’t think twice or jump to simple conclusions. For example, Desumi having happy thoughts about her date with Fudo. Because during the midst of the battle there are like explosions and things getting destroyed, others seeing her smile and laugh, they would instantly think she’s a bloodthirsty princess who enjoys the effects of devastation! So be very assured that their identities will remain a secret and it is most likely only they themselves will have to do the revealing if it ever comes down to it.

The other characters are rather okay and they’re mostly just playing the supporting role. Like I said, it’s a small world and to see that the characters in Gelato 5 and Gekko some know each other (like Daigo and Desumi), it still really makes me wonder if these are all just happening locally. I suppose they don’t want to take away too much of the spotlight from Fudo and Desumi and hence many of these characters, it feels like you just need to know them enough and that’s it. Nothing too deep because they’re not the main characters after all. From Hayato being a playboy to Anna having a crush on Desumi to Urami having extreme big sister complex and Blood being a baby doting freak, it’s like as though these main character traits are also their running joke because that’s what we’ll often remember them as. So unfortunately or not, this means I was hoping to see some sort of back story between Professor and Bosslar, thinking how they were best friends but then one day had some tragic spat that had them fight each other to the point they form their own organizations in which the fighting continues to last today. Yeah, sorry that was just one of my delusions. So more Fudo and Desumi dating antics, eh? Not that I’m complaining. Carry on, my lovely couple. So… Hayato x Beast officially when?

Art and animation are pretty standard but sometimes it looks a bit cartoonish too. I mean, with this sentai themed thingy, the colouring and hues are quite bright and colourful. But some characters look a bit cartoonish especially their facial expressions. For example, Fudo. I mean, this guy looks plain but his face looks simple enough to be cartoony. Maybe he got it from his mom who looks even more cartoonish and blocky! Yeah. But female characters like Desumi and Anna, looking smoking (2D) hot. Of course, I want to still point out that Bosslar still looks like a badass version of Waluigi! It’s like he put on some weight or something. I cannot unsee this! Wah, wah! This isn’t anything new but it is still baffling that females where scantily revealing outfits into battle. Distraction? Well, Desumi must be really lucky or uses some super lotion to keep her skin nice and smooth after all that rough battle. Even Beast is guilty of this. I guess it is still better than the Iron Maiden outfit that Steel dons. Feels so bulky… This anime is done by Project No. 9 who did Ro-Kyu-Bu, Jaku-chara Tomozaki-kun, Netoge NoYome Wa Onnanoko Ja Nai To Omotta, Ryuuou No Oshigoto and Watashi Nouryoku Wa Heikinchi De Itta Yo Ne.

It was hard at first to identify Kana Hanazawa as Beast because she was using a much lower and cruder voice. I initially didn’t think it was her until much later when her trademark voice slipped through one of her dialogues. So yeah, it was a surprise to find her having a role here. A few others I recognized are Ayane Sakura as Anna, Miyuki Sawashiro as Blood, Tomokazu Sugita as Bosslar, Rina Hidaka as Haru and Hiroki Yasumoto as Bear. The other casts are Yuusuke Kobayashi as Fudo (Subaru in Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu), Ikumi Hasegawa as Desumi (Aisha in Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha No Ookoku Saikenki), Nene Hieda as Misaki (titular character in Ganbare Douki-chan), Kazuyuki Okitsu as Hayato (Yoshida in Higehiro), Junji Majima as Daigo (Kinji in Hidan No Aria), Chafurin as Professor (Henpeita in Gintama), Hisako Kanemoto as Steel (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Mao Ichimichi as Hellko (Bada in ClassicaLoid) and Chinami Hashimoto as Urami (Chiyo in Prison School).

Another shocking find for me is that the opening theme, Koi Wa Explosion is sung by Masayoshi Oishi featuring Yukari Tamura! Although she has no main voice acting role in the anime and only appear as cameo as Ultimate Phantom, I never would have least expected it was her who was singing the opener. After all, it is rare for her to sing theme songs despite I have heard her done so albeit for older animes like Nourin, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha and Cube x Cursed Curious. Now that I know it’s heard, going back to hear the song, yup, it is definitely her alright. Strange, I couldn’t identify her the first few times I hear the opening. Probably I was resigned to think it was another typical high pitched squeaky singer. I’m so ashamed of myself :-(. Anyway, the song is generic and lively. Strange, I feel it fits more for a magical themed anime than a sentai one. The only annoying part is that they insert too many explosion or thunder sound effects throughout the song. This is part of the opening credits animation so I suppose if you want to hear a clean one, better to hear the original full length song. Oh right, what is the song’s title again? Interestingly, there is a special version whereby Bear sings it! OMG! It sounds so hilarious and I think it is done intentionally. Imagine hearing a wild beast that is tone deaf singing. Yeah, it feels like Masayoshi Oishi covered up that all ‘bad singing’! Trying to proof that he is more than just a henchman commander? Oh well, I would personally say he will have more success as that than a singer! HAHAHA!!! Koi Wa Sekai Teiri To Tomo Ni by Dialogue+ as the ending theme sounds generic lively anime pop and nothing special.

Overall, this series is fun to watch. It may not be one of the greatest and funniest animes of the year (I’ve seen funnier sh*t than this in the strictest sense. Like that condom themed anime… Yeah!) but it is still funny in its own right and great for a few laughs. Once again, it proves that loves transcends everything and if you truly love each other, you’ll definitely find a way around it. After all, there is nothing that could stop a speeding love train, right? I bet that not even when the world is destroyed or when God teams up with Satan to wage a holy war on the humans and both sides get destroyed, their love will still stand strong. Nothing is going to tear them apart. Nothing. Till death do them part. Oh wait. I don’t think that could happen too. Seeing Desumi is the ultimate death princess! So to speak. Unless, Fudo gets another girl… Don’t say never. You never know what’s going on behind the scenes. Yeah, watching this anime makes me question everything. Even their undying love for each other. If that really happens, then truly death becomes him! And also perhaps, war and world domination after love.

Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic

Is that battle of the sexes still ongoing? Well, from the looks of it, it looks like it is going to reach its climax. I think. I mean, after all with limited time, there is only so long they can keep up and play this game, right? And so Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic is already in its third season, if it doesn’t come to a conclusion and the confession game continues to drag on, we’re going to wonder if everything that has happened is going to be for nothing. Uh huh. If both our main characters are so scared to lose this game of love, oh boy, eventually both will be the biggest losers and lose everything, right? So better sum up that courage and give us what we want and that we are waiting for this entire time! Game set, checkmate! Maybe.

Episode 0
What a way to hype the third season with a 10 minute long preview. So we see Ishigami and Shirogane discussing some sleazy failed manga being announced to have an upcoming third season. Yeah, are they talking about themselves? Nah! They passionately talk about their thoughts about it when Kaguya and Chika walk in. Shirogane fears to be branded as an otaku and thinks Ishigami who has been an experienced otaku will know how to deal with it. Unfortunately he betrays that to hide his closet otaku by claiming he only reads manga and doesn’t watch anime! Although he fears that Kaguya will shame him if he is exposed as an otaku, he is in a dilemma whether he should hide it or just be truthful about it. When Chika and Kaguya start spamming anime cliché questions, Shirogane denies he has feelings for 2D characters. But this makes Ishigami depressed as this makes him think that he is now a weirdo. Dramatic. This causes Shirogane to snap and hits out at everyone to think that if someone just watches anime, would you presume them to be otaku? He forces everyone to name their favourite anime (even unsuspecting Miko as she just walks in) and then claims they are otaku. Then he makes everyone kneel while lecturing them that it is not weird for one to like anime. That’s right, people! Banzai for anime! Long live anime! WE LOVE ANIME!!! So you better be looking forward to the third season!!! YOU BETTER BE, OTAKU NERDS!!!

Episode 1A
Miko and Ishigami are only in the student council office. As usual, she still dislikes him. When she puts on her earphones to listen to study music, Ishigami can tell she didn’t plug in fully as he can hear her music. Of course he won’t tell her seeing he too wants to listen to the soothing ambient sounds. Suddenly the music changes to that of a construction site and camel sounds?! WTF?! The ultimate cringe when it starts to play pickup lines from hot guys?! WHAT THE FUUUUUU???!!! She stops when the rest comes in. Since Chika shows interest, Ishigami needs to save the rest and does the ultimate sacrifice. He knows this is a thankless job but he’s okay with it as long as he ‘protects’ them. So he does the same thing. Earphone jack not fully plugged in as he listens to some cutesy song. This makes everyone feel weird out. Even if the most scathing sarcasm comes from Miko. But it’s okay, right? So Miko returns to her studying and plays her music. Everyone hears that pickup lines. Oh sh*t! Today’s loses: Ishigami and Miko. Then everyone goes home and pretended nothing happened.

Episode 1B
Since Kaguya just bought a smartphone and not very familiar with the LINE social media app, hence she is unaware of the read receipts. Hayasaka notices this but chooses not to tell her in fear of the uproar Kaguya will have when she finds out. However on the other end, Shirogane has been expecting a reply from Kaguya and has been staring at his screen for 2 hours! What will Kaguya think of him?! Hayasaka then had to lie about having proper etiquette to reply. When she does, this has Shirogane realize the noob doesn’t know about read receipts and needs to hatch a plan to confirm her feelings. Although one can read few lines of a messages without opening the app in order not to generate read receipts, however he cannot reply without opening the app. Hence he calls her and gives her some tips on read receipts. At that instant, Kaguya’s face starts to panic. As Shirogane has the upper hand and going in for the kill, suddenly Hayasaka answers! Eh? Seems an angry Kaguya forced Hayasaka to do something about this so the maid has to atone with yet another lie that Kaguya’s messages are screened by the family first on PC! Shirogane in panic mode as he realizes all messages sent to Kaguya are read by the staffs first! Losers for today are Ishigami, Chika and Miko since they get no reply…

Episode 1C
Ishigami claims sexism when he is forced to carry stuffs but Chika doesn’t. She proves herself by arm wrestling and beating Miko flat! She’s not a weak girl like he thinks she is. The argument leads to them organizing an arm wrestling contest to see who is the strongest and weakest. First match: Ishigami vs Kaguya. Kaguya claims her dominant hand is left and cocky Ishigami allows it only to lose in an instant! Thanks to archery, Kaguya’s strength is indomitable! Next match: Chika vs Shirogane. As it starts, Kaguya spots Chika cheating as she is using her body weight and other techniques to hold her ground. With Ishigami recording this cheat, Chika loses power and loses. Finals: Kaguya vs Shirogane. While we might see some super power in this deadlock match, in actuality, both of them are very meek. They are trying to enjoy holding each other’s hand as long as possible! Kaguya intends to lose but when notices her sweaty hand, she panics and instantly uses all her strength to win. Now that she is the strongest, she is now called the muscle queen, much to her dismay. Is she both the winner and loser? Meanwhile the weakest match, Ishigami vs Chika has the former gloating after he overpowers her. Wow. She that weak? WTF she claims her arm is broken?!

Episode 2A
Ishigami and Miko continue to hate each other. Despite they explain why, we can tell it’s mutual. Hence Shirogane and Kobachi are going to help them get along by having them do things together. At first the sworn enemies scorn at it. Until they learn Shirogane was the one who came up with the idea. Don’t waste his hard work now. So the first mission is to say nice things to each other. While Ishigami has some, there is none for Miko since she can’t think of one. This has them decent into the usual argument. Yeah, it’s worse than before. Safe to say, the rest of the other missions feel like they’re about to kill each other and there is no chance in hell that it will turn out like anybody expected. Just when Shirogane thought he is going to throw in the towel, Kobachi comes up with the greatest reverse psychology plan as she claims both of them are so in sync that they could be in love with each other. Now they are like dead robots, with an emotionless voice claiming they love each other… Did the trick? Safe to say, today’s winner is Kobachi.

Episode 2B
Shirogane has been invited by some friends for karaoke. Kaguya seems okay with that until Hayasaka points out it is actually a mixer. Time to panic. Of course the solution is to be there in person herself if she doesn’t want Shirogane to mix with other girls. And risk being the target of lustful men? Her family will disown her! But aha! There is a way for her to join in without her being there. By proxy. You know what that means. Uh huh. Hayasaka in disguise on Kaguya’s behalf. I guess she has the right in feeling angry and all. Of course Shirogane knows her although it is as the disguised identity. Too bad Hayasaka reveals about being dumped too. Then she sings a sad song to reflect her feelings. Makes you wonder if that is truly her feelings as Hayasaka. Shirogane is in panicking mode but still manages to have a decent conversation with her. The highlight of the talk has Hayasaka pointing out nobody will love you unless you’re acting. Therefore she wants to see the real Shirogane who isn’t acting or bluffing. Shirogane tries to leave when another guy tries to hit on her. She tries to push away his advances but he remains steadfast. Until Shirogane takes her away. Hayasaka then reports the successful extraction of Shirogane to Kaguya. However she is still bent on carrying out the unfinished order to seduce Shirogane. Kaguya panics since that was made out of dare. Hayasaka turns off the communicator and books another room just for them. She is going to make it happen this time.

Episode 2C
Kaguya is starting to feel afraid now of what Hayasaka will do to Shirogane. Perhaps she really is mad. She manages to find their room due to Hayasaka’s coat hanging on the door but blocking the glass so she can’t entire see what’s happening. However she cannot barge in for fear of being labelled a stalker (and losing this entire love game). Yeah, disguising as a stalker won’t help too. Her idea is to call Chika to come join them and so she’ll do the barging in for them. All Kaguya has to do now is wait. Hope nothing happens. Too late. Ambiguous voices coming out from the room! It’s over! Kaguya hides when Shirogane comes out to refresh himself. She goes in to check on Hayasaka. Looks like she’s close to dead! Actually, she realized how bad his rapping is! That bad, huh? Kaguya takes her home, just at the right moment Chika has arrived. Leaving so soon? Then she hears about Shirogane’s rapping. Okay. Time to go home too! When Shirogane returns, the room is empty. Start singing solo, eh? YEAH HE SUCKS AT SINGING TOO!!!! On the way back Kaguya learns from Hayasaka that she did this just to make her jealous. Of course she expected it since she knows her twisted character. They’re more like sisters. Today’s biggest loser is of course Shirogane. Keep practising!

Episode 3A
Kashiwagi talks to Kaguya and Miko. She claims her boyfriend his cheating on her just because she saw him chat with her friend, Maki Shijou! So she wants to kill, huh?! While Miko doesn’t think that is grounds for cheating, Kaguya firmly believes it is so! Miko tries to claim what Kashiwagi did to ascertain all that is illegal but looks like the accusing force in both Kashiwagi and Kaguya are strong. She has no space to rebuke! Heck, she even hired a detective to spy on them! In the end, Kashiwagi plans to face him and break up. So all the student council members spy on this drama. Boyfriend says he loves her. Hmph. Words are easy. Until he gives her a heart shaped necklace as their anniversary surprise. Maki was helping him choose this (lame) gift. Just like that, all is forgiven as Kashiwagi starts smooching him! Behold the French kiss! Winner: Kashiwagi.

Episode 3B
After Kashiwagi’s boyfriend thanks Maki for her help, Maki goes away dejectedly. Not sure how she ends up on the ground as Shirogane and Ishigami accidentally step on her! They bring her back to their room to apologize but she is acting all haughty since her family is related to Kaguya. Yeah, Maki is her cousin twice removed. They learn her predicament and it is obvious that she likes Kashiwagi’s boyfriend. Ishigami and Maki end up arguing about this with the former firmly believing it while the latter denying it. Until she admits she does. It’s like an emotional rollercoaster ride as she swings between her cute innocent hapless-girl-in-love mode and stubborn tsundere mood. In the end, she manages to get both of them to help her out somehow. She leaves when ‘aunty’ Kaguya is here. She pokes fire as she claims both guys find her cute. Oh dear. No way out now as Kaguya wants to know. Obviously Shirogane can’t say because he was flustering at Maki’s cuteness because it reminded him so much of Kaguya. Winner: Maki.

Episode 3C
As Kaguya is still sore over Shirogane’s mixer, Chika suggests to play a coin game among the student council members. Basically one will ask a question and then everyone proceeds to place a coin underneath the handkerchief as their answer. Heads means yes and tails means no. As pinpointing who is not allowed to keep the anonymity, hence no lying or she’ll make the liar take a polygraph test! Chika starts by asking who among them is in love. It yields 3 coins saying yes. That’s the end of it. Don’t go playing detective now. Ishigami: Who hates me? 1 coin! Can we guess who? Miko: Am I needed? Zero coins! Phew. At that moment, Kaguya has a brilliant idea. Because she notices a coin of a different mint year taken by Shirogane, she can pinpoint his answer. Hence she’ll ask whoever is in love with her and she can tell his answer from it. If he answers yes, that is a confession and she wins. Otherwise she’ll have him take the polygraph test. As she gets ready to see his answer, suddenly she realizes the coin has been swapped! Indeed, Shirogane noticed this and swapped it out to keep his answer anonymous. Yeah, keep everyone guessing who that 1 person is who is in love with her. Can loving yourself count?! Finally, Shirogane asks about those among us who can tell the answer via the mint date. Kaguya thinks he is on to her but in the end her tracks are kept hidden thanks to because in total there were 3 coins saying yes! WHO?! Later, Shirogane admits to Kaguya he went to a mixer and left halfway with a girl. He can explain it but confirms it is not for flirting purposes. He hopes she will believe him. Well, she leaves him hanging. This considered his victory?

Episode 4A
You can tell Ishigami is super jealous now that Kashiwagi and her boyfriend are back together again. This has Kaguya wondering if he himself is in love. Of course he denies it until Tsubame Koyasu drops by to hand in her suggestion for the school cultural festival. You can tell from his reaction that he has a crush on her. He continues to deny it but with Kaguya being persistent (especially how she is popular with many other boys), he finally relents. Ishigami describes Tsubame as the one who gave him hope during his cheerleading days. Knowing she is out of his reach, you can say that he has given up. However Kaguya wants him to confess to her. He is only pessimistic because he is afraid to get hurt and even refused to try. She doesn’t want this to become a drag so he better do it! Okay. How to start? Ishigami has some ideas he thought is safe but it all turns out to be creepy. Like sending different flowers every day and they all spell out his confession. Or letting her see his photo album and post a confession letter in the last page. Yeah, I can see why. With Kaguya lecturing about women being drawn to strength and that not includes physical but intellectual, Ishigami almost got her when he hints about Shirogane. She manages to keep her cool and will help Ishigami be intellectually strong. It’s time for another boot camp!

Episode 4B
With the exams nearing, Shirogane thinks everyone should take a break from student council to concentrate on studying. This might sound considerate but it is actually lies! This is part of Shirogane’s plan to trim down competition so as to maintain his top spot. Kaguya agrees because it’ll be quieter to concentrate at home. Lies! Now with her new handphone, she gets distracted easily. Miko agrees to comply. Guess what? Lies! Like Shirogane, she too wants to maintain her top spot as self-affirmation. Chika also wants to comply? Yup. Damn lies. By studying, grandpa gives her a secret allowance. The exam come and go and we see Ishigami putting his effort into it. This time he was serious in studying not because of Kaguya’s intimidation or his love for Tsubame but the seriousness in Kaguya’s eyes. The results come out and while he is not scraping the bottom, he is still somewhere in the bottom half and did not break the top 50 as hoped. While he claims he is not bitter about it, you bet he is frustrated that he thought putting in such effort would not betray him. Of course Kaguya can tell and since he is serious about it, she too will get serious. He thought spending her time with him will cause her grades to slip. She claims doing so will not affect it until Ishigami points out perhaps that is why Shirogane maintains top spot. In that instant, she blames him for her second spot because had she not used that time on him, should would’ve been #1!

Episode 4C
Chika sleeps over at Kaguya’s house. Hayasaka disguises as a male butler, Herthaka. Herthaka playing tricks on Chika to give her this misconception that she might be yuri with Kaguya and then confess that she is into yaoi and thus doesn’t have that kind of relationship with Kaguya. It is way past Kaguya’s bedtime so she is very sleepy but is forced to stay up and hear Chika’s rants about love. Yeah, she still thinks the guys are hiding something about love especially after that coin game. To make sure, she calls Shirogane right now and wants to know if he is in love! Of course he denies but Kei hijacks the phone and claims he does! He has been acting weird ever since she noticed him texting to somebody on social media. That person is Herthaka! Sorry to burst your bubble, Chika. I think she needs to excuse herself to the toilet. Her nose is bleeding. Still drowsy from sleepiness, Kaguya wants him to confess his love. He still denies. But will he do so if she does? Really?! And that person she love is… Sorry folks to leave you all hanging, she just fell asleep. Hayasaka has to apologize for this cliff-hanger and turns off the handphone. Meanwhile Chika still can’t stop her nose bleeding! At this rate the whole toilet gonna be bloodied! Although a big misunderstanding has been averted, obviously the biggest winner is Kaguya. Sleeping like a baby.

Episode 5A
We all know Shirogane still sucks at rapping, right? Yup. He isn’t going to lose at that and hence needs Chika’s help to coach him rapping! It all started when he started practising at home and Kei couldn’t take it and called Chika to kill him! Yes. KILL HIM!!! So Chika meets up with him to learn the reason he wants to rap. Basically, to convey his true feelings to Hayasaka. Chika is going to regret it when she hears him rap! Wow. If Chika really dies like that, it’s all hopeless, eh?! Apparently Chika doesn’t know much about rap either but she accepts the challenge to learn and master it to teach him. And so we see just that until she becomes a pro. Now there’s nothing left for Shirogane to teach her. WTF the one who supposed to learn rap, teaches?! Now Chika finds herself she can’t get away from this. Motherf*cker!

Episode 5B
Shirogane soon calls Hayasaka and wants to meet so as to tell her his true feelings. Oh, you bet Kaguya is going to have the wrong idea when she hears that! Because Hayasaka heard Chika in the background, she comes dressed as Herthaka. Of course she explains to Shirogane she can’t let Chika know her female self and so Chika is left perplexed at this supposedly gay relationship. Kaguya can’t accept this too but Shirogane can’t turn back now. With Chika as his rapping assistant, he starts to belt out his rap. OMG. He’s got the touch! So much so, Hayasaka is moved! Kaguya is so frustrated that she didn’t know about it all, her tantrums and complaints sound like rap. Like as though she’s rivalling Shirogane. Well done. Then we see Kaguya rap that parodies Bohemian Rhapsody style followed by Hayasaka with her own brand of rap that mostly complains about supporting Kaguya 24/7. In the end, Hayasaka understands Shirogane’s message to become friends. Yeah, ‘male’ relationships are so complicated for women to understand. While Kaguya is relieved that they will start out as friends, cheeky Hayasaka hints they’re just starting off as that… Wink, wink. Hayasaka wins.

Episode 5C
Shirogane and Ishigami find Maki crying in their office?! They hear her out and as you’ve guessed it, she’s really tired of her best friend Kashiwagi brazenly flirting with her boyfriend before her. Yeah, at some point she just feels like wanting to kill her! When Ishigami asks what’s so good about that guy, Maki snaps back and tells all of Tsubasa’s good points so don’t you dare say bad about him again! Yup, they’re as shocked as we are as we finally learn about Kashiwagi’s boyfriend’s name. Tsubasa… After 3 seasons… Then they talk about the possibility the duo may have already engaged in sexual activities and this throws Maki off her balance and makes her confused even more. The guys advise of being brave to confess but they are the one to say because they too are chickens when it comes to confessing their loved ones. Maki feels no hope for herself and the guys understand her pain. So now they’re like comrades? As Kaguya enters, Maki takes her leave and once more makes Kaguya seething as she claims the guys are her friends. Yes, Kaguya boiling to note that Shirogane has got another female friend. Maki the obvious winner.

Episode 6A
It’s that time for parents-teacher conference. Kaguya laments her parents won’t come again. The same for Hayasaka. She thinks her mom, Nao doesn’t care for her. Surprise! Here she is and denies that she doesn’t. Well, Hayasaka being the mother complex girl when mommy praises her a little. Looks like Shirogane’s dad is here too. He is bugging Kaguya if anything exciting has happened with his son. Sorry old guy, nothing. Learning of her circumstances, he wants to be her guardian father for this conference. Of course she won’t and calls Hayasaka for help. However after Nao learns about his career consultant thingy, she finds it interesting and both play her guardian parents! Later in the day, we see Shirogane and his father talking to his teacher. It seems Shirogane has decided he will go overseas to study. Dad advises him that if he has unsettled business in Japan, now is the time to do so. Don’t waste time further. Hence Shirogane decides if Kaguya has not confessed to him on the final day of the cultural festival, he will confess to her.

Episode 6B
With no time to spare, Shirogane needs to find a conducive time and place for the confession. Hence on pretence talking about a nearby high school’s cultural festival, he asks Kaguya if she wants to go with him to check it out. Like a date, right? Unfortunately she didn’t get the hint and turns him down. Only to realize a second later what his intention was. So back home after Hayasaka confirms her blunder, Kaguya is regretting this missed opportunity. Can Hayasaka turn back time?! Well, she says if Shirogane mustered the courage to tell her, it is now her turn to do the same thing. Hence the next day she asks him indirectly about doing recon on that school’s festival. Shirogane gets the hint but he is too nervous to reply and this makes Kaguya wonder if she wasn’t clear enough. They think they need somebody to give them that extra push of confidence to make the decision. Oh, here comes Ishigami telling them something funny. He saw a guy asking a girl out to a festival and she rejected him! Confidence plunging! Will Miko do the trick? In fact, she broke up the couple trying to do the same thing! Plummeting confidence! Will Chika be the saviour?! She sounds like she is giving them hope until she mentions how she was being hit by guys. That’s it. There’s nothing left. But Shirogane views there is hope seeing if he accompanies her, there won’t be a problem, right? And so… Somehow Chika thinks Ishigami should go with him. F*CK!!! It doesn’t get gayer than this… Obviously Shirogane and Kaguya lose…

Episode 6C
Because Chika told Shirogane to look at himself objectively, he asks Miko if he sees him as a man and a love interest. WTF she thinks you’re confessing to her! But then he asks Chika the same thing and now she thinks he is a man whore! After Chika explains what is happening, both give their brutal opinions on him. Yeah, not very good. He asks what kind of guys they like. Woah, Miko’s dream guy feels like he doesn’t exist!!! Chika… Wow, she comes to a fearful realization that he could be her type of guy. What a way to sink him into further depression as he wonders if he can have a fruitful relationship with Kaguya. With Kaguya here and learning how they are holding a legally trash talking insult event for Shirogane, Kaguya says she doesn’t want him to change. She likes him to way he is. Enough for Shirogane to revive. Then Ishigami points out about talking bad about others and it just reflects on yourself. Look at yourself objectively. Yes, Shirogane tells everyone to look at themselves objectively. Because as humans, it is hard to do so. Shirogane wins.

Episode 7A
Initially Ishigami didn’t want to join the student council committee. Until he learns Tsubame is the head. Oh yeah, he’s in! Miko joins in too and it is obvious this is her first time since everyone is getting revved up and noisy all about it. It’s freaking her out. Even more so when everyone comes up with ridiculous mottos for the festival. Then when they start to discuss stuffs, it seems Ishigami is rejecting or giving alternative suggestions. On the outside it might look like nothing but Ishigami is trying to shut those guys down for trying to show off to Tsubame! And so this battle goes unseen… Lastly, they discuss about the campfire. Miko is excited for it but nobody else is because lack of manpower. They even bring Miko’s words from the presidential campaign and no matter how they look at it, they are understaffed. Looking on the verge of giving up, it is then Ishigami offers to help but Miko has her pride and will see this through. In the end it gets approved because Miko has been laying the groundwork all these years, building rapport with the neighbourhood and they agree to her suggestion. Miko’s big win today.

Episode 7B
Mass media club members, Karen Kino and Erika Kose go around interviewing clubs before the festival begins. Obviously they are fans of Kaguya so they are delighted to interview her first. See their dramatic reaction each time their goddess replies. As they wonder why she does not partake in any competition in high school, they start assuming because of some dramatic loneliness crap thingy. In actual fact, it takes place on Christmas and she would be damned not to go on a potential date with Shirogane! Then they go interview the rhythmic gymnastics in which Tsubame is part of before the astronomy club who is headed by Momo Ryuuji. They fear her since she is the daughter of a yakuza! She doesn’t like talking either so she lets them talk to Shirogane. He talks about going to get it done like a man at the festival but they don’t understand what he means. Finally they talk to the board game club and since they want to do a death battle royale, obviously their idea got rejected.

Episode 7C
Oh dear. Shirogane sucks in blowing up the balloons. Kashiwagi wonders if Chika should teach him and instantly she rejects! NO WAY!!! YOU DON’T KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO TEACH THAT BOY!!! Even if Shirogane puts up that sad looks that screams for help, in no hell’s way Chika is going to teach him. Kashiwagi tries to give him hope by saying he could do other stuffs but this is met with rebuke from Chika about not being able to learn things the hard way! So which is it?! The temptation is great for Chika to help but Shirogane claims he will get through this by himself. So he goes back to his office and continues doing it. Still popping. This time with Kaguya around, those popping sounds are traumatizing her. Just when he is at his lowest morale of being this pathetic, Kaguya mentions about all his struggles that has made him who he is. So when he goes back to the room, Chika has discovered the greatest reason why he can’t blow them up. Seems they are pretty old balloons from the store. Here, use these new ones instead. In fact, she claims she was ready to teach him since she can’t abandon those in need. She is forced to eat her words because with the new balloons, Shirogane still pops them! Oh sh*t!!! Obviously, Chika loses…

Episode 8A
Shirogane wants to go to Kei’s school cultural festival. Of course she won’t let him embarrass her with this kind of outfit and wants him to wear something decent. Unfortunately as you can see it coming, he sucks at fashion. Poor Kei shouting and criticizing this fashion faux pas. Better heed the fashion queen. Too bad this dude doesn’t have any decent clothes in his wardrobe. Oh, may I remind you that they’re a poor family and he is saving and scrimping all he’s got… All dad can do is give him is watch. Okay then, time to go shopping. Cough up what you’ve got and Kei will wave her magic. So we see Shirogane in a decent outfit as he patrons Kei’s takoyaki stall. Her friends are amazed and would love to have her kind of brother. Of course she dismisses it and claims all his bad habits. We all know she’s really proud of onii-chan inside, right? Tsundere…

Episode 8B
After Kaguya learns from Tsubame how the school got its name from some legend, this has her start thinking of some sort of subtle confession to Shirogane. But whatever gifts she think of, she fears some sort of downside to it. Ultimately, realizing the coward she is for thinking something so trivial. Then she sees him burning the midnight oil just to get things done in time for the festival. His selflessness continues to enchant her. Hence Kaguya wants Hayasaka to find some impossible gift for her. As Hayasaka is making excuses that it’ll be the same or that she’ll lose if she confesses first, suddenly Kaguya admits she is in love with Shirogane. This shocks Hayasaka. The whole time she is trying to make her say that and when she says that so nonchalantly, it throws her off balance. While Kaguya thinks confessing first may lead her to defeat (still remember the original premise of the series?), but doing so has lifted a great deal of burden off her shoulders.

Episode 8C
As Kaguya visits the school to check on everybody doing last minute preparations, she is going to dismiss this series’ premise by not caring about who confesses first. But the thought of being rejected and Shirogane seeing her only as a friend, I think she feels safer hiding behind that premise once more. Eavesdropping on the festival committee, it seems Kobachi drops the biggest shocking news as she claims she is dating Kazeno who is also the cheerleading club’s captain. Something about this festival magic where single couples are 60% more likely to end up together. After all, this is the only event with the best chance of successful confession rate. You heard all that, Kaguya? While Ishigami may look indifferent, I bet he is jumping all over inside. Because you know, this means Tsubame is not going out with Kazeno and his chances are sky high now. Kaguya notices this as she hears Ishigami’s further thoughts how this isn’t shallow and that he is running out of time. This is his only chance to make Tsubame his special someone or he’ll forever be her junior. After she graduates he won’t have chance. After revealing he planned to confess after his finals but failed, Kaguya supports him to confess. In fact, do it now! For now, he’ll ask Tsubame to accompany her for the festival but he thanks Kaguya for giving him the courage. What about you, Kaguya? Are you going to be brave too? As the festival begins, we are reminded of Shirogane’s goal. If Kaguya doesn’t confess first, he’ll do it.

Episode 9A
Flashback to a year ago when Shirogane first enrolled here. He thought he got into the wrong school since everyone is so filthy rich and he hasn’t made a single friend yet. That is when the current (now ex) student council president talked to him and wanted him to join. Shirogane wasn’t sure as he didn’t think highly of himself. After all, everyone is in a different league. Shouldn’t someone else be better for the job? Say, Kaguya? That ice cold princess b*tch? But the prez said that is exactly why he wanted him so as to give everyone a wakeup call. For now, he can just observe their job. Shirogane felt used because it’s like perhaps this dude just looked down on him and wanted him to clean up the swamp. Just then one of the students accidentally fell in. Nobody dived in for fear of getting some toxic infection. Only Kaguya jumped with a rope to save her. Shirogane realized he stood there and did nothing while badmouthing the rich. It didn’t matter your background as long as you could take action. Of course as we see from Kaguya side, she only did that to make that girl’s family owe her a favour in the future and she’s pretty sceptical about humans. Anyhow, Shirogane saw how beautiful Kaguya was and wondered what kind of man could be worth standing next to her. The prez said perhaps a student council president.

Episode 9B
The festival is under full swing as Kaguya’s class is doing a cosplay café and Kaguya looks stunning in a Taisho era maid outfit. Of course confusion for Kaguya as Hayasaka is dressed as her usual maid although everyone else thinks she looks cool. Kaguya’s plan as the poster girl is to impress Shirogane when he visits but this backfired as other males keep recurring to visit this café and as it gets busier, Kaguya is tasked to help out. As she serves a couple of middle aged men coffee, they think Kaguya is not worthy to serve them! They want Hayasaka to do it! Of course Kaguya will not take this sh*t and wants a chance to prove it to them. Okay. But at the same time Shirogane visits but she has to settle this. Once she is done and serves them, they take back their words and praise her. Worse, they speak aloud how her dedication is because of she is in love with someone! This causes utmost embarrassment to her. Finally she manages to serve Shirogane but doesn’t have much time to talk to him. Those middle aged men realize he could be the guy. Just when Kaguya thought she doesn’t have to deal with more middle aged men, here comes Shirogane’s dad. HORROR!!!

Episode 9C
Ishigami is wondering when to confess to Tsubame and here comes Maki to tease him since his body language is so obvious. Of course, not without complaining her own despair as well. So as she tries to give some advice, Kashiwagi and Tsubasa join in. Well, Kashiwagi is pretty straight and daring in telling Ishigami to just do it. More daring than Tsubasa himself because she wants to tell his first embarrassing confession. Doesn’t it make you jealous to see them getting along this well? Anyway, they heard that Tsubame is into horror so Ishigami might have his chance if he takes her to a horror house. A great idea as Maki gives Ishigami the much needed push for this invitation. Nervous at first but when he pops the invitation, Tsubame’s eyes all light up and is excited to go. Things are looking bright for Ishigami. WTF Maki trying to force Kaguya to go in with her?!

Episode 10A
Kobachi ushers Kaguya and Maki into the horror house. Yeah, both girls clinging onto each other. Then they are dumped into a closet, blindfolded and given headphones. Time for an immersive 3D sound horror!!! Flashback shows during the committee meeting, the haunted house was taking too long to complete and at this rate, it won’t finish. Ishigami and Miko suggested this 3D sound experience thingy. Seeing they don’t have that special equipment, Kozue Makihara (the president of the board game club) suggested recording it and thus Miko became a victim-cum-guinea pig to record all sorts of weird sounds. Yeah, it was definitely horror for her. Even more so when the recording wasn’t clear and Kobachi suggested a retake! This horror experience is a success until Miko stumbles into Tsubasa and Kashiwagi making out inside the closet!!! Those are love making sounds! So when Ishigami is eagerly going to bring Tsubame here for his much needed plan, suddenly the horror house is split into male and female sections! No immoral activities allowed! Bummer. Plan ruined.

Episode 10B
Chika brings Moeha to the student council room. Seeing the latter so chirpy, she jokes that she is after the seat. Until Moeha reveals that she is actually in love with Shirogane and is after his heart! Shock! Chika tries to explain all his flaws but to Moeha, all she hears is that as long as he puts in the effort, it’ll turn out well. It’s not like that! Yeah, it makes her love him even more. Then here comes the man himself. Chika tries to prove it and show Moeha the real deal as she has Shirogane juggle. Surely to fail, right? But… Shirogane can juggle! And he is being dextrous about it too! She lets him do a host of other things but he passes with flying colours! It’s not supposed to be like that! You’re breaking her heart! Wow. Chika throwing tantrum so much so she kicks him out. Moeha has definitely begin to like Shirogane more. But she laments not being able to give him this locket. This is overheard by Kaguya who of course tries to make her give up on Shirogane with her high class b*tch tone warning. But when Moeha starts talking about all his good points, Kaguya also joins in and both girls start enjoying talking about Shirogane. At least a bloodbath was avoided…

Episode 10C
Shirogane rues that his horror house plan failed. Thinking Tsubame is trying to cheer him up, he plays a small game and wins a prize. He chooses a big heart cookie. With Tsubame teasing him about eating all himself, this is when Ishigami makes a public confession of giving this feelings of his to her. Everyone in the room can tell what is going on and this also puts Tsubame in a pinch. She is now fraught with nervousness. Eventually she takes the cookie and runs away, claiming she needs more time to think. This is spotted by Shirogane and Chika. The former doesn’t know about Ishigami’s crush until Chika explains the obvious. This has Shirogane think this would also jeopardizes his plan. You see, if it all goes well, then there’s no problem. Now, if Ishigami gets rejected, he will be depressed and this means his friends will also be dragged in to console him. To Shirogane, this is bad because he doesn’t want himself to be the only one to find bliss. The duo then discuss about Ishigami, especially Chika noting down all his flaws. But the only flaw that Shirogane knows about him is his lack of confidence. In the end, there is nothing they could do but watch over him and pray this goes well. Because if he goes down, this will form a domino chain reaction and they’ll all go down with him.

Episode 11A
It seems a phantom thief named Arsene is going around stealing stuffs and leaving his card behind. This excites Chika as she thinks this is a game for her to solve. Kaguya visits Shirogane’s balloon art class. She wants to make a heart balloon as in the menu but stops short after realizing this might be a confession trap. Hence she hints to him what she doesn’t want. Being too specific in narrowing down, eh? Until Kashiwagi suggests the heart and it saves her from blushes. He finally makes it and it seems the payment for this would be another heart equivalent. You would think that this would be Kaguya’s chance to give her heart locket that she wants to give him but turns out she gives him loads of cash instead and runs away.

Episode 11B
Tsubame is definitely keeping her distance from Ishigami and giving excuses to avoid him. Yeah. Bummer. Kaguya then sees a depressed Tsubame and they both talk. Learning she has been confessed to, Kaguya is under misinterpretation that some other love rival just confessed to her and gives devilish advice on how to reject. Until she learns that rejected guy was Ishigami! Oh no! I mean, it was her fault that she egged Ishigami to confess, right? Oh sh*t… This means if Ishigami is heartbroken, Shirogane will have to console him and this will ruin her confession chance. Nearby, they see a guy confessing to Chika. What would be her answer? A pop quiz? Since he gets it wrong, she returns to her detective game. Sorry Tsubame, you don’t do a quiz show as a confession. But yeah, that guy looked so at peace. Soon, they see a few guys trying to hit on Miko. It seems when she is about to give in, Ishigami comes to take her away for some fake emergency. Tsubame notices to angry looks on his face and realizes she never knew things about him. She decides to give some time to think about her answer for Ishigami.

Episode 11C
When Shirogane wants Kaguya to accompany him around the festival grounds, she slyly hints about being seen as a date together. However he doesn’t feel that is a bad thing. Backfired. Going around, everyone is astonished as they are admiring seeing the duo together. Kaguya is flustering inside but can’t help feel annoyed that Shirogane is like a cool cat. In order to trap him, she takes him to a fortune teller who even hints of making sexual harassment jokes. But Shirogane isn’t fazed. In fact he admits somewhat to it and even asks his marriage prospects! So the fortune teller reads their fortunes. She claims both are shrewd and have no qualms in deceiving others to further their goals. She also reads about the good and bad parts of Kaguya. Essentially, she will be a good wife and wise mother. But the most important note she points out is that today they will face a crucial decision regarding their future. Kaguya thought her time with Shirogane is interrupted when Chika is seen coming. But she is so engrossed with her detective game, she didn’t even notice her. Then zombie Ishigami is seen coming. Luckily Tsubame takes him away as she has an answer ready for him. Miko? Some food competition distracts her. Kaguya thinks God is on her side and nothing can stop their date. What a great day. If only every day could be like that. Finally Shirogane brings her to his office and hands her a document. He thought he would let her know first. As he has been accepted into Stanford, he is going to skip a grade and study overseas. This means this year will be his last year to enjoy the festival with them. Next year is bye-bye.

Episode 12A
Despite Kaguya playing it cool and congratulating him and all, inside she is breaking apart. She gives an excuse that she needs to go prepare for the campfire event. Kaguya then pulls over Hayasaka and tells her about this. Wow. Hayasaka didn’t bat an eyelid to claim there might be more women who are beautiful and smarter than her at Stanford, eh?! With Kaguya adamant that she needs to confess to him, Hayasaka is in tears. Finally this day has come! And don’t worry, she has come up with an Ultra Romantic confession plan. After she shoots her arrow to light the campfire, she will watch with Shirogane the rest of it from the rooftop. She’ll give to him her heart shaped locket and then confess to him. What words shall she use? Think for it herself! However all those simple confessions are shot down by Hayasaka. Now, it may seem she looks like a dick and fooling around but I assure you, if Kaguya is going to confess, might as well be the ultimate confession and not half baked. Eventually a heartfelt and teary confession why she cannot stop him from going overseas, this could be it as Hayasaka hugs and apologizes for having her go through this. Now they have to go find him.

Episode 12B
We now take a detour as Tsubame calls Ishigami so as to give him her answer. Flashback shows when her other friends tried to warn her to stay away from that creepy stalker, now she can see for herself the serious and thoughtful guy he is. Although she doesn’t have an answer yet, she hopes he can give her more time. At this point Ishigami is in shock because he was not aware his actions then were a confession. Because of that, he is somewhat not on the same page with her and so he thinks she is talking about the sakura blooming or something. Though, she is fine in wanting to get to know him more first. This takes a great load off her shoulders. When Ishigami goes to watch her in a play and starts thinking why there are so many heart motifs for this festival, then he starts to link it to the legend and realizes his act of confession then. But soon brushes off that there’s no legend that says giving a heart amounts to a confession. Really?

Episode 12C
Shirogane cannot be found. Kaguya is unhappy and complains about this to herself. After lighting the fire, loads of cards drop from the sky. It is another message from Arsene who claims he will claim the festival. Furthermore, the dragon’s jewel that is supposed to be staple of the festival that Shirogane made has gone missing. You bet Chika is in full detective mode now. And we see Arsene’s true identity… Shirogane himself! By the time the gang gets to the rooftop, the perpetrator is gone. With the media club girls pondering some of the clues, suddenly this gives Chika the greatest hint. She believes one of the clues Arsene left were coordinates. So as they go to the computer lab to find out more, Kaguya believes she already knows the answer. She believes the clues in the riddles cannot be solved as it is just bait for people like Chika. Kaguya believes this a game to read his mind to find him. She knows where he is likely is. Somewhere he could watch over everyone and the place that is closest to the sky: The school’s clock tower. From now on, Kaguya will go this alone and will not seek Hayasaka’s help. As she prepares to take out locket, she realizes it is missing! Panicking, now she regrets not needing Hayasaka’s help! HELP! Meanwhile Shirogane has come to his senses and in this Arsene getup, this embarrassment has him unable to function properly. As noted, both lost their greatest weapons but are poised to face off in a crucial final battle.

Episode 13
Ishigami feels it isn’t right to be selfish to be with Tsubame since her fans are clamouring all over her after the play. But soon he finds a dropped locket near the locker. Kaguya sees Arsene AKA Shirogane herself. However inside her heart, she is feeling very scared because she doesn’t know what he is thinking and she is about to confess to him (what’s the name of this anime again?). As reward for solving this mystery, he will grant her a wish. Of course Kaguya wants to confess and be by his side forever. Too bad that won’t come out of her mouth easily. She starts crying so Shirogane panics and thinks he has embarrassed her. So he starts the show early as he activates the device to have the dragon jewel float down onto the campfire. When it pops, thousands of heart balloons float towards the clock tower. This is his feelings for her. We are told that all this has been part of his Ultra Romantic campaign. From the time he chose this Arsene getup to using balloon art as well as placing the location of the campfire and even the programmes of the festival (like putting Tsubame’s play last to take care of Ishigami’s problem), all these have been well prepared just for this moment. He further narrates how he might not have her same family status or wealth. But he worked harder than everyone else just to be her equal so he can be with her. However if he confesses first, he loses that equal right. That’s why he cannot say it first and she must do it first. However there are things he needs to say. Other steps he took for this including roping a reluctant Momo to steal all the balloon hearts as well as convincing the principal he need not a second letter of recommendation for Stanford and instead wants that letter for his vice. Therefore there is something more important to him than her confession: He wants her to go to Stanford with him! Kaguya is in a dilemma at first but soon agrees with him. A quick decision that shocks Shirogane. After all, she needs this to break ties with her family, right? Kaguya will then have her reward. This is her feelings for him.

Maki being jealous because she’s probably a loner at the campfire. Kashiwagi comes to dance with her. So Maki > Tsubasa? Did they break up or something?! Miko patrolling the grounds alone when Ishigami comes by to hand over a dropped locket to her as well as show her a recorded video of the campfire. It might not be much, but it makes her happy. Chika and the media club duo are still on a wild goose chase. This leads them to a secret room in the library. When Karen spots Kaguya kissing Shirogane, she is blown away!!! In the aftermath, Shirogane can’t get his mind out from that kiss. There’s so much more to do as he worries about their relationship tomorrow. Kaguya regressing to a happy child as she brags to Hayasaka on what a kiss is like! You jealous? Damn, Kaguya being a kissing expert now?! No wonder Hayasaka is not impressed and blows her top! Well, after all that planning and this is what happened? No wonder Kaguya lost… But still, despite knowing his feelings for her, she wants to hear him confess from his own mouth to confirm it. After all, she wants the person she loves to tell her how much he loves her. Back at the student council office as the rest of the members enter some petty argument, Shirogane and Kaguya just smile. Unknown to them all, they’re holding each other’s hand.

Love Don’t Cost A Thing
So I take it. It is over, right?! Wait… Wait a minute… What do you mean there is going to be a new anime project?! What the heck?! That sounded so vague! I mean, they didn’t even confirm if it was going to be a sequel, a spinoff, a sequel spinoff or even a movie. Just a new anime project. Or is it an entirely new anime itself?! What the heck does that supposed to mean?! So they’re going to have us play mind games and speculate what that next project is? Oh well, what a way to garner some sort of hype and keep fans and others talking about it until more info on that is confirmed later on. That way, the series will not ‘die out’ and be ‘kept alive’ until more concrete details are given.

But as far as this season is concerned, well, I’m having mixed feelings about it. Even the internet is pretty much divided about whether this season was the ultimate success or bombed big time. This third season of course hits the final stretch and is to achieve somewhat what the goal of this entire game is supposed to be. But at the same time it did not and hence not yet arriving at the true ending yet. Confused? Yeah. Me too. Well, you see, we all know our main duo love each other but they’re being so stubborn to lose out to each other by confessing to each other first. Hence this mind games dragging out 3 seasons long. And finally when we have reached here, in order not to make any side lose face or just lose overall, hence both did not exactly say their confession in words! There is your loophole! Both expressed to each other in polar opposites their feelings (Shirogane’s complicated but perfected mechanism while Kaguya was straightforward and plain simple) and in the end has shown us that they’re now an item albeit no one else in this school knows about it yet. But since they have not confessed in WORDS yet, it means it is still not over by a long shot. Hence we can drag this on for another possible season if they will it. Yeah, imagine the next game takes place in Stanford, USA! The stakes will be higher this time. As long as Kaguya has not technically done what the anime’s title says it is, then it isn’t technically over yet.

They might be perfect for each other now but they aren’t the perfect humans to begin with. Basically it’s trying to say that as long as you put in your effort, that will eventually pay off and never betray you. Because you think Shirogane might be some talented dude but as we have seen throughout the seasons, this guy lacks a lot of talent in a lot of stuffs! From rapping to even blowing balloons! The good thing about him is that he never gives up and when he works towards a goal, he sets his mind to achieve it. And I think that is why in the end he is successful in many ways. Being a good mastermind and planning many steps ahead helped too. The same can be said for Kaguya as you can say that love has practically changed her. She might not show in on the outside but you can see from all those panic attacks and flustering moments that would’ve killed her many times, she has managed to maintain her pride and elegance despite in our eyes she is just a normal girl in love. Scheming is one thing but as we all can see, love don’t really play by the rules. Heh. Though, she can go into yandere mode and more if there is any potential rival for her love. Even Satan should be afraid…

As for the other characters, they’re still pretty fine and lovable in their own way. Their dynamism helps maintain the brand of comedy for this series. Like Chika still being totally Chika after 3 seasons. Good thing she never lost touch of herself and remained true to who she is. Then there is Ishigami and sometimes I feel that his late romance to Tsubame could be a distraction for us. Evidently with Tsubame not giving him a real answer yet, it is still possible that it could be Ishigami x Miko. I mean, we are all made to believe that both hate each other like cats and dogs, oil and water, no? Love itself is fleeting so it might seem that we are led to believe that Tsubame is the one his heart is set on but for all you know, that could just be red herring and a stepping stone to setup up Ishigami x Miko, a twist that probably shock a few. Hayasaka the ever loyal maid to Kaguya, I can understand why she puts up that poker face for the longest time. After all they’ve been through and finally we’ve reached the point where the goal is beyond reaching distance, it’s like she can finally be relieved of this charade, huh? Or does she? So no more Herthaka in the future? Kashiwagi and Tsubasa are probably the best couple model who are deeply in love with each other. But heck, it feels like they’re so easy so where’s the fun or in Hayasaka’s words, the entertainment value in that?! New character Maki feels like she is there to mock her aunty Kaguya and be the running joke of a vengeful woman who wants a boyfriend but can’t get one. I bet she’ll be the kind of character who will turn into one who will b*tch about not getting married when she hits the big 3-0 while her friends all slowly start to get hitched one by one. Yeah… Other side characters like Kei and Moeha don’t have much appearances. Just a couple or so to remind us they’re around.

A very big unfortunate case as third time is not the charm. I am referring to this season’s opener, Giri Giri by Masayuki Suzuki featuring Suu. You see, just like in previous seasons, this song retains that trademark tune. However at this point it has failed to excite me. While I do not think that it is a bad song and it is still fun to hear, however it often feels like a copycat from the first 2 seasons’ opener. It’s like the same song but given a few tweaks here and there and voila, new song. Hardly anything exciting at this point. Like I said, the song isn’t exactly dull nor is it substandard. But at this point you would thought there would be something fresh and new, something that would be better than this. Too bad it wasn’t. It’s like eating your favourite food every day and eventually you’ll get bored and sick of it. Yup, that sums up what this third opener feels like. As for the ending theme, Heart Wa Oteage by Airi Suzuki sounds pretty okay as an upbeat anime pop (though it has faint traces of Love Dramatic in its tune). The ending credits animation is curious, though. It feels a lot like a Starship Troopers movie! Sure, all just a dream but I can’t help wonder its implications. Shirogane going off to fight a distant war and reuniting with his loved one AKA Kaguya? Well, now that she is going to Stanford with him, that reality is a better dream, right? In the first season we had that cute Chika’s done as a special ending theme. This season we have My Nonfiction by Shirogane and Chika. No cute dancing but this hip hop rap piece is awesome in its own right. This time the animation has everyone drawn in their mature adult form. Looking a bit weird…

Overall, this season still has its charms and for a simpleton like me, still very much enjoyable with all the funny moments and fun characters. At the same time and in some ways also a bit frustrating because when you have the main characters expressing their love for each other but technically have not confessed and say it in words yet, which means the whole game is not really over hitherto, yeah, brings me back to those old and retro days of me watching Ranma 1/2. How much longer will it take! You know me these days, I just want some sort of closure and not drag things out or leave it as an eternal cliff-hanger. Imagine if Shirogane and Kaguya dating, get married, have kids and grow old together, they’ve been doing every damn thing that lovers have done but the only thing left on their bucket list is that oral confession. Damn, it’s going to be weird. I wonder how they are going to get past that “I do” scene at the chapel. Yeah, so strange for me to think they can go their entire lives without doing that. Oh well, love is sometimes better expressed than said for certain people. Actions speak louder than words, right? How cute. Okawaii koto…

Kono Healer Mendokusai

The last time a certain healer was the main character, it left many divided opinions. After all, when the main theme of the series was about rape and sex, that is bound to leave some sort of impression and getting attention for the wrong reasons. So I figure (more like baseless speculation) that in order not to forever let that healer occupation being tarnished forever, hence they created another anime with a healer character in the lead but make it comedy. After reading the synopsis of Kono Healer Mendokusai in which our healer character has a lot of insulting skills and the guy in her party forced to put up with her brand of antics, it feels like this is too good to pass up. So, verbal abuse better than sexual abuse? Hope nobody gets offended then… Yeah, I suppose that’s the deal with this anime.

Episode 1
Human warrior Alvin is fighting a bear monster when dark elf healer Carla interrupts. Are you in trouble? Do you need help? What does it look like, pipsqueak?! And since she wants him to grovel for asking for help, Alvin has to postpone his fight and settle with her. Yeah, more like arguing because despite her innocent face, she keeps making this guy’s blood boil. She wants to form a party but nobody else will. I can see why. He wants her to help heal him but because he starts yelling at yet another shenanigan, she accidentally puts a curse on him! A healer with curse abilities? Now he cannot be more than 300m from her or else he’ll die! The argument continues so much so the bear has to interrupt and talk to them about their bad points and how to be considerate to each other! Because Carla falls asleep, this irks Alvin as he is going to give it to her this time. Lecturing about respecting elders, Alvin probably hit a nerve when he guestimates the bear’s age. You know what they say about women and age, right? The bear gets mad and strikes him down! Oh sh*t? He dead? And Carla’s legs fell asleep after sleeping too long. Alvin wakes up in the bear’s house. He is healed thanks to Carla doing her healing all night. Uhm, isn’t that voodoo doll cursing?! Magic acupuncture, huh?! Carla and the bear go on to be sad and blaming themselves that they can’t heal his face because now he looks stupid with this scar. Actually, this is his actual face!!! Once they realize that, they change the topic. Bless the miracle of God! Once Alvin is ready, he is going to leave but this makes the bear sad since she wanted them to stay. Alvin promises he’ll be back since they’ll have to settle their score. This nice mood is ruined by Carla as she lectures them about fighting even though it’s all just face saving protocol. This leaves both of them embarrassed. Perhaps this was all a sneaky ploy for Carla who wants to take a wand as compensation for her effort. After they leave, Alvin is further distraught that Carla doesn’t know any way to release the curse. Oh boy. Looks like they’re going to be together for a while. Prepare for all the bickering. You’re in for the long ride. With no place to stay and Carla being earnest recognizing his incompetence, just leave it to her as they head back to sleep for the night at the bear’s home. She’s more than happy to welcome back their company.

Episode 2
While searching for some herb antidotes, the duo stumble upon a ghost graveyard. WTF Alvin trying to cut through them? Yeah, Carla having a nice picnic watching his folly. So they descend into their usual argument as the ghosts mimic their drama in the back. So to help those ghosts pass on, Carla asks their regrets and then compares it with Alvin. Because of that, the ghost can pass on! And they’re laughing! Wow. Alvin so low, huh? Continuing their journey, Alvin then falls into a pit. Carla enjoying this scene, huh? Don’t worry, she called this goblin who dug the hole for help. Hey, can’t be picky of who helps him now. But what’s this? The goblin is crying? He made this hole to catch a wild boar and look what it caught? Yeah, somehow it’s Alvin’s fault. Apologize! Eventually the goblin and his pals pull him out. The duo arrive at the rocky fields that is guarded by a cyclops. As distraction, Carla claims she can help do some summoning. Okay, don’t summon those hideous monsters. Their bickering so loud that the cyclops notice them. Damn, he is kind enough to wait for them to finish! With Carla’s further summoning failed, the cyclops then shows them where the herb is. How considerate. All you have to do is ask! After getting lots of herbs, the duo camp out. That’s right, the conversation goes back and forth between pleasant and mocking. Mostly the latter on Alvin. Yeah, quarrelling the whole day makes him tired. So Carla gonna sing him a lullaby. Please, not this rock opener! And why does the lullaby sound like a curse?! Their commotion attracts a monster wolf. Actually, he tells them to STFU! It’s already late so go to sleep! Okay. Goodnight.

Episode 3
Alvin doubts Carla as a healer and you can expect the usual drama and shenanigans between the duo. Then they overheard this mushroom dude, Altargaia wanting to go slaughter some humans so it’s the best time for Carl to show what she can do with her enhancement spell. Oh sh*t, that an enhancement spell? She fires at Alvin but he dodges and it hits Altargaia. One fried mushroom… Later Carla now wonders Alvin’s strength. He claims he is weak but she thinks he is strong. In that case, care to test his strength against Altargaia? Yeah, that mushroom isn’t dead. How can an enhancement spell kill? Maybe for Carla… It seems Carla enhances his flavour! Are we hungry yet? Altargaia won’t be eaten so easily so he unleashes poison gas. Alvin breathes some in while Carla already came prepared with a gas mask. Hence the usual duo bickering on this until they see Altargaia knocked out by his own poison?! Then more argument over some puns until Altargaia gets up to reveal his trick of playing dead. Yeah, that wasn’t poison gas but just smokescreen so you bet he too is shocked to hear Alvin said it was that. This is when Carla starts teasing him for assuming things. Oh damn, the way she laughing so hard… Sounds disturbing! Since she suggests eating the mushroom, it’s back to square one as Altargaia prepares to defend himself. Okay Alvin, time to test your strength. They both charge and… Alvin loses!!! OMFG. This guy is weak! They take shelter in a cave as it is raining and Altargaia feeling sorry for hitting Alvin too hard?! And what’s this about Carla trying to use some curse ritual to heal Alvin?! She wants to prove her healing abilities so she won’t use herbs to heal Alvin’s bruise. Praying to God? More like crying desperately to God? And she clicked her tongue when that didn’t work? In the end, the weather clears up and Carla wants to take credit for it. Altargaia decides to travel with them because he won’t be bored that way. Yeah, seeing the duo bicker is more fun, eh? Thanks for carrying Carla’s bag too.

Episode 4
Our trio will be entering their first dungeon. Don’t worry, it’s for beginners. As usual, the Alvin-Carla bickering is making the guardian door sad for not listening to what he says. So once they do, Alvin gets a stats check and despite all his skill levels are low, but he is a level 100 beginner?! Please proceed anyway. Inside the dungeon as Alvin reminds to be careful and not activate traps, he is the first to fall into a trapdoor. Don’t worry, it has cushion at the bottom and stairs for you to climb up. Carla tries to assure this depressed dude by giving him a handkerchief. That’s for wiping away the tears! Hey, at least it blows away his depression. It seems Alvin gets into more pathetic and beginner-like traps. Yeah, nothing life threatening. Finally they reach a door with a bell. It says to ring it. Could it be a trap? While he is deliberating whether to press it, Carla just breaks down the door! This has the dungeon master, Cow very worried. To his relief, it is just them. He soon invites them in for tea. Great hospitality. When he laughs at Alvin springing all the traps because nobody has ever does that before, Carla gets mad at this mockery. For real? Because people have died! WHAT?! Cow becomes depressed his 100% safety record has been shattered! To atone for this, she wants him to pay monetary compensation. Sure, have this coin pendant. Yeah, useless. Then they all party to commemorate clearing this dungeon. While Alvin is fuming at this, he soon realizes that Carla is just like him, they cleared their first dungeon. He understands that given her character, nobody would want her to join their group. The same can be said for Alvin as flashbacks show many turned him down for wanting higher level adventurers and so he became a veteran beginner. Yeah, such oxymoron. For once, Alvin manages to tease Carla and sees her mad (but cute) side. But of course Carla gets back at him with more teasing. Eventually they commemorate their first dungeon clearing with a high 5. As they leave, they are told that the bell was just a doorbell and to ring for Cow. Not a trap.

Episode 5
Alvin and Carla trying to rent a room at an inn. Oh Carla, don’t be a racist calling the innkeeper a pig because he looks and speaks like one! With too much racism, the innkeeper then becomes mad for being called a pig and turns into his true form, an orc. More racism as Carla calls him a cow or monkey because of the weird words he attaches to his sentence. He challenges them to a duel in which Carla accepts. They play rock-scissors-paper as Carla makes a joke out of it. But with all the racism, this hardly moves the innkeeper and hence Carla is ‘defeated’. Innkeeper tries to attack but breaks his leg during his short jump. Sure, Carla wants to put him out of his misery but Alvin suggests she may get something in return for healing him. The innkeeper then confesses with the myriad of exhausted travellers staying here, he thought of making them feel better and added some stamina boosting nutrition to the food but it turned out it made them more exhausted. He just wants to be forgiven. Who the bad guys now? Alvin and Carla make their way and stumble into an old woman. They want to help her bring her home not knowing she is actually a witch who plans to drug them out and use them as her special potion. She gives them a poison to drink but since Alvin can’t open the lid, Carla smashes it! Now drink it from the ground like a dog! When that didn’t happen, Carla bluffs and claims that is poison! The witch changes her story of wanting to invite them to her home for food and the fools easily bought it. In her home, she gives them poison herbal tea but Alvin spills it thanks to Carla fooling around. Carla pretends to clean up so she can steal some of her books! The witch lights a sedative aroma candle but Carla splashes her with water! Fire hazard! Then she brings out her deadly cooking. Yup, she’s really pissed. But Carla uses some magical move to make it tastier and explodes it in her face. At this point the witch just wants them to get out. GET OUT! But Carla insists in cooking for her despite having never cooked. Oh well, the witch just lets them do whatever they want. Carla comes back with ingredients and Altargaia. Where the f*ck this mushroom been?! He got lost, huh? Luckily she isn’t planning to cook him. She has the witch stand in the circle of the food and after chanting, a monster pops up to devour her! But then she is spit out and now is a younger version. So Carla used anti-aging ingredients? The witch is amazed with this legendary time reversing thingy. As Carla tries to brag about herself, Alvin interjects with all the negativity and ruins her moment.

Episode 6
Alvin and co are being ambushed by a thief. However she fumbles her lines and wants to redo. Okay, set, go! Still fumbling. Depression. And so after they learn about her circumstances, Carla teaches her on how to take her as hostage and yeah, Alvin will play along! So the demand is for him to do a gag joke? They’re waiting… Eventually he pulls off a lame dullahan joke. Wow. Carla gives a bag of herbs as apology for the lameness. And then praises Alvin for his plan to demoralize her. As Alvin fights a golem, he is forced to put it on hold because you know, have to go argue with Carla. Yeah, golem depressed. Even rocks have feelings. So not sure about this bickering for her to support him in the best way to beat the golem but let’s not keep him waiting as Carla devises the ultimate prayer that will help him. Basically grovelling before the rock and pleading to let Alvin win. Alvin has been had… Later as they leave, the golem comes rushing to them because Altargaia has been poisoned! A mushroom poisoned? As usual, Carla boasts about herself before she starts her healing procedure. Starts off great at first until she sticks this light orb into his mouth to remove the toxin! Altargaia is saved but the toxins get into Alvin. They rush him to a nearby cabin to heal. With Carla dressed as an evil cultist robe (sorry, doesn’t look like an angelic ritual robe to me), more shenanigans as Carla seeming abuses Alvin. You wonder if she really wants to heal or kill him. With Carla getting depressed her efforts aren’t being recognized, I guess it’s time to stop the bickering and play nice. When Altargaia comes back with the herbs, he sees them both sleeping soundly together. Oh wow. This is the best and most peaceful scene ever.

Episode 7
Our gang stumble into an unconscious man on the road. Of course they argue if he is dead or not and voila! He is a zombie! However he lacks the strength to even get up and when he finally does that, everyone cheers! Yahoo! As Alvin pats him for his great effort, his head falls off! OMG! Alvin just killed him?! After burying him, WTF Carla revives him?! Uhm, maybe zombies aren’t really dead to begin with… Anyway, Zobita he needs a favour of them because he wants revenge. Up ahead is a graveyard in which he is a leader of a dancing troupe. Sorry, Michael Jackson isn’t in this one. One day a necromancer came and took away his buddies. Actually, she’s a great dancer and his zombie pals fell for her charm. As a leader of his group, he cannot accept this humiliation and wants her taken down! Petty. Somehow Carla thinks it is their mission to see through it as they can’t let a necromancer roam free. So the duo go ahead as Altargaia stays back and convinces Zobita to give up his ambitions because well, Alvin is bloody weak… At the graveyard, zombies running away from Carla! Yeah, nobody wants to get hit by that ominous holy sh*t whatever! Then they see the necromancer, Maria Deathflame. My, such a beautiful and kind soul. Unlike a certain, ahem. Carla obviously jealous. The zombies think they are talking bad about her so they protect her and want her to escape. How romantic. Like knights protecting their princess. Carla hints the same for Alvin but we all know it won’t turn out well. So much so he betrays her and joins the zombies to take her down! Oh sh*t! However… Alvin ends up in prison since his weak ass means Carla overpowered him. Soon, Maria comes by and says the zombies want to turn him into their kind. Maria cannot accept that without consent and is here to secretly let Alvin escape. Obviously Alvin is smitten by her kindness and this makes Carla jealous. Hence a competition to see who can let Alvin out first. Yeah, Carla will just blast open the door. Even with her slow countdown (skipping some numbers!), Maria is being pressured as she fumbles through the keys. Eventually she takes pity on her and helps her out. Both ladies complement each other. Alvin didn’t learn to STFU so he jokes about Carla being strange than kind. The ladies decide to leave him here and enjoy their evening together. This one’s your fault, Alvin!

Episode 8
Altargaia just bends the bars to help Alvin escape. Outside, he sees the ladies drawing a weird magic circle. It seems they are trying to summon back Ellie, Maria’s little sister. She invented some new game that caused her to go astral with her soul and hence Maria has been hopping from one graveyard to another to find her. As the ritual begins, WTF DID THEY SUMMON THIS CREEPY GHOST???!!! Oh wait. That’s Ellie?! So… Ellie wants to play some body possessing game? Yeah, now she had her fun, it’s time to go back. Maria has been carrying her body everywhere since. Don’t worry, it’s light. As Ellie pops back in, her body experiences violent convulsions. Carla just snaps her neck to calm her down! They part ways and Carla seems a little sad to part ways with her friends? Of course she blames it on Alvin somewhat. It’s her friends. Not his. As they get along, Alvin tries to rub it in to Carla about Maria’s rejuvenating personality. Okay, you asked for it. Here comes Carla’s usual teasing. So her idea of helping him to rejuvenate is to wear this cat outfit. Don’t you feel embarrassed? Yeah, blame him. So easy. Next, they try to talk about each other’s positive personalities for rejuvenating effects. Oh, did I hear Alvin commenting on Carla’s pretty face? Care to say that again? As for Carla’s comments… Don’t you dare say none! What did she say about his face? At least he hides it behind his helmet?! More like insult! Soon, Alvin realizes he lost his sword. Don’t worry, Carla will now use her orb to find it. Is she into divinity now? When it doesn’t work, she abuses it and eventually throws it away! Go fetch, Alvin boy! She then claims she got the orb around the time he lost his sword. He gives up on searching for it and will buy a new one instead. However if that’s the case, please help find the orb! It’s expensive!

Episode 9
The orb has broken a statue seal and released a terrifying creature who will again terrorize the town! Well, it’s Medusa. Close your eyes! With Carla egging him not to peek, eventually he does and he gets petrified. But Carla teases him and this breaks him out from petrification. Medusa tries to petrify him again but he won’t fall for it. Oh, she’s crying? Gotcha! Stoned again. More Carla teasing. Break out! How the f*ck does he do it?! This causes Medusa to be depressed since it’s like getting her identity denied. With Carla encouraging her, she returns to petrifying Alvin. Third time’s the charm? Soon, they are approached by Dryad who needs those who freed Medusa to take responsibility and defeat her. Yeah, if Alvin didn’t get stuck in this vine trap. In bondage position! And so the ladies argue over their bondage preferences. And are proud of it! Until of course they see his face and they just lost motivation. As Alvin is b*tching about needing a sword, Dryad points out to a legendary one in the woods. Well, it’s sticking upside down. Carla trolls him like as though a legendary voice is calling for him. So as Alvin pulls it out, there is a tag that states it is a dud. The usual Alvin-Carla spat as they team up to fight Medusa. Carla then puts a spell that negates all his pain. For once her spell works! Heck, Dryad even tests it out by slapping his butt with vines, BDSM style! No pain! As Alvin gets ready to fight Medusa, Carla remembers once the spell comes off, the pain will be 10 times more painful! Oh damn, here it comes! Sorry Medusa, you didn’t get your chance… As Alvin is recuperating in Dryad’s home, the ladies talk about him, especially Carla’s opinion on the guy. As usual, all insults. However she notes that being with him is fun. Oh damn, have you seen Carla smile this sweet without all the vileness behind it! Because of that, she is shocked when Alvin is here. Could he have heard it? Looks like he did not. Because he keeps bugging what they were talking about him. Carla giving lame excuses to distract but Alvin is persistent. Dryad gets the hint as she ‘forgot’ their conversation. But Medusa didn’t. So as she is about to spill the beans, Carla gives her a beat down. Wow. Some sneeze. That’s how Medusa got defeated?

Episode 10
Alvin is back at the guild to check if he has ranked up as an adventurer. Carla teasing him until she learns the last time he had zero stars. Wow. Even Carla is worth 3 stars. Oh Alvin, think of offering your hold arm with more blood will increase your stats?! Don’t be too rash! Carla tries to cheer him up about the sheet being defective. 5 times over? After Alvin feels confident seeing he has went through and overcome a lot of danger, that must at least be worth 1 star, right? Well, the reading comes out as… LOL! That’s just sad. Soon, they are confronted by another adventurer, Brigan who mocks Alvin as being weak as usual. Carla also mocks him back that he is a convict due to his name sounding close to prison! Brigan then realizes the duo who famously formed a group and mocks them. Is this compliment or insult? Depending on your point of view. Both guys decide to take it outside and fight although Alvin knows he will lose. Just get ready the healing, okay? But as Brigan turns his back, Carla does a flying kick on him! Then she ties him up like a convict. For that commotion, the duo are now punished to exorcise a haunted mansion. Rumours has it that those who enter never come out alive. Carla has come prepared with this ghost of a thief, Anna to help. So after all the talking, they finally open the door. Don’t look now but this horrifying looking ghost is trying to welcome them in! Carla shuts the door and starts getting a nervous breakdown. Man, Carla blaming herself? Alvin had to snap her out and allow her haughty behaviour. Don’t complain when she’s back in her usual groove. Though, Anna ‘died’ from the fright. More deliberation on what to do as Carla going to punish the ghost by making it become a cat ear maid? Busting the door down, this time the ghost is indeed in that getup! But since she is doing it all wrong, Carla starts lecturing her. This includes giving some intense training regimen on rejuvenating. Don’t know how that works but she is looking like a cute maid! Not sure how all her resentment get kicked out but whatever. But this leads to a fight between Ryoko (the maid), Anna, Altargaia and eventually Carla who argue they are the cutest mascot! Alvin will not allow Carla to say that and takes her away!

Episode 11
Alvin and Carla stumble into a treasure box. Anna has traced it to have no traps in it. After the usual Alvin-Carla spat, finally Alvin moves forward to open it. That is, he falls into a pit trap before it. Hey, was Anna too late to warn the traps AROUND it? And so the usual Alvin-Carla argument as the weakling is trapped torso deep and can’t get out. Finally when Alvin thinks he has the leverage to pull himself out, Carla won’t let him do that and wants to specifically pull him out. But she takes too long thinking how this will get on his good side and he is already out on his own. Carla back to spewing insults at him. Now that Alvin is once bitten twice shy, he can’t open the box. So it is up to Carla. As she is about to do so, Alvin plays a prank by screaming to scare the hell out of her. You bet she is mad. So is Anna. And so is the monster waiting in the box! Who the f*ck?! Apparently this Mimic monster isn’t happy they took too long to get scared and starts crying about his ruined promotion chances. Carla claims it was just a rehearsal so let’s do it again! One more time from the top. As Carla prepares to open it, she starts talking how dreadful the monster inside it would look. Putting funny ideas in Mimic’s head, huh? In the end when she tries to open, she couldn’t. It is locked. Somebody locked his heart… Later when the gang stumble into a cyclops changing, she got mad and was going to punch them. Carla was in her direct path but Alvin blocked it and now his arm is fractured. Thanks to Carla talking to the cyclops and distracting her, they got away without any fuss. Carla decides to heal his arm as gratitude but WTF she’s screaming like as though she’s in pain?! Certainly scared the hell out of him. Eventually some cloth by Ryoko did the trick. All new and shiny! Then this rare moment whereby Alvin talks about reality that if Carla was a better person, she would have found herself in a better party. However he would still be solo since he is weak. Carla so flattered that she is tongue tied. Suddenly a dwarf girl, Celia seeks their help. She shows them a letter from her grandpa the mayor claiming that Dorman, the sorcerer of darkness has attacked their village and is trying to retrieve some artefact that will destroy the world. Everyone is captured and grandpa let her escape to seek help. So, can they defeat Dorman who is ranked more than 5 stars? Wow, nobody laughing at Carla’s reminder-cum-insult about Alvin’s zero (LOL) stars… Is sh*t getting serious?

Episode 12
Arriving at the village, it seems nobody is around. Celia remembers seeing the bad people take them to the castle dungeon nearby. With Ryoko’s help, Alvin and Carla manage to teleport and sneak into where the dwarves are imprisoned. Showing Celia’s letter to the mayor, he explains the dwarves have an artefact that can drive off Dorman’s dark magic. This is why he wants it and it looks like Brigan is on his side. He can show them where the artefact is hidden deep in this castle and hopes they can help them. After a few traps that could almost kill Alvin, they finally arrive at the room. The artefact is a crown. Of course Dorman and Brigan have been following them so now they’ll get their hands on it. Sorry Carla, no time for negotiation jokes. Alvin tries to attack but gets knocked out. Carla is then taken hostage by Brigan. She tells Ryoko to escape with Alvin because as long as they have the crown, she is still of value. Also, she wants to play the cool heroine. When Alvin wakes up outside and is told what happened, he realized the curse didn’t activate. You still remember the curse, right?! He thinks of running away since he can’t beat Dorman anyway but that is when the crown activates and talks. He claims he is weak tonight because of the new moon but should be restored at full power if he healer casts a healing spell. Alvin doesn’t think it’s worth it so the artefact claims they were bound by a fate half a century ago. They were lovers and cursed but swords to reunite in their new lives! Unfortunately Alvin spots holes in the story. Why is Carla still so young? Turns out this was a lie just to get him motivated. FFFFUUUUU!!!! I ALMOST BELIVED IT! But for the curse, it may be that the artefact’s holy power temporarily dispelling it. Are you sure…

They go back to sneak Carla out but her healing power is too weak to do jack sh*t on the crown. Worst case scenario as Dorman has his undead army surround them. Is it over? Well, Altargaia has returned but with all the other characters from the series! Time to take down this army! However at this rate there is no end and they have to take down its source. Alvin thought he could sneak attack Dorman? Foolish! He gets captured but luckily Carla casts a powerful spell on the crown. Now it powers up and turns Alvin into a mean fighting machine! Wow. Like a different person altogether. When Carla is going to shoot her beam at Alvin as support, he knows better it’s not going to help. Dorman doesn’t so he takes the shot and gets destroyed! Alvin deals the finishing blow to him. The day is saved! Brigan gets arrested. Alvin thinks he didn’t level up much since it was the artefact who supported him and Dorman is just a really old man. With Carla begging, looks like the artefact is forced to play along that since he is gone, the curse will be back. Oh well, an excuse for Alvin to stick with this ragtag team. Is that him giving thanks? Not if Carla is back to her usual teasing that he has fallen for her! Here we go again.

Rebuke Of Healer!
Oh well… The couple that insults together, stays together! That’s how it should be in the end, right? And also forever and ever! I bet there won’t be any ways to dispel the curse so they’ll continue to go into more misadventures and having fun insulting each other because that is how life it is for them. Along the way they can save stumble into some nefarious plot and play the hero for a while and save the day but that won’t be the staple of their adventures because the big bulk of it will be from them insulting each other! Yeah, I think they should learn other languages so they can have more fun insulting each other in different tongues!

It is no surprise that there is no actual storyline here and if there was really one, it is probably the antics between Alvin and Carla themselves. Yup, the duo could be a hit manzai comedy duo if they’re not adventurers. Or they might even fail as that! So yeah, whatever random adventures they go through together, it doesn’t matter. Because that just feels like a stepping stone and setting for them to get into whatever arguments and shenanigans of the moment. It could be anything. Even taking a break and going to the toilet could turn into some (mis)adventure and just like that a typical Alvin-Carla spat can begin. Damn, they’re just so good at this. Getting on each other’s nerves, that is. So there you have it. There’s your plot if you really b*tch about needing one because that’s the deal about this anime that we have to deal with.

So basically that is what the entire series is mainly about. If you’re one of those highly sophisticated people who need to experience some new thrill in life every 5 minutes, then this show could be a big bore as it sticks to mainly the same formula in every episode. In order not to be super draggy and monotonous, hence that is why in every episode there is somewhat a ‘guest character’ so as to spice things up a little bit. But it is still mainly between Alvin and Carla and the guests feel more like extras or even a third wheel. Eventually the duo have so much insults and comebacks to spew at each other, you’ll wonder if this anime is some comedy adventure or gag comedy instead.

As we all should know by now, the dynamism of the series relies heavily on the interaction between Alvin and Carla. The petty squabbles and insults between the duo is the main driving force of what makes this anime. Or annoying. Because I have to get this off my chest first. I know it is all for jokes and the comedy but I always find Carla to be irritating. Sure, it is part of her character to berate Alvin at every chance she gets but somehow this gets on my nerves and for most of the initial parts, it wasn’t all that funny to me. I mean, sure, it is funny in that context but on a personal level, it isn’t. Perhaps it is how she can naturally verbally abuse Alvin with a straight poker face and without showing any remorse. On top of that, she acts mighty, arrogant and superior. The holier-than-thou attitude. As the episodes pass, I only felt more tolerant with her because I expected her character to be that way. In the end, I still dislike her character even though there is a good reason why she mostly acts like a dick. So when there were a few moments when Alvin gets back at her (like how he went over to Maria’s side), I relished at those moments. Get a taste of your own medicine.

Therefore it is definitely each other’s company and the fun they have derived from it that they’re doing this. Well, would you rather have this or a very boring party where nobody communicates with each other? Yeah. Gloomy. That’s why in order to spice things up, the duo start taking jabs at each other although Carla is the main instigator and Alvin mostly reduced to the role of rebuking. Fun times, eh? I’m sure at this point we have almost forgotten about the curse Carla put on him that made them unable to stay away too far from each other. Otherwise Alvin would have bolted a long time ago. But then again, there is a chance that Carla’s curse might be a lie and Alvin knows it. After all, Carla bombs in most of her spells, right? Uh huh. From day 1 they actually enjoy each other’s company and so he is just being considerate and acting all dumb to play along with her. Yeah. This could be it! This is their only way to keep their ‘relationship’ alive. The only way they know best. So yeah. Keep those insults coming because it now feels like their normal way of communication. Can you imagine if they’re being polite with each other and all? BORING! In fact, it would be darn creepy! Oh damn, I’m starting to sound like Carla now with such comebacks!

So yeah, it pains me to say this that Carla isn’t actually a bad person. She’s just a lot annoying, that’s all. Still, I find her unlikeable even at this point! Harrumph! There are times where they look out for each other but that is swiftly covered up with more insults and verbal attacks. Like as though that is better than whatever cheap thrills or traps they got into. Alvin might be weak but you can say he is quite a nice guy too. Maybe dumb sometimes. It’s amazing how he has survived so far as an adventurer and my only guess is that he has not taken up quests that are dangerous nor has he encountered any life threatening monsters or traps. You do notice that all those they have encountered are eventually the friendly kind or non-lethal and mild. Like as though this whole world is actually peaceful and all the monsters are just playing some acting role as baddies. Yeah. The duo might be the kind of people that nobody wants in their party but it is also somewhat heart-warming (ugh!) to think that they both rely on each other in that sense. Nobody wants a weak ass adventurer who has a knack for getting into traps (and survives) and also a healer with an attitude who casts deadlier spells than evil final level bosses! Who else have they got to cover their backs? You’ve guessed it right. Damn, here I was almost believing the artefact’s story… Too good to be true. But who knows? It could actually be the truth for all we know! Fate or curse? You decide.

My theory of Carla having this poker face is to hide her true emotions for Alvin. What are the chances she likes him, no? I mean, REALLY REALLY REALLY like him in the romantic sense! Who else could stand and put up with her this long? Any man who do so can definitely become her husband! So she’s putting up that monotonous unimpressed face that hardly changes is to hide the fact she is in love with him. When a girl teases and insults you this much and still sticks with you, it’s gotta be she loves you, right?! That’s why she looks weird and sometimes sounds weird when she screams out her insults. Because she’s suppressing all those feelings and I wonder when it’ll all explode in her face. I think when that happens, it won’t be funny anymore…

Obviously the other characters don’t leave much of an impression. Many would appear just for a single episode and that’s about it. Some lucky enough like Maria to appear for a couple of episodes but that’s about it either. Thus I am having reservations of Altargaia (the mushroom’s name, if you remember – an often enough reminder running joke) is actually part of the gang. More than often, he goes ‘missing’ on his own and then comes back much later to regroup with Alvin and Carla. He claims he got lost or go on some herbs picking quest. But essentially he is out of the picture for most of the time. So he is like non-essential to the pair, huh? Yeah, he makes minimal rebukes and comebacks too but not as pro as our Master Carla the Great! Of course, the final episode has everyone being united for the sake of being the last episode thingy. That big brawl was the only way everybody have their final appearance, right? I wonder Mimic is still hiding in that box waiting for the enemy to open… Oh well, not that we care, right?!

In addition to Carla’s brand of rebuking comedy, the other ‘funny’ part is the next episode segment. Well, actually it is a pretty long wall of text that covers the entire screen! Yup, this part where they break the fourth wall and tell you stuffs and the likes. Uh huh. Better pause and read it if you want to know what nonsense they’re saying. Yeah, I think one of the previews even tell us to do that. So this part is pretty amusing in itself because it’s like, how should I put it, making a mountain out of a molehill. In the sense that just for the sake of being long, they added too much words into it to try and explain it when it could have been summed up in a few words or even omitted. But I suppose that is how this anime runs and hence that’s the deal we’ve got at the end of every episode.

Art and animation are pretty standard. Since this is mainly a comedy affair, everything here looks bright and colourful. Even the art style leans a bit cartoonish at times. I mean, just take a look at that mushroom character and some of the monsters. Like as though this anime is targeted for younger audiences but I can assure you it’s not especially Carla’s insults are not for kids! Somehow I find it spooky the ghosts of Ryoko and Ellie. Heck, even those monsters Carla summons seem scary even though they look cartoonish. I don’t know, somehow those can be nightmare fuel for me. Don’t want to stare at them too long… And this might be a running joke too because the anime does not show Alvin’s face. There will always be something blocking us to at least prevent us from seeing his eyes. Well, others think he looks bloody plain but what if he actually has beautiful sparkling eyes?! Because everybody was just trying not to fall for it and hence sarcasm is the only way to go about and also fool us viewers. This anime is done by Jumondo who is producing a series on their own for the first time (other times they were like assisting or cooperating in producing – and also their main productions are hentai).

One of the unique aspects of this anime is how in the opening credits animation itself, they listed out the guest list of seiyuus of the characters they will be voicing and in which episode. I mean, usually it is left in the end credits but only if their character appears in that particular episode. But here, this is part of the opening credits animation itself so you can actually expect which character will be the guest character in which episode as well as the one who will be behind their voice. I don’t know, I feel a dilemma in this. On one hand it is unique and refreshing to see it this way but on the other hand, it takes away the excitement of trying to identify a recognizable seiyuu when their character makes their first onscreen appearance. So yeah, not sure if I’m delighted to hear and expect Saori Hayami as Maria, Sho Hayami as Cow, Ayane Sakura as the thief, Tomokazu Sugita as Brigan and Shigeru Chiba as the artefact. Ugh… Hardly exciting…

Despite Carla still riling me up in my books, but I have to give credit to her seiyuu, Aguri Oonishi (Ayumu in Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai) for playing to perfection in playing her character role. Like as though she was born to play this role. There is this monotonous but flexible feel in Carla’s voice and that’s what makes her character unique. And also irritating. The rest of the other casts include Takuya Satou as Alvin (Kaikoku in Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu]), Asuna Tomari as Altargaia (Gobta in Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken), Yumiri Hanamori as Ryoko (Seth in Radiant), Mai Fuchigami as Anna (Shino in Jinsei), Hiyori Kono as Ellie (Asuka in Sounan Desu Ka), Yuuko Natsuyoshi as Medusa (Himeko in Show By Rock! Mashumairesh) and Saori Goto as Dryad (Matsumoto in YuruYuri). Yeah, I’m too lazy to do the rest that I FEEL don’t really matter. So sue me. The opening theme, Jellyfish Na Kimi E by Carla herself, sounds like one of those upbeat dance music with lots of techno beats. Got to get you pumping and ready for her insults! She also sings the ending theme, Hero In Healer which also features Alvin and Altargaia as supporting. Yup, another weird and lively song albeit sounding quite chaotic. Trying to troll us with the opening that Carla is some sort of angel?!

Overall, this series is still funny but sometimes it might hit a nerve or two. Or three. Or four. The staple of Alvin and Carla insulting each other might be novel at first but it might get tiring after a while because it’s mostly the same thing. Yeah, it’s like they’re having this sort of own mini personal competition who can breathe down each other’s neck and who can annoy the hell out of the other. At the end of the day, birds of the same feather flock together and the couple that, uhm, insults together, stays together? I fear that instead of the healing factor that the comedy and laughs it was supposed to bring, those irritating insults drained the soul instead. I don’t know, Carla seems to have that ability… So you think you’re funny, eh, little dark elf girl? Well, I give this comedy series zero stars for being funny and (LOL) stars for sarcasm. And that’s the deal after I watched the series so deal with it!

Shokei Shoujo No Virgin Road

When was the last time an assassin who was supposed to assassinate the target suddenly has a change of heart? That is, the assassin now protects the target with his/her life. Akuma No Riddle. Satsuriku No Tenshi. Now we can add Shokei Shoujo No Virgin Road to that list. Well people, if you think being reincarnated into isekai world and being all powerful is fun and dandy, be warned that in this anime, those said people are hunted down and killed! That sure puts some damper on those who dream to become super powerful heroes in their new reincarnated lives, eh? But what happens when one becomes too powerful to be killed? Why, you protect her instead! I mean, don’t want to get killed by a seemingly immortal, right? Well, so at least by this logic, protect her until she finds a way to kill her for real.

Episode 1
Mitsuki Mutou gets summoned to the isekai world. He knows it very world and thinks his life is getting better from now. Think again. He gets thrown out! Hungry and no money, he is picked up by Menou who is a priestess of a local church. She takes him in and brings him to the nearby town that is so much like Japan! That’s because there have been summoned ones from the past, many from Japan. They integrated their culture here. These are called Lost Ones. Based on what Mitsuki says, Menou explains he is likely being summoned by the king of this nation, Grisarika. It is a crime to do that and as a priestess, she will have to report this. She adds that there are 3 types of class in this world: Commoners (everyday people that makes up 90% of the population), Noblesse (royals and nobles) and Faust (the highest class and made up of the church). Mitsuki also remembers that before he was kicked out, he saw them summoning another Lost One. The only thing he remembers about her are her big boobs! Menou takes Mitsuki to a church to access his power (termed as Pure Concept as each Lost One has one). After saying some password, it seems the power starts to manifest in him. It is not that Mitsuki has no power, in fact he has the power to nullify anything. Mitsuki gets his hopes up that he can get things his way and wants Menou to help him when suddenly Menou kills him off! Oh sh*t! I guess he is not the main character! Menou says a prayer for him and doesn’t blame him as he is a victim. Because as an Executioner, her job is to exterminate al Lost Ones for they have brought a lot of harm to this world. Menou reports back to Archbishop Orwell about this. She remembers Menou well as she is a student of Flare and the only survivor of a calamity that is on par with the Four Major Human Errors. Flashback shows Menou’s hometown was turned white by a desperate Lost One seeking to go home. She was killed off by Flare and ultimately by Orwell when she turned into a monster. After that, Orwell left Flare to train up Menou. Menou receives report from her assistant, Momo that the other Lost One is being sheltered in Grisarika’s castle. They are soon surrounded by imperial knights who are out to silence them. Well, Momo did torture one of them for the info. Seems it was part of their ploy to throw Faust off by summoning 2 Lost Ones and have one as a sacrifice (since only 1 summoning was only often made). This is all part of the plan to overthrow Faust’s rule. But of course, Flare easily kills them all as they realize too late she is a successor of Flare. The other Lost One, Akari Tokitou is being locked up against her will. Well, looks like Menou has come to visit her.

Episode 2
After talking with Akari for a while, Menou can tell she is her target. She cooks up a story about Mitsuki who was summoned earlier but escaped and sought her help to free her. However he was too injured and died. Akari agrees to follow her as she tells of her Pure Concept as something of the likes of healing. When Menou takes the chance to strike her from the back, it seems she heals and resurrects! Akari didn’t even know what hit her! A shocked Menou has Momo distract the outside guards so they can make their escape. Back at her church, Menou reports to Orwell about Akari whose Pure Concept is believed to be time regression. They discuss the more Lost Ones use their Pure Concept, the more unstable their mind becomes and this will lead to disaster. Hence Orwell tells her to bring Akari back to Garm where they have a ceremonial hall to get rid of her. It is not surprising that Menou doesn’t know as Flare never relied on Orwell so she never told her of it. Menou then talks to Akari about taking her to Garm where she can get her back to Japan. Akari being very casual and chirpy about it. Yeah, think of going on an adventure together? Too bad, it’s just a day and a half by train. Later Momo reports that Grisarika has been captured and will be put on trial. But Momo is not happy that Menou is spending some awful lot time with Akari. Long story short, Momo is a fan girl of Menou if you have not realized by now and is jealous. Menou shuts down her suggestions to slowly kill her in various ways because they cannot risk her Pure Concept going berserk. Worse, Momo wants to tag along back to Gram instead of remaining here to watch Grisarika’s trial. She kicks up a fuss and gives excuses of not wanting to leave her with that dangerous woman so Menou has no choice but to accept. But keep your distance from Momo and not make your presence known. At the train station, Menou notices a couple of imperial guards on the lookout but it’s not like they’re looking for the Lost One. Worse, Akari is going to use her power to heal an injured girl. This will attract attention so Menou is forced to use create bubbles as distraction. Menou warns Akari and the latter has the cheek to say Menou was the one creating attention! Whose fault is it?! Also at this station is Princess Ashuna whom the soldiers are looking for. It seems she does not care about her father’s trial and is off to Garm herself. All aboard!

Episode 3
Terrorists take over the train as some confront Ashuna in her carriage. Those keeping the other passengers at bay, one of them notices Menou and tells her to strip (for hidden weapons). She is going to that and attack while he lets his guard down but WTF Akari steps in and strips instead?! Still enough distraction for Menou to take him and the rest down. Akari has to be told she is not in a position to protect her. Can she? Learning from Momo who has taken out some herself, it seems the terrorists want the king to release their leader. Momo is about to head to the engine room to deal with some terrorists there but instead faces off with Ashuna at the top. Looks like the wild princess has taken out those terrorists. Ashuna has a bone to pick with Faust and starts fighting Momo. Maybe she just wants to have fun. With Momo busy dealing with her, Menou heads to the engine room. Ashuna too has taken care of the terrorists but soon all the terrorists get mangled and turned into a red orb since they failed their mission. All their orbs combine into a crimson puppet knight. Menou fights it but it damages the control system. Yeah, train cannot stop. Meanwhile Ashuna and Momo’s fight continues even when they tumble down the train. That won’t be enough to kill them, right? As Menou fights the knight, she felt something strange. She can’t tell but it felt disgusting. With Akari popping up because she got curious about those orbs (curiosity kills the cat, eh?), Menou now has to expend more energy to fight it and eventually uses a self-destruct spell to destroy it. Now that she is too weak to have any magic to stop the speeding train, she is forced to seek Akari’s help. From what I understand, Akari will channel her power through Menou who then summons a giant magic net to stop the train. Like the magic of cliché, just an inch the train stops right before it hits the parked train at the station. Phew. Everybody safe. Maybe except Ashuna and Momo. Still fighting… This is getting tiresome… In the aftermath, Menou thinks of the possibility that could have happened had she failed to stop the train. Of course, everybody dies! However, she thinks that happened once but Akari used her power to turn back time or something.

Episode 4
Menou discusses with Momo about Akari’s Pure Concept that might be able to rewind the entire world at her own will. Flashback to Menou’s memories. She doesn’t remember anything before the disaster. Even when Flare picked her up, she was emotionless and dead inside. But she decided to follow Flare and during their journeys, Menou learnt about Flare’s job as an Executioner. One of the journeys has them on a giant continent. Once it was teeming with life but now reduced to nothing but salt thanks to this sword from a Lost One. This is what a true disaster of a Pure Concept can do. Menou realized this was perhaps all to give her some sort of emotion. That was when Menou wished she wanted to become like Flare. Back at the church, Menou and other girls were taught on how to kill Lost Ones for there is no other way to send them back and leaving them alone will lead to disasters. Flare’s training was particularly tough as she psycho everyone that they are villains who will be loved. So kill until you get killed! One day Menou approached Flare to tell her that she noticed other girls don’t want to kill. Hence she will kill as many Lost Ones on their behalf and be the only villain. Flare laughed at this proposition but seeing how Menou truly wants to become like her, that’s when the true long training road began. Now we’ve arrived in Garm and Akari is like a country bumpkin, amazed by everything. Menou brings her to the church as they meet Orwell who will gladly send Menou home via ritual in 2 days. In the meantime, Orwell has Menou look into the case of missing girls. Even if she fails to solve it, she just wants a different perspective. Back in their room, suddenly Akari is mad at Menou! HUH?! Apparently Menou was supposed to take her go sightseeing but now that she’s occupied with this investigation, you can see why the simpleton’s mad. Oh damn, Menou feeling sorry for her? Hence she throws the case to Momo to help investigate. Yeah, she too knows it’s because of that boobs monster. But the ever loving Momo will do whatever her senpai tells her. Menou also warns that the terrorists’ conspirator might be here in Garm too and that means that person could be a Noblesse. Later Akari apologizes for her selfishness and will go sightseeing herself. Well, since Menou has already altered her schedule to appease Akari, guess who is all so very happy now?

Episode 5
Momo reports she saw a group of people heading into the palace and this means Menou was right on the money that the Noblesse may have something to do with it. For now, Menou continues her sightseeing with Akari. Damn Akari, she’s pouting because Menou didn’t get a hint to buy a farewell souvenir for her?! After that, it’s back to the ceremonial hall for the ritual. Hard to say goodbye, huh? As Momo sneaks into the underground path of the palace to further investigate, to her dismay she stumbles into Ashuna. Looks like she too is doing her own investigation after noticing a few shady knights. They arrive in a strange place that looks like it is to conduct some ritual. Ashuna hints to Momo who might be behind this. As a royalty, Noblesse don’t have the resources or technology to build this. That’s right. Only Faust can do this. But since normal priestesses won’t be able to conjure something like this, guess who the big rat behind this is? Momo catches on quickly and contacts Menou. But something is jamming the communicator. Oh, nothing Ashuna can destroy that whatever spell blocking it. Menou gets Momo’s note and is shocked. However Orwell can tell that Menou has realized the truth and attacks her. Orwell further reveals she let them investigate this case to separate them. She was going to dispose them all in the end. Momo tries to get out but of course if you wonder why this place is so easy to get in, it’s because now the trap is activated. Yeah, have to fight a monster dragon. For once, Ashuna and Momo agree to a truce to fight this thing. As Menou falls through the ground, she arrives in a strange room. She notices all these are the missing women and are being experimented on. How kind of Orwell to explain how she has helped too many people and she got nothing in return. Worse, those whom she failed to help, blamed her or even demand more. She is getting tired of hearing all those voices. To put it shortly, she wants to get Akari’s Pure Concept to reverse time and hence reverse her aging body. She was using these missing women as experiment but it didn’t get anywhere. She is also the one who gave permission to Noblesse to do the summoning for them to overlook this. But how is she going to control Akari’s Pure Concept. That is what the ceremonial hall is for. From what I understand, it strips the person’s personality. Once it blanches the person’s soul clean, all that is left is the Pure Concept to be used. All that is left is for some quality magic and that is where Menou comes in. She’ll be used with Akari. Orwell has waited 10 years for her to grow properly into her catalyst of needs and now the time is right. She knows she’ll won’t go out without a fight and has summoned an angel for her to fight. The other priestesses strap Akari down for the ritual.

Episode 6
Orwell further reveals she has been conducting this experiment for years. This means she was also the one responsible who decimated Menou’s village. Menou can use her atrocities as reason to kill her. Akari is about to get her memories erased when something inside her activates. It’s like her split personality is out as she rids of the other priestesses and get her ass off the seat like a cool cat. She knows Menou is trying to kill her as well as Momo’s existence and also reversed time on the train. Once harm is out of her way, she reverts back to her retard version. When the dragon burns away Momo’s ribbon, she becomes sad and angry that she beats it down!!! Payback time is never enough as she destroys part of the palace. This has Ashuna realize she was a fool to hold back and preserve the place so she so too goes all out in wreaking havoc and destroying the place. Momo ends her devastating combo by throwing the dragon into the church! This breaks the barrier and disrupts Orwell’s flow. Menou is about to brag her competent underling but WTF Menou comes hugging her! Oh, you just made Menou’s blood boil. But no time for that as she has to shield Akari’s eyes so as not to see Momo. I think sad Momo gets the memo as now she continues her beat down on the angel.

Menou wonders why Akari didn’t she get away when it became so dangerous. Simple. The safest place is next to her! This gives Menou an idea as she throws several distractions at Orwell. But the Flare disguise didn’t work as the church’s auto defence system protects Orwell as she is the archbishop. No choice, Menou dives into Akari’s mind to borrow her Pure Concept. Not sure about Menou unable to come to terms with her past but there is Akari, assuring her she will always be her best friend. This allows Menou to deflect Orwell’s attack back at her. Orwell now shrivels up and dies as she answers Menou’s question of not using her own scripture just to find her own path but never found in her life where she was nothing but righteous. In the aftermath, it is reported a dragon and demon suddenly appeared. Ashuna and a priestess helped destroy it and Orwell died in the attack. This means the higher ups of the church will cover up her atrocities forever. Menou cheers up a sad Momo with a new pair of ribbons. Happy Momo is the best. Then Menou talks about Akari’s regression. She believes Akari must have regressed back from a future far beyond this point in time and forgot about herself although her feelings for her remained. Her future self managed to deceive Akari to earn her trust but must have failed to kill her for some reason and allowed her to regress back. That’s why she will continue this journey with Akari to find a way to kill her. Later Akai wakes up from a nightmare she can’t remember. An excuse just to hug Menou? Well, looks like we have a glimpse of the future whereby she got so distraught when she killed Menou. After she disintegrates, Flare is about to kill Akari but she figures if she is going to die anyway, she would want Menou to kill her instead. Hence Akari turned back time in hopes she can be killed properly.

Episode 7
Menou will take Akari on a pilgrimage as she will be taken to a residential area for Lost Ones. This leads them to the port city of Santorini Libelle. Menou was here too with Flare the last time. There is this huge wall of fog across the ocean but it serves as a prison barrier for one of the Four Major Human Errors. Whoever goes in it cannot come out ever again. Menou takes her sightseeing and finally a public bath. Menou gets out of the bath first so that she can talk to Momo who is dying to see her. Momo wonders if Menou is worried about the group known as Fourth here. They after all have a grudge against Flare. Menou assures had their leader had not been captured years ago, they still would’ve been a threat to the world. Momo suggests throwing Akari into Pandemonium and let a monster eat her. Seriously, Menou didn’t even consider this. This has them both wonder if Menou is hesitating to kill Akari. As Menou drives Akari via boat to Pandemonium AKA that fog, they pass by a castle island that belongs to the ruler of Libelle. Apparently the currently ruler fell ill so his teen daughter, Manon is currently running in his stead. Of course in secret, the family is the head of Fourth and has been funding the group. We see Manon and the followers discussing about Menou’s arrival and must do something about it. Manon suggests they wait and see but the rest want a more pre-emptive measure. They think she is too young to remember Flare’s atrocities but Manon knows it too well since her mother was killed by her. After Manon leaves, the adults think she is not reliable. After the drugs take effect, Menou sets Akari on a boat into Pandemonium. When Akari wakes up, she is back to her original self and notes everything is going as planned. She has been through this many times, including being eaten. But looks like something different happens. Her Pure Concept activates and Akari teleports back out next to Menou’s side. Back to her retard self. I guess Menou doesn’t have to feel sad about Akari leaving now, huh? So she cooks up a story how Akari dozed off during their sightseeing and all. Akari claims she can sleep so soundly is because she knows being to her is the safest. Menou hates to admit that but also worries that the more she uses her Pure Concept, the closer she’ll be to go berserk.

Episode 8
Back in town, Menou is assaulted by a couple of guys from Fourth. Even if they take Akari hostage, Menou saw this coming and has her own tricks to defeat them. However after the guards take them away, they start changing into monsters and die. Of course this is done secretly by Manon. Later Menou talks to the local nun, Sicilia who finds her expenses form to be weird because it leaves out the expense to the Sanctuary, indicating she has no intention to kill Akari. Menou promises to find another way to kill her but Sicilia remains suspicious. However she can pay her worth of work. This means she has to go investigate this strange drug that is being distributed about, Monstrine. You bet she is going to let Momo investigate this. Meanwhile Fourth is not pleased with Manon as she was the one who told them to distribute Monstrine. Initially such drug could be used as a weapon to turn subjects into monsters against Faust but with some of their members dead, they are not happy. When one gets too cocky, Manon demonstrates and turns her into a monster and then dies. Any other complaints? Because they too ate their food laced with Monstrine, they better watch what they say. Of course Manon is doing this as part of her revenge on Menou. Got to give her a proper welcome, no? Momo is beating up some alley delinquents for more info. They say they don’t know about it since their boss told them not to touch it. Why, their boss is Ashuna! Momo knows better than to please her by prolonging her fight after her failed surprise attack. So they just talk things out. Momo reveals about the origins of monsters. They never existed 1000 years ago until one of the Human Errors, a girl with Pure Concept to materialize monsters went out of control. That is why it is sealed in Pandemonium, the source of monsters that now ravage their world. Since Ashuna is also investigating Monstrine and Momo doesn’t want to be in debt with her info, Ashuna suggests a challenge. Tomorrow night, Manon will hold a ball and she plans to infiltrate it. Whoever gets the most info wins. Is Momo going to say no? So Momo tells all this to Menou who will also be attending the ball thanks to Sicilia’s arrangement. Of course she is going in to spy and Momo insists of getting a beautiful dress for her. Speaking of one who won’t listen, looks like Akari is throwing a tantrum as she wants to come too… You bet Momo is not happy to see boobs woman with her beloved at the ball. Yeah, Akari dressed as a priestess to take the attention of Menou.

Episode 9
While Momo infiltrates the Monstrine factory, Menou can’t worry about Akari too much as she needs to take care of business on her own end. Unfortunately she stumbles into Ashuna who is very interested to fight her as she knows she is not a normal guess. Menou tries to hide her identity and mask her face but Ashuna is hell bent on fighting her to test her strength. Eventually they do that and Menou has a few tricks up her sleeve. Eventually she lets loose a huge flame blast to escape. However this attracts the attention of everyone at the ball and this somewhat activates the return of original Akari. At the same time, Manon comes to talk to her and knows that she is from another world and wants to know about her origins. Akari lies that she doesn’t remember. Conversation ends although Manon notes she is envious as she has the power to change the world as she sees fit. Akari is a bit panicking because this has never happened before. The most at Libelle is her being sent to Pandemonium. Momo’s investigations lead her to an underground lab where Monstrine is produced. A twisted and cruel way if I should say. A young girl being trapped in an Iron Maiden and her dripping blood is what is produces Monstrine. As Momo tries to save this girl, an explosion occurs. Too bad for the girl, Momo is hit with poison spikes. Before she loses consciousness, she tries to contact Menou. Menou on the other hand learns Akari is missing and from the other guests, it seems they saw her went with Manon. Menou then gets Momo’s message and rescues her. Don’t worry, she’s recuperating in hospital. She won’t die so easily. Menou then talks to Sicilia and from Momo’s recording, Fourth is definitely behind Monstrine’s production. She seeks her help to request the knights to arrest them while she goes in to find Akari. Sicilia is surprised because unlike Flare, she relies on others. Nevertheless, she will assist her. As the guards surround the castle island and ordering them to surrender, Fourth’s members are in a dilemma. What should they do? Manon thinks of silencing them but sees them all in a frozen state. She can quickly tell it is Akari’s doing. What else do we not know about this girl? Anyway, she wants to ask Manon a few things.

Episode 10
When Akari snuck into Manon’s room last night, she couldn’t find any answers. It seems Manon knows about Akari and the many times she has turned back time and redone the things. She knows all this from Pandemonium. Manon reveals that her mom is a Lost One but unlike others, she was not summoned but lost her way here. Her father who is the founder of Fourth, found her and thought he could use her knowledge against Faust. But as time passed, her mom never used a single Pure Concept because father truly fell in love with her. One day when mom was about to talk about the other sister Manon had, Flare showed up and killed her. However it is not Flare whom Manon seeks revenge with. If she wanted revenge, it would be Fourth. Her dad convinced his members that Manon will inherit mom’s Pure Concept but since she was totally ordinary, the members began to call her useless. Long story short, she wants to prove her worth and is in her rebelling phase. She uses her Pure Concept that is some dark shadowy power. Akari would’ve died had not Menou saved her. Fearing that she has seen this side of hers, Menou will save the talk for later and wants her to seek refuge at Sicilia while she goes to apprehend Manon. As both fight, Manon is thrilled that Menou considers her a taboo and must be killed. Flashback shows Flare did not kill Manon because she does not have a Pure Concept. It is only unique to the person soul and does not pass down like genetics. After Menou blows off an arm, Manon believes the next part will be more fun and troublesome for her. After Manon dies, that Monstrine girl sacrifice breaks out from her body like Alien! When Menou kills her, the same process happens. Basically she cannot be killed and it is most likely she is on the level of a Human Error. The girl laughs at Menou’s mission to kill all those with Pure Concept. Then she talks about the ivory hero whom nobody knows. The hero who sacrificed himself to protect this world. She then starts her next horror move as she twists her head until it breaks off, summoning various monsters who eat her body in which she resurrects again. Pandemonium is back. Wow. Such a bloody scene. Have we lost our appetite? As other Fourth members have surrendered and one of them being interrogated by Ashuna (he claims they were all victims of Manon and were doing as they’re told), soon Monstrine takes effect and they all melt away.

Episode 11
Pandemonium is her actual name and not to be mixed up with the fog one that was named later. She is one of the Human Errors. It seems she can also clone herself and summon lesser monsters for Menou to do some warm up. Menou believes Monstrine is made out from her blood and by making people ingest part of her, she infests their bodies to be used as sacrifices for resurrection. Though, Pandemonium claims she is half wrong and just wanted to do a horror movie. Since she loves them and this world has none, she thought of making a B-grade horror movie. So Menou just have to keep running, huh? She summons more monsters for her to play and each time Menou destroys them with her magic, it starts to tire her. When she gets thrown outside, here comes Ashuna. Their first official meeting. Menou tells what is happening and after learning that hundreds of people in town has melted, she believes this is the number of lives Pandemonium has and what it takes to defeat her. So both combine their powers as they seal Pandemonium in some endless heavenly vein. But of course that is short-lived as it soon explodes and Pandemonium is back. This time with that huge Kraken monster from the fog. Similarly, a Pandemonium clone appears before Akari to prevent her from intervening. Akari thinks defeating her would seal the monster but of course Pandemonium laughs at that. Can somebody so weak defeat her? Akari is shocked that she remembers from Japan since she wants to know more about it. Because those who used too much of their Pure Concept will have their memories erased. Too bad for Pandemonium, Akari doesn’t care about Japan as she doesn’t have pleasant memories of that world and doesn’t want to go back. She rather die at the hands of Menou here. Pandemonium then thanks her because of Akari’s constant time warping, it managed to create a small gap enough for her to escape. Though, just a small part of her. A small pinky part. Similarly, Menou knows they don’t have to do anything about the monster because it is still trap in the fog. It is just temporarily out. She also figures out this Pandemonium isn’t the real one. Hence all that has happened so far is thanks to Akari. Pandemonium continues to stun Akari with revelation about the Astral Archives. Some origin of the lord’s word in the priestesses’ scriptures. Noticed why Akari has never succeeded? Because someone has always been interfering with her. Could it be Flare? She also hints there is a way back to Japan. Menou can’t think of killing Akari now as she has to deal with this Pandemonium who is going to end this horror climax by turning herself into a centipede monster!!!

Episode 12
When Pandemonium whispered to Akari about a way back to Japan, she adds that the Four Major Human Errors tried to destroy the world because they wanted to go back. Menou and Ashuna fight off the centipede minions that can join itself back again. They have to do this many times until Pandemonium runs out of life. Or will they run out of magic first? With some heading into town and attacking the people, Ashuna goes to deal with it, leaving Menou alone to deal with the big boss. Lucky for her, Ashuna leaves her sword for Menou to have a fighting chance, though it drains more magic than usual. When Menou is about to get done, time reverses itself for a short period. Then Akari comes to Menou’s side and wants her to use her magic to defeat this monster. The sword turns into a giant flaming one and cuts through Pandemonium. Knowing the battle has won, Akari then seals her own self and returns to her retard version. In the aftermath as Menou talks to a disintegrating Pandemonium, the latter claiming she is doing it not for revenge but just for the thrill of it. She hints that a certain salt sword wielded by the ivory one has the power to destroy any Pure Concept. Even Akari. Manon wakes up alive with Pandemonium by her side. It seems she dug up all the bodies and put it all back together again and reanimated Manon. Why? It is hinted Pandemonium is that sister of hers. Yes it is. Together, they will go make another horror movie and bring destruction to the world. Oh God. A horror sequel?! Say it isn’t so. Momo has recovered as she talks to Menou who updates her about the salt sword. As there is one on the salt continent, she is going back there to get it and kill Akari. Then talking to Sicilia who thanks her for doing all she can to save this town. The damage could’ve been much worse. Then returning to Akari who is worried sick she has abandoned her. Menou asks if she remembers anything in which Akari says she doesn’t. Menou knows Akari doesn’t lie or hide things but feels that Akari then was conscious. Akari apologizes she won’t do anything to burden her so as not to be hated. But when she bugs Menou about what she means to her, isn’t that how you get one to hate you? Source of stress on her journey? That’s right. You mad? Momo is having reservations about Menou because if she keeps acting for Akari, those feelings will eat her away and for her sake, she will kill Akari herself. Menou and Akari begin their journey to the Sanctuary. Flare notes that some vessel also escaped from all this time reversing. Now it’s her turn to go out and kill her apprentice for the zillionth time.

My Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Execution!
If all that chaos and destruction was just a tinsy weeny bit drop, then imagine what the real and actual one would be. Yeah, I can’t comprehend that with my puny mind. The possibility that Menou might have to meet and fight all the Four Major Human Errors in some way, that’s another story to tell. Which means another season? What do you mean they haven’t announced one yet?! I thought it is a trend these days to hype up fans for the next part when the first season ends?! Or are they going to wait like 10 years down the road until everybody forgets to make that announcement? Yeah, it’s a long time. Just like Menou and Akari’s journey and quest. Considering time has been reversing for the umpteenth time. The longest journey ever. Talk about replaying value, huh?

The story’s setting certainly gives a different take than your usual isekai. Instead of having people from our world being reincarnated or transported to another fantasy world in which they slowly build themselves and become kings and ultimate masters, this one goes the reverse. So there is that shocking but refreshing value to see that people who get sent over to the fantasy world are treated as scourge by the locals and promptly killed off. It’s a good change in pace since we’re getting tired of such basic isekai tropes and ingredients even though there will be more of this sort to come in the future.

Of course the basic story of this series is straightforward as it mostly sees how Menou is going to deal with Akari and her very strange and seemingly indestructible Pure Concept. Like they say, it is the journey and not the destination that counts. So it is quite interesting to see the route that Menou takes in hoping to achieve this goal of hers but at the same time seemingly fooling herself to think that it would work. We know it’s not, right? The journey might seem long and draggy and that there has not been much story arcs (first half being the conspiracy at Garm and the late half being the conspiracy at Libelle) but I guess it is better than skimping through the materials, right?

One of the strangest vibes that I had when I first started watching this series was that I felt it was somewhat similar to Munou Na Nana. You see when they introduced this Mitsuki character in the first episode, I was confused because I don’t remember seeing him anywhere on the promotional poster whatsoever. Who this guy then? They made him sound like he was going to be the main character of the series but my guts were ringing like hell that something was wrong. It was not going to be of this sort. And then at that moment when I started to think that all this could be trolling just like Munou Na Nana, it was at that exact same moment, a few short seconds before Menou killed him off! It was like a, “Oh sh*t!” moment for me. And the other factor is how Momo has this very uncanny resemblance to the titular character in Munou Na Nana. Holy sh*t. Are they lost sisters or something?

As you would have guessed, the series may be about Menou trying to find a way to kill Akari but the more interesting aspect as we can see is how they develop some sort of relationship along the way. Our guts will tell us from the start that Menou will hesitate to kill Akari because of all the time they spent together. When you spent a considerable amount of time with someone on a journey, you develop that kind of bond. I’m not saying it is something like Stockholm Syndrome but Menou is still human after all despite being trained as a killer and has been telling herself that she’ll be a baddie and killer, blah, blah, blah. Menou isn’t a bad person to begin with (self-proclaimed villain just to do her job properly) and the same can be said for Akari. At this rate you start to wonder that in order to save the world, will you sacrifice this seemingly innocent and nice girl so that this wretched world can continue to exist? Yup. I bet I’ll have those same conflicts if I am ever put in the same shoes as Menou. After all, Menou going to great lengths to trick Akari about the journey (by being friends and all), eventually it is Menou herself who has fallen victim to her own trick. But not in a bad way it seems. Otherwise she would not have discovered some juicy secrets and truth had Akari been killed off easily, right?

As for Akari, well, I need to get this off my chest first because I am sure that many will agree with me that Akari is annoying as f*ck! Yes, I don’t really like her retarded version and somehow it gets on my nerves. Even worse than Momo trying to suck up to Menou. A few times this retarded version almost cost Menou to fail but I guess lady luck is smiling on them. Even more aggravating is when she throws tantrums and wants Menou’s full undivided attention. Who made her queen of the day? This called friendship, huh? Of course as we found out, this retard version is only a façade to hide the real personality of hers and it’s like double trick for Menou. Uh huh. Menou thinks Akari is unaware of her true goals and pretends to be friends. But she is unaware that Akari is also putting up the greatest pretending as a ditzy klutz. It’s like she never knew it all. Although Akari in her true character is more bearable, somehow at this point it just feels odd. Uh huh. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. For the longest time we have gotten so used to this retard whether we like it or not and then suddenly the serious and reasonable version is out. Uhm, can we get back our old Akari? I promise I won’t b*tch about her anymore.

Then there is Momo who is basically having the Menou complex and will do anything for her. But the strangest part is how she struck a somewhat odd bond with Ashuna. From the first time they clashed on the train towards Garm, it’s like they duo has become some sort of inseparable pair as fate would have them end up together in the weirdest of circumstances. Both are like oil and water and don’t mix but at the same time seemingly perfect fit for each other despite their different styles. Momo is more of the stealthy kind and resort to sneaky tricks while Ashuna as the muscle brain would try to solve everything by barging in head first with her brute strength.

I keep wondering what happened to Flare. It is not really explicitly stated if she is dead or missing but from the final scenes, I am speculating that she might be in some higher form because it’s like she feels like pulling the strings from the shadows. It is uncertain what her true goal is but I can’t see it’s a pleasant one either. After all, there is a lot of unknown factors to Flare from her personality to her intentions. Hence she might be the big boss and antagonist of the series in which Menou and Akari will have to face in the end. Imagine reversing time again and again, that is got to be a fate worse than death. Or any horror movie!

There is a lot of blood and gore in this anime so it is definitely not for the faint hearted although not every 5 minutes there would be some sort of battle and action scene. But when the fight really comes down to it, there will be blood spilled and sometimes dismemberment of limbs. Even more so with the arrival of Pandemonium because this girl really feels like a horror movie trope come to live. I don’t know, I find her disgusting and twisted regeneration moves to be horror-like and if I’m not careful, could be nightmare fuel for me. Definitely a B-grade horror movie because this series isn’t a horror genre to begin with. Geddit?!

Art and animation are pretty okay but if there is one thing I would like to nit-pick, it is probably how Menou’s priestess uniform looks so plain and bland. I’m not expecting the uniform to be intricately designed with all the details and patterns. But it looks so flat and boring that I thought whoever came up with this design didn’t really give a f*ck how a priestess should dress. Perhaps in this world, it is not supposed to attract attention and of course fighting in such attire would be easier compared to all those complexly designed costumes. But still, can’t shake off that feeling that it looks so plain that it’s weird. I’ll never guess she’s a priestess if she didn’t say it herself. Hey, still way better than being scantily clad, right?! Oh right… Ashuna’s dress… Sure that’s not her bathing dress or something? It feels like her back is so… Exposed! On a side note, is it me or does Akari look a bit chubby? FYI, I’m not into thicc girls… The other visuals are okay especially the special effects when Menou and the rest invoke their incantations. Backgrounds and sceneries are also quite good. Not surprisingly veteran J.C. Staff animated this so there’s some quality thee. Though, some CGI parts could use a little work. Thankfully they’re just minimal.

Voice acting is pretty okay but the one taking the cake is Anzu Haruno as Pandemonium (Mafuyu in Blend S) as she makes her character sound both cute and scary at the same time. The only ones I recognized here are Yuko Kaida as Flare and surprisingly Satomi Satou as Manon’s mom. I thought Youko Hikasa was behind Asuna’s voice but looks like it was Mao Ichimichi instead (Bada in ClassicaLoid). The other casts are Iori Saeki as Menou (Vanilla in Nekopara), Moe Kahara as Akari (Tomoe in Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha No Oukoku Saikenki), Hisako Kanemoto as Momo (titular character in Shinryaku! Ika Musume), Manaka Iwami as Manon (Tohru of the Fruits Basket remake), Akeno Watanabe as Sicilia (Rito in To Love-Ru), Tamie Kubota as Orwell (Sui in Hanasaku Iroha).

The opening theme, Paper Bouquet by Mili is pretty interesting. Actually I prefer all the instruments in the background like the finger drilling piano play and the solo violin, giving it a dramatic and exciting vibe. Can’t say the same for the singer’s voice. Sounds flat and it’s like she is mumbling her words. Like as though she has something in her mouth that prevents her voice from getting out fully. The ending theme, Touka Serenade by Choucho sounds like a slow dramatic ballad that is heavy on the strings. There are some nice memorable BGMs too and mostly I like the ones that are with the Spanish and flamenco acoustic guitar vibes.

Overall, I find this series to be interesting and enjoyable. An irony because animes of the season which I think I should find interesting turned out to be not and vice versa. It’s probably that psychological moment whereby I do not place any high expectations (AKA looking down with stereotypical biasness) and when it slightly surpassed that threshold of mine, it blew away my mind albeit by a bit. The story might not be a masterpiece and the character dynamism between the duo may look like it is draggy but it’s amusing to watch and see how things turn out. I hope in the future that we can have more of this reverse isekai setting where the main character isn’t given the overpowered and preferential treatment, having to actually work and slog his/her way up (I guess Tate No Yuusha No Nariagari pales in comparison now that I have seen this). Then we’ll all think twice to become heroes in an isekai world even as a form of escapism. Reality and life doesn’t suck so bad now, does it? Ah, how we have all been executed the death penalty to live this way of life… Real life horror movie so to speak…

Rikei Ga Koi Ni Ochita No De Shoumei Shitemita S2

Wait a minute… WAIT A MINUTE!!! HOLD ON YOUR HORSES NOW!!! You mean the last time those results weren’t satisfying at all and hence we have to do more research and study on it?! I suppose that is what science is supposed to be about. You question and research the mother until you get very solid and conclusive evidence on the topic. And that is why we have Rikei Ga Koi Ni Ochita No De Shoumei Shitemita S2. That’s right. Because science isn’t going to be satisfied and just sit down with many of us deciding to go with it with our guts on the subject of love. Nobody is going to be a pro at love until the sciences proves it! This time they’re going to do more tests and experiments, apply more theories, models and concepts, make thorough and confusing analysis and scrutinize every possible study until they get something satisfying out of it. Sighs. That’s science for you. But why do I have a feeling that at the end of the day, many of us will still ditch this science and go with our guts?

Episode 1
Students are asking why those in Ikeda’s lab wear a lab coat. Because it’s a tradition and of course you’d look cooler and smarter like a scientist! Is that scientifically proven?! But some notice why Ikeda himself does not wear one. Actually he does but a certain ‘beast’ prohibited him from doing so. Of course that ‘beast’ is Ibarada and her answer is simple. Each time Ikeda goes into Hulk mode, he rips the lab coat and it’ll be a pain to just waste money and materials again. Since Yukimura and Himuro are still having trouble with their love experiment, especially that kissing incident at the beach last season, this time with Kanade they head to the natural biology lab to meet Chris Floret and Suiu Fujiwara for help. The duo also heard about their love experiment and are interested in help. Especially the seductive Fujiwara who is quite interested in gathering samples of saliva because lots of data can be extracted from it. Both Chris and Fujiwara are dating so Chris throws caution about their experiment. He questions once they have found the definition of love, will they forever walk away from it? Because from Chris’ point of view, no matter what theory or anyone says, he will always forever love Fujiwara. They show Yukimura and Himuro their saliva samples. Just by cuddling, their oxytocin levels are way higher than what the duo did to achieve even after that kissing. You bet the duo won’t give up on this challenge to prove their love is stronger! After taking several samples of saliva, they use the centrifuge to hasten the results. First experiment is to say something to increase the other person’s happiness values. Chris-Fujiwara pair easily nails it while Yukimura’s scientific line only pisses off Himuro. What’s this about her expanding like the universe? Next experiment is to do whatever they want in a dark room together alone. We’ll leave it to your imagination on what Chris-Fujiwara pair does. It might violate regulations if shown! Come Yukimura-Himuro pair, they think of recreating that kissing scene. In the end, Chris-Fujiwara pair beats flat our Yukimura-Himuro pair in oxytocin levels in all experiments. The secret to that? Lap pillow?!

Episode 2
WTF?! Chris turning Super Saiyan and shooting beams?! HOW IS THIS SCIENTIFIC???!!! I think Himuro even lost it as she now gets closer to Kanade. Her oxytocin levels shoot up! Fujiwara joining in for a threesome! We approve! To further the experiment, Fujiwara gets very close with Yukimura. Of course this has jealous Chris butting in. In turn, this makes Himuro in a very foul mood. Even more so when Yukimura claims sexual discrimination since she was happier with Kanade than with him. With defeated Yukimura can’t find any answers to back things up, Chris notes how disappointed he is in him because he can’t express his feelings clearly and blames it on this love as an unknown factor. As a man, he is a failure. However Himuro steps in to defend Yukimura about this love research thingy because he is running his mouth without knowing the true person Yukimura is. Subsequently, Yukimura burns the midnight oil to find his answers. Don’t interpret the experiment results in a simplistic manner. Next day, he presents his findings and that their low oxytocin results are true based on the Helen Fisher’s findings. Basically in the 3 years of romance, your brain will be aggressively producing dopamine and adrenaline for your love subject. After that, one becomes immune to it and moves into the attachment phase. Basically that fiery passion dies down and stabilizes. Since Chris and Fujiwara have been dating for 4 years, it is evident that the passion they had when they first met isn’t there anymore. At this point, their oxytocin levels are also high because of the trust developed in each other, which corresponds to why Himuro’s was high with Kanade’s as there were no nervousness between the females. In short, Yukimura admits that they might have lost out to them on this experiment but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t in love with each other. His love for Himuro will be proven through research so please don’t determine things based on suppositions! Uhm, is that confession with extra steps?! Yukimura and Himuro return back to their normal ways discussing the other factors. This has Chris realize this is their shape of love. Yukimura and Himuro leave the place after getting lots of insights. But of course, there is still need for further research.

Episode 3
Ikeda talks to Ibarada about proceeding to take a doctoral course to continue her research here. She needs time to think about it but the deadline is approaching. Speaking of which, she reminds him about the university’s promotional poster that he is supposed to be doing. Okay then. He’ll be on his way to think about it! That should buy her some time. Ibarada returns home. Looks like her house is some darkness pit herself and what it looks like her mom or sis just lazing around, wasting her life away. Next day, Ikeda has created a sample of the brochure. WTF buffed students and muscle training?! Nothing to do with the university! Ibarada asks why he is so fixated on muscle training. It gives him a peace of mind. Of course he needs to redo it and convey it in a different manner. Because Himuro is out with a cold, Kanade thinks of visiting but Yukimura brushes it off that she’ll be fine in a few days. But when Ibarada says she cannot be contacted, that dude bolts out of the room! Himuro is lying in bed, remembering how mom took care of her during such times. She tries to be an adult and take care of herself but she finds it hard. Where’s mommy when you need her? Well, it’s not mom at the door but Yukimura! She slams the door since she isn’t ready. Go away! Okay. He’ll be back when she is. Don’t leave me alone! WTF?! Make up your mind! Even more so she wants him to look at her but don’t. The way he pats her head reminds her of mom. When Kanade visits, she shoves him underneath the blanket. WTF? Why?! Hence he has to distract himself by thinking about the universe! He is one with the universe! Next day, Himuro is well but now Yukimura has caught her cold. This is what the universe did to him, huh?

Ibarada has done some exercise experiment. It seems doing so increases her memory capability by 6%. Ikeda is impressed with this experiment and will use it as motivation to do his brochure. Meanwhile Kosuke is frustrated because he has been doing this RNG gacha to get this special event dress for Lasally (is he cheating on Aika?!) and is not getting it. 1% chance. What are the odds? Hence Ibarada explains the misconception about odds and how the drop rates are actually lower. She proceeds to explain the concept of Fermi Estimate that breaks down stats to allow for more precise estimated value. Doing a calculation on Kosuke finding his ideal love, it’s only 0.007 which basically means zero! Damn, I hope Ibarada isn’t part of that chance! But that is when Kosuke realizes Ibarada fits all his ideal type of woman. He refuses to accept this and returns doing other stuffs. Ibarada notes this place isn’t dark and the sun can reach her. Hence she accepts to take the doctoral course, much to Ikeda’s delight. But first, some much needed nap as always.

Episode 4
Girls’ night out! Kanade trying to have Himuro and Ibarada relax but they’re being too sceptical. Eventually she gets more than she bargained for as they turn on the love tables on her. Not sure how that went but looks like it ended well as the girls part ways. Ibarada and Himuro then go to see Kosuke at a concert. Yeah, this dude is feverishly worshipping Ren Hinamori, the seiyuu for Aika. She has gone from a literal unknown to a freaking popular idol. He gets caught in his worshipping craze by the ladies. But they’re not here to tease him as they’re collecting data for a research on the penlight. From what I understand, using the LED and sensors of the penlight will help the idol and fans communicate as the lights around the stage will light up via some appropriate response. Ibarada pitched that idea long ago although currently this technology is being made and tested out by her professor. Kosuke agrees to help test it out. Meanwhile Haru Kagurano gets chewed out by her dad for having bad grades. Despite being compared to her brighter sister, he still wants her to go to university and will increase that chance if he has to. Hence he has hired a personal tutor for her who is no other than Yukimura. Get ready to get wrecked by this guy. Of course Haru fools around and claims learning physics won’t do her any good in life. Yukimura will prove otherwise. He uses her favourite tapioca bobba drink which is full of physics. Every damn part has physics from friction and whatever laws! This gives her the motivation to get it going and for an idiot like her to actually solve it, it’s quite the achievement. Ibarada collapses during the data collection. Although she is just tired and nothing serious. Himuro and Kosuke tend to her as Kosuke notes about the time she helped Ikeda on his brochure. She said of having others do it but eventually did it herself indirectly. She’s probably working hard for something important others can’t see. Haru for the first time had fun studying and thinks if university is filled with weirdoes like him, she might like going to one. Well then, don’t give up. Do I smell she is falling for him because this could be interesting data for their love research!!! Remember those annoying guys who try to hit on our science ladies but gets science thrown back at them? Yeah, they’re back. One of them baulks when he realizes it is Kanade. But for Shikijou, he recognizes her and asks her out.

Episode 5
A romantic comedy of Yukimura and Himuro, huh? Looks like Yamamoto has done it. This is of course to compile data on their love research. Apparently Yamamoto made a deal with her editor, Ogu to finish her own manuscript in exchange for the data. Since she hasn’t finished it, that’s why she ran away here. She thinks he doesn’t know this place but don’t look now, he is here! OMG! I didn’t know Arnold has a rugby player brother!!! Yamamoto so scared she tries to jump out of the window! It’s the 5th floor! Eventually he drags her away. But first, we look at Kanade’s problem. The last time Shikijou confessed to her, he gave her time to think about it. Hence she is doing so but back home, grandpa is sad his granddaughter won’t take over his dojo and his parents hoping she would get married and have kids. With such pressure and not knowing what to do, she speaks to Yukimura for advice. Of course, speaking hypothetically in third person. And you know what? He turns it into some equation!!! You should have known better!!! She gives excuses she doesn’t know the numbers since it is her ‘friend’ who is in love. But later when she adds them up in her equation, looks like she arrives at an answer to go confess to him. She texts him to start off as friends first. With the data here, the gang takes a look at it. Various authors give various points of view on what constitutes love. Himuro hoping to have high correlation in which it would mean she is in love with Yukimura. On the other hand, this worries Kosuke too because if this really correlates highly, he is in love with Ibarada. He cannot accept that! So we see all the cliché forms of manga love. While it is 50-50 for Himuro, Kosuke is panicking as he believes all this applies to him. In the end, he baulks and runs away. Himuro is still needs more conclusive evidence as some of the other data are pretty grim. You know, like eating your lover so he is part of you! Oh sh*t, you mean Himuro harbours such thoughts?! With so much data at hand, Yukimura wants to thoroughly go through them all. So as our duo continue to trudge through the sea of data, Himuro noting its many various points that match their own and many others that vary from person to person. But there is one thing she discovered: She is in love with him! OMG! Really?! I WANT TO SEE SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF THAT!!! Just kidding. But really?! Did she arrive that from a scientific point of view?

Episode 6
Of course Yukimura would love to see some evidence. Himuro takes him out on a date. It’s all part to collect data for their experiment. So they talk about their research and how from it all, they decided arbitrarily on certain criterion. This has Himuro realize that once she says the word, this research will end. She wonders if something will change. All she wants is to be by his side and continue researching with him. Her pride as a scientist will not allow that. But she tells him that she has always had fun researching with him. Therefore she is in love with him. Now that she has determined so, it is Yukimura’s turn. What is his conclusion? In order to do that, he quantifies his emotions into equations. Giving positive or negative numbers as he lists down all of Himuro’s good and bad qualities. After a long list, and the score is at +8942 (IT’S NOT OVER 9000?!), he concludes no matter how it goes, it cannot reach below zero and hence he loves her. What next? Himuro wants to lean on him to produce positive effects on the body as part of the experiment. She hugs and showers him with kisses but he can’t take all that and cuts it short after a minute. What shy boy’s excuse now about effectiveness of this conduct? Kanade and Kosuke are singing praises once they hear the duo’s results. HOWEVER! You mean it’s not done yet?! Because now they will begin researching on the quantification of love?! WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?! While Kanade is frustrated at the roundabout way they have been going all this while and that they were so close to being in love on so many times, Kosuke seems to like this conclusion. Because it’s an excuse that as long as he doesn’t admit he is in love, he cannot be in love with Ibarada! Time for a celebration! Kanade is appalled to hear them talk about they need to know what kind of love this is as well as forming some sort of standard with high degrees of generality if they are to become a couple. WTF sh*t is that?! I can understand why Kanade is so frustrated that they’re not simply dating as a couple still. But Kanade gets it. This allows them to continue researching together despite knowing they love each other. For Himuro, that is her greatest happiness. Sorry folks, this season has not ended yet…

Episode 7
I suppose it is Kanade’s turn to find love, huh? But you bet Yukimura wants to continue this experiment and using Kanade as a standard base unit of measurement. WTF this Kanade Love?! I don’t understand! Kanade can’t refuse somewhat seeing Himuro’s happy face to go researching with Yukimura again. As Kanade meets up with Shikijou, she notices the usual gang are here too as couples! Whatever this chain style antipodal experiment, from what I understand, the more samples from this date, the better the data. So yeah, this means the other couples here are also asked to help out on this date including Yoshitaka Taniguchi and Madoka Kamiya. For this couple, the latter is always made at the former for whatever reasons. Taniguchi will always feel bad for himself for making her so and despite all that she continues to stick with him. As for Madoka, being the tsundere she is, she knows it is wrong to yell at him but somehow always ended up so instead of apologizing and being honest. Anyway, we return to Kanade and Shikijou’s date. Seems pretty normal. If not for the rest being dumb in their own world of scientific analysing reactions. Along the way, Kanade bumps into the ex-teacher whom she once had a crush on, Keisuke Takahashi. This invokes some fear and trauma in Kanade but Takahashi excuses himself so as not to interrupt them. More romantic rooftop dating shenanigans. Like Yukimura x Himuro (boobs?!) and Chris x Suiu (swearing on his genomes to forever love her?) and of course Kamiya getting mad again but this time manages to come true with her feelings. But the final kicker is when Shikijou notes Kanade has been worried about the people around them. Like as though she isn’t normal. Ah, there’s that traumatic taboo word. Kanade maintains her composure as they call it for the night and hope they can be in contact with each other.

Episode 8
Yukimura and Himuro get into an argument as the latter isn’t sensitive enough as what they saw last time happened to Kanade. But they still have enough time for their own love hugging experiment. But first, we see Yamamoto bugging Ibarada as she needs to complain to someone about her circle of friends who somewhat reminded her of still being single at her age! GRRR!!! Not that she cares anyway. And then there is something eating Kosuke too. Long story short, after participating in that Kanade Love experiment, he realizes how creepy it was that he was the only one dating a doll! Now you only realize?! This has Ibarada talk about the Kinsey scale whereby many aren’t actually exclusively heterosexual or homosexual. Because of this, this gives hope to Yamamoto about the potential BL as well as Kosuke that there is hope for those who love 2D. Charmed. Later, Ibarada issues a warning to Yamamoto to not do something strange to Kosuke. Yamamoto playfully thinks it is jealousy but Ibarada looks serious. Don’t you dare. We return to Kanade as she gets shocked when Himuro suddenly professes she loves her! Don’t understand this Rubin’s love scale but it ends up with them hugging each other in tears. Before you can say this is going the yuri way, Yukimura barges in and wants Kanade to tell everything! This guy just ruined it, huh? Anyway, Kanade starts telling her true story. Grandpa taught her martial arts to protect herself from lechers. Then there’s the fact she was in love with her maths teacher, Takahashi. Although he didn’t outright reject her, they maintained their teacher-student relationship and Kanade was happy with that. They continued being together until she is in university. Then one day he tripped and almost fell on her. Her instinct was to do a shoulder throw! It knocked him out pretty bad. Others who saw this thought she wasn’t a normal girl due to her abnormal strength and that’s where her trauma started. So she tried to do normal things but thinks it didn’t work out with Shikijou either. Yukimura then talks about the definition of normal that differs for everyone. Basically, it’s a dumb way to live if she strictly goes by it. If she is mad and has something to counter say, then do it. Kanade gives her thoughts about it and doesn’t think it is bad. Well, if that is how she wants to live her life, so be it.

Episode 9
For a while there, Kanade lost her composure but soon returns to normal with that usual smile of hers. We see her flashback that she tends to like boyish stuffs and her actions are more tomboyish than feminine. She was always told to get a clue and coupled in with the bullying from other boys, she finally conform to the standard of being normal. Otherwise it would be hard to exist. So after she accidentally injured, Takahashi, rumours were swirling around about her despite she had a few friends who stood up for her. Kanade continue to act normal and things soon dissipated. So she thought as long as she is not normal, things will go out of control. On another date with Shikijou, she hears him explain why she is his ideal kind of girl. While she is flattered, she thinks he has been deceived since this is not the true her. When Kanade shows her feat of strength, Shikijou is impressed. He wants to marry her! This has Kanade thought she should’ve been like this and that’s why she joined the lab. Sometimes she felt jealous of Yukimura and Himuro since they’re true to their feelings. But for now, she’ll be normal like always. With Ikeda announcing the upcoming Mutsumi Festival at the campus, just like every year they will hold a presentation to introduce their research to visitors. Yukimura announces a new large scale research project and that is to determined love via the 5 senses. This has them talk about the great effects of the colour red as many are inclined to choose a female with that colour. Too bad it doesn’t work on males, though. Yukimura also shows various sexy and hot cosplay outfits Himuro wore! Holy sh*t! Shouldn’t this be off the scales? While Himuro is happy he ranks them highly, she is also very embarrassed that he didn’t tell her he will be showing them. All for research, eh? They think of spicing up the festival with cosplay outfits. Ibarada also suggests Himuro can get back at Yukimura as she can have him cosplay in various outfits of her desires. Ikeda is glad that all of their subjects related to romance can be something an average visitor would take interest in and enjoy. Kanade starts to ponder if this festival could be as fun as always. Like normal, right? Yukimura soon realizes something as he calls Chris for help.

Episode 10
As usual, Haru’s dad is never impressed with her stupidity. Of course she can’t say a thing but feels mad and complains it to Yukimura. Not that he is interested to hear. Just solve your equations! Haru is not impressed since Yukimura is impressed with her dad who is a mathematician and has read some of his impressive works. It’s like he is siding with him. As Yukimura leaves, dad asks if he is having a hard time tutoring his daughter. While he views there is hope, dad continues to badmouth her daughter as dumb. This is when Yukimura tells him about Pygmalion effect as well as Jane Elliott’s discrimination experiments. Basically it is him who is making her daughter dumb so be careful of the words you say! Of course Haru heard all that and is impressed. But Yukimura could be a hypocrite since he called her dumb countless times. With the festival underway, Ikeda’s lab is also holding a cosplay makeover and they’ve called the super famous cosplay duo, KiraKira Sisters. You bet Kosuke is over the moon. Yukimura is given a makeover and now looks like a beautiful girl! Oh my. Kosuke having confused thoughts. Trying to psycho himself this is a guy underneath it? And this weird scene of Kosuke giving hope to Yukimura that he has what it takes to look cute. Is this gay or not? Eventually both guys give up on this and wake up from this ‘hell’. As Haru visits the festival, she bumps into Himuro and learns she is Yukimura’s colleague. In turn, she learns about her being Yukimura’s student as she shows her around the festival. This includes watching Professor Kuze giving his lecture about outer space (how the f*ck did he make the rock explode?!) as well as almost getting scammed by Suiu’s aphrodisiac corner. Himuro gives her their lab coat as souvenir. As she calls Yukimura to let him know Haru is here, all Haru says is that she is impressed with everything. She wants to come to this university and goes home to study. So when dad sees her studying in her room, a strange but impressive sight. He cheers her on to do her best.

Episode 11
Shikijou joins Kanade at the festival. There’s also Madoka and Taniguchi and as usual, the former keeps yelling at the latter despite she doesn’t really want to do that. Yamamoto visits Ikeda’s lab and finds both Kosuke and Ibarada dashing in a wedding outfit. Did Kosuke find her captivating? Don’t cheat on Aika! Yamamoto also wears one as Kosuke has this weird feeling both are somewhat fighting for his hand in marriage? The ladies talk about the correlation about those who marry late and wore a wedding dress. Since there is no concrete proof, Yamamoto thinks she is still safe. Ibarada teases her about being the old broad wanting to get married. Hence she targets and chases after Kosuke to marry her! RUN! Outside as he takes a breather and Ibarada comes to get him, a little girl admires both of them and wonders if they’re getting married. They have to play a long and do a mock wedding ceremony. Kosuke must be tormenting inside that he has to go along with this. This isn’t the Aika route, you know… At least the little girl is happy. After that as they both chill out, Yamamoto does a cheeky thing by pushing Ibarada so her lips kips with Kosuke’s. While he is flipping out, she remains calm and her usual teasing ways. But once she is alone, we see her slowly coming undone. I take it, it’s her first kiss. Kanade has a pretty fun time with Shikijou. Then she has to bump into Yukimura, wiping that smug off her face claiming how relaxed she is. This causes her to be mad and telling him off of his condescending ways. Shikijou then protects her and it ends with her claiming she doesn’t know him. Worse, Yukimura trips and everyone laughs thinking this is a failed confession attempt. Kanade somewhat regrets saying all to Yukimura since she knows this is his way of communicating. Then as Shikijou asks Kanade to go out with him again, because she has too much thoughts on her mind, she rejects him. Wow. The shock in Shikijou’s face. Can science explain why the f*ck Kanade said that?! Oh dear, Shikijou not taking this sh*t. He needs to know why! Oh sh*t! That rape face! This guy is going crazy! OMG! What will be of Kanade?!

Episode 12
Shikijou tasers Kanade out and brings her to some hideout with his punks. Oh sh*t. Am I watching the right show?! When one of the punks try to get lucky with her, she fights back but Shikijou tasers him until he is bloody all over! AM I WATCHING THE RIGHT SHOW?! He continues to blame her for not being normal and all that he wants is just a normal romance. He relates how he was a troublemaker back in his days and to his parents that wasn’t normal. So that’s why when he went out with Kanade, he tried to do things normally but then found it baffling why she would reject him when she’s supposed to accept him. He wants to hear her answer again but this time Kanade breaks down and cries about herself being not normal. Now she is unsure what to do. Shikijou cannot accept this and since it feels like he is being dumped, his punks would love to help him reform this girl to normal. But before that could happen, here comes Yukimura throwing a chair in and warning them not to touch Kanade. He overheard Kanou talking to Ikeda about Shikijou’s true problematic behaviour. Having a bad feeling, he tried to contact Kanade but she didn’t pick up. Eventually his friends help mount a search and he shortlisted the kind of places where Kanade would be. Jackpot. Then he whips out a projector and starts talking about the real Kanade. You wanna read all that charts and graphs?! Yeah, it’s the DNA of Kanade! He even took a testimony from Takahashi on why she threw him. Got his hand on her boobs? Anyway, he does not blame her and was glad to have met her. There are also other interviews from the Ikeda’s lab weirdoes. All positive things about her. The punks beat him up as they don’t give a damn. Even so, he still tries to continue! When they continue to kick him, that is when he takes out bottles of acid! Feel like getting your skin burnt? He splashes them on the punks. They don’t want to put up with this sh*t and run. Yukimura won’t let Shikijou go as he is going to pour the biggest acid bottles on him, claiming he picked a fight with science nerds so prepare yourself! Turns out it is just water and enough to buy time for the police to arrest them all. As Yukimura unties Kanade, the latter still worried about all the bad things she has said to him. But he doesn’t mind. Even if she still throws him, it isn’t the first time. She does it again and agonizes over the fact that he did all this kindness for her when he should be doing it for Himuro. In the aftermath, Himuro tells Yukimura that Kanade has fallen in love with him! Kanade isn’t hiding the fact either. Himuro is cool about it because now that both are in the same situation, they can do some research to see who loves Yukimura more! Oh boy… Is this going to be hard to prove?!

Science, Please… Don’t Give Love A Bad Name!
So folks… Do we understand and accept all that? Well, if that is not the case, I suppose we are going to have to speculate that we are going to have another season!!! OMG. Yeah. Science will not rest until they come up with conclusive evidence about love! They’re going to test, examine, analysis and beat the horse till death again and again until they’ve come up with something satisfactory that is in line with their scientific approval. Sign up now and wait with baited breath till the next season arrives when science will once more tell us their findings! Sheesh. Can we just normal people go with our guts already?

So yeah, this season brings more science tropes and theories into the fold. However I feel that this time it has much less of that. Hmm… Maybe because I wasn’t paying attention since as usual, these theories are unknown to me so I am left stumped and confused. In one ear, out the other. By the time the episode is done, I would have probably forgotten about the theory or experiment for that episode. Because of that, I feel that this season feels less science-y compared to the first. Of course those featured theories are only scratching the surface and if you’re interested, feel free to do more research on your own free time because I believe this anime doesn’t intend to bore you with dry concepts that the average person might find difficult to swallow and digest.

Hence this season focuses in trying to bring a close to Yukimura and Himuro’s love experiment. So are we satisfied with the results? Looks like they aren’t done yet in the long run. Of course, our guts will tell us that the reason they are continuing their research is so that they can be together. Because when it all ends, what else reasons do they have to be with each other? Call it whatever they want for their next experiment. Because we all know better that this is their way of being in each other’s company. I guess this is their way of having fun unlike normal couples. Nerds!!!

It feels strange that halfway through that Yukimura and Himuro’s initial experiment ‘ended’. That is because this is to give some focus on the other characters. It would be a big bore if the sequel ends up focusing 100% on the duo. Because I’m sure we are all here just to get a confirmation that they do love each other, right? Forget all your evidence and sciences! We know you’re in love with each other! Just say it out loud! Now that we have been appeased halfway through, it is time to see what is going on with the other characters in Ikeda’s lab because they are not just some NPCs, right? With that, they somewhat take a backseat for the second half of this season.

So it is interesting that this season sheds more light on Kanade’s circumstances. It feels like Kanade’s situation leans more towards psychology rather than pure science. Of course psychology studies are one of the many subjects under the science umbrella. She’s a good classic case study to see how some humans will prefer to conform with the norm just to stay in their safe spaces. To put it bluntly. After all, Kanade is not one who lives on the edge or looking for the thrill in life. Hence her past trauma turning her into this normal freak in hopes of finding her place of belonging. It was also a bit shocking to see Kanade getting more emotional than usual because that’s not what we usually see with this chirpy girl. It could be a good thing since breaking out of her shell may do her some good for her future because her current actions are now being dictated by her past.

That’s why it felt totally shocking with the final episode because it wasn’t your typical nerdy boring science episode. Heck, the episode even put up a warning label that it might contain graphic violence and sexual assault! When that pops up in an anime like this, you know something is wrong. Well, by my standards those are pretty mild but I guess there are noobs out there who will feel that it would be too hot to handle. So going by the context and pacing of this anime, the finale was like a roller coaster ride as we see the side of emotions never seen before in Kanade as well as the shocking truth about Shikijou. This is the other dangerous type of human clickbait. Looking all normal on the outside but dangerous on the inside. It was pretty shocking that Shikijou turned out so because I never would have suspected it. At least, not I was going to suspect something like this sort to happen in this kind of anime. Like as though his character was really being foreshadow as this final arc villain. I’m not sure what will be of him but I’m guessing he won’t be bothering Kanade for a while now. Yeah, and you people better remember that science saved the day!

Leaving it late in the series, Kosuke and Ibarada getting some attention too. Instead of the duo maintaining status quo, fate (not science!) has thrust them into a situation where they might themselves be actually doing. For the longest time, Kosuke has been adamant about his 2D Aika and sometimes it feels like some sort of escapism from reality. So many hints thrown in his face that Ibarada could be his ideal woman but he keeps trying to reject them all and averting his eyes because, well, it’s Ibarada. How long can he keep up with this? Obviously his body and mind or soon telling him otherwise, the way he fawns over the REAL AIKA. Now just for his heart… Ibarada plays the cool cat in often teasing him but we all know that this is only because she likes him, right? That guy is too occupied with his 2D world and other nonsense, the reason he can’t see through this simple charade. I don’t think we need science to tell us that they both love each other but this is their way of communicating. Now we just are just waiting for the official announcement. Then it’ll be a whole new world for them to explore. Another interesting aspect for Ibarada is that we get a glimpse of her household albeit not very much. It looks gloomy enough a reason for her not to be there and this somewhat answers our question why she prefers to sleep in the lab than home. To her, home is definitely not where the heart is.

The other supporting characters are played merely for jokes like Ikeda who seems to have a penchant of getting buffed at times, hence ripping his shirt to reveal all his muscles. But this season feels less a running joke of that. Because yeah, what’s love gotta do with it? And there’s Yamamoto who sound like she might be Kosuke’s rival but my guts tell me that it’s just to spur Ibarada to take some sort of action because Kosuke is not exclusively hers. So in a way the mangaka might be cursed to not marry the man of her dreams by a certain age, at least she can help others to achieve that. Some are fated to always forever be alone :’(.

There are a handful of new characters but I feel they don’t really make much of an impact at least to the story. Like Chris and Suiu who are supposedly to help with Yukimura and Himuro’s experiment, it also serves to make us jealous because this shorty has got a hot sultry and sexy babe by his side and would do anything for him. Anything. GRRR!!! Are we going to get science to explain how this is even f*cking possible?! With Suiu exuding a lot of aphrodisiac properties, perhaps it is to show us that scientists aren’t all physically boring people. Too bad it mostly only happens in anime. Sighs… Then there is this very unrelated couple, Taniguchi and Madoka but I think most of us can relate very well. I feel that in real life, this is what most couples’ relationship are. One party yells a lot while the other is submissive. Tolerance is key. Eventually Madoka who loves scolding Taniguchi and regretting every single time after, it’s just part of her character and that’s her way of showing her love to him. I know. Love is weird, right? Oh right. There’s a term for Madoka’s character too. It’s called tsundere. Otaku termed that. Not science ;p.

Science isn’t all about stereotypes. I have this feeling that this anime also wants to inspire and hence this Haru character. Another character whom many of us can relate to. Your typical and cliché stereotype gal who wants nothing more than to have fun, breaking the hearts of parents who would want to see their child study and get good grades. Sorry to break it to you with another fact that as long as somebody is first, there must always be someone who will be last. Anyway, Haru gives hope that even girls like her when given the right push and motivation, they too can get inspired and make that change. I’m not saying that going to university or continuing being a fashionable gal are both right or wrong paths. As long as you believe in your goals, you can achieve it if you pour in some effort. So whether Haru will enter university is another matter entirely but we all know she’s taking control of her life and destiny. We’re just wondering if there’ll be a love rivalry for Yukimura. Forbidden teacher-student stories are a dime a dozen! With Kanade now in the fray, this is sure going to dispel the notion that even the nerdy guys can get the girls! Trying to hit the books now, aren’t you? Oh well, these are not normal nerdy girls to begin with. Is there a scientific research that proves a successful harem?

This season’s opening theme, is Love-Evidence by Sora Amamiya. Sounds pretty okay despite being a generic pop beat. At least sounds better than the ending theme, Bibitto Love by Chicho with Honeyworks meets Mafumafu. This song feels flat and all over the place. Basically, trying to put too many words in a line and the tune itself is bland. For new seiyuus joining this season, I only recognized Yuuki Kaji as Chris. I thought it was Miyuki Sawashiro as Suiu but her voice is too sultry to be her. Instead it’s Marina Yamada (Makoto in Sayonara Watashi No Cramer). The others are Tomoyo Takayanagi as Madoka (Mira in Koisuru Asteroid), Takashi Ookubo as Taniguchi, Rena Hasegawa as Haru (Rio in Koi To Yobu Ni Wa Kimochi Warui) and Mark Ishii as Takahashi (Kautz in Otona No Bouguya-san).

Overall, this season has similar vibes with last season and in terms of entertainment value, it does its job. Remember, this is not an actual documentary so please don’t take their word for it and do your own research if you’re really interested to test and bust their findings. But for the majority and casual public like yours truly, it’s not like we’re denying this science outright. Yes, it’s cool and impressive to have a study on this subject. We’re just feel that it is still way better, simpler and much more efficient to go with our guts when it comes down to matters of love. Because we’re only human. Life is too short to impress your love with Einstein equations and the likes. Imagine using science to prove and quantify your love… Feels so… Unhuman! Can we all agree that love is one of those topics that is better left unexplained? Because the drama from it all would be more exciting then. Heh. So you think love is complicated? Yes, sure. But science makes it even more complicated! ARGH!

Date A Live IV

Majihiku wa… I hope the reason why they made Date A Live IV is because they and everyone else missed Kurumi. A lot. Very much. There can be no other reason, right?! Not because the light novels already ended its run back in 2020 and hence they have enough materials to adapt the remaining chapters and plan how they are going to go about it, right?! I mean, rarely an anime series gets a fourth season and this far, right? So what else could it be because of our majestic darling Kurumi herself, right? Because finally are we going to see Shido conquering Kurumi or even better, Kurumi becoming everyone’s b*tches and conquering Shido himself! Oh yeah. I hope I get to see the latter. Majihiku wa…

Episode 1
Looks who’s back, b*tches! Kurumi clones causing havoc at some lab to free a trapped Spirit known as Sister. Aw, shucks. That’s all we get for Kurumi for this episode?! Now we go back to Shido and looks like he is okay after whatever check-up. He goes to see Kotori but she’s in the midst of raping Mana?! Actually, trying to undress her to get her check-up due to all the body enhancements that DEM has done on her. Well, let’s leave those ladies be. As he goes to town, he stumbles upon an unconscious girl in the alley, Nia Honjo. Turns out she is hungry. Not sure she is hungry in the horny sense because she can flirt with him as he carries her home. Shido learns she is a mangaka and one of his favourites. But something doesn’t add up as he read that manga 10 years ago and the author stopped writing for health reasons years ago. Well, better start cooking before she dies of hunger. That’s not the end of it as Nia makes him help her finish her manga before proceeding to ask him to go out on a date with her at Akihabara next week. Yeah, need someone to carry her stuffs, eh? He declines but she wonders if he is okay with that. Hence she transforms into a Spirit for him. That change your mind? Isn’t it his job to date Spirits? She knows him because of her angel, Raziel that tells her what happened in the world. Though, it can’t predict the future or read people’s hearts. However if you write it down, that future will happen. So, like Future Diary?! She also mentions she was captured for 5 years under DEM, hence her hiatus. Now she can resume her work. And since she is listing down all his embarrassing manga characters he created when he was young, I guess the date is settled. So at Akihabara, Ratatoskr is observing his closely. Yeah, first dating choice comes up. How to compliment her clothes, huh? Ironically the safest option is dead last so Shido has to go with the bold and daring flirty one. Being the pervert Nia is, she likes it somewhat. The date continues as we see Nia an eager beaver with all the things she has missed out. The date proceeds smoothly until she trips. Shido tries to catch her but falls over her. Great chance. But before Shido can do anything, Nia says that she can’t fall for him because she can only love 2D. EH?! But I can relate!

Episode 2
Emergency meeting! Must be real serious if Ratatoskr starts brainstorming like this, huh? Nia is ecstatic to see a favourite manga character before her. Her happiness level shoots up. But when he is about to kiss her, all that drops back to zero as she busts Shido in disguise. WTF is the meaning of this?! He gets beaten up for that. But at least now they know she can get happy with such a character so the next plan seems to be sending Nia a demo dating sim. Shido the protagonist. Nia is amazed at how advanced this game is and has been playing for 2 hours and her happiness level slowly rising. But when she uses Raziel to find out more about the game and she discovers it is Shido doing real time voice acting and all (and everybody is just spying on her), she blows her top. I guess it gets desperate now as Shido’s harem now brainstorm to help. Suggest to turn Shido 2D?! Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean steamrolling him flat. Just turn him into a manga character. That way, if Nia knows what Shido has done, she’ll like him too. But looks like Nia knows what they’re up too thanks to Raziel. Even if they make such manga, it’s not like she’s going to read it, right? After all, she is rushing for this Comico event in a few days. That is when Kotori comes up with a challenge that if their manga sells more than hers, she must read theirs. Challenge accepted. Soon, Nia is visited by Kurumi (ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!) and knows she is the one who freed her from DEM. Kurumi knows Nia is the second spirit after Spirit of Origin and needs a favour to ask from Raziel. It is to tell her who the Spirit of Origin is and a way to kill it. Later Kurumi talks with her clones about the disappointing news that even if all their powers combined, they won’t get close in killing the Spirit of Origin. But Kurumi isn’t cowed yet because all that doesn’t matter since she controls time. Kotori has everyone draw to see who has the better manga skills. In the end, Natsumi will be their main while those supporting her are Shido, Origami, Yuzuru and Kaguya. Reine then brings Shido and Kotori to talk to Hiroki Takajo, a fellow mangaka who was Nia’s friend. She too is unsure what happened because their friendship soon fall to the wayside. Since she is unable to help, Kotori can only deduce because Nia used Raziel, she must’ve found out something unpleasant. Perhaps that is why she couldn’t trust others except 2D. Shido and his girls burn the midnight oil till they finish the manga. Girigiri. Look at those bags. Hidoi. Better freshen up if they’re going to start their date.

Episode 3
How are Shido and his girls going to compete with Nia? Well, for starters, Kotori and the Spirits dress up as sexy Playboy bunny girls! That sure going to help in the attraction. Yeah, Kotori bringing the crew of Ratatoskr to help in buying and Origami and her AST pals too. Nia seems to be winning as she has a box left to sell. So Miku uses her influence to call all her otaku fans here. Nia is surprised that Takajo is here to visit. Takajo notes that even if she hates her, she will always look forward to her works. This has Shido deduce that Nia likes Takajo but distance herself when she found out about her dark side and got scared of getting too curious that she’ll use Raziel and discover more. Nia rubbishes that and admonishes his nosy behaviour but he is still adamant to help her. Damn, they’re descending into some shouting argument while selling their comics? In the end, both sell finish at the same time and since Nia acknowledges the effort they put in, she’ll read their manga. Yeah, it’s called Shido A Live. Better than Date A Shido, eh? Anyway, Nia finds out that Shido has been telling the truth on what he has done to his Spirit harem. Just as she is about to give him a chance to go on another date, suddenly she turns into a Spirit. Ellen wonders why Nia never inverted this during her imprisonment despite all the torture they gave her. Westcott explains during that period, she lost faith in humanity. Now that Shido opened her up, the device that locked those memories is also now deactivated as she remembers those tortuous moments. Shido and his Spirits try to tackle Nia but their powers overwhelmed or nullified. Shido manages to break out once he realizes using his Spirits’ weapons isn’t written down. However before he can save Nia, Artemisia Bell Ashcroft swoops down and kills Nia and extracts her crystal core which contains her powers. Westcott then absorbs it and gains Nia’s abilities. Of course he wants to take the rest too but that will be for another day as his body might not be able to handle it. Yeah, better to get them one by one and slowly. After they retreat, Touka senses Nia still has some Spirit essence left since she pulled back some of her conscious when she got stabbed. This means Shido can still save her. Yeah, a kiss will do. Glad to hear Nia’s back? In the aftermath, Nia has lost her powers and is now a normal human. Guess it’s a good time to reconcile with Takajo. She learns that some have been a Spirit for a few years and others as pure Spirits. But she notes all Spirits were humans to begin with.

Episode 4
Apparently Nia was just assuming that. Also, she feels her powers have not gone away completely so she thinks she can still stop Westcott from using the book. Shido learns from Mana about Artemisia. She is AST from Britain but the baffling part is that she hates Westcott so why is she working with him? Meanwhile we hear once again Tamae’s complaints how she has reached the big 3-0 and refuses to accept it. Even more so, her friend is getting married! Guess who is single again? Definitely not okay. Heck, she even wishes for an asteroid to rain down on Japan! Oh sh*t! One just hit near school! FOR REAL?! Then the Spirit alarm sounds. Yup, another one is detected. In space! Nicknamed Zodiac, Kotori shows footage how DEM approached her and being upset from being awakened from her slumber, she uses Michael to easily lock/unlock their abilities as well as using some wormhole to rain down meteorites to destroy them. That explains why several locations around the world faced this similar phenomenon. How to send Shido up there to talk to her? Use 3D projection! Had that not been the case, Shido would’ve died as Zodiac tries to kill him all the time without giving him an inch to speak. So when she is baffled why he is alive, he explains it including his goal. She introduces herself as Mukuro Hoshimiya and refuses Shido’s attempts to help her. She does not need happiness as she has no emotions. Even if Shido claims he can make her happy, he cannot decide what is happy for her. Even so, if he seals her power, can he guarantee her safety? She warns him that any further deliberations, she’ll destroy the Earth!

With the conversation ended, before Shido can be depressed, Kotori tells him the facts that they cannot ignore this dangerous Spirit floating above Earth. Even if they leave her alone, DEM won’t. They’ll try to use her power and if they fail, Earth gets exploded. Either way, they must seal her before DEM. That’s your answer. But how are they going to unlock Mukuro’s heart? Don’t worry, Kotori brings them to a newly upgraded Fraxinus. It can go to space! Also a voice assistant named Maria who is definitely better than Alexa or Siri… The gang is then summoned to meet Woodman. He introduces himself as Ratatoskr’s leader. But Nia interrogates him about manifesting Spirits 30 years ago and wants to know his goal. He admits along with Westcott and Ellen, they founded DEM to capture and harvest Spirits and their power. However all that changed when Woodman stumbled into the Spirit of Origin and decided to change his ways and protect Spirits. Why? Because he fell in love with the Spirit of Origin. Hence he and Karen (Ellen’s younger sister) defected to form Ratatoskr. Talk time cut short as DEM has found them and is attacking the place. As Shido and co rush to their stations, Westcott has already infiltrated it. He has no time to play with them yet as he needs to go deal with Woodman and sends them sinking into his wormhole.

Episode 5
Shido is a piggy in a straw house when a wolf wants to eat him! He runs and hides in a brick house and finds Red Riding Hood AKA Yoshino visiting her grandma. But isn’t she the wolf too?! Before they can be eaten, here comes Nia shooting her guns before Momotarou AKA Touka calming the wolf with her dango. So they realize they are fairytale characters. But who is Nia supposed to be? Ah, Fatima from Silver Bullet. It’s her own manga. Then we see Kotori as the matchstick girl and the twins as Hansel and Gretel. They meet up as they heard the emperor is going to put a familiar mermaid on display to sing. But the guards won’t let them in because of the way they dressed so here comes Cinderella AKA Natsumi to use her womanly charms. However the clock strikes 12 and she reverts to a peasant. The guards chase them away. But Kotori has an idea to enter. Meanwhile, some of Westcott’s men infiltrate Fraxinus. Thanks to Maria creating a life-like tiger hologram as distraction, the crew manage to overpower them with their weird ways. Kotori uses her matchstick magic to disguise everyone as elegant ladies. Yup, Shido as Shiori now. As expected, Miku is the little mermaid and when the emperor comes out, she is Origami. With everyone praising how splendid her clothes are despite being naked, I think we know which fairytale she came from. Touka mentions aloud she is naked so Origami claims only those who don’t love Shido will see her naked. Care to change your answer? But Origami becomes embarrassed realizing she is actually naked! When the wolf, ogres and a monster from Nia’s manga enter to attack, Shido’s only option is to have everyone run since nobody can use their powers. However a cooler swordsman Shido slashes them all! He is one from Natsumi’s manga. He then cuts open a portal that leads them back to reality. Shido talks to his counterpart about his dilemma with Mukuro. Heroic Shido knows all about it. He is him after all. Even if he thinks he has made the wrong choice of sealing Spirits, he will still go save her. Because if Mukuro claims she locked her heart to avoid being sad, that means at one point she became sad. That sounds like SOS. Now Shido has all his doubts removed. Back on Fraxinus, it’s time to go full speed ahead to save Mukuro.

Episode 6
Westcott and Woodman face off. The former wants him to come back to DEM but he refuses. Time to fight then. Fraxinus nears Mukuro as they send Shido to go unlock her heart. Thanks to whatever abilities from Maria and Kotori. Shido can manoeuvre and dodge easily Mukuro’s asteroids. But looks like they have company. Those damn DEM ships are here. While Fraxinus takes on Goetia, Origami is there to keep Artemisia from obstructing Shido and take Mukuro. With Fraxinus having better upgraded weapons, they send Goetia and Ellen to defeat. At the same time, Shido and his Spirits manage to outsmart Mukuro and unlock her heart. As Artemisia still will not give up despite DEM’s defeat, she fires at Mukuro in hopes of completing her mission. This time Shido is able to protect her although they are free falling back into the atmosphere. A short flashback of Mukuro getting a new family. In the aftermath, Shido wakes up in bed while his Spirits are relieved he is okay. Kotori claims Mukuro went missing after that but here comes Mukuro popping out from a portal to give her darling a big hug. Thanks to her heart unlocked, she is now filled with gratefulness. She will continue their date tomorrow and allows him to rest up. This means the obligatory fanservice scenes whereby the girls trying to fight to wash his back in the bath?! Healing is going to take a while. Meanwhile Westcott has also lost but is recovering. Ellen asks about him attacking Ratatoskr’s base and he admits to that. As for Woodman, he didn’t say a thing to her because she will kill him if he brings her along. Next day, Shido begins his date with Mukuro. Oh, it’s not space but the park, eh?

Episode 7
Shido and Mukuro are having a typical lovely date. When Shido thinks of cutting Mukuro’s messy long hair to look better, she becomes defensive and rejects. So he just ties it up for her and they continue their date. Mukuro wants him to only love her but of course Shido can’t do that since he loves the other Spirits equally. In that case, Mukuro ends the date prematurely and goes home. Next morning as Shido cooks breakfast, Kotori is distraught to see an unknown man in her home and kicks Shido out. My, what an extreme case of sleepwalking! He goes to school but none of his friends know him. Starting to panic? Yup, all the other Spirits don’t know who he is. Then he realizes Mukuro is behind this. She pops up and admits that she locked their hearts and memories of him. Now they can be together alone in love, right? Oh sh*t. Is Mukuro yandere now? As Kotori and co gather and discuss about the unknown man, Origami’s head starts to hurt. Then her other split persona comes out (the Origami of this world after Shido and Kurumi changed history) and since she still remembers Shido, she tells them he is the one who saved them all. Also, Touka’s personality got inverted. As Shido and Mukuro continue their date, Origami finds them and tells what happened. Mukuro is about to lock her memories but inverted Touka enters the scene as she wants revenge on Shido. Before Mukuro and Touka can fight over Shido (not in the most romantic kind of way, mind you), Origami interjects and suggests winning Shido’s love via a non-violent way. So the first to kiss him wins? So now they’re at a maid café trying to win his heart. Oh boy, Shido is going to suffer seeing the girls are pretty aggressive in their own ways to make him submit! Is this really love? More importantly, is this going to turn into a b*tch fight soon?!

Episode 8
Kotori is thinking hard about Origami’s dual personalities. She wonders who changed the world but each time she thinks about that, she gets confused. I know. I am too. Since Shido and co are kicked out from the maid café for being too raunchy, they head up the tower. However Mukuro has uneasy feelings. As she takes a breather at the toilet, Touka reveals to Shido that the inverse Spirits were actually when the Spirit of Origin made Sephirah. That original form is what you people call inverse. Only later they are ‘refined’ to be compatible with humans. This leaves Shido in shock so Touka gets rough on him and plans to steal a kiss. But Mukuro will not allow it and now this escalates into a Spirit level b*tch fight. As Touka cuts off a bit of Mukuro’s hair, this enrages her as she locks her heart and powers up. Anybody who steals the one she loves from her will die! Of course Shido and Origami won’t sit by and watch. Origami goes to fight Touka as Shido deals with Mukuro. Shido doesn’t want everyone to forget him as they are precious. But Mukuro feels sad since she thinks her love isn’t enough. She hates being alone and won’t let anyone take her. Now she locks the world and is going to try to stop it from spinning so they can be forever together in space. Great timing as the other Spirits are here so Shido has them as well as Kotori and Fraxinus do something about it. When Mukuro attacks, she accidentally cuts off Shido’s arm! Flashback shows somebody gave her a core to become a Spirit. Then she got blamed by her family as people they know forgot about them. That’s when she locked her heart. As Mukuro is going to be inverted, Shido hugs her and claims he is alone like her too. Then he talks about being family because there’s nothing to be afraid of now. Because we’re family. With that logic that one-sided love won’t work in a family, just like that Mukuro calms down. Now he has to deal with Touka but since she lost interest, she kisses him and hopes he would not make Touka sad. So the old Touka back? Mukuro won’t lose as she kisses Shido. She assures she is no longer worried because they’re family. Got to love that word. Later Mukuro talks to Shido as she remembers watching the stars with her sister. She laments worrying a lot when her family loved her a lot. Since he is the same like her, probably why she feels at ease around him. She thinks of changing things and perhaps cutting her hair. Of course she wants Shido to cut it. Next day in school, look who decides to come back to class? Why, IT’S KURUMI!!! WHERE YOU BEEN, GIRL???!!! WE ALL MISSED YOU!!! YEAH!!!

Episode 9
Kurumi assures she isn’t here to wreak havoc. Otherwise she would’ve taken the students hostage and went with violence. We believe in queen Kurumi! Westcott talks to Ellen and Artemisia how Fraxinus now have 10 Spirits. However there is still hope to use Shido and make the Spirits invert. He introduces Nibeelcole, his ‘daughters’ to help them for their next mission. Kurumi agrees to give Shido her Spirit power but on one condition: She wants to devour all the Spirit power he has and that means killing him. At that moment, Shido felt something strange happening to him. At the same time, as Ellen is on her way, she is intercepted by Mana. She has Nibeelcole help her but lucky for Mana, Kurumi and her clones pop out to help. Back to Kurumi and Shido, while he agrees that is both their goal, Shido adds that his other goals include the Spirits atone for what they did and to live a happy life. Since she doesn’t intend to steal his Spirit power by force, they enter a competition to see who will fall for each other first. If Kurumi falls for him, she will give her Spirit power with no fuss. Otherwise, Shido dies. Back home, Kotori is not happy he made this decision without letting Fraxinus know. What else can they do about it now but to devise a plan? So they discuss about Kurumi’s objectives of wanting so but Nia thinks she knows an answer. She reveals about Kurumi’s visit and hence her goal to find the Spirit of Origin and destroy it, making it never existing in the first place. This proves that Kurumi can travel back in time but for that, she needs Shido’s power. Of course this raises more questions as why she would do that. Mana interjects and lets them know about Ellen’s interception. As for how she knew all this, Kurumi came to tell her the exact details of when it will happen. So why did she do this? Probably she didn’t want DEM to get their hands on Shido. Next day, Shido is surprised Kurumi is at his doorstep to walk him to school. Why is he surprised? Isn’t the date already begun when they agreed to the challenge? Shido surprises Kurumi by taking her to a place filled with cute cats. But it’s a draw when she tickles him and he starts purring like a cat. Meow. WTF…

Episode 10
Shido and Kurumi challenging each other with their cute lunch. At this rate both might lose… But it ends with a draw. Kurumi’s next challenge will be next Wednesday. Why? Oh. It’s Valentine’s Day. Hence the rest of the Spirit girls think of also making chocolates for Shido. But some like Origami, Miku and Nia trying to go the extra mile by seducing Shido in his sleep. Thankfully (or not), he kicks them out. Mission failed. But soon Shido is visited by Nibeelcole who plans to kill him. Thanks to his regeneration abilities, they will keep killing him until he dies! Then suddenly he wakes up. Was it all a dream? Because now he sees Kotori all grown up and busty! Sexy! Even the other Spirits too! Except for Origami, Miku and Nia turned into kids. What gives? Turns out this is their training to make him resist Kurumi’s charms. NOT A CHANCE! Of course this fails too seeing Shido is gay. Weak guy runs away. Heh. Then all the girls gather to make Shido their Valentine chocolates. WTF Origami trying to make a huge chocolate mould of herself. Shido gonna die from excess sugar overload… Then Kurumi pops up and wants to join in too since she is making the same for Shido. Kotori agrees as they will be able to get some data out of her. Obviously Kotori sucks and thankfully before she could press the panic button, Natsumi teaches her some basic chocolate making skills. Come that day, Shido’s Spirit harem give him their chocolates. Which guy wouldn’t be delighted after receiving so many?

Episode 11
Some Spirits give Shido their chocolates. Meanwhile Tonomachi and the other guys are getting really jealous of that. Not sure what black magic cult they’re starting to curse Shido but the majihiku wa group ‘saves’ them by giving their chocolates. Whatever. Now it’s back to the real deal because Kurumi is here. The real test is about to begin. Shido takes her on a date. First stop is the lingerie shop. See that coming?! Rest of the date is pretty generic. At the end of the day, Kurumi asks if he wants to really know her past. Since he is adamant, she destroys or the spy devices from Fraxinus. Then she whisks him away to an abandoned place of her to let him peek into her memories. Before she became a Spirit, just a normal girl who is best friends with Sawa Yamauchi. One day, a monster attacked Kurumi but she was saved by a hero of justice, Mio Takamiya. She wants Kurumi to join her in saving the world and gives her a Sephirah. It is then Kurumi became a Spirit. We see Kurumi going around taking down Spirits as she gets used and better with her abilities. At the same time trying to juggle her normal school life and friendship with Sawa. But one day, a tragedy happens. Kurumi spotted Sawa’s dead body and Mio collecting a Sephirah from her. She explains Spirits are humans who were given Sephirah by her. Normally they aren’t compatible and must be refined. That is, by giving them to humans over and over again despite humans will go berserk when exposed to this power. Like how Kurumi killed Sawa. Only then when a human with strong affinity remain themselves as a Spirit. That’s you, Kurumi. Mio thanks Kurumi for helping her recover a Sephirah since it is a tough job. She hints she has a goal to achieve and cannot stop until she reaches it. Then she stole her memories and it’s goodbye. Back to present, Kurumi adds that only thanks to Zafkiel, she managed to get her memories back. That’s why she is adamant in killing the Spirit of Origin.

Episode 12
Kurumi wallowing in self-pity. Wow. Not sure how I should feel about this. Her goal is to change history by killing the Spirit of Origin AKA Mio and to do that, she needs Shido’s power to change history. Of course she will not do this for free and will compensate him. WITH SEX???!!! Holy sh*t! Not sure how I should feel about this either!!! Sex interrupted by Nibeelcole but Kurumi has her clones drag them to hell. That was easy. But after that she falls unconscious. Meanwhile Ellen cannot comprehend Nibeelcole’s failure since it was a sure victory according to Beelzebub. Could somebody be leaking their plans? Westcott thinks somebody is leaking their attacks instead. As Shido tends to unconscious Kurumi, her goth version pops up to say that Shido is supposed to be dead. When Kurumi told him about that condition of hers, Shido was then shot dead by Artemisia. His other Spirits came to his aid but in the worst outcome, Shido got decapitated! Those Spirits inverted as they unleash their wrath, slowly destroying the world. Kurumi managed to escape but even using her Daletto bullet to reverse time, it still cannot bring back a life. In despair, that is when she kisses him but soon realizes the Vav bullet is restored. It is a bullet that sends a mind back to the past and she thought it was sealed after her fight with Kotori. Before that fight, Kurumi kissed Shido and that somewhat sealed Vav in him. So by kissing him again, that power returned. Hence Kurumi will have her clones die for Shido’s sake. Using Vav to send her mind back to a week before, it seems Kurumi’s clones have been protecting Shido from the shadows. Shido has fallen into DEM’s hands 204 times. Yeah, all those strange moments he got owned by Nibeelcole, those were one of those many times. Each time that happened, Kurumi kissed him to revert time again. Now it has pushed her psyche to the limit. Wouldn’t it be easier to just devour him rather than to relive this nightmare? Hey, and make her lose the game?! Besides, we all know what Kurumi’s nickname is, right?! Kurumi wakes up and doesn’t like this interference. Date is over for today. Then she deliberates with her goth version about spilling all this to Shido but goth girl doesn’t see any reason not to. Phantom then shows up to give some warning advice. Kurumi doesn’t appreciate it and shoots her down! That was easy! Because it’s time to unmask Phantom’s true identity: Reine!!! WTF?! Kurumi now realizes as all the puzzle pieces fall into place. She has her clones drag her to hell. Shido returns to Fraxinus. He wonders if they can trace Kurumi. Reine says no. Hmm… He then tells them what Kurumi told him. Because this time it will be him who will save her.

Date & Be Happy
Majihiku wa!!! You mean this has not ended yet and we’re going to have another season???!!! Yup. Looks like it. And it should come as no surprise by the way the series is heading. After all like I have said, the series has already ended and now with remaining volumes and chapters left at hand, they can take their time to plan out how they’re going to end the series. Which means we’re not sure if it is going to be a few more seasons or everything dumped into one big season finale. Only time will tell and we’ll be there to witness the fate of Kurumi, Shido and the rest of the Spirits. How long should we wait? Dunno. When it’s ready, it’s ready. Majihiku wa…

Oh well, I guess at this point we all should know what the story is about, right? Pro dating master Shido dating the Spirits to make them happy because only then their powers can be sealed and the world can spin for another day. That’s supposed to be the whole premise of the series and considering that we are into the fourth season, I have to admit that feels like a drag. Somewhat stale. Yes, I’m not a big fan of the series despite watching it from the first season. And so I thought there would be some sort of twist along the way but I suppose they aren’t straying from the formula. I may be wrong as they might put in some twist towards the climax but too bad this means this season doesn’t seem like it. In short, this season felt boring to me.

Because you know, it’s more or less the same thing as every season we see Shido adding more Spirits to his harem and this season is no exception. At this point I am hardly feeling any sort of excitement. This season adds Nia and Mukuro to the fold as the formula to have them in the Spirit harem remains the same. You know, the Spirits have some sort of peculiar problem and it is up to Shido to find a way to save her. At first she might seem hesitant and resisting due to the unfamiliarity, stubbornness and all that crap. But I assure you because Shido is the main character, the plot will go in his favour. Like Nia felt pretty easy and it feels like she just existed for the plot for Westcott to steal her Raziel. Then there is Mukuro whom you thought would be a tough nut to crack. But once you find the loophole in her heart, everything else that follows will easily fall in place. Once they have been conquered, they become background characters in Shido’s ever expanding and bloated harem. I wonder if he is going to need a bigger house if he is going to date and rescue 100 Spirits. Assuming there are that many. Oh right. Assuming Nibeelcole becomes part of the gang. Holy sh*t! Majihiku wa! Is her character created so that we can have multiple Kurumi clones vs multiple Nibeelcole clones?

It goes without saying that means the other older Spirits already in Shido’s harem felt like insignificant. I don’t know, if being with Shido is all it takes for them to be happy. So be it. I’m just curious about the pecking order if any and if it ever comes down to it, though. Some of them are forgettable like Yoshino who is there just to remind that she is still there existing. The same can be said for Natsumi. It’s like they only need her whenever they need her power for convenience. Then there are the twins who feel like they have a little more significant appearance since they have a bit more dialogue than the rest. Origami who was the wild weirdo also feels a little toned down. She’s still the crazy twisted sexual harasser on Shido but this season she scaled down a lot. Touka being the first Spirit in Shido’s harem, I guess they needed to give her some sort of prominence and that’s why the baffling moment she inverted just to fight Mukuro a run for her money. It’s like they needed some cheesy harem b*tch fight or something. And who the f*ck is Artemisia? Suddenly they introduced her character that doesn’t make any decent impression. Like as though Westcott thinks Ellen needed an assistant or something. Like 1 or 2 hot babes from DEM would effectively turn the tables on Ratatoskr anyway.

Unfortunately, Kurumi being the main motivation why many like yours truly continue to stick with the series through thick and thin, for better or worse (more likely the latter), does not bring much to the table either. That’s the problem when you have high expectations. So the first half of her arc feels as boring as the rest. And then we have the revelation of her past and how she came to be. Honestly, that doesn’t feel exciting either. It just feels like one of those revenge stories. Even the mighty queen needs some saving in the end eventually so that Shido can remain as the main hero of the series. Yeah. You better not make Kurumi cry. But at the end of the day, we all can forgive this little disappointment and still love you with all our hearts, our dear queen Kurumi, RIGHT???!!! Imagine having to relive 204 times and counting to see your beloved die and reset the whole damn thing again. This has got to be worse than that Endless Eight from Haruhi, right?!

For some odd reason, I keep wondering if the Spirit named Phantom would pop up. I don’t know why, it something that keeps bugging me at the back of my head while I was watching this series. Probably I’m still bugged by last season’s credits that listed Phantom as “???” in addition to Kana Hanazawa’s character also listed as “???”. Maybe I missed her somewhere. And then of course, the final episode revelation. Now I know why they listed it as so. Who would’ve guessed, no? At least not me. I wasn’t paying that close of an attention to eye bags Reine. What a way to thrust a character whom everyone would probably brush off easily back to the spotlight and the plot. Speaking of new seiyuus this season, they include Hitomi Nabatame as Nia (Margery Daw in Shakugan No Shana), Akari Kageyama as Mukuro (Beatrice in Princess Principal), Eriko Matsui as Artemisia (Isuzu in Log Horizon), Yumiri Hanamori as Nibeelcole (Hayasaka in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai) and Aya Endo as Mio (Miyuki in Lucky Star). This season’s opening theme is Over by Miyu Tomita. Typical generic and dramatic upbeat song. Maybe only suits Kurumi. Sorry it sounds bias but that’s how it feels. The ending theme is S.O.S. by Sweet Arms. It’s a rather strange song. It’s like some slow dubstep, trying to be sultry sexy or something but overall fails to impress. Weird.

I feel that the art and animation look a bit different. It could be just me as the characters do look a bit child-like. The difference is not obvious but if you do look a bit harder, then you will notice it. I think that is because the series has as many different animation studios as they have seasons. Can you believe it that for each season, a new studio helms this series? What is this? Musical chairs, anime studio version or something. When AIC Plus+ started off animating the first season, Production IMS then took over for the sequel. Then after a long hiatus, a different studio took over for the third, J.C. Staff. And now you have Geek Toys (Plunderer, Kawaikereba Hentai Demo Suki Ni Natte Kuremasu Ka) handling the fourth. Yeah, whoever feel like doing the next season, please step forward. Can’t have the same studio doing the next season because it will break the consistency. Yeah. Maybe SHAFT can do it and shock us all with their trademark animation, eh? Can’t wait to see Kurumi doing that trademark head tilt and send orgasmic shivers down our spine!

Overall, this season still does not impress since it ended on a cliff-hanger. Especially when Kurumi’s arc isn’t even completed! What gall they have! Definitely a build up for the final stretch. Can’t say I am looking forward to it but if it comes out, I’m obliged to stick around and find out what happens. Though, I can guess pretty much what will happen. Shido getting fed up of dating and let the world burn to the ground!!! That’s his real intention in accumulating his Spirit harem! HAHAHAHAHA!!! Oops. One of my favourite speculated endings. Otherwise newcomers who jumped right into this season will be a lot left confused since the plots, settings and characters from previous seasons are heavily brought over. Doesn’t make a difference to a person like me either who has forgotten most of it. Go back and rewatch season 1 again? No way! My memory isn’t so bad as that Hollywood movie, 50 First Dates! Not gonna date the same Spirit over and over again! But my memory is bad enough the reason why I keep coming back to watch this series since I don’t remember much and I still keep hoping it will turn out for the better. Sadly, this season wasn’t it. I think. Majihiku wa…

Otome Game Sekai Wa Mob Ni Kibishii Sekai Desu

Imagine if Hamefura had a male protagonist instead. Oh well, that’s just me assuming Hamefura is somewhat similar to Otome Game Sekai Wa Mob Ni Kibishii Sekai Desu but only with a male lead only because of the basic premise that the protagonist died and somewhat gets trapped in a dating sim video game. Unlike the former whose protagonist reincarnated as the game’s main villainess and she tries to not follow all routes that would lead to her doom, our male protagonist here reincarnated as some extra minor background character (termed as mob) and wants nothing more than to live his simple and quiet life. But when women of this world hold power and men of his low status are discriminated, do you think he’ll remain his simple and quiet life as a nobody or will fate thrust upon him all the makings of a main character AKA hero? In that sense now I can see why being a mob is tougher than being a main character.

Episode 1
A guy is playing an otome game and he hates it! Why? Because his sister forced him to. Yeah, that brat doesn’t want to go through all the pain in completing the game and has him do it in her stead. Otherwise she’ll tell mom about something. So poor guy has to grit his teeth and criticize every damn thing about this damn game. Holy sh*t! Is this a dating game?! Because it has monster slaying RPG elements as well as sci-fi mecha powered suits! It’s all over the place! He slogs for days and nights until he has 100% completion. By that time he is hungry and decides to go out to get some food. Uh oh. Cue for him to die. Yup, he got so dizzy and falls down the stairs, breaking his neck. Next thing he knows, he is reincarnated in a game. He finds himself as the third son, Leon Fou Bartfort. However he realizes that the setting is the same as the otome game. His father is a mistress to Lady Zola and all men and their sons are ostracized to live in the backwaters of the country. Hence his sister gets to live away lavishly as women hold absolute power here. What a nightmare to relive a world like the game. 10 years passed and Leon is shocked that Zola is going to marry him off to some ugly old broad whose husbands all died in war. This is the only way he’ll get to go to the academy for further education. Of course he declines but she’ll force him to be a soldier and he’ll die in the battlefield. Needing to do something, Leon soon sets off on a journey. Since he remembers the game well, he makes his way to some transporter that transport him to some abandoned lab. Convenient of him to take the identity of a dead researcher and using his ID to activate everything. Looks like everything still working. Then he encounters a guard robot who is trying to rid of all invaders. Since Leon doesn’t know about the current calendar, the robot believes they have lost due to new humans possessing new magic that destroyed them. The robot will annihilate all new humans but Leon manages to destroy its core. That easy, huh? Not after Leon was almost dead from its clutches. Leon proceeds to register himself as a new master of this ship known as Luxion (one of the DLC items he paid for in the game!). 3 months later, Leon returns with a big smug look on his face because with Luxion and a whole lot of treasure and loot, he is able to pay off Zola’s marriage offer (in your face, you old b*tch!) and he is now on his way to the academy.

Episode 2
Leon is now living an independent life at the academy. Thanks to his adventuring efforts in discovering a new island, he has now risen to the rank of baron. With that rank, he is able to find a wife that is about the rank of Zola! Oh sh*t! Trauma! Leon takes his first step to start the school year, which is the same as the start of the otome game. He notices some of the characters like those Prince Julius Rapha Holfort and his male groupies who are the only ones who command a different air around girls. Then there is Angelica Rapha Redgrave who is the series’ antagonist. Leon later notices a scene being played out between Julius and Marie Fou Lafan. It is exactly like the otome game except for it is not with the main heroine, Olivia but Marie. He also notices that Julius is really warming up to Marie and inviting her to his tea party, much to the chagrin of Angelica. So apparently if you want to attract girls, you have to hold a tea party and depending on how expensive your snacks, the higher your chances. Leon thinks he doesn’t need such etiquette classes but damn he is so wrong when he gets enlightened at the holiness of the tea party! He hosts his first one but only fat and ugly b*tch girls attend to pass their time. Then he sees a group of girls bullying Olivia and tearing her paper. Luxion says she is on scholarship. Leon invites her to his tea party and she’s very grateful to him. As she wants to learn more magic, Leon reluctantly brings her to see his sister, Jenna on how to get close to the popular girl in class. Yeah, basically bribery and buying expensive snacks from popular stores. With that, she is able to have tea with Angelica who is impressed that Leon recommended this to her. She is worried that others might take advantage of his competence. But she prefers Olivia’s company better than those snuggling up close to the prince. During the exploration class, Leon knows other students are making him and Olivia the vanguard as meat shields. He then sees Angelica trying to talk to Julius but he brushes her off in favour of Marie. Leon and Olivia stumble into monsters and he stands his ground well until he gets bitten by one. Time for those princes to save the day. Marie then surprises Julius by using her secret healing magic on him. Once again Angelica tries to get in between them but Julius becomes a dick and brushes her off while taking Marie’s hand away. With that drama aside, Olivia seems to be able to use healing magic too and does it on Leon. Leon notices Marie’s sneaky grin and feels suspicious that something isn’t right in this game. Yeah, I can see it’s not following the script.

Episode 3
Angelica has been summoned by Julius and accused of burning Marie’s belongings. Eyewitnesses say it was her. Although Angelica denies, Julius warns her that their engagement was made outside school and to not let it interfere with his school life. Later Leon learns about the quarrel between Julius and Angelica. Although this happened in the game, it happened only much later. Then he peeks at Marie making out with one of Julius’ guys in the library. Something is fishy. Of course we hear Marie’s thoughts that she is playing out all those guys for her convenience. Angelica becomes mad and falls into depression each time she thinks of Marie. She was raised to serve Julius and now that wench has come between them. Jenna visits him to ask if he has anything to do with the prince’s quarrel. He better not. Because if you get on his good side, you’re set for life. Otherwise it’s over. So he better not embarrass her! At the party, Leon and his friends try to introduce themselves to some girls but they all get owned by those b*tches who are looking for higher ranking men. The real drama begins as Angelica confronts Julius and co. She saw Marie making out with the rest. However the rest actually admits to it because they also love Marie. Angry Angelica then throws a challenge to Marie. Of course with Julius and co stepping in to protect her and no champion even for Angelica, the situation looks grim. Leon remembers such event and if Angelica loses, she’ll be expelled and married to some backwater cruel lord and live the rest of her life in misery. Of course he doesn’t want to get involved since he isn’t very familiar with Angelica and just wants to live a normal life. But since he hates those guys, he volunteers to be Angelica’s champion. If Angelica wins, Marie must stay away from Julius. Vice versa. From Marie’s speech, Leon can tell she is not from this world too and is reincarnated like him. Julius and co will allow others to join him but Leon is confident he can take all of them himself. Leon’s sharp tongue mocks them underestimating him in the mecha battle he proposes. Think you guys can’t beat him? I guess you have to at least show you’re super confident. In the aftermath, Leon’s room has been vandalized and it’s like 99% of the school betted on Julius. In the arena, Leon summons his mecha. Gotta love how he calls it Arroganz! Everyone else starts laughing at how lame it looks but we all know who will have the last laugh, right?

Episode 4
Leon’s mecha could be a Lost Item AKA outdated technology. First opponent up is Brad Fou Field. Leon is shocked his weapon is a shovel and thinks Luxion purposely gave it to him. Brad attacks fast but Leon is able to dodge them all and knock him out cold with a strike! Holy sh*t! Even Leon is surprised by this. Who’s laughing now?! In fact, had Leon hit a bit harder, it could’ve killed Brad! Next up is Greg Fou Seberg. This time Greg is cautious but Leon throws a lot of insults. But as Greg repeatedly strikes Leon, nothing happens so a few more whacks and this sends Greg down. Leon doesn’t stop there. More insults about bullying the weak and ripping off his mecha’s limbs. Greg still will not lose and tries to fight without a mecha. But I guess it is just unsightly so Leon is declared the winner. Yeah, everybody’s worried now. Chris Fia Arclight goes next and this time he is more cautious. However Leon uses his drones to shoot him. Not against the rules, right? This makes Chris angry but as he charges, Leon breaks his sword with his bare hands and sends him reeling in defeat. With more insults of course. Everybody starting to panic! The loser is winning! How can this be?! During the break, Jenna distracts Olivia and Angelica that Leon is not well so as to plant bombs in Arroganz. Of course Leon is okay and with Luxior detecting those bombs, Leon can tell it’s part of the story as his next opponent, Jilk Fia Marmoria set up Jenna to do it. So when the match begins, the explosives go off but Leon is okay. Sure, it could rip through a standard mecha. Arroganz is nothing but standard. Jilk getting very worried and starts threatening about Leon’s life. He did that dumb mistake and now Leon has recorded it. Jilk goes straight at him in his panic and gets hammered down. There’s nobody left to protect the prince. Yup, last man left. Oh, you people must be horrified at the turn of events, huh? Even more so Marie. She realizes that all of them are actually weak and will eventually lose. Yeah, it is hinted she let her brother cleared the game for her… Before the last match begins, Leon asks his opinion about Olivia. Can’t say much as they hardly talked.

Episode 5
Julius complains about being born into royalty and that Angelica is one of those women who does not see the real him. Of course Leon has to laugh at that since his own predicament was worse. In fact, Leon admits he loves looking down and belittling on people like them. This has Julius announce he would rather die than have Marie taken from him. Angelica takes this as he truly loves Marie. Olivia surprisingly stands up to support Angelica that even if Julius does not love her, Angelica still loves him as she has been watching him fight in pain. However Julius doesn’t call that true love but just imposition. He doesn’t want to see her again. Leon suggests Julius orders him to lose if he wants to protect his Marie. This time he tries to seriously warn that doing this antagonizes Marie’s family and this will threaten his status. Julius doesn’t care for all that. All he needs is Marie. With that, Arroganz blasts a powerful one to knock him out and shatter his mecha. Leon wins. How y’all losers who bet all your money on the princes feeling now? Yeah, they still hate Leon but this is within his expectations since he wants to leave this academy. Angelica goes to see Julius and still maintains she loves him. However as he points out, she knows nothing about him. Not even his favourite food (some peasant food). Marie knew all that and that’s why he fell for her. Because he cannot love Angelica, she finally gets the painful hint and leaves. Leon speaks to Angelica’s father and makes a deal for his and his family’s life to be spared. He is willing to relinquish all his titles and compensate this huge sum. Of course this is all part of his plan to escape this wife hunting academy so he lies and claims he did it all for the kingdom. Angelica’s father accepts this but has a condition that Angelica stays with him at his hometown during the summer holidays. Angelica is depressed that her words did not reach Julius and got Leon expelled. Worse, she didn’t even thank him. You’d think that Leon’s suggestion to get revenge would be bloody but it seems it is to become happy oneself. Since Angelica ranks higher than Zola, Leon relishes in seeing Angelica stamp her authority over her. The best! In the aftermath, Julius and co lose their status and got disowned by their family. But they’re more than happy to be with Marie. Together we’ll protect Marie! Too bad Marie is in despair because this means no more rich and luxurious royal life that she has been aiming for! Sorry guys, I don’t think she is crying tears of joy! Because of Leon’s heroics in admonishing the princes, he is in fact being promoted to a knight. A feat unheard of his age. Now he is forced back into the academy and cannot leave. With Angelica and Olivia by his side, he’ll get by.

Episode 6
School festival is here. Fancy seeing Angelica and Olivia in a maid outfit? As Leon and his friends prepare their café, Jenna barges in to force Leon to help her. Apparently she had a fight with her friend over a viscount’s heir. She hopes Leon can threaten her a little but since he won’t do anything for her, that’s the end of that. Bye. Next door, Julius and co are running a high end café and you bet the girls will be lining up to get in. Is he a special guest? I thought they were expelled? Leon takes a look at his café and finds it like a host club! Yeah, they listened to Marie and looks like they’re going to have another rivalry on this. As Olivia tries to advertise Leon’s café, many girls tell her off and will not go there because of what happened. Save for Carla Fou Wayne who wants Olivia to help introduce her to Leon. Angelica is soon called. Turns out it is the queen of the kingdom, Mylene. She is incognito so nobody recognizes her. She is here to apologize to Leon for Julius’ actions as she notes the academy is worse off than before with all the discrimination. As Angelica takes Mylene to Leon’s café, just in time they witness Stephanie Offrey throwing her cup of tea at Leon, claiming it is bad. Leon surprisingly apologizes and tolerates all the discrimination. Angelica and Olivia try to help Leon and tell her to leave but she continues to assert her authority just because she is an earl’s daughter. Her family is a rival to Angelica’s family. When Mylene tells her to stop and Stephanie does not recognize her and badmouths her, suddenly Leon revives and beats up all of her servants! Now he has a cause to fight back! He lets everyone Mylene is the queen and will not stand for anyone picking a fight with her. Now that he is on a violent spree, quick thinking Angelica calls his master to turn him into a meek apologetic dog. Leon and Mylene talk. The latter apologizes for her son’s behaviour but hoped he could have solved the matter in a better way than the duel. Because Mylene also wants to make memories here, Leon proposes to marry her!!! Oh boy. This gonna complicate Julius’ position! Imagine Leon is his stepfather now! Speaking of him, here he comes smacking Leon and to stay away from his mom! Leon gets trashed and his girls agree this was his fault in going too far. Julius tries to warn Mylene to stay away from that greedy knight but Mylene shoots back as she wants to see Marie. She finds it disgraceful that they broke their promise to stay away from her after losing and even more so about this overcharged café thingy they’re doing. When Carla visits Leon, he is suspicious why she needed Olivia’s introduction. Turns out she wants his help to save her family.

Episode 7
Leon agrees to help Carla seeing she formally requested him. If he refused her, Olivia would lose face too. But first, the end of the cultural festival signifies the most anticipated event: The air bike race. The favourites to win are Jilk and Dan Fia Elgar. Of course Leon won’t be racing as he will be betting to earn good money. As the preliminaries get underway, Jilk gets targeted although he manages to win the race. However he gets injured from it and can’t possibly race in the finals. Marie so sad because this means she’ll lose her prize money! Clarice Fia Atlee makes her entrance as she was the one who has her followers target Jilk in the race. Long story short, this ex-fiancee of his will never forgive him for breaking up their engagement. With Jilk needing a substitute, Marie wants Leon to do it otherwise somehow Angelica’s family will lose face? With that, he’ll do it. Before the finals, Dan talks to Leon about Clarice that she is actually a kind woman. However that fateful day he just wrote her a letter saying he wanted to break up and did not even meet her. Of course Dan won’t go easy on him too. As the finals begin, everyone targets Leon despite many aren’t Clarice’s followers. They have a grudge on Leon for bankrupting them! Karma’s a b*tch indeed. Meanwhile Stephanie continues to torment Angelica and Olivia. She’s saying mean things of the past but I thought Olivia should know better than to get hurt by it? Should she not trust Angelica now? Apparently she runs away and since this makes Angelica mad, she starts beating up Stephanie! Holy sh*t! B*tch fight!!! Anybody betting on this one?! When everyone is done thinking they have defeated Leon, you know he always has an ace up his sleeve because Luxion has modified his air bike and now it has boosted speed! Leon blasts through the field and even passes Dan to win it. Yup, this bastard once again makes everybody broke! Since Leon won, Jilk will have to repay his debts and do what he wishes. And that is to sincerely apologize to Clarice. She is still not happy but is through associating with him. Leon then heard what happened to Angelica and Olivia and goes to talk to the latter. This means not the happy cheerful kind of thing but being his mean. That’s so Leon alright. You feeling better now? All that’s left is for Olivia to go talk to Angelica.

Episode 8
Carla talks to Olivia and needs her help to aid Leon too. However the one behind all this is of course that b*tch Stephanie. She tries to demoralize Olivia by claiming she is just a pet to Angelica. If that didn’t work, she thinks Olivia is only here because Leon is after her body. We see Leon talking to Luxion on why he decides to go help Carla and take out space pirates. She knows Stephanie is behind this and she is indeed a very vile person with no shred of redemption. This sky pirate event is necessary since Olivia must obtain 1 of the 3 holy items in order to awaken her saint status. Leon is doing it for her as he thinks she is in no condition to do it herself. As for her falling for him? He doesn’t believe it will happen! Luxion can tell that his act only inhibits Olivia’s potential to grow. Before Leon departs on his ship, he is surprised that Carla has also requested Brad and Greg to come. Carla is Brad’s ex-fiancee so he couldn’t turn her down while Greg heard it and wants to come along. Angelica sees all the graffiti in Olivia’s room and it doesn’t take long for her to figure Stephanie is behind this. Yeah, b*tch shows up just to rub it in and say Olivia might die. Of course no more nice girl for Angelica. She’ll make sure she pays but first she must go after Olivia. Leon hears Brad and Greg’s ex-fiancée woes and even if they are useless guys, they had it rough. As the sky pirates are here, Leon goes to engage them all by himself via Arroganz. Discount ossan Harlock knows details of the ship thanks to Carla and thinks he’ll have it easy but how wrong he is. In no time whoops their asses! This leaves Greg in shock as he never knew this is how real battles look like. Just realize you’re just a cocky kid? Carla is in a panic as she cannot contact her home as she has not told her family about this. She thinks of blaming Olivia. So when the ship lands, Carla’s father and his men point their guns at Leon and co. Only when he recognizes Brad and then introduced to Leon, he demands his daughter for answers. Carla panics and tries to blame Olivia but that won’t work since Leon puts his foot down and tells what is going on. Carla further breaks down panicking and eventually tells the whole truth how Stephanie made her do it. Leon tries to talk to Olivia who is now at the lowest of her depression. She is not amused with his kindness because if that’s the case, he is treating her like a pet and not human. Even if he denies he is after her body, I guess that’s the wrong answer too because now she claims she has nothing attractive for him like Angelica. Oh boy, Olivia inconsolable. Oh sh*t. Was this part of any route in the game?!

Episode 9
Leon realizes he is paying for getting ahead of himself but won’t acknowledge he has impeded Olivia’s growth. He punches Luxion when he comments about Olivia being as valuable as a doormat to him. Hope his hand doesn’t hurt… Leon sees Brad trying to practice his sword as he acknowledges he is the weakest among the five. Even when they spar, Leon easily beats him. Needs more training. Leon’s next plan is to head to the pirates’ base since he needs to get the holy necklace. Don’t need to go all the way. They’re here to attack. Brad and Greg plead to help and although they know they’ll get in his way, they still want to do what they can. Olivia as usual is depressed, wondering why she said mean things to Leon who did so much for her. The pirates attack and she heads out. Yeah, going to get kidnapped by the pirate boss! Brad and Greg help her but they are too weak to even do anything. Of course it’s Leon to the rescue. He knows he doesn’t like where this is going but he still has a role to play. Leon becomes a savage as he tears down the pirate boss. Even when he pleads for mercy, Leon will not accept his surrender and tries to kill him! Only when he gets the holy necklace did Leon finally stop. Olivia heals Brad while Leon returns to his arrogant self, making Olivia sad again since she can tell their friendship has hit rock bottom. Later Luxion updates Leon about Olivia. It’s not like she hates him but is mentally instable. Leon feels this is necessary as he is trying to prop up Brad and Greg’s name so he can go back being a background character. With Angelica here, he’ll let her deal with the rest. In the aftermath, Brad and Greg are shocked to receive tons of reward. It seems Leon has reported they were the heroes and has also requested their families to reconsider their disinheritance. Of course for Leon, it’ll work in his favour if that happens. While he isn’t worried about Stephanie (snippets show Mylene and her men arrested her and her punishment will be severe), the pressing issue is Angelica being mad at him and slapped him for making Olivia cry. Yup, it’s part of his plan to distance himself. They’ve gotten too close. Brad and Greg talk to Julius that they want to become stronger and challenge Leon as a true man. More woes for Leon as the duo have talked to the palace and now Leon has been promoted several ranks. Even Clarice’s family has a say and guarantees once he graduates, more promotion! Can’t run away. School resumes tomorrow.

Episode 10
Leon receives a new and advanced air bike from Clarice. But now it’s time for the school trip. In the game, this is where the protagonist choose to get close with one of her love interest, depending on the place chosen. For Leon, there is a particular island he wants to go due to an item he needs. Sure it’s not because Angelica and Olivia are here? Yeah, Chris is here too and as popular as ever. Leon, Olivia and Angelica are at the shrine that is supposed to bring good luck and bond those close to each other. The priestess hands them a few charms and Leon is over the moon because they might contain very rare charms that are hard to get. So it’s like loot boxes, huh? While the ladies get some element blessing talisman, Leon gets some war fortune charm that increases his combat abilities and physical attributes. Next day, as Chris is about to challenge Leon, the whole ship is on alert as monster flying fish are approaching. From their crest, they belong to the Fanoss Dukedom. They were once part of the kingdom but declared its independence. However this event is not supposed to happen till the end of the game. Where did Leon screw up, says he, huh? Well, isn’t he himself the irregular? Riding the big mother monster ship is Princess Hertrude Sera Fanoss. She announces war on the kingdom and gives them an hour to decide if they will surrender or die. When her assistant, Garrett come aboard, he claims they will only take nobles who are of baron or higher ranking. Everyone else is not needed. That is when Angelica offers herself to be the only prisoner in exchange for everyone. Leon and Olivia try to stop this but get held back and beaten up by their own fellow students. When Angelica sees Hertrude, the latter claims she will attack and kill everyone because it’s a pity that only 2 of her friends stood up for her. Chris then talks to Leon how everyone will be killed on this ship. Hence he needs his help to stop this. However Leon is not interested. They didn’t help Angelica so they should die. However he won’t do this for free and by himself. He wants everyone to help. Chris tries to rally all of them to help but since he has no authority, they diss him. Now Leon is going to give them a pep talk about their cowardice. Deirdre Fou Roseblade disagrees with all that and claims about their ancestors’ achievements. But that’s so much about it as Leon points back they are only riding on their ancestors’ glory. They themselves are cowardly pieces of sh*t. Of course everyone disagrees with this and probably this is all part of Leon’s plan to rev them up to fight back. Now they’ll die fighting instead of waiting to be killed. As Leon rides out on his air bike, Hertrude signals the beginning of the attack.

Episode 11
The students especially the boys are doing well in protecting the ship. Leon notes that the guys practised every day to be strong so as to find a good wife. So it’s no surprise that they can be this strong if they want to. Garrett has a sinister plan to sink their ship along with all their monsters so his fleet starts firing their cannons. This is of course too much for the defending students to take. But at that moment of death, Olivia’s charm activates and it becomes a strong barrier to protect the entire ship. Leon barges into the main fleet to rescue Angelica and take Hertrude’s flute. Don’t worry, he didn’t kill all her henchmen. Just knocked them out with rubber bullets. He takes her hostage back to his ship and all her subordinates call him a dirty coward. Look who’s talking! No wonder Angelica laughing her ass off. But back on the ship, Garrett announces the fleet to fire all they’ve got and claims their princess has sacrificed herself. Hertrude has also disabled the control on the monsters. This means they will attack her which also in turn puts the ship in danger. As Leon flies off to buy time, Angelica thinks of what she can do. Oh well, you know, just feel that desperate feeling and voila! Her charm now becomes some sort of offensive weapon to shoot down monsters that come too close. As Olivia is too tired from the protecting, this is your cue for both of them to make up and become best friends again. A shot rocks the ship as it throws Angelica off the edge. She thinks this is it. No use regretting not being true to your feelings. But as fate would have it, Olivia grabs her hand before she plummets. Yes, more friendship bonding at this moment. Another shot now throws Olivia off but not before she throws Angelica back. Okay Leon, your cue to rescue her. Yeah, that happy look on her face, as though she knew Leon will always come to her rescue. When he saves her, the usual arguing she thinks he hates him because of the way he addresses her. He gives excuses she needs to find a better man who is way better than him. As if he didn’t get the hint after she rejects all those princes he suggested! Don’t make her spell it out for you! Oh, too late. Because Olivia confesses she is in love with him and wants to be with him. We can put this drama for later as they return to the ship. Just in time as Leon’s personal giant ship arrives to wage war on his aggressors. Leon going into combat himself with Arroganz to teach those who pick a fight with him. Garrett will not give up as he believes he still has Sir Vandel AKA Black Knight on his side.

Episode 12
Vandel giving Leon a run for his money. Although Arroganz’s armour is tough, Vandel has better piloting skills and experience. Eventually Leon feigns taking a blow from him. Vandel thinks Arroganz is rendered immobile but to his surprise, it can still move. That’s because Luxion is controlling it and this allows Leon in person to go capture the old guy. When Garrett fires a special flare that will summon monsters to take everyone out including themselves, Leon has Luxion shoot laser beams from the sky that kill all the monsters! Can you beat that?! Vandel wants to be killed but Leon in his usual arrogant tone will have him live in shame for the rest of his life. After all, full grown adults lost to a bunch of kids on holiday. It’s the end of them for sure! Garrett even pleading for some mercy but Leon will take all their usable ships and robots. Later Luxion asks about not using him to fight Vandel as he would easily defeat him. Leon reasons that had Luxion fight, he would’ve vaporized everything and this would mean everyone including the kingdom will see him as a threat. He just wants to stay low. Later Leon has Chris take credit for this incident and this will have his family reinstate him back. He also introduces Luxion to Angelica and Olivia. But now a more pressing issue as the princes have created a robot (did they mash everything together?) and are going to duel Leon again. Yeah, Marie not impressed. Leon accepts this so he can lose. Because he realizes Olivia is too good for them and if they want to be with Marie, so be it. The princes let Greg pilot it as he goes on the offensive. Leon would certainly love to lose had Luxion not warn him that Greg’s mecha is going to explode due to all the parts put together haphazardly. This means Leon must win by destroying the armour to save Greg’s life. And just like that, Leon’s misery returns. Yeah, Marie sad her money down the drain. More woes for him as now Leon is being awarded a special medal for capturing Hertrude. Being promoted again, huh? Marie also not impressed as she vows to acquire all the saint’s remaining items and become the protagonist. Later Olivia hints to Leon that she hopes to hear his answer one day. This makes him think he needs to make his resolve. Despite wanting to be a mob, he still wants to be with Angelica and Olivia. Luxion notes Leon is similar to Marie because both have knowledge of this world and try to use it to their advantage to get close to the protagonist and romantic interests. Leon denies of course.

My Next Life As A Mob: All Routes Lead To Arrogance
So are we going to have another season or are we going to leave it hanging like that? Sure, it’s all happy ending for now in this chapter but there are lots more chapters from the light novel where this came from. So if you’re not satisfied with how things are going and Leon haters hating how this guy always gets his way in the end and hoping to see him eat some just desserts, feel free to read up on the light novel. Otherwise, Leon’s going to level up and rue about it as always. Hey, it’s his attitude that got him to where he is, right? No complaints! Just suck it up and reap what you deserve!

While the story overall isn’t anything much and even generic to boot, somehow I find it interesting. Perhaps it is because I keep comparing this to Hamefura despite both series are very different from each other as it goes on. Since this fantasy world is a mesh of a few other elements than your standard dating sim with magic, perhaps it gives a slightly different refreshing take on the animes that I have seen under this genre. Curiously, it seems I feel like I need to know what is going to happen next although some moments were somewhat predictable. But hey, as long as a series can keep my attention for a big part of the season, that itself is already good in my books.

Even though Leon is an arrogant piece of sh*t and most likely sharing the same vibes with a certain Bakarina, somehow I find him more tolerable than the latter and in fact I am more inclined to support him than that doomed villainess. Partly it is because everyone here looks down on him and then they are forced to eat their words and humble pie once he turns the tables on them. It brings me great satisfaction to see Leon owning those prideful nobles and show them their place. Unlike Bakarina who does not have any real enemies to boot (since it is mostly the guys fawning over her) and she herself starts off as a noble character. Whereas Leon had nothing and had to start from scratch to work his way up. Hence his villain-like actions and attitudes to me are justified. A mob acting like a mob…

Even more so that Leon has to be as arrogant as f*ck AKA an asshole dick is because this is to avoid others stepping over his head and to remind them of his place. Someone that you wouldn’t want to mess with seriously. We all already know that females rule the world here and unless you’re some princely status, you’re as good as being under the thumbs of the matriarchy. Imagine if Leon tries to play being the nice guy, he’ll get trampled all over and no one will take him seriously. Even in the event if he is humble in victory and plays it nice and gentle, considering how f*cked up these entitled young nobles are, they will not think twice in showing their continued disrespect. Leon after all, comes from a commoner lineage and it is pretty evident what we see how they treated Olivia could actually be done the same onto him. Therefore I believe Leon has every right not to be the gentleman and play the nice guy since respect is not something he is aiming for. Yes, respect is earned and these blokes don’t deserve his! So keep spouting those arrogant lines because Leon has a great talent for it and it keeps thinks a lot more interesting and funny.

Make it double since Luxion himself is sarcastic and it’s amusing to see them trade deadpan insults at each other. It’s like they have this love-hate relationship but can’t do without the other. But you got to hand it to Leon for being dedicated to stay and finish the entire otome game until he knows it like the back of his hand. I bet he even knows all the secrets better than the programmers and designers of the game! Yeah. The irony. I bet he can write a sequel for this game if by chance there is some miracle he gets reincarnated back to his old life. I just wonder what could it be so bad that Leon had to comply with his b*tch sister’s request than getting one of his dirty secrets out. Don’t tell me he fathered a secret child! Sorry, not in the script!

Of course the cliché moment is that Leon himself is slowly becoming a hero and accumulating his own mini harem. Maybe this is the only ridiculous point that I noticed because despite he claims he just wants to be a mob and a background character who lives a low profile life, he keeps butting heads with high profile people and gets involved with events that would propel him to greater status. He should know by now that the rank he attains, there is no way for him to return to his quiet life, right? Then he tries to give excuses which feels like trying to shirk off his responsibilities when it is obvious that Olivia and Angelica have both fallen for him. Maybe that is his own way to psycho himself to get complacent. He might lose sight and focus. But ultimately when a girl says she loves you, she really means it. Sorry, guys don’t have the privilege to friendzone girls. Only the opposite works.

I’m sure this isn’t in any route of the game whereby Olivia becomes some sort of side character and damsel in distress. Of her emotions, that is. Leon played the game millions of times and it’s weird to have him think that the events are proceeding like in the game albeit at a different pace. I thought Olivia was the main character in the game? Now it’s Leon, right? Therefore what Luxion said was true because now that Leon is taking the helm and taking charge, this has relegated Olivia into some emotional time bomb as she grows weaker with each passing event. Eventually, falling for a mob character who is actually the main character all along. Weird, right? Seeing Olivia this way is both heart wrenching as well as annoying because I thought she would become a strong woman to support by Leon’s side but she turned out into this mess. Which of course gets fixed somewhat because as long as you confess your feelings, everything is a-okay, right? Yeah, I don’t think that’s how it works but whatever.

I want to say the same about Angelica too but if you compare her fate to the original game, she is in a much better position than she is now. So I would say that Angelica has come out stronger than Olivia but that is mainly because she has backing from Leon and her family status. Now that the main villainess is no longer the villainess because a certain mob guy decided to play the role of the villainess, hence Angelica’s role feels somewhat awkward as it is mainly trying to justify and ascertain her friendship with Olivia. They aren’t like Bakarina-Maria pair in Hamefura as it feels like there are some hidden tension between them due to Angelica being the ex-villainess and what she did before. But alas, thanks to the power of friendship, they’re back stronger than ever. And of course, big thanks to Leon for that. Behind every successful woman, there is man behind. Uhm. Whoops. Whatever.

I’m very curious about this bratty Marie. There are hints to indicate that she is Leon’s sister in real life (the biggest hint is same seiyuu!) and if that is the case, it made me wonder how she died in real life and end up here! I’m very curious to know how! Anyway, it looks like Marie is having her own ulterior motives here, the way she obviously manipulate others, using her cute innocent charms to the utmost of perfection. However her character role seem to sputter out and take a back seat after her princes got defeated and disowned by their families. It would be interesting to see what she will be doing next but in the meantime, she’s laying low until the time is right as she plots her next move.

As for those princes, they aren’t bad people per se and even after they got their asses handed to them by the one and only Leon. Personally, I don’t find these princes as annoying as the ones in Hamefura (who are just pretty annoying trying to pander to Bakarina – though, it is still weird that the princes continue to pledge their love altogether for Marie – because they sound robotic in that!). The good thing after their loss to Leon, they seem to learn a lot about humility and even begin to look at Leon in a different way, despite Leon does not change much in his attitude and all. Reality hits hard for them as life isn’t a bed of roses they think it is so in a way, you could say that once again that it is thanks to Leon that they manage to avoid a future of ruin. You could say that he gave them a chance at redemption. Can you imagine these guys teaming up with Leon and taking down the matriarchy?! Don’t laugh. The impossible happened with Leon, right? But still, they’re the biggest losers and jokers each time they think they can rumble and beat Leon. Oh well, got to give them points for being this confident. Of course, not every female here is bad. Like Mylene and Clarice, they’re quite decent people but with the majority of women in power, they give women a bad name so to speak. But good thing we won’t hear from arrogant b*tches again like Stephanie, Carla and Jenna. Just desserts they’ve got.

Art and animation are standard anime style. Hot looking guys and girls that are aplenty but of course some minor characters looking ugly, which in a way is a better reflection of their stinky attitude than those who look good because those are what you call real life clickbait. Heh. One of the weirdest things I find is that the eyes of the characters somehow made me think they resemble bug eyes. Though it isn’t actually that but I can’t help see them in such a way. Because of that, many of such characters especially the female ones look a bit weird. As for the character designs, at this rate I believe some characters look like they’re from other animes. Most notably Angelica whom I keep joking that she is the reincarnation of the Fate series’ Saber. There is also some CGI employed but these are used sparingly and does not feel clashing with the rest of the 2D animation. For instance those fish monsters. It isn’t horrible but I thought it could use a little bit of polishing up. The robots sometimes I noticed used CGI too but it’s not very jarring because well, robots moving like robots… I guess it’s fine then… This anime is done by Engi who did Uzaki-chan Wa Asobitai and Tantei Wa Mou Shindeiru.

Voice acting is pretty okay and I didn’t expect to hear a few recognizable seiyuus such as Akira Ishida as Luxion, Ayane Sakura as Marie, Kenichi Suzumura as Julius, Koji Yusa as Chris, Nobuyuki Hiyama as Greg, Kousuke Toriumi as Jilk, Sora Amamiya as Hertrude, Sayaka Ohara as Mylene and Eri Kitamura as Deirdre. The rest are Takeo Ootsuka as Leon (Takeo in Noblesse), Kana Ichinose as Olivia (Marlya in Fairy Gone), Ai Fairouz as Angelica (Hibiki in Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru), Shinnosuke Tachibana as Brad (Tomoe in Kamisama Hajimemashita), Sayumi Suzushiro as Clarice, Ayaka Suwa as Stephanie (Oono in High Score Girl) (Hijiri in Trinity Seven) and Haruka Shiraishi as Clarice (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy). The opening theme is Silent Minority by Kashitarou Itou. This dramatic rock piece feels like it should’ve been better suited for a shonen anime like Naruto or Black Clover. Selfish by Riko Azuna as the ending theme fares okay as a lively pop music with the occasional brass fanfare.

Overall, it isn’t a very extraordinary anime as it has borrowed many elements from various genres so if you’re looking for something unique and captivating, this isn’t it. But I suppose it is still better than those that have main characters being reincarnated as an overpowered character. This one has the main character reincarnated with overpowered arrogance! His I-don’t-give-a-f*ck attitude resonates in me even more so in today’s testing times. The opinion on this series is very much divided out there as some find it pretty interesting (like yours truly) while others felt disappointed especially those who read its light novel source didn’t particularly like how the adaptation went. Also, many don’t like the main character because he acts more like a big bully and dick. Hey people, hate the sin and not the sinner! Sort of. I don’t know if there will be more isekai dating sims reincarnation categories in the future. My guess it’s going to be weird because you know, Japan has a lot of weirdest dating sims from dating a pigeon to a prince horse to a printer to a T-Rex and even a dashing Colonel Sanders himself! We can conquer all those with ease but not the heart of a real person in real life. Sad… :’(.

Shenmue The Animation

Well, it’s about time. I think. I didn’t think Shenmue the video game would get an anime adaptation because you know, it’s one of those old retro classic video games of the 90’s and you’d think the new generation would know anything about this. But what the heck am I talking about? I’m not even a fan of the series or even played the game although I have heard and seen some game screen shots during my younger days. So I’m wondering if Shenmue The Animation was made just to give some nostalgic trip to old gamers or make the newer generation aware of the game and to go find and play it on Steam or whatever. Or maybe Sega need some money so they decided to milk some with one of their beloved franchise. Can’t always rely on Sonic, right? Anyway, an excuse for me to watch this so I don’t have to go play the game. HAHAHA!

Episode 1
Ryou Hazuki goes off to take part in a karate tournament. As expected, his opponents look down on him so a calm and composed Ryou easily beats them on his first strike in the finals and wins it for his team. On his way back, he sees his classmate, Nozomi Harasaki in trouble as she is defending a girl who accidentally dropped a punk’s ice cream. F*cking bullies. Ryou’s karate chops makes them running and so the day is saved. When he returns home, he finds something is strange. A Chinese man named Lan Di is fighting his father, Iwao and wants to know where the mirror is. Iwao won’t tell and gets beaten up. Ryou tries to intervene and is shown how weak he is. Because Lan Di threatens to kill Ryou, Iwao gives in. Lan Di then will allow him to die like a warrior as he mentions the name of the man that he accuses Iwao of killing, Zhao Sunming. Iwao fights but gets killed. Lan Di leaves and tells his goons to find the second mirror. Over the next few days, Ryou is having deep thoughts over this incident. Yeah, police can’t do anything on this matter either. Nozomi tries to cheer him up so he does his best to accompany her. She wants to treat him to hotdog for the other day but it seems their favourite hotdog seller is closed because a car almost banged into his food truck. From his description, it could be Lan Di’s limo. Then at a ramen store, an old man overheard them talking and can’t help interject to tell them it could be Lan Di who is a powerful figure in the Chinese mafia underworld. When Ryou returns home, he is attacked by this discount Japanese Golum who wants to know the whereabouts of the second mirror. Ryou remembers his father’s teachings and calms himself. He analyses his opponent’s movements and strikes, sending him to flee when other dojo members come running in to see what’s going on. At that moment, Ryou has made up his mind that he won’t sit back and do nothing and will uncover the truth behind his father’s murder. With that steely resolve, housekeeper Ine Hayata hands him a letter addressed to Iwao that she received shortly after his death. It is from Zhu Yuanda.

Episode 2
As the letter is written in Chinese, Ryou asks around. Strange, not even the local Chinese can read it?! Are you sure it is Chinese???!!! Ryou then meets Shigeo Yamagishi, Iwao’s old friend. Because he can tell Ryou is trying to dig into Iwao’s past, he tells him to let the police handle it and return to his normal life. Ryou continues to ask around. This leads him to a shady bar near the port because that is how the Chinese mafia enter illegally bypassing immigration. Damn, those buffed Americans can’t even stand their ground against Ryou! Even as the people in the bar get rowdy and violent, they still can’t beat him. Hence the bartender will tell him what he knows as long as he doesn’t set foot here again. He is to find a man name Charlie as he has connections with the underworld. Word reaches Charlie so he finds Ryou troublesome and will eliminate him. They use a young boy to make Ryou meet up with them. Upon hearing that Ryou wants to know about the Chinese operations, Charlie thinks this is not a related case so he has his goons attack him. Yup, all beaten up. Though, Charlie escapes. Regrouping with his men, they think of getting revenge on Ryou so as not to lose the turf war against Chen. Those Americans then befriend Ryou and lead him to some place where he is ambushed by Charlie and his men. He beats them all up and even more so when Charlie got his letter. Damn, those Americans run away! Don’t want to mess with this kid! Big body but no balls! After Charlie hears the reason the letter is important, seems he was under the wrong impression and thought Ryou was a henchman of Chen trying to take him out. Of course it’s not. The letter is the only thing connecting Ryou to his dad and he wants every clue he can to clear his name. All Charlie says that Lan Di is a very tough guy to handle. He is one of his many clients and warns going down this road means getting more than he bargained for. Later Ryou meets up with Yamagishi (who overheard Ryou’s talk with Charlie earlier). Seeing his motivation, he tells Ryou to visit a pottery store in the shopping district. There is a guy who can read all forms of Chinese. You mean there is more to just traditional and simplified versions?! Also, Yamagishi is a martial artist and will teach Ryou some new moves.

Episode 3
Ryou is at the pottery but it’s closed. Thankfully, the kid he saved from punks, his grandma owns the shop. He gives her read the letter. So the Chinese words are just mirrored?! Basically it says to get Master Chen Yaowen’s help when things go south and some other codded words. Using the numbers in the letter, he makes a call. A voice answers at the other end. Ryou replies using the coded words but once he runs out what to say, he gets hung up. After Ryou saves a guy from being mugged and beating up those punks, he is shown the way to a warehouse that was stated in the letter. There he sees Chen (the voice on that phone) who is a friend of Zhu. Long ago a precious mirror was transported from China to Japan. Zhu was that facilitator. And if Iwao has got some connections with Lan Di, it could have something to do with Chi You Men, one of China’s most powerful underground networks. Lan Di could be a high ranking executive of that cartel. Speaking of him, he is torturing some guy for whereabouts of the other mirror. He doesn’t know anything except that the accomplice’s name is Zhu. Chen tells Ryou about the other mirror so that he can go look for it. He goes home to look for it but nothing avail. Asking Ine about it, she knows nothing except she remembers Iwao entrusting something to an antique dealer days before his death. He goes to that antique dealer to find a family crest. Not a mirror. Then asking about Chen, he is told on the outside he looks like running an antique dealer but they are actually an illicit operation run by overseas Chinese and they smuggle antique art from China. Soon, Ryou is attacked by Guizhang (Chen’s son). This is just to test him since Guizhang has been assigned to protect him from Lan Di since he will not give up until he has to other mirror. After training in his dojo, Ryou notices strange holes behind the banners covering a wall. Sticking the crest and sword into it, it reveals a secret room. Ah, there it is. The other mirror. How nice of the light pointing him to a picture of dad in Bailu village, China. Ryou gives the mirror to Chen who explains if both come together, it is believed the gates of heaven and earth will open and some mythical creature will descend to devour the worlds. Suddenly that discount golem jumps in trying to steal the mirror. He fails and escapes. Chen believes he is someone sent by Chi You Men who has ties with Mad Angels, their business rivals. Though, they are more into arms smuggling and drugs. They think Lan Di is going back to HK (speaking of the devil, he is leaving for HK!), Chen doesn’t want Ryou to taint his hands further but Ryou insists he must if he wants to see his father for who he was.

Episode 4
Ryou needs money to go to HK and he doesn’t have much. Then this delinquent guy, Goro Mihashi a self-proclaimed lackey for Ryou wants to help him. Yeah, he needs some money. And he doesn’t mean extorting from others! Find him a job, that is. Eventually Ryou gets a job driving a forklift at some warehouse under the supervision of Mark Kimberly. Ryou asks why Goro is being so helpful. Goro’s dad left when he was young and he always wanted to know about him but never got the guts. So he heard about Ryou’s story and hope this will motivate him to look for his dad. Ryou has another favour and wants to go meet Mad Angels. However this is something Goro can’t do or he can’t come back here ever again. Later Ryou gets attacked by Guizhang. I guess this is another martial arts lesson, huh? Nozomi finally gets to talk to Ryou and learns what he is up to. She has something to tell him but couldn’t bring herself to say it. Something about moving away to Canada? Ryou saves Mark from being beat down by several thugs. He says they are from Mad Angels. Ryou wonders why Mark covered for him (Mad Angels were trying to beat him up for info on Ryou) so he replies that he overheard his story about his father and isn’t a kid who just wants to earn some cash to good around. You see, Mark is the same too. He is here looking for his brother whom he believed has joined Mad Angels. When Nozomi overheard Goro’s big mouth talking about Ryou and Mad Angels, she decides to do her own investigation to help him. Yeah, she got kidnapped. Ryou returns home as Ine asks him if he saw Nozomi since she got a call from her mom that she never returned from her delivery job. Instantly Ryou has a bad feeling and that is quickly confirmed when a Mad Angel dude tells him to go to some warehouse or the girl gets it. Dumb dude gets kicked off his bike as Ryou steals it to ride there. He meets Terry Ryan, the boss of Mad Angels. He thinks he is Chen’s men. Ryou denies it but Terry wants proof. He wants him to kill Guizhang. Until then, Nozomi stays with them. So Guizhang obliges Ryou and goes to meet him? Then they started fighting and knock each other out. Terry counting his chickens as he thinks this turf is now all his.

Episode 5
Earlier, Ryou left a message for Goro. Thank goodness he saw it. He heads to the warehouse and overheard the goons guarding Nozomi about their boss’ plan to wear both Ryou and Guizhang out before going in for the kill. WTF this dude runs back to Nozomi’s friend, Mai Sawano for help?! And what she do? She tries to drive a forklift despite having never driven one?! Luckily Mark is there and heard them so he’ll help out. Thank goodness those goons are dumb as Mark rams the forklift into them (making them trap but not injure them – they only piss in their pants) to free Nozomi. That was easy. WTF they head to the pier and see Ryou and Guizhang down. Terry has his goons finish them but obviously it was all an act. Ryou and Guizhang wake up to give them a beating. It’s going to get ugly so Ryou tells the rest to run while he and Guizhang deal with a swarm of Terry’s men. Get ready all those combos for the beat down. Eventually all are taken out and even Terry himself. He warns them HK is nothing like this. So he admits he is the weakest? Guizhang will convince his father to get Ryou to HK. A few days later, Ryou is ready to depart to HK. He quits his part time job as Mark wishes him well. Goro and Mai getting married?! That escalated quickly. Nozomi hands him a charm. Chen will have Guizhang accompany Ryou to HK but that golem dude attacks, injuring Guizhang’s leg in the process. Still no match for Ryou, though. Because of Guizhang’s injury, he cannot accompany him. Which is also a good thing because now father and son can bond. As Ryou puts it, Guizhang’s place is by his father’s.

Episode 6
We’re in Hong Kong! They’re trying to tell us HK is a lawless place because the moment Ryou steps down, he almost got run over by a biker girl, Joy. If that’s not it, he got tricked and his bag stolen by a young orphan, Wong. Thank goodness it is mostly junk in it. Then he meets this old tai chi guy who wants to spar with him. After that, he is given information on where to find Tao Lishao, the person who supposedly knows about Zhu’s whereabouts. This leads him to a temple where he speaks to the head monk, Liu Hanhui. Even with a letter from Chen, this won’t be enough to get him to see Tao. A woman praying at the temple advises him not to be too obsessed in what he is looking for as he may lose sight of it. Ryou returns to tai chi uncle and will only be given further hints if he can learn this special tai chi move of using a single palm strike to shake many leaves off a tree. It’s going to take time… Later Ryou stumbles into more punks but they let him off the hook since they don’t want to mess with Joy. She tells him the sad and harsh reality of HK where nobody looks out for each other. She helps him find a place to stay. Just use her name and everything will fall into place. Works like a charm. Ryou returns the favour as he finds Wong to get his bag back but did not harm him or his comrades. Ryou finally masters the tai chi move known as Wude and makes old uncle impressed. He returns to the temple in hopes of meeting Tao this time. After explaining his reason for being here, Tao shows himself. It is that praying woman.

Episode 7
Ryou must spar with Tao to prove himself. He lost. So must he now give up? Well, Hanhui tells him to learn the 4 basic principles of Wude. Only then maybe Tao will change her mind. His first stop is to see Xuan Zhoushan, the master of Guang Martial Arts School. However he cannot teach him Wude as he blames himself for ruining a man’s life. That man was his student, Bai Zongquan. He used his martial arts to flaunt his power and attract attention to himself. Now he is just some vagabond and street performer. Ryou goes to see him but he has Ryou be his special guest to do some tricks for customers. He too feels he is unworthy to teach him Wude. The next time he comes looking for him, a group of gangsters from Yellow Heads is looking for him too. They want protection money so Ryou pays with his fists. Zongquan takes Ryou and run as Ryou learns they are HK’s underground triad who harass him for money. So it’s better to pay up than leave? When Ryou talks to Joy about this, suddenly hits upon a realization on Zongquan’s actions. He returns to Zongquan how is in the midst of beating up Yellow Heads’ goons. Ryou wants him to stay true to his master’s teachings so Zongquan claims he isn’t doing martial arts and only fooling around. He gives Ryou a letter for Zhoushan. He reads it and realizes Zongquan has always been following the Wude teachings. In which case, Jie. Ryou goes back to tell Tao about his revelation but this isn’t enough to change her mind. Since he still won’t give up, she lets him stay in her room since she cannot ignore Chen’s good faith. She also reveals her real name is actually Hong Xiuying.

Episode 8
Ryou has to do some chores because he can’t living here for free, right? Part of that is to help air old books in the library with Xiuying’s assistant, Xun Fangmei. Ryou is impatient to continue his search and despite Hanhui’s advice, he goes off on his own. Along the way, helping out an old woman as well as stumbling into Joy and Wong who offer to help him find some martial artists. While some are pretty good in that, however they don’t know anything about Wude. Side distraction as we see Xiuying fending off a couple of bullies trying to attack a boy and his sister. She advises the young lad not to seek revenge because it’ll lead him down the wrong path. Since Ryou is late for some chores, Fangmei is disappointed in him. Ryou’s disappointment in not getting closer to find Zhu is so obvious so Hanhui has to remind him what his purpose is learning martial arts. So what has it got to with him coming to HK? Perhaps something Xiuying wants him to see but he can’t see it because he only looks straight ahead. Hence he is lacking. Say, that is what dad also told him. When Joy and Wong give Ryou the whereabouts of a martial artists named Sun Guixing, Ryou makes his way there. But he sees a group of land sharks trying to harass that old lady to leave her residence so that the whole block will be torn down for redevelopment. She won’t budge and so they attack. Luckily Ryou is here to beat them up. Weaklings. And just like that, the old woman who is Guixing herself, notes Ryou has learnt another Wude as he acted without hesitation for what it’s right, Yi. Wow. It feels like he unlocked an achievement! Eh, Ryou goes back to Xiuying to tell her the latest Wude he learnt? But she claims seeing only revenge in his heart. To her, that is the same as murder and she will have no part in it. Fangmei saw the whole thing and apologizes for having a bad opinion on him. She gives him a hint that she heard the name Zhu before and it is one of the books in the library. Well what do you know? Just a little bit of searching and there it is. Wulinshu by Zhu Yuanda.

Episode 9
Inside the book is a paper with strange symbols. Asking Fangmei about it, she thinks Guixing knows about it. Apparently this Chawan Sign is used by martial artists to communicate with each other. So you arrange the cup in such a manner and wait for some correspondence. First time he waits at a stall, he got a message to meet at the park tonight. The moment he gets there, he gets taken out. When he comes to, he is back at Xiuying’s place. Did somebody bring him back? He asks Fangmei about Hong Ziming, a name that was in Wulinshu. She says he is Xiuying’s older brother but she suddenly left her one day. Soon, Ryou tries the Chawan Sign again. A barber takes him to his shop and tests him. Although he claims he knows Wude, he won’t teach him because he lacks something. Then he tries again and this time another message to meet up. When Zhang Shuqin meets him, the Yellow Heads take him away. Ryou has his hands taking on some of them so the rest are taken out by Xiuying behind the scenes. Shuqin reveals he is Zhu’s aide. Currently he is in hiding after being targeted by Chi You Men. Perhaps the only one who knows his whereabouts is Ren Wuying from Heavens. Ryou tries to go see him but his men knock him out. This time he wakes up in Wong’s place and is given a lighter as a pass to enter. Since Ren loves money, the password is related to cash and he must not show any weakness before him. Ryou manages to meet Ren in person who takes him to where Zhu is. But it turns out to be a trick as Zhu steals some money that the Yellow Bandits are exchanging with and left Ryou as the scapegoat. Ryou goes after Ren and manages to catch him. After learning Ryou is trying to find the truth of his father’s death, Ren wants in on this and believes there is profit to be made. This is when Ryou realizes something important he is missing. He is unlike Ren who stays on his guard all the time to avoid legit threats because the only way he can profit is when he is alive. Ryou returns to the barber and passes his test and of course learns the final Wude element: Dan. I’m sure isn’t going to brag about learning all the Wude to Xiuying. He now realizes she was trying to help him out of concern since someone in her life went astray. Since he still can’t agree with her, this time he will leave.

Episode 10
Ren has an informant who tells him where Zhu is. But the moment Ren and Ryou get there, they are attacked by the Yellow Heads’ local boss, Dou Niu. The big bull knocks them out and imprisons them in the room. Although handcuffed together, thanks to a dumb guard, they manage to fight their way out. Dou Niu and his effeminate assistant, Yuan talk to Lan Di about finding Zhu for him. Doing so will allow Dou Niu to become the big boss all over HK. Once they’re done and going out, they stumble into the duo. Of course they manage to get away and I think they could’ve win gold medal had double long jump been an Olympic event! How the f*ck did they jump across to the other building so far?! Big bull definitely can’t follow. Next day as Ren beats up his informant for setting him up (he was after all threatened by Dou Niu), he finally gives some info they might find useful. They arrive at that place but nobody is in. Lots of cassettes. You mean Ryou is going to hear every one of them to find out any clue?! Good luck. And luck he has because this recording plays a conversation of Shuqin being threatened by Dou Niu and Yuan. This leads them to stake out a bird seller’s shop that Yuan frequents to buy bird seed. They tail him back to his home and knock him out. They see Shuqin kidnapped at his place. But since Dou Niu is coming, they pretend hide and ambush and lock the big mother up in the closet before taking off. Shuqin managed to get a hold of Zhu and knows where he is. He hands them several keys that will unlock secret passages to where he is. Damn, it’s like trying to find that secret room! And there he is, Zhu sitting like a boss! Too bad it is their turn to face karma because Dou Niu and Yuan have followed them. Having the last laugh? But Dou Niu is interested in beating up Ryou. Can karate kid take on the big bull? Oh, Xiuying is here.

Episode 11
Since Yuan has secured Zhu, Dou Niu won’t risk it further fighting Xiuying and escapes. Xiuying brings Ryou to the walled city of Kowloon where she and her brother grew up as orphans. But her brother left for revenge and that’s why she didn’t want him to walk down the wrong path. Sorry, I don’t think he is listening. So she wants him to spar with her or else he won’t beat Lan Di. He loses to some technique of hers so she tells him to learn it. So I take it she allows him to get his revenge, huh? With Zhu being held hostage in Yellow Heads’ HQ, Shuqin knows someone who lives close by. Yeah, this old man wants to spar Ryou in the dark. So I guess another lesson passed, huh? This guy is friends with Iwao and they exchanged martial arts ideas. He reveals Yellow Heads run illegal underground tournaments and make money from its betting. Ryou must fight his way to impress a man named Huo Yuandao. Ryou goes into this alone because well, Ren himself said he has to stay alive if he wants to make a profit, right? Yeah, who’s the chicken now? Even Joy is having some sort of dilemma of wanting to help Ryou. What difference would it make? Especially her mom got killed and dad running a syndicate. Wong overhears a Yellow Head gang talking about how they’ve got tabs on Ryou and Ren. Ryou finally caught the attention of Huo. He is made to do errands and enter more fights. Until he earns his trust and the moment Huo is going to lead him to Yellow Heads’ HQ and that moment Ren knocks him out and forces him to reveal Zhu’s whereabouts. But of course when they get there, nobody is around and is a trap. Fancy fighting Dou Niu again?

Episode 12
Ryou and Ren don’t have time to deal with this bull so they give him the slip and escape. Damn, now they have to deal with a mad Yuan wielding a chainsaw?! They don’t have time for this too. Because Wong is tired of living like a thief, he wants to do something to help Ryou. This also helps change Joy’s mind so they’re going to infiltrate the Yellow Heads’ HQ. Of course they won’t go sneaking around because this time they will go through the front door as Joy uses her reputation as Chun’s daughter of White Thai to have a meeting with their boss. Short history shows they once ruled HK’s gambling scene with an iron fist. Yellow Heads were their underlings doing the dirty muscle jobs until one day they betrayed them and sold them out to a rival gang. Wong sneaks around via ventilation space while Joy gets knocked out and imprisoned. Good for Wong, he manages to crawl to where Zhu is held hostage. He goes back into hiding when Yuan returns to take Zhu for the handover to Lan Di who is coming soon. Wong then shoves all the mice in the ventilation to scare the sh*t out of that neat freak before escaping with Zhu. That was easy! Ryou and Ren hack into the 2-way radio to learn about Joy’s predicament. They go rescue her as Ryou easily knocks out this Shadow Master knockoff. Yeah, just remember all your Wude lessons! With Joy rescued, they now hear about Wong and Zhu’s escape and how it’s a mad scramble to get them. They encounter Yuan who gets desperate to bring them down. Of course he fails and they threaten him where the exchange will take place and he gives him because he’s a neat freak. Ren dumps the garbage on him anyway. At the rooftop, Lan Di just arrived on his helicopter. Our much awaited reunion?

Episode 13
Oh Ryou, will getting mad make you any better? Lan Di notes he has improved but still hands his ass to him. Yeah, Lan Di didn’t even need to break a sweat. Zhu will tell what he wants and to stop this violence. Lan Di agrees so Zhu mentions Bailu in Guilin. Just like that Lan Di takes off in his helicopter. Ryou is still mad and won’t let him go. Yeah, what is he going to do? Give angry stares? Dou Niu needs to prove his worth if he is to dominate HK and attacks Ryou. Had not Ren push him out of the way, he would’ve been done for. Yeah, time for his lecture to not be so blinded by revenge. Just what he needs for Ryou to get back on his feet. Remembering all the teachings of his mentors, Ryou knocks out the big bull. And damn, is Lan Di going to hang on the ladder like that all the way to Bailu?! I guess he must have style! In the aftermath, Zhu explains Lan Di sought revenge for the death of his father Sunming. Lan Di’s real name is Zhao Longsun and he believed Iwao killed his father although the truth behind this accusation is unclear. As for the mirror, if both are paired, they will form a key and reveal a massive fortune of hidden treasures. Of course Ryou’s next step is to head to Bailu where Iwao and Sunming once underwent training together. Ryou says goodbye to all his HK buddies. He visits Xiuying and gives her a memento from her brother and hopes he will not end up like him. Ryou claims he isn’t after Lan Di but the truth. Wong making an honest living by selling bananas. Yeah, everybody here is bananas! While trekking to Bailu, Ryou sees Ling Shenhua diving into the rapid rivers to save a lamb. He jumps in to save her. She brings him to her village as he is certain his dad came here because of this tree called Shenmue as she explains, in the picture. When he sees a document about the mirrors, she talks about them being the village’s legends. They were made by the direct of the emperor. However they became disputed due to its hidden powers and many lost their lives. She thinks seeing her father will enlighten them more but he has left a note. Now that his purpose is fulfilled, she is to undertake the bearer of this mirror to undergo a trial of proof. She is given the family’s heirloom, Sword of Seven Stars. Ryou inserts his mirror into this contraption and voila! So bright! What activates?! Uhm, just a giant version of the mirror?

Side Quests The Cut Scenes
I got to ask if Lan Di has arrived at this village already? Well, it may be he is unaware that he needs both for the treasure but I think he isn’t going after that for now. Anyway, it would be dumb if Lan Di hadn’t arrived but Ryou did first. But it is hinted that we see his mirror already there so he must have gotten a head start on this whatever trial of proof. Yeah, I wonder who he went with or he is just being a hero and went himself. Didn’t any villagers see him or is Shenhua the only person living in this isolated village? Yeah. Whatever. The story ended just when it told us the real story was about to really begin. Sheesh. Such irony.

Well, I don’t know if there is going to be another season despite it obviously ends on a cliff-hanger. As veteran gamers and fans would know, the Shenmue series has went into development hell after the sequel was released. It was not only until recently in 2019 that the third part came out and even so, it was greeted with mixed reviews. After all, Shenmue was one of the early and pioneering games that popularized Quick Time Events (QTEs) as well as open world concept, the latter that is now ubiquitous in big name games. The anime obviously adapted the first 2 games and as I later found out, this anime was created during the time when the third game was published. Wow. They really took their time, huh? Not sure it was development hell or they really wanted to carefully not screw up the anime. But yeah, if it was to help promote the third game, too bad they’re 3 years late. Better late than never, huh?

I have got to be honest. Watching the whole series, feels like one big and long cut scene of the game!!! Yeah, it’s my own personal joke as I watch through each episode as I can’t help have this feeling that I’m just watching a very extended and uninterrupted cut scene of the game! Hah. At some points, it feels like there were supposed to be QTEs and I was jokingly thinking that perhaps the scene will prompt up some sort of button to press to execute the move! Yeah. Even though I have said I did not play the game, but I have a feeling that many scenes such as running away from baddies and jumping over obstacles, it felt those moments were QTEs because now that I think about it, it all just looks so strange and that such actions can only be made when you have QTEs implemented inside. Well, good thing it does not have them (duh!) because we all have come to know and hate QTEs, right?

Looking back at the entire story, it felt really generic because the whole thing feels like one big side quest. Uh huh. Ryou’s mission to uncover the truth has led him from one mini side quest to another. Therefore at times it was baffling and funny to me as I see Ryou obtain one piece and bit of information and then head to the next spot to get another lead. It feels like a longwinded way just to get justice on his father’s name. But I might be naïve because in real life, it could even be this longwinded and much more twisted if one ever becomes determined to get down to the bottom of the truth. But as far as the context of this anime, of course watching Ryou hopping from one clue to another and getting into all sorts of mishaps and misadventures (sometimes nothing can’t be solved with a little fist of his karate), it just really feels odd the way he goes about with his mission. I suppose with no money, this is what you do. Obviously since this was adapted from the game, hence the things Ryou does looked like so. From fetch quests to heading over to a certain spot. Yeah, it really feels like one big game but without the interaction from players.

Ryou as the main character, sometimes he baffles me because he has got this poker face on his looks. Well, I know I jumped the gun too early but I guess having this calm and composed Ryou whose mind and heart is fully concentrated in finding the truth is still way better than if he is an unstably emotional person who is blinded by his emotions and rage to find his father’s killer. Therefore Ryou might sometimes look and sound like a robot. Obviously from the things he needs to do and the way he obediently obliges each clue, yeah, that’s why I say he is a robot. Calm and patience is the key. Of course there are things he needs to learn even further and that’s why the HK trip and other ‘teachers’ teaching him about what he needs to know. Damn, this guy has lots of mentors. And nothing beats his best mentor who is his own father. Because it feels funny and weird that each time Ryou thinks of him, it is always his father’s stern words that he is lacking something. Don’t laugh. Many like yours truly have faced something similar. I mean, my father kept telling me how useless I am and until today! Oh Ryou, I can understand how you feel! And for Ryou to remember his motivation, all he needs to do is just touch the cut on his face courtesy Lan Di’s gift to get all serious and focus his mind. Yeah. Hey, thank goodness it’s not a girlfriend’s kiss or something like that. HAHAHA!!!

Of course like I said, in the anime it looked silly and perhaps all in the guise of character development for Ryou. But in the game, I bet it is to help level up Ryou as he learns and unlocks more skills that will be essential to the plot later in the game. The way I see it, Ryou has got a long road ahead to uncover the truth and considering where the anime ended, there are still going to be a few other plots to tie in. Remember those mirrors? Yeah. Almost forgot about them when he came to Hong Kong, eh? I bet they have some supernatural legend to them. Thanks for reminding us in the end. Note, that was sarcasm. And I bet there is more to it than Lan Di’s revenge for his dad and that Iwao did not kill him. Imagine the ultimate plot twist of Ryou and Lan Di teaming up to fight a revived dead zombie emperor, whose resurrection means he wants to rule the world and extend his Qing Dynasty rule thanks to that discount golem usurping them and trying to use it for his own nefarious gains but backfired and he is now gol-dead and became a vessel for the said resurrected emperor of doom. HOLY SH*T!!! HOPE THAT IS NOT IT!!! Thank goodness I wasn’t hired to write the plot for the (possible) sequel!

Now, this is one of the biggest disappointments of the series although it is largely the fault on my part. Because well, I didn’t play the game so I had always assumed it was so. That disappointment is the character named Shenhua. I always had this perception that she was the main character alongside Ryou. I could be wrong but I even had this perception that she was the poster girl of the series. To not see her pop up in the anime but only a few seconds of cameo of her in some idyllic China village of hers, you can see why my baseless disappointment came from. And to see her finally meeting Ryou in one of the last scenes of the final episode, I know I should be relieved that the duo finally met but instead I felt WTF and that they trolled me with Shenhua just showing up in those cameos just to remind us that she exists. Had they taken her out because she’s really not related to the context of the story so far, I would be complaining where the heck this poster girl is. But yeah, with the third game taking place in China as I read, I believe she’ll play a more proactive role here rather than puzzling us with some legend’s riddles or something.

As for the rest of the characters, there are too many of them and by the time this anime ended, I bet that we would have all forgotten about the characters left behind in Japan. Yeah. I’m sure we’re wondering if Nozomi will ever end up dating with Ryou. Not sure how long his quest for truth will take. Years? Yeah, where will she be by then? They even trolled us in the ending credits animation of Ryou x Nozomi but I guess those are only for fans of the pair. I think. So whatever Nozomi’s worries about moving away and abroad, it just felt it didn’t matter because Ryou is gone and so she’s left irrelevant. Same for all those Japanese characters who come and go like the wind especially those who helped Ryou in his quest. And some felt like so rushed and WTF just to give that character a closure like Goro and Mai getting married. So sudden, right? But all that doesn’t matter to the main storyline, right? All forgotten by the time we reach the end.

With the first half in Japan over, the second half now shifts to Hong Kong where Ryou can meet more people in his quests to uncover the truth of his father’s murder. So that’s why I felt that Joy is somewhat Nozomi’s replacement in HK because we now need a strong independent woman for the role. It is yet to be seen if Joy would fall for Ryou because in some ways, he saved her, right? Yeah, whatever. Then you have Ren and Wong as Ryou’s unofficial allies so as to assure us that Ryou has some friends to help him and that he is not a lone wolf and no superman. Also many thanks to all the other old mentor-like characters along the way to help Ryou level up because guys like him can learn so fast when it’s supposed to take years in real life. Gotta hurry and uncover the truth. While many of these characters have their own back stories like Xiuying’s mysterious and vengeful brother who one day left and never returned, so far they are just scratching the surface and not really fleshed out properly. Unless you head over to the internet and Wikipedia to do up some reading, those who only watch the anime will be baffled with such unrelated stories. By the time the season ends, many of these side characters I’ll too forget their names. Oh God, gonna have to dig through my blog…

The action scenes are okay but sometimes pretty laughable. As you know in the game, fights are necessary to break up the mundane investigation parts. Well, it is a good thing that many of the fights do not last long because it would be a bore if it drags out. It’s not like Ryou is going to shoot his Hadouken or Shouryuken, RIGHT?! Ryou becomes Ryu… Yeah, I keep thinking the way Ryou goes around and beats up all the punks along his way, I think he has fought almost every triad or yakuza member! Uh huh. The baddies especially those low level generic punks are just so dumb. They think they are stronger and just because they have that intimidating tone, they start throwing their punches only to get their asses handed to him by karate master Ryou. Even that Ryou isn’t a great karate master and is still lacking! So that’s what makes the fights basically laughable because just when you thought a seemingly big and tough opponent stands in his way, and that the fight may last a bit longer, in no time Ryou does his little karate moves and voila! The fight is done! Baddie on the ground or they run away. So predictable. Of course some like Dou Niu and Yuan are so persistent that they are annoying. It’s like their characters exist only to for this type of role. Failed to beat them? Well, they’ll be back in another way. With all the street fights Ryou learns, he’ll soon be able to reach Lan Di’s level for the epic battle finale. Shenmue 10 when? Haha, just kidding.

The art and animation of this anime is quite good. Obviously they’ve put some effort in the quality. Especially the backdrop of Hong Kong which just looks surreal and gorgeous even if it’s the slums. Perhaps it is refreshing to see something that is not so predominantly Japanese and that’s why even if those shoebox apartment slums look really depressing and run down, the quality of the animation still makes it a sight to behold. Same as for other Chinese-like elements like the graveyard’s tombstone and all. Of course not to say when the setting was in Japan, it was lacking. The quality is still there.

On a trivial note, I want to mention that now that I have seen the anime and looked back at the game, the characters in the game look pretty horrible!!! OMFG!!! I know it was a time when such 3D technology wasn’t at its peak yet but my goodness, many of the characters in the game due look freaking ugly compared to the anime which even makes the most horrible looking character look slightly better. For example, Zongquan. Despite being a vagabond, at least the anime makes him look decent. Now take a look of him in the game. WTF???!!! Are you sure this is the same character?! So much so I think many characters are pretty close to unrecognizable when they became anime animated. Even Joy looks pretty hideous, like as though she got some skin blemish but in the anime she’s so hot like as though she’s a different person altogether. The same can be said for Nozomi and even if they redesigned her based on this reason, I can’t blame them and wholeheartedly agree with it. That is what happens when dated technology makes your 3D characters look so lifeless and thankfully modern 2D style saved the day and breathing new life into such old characters. Only Ryou remains as the only character whom you’ll instantly recognize in both the game and anime. The irony of plain guy looks became the most iconic and recognizable one. Sheesh. This anime was done by Telecom Animation Film who did Tower Of God, Orange and Ijiranaide Nagatoro-san.

Due to the large amount of characters here, the cast is a large one and some even taking on multiple roles albeit those characters are just minor ones. The only seiyuu I recognized is Takahiro Sakurai as Lan Di. The rest of the casts are Masaya Matsukaze as Ryou (Ren in Jigoku Shoujo), Mao Ichimichi as Joy (Bada in ClassicaLoid), Osamu Taira as Ren, Shouta Hayama as Wong (Ichirou in Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Happy Kiss), Mirei Kumagai as Xiuying (Mimori in Bakuten), Haruka Fushimi as Nozomi and Haruka Terui as Shenhua (titular character in Yuuki Yuna Wa Yuusha De Aru). Sorry I just stopped short. Too lazy to list the rest. Interestingly, I found out that Ryou and Lan Di’s original seiyuu from the game were reprised in the anime. Damn, it really feels like they’ve been around for a long time! But for others, they’re mainly new ones who aren’t from the game. The opening theme, Undead-Noid by Kashitarou Itou is an upbeat rock beat. I suppose it fits the pacing of the series well and has some nice Chinese and oriental influence in the song. The ending theme, Sympathy by Narudora feels more like a slow rock. I suppose it is pretty decent but personally doesn’t leave much of an impression on me.

Overall, this anime adaptation fares decently and if you’re a casual viewer, you may find some of the stuffs here quite silly as it is a pretty long and never ending side quests for the main character to get to the truth. But it is still a good and entertaining watch if you want some sort of story but that is not too confusing with plot over plot twists. I’m not so sure about fans of the game if they love it or not but since the adaptation has mainly stayed faithfully to the source material, I guess there should be no qualms. Heck, with even better looking visuals, what’s there to complain? After all, being hit with such nostalgia may make them want to revisit the game again. If their Sega Dreamcast is still working! Sega may have been out from the console market for a long time and not been making many memorable titles lately. So perhaps going back and animating old beloved franchises may be the trick in their revival? So when can we see an anime on Streets of Rage or Golden Axe?!

Anime With Non-chronological Episodes

Why make it so confusing???!!! It’s already bad enough that some anime series have its plot that is entirely hard to follow and even more so for simpleton viewers like yours truly. Then they have to take it to the next level and suddenly show it out of order! Like, WTF???!!! Why make life so complicating???!!! As if our misery in trying to understand what is going is already bad enough, they want us to do some mental gymnastics and play 4D chess, huh??! And so listed below are the anime series that have its episodes shown in non-chronological order.

Anime: Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu.
Comment: Perhaps the most famously infamous series to have its episodes order all over the place except for one episode (episode 12). Luckily the next season didn’t follow this format. Though, that freaking Endless Eight arc literally killed it for many people.

Anime: Peach Boy Riverside.
Comment: This is the most recent anime that has its episodes shown in this confusing manner. Worse, it was announced they intentionally wanted to show in this shuffled manner. If that wasn’t bad enough, there was another version which showed the actual broadcasting order but only aired exclusively via the dAnime Store streaming platform. Good thing from all of this? I didn’t watch this show. Phew.

Anime: Princess Principal.
Comment: Among all the animes listed on this list, this steampunk spy thriller is my favourite one. Due to the standalone style of each episode, the cases are quite independent and episodic of each other didn’t bring much headache. Even if you want to piece the timeline in chronological order, many of the episodes still stand independently. However not all the episodes are topsy-turvy as 5 of the episodes are shown in legit order (episodes 4, 9-12).

Anime: Rental Magica.
Comment: Another anime that I didn’t watch so I can’t comment much. They only thing I can say is that not all the episodes are also shown out of order and those in actual chronological orders include episodes 4, 16-20.

Anime: Hidamari Sketch.
Comment: Surprise! I didn’t even know this art themed anime was actually shown out of chronological order. Perhaps it is the random skits of each episode that are so independent of each other never made me think much about it. Because each episode title has a date in it, you can pretty much put the pieces of the puzzle together and watch it in order. But I doubt that would make any difference. This is the longest anime with non-chronological episodes as it has 3 seasons and various OVAs and specials under its belt. Though, no new episodes or seasons since it last aired in 2013. Oh sh*t! That’s like almost 10 years ago!

Anime: Jinrui Wa Suitaishimashita.
Comment: Weird show. Although its non-chronological feature is not very obvious, the parts that are shuffled are mainly the story arcs within the season. This means if you watch an arc that lasts for a usually a couple episodes, those episodes in that arc will not be jumbled up. But still, making this already weird and confusing series to be even weirder and more confusing. Truly, the anime industry has not declined, right???!!!

Anime: Touka Gettan.
Comment: Yet another anime I didn’t watch. But unlike other animes on this list that have no clue in which episode is to be expected, this one has a particular ‘method’. That’s right. The series shows its entire season backwards. The last episode is shown first, so forth, so forth and until the final episode which is actually the first episode of the series. So with this systematic order, you could say that this is a chronologically non-chronological anime?

Can We Get Some Order, Please?
This list is not meant to be exhaustive but there’s so much I can find. Yeah, the more I try to find, the more confused I got so I’m just going to leave it here for today. Of course you would notice that there are some seemingly non-chronologically styled anime series not mentioned here especially the popular retro, Baccano. While this anime has several stories that are not told in chronological order, however you still need to see the broadcasted episode order for the entire series to make sense. It is the in-story that is skipping around and not the airing order. Get what I’m trying to say? This means shows like Mawaru Penguindrum that relies heavily on flashbacks to progress the plot are not counted. The same can be said for other series like the Monogatari Series and the Kara No Kyoukai movies. They come in different seasons that are not in the chronological order but within that same season their episodes are in order, so it definitely doesn’t count.

Then there is Boogiepop Phantom and Boogiepop Wa Warawanai. I didn’t see this one and trying to think if it fits here confused the hell out of me since both series have episodes intertwined with each other although all the episodes are independent of each other and sometimes shown from different individual perspectives. I got so confused so I just left it out. So we have seen that some animes work with this type of style as long as the stories are not following a huge linear format and it becomes dependent on the overall narrative. It is enjoyable when it is seamless and unnoticeable. Hence non-chronological formats are mostly for the shock and surprise factor. The moment it starts to get confusing, that’s when they already lost me. My life is already messy and chaotic, I don’t need more confusion to further f*ck it up.

Aharen-san Wa Hakarenai

Imagine if 2 socially awkward people try to be friends with each other. Will they really become friends or remain strangers? That is my thoughts as I try and navigate through Aharen-san Wa Hakarenai. The titular character is of course a strange girl and her actions are not what I would say, the common people would predict it would be. And hence the title itself. A person this weird won’t really have normal friends, right? Aha. Unless somebody who is as equally as weird as her tries to be her friend. And now you have 2 oddballs trying to do normal things in normal ways but since they’re so abnormal, things turn out to be hilarious and not normal, at least to the eyes of a normal person. Comedy gold or cringe fest? You bet they’re going to serve up some laughs and eyebrow raising moments at the same time.

Episode 1
Matsuboshi Raidou thinks of starting his high school on a perfect note. He is going to change, that’s for sure. And that, he is going to start by talking to the person sitting next to him. Uhm, did he miss her introduction? Ah, at least her name is on the book, Reina Aharen. However attempts for him to talk to her fail because it’s like she is ignoring him. Wow. It’s really getting to him. Forget the wonderful high school life, just please talk to me! One day, she gets really close to him. Need something? She whispers she forgot her textbook. He shares with her but isn’t she a little too close? Then she starts hanging out with him but all the time she is so clingy with him. Even during karaoke, is she even singing? Can’t hear a damn thing! Finally she explains how she doesn’t know how to be friends. The last time she got too friendly, it made others freaked out and kept their distance. So she thought the same thing might happen to him but thankfully, he never gave up. Aww, here’s a big hug! Is it? Okay. Now she won’t let go. In his attempts to understand her, he has his sister, Imouto practice with him reading lips. She’s going to have a nice time insulting him. Needing a more effective way, he gets inspiration to write and pass notes. Now she keeps passing them even in the toilet! Okay, don’t waste your papers anymore. Thinking he could hear her close when she’s hugging, could it be bone induction? Okay Aharen, you can stop butting your head now! Raidou’s head can’t stop ringing… From homing pigeons to Morse code, nothing is working! But thanks to straining his ears to hear her speak, looks like he can differentiate the faintest of sounds. Then at a crane vending game, Aharen is looking like she wants a plushie (Shirorin). Raidou spends all his money and still can’t get it. Aharen then uses a single coin and not only she is successful but gets a bunch of them! Here, have them for all your troubles. A little too much, don’t you think? With Raidou’s mom away, he won’t be getting his homemade lunch and hence Aharen is going to force him to eat hers. Don’t let her petite size fool you. She’s a big eater too. And isn’t she upgrading herself sitting on his lap now? Next day she seems very sleepy in class. Raidou thought she was awake throughout class but turns out she is sleeping with her eyes open! Later she reveals she tried to make lunch for him at home and woke up early for it. He appreciates her effort and says she can lean on him if she’s tired. Yeah, she’s literally sleeping all over him! How the f*ck can she sleep like that???!!! Oh, looks like a jealous girl isn’t too pleased with this…

Episode 2
Raidou is shocked to see Aharen all messed up as she arrives in class. Did she get into a fight? Turns out dust got in her eye and without that depth perception, she kept bumping into things. He hands her an eye drop. But I think he better do it for her since she keeps missing. When he does, she purposely avoids the drops! After some desperate measures, he manages to do it. But then it’s his turn to get dust in his eyes. Aharen returns the favour. Yeah, she keeps missing… Raidou feels he is being watched and followed for the next few scenes. Then the perpetrator shows herself. Oh no. This big girl gonna beat him up? Turns out Mitsuki Ooshiro is a very meek girl. She is Aharen’s childhood friend and is trying to keep her promise to protect her. Apparently she is scared of Raidou and thinks he is bullying Aharen. Since that’s not the case for Aharen, Ooshiro continues to keep watching from afar. One day Raidou comes with his fly open! Aharen tries to tell him but looks like her voice couldn’t reach him. He thinks she is all fired up and that he must match her enthusiasm. Raidou tries to volunteer in class but each time, Aharen outdoes him. Even when he goes to the toilet, his zipper is still down! HOW?! And so Aharen becomes his censor as she walks in front of him. At the end of the day, he thinks she has been acting strange. Until he sees in the reflection that he gets it. How could he not notice? That Aharen cut her hair! OMFG!!! Only when he goes home and Imouto points this out did he realize! DUMB! One day when Raidou isn’t in class, Ooshiro decides to discreetly lend her umbrella to Aharen. However she thinks it is a bomb and even returns it to the teacher who then returns it to her. When Ooshiro places her umbrella on her desk, Aharen thinks it is haunted! Then Aharen catches Ooshiro peeking. The tables are turned. This time the big girl is running away from her. Oh sh*t. How can Aharen be everywhere?! Is she a ghost?! In the end, Aharen did bring her own umbrella and wants to share it with her to go home. Too bad Ooshiro is so tall, Aharen is tiptoeing… Even when Ooshiro holds it, she is so tall that Aharen is all wet. Taking shelter, Ooshiro lends her sweater. Aharen thanks her because she’s always too far to hear. This has Ooshiro realize that Aharen knew she has been stalking her! Poor girl runs away. With Raidou back, Ooshiro returns to her usual distant stalking. As Raidou and Aharen play Reversi, he thinks he is a super pro. Until Aharen lets off this champion aura! But WTF?! She loses badly?! This has Raidou think she is holding back and wants her to be serious since this is a competition. In that case… Now we see her beat him flat thrice! Not a fluke! WTF he thinks time is up and calls it a draw?! YOU LOST!

Episode 3
Raidou thinks his hair is long. Wait till he sees Aharen! OMG! It’s standing up! Did she get petrified or something?! He thinks she is in some death metal band. OMG! She’s head banging?! Turns out her hair is this way due to her bad sleeping position. He tries to help and make her hair nice. Woah. Now she’s got Super Saiyan hairstyle! Since this won’t do, Raidou calls out the spying stalker. Yup. Ooshiro hiding in the closet! At first she runs from the ‘beasts’ but after hearing the truth, she helps out since her home runs a saloon. Aharen’s hair is fixed. Would Raidou want his hair cut? Saves money… You bet! At first he thought she is out for revenge to cut bald but she cuts pretty decently. Actually she does have that intention but doing so will make Aharen sad. They invite her for lunch but she still keeps her distance. Don’t worry, Aharen has come prepared with long chopsticks! With Aharen’s skin very dry, she has Raidou put some moisturizer on her. Since he sucks, Ooshiro does it. Damn, she’s even giving her some pedicure, manicure and massage! Raidou learns Aharen’s head banging was due to the tall guy sitting in front of her so she can’t see. Whatever suggestions they come out like making the table really high or using periscope or walkie-talkie, they’re all so dumb! I guess it’s better than asking the tall guy to swap places, huh? In the end, sharing the table is the best solution. With the announcement of changing seats, Raidou thinks their friendship will end and needs to do something for her. Wow. He sounds like the end of the world. During baseball PE, Raidou helps Aharen stretch. Lots of bone cracking sounds. You sure she’s okay?! During baseball play, he thinks she is making lots of complicated baseball signals when it’s just something simple. In the end, he pitches out to give her an easy win. For home economics, thinking she is tired from baseball, he decides to cook for her but he sucks. However she still eats all his food. Later as thanks, she gives him her bento. He’s gonna be stuffed… Then she asks him to record her doing weird moves. He thinks she wants to be a U-Tuber (?!) so he helps out and since she also asks him to join in, he thinks they can be worldwide famous! Let’s get it on! Yeah, those weird dance poses… CRINGE!!! In the end, turns out it is just for some class dance. Disappointed? Not as disappointed when there are no views on their uploaded video at all! The day of changing seats is here. It’s like they make their final peace that they’ll always be friends, blah, blah, blah. In the end, they end up exactly the same place. Welcome back. Oh, that tall dude still in front of her…

Episode 4
Everyone thinks Tobaru is a strict teacher or she may have some sort of health problems due to her serious demeanour. Actually, she loves classic poems and doesn’t want to be interrupted. Hence her extreme concentration that makes her look serious. When she sees Aharen and Raidou too close to each other, it sets her heart aflutter. Even more so when they seem too close like as though they’re flirting. This causes her to nose bleed and the class really thinks her health is deteriorating. Because Raidou still has trouble telling Aharen’s expression, they practice being expressive. Yeah, whatever they do, Aharen’s expressions are the same! Not much changes! From sad movies to doing funny stints, can you really tell how she is feeling? In the end, Raidou thinks he has taught her enough as they take a commemoration photo. Smile. Compare it to the beginning… No difference! What is better than Aharen liking rap music? Why, Aharen rapping! Raidou thinks this is a form of communication since rap is all about expressing oneself. He too tries to rap but he sucks. He even practises with his family but no luck. Eventually he gets better as both of them rhyme with each other. Until the teacher confiscates the mic because bringing that is illegal. But hey, they can still rap without a mic, right? Uhm… Suddenly they lost their rapper magic! When Imouto gives Raidou a fidget spinner as apology, Aharen becomes interested so he gives it to her. However she is so fixated on it 24/7 that you can’t see her without one. She grows addicted to it and you can see bags beneath her eyes. Raidou fears this may affect her future and he’ll be responsible for that. He confiscates it but gets addicted himself! While resting at the park, a group of kids led by Akkun comes up to Aharen. It seems they call her the king because they are impressed with her fidget spinner skills. But they scoff off at Raidou for being a nuisance. Kids have no respect for elders these days… Akkun’s childhood friend, Futaba comes by. She challenges Aharen to a Reversi and the loser stays away for Akkun. Oh dear. Should somebody tell her? Boy this is going to get messy. Raidou claims anybody who wants to challenge Aharen must go through him first. Okay. Absolute defeat! Raidou really sucks, huh? He thinks Aharen will avenge him but she too is absolutely defeated! REALLY?! Actually, she lost on purpose. Futaba brags but Akkun claims they intentionally lost. This makes Futaba real sad so Aharen had to tell Akkun to make up with her. Happy ending. Aharen gets tired from all that but thankfully, her dog is here. She can ride it like a horse and go home.

Episode 5
Raidou notices Aharen playing a game. Hokkemon, eh? I think I know what game this is… Aharen thinks this is the latest trendy game but Raidou knows better it has seen better days. He decides to play with her and thinks this is his chance to get his first win. You’d think Raidou’s powerful Yankeeras would beat Aharen’s Shirorin but apparently somehow she manages to defeat him. This has him think he was always dancing in the palm of her hands. Care for another round? He’ll pass. Futaba tries to get one of those Yankeeras plushies for Akkun. To her dismay she sees Aharen here. However she wants to show off how great she is. As expected, she fails and has spent almost all her money. Let the master show it to you! Yeah, see how many Yankeeras she’s got? Jealous Futaba won’t give up and uses her last coin to do it. Noticing one at the edge and copying Aharen’s move, she finally gets is. Time for the b*tch to brag! Aharen is cool with it. Later, Futaba has this thought, what if Aharen let her win? NAH! Aharen then gives all those plushies to Raidou. Damn, he gonna get Yankeeras and Shirorin nightmares! Aharen is shocked to see Raidou fat! So as not to insult him, she reads a diet book to find a way to help him slim down. Raidou notices this but misinterprets Aharen wants to diet. A petite girl like her needs dieting? Not wanting to infringe on her choice, that is when Raidou decide to read his own dieting book to help see which diet is best for her. Yeah, he also does the exercise and then slims down. By the time he recommends this book, Aharen doesn’t actually need it. As the exam approaches and Raidou hasn’t studied (he is ranked somewhere at the bottom), he ropes in Aharen to help him study. They try to find a good place to study. Communicating with notes at the library, ran out of pages to write. At the café? Distracted by eating. Petting store? Distracted by cats. The park? A certain loli b*tch wants to challenge! Back to the classroom then. Raidou then learns she too didn’t study but she scores higher than him still. When they clean the class, because Aharen comes fully geared, he thinks those are weapons. Maybe she is just a hardcore cleaner? With her being so proficient, he thinks she is an assassin! Maybe she is really just a hardcore cleaner. While moving the cabinet, Aharen slips but luckily Raidou holds it back up. Later, Aharen gives him a big hug for always helping her out. Okay, she can release that gorilla grip any time now… With all that studying, we see Raidou’s rank improve significantly.

Episode 6
Pool lesson. Aharen in a scuba gear. That says it all. Don’t worry, Raidou will teach her. How can he do so when he sucks at swimming?! Well, Ooshiro looks kind enough to teach them. Once done, they test each other who can swim the fastest. Raidou thinks he is doing great and leaving Aharen in his wake. Turns out she already reached the other end of the pool. How? Well, she only breathed once! Alone in class, they play ping pong. Aharen sucks. Raidou thinks he can win over her this time. Too bad he sucks too! You think his serve is a game changer. Turns out it’s pretty mild. Seems Aharen can copy his moves too. I wonder if it’s legal for Raidou to blow the ball that is going over the net. Yeah, it got stuck there. Once the bell rings, they both end up in a draw. They think they can be ping pong champions. Too bad they lost badly in the class game. Next, the duo try bowling. As usual, they both suck unless they throw in a weird position. Only then they can strike. In the end, yet another draw. After that, they practise basketball. Because Aharen missed her last shot and this makes Raidou think he finally won, he thinks they can take on the basketball world. But in their next class match… As usual, they lose badly without even scoring! Raidou is thirty for destruction after watching Aliens VS Invisible Man And Zombies With Sharks Featuring Dinosaurs With Giant Spaceships! OMG! I WANT TO SEE THIS EPIC MOVIE! He plays a zombie shooter with Aharen. Yeah, he sucks too. Aharen is all alone. Will she get zombie rape?! But wait. Aharen is a pro! All headshots! Even more so, picking up his gun for dual wielding! OMG! Aharen owns all the zombies! Later when she goes to the toilet, Raidou is stumped to see her at the crane game. She doesn’t remember him and he fears she has amnesia. He helps her get a plushie. Returning to the zombie game, she sucks greatly now. Then she shares his food with him as this portion is too much. This is when Raidou asks who she is. Because she knows him but yet is the opposite of the Aharen he knows. Could she be a body double?! Then the real Aharen comes by. Oh my. Are they clones?! Aharen introduces Ren. Her little brother. LITTLE BROTHER?! Yeah, he likes to sneak in and wear her clothes. That was a nice prank he pulled on Raidou.

Episode 7
Aharen forgot to bring the bento she made. And hence she must go to the dreaded school canteen to buy food. Look at all those savages trying to fight and order their way in! Aharen gets kicked out but luckily by riding on Raidou, she manages to get in. However her voice is too soft to be heard. When Raidou gets kicked out, Aharen slides her way in and manages to get her melon bread. Not sure how many years it took off her life. In the end, Raidou decides to exchange his bento since she has always helped him out. Just then, Aharen’s dog just came to bring her bento. Yeah, Raidou ended up eating her whole bento and is stuffed. Aharen and Raidou join Ishikawa and Hanako Satou to play old maid. Raidou once more thinks he can beat Aharen because well, he has the strategies! But each time, he loses. All the time. Yeah, you bet it is more of a game of luck! Aharen seems lethargic and numb. So Raidou has to carry her to change classes. Since this happens so often, he fears she cannot leave school and they will be stuck together forever. But subsequently she is well again and it turns out she was just thinking what kind of food he likes from her bento. All of them? Futaba has made her bento as a test run to give to Akkun on their field trip. Of course she sees Aharen and Raidou and challenges them to see whose lunch is better. Obviously Futaba’s lunch sucks. Futaba tastes theirs and finds it delicious. She has to suck in her pride and ask Aharen to teach her. She does so but prideful Futaba instead of saying thank you, claims she got tricked instead. WTF Futaba sleeping with her bento? A few days later, she comes back to blame Aharen for poisoning Akkun. They realize she gave her the bento she made with them instead of making a fresh one for that day. The class need to submit some art and the theme can be anything. So Raidou and Aharen try what they can. While Raidou sucks, Aharen could have created masterpieces had it not been for the deadline. In the end, Raidou draws himself (which is pretty good) and as he wonders what Aharen is doing, he checks on her and finds she is dead! OMG! Not breathing! No heartbeat! He administers CPR but then Aharen comes in. Oh. This is a life sized doll she made, huh? So real… Aharen scores highly on this and gives it to Raidou. Uhm, he is going to find it hard to sleep with that doll looking at him!!!

Episode 8
When Raidou and Aharen go to their usual place to eat for recess, they see Tobaru and Miyahira there. Raidou and Aharen go on acting like their usual but Tobaru’s mind start going psycho as she thinks she can handle whatever shenanigans she sees in them. Yeah, she has to cancel class many times because of that! Will she overcome it this time? Long story short, no. We see her on the verge of collapsing from loss of blood because what they do seems to surpass her expectations. It gets even worse with Ooshiro joining them. Now she thinks they look like a nucleus family! She almost chokes to death! Back home as she sleeps, she thinks of cliché romcom settings for them and ends up bloodying her bed! Out of context, this looks like a murder scene! Thank goodness Miyahira is there to clean it all up and look after her, eh? Ishikawa and Satou invite Raidou and Aharen to the fireworks festival. Aharen busts Ooshiro from her hiding to seek permission to let her to join in. Okay. At the festival, Raidou thinks he has enough money to cover everyone. Well, Aharen was a little too fast as she bought all the food and ran out money to play the games. They continue to have fun at the festivals. Boy, you think Tobaru is here to relax herself and then she sees them. She’s going to need a longer timeout! Suddenly Raidou and Futaba stumble into each other after realizing she is lost. Oh Futaba, blaming Raidou as a serial child kidnapper?! Since she left her handphone back home and Raidou drops his, he takes her to the receptionist where they call her dad to come. He is about to leave but she hints of not wanting to be alone. So he stays with her till daddy comes. Is that a thank you I hear? Finally a lost Aharen stumbles into this area and gives Raidou a big hug. Found. Just when Tobaru has recovered, the moment she sees the duo rushing before her to go see the fireworks, yeah, her own bloody fireworks start first! The fireworks begin and Raidou lets Aharen sit on his shoulders to have a better view. Beautiful. She thanks him since because of her stature, she could never fully enjoy the fireworks. They then reunite with the rest. One more for the road as Tobaru sees this and… No more outings for her, that’s for sure!

Episode 9
Raidou is feeling sick today. Because of that, he looks hot! Of the handsome kind! Oh sh*t! You think it is just Aharen seeing things but apparently their other friends too! OMG! I wonder what effect it’ll have on Tobaru… Never mind. She’s dead… Raidou collapses in class so everyone panics. Don’t worry, he’ll excuse himself home. So hot this guy that even Imouto is starting to fluster! Next day, he feels better. Yeah, back to his original ‘dumb’ looks. Now Aharen is sick so Raidou is tasked to bring notes to her. On his way there, he suddenly sees Aharen. Wait. This one looks bigger. I guess he didn’t the last time and thinks she is some killer from the future (seeing she is trying to get a sword)! Turns out she is Eru, Aharen’s little sister. F*ck! I was betting she was her mom!!! Anyway, she’s trying to get a knife to cook. Really… Now, Eru might sound intimidating but she actually cares a lot for her sister. So like when Raidou asks about Aharen, she sounds like getting mad and annoyed but she is actually trying to tell him to do it himself since Aharen would appreciate it more. Eru has gotten all she needs for Aharen and all that is left is this Shirorin plushie. Yeah, she sucks at the crane game. Raidou to the rescue! He gives it to her but she won’t accept as she laments no matter how hard she tries, she can’t be #1. Later Raidou arrives at Aharen’s home as he explains what Eru did. Aharen gives her a big hug for always looking out for her. He is invited in as he helps out and learns how Eru always wants to help Aharen. As usual, he jumps to conclusion that she might be terminally ill and has not much time left. Actually, it’s harder for her to do so when Aharen becomes an adult. It’s just that simple. Next day, Raidou stumbles into Ren. He has Raidou accompany him to do shopping. Well, Ren realizes he lost his wallet. It has lots of money too. Oh dear. What now? Don’t worry, Raidou will cover for him. Only, his wallet is empty too! Yeah, he is this poor! Just when you think Ren is going to resort to stealing or using some credit with high interests, he puts back his stuffs and will use his own allowance to cover it. Yes, he keeps a separate wallet for his own money so as not to mix it up. Shortly, Ren’s wallet is found with that doggie. Thank goodness. Ren then asks if Raidou and his sister are dating but he can’t answer that since Aharen is here. Raidou tries to call Aharen by her first name seeing he might get confused as all her family members share the same surname. But she blushes when he does that. Now it is Eru’s turn to get sick. Aharen’s turn to take care and look at all the stuffs to help her recover in her room. Even several XXXXXXL servings of ice cream tubs! Yeah, Eru better get well quick.

Episode 10
The usual suspects head to the mountains for a camping trip. Miyahira drives them there so hold on to your seats! Drift master! Aharen who promised to pack all the ingredients, somehow forgot them. Don’t worry, they have permission by the groundskeeper to look for their own. Aside from collecting plants, Raidou tries to catch a fish with a spear. Failed Ooshiro helps out and he thinks she wants to kill him to spend time with Aharen! Lucky for him, she is skilled since her relative is a fisherman. After cooking and having some camping fun, Ooshiro decides to turn in early and the rest go for a walk in the woods. Ishikawa and Satou thinks of leaving the duo alone and ‘disappear’. This has Raidou think they have been abandoned! What to do? Stay put and watch the stars! Unfortunately they know nothing about constellations so no conversation. Just when it seems Aharen seems to be summing up a confession, they are attacked by a wild animal. Turns out to be Aharen’s dog here to bring the ingredients. When everyone turns in for the night, Raidou finds it hard to sleep. Likewise Aharen. Ooshiro also can’t sleep and fears waking up Satou so Aharen lets her sleep close to her. This is also because Aharen needs to ask her advice. She wanted to confess to Raidou but fears by doing so they won’t remain the friends they are now. Ooshiro assures her that if she was in her shoes, she won’t tell him. So knowing her, it’ll be okay. Aharen sees Raidou outside. She joins him and as she is about to summon her courage to confess, Raidou says something first. Damn rustling wind, can’t hear a word! But we all know what happened since Aharen kisses him Oh sh*t. She’s crying! Then she runs back to her tent. Back in school, Ishikawa and Satou wonder if anything happened to them. Well, Aharen is now fat?! Oh Raidou, you think she is going to be a sumo? Turns out she put on too many layers as she was feeling cold. After undressing the layers, now she feels cold. Don’t worry. He’ll help warm her up. The rest think this is it. Turns out they go jogging together and eat spicy things. It’s so like them so they think nothing actually happened. But Ooshiro knows better as she spied and saw the whole kissing thingy. Later on the streets, Tobaru sees Aharen and Raidou together. Oh dear. Brace for nose bleed impact! She tries to hold it in but after seeing them cover their faces with a ridiculously long scarf to keep warm, I guess it’s time to break down. But the way she reacts seems like she is trying to hit on Miyahira. It’s okay to pass out now. You’ve held on long enough.

Episode 11
Since it snowed heavily last night, Raidou thought this giant snowman is going to exterminate humanity! Oh silly, it’s Aharen creating a snow café. Damn, she even has tables and chairs made from snow. Dressed in a maid outfit to boot! I approve! Then serving Raidou some great breakfast! Wow! Definitely will earn maximum Michelin stars! Don’t take too long because you might be late for school… When school is over, they thought of returning to the café but it is in ruins. They fix it back but it turned out to be Godzilla theme now. Next day, Raidou thinks Aharen is a robot since she is walking all stiff! No you silly, all that snow building made her muscles stiff. Since nobody is in the infirmary, Raidou has to give her a massage. It’s going to more than that so Raidou does some killer moves until it looks like all her bones ‘melted’?! Now it’s Raidou’s turn. She uses her feet to step on his back. How the f*ck he fell asleep?! But great chance for her to steal a kiss! Only interrupted when the nurse returns! FFFUUUU!!! Ishikawa and Satou invite the duo for dinner. The duo trying to observe if they are a couple but their interaction is so odd, they don’t think so. But this has them discuss what if they are not a normal couple and what constitutes normal. Then it is also hinted about Ishikawa liking Satou although the latter believes they are just childhood friends and she has nothing interesting. Wanna bet?! Next day as Raidou waits for Aharen, because of the poster, he thinks she is some top spinning champion?! Turns out it is just a normal hangout at the mall. Then they bump into Akkun and, oh dear, Futaba. Surprisingly Futaba being mature and not caring what they do. However it is Akkun who won’t take this sh*t! He accuses Raidou of always being near his master and hence challenges him to this top spinning tournament. The only way to meet is in the finals so you better win your preliminaries. Well… Both lost in the first round! Akkun inconsolable… But what’s this?! Aharen wins the championship?! For the 5th consecutive season?! Oh my! What’s this too?! Futaba winning some minor girls’ division? Watching Akkun makes her able to do things he likes too. Akkun is impressed and wants her to teach him. Can we consider this case closed? Futaba will allow them to return to their date. But the duo doesn’t think it is so until Futaba points out the obvious. Aharen’s reaction a little too late… Feeling like exploding? As the duo continue to hang out, Aharen notices Ooshiro not around lately. Well, she’s back home and in some training of hers. What’s this? A challenge letter? Oh dear…

Episode 12
Aharen has been looking through Raidou for most of the day. Is there something there?! Raidou gets spooked and heads home first. Aharen thinks he is being considerate as she calls out to Ooshiro who has been stalking her. This is to tell her what happened that day. When Ooshiro asks if they’re both going out and she replies they aren’t, this makes Ooshiro sad as she runs away. This also makes her mad thinking Aharen worked up her courage to confess and that guy has the balls to reject her. GRRR! Hence that’s where the challenge letter came in. Having him meet alone, oh damn, you think Ooshiro is going to beat him up in her samurai gear but turns out they’re going to play Reversi because it’s only fair since he can’t fight. How considerate. The loser must do as the winner says. It is obvious Ooshiro has lots of things to ask him if she wins. Oh Raidou, you’re screwed. So we see some flashback of Ooshiro and Aharen’s younger days together. Fun. In the end, Raidou wins in his last move and this makes Ooshiro wonder if this makes any difference since he doesn’t like Aharen. He corrects her that he likes Aharen. At the same time, Aharen was looking for Ooshiro and heard this. Now it’s official?! Aharen also clears up on that day that after she told Raidou her feelings, he told her back the same. Then she kissed him and because he looked so surprised, she thought she messed up and ran away. Once more, Aharen takes this chance to say she likes him. Then Ishikawa and Satou pop out from hiding to congratulate them. It’s like they’ve been waiting for this moment! Later as Aharen has some errands to do by herself, Raidou spies on her and sees her planting something. He thinks she wants to be some tapioca enterprise but turns out it’s just some flowers. Because this is her first time planting it, she doesn’t want to mess up. He assures that is why he is here to help her. Man, they’re serious in planting this flower! Using even a tractor?! Soon Aharen calls Raidou to an unused tea room. As usual, he thinks she is going to blackmail him but turns out she is serving normal tea and snacks. And then she takes out a stick! Oh sh*t! Don’t worry, just to poke Ooshiro out from her hiding. Meanwhile Tobaru is suffering yet another you-know-what. She was passing by during Raidou and Aharen’s confession. It’s amazing she isn’t dead. With Miyahira, both get an invitation. Ishikawa and Satou then join the rest in a tea snack party. Aharen called Raidou early just to test taste. Aharen seems worried because she fears they’ll be in different class next year. Can she make as many friends? Raidou assures her that even if they are apart, he’ll be there when she needs him. Aww! Aharen hug!

Futari Wa Pretty Comyushou Desu!
So will there be more or less the same antics next year? You bet. With Raidou and Aharen barely changing, I am sure there will be more or less the same kinds of shenanigans as they enter their second year. Because do we still understand them? Heh. As long as they have each other, I think they don’t need other friends. Yeah, it’s not like they have any sort of goal to make a certain number of friends every year, right? Since Raidou has given Aharen his assurance, there’s nothing else to be afraid of. I think.

As expected, there is no real storyline or plot whatsoever. Every episode just details the strangeness and shenanigans of our main pair. Both trying to understand each other but somehow ending up doing weird stuffs and looking weird. It is both good and bad thing. Good because it is supposed to make us laugh unless you are the kind who easily gets bored with this formula that remains somewhat the same from start to finish. And it is bad because it’s basically the same thing over and over again but in a different form. After all, this isn’t the only anime of its kind since there are many others in the past with similar vibes from Tanaka-kun Wa Itsumo Kedaruge to A Channel to name a few.

Therefore series like this tend to be a hit or miss as the main drive now focuses on its main characters. Good or bad thing, there isn’t much character development here because if there was, it wouldn’t be funny anymore. Uh huh. Both Raidou and Aharen need to stay particularly the same as before so as to bring in the laughs because of their weird personality. Imagine the duo suddenly discard their funny persona, this anime wouldn’t really be the same again. Hence for better or worse, Raidou and Aharen please continue to stay as you are.

Unless you really love characters like these, seeing the kind of weird shenanigans they pull off every time may get boring eventually. Both characters are awkward enough that there is some sort of miscommunication between them most of the time. For instance, one of Raidou’s greatest bad habits is to quickly jump the gun and to conclusions about something on Aharen. Usually something very far-fetched and the only kind of setting that would only normally happen in the movies. Be it she is some secret spy or assassin, Raidou’s imagination will definitely go wild, thinking about Aharen being that kind of badass girl with a secretive job. Then it all turns out to be something normal. That’s pretty much it. Normally no backlash since Raidou is doing all that overthinking in that same poker face of his. Thank goodness he can recover from it without much damage as soon as the truth starts hitting. Yes, this is the staple of Raidou’s running joke in every episode.

Because Aharen has no prior friendship making experience and lacking such communication skills, hence she acts in weird ways for most of the time, in turn making Raidou to believe she might be doing something else entirely. It doesn’t help too that she has this seemingly eternal emotionless poker face so just like the anime title itself suggests, it is hard to figure out what she is thinking. Hence lots of hilarity ensues as they both try to understand each other in the process. Still waters run deep because it seems that Aharen is pretty talented in a lot of other stuffs. Some even has her winning championships behind it! I’m really starting to see why Raidou can’t help think she might be some sort of superwoman. In short, you could say that both are socially awkward people and that two wrongs don’t make a right. Weird + weird = even weirder! No wonder the duo make such a good pair assuming nobody else in the school is as weird as them. Oh right. Ooshiro, Tobaru…

And you wonder if weirdness runs in the family since Aharen’s siblings are equally weird themselves. Like Ren who is a lot of a cross-dresser since he is being surrounded by girls in his family while Eru is cares very deeply for her sister despite her facial appearance and actions do not indicate otherwise initially. What about Imouto? Well, not sure if I should be relieved that she isn’t one of those characters with brother complex as she doesn’t particularly like her onii-chan very much. It’s like as though she doesn’t want to catch his weirdness and will have nothing associated with him. Unless she is just being tsundere… Oh dear…

The series has a small cast of characters too and it is a good thing that they don’t steal too much of the limelight from the main duo. Giving us enough variety to have fun with these minor supporting characters and at the same time maintaining Raidou and Aharen as the main characters. Because three is definitely a crowd if shy girl Ooshiro were to be a mainstay between Raidou and Aharen. More like the third wheel. So her running joke is that she is an expert stalker and that she can hide just about anywhere, be it the closet or underneath the floor just to spy on her best friend! She would’ve been a good ninja had she lived 100 years ago. And it’s like Aharen knows where she is all the time. Did she give herself away or does Aharen have some sort of Ooshiro tracker inbuilt in her? Maybe all Ooshiro wants is to be part of the gang. She’s just being considerate giving Aharen her time with Raidou, right? Nah!

Then you have that loli b*tch AKA Futaba. Not fair for me to call her that but every time she makes her appearance, I’ll be like “Oh dear, it’s that loli b*tch again”. Her misunderstanding is that she thinks Aharen is stealing Akkun away from her. You wonder why Aharen doesn’t clear that up. Firstly, we all know her communication problems. Second, even if Aharen were to do so, I have a feeling that Futaba will not listen. She is that kind of character after all. The only way is to do some challenge in which Aharen always comes up tops. And Raidou will have no say in whatever between them because Futaba has been thought to call for help as she threatens him with the pepper spray or whatever devices that would call the police and make him look like a kidnapper or pedo. Good girl. Also good grief. And with Akkun always viewing Aharen as his master (not that I see her teach him anything), hopefully with Futaba being good at something he likes, this weird love jealousy thingy can be put to rest.

Not sure if Tobaru has seen people as weird as Raidou and Aharen in the past, the reason she keeps getting too conscious about them whenever they are in her sight. Just like Raidou, she tends to overthink and overdramatize whatever she thinks she sees the antics between the duo. Thus her running joke being unable to handle whatever ‘esteem’ she sees as her nose blood will splutter everywhere, turning it into a possible murder scene. It’s a wonder why she hasn’t die of blood loss yet. Miyahira feels too plain to leave any impression. For now I see her as one who supports Tobaru and cleans up after her whenever she has one of her nose bleeding fits.

Last but not least, Ishikawa and Satou. I can safely assume that they are Raidou and Aharen’s best friends but I wonder how that happened considering Raidou and Aharen don’t have friends when they started the school year. At times they hang out with the duo and my guess is just to ascertain if they are dating or not. Because there are many viewers who speculate that Ishikawa and Satou are dating since they are always together. Though, a later episode seems to dispel that but greatly hints that might be a possibility.

Speaking of the romance, it is rare for animes like this to have main characters confess to each other let alone kiss (somewhat). Many such characters we know love each other but hardly do any confession. So it was a pleasant surprise when they sprung to us that confession scene. But after that, it felt like nothing happened because the duo returned to being normal! Was it a dream?! Say it isn’t so! Of course final episode confirms it but they still act like normal after that. Status quo the best? Don’t want love to ruin their friendship that they’re having so much fun now, eh? But then again, the duo are so weird, perhaps to the eyes of normal people like us, it looked like nothing but something rumbling is going on inside their hearts that we don’t see. Uh huh. It is going to be another weird sh*t if they take their relationship to the next level as they try to date each other for real! Not sure if that will be funny or cringe. Or both. Imagine how fun or nightmarish parenting will be like when they become parents. Dysfunctional family definitely!

Art and animation of this series look pretty simple. Things look a bit more cartoonish than your standard conventional anime characters. Even the colouring and hues are pretty light but it makes it easy on our eyes. Because of that, sometimes it looks a bit weird as some of the characters have this blind looks. You know, their pupils aren’t that visible and their iris covers almost the entire eye. Of course in no time I got used to it. This anime is done by Felix Film who did Nekopara and Urasekai Picnic.

For the voice acting, surprised to hear Kana Hanazawa as Tobaru and Tetsuya Kakihara as Ishikawa. Both sound quite meek in their roles compared to their more standard trademark voicing stereotypes. Same goes to Minori Inase as Aharen but this isn’t the first time she voiced some very soft speaking and gentle character (Chino in Gochuumon Wa Usagi Desu Ka, Rem in Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, Sophia in Hamefura) as she usually voices boisterous characters like Hestia in DanMachi and Itsuki from Go-toubun No Hanayome. Only Misaki Kuno as Ren feels like home in her trademark squeaky high pitched voice. The other casts are Takuma Terashima as Raidou (Shiroe in Log Horizon), Mao Ichimichi as Ooshiro (Bada in ClassicaLoid), Tomori Kusunoki as Satou (Latifa in Seirei Gensouki), Maria Sashide as Futaba (Emma in Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai), Natsumi Fujiwara as Akkun (Mao in Shin Chuuka Ichiban), Rina Hidaka as Eru (Last Order in To Aru Majutsu No Index), Yurie Kozakai as Miyahira (Pekola in Jashin-chan Dropkick) and Rika Nagae is Imouto (Olivia in Asobi Asobase).

The opening theme is Hanarenai Kyori by TrySail. Sounds pretty okay for a series like this and I initially mistakenly thought it was Minori Inase who initially sang it. The ending theme is Kyori-kan by Hakoniwalily. Sounds okay too for a generic manufactured pop piece. The more interesting one is the special ending theme for episode 3, Aharen Heart by Aharen herself. Remember that cringe YouTube video dance?! Oh well, although not as epic as Chika from Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai, it is still worthy for some chuckles (or cringe) as we see Aharen prancing about. In that poker face! I can see why it got no views! Damn YouTube algorithm!

Overall, this anime is funny and enjoyable in its own right although it doesn’t break any new mould. Lots of funny and cringe moments as you see 2 weird people interact with each other in the name of friendship. Birds of the same feathers flock together, so to speak. But hey, who are we to judge what is normal and what isn’t. Just because a few don’t act and talk like the rest of us doesn’t make them any more or less weirder than us. In this age of technology advanced communication tools and devices, don’t laugh when one fine day we will become socially inept like Raidou and Aharen. Uhm, on second thought, I don’t think that will be such a bad thing after all. Better to have a world with socially awkward people trying to communicate than one that doesn’t want to communicate at all!

Samurai Deeper Kyo

I know this is long overdue and to say this at this point in time makes it all even weirder. You see, during the height of the pandemic when a certain virus was wreaking havoc that caused many animes of the season to be delayed a couple of years ago, I came up with an ‘emergency plan’ and had a list of some of the animes to watch as replacement. Samurai Deeper Kyo was one of them and you might have guessed that I am only saying and watching this right now is perhaps this series was somewhere at the bottom of that list. You’re right it is. Must be a pretty long list by the time for me to reach here, eh? Or maybe I just forgot about it a little… And now everyone has almost forgotten about the pandemic and returning to their dreaded lives, hence it is pretty weird for me to be watching one of the last few remnants of that list at this moment. But like they say, better late than never, right?

Episode 1
During the battle at Sekigahara, Kyoushirou Mibu is fighting against Demon Eyes Kyo. The fight is interrupted when Yukimura Sanada and his aides, Sasuke Sarutobi and Saizou Kirigakure jump in to help. However a meteor soon hits the place. Unfortunately Kyoushirou did not follow the rest to escape when the meteor hit. 4 years down the road, Kyoushirou has been missing since but his beloved Sakuya gets good news when Sasuke reports he has been spotted. He is now a medicine peddler. True enough, he is one but more of a joker now? If Yuya Shiina isn’t such a smoking hot babe, he might have not helped her. Because he thinks with the wrong head, she captures him. Yuya is actually a bounty hunter. She will turn him in for a reward although he compares his bounty to be just pittance compared to God-level Kyo. Suddenly a strange man approaches them. Yuya thinks he is a rival but he soon turns into his snake form. He wants to eat Kyoushirou. The reason why Kyoushirou is so passionate in protecting Yuya is because he wants those boobs! Snake guy starts beating the crap out of him. But all that beating seems to have awakened something inside him. Oh sh*t. He has a different serious but powerful look now. That is when Yukimura who has been watching the whole time, jumps in to throw Kyoushirou a sword. Does Kyoushirou not remember? Because Kyoushirou is Demon Eyes Kyo!

Episode 2
Snake dude was a samurai fighting at Sekigahara. Kyo caught his eyes but was ultimately defeated. For the first time he tasted fear. Shortly, a meteor hit the place and the next thing he knew, he was in this form. So basically he is out for revenge, huh? But of course as you can see, no matter how much he flexes his might, all Kyo needs is just to strike him once and he’s dead. Yukimura notes that the snake guy is called Kenyou, monsters that appeared after that meteor incident. Now that Kyo has been discovered, they might make their move. To investigate, he will head to Edo. Yuya trying to run away from Kyo. Why, is he trying to rape her?! She learns Kyo is inhabiting Kyoushirou’s body. Despite being scared sh*t, she claims she will not die until she finds the man with a cross shaped wound on his back. He finds her interesting and will continue watching her but that is when Kyoushirou takes back his body. So if he isn’t a scary demonic slayer, he’s a pervert… Yeah, both scary either way. Kyoushirou has no memories of his 4 years after Sekigahara. Yuya’s excuse to follow him around is that she can’t abandon him after hearing his story. The truth is that she wants to wait for Kyo to come out and snag the bounty. That night, they stumble into Okuni who seems to know Kyoushirou and they did some bold things together. Care to jog his memories again with that?! Yuya won’t let anything indecent happen on her watch. Okuni explains her situation that she was forced into hiding after her side lost at Sekigahara. She was cast out because she fell in love with Kyoushirou and betrayed the gods. During her wandering, she stumbled into a village of lost warriors and learnt of its secrets about some large hidden stash of money. Now she’s on the run as they want to kill her. They camp for the night and Okuni isn’t worried about wild dogs because Kyo will certainly protect them. But not tonight so everybody run! They arrive at a paddy village but Okuni is no longer with them. They hang around and Kyoushirou thinks he saw that man watching him. Shirogarasu reports to Genma Kido to confirm about Kyo. He wonders which of his men will kill him first. Oh, Okuni part of this group?

Episode 3
Kyoushirou takes Yuya and run because he knows they’re not safe from this village. However they are met with Kurosasori who is from Sansaishuu, a group of hired mercenaries. Since their bounty is high, you bet Yuya wants to capture him. No chance. He is much powerful than her and blows her gun away. Worse, the villagers led by Mika are working with Sansaishuu to reign them in since this is their territory. However not all the villagers agree with this. Like Mika’s dad. Kyo emerges for a while to tease Kurosasori to get him. Kurosasori then turns into his Kenyou form but Kyo reverts back to Kyoushirou. Is he in sh*t now? Kurosasori is then killed off by fellow Sansaishuu, Benitora. He helps Kyoushirou but gets tied up when he reveals himself as part of Sansaishuu. He explains that he is a newbie who joined the group to take advantage of the previous Benitora’s legacy. Too bad he found it bland and wants to join them instead. They’re much more fun. Mika and the villagers lead Genma and Shirogarasu to surround them. Mika’s father tries to protect Kyoushirou but Shirogarasu will slay all those who stand in his way. Mika realizes she is wrong and tries to protect father. Oh, now Kyoushirou tries to protect them. But he is scared and his hands trembling while unsheathing his sword. That is when Okuni pops up to mention about Sakuya’s name. She is just like Yuya, trying to find that man with the scar whom she hates. Kyoushirou then has some flashback about some massacre spree. He becomes Kyo while Shirogarasu reveals his true form as a Kenyou to fight him in his illusion. As expected, no tricks can best that demon as Shirogarasu is defeated. When Genma gets mad and turns into his Kenyou form too, Okuni finishes him off! Damn, this guy who is stronger than Shirogarasu gets owned without effort? How strong is this vixen?! Okuni is glad to see Kyo again in his form before he was defeated by Kyoushirou. Wait. Kyoushirou was stronger than Kyo?!

Episode 4
Kyo and Okuni fight but she hints that a certain guy is still alive before escaping. Yuya is shocked that Kyoushirou hasn’t reverted yet as Kyo gloats that Kyoushirou is now sleeping inside him. WTF Yuya wants him to give back Kyoushirou?! I thought she wanted to catch Kyo for the reward?! Don’t tell me after a few episodes, she has fallen for that dude! Kyo mentions another shocking revelation that the man he wants to kill the most is Kyoushirou because he betrayed him and then sealed his body somewhere. Elsewhere, the shogun decides to hold a tournament. This is met with mixed reactions from his subjects because there will be some who will plot to assassinate him. Eventually he decides he will personally hand the winner a personal treasure. Yukimura visits Kyo and seems to provoke him just to test if his skills are the real deal. In Edo after Yuya fixes her gun, she stumbles into Yukimura who wants her to bring him to Kyo. He tells him about the tournament in which Kyo isn’t interested. Yukimura hopes he can enter because if he does, he’ll tell him what he wants and that Sakuya is worried about him. This makes Kyo incense and warns him not to mention that name again. That night as Yuya tries to find out Kyo’s connection with Sakuya, Kyo saves her life because a poison spider was on her. He assures her that somebody is after his life and not hers. Later when Yuya returns to thank him, he knows this is not her. The real Yuya won’t do this. True enough, Yuya has turned into a puppet of Mahiro. Kyo knows her. She wants Kyo to surrender. He won’t. She then uses Yuya to shoot him.

Episode 5
Wait. Why did Mahiro miss? Just as warning? I thought she wanted to kill Kyo for killing her sister, Mayumi?! Flashback shows Kyo came looking for the legendary Muramasa to forge him a sword. He waited for days so a concerned Mayumi went to give him food but was killed by him. Mahiro thought Kyo is a scumbag for killing Yuya just to save himself but you guessed it, he didn’t kill her but freed her from her webs. So Mahiro escapes? I thought she wanted revenge so badly? That night, more assassins target Kyo and Yukimura. This is a sign that as long as they don’t enter the tournament, they’ll be continuously targeted. Though they dispatch of them easily, Yuya can’t help see that both are smiling while they slash down their enemies. Kyo then faces off with Mahiro again. But this time a trap almost kills them both. This is the work of Genza who is Mahiro’s boss. He too knows Kyo and just like a typical baddie, reveals the truth that he was the one who killed Mayumi and used Mahiro as a tool to get to Kyo. Flashback reveals after Mayumi gave Kyo some food, Genza took her hostage because he wanted to kill Muramasa. But Mayumi rather die by Kyo’s hands and hopes he could protect Muramasa. Kyo was forced to cut down Mayumi although Genza escaped. Mahiro came late to the scene and misinterpreted this. She joined Genza’s secret assassin group to get revenge. Now that she has known the truth, Genza uses her as hostage and wonders if Kyo can kill this girl. He blames Kyo that had he been successful, his group would’ve been the shogun’s official secret service. Whatever. Kyo cuts Mahiro but saves her. Genza thought of escaping but too bad Kyo already cuts him down. Good riddance. When Mahiro awakens with Benitora beside her, she recognizes him as the next in line to be the shogun, Hidetada Tokugawa. Benitora wants her to stop following Kyo because this would expose his identity. Also a warning not to hurt his girlfriend AKA Yuya or he’ll kill her!

Episode 6
While making their way to Edo, they stumble upon this strange foreigner, Migeira. Not sure what his problem is since it’s like he wants to fight Kyo but then he lacks the strength and will do it again another day. This has them realize he too is taking part in the tournament. Meanwhile, the shogun learns that Yukimura might enter the tournament. Hence they plan to capture all the assassins and make an example of them for treason. This might trigger an outrage from the nobles and will lead to a war. This is what the shogun wants. As the participants congregate at the tournament grounds, Benitora seems to be afraid to show his face in public. Seems he knows one of the judges, Tenzen Mikogami who now goes by the name Jiroemon Tadaaki Ono. Some of the rules include real weapons are forbidden and since losers are not killed, this makes Yukimura suspicious of what they intend to do with them. Participants are put into groups in which the winner advances to the next round. Yeah, we don’t need to see how Kyo beats up everyone ganging up on him without breaking a sweat to get his easy win. Even Benitora easily wins his but we don’t get to see him in action. Later that night, Benitora meets up with Jiroemon as he is the student of the latter. He is being told that in the next round, Benitora will face off with Kyo. Jiroemon wants to give him some lessons but Benitora insists he will find his own way to fight Kyo. Next day, we see some of the matchups for this round. Yuya doesn’t recognize this babe who comes to talk to her. Actually, it’s Yukimura in disguise! Of course the most anticipated match of this round: Kyo vs Benitora.

Episode 7
We breeze through the other matches because we all know Jukamen, Migeira and Kohaku AKA female Yukimura will beat their lesser opponents. The highlight is of course Kyo vs Benitora. The latter using his clone technique but Kyo uses his mirage against him to let him see some visions from his father and master who are trying to put him down. In the end, Benitora manages to break through it via his spear but he is disqualified since he uses a real weapon. Later Yukimura tries to talk to one of the losing participants who was drugged off and led somewhere. He thinks Hattori Hanzou knows the answer but since this ninja guy looks puzzled, Yukimura realizes he isn’t in the loop and there is something more than meets the eye to this tournament. Kyo sees Migeira and wants to see his right arm. Instead, Migeira tells him the truth about Muramasa. There are 5 real ones in the world and gathering them all will change the world. Later as Kyo talks to Yukimura, he learns that if Ieyasu is killed and a war breaks out, Yukimura’s chances of being the shogun would increase. Hence Kyo is just a stepping stone for that. Kyo won’t kill him now and let their fate be decided in the tournament. Next day, the first semi-finals sees Jukamen against Yukimura. When Yukimura cuts off his mask, his identity is revealed to be his older brother, Nobuyuki. During the battle at Sekigahara, both brothers were tacticians for different warring sides. Yukimura thinks he wants to destroy the Sanada clan but Nobuyuki claims his honour lies in serving Hidetada. During the battle, a trap was laid for Hidetada and to kill him if he rushed into a castle. But instead he managed to escape the castle and never made it to the Sekigahara battle. Nobuyuki tried to commit seppuku but Hidetada stopped him. This made Nobuyuki realized he is a far greater man despite his father betrayed him.

Episode 8
Both brothers arguing about their ideals. Nobuyuki seemingly having the upper hand and could’ve finished off Yukimura had not the latter realize that if he loses, he won’t get to fight Kyo. That is a no-no and so he makes his final move to defeat Nobuyuki. Just when Nobuyuki accepts his fate and leaves the rest to his brother, the shogun isn’t pleased and calls all his soldiers to kill everyone. The rest soon realize there was going to be no winner to this tournament. However all the soldiers suddenly die in their true Kenyou form. This is because Kyo and Migeira have been going around to lay the groundwork to defeat those monsters. Like, HOW?! When Hanzou mentions to the shogun about losers of the tournament being turned into Kenyou, he is brainwashed by a girl by the shogun’s side, Santera. Migeira is at a cave where the shogun keeps his treasure. He blasts open it to reveal a spear, Hokuraku Shimon. It seems this is all part of Santera’s ploy to brainwash the shogun under her control so she can get the spear. Unfortunately for her, the spear chooses its owner so anybody it doesn’t like gets zapped when touched. Of course this weapon is also a cursed one as it sucked the life out of the Tokugawa clan, the reason why it was kept here. With Santera merging with the shogun to become a Kenyou, she is going to turn the rest into one too as she unleashes her spores. The only way to break this curse as Migeira puts it is for Benitora to take it since he has the Tokugawa blood. However he is reluctant for fear he would be embracing that name. But after realizing his father has been long dead, he grabs the spear and feels all the power welling up. He easily defeats the Kenyou combo. He is sad to finish off his father but is also glad that he somewhat acknowledged him.

Episode 9
The shogun is dead but Santera lives and escapes. However the cave now floods but Migeira blasts a hole to save everyone. On the beach, Kyo and Yukimura start fighting each other to settle the score. If Kyo wins, Yukimura will tell him everything he wants to know. The fight is interrupted by Migeira who finds this appalling. I guess swords are now match for a machine gun, huh? He mentions his goal to find all the true Muramasa swords so as to turn the world back to its original state. From what I understand, the timeline has been altered because the shogun should not have been killed by his son’s hands. He also mentions The Lord is trying to be revived to cause the return of the warring era. He is also the one causing the Kenyou to spread throughout the country. Kyo doesn’t care for that. All he wants is to find his real body and then kill Kyoushirou to regain his title as the strongest. Migeira finds this unacceptable as he is driven by his desires. He thinks his Muramasa has chosen the wrong owner. Then he goes away. What’s his problem?! Benitora now takes over the shogun’s place. But I guess he still wants to go adventuring so he leaves it to Hanzou to play the shogun role. Before Yukimura parts ways, Yuya asks about Sakuya. All Yukimura says is that she is worried that Kyo and Kyoushirou will start fighting. Subsequently, Yuya bumps into a blind man named Akira. Okuni talks to Kyo about where his body lies. Flashback shows Yukimura told Kyo it lies frozen in the Sea of Trees. Okuni points out that The Lord is also aiming for this and to do that, he is enlisting the help of Junishinsho. Also part of this group is a man known Ajira. Who? He was known as Akira and Kyo’s pupil. As Yuya talks to Akira and telling him about the person she is looking for, she slowly starts to fall under his frozen trance until Benitora barges in to free her. Seems Akira has plans to kill her but Benitora won’t allow that. However whatever tricks he throws at Akira, he can mimic it to defeat him. With Kyo here, Akira thinks he is become weaker by surrounding himself with weak people. Akira then rejoins his Junishinsho and will be waiting for them at the Sea of Trees. He might know about the man Yuya is looking for but he points out that Kyo knows more about him.

Episode 10
Yuya continues to follow Kyo since she still hasn’t got her answer. She will find that man who that cross scar who killed her brother. While stopping at an inn, suddenly Kyo and Benitora start fighting. However Kyo can tell this is just a doll imitating Benitora. Indeed. This is the work of a puppet master, Kubira who is part of Junishinsho and he has orders to take Kyo’s head. Kubira unleashes all his dolls at Kyo. As he cuts them down, a doll slashes his back, revealing a cross shaped wound. This has Yuya pointing her gun at him and demanding if he killed her brother. If that’s the case, what is she going to do? Yes, she’ll still kill him at the cost of her life. To her shock, he didn’t dodge her shot. He also dares her to kill her because if he said he didn’t, would she have believed him? After all, he killed a thousand men. Poor Yuya so confused but Kubira can’t wait for this drama to finish so he continues his attack. This time making clones of Kyo. Which is the real Kyo? The one that protects Yuya, right? When Kyo cuts down all his clones, now he is faced with 2 Yuyas. Which the real one? Heck, he cuts both of them down! The real one is in Kubira’s hands. How he knows? Actually he doesn’t and was just too much hassle! Kyo finishes off Kubira with his special move. Yuya continues to follow Kyo because she believes in him. Kubira is still alive as he is approached by Ajira. He now knows the connection between Kyo and Kyoushirou and that is why The Lord is looking for Kyo’s body so frantically. However Ajira kills him off because nobody else but himself will only know Kyo’s secret as he will be the only one who will defeat Kyo.

Episode 11
Because Benitora was MIA in the previous episode, it’s his turn to get some screen time. He visits the grave of his old master when he is attacked by his brother, Gihyo. However he is now part of Junishinsho and goes by the name Mekira. The brothers fight as Benitora holds a grudge against him for killing their master. Flashback shows both brothers wanted to be pupils of this master to learn some Shinkage technique. But Gihyo soon got tired of waiting and killed him because he refused to teach the final secret of Shinkage. Because Benitora cannot use his Shinkage moves via Hokuraku Shimon, he has to use his old spear but Gihyo breaks it. Gihyo then turns into his Kenyou form for more power. Benitora notes how he relies on others instead of his own strength. Cue for Benitora to make his comeback using Hokuraku Shimon and some new technique to defeat Gihyo. Hence he tells his dying brother about the final technique which one must learn oneself and that is to trust your own abilities. It comes from your own heart. Yeah. It was that simple. Kyo’s group stumbles into Sasuke who fights and kills a Kenyou. Okuni recognizes his sword as a Muramasa.

Episode 12
Must strong guys always fight each other when they meet? Yeah, Sasuke wants to fight Kyo and see who possesses the real Muramasa. In the end, although Sasuke manages to land a scratch on Kyo, he admits defeat since his sword got damaged so this proves Kyo has the stronger one. Also, Sasuke is here to guide them to the Sea of Trees as requested by Yukimura. He is raised from there so he knows the place. Of course, we are told how people come from there are discriminated because they are viewed as not humans. The group is then attacked by Sanposhi and Makora from Junishinsho. Sanposhi already getting into his Kenyou form? Kyo and Sasuke combo prove formidable as they manage to stand their ground. However when Makora hints himself to Sasuke as someone he knows, this makes the ninja boy hesitate, throwing everyone off and be frozen by his shadow technique. Sanposhi then tortures them especially Kyo and won’t grant him an easy death. Sasuke feeling guilty he caused this? Somehow Kyo manages to break through and defeat Sanposhi. To Sanposhi’s horror, Makora abandons him. Sanposhi will sacrifice his life to take them out. Sasuke makes a valiant comeback but it is no use as his sword shatters. Lucky for him, Yukimura deals the finishing blow. I guess he came to check on them. While they’re resting and as Yuya asks if Sasuke knows Makora, suddenly he attacks her? Don’t be fooled. Just trying to get Makora doing a sneak attack from behind.

Episode 13
Makora calls Sasuke a traitor and runs. Sasuke of course goes off to chase him. Kyo has no time to go assist their petty quarrel so he and the rest make their way to the Sea of Trees. When Yukimura comes to Sasuke’s aid in the cave, Makora reveals his true intention not to fight them but to find Kyo’s body. He blows up the entrance and leaves them trapped. Sure you don’t want to kill them? Because Okuni has been missing and Yuya is worried, Benitora volunteers to go back to look for her. But he stumbles into this cute loli, Antera. She turns out to be part of the Junishinsho and owns him. Similarly, Kyo meets Bikora who is also a member of Junishinsho. They fight and this is not their first time. They have fought many years ago but Bikora feigned defeat so he won’t be killed as he wanted to watch The Lord’s resurrection. As the fight continues, looks like Yuya won’t be a bystander today. She has to fight Antera who can catch her bullets. Oh my. Is she going to just run away? When Antera is about to finish her off, suddenly she starts to wither. Bikora abandons his match to go to her. Truth on Antera is revealed as she was an experiment to create a perfect body for The Lord. She isn’t supposed to strain herself in battle. Antera wanted to prove herself but Bikora believes she has always been part of the gang. Touching. In order to save her, Bikora fuses themselves to become a Kenyou. But you know play time is over when Kyo uses his ultimate move on them. Bye. Sasuke and Yukimura manage to get out and also pull out Benitora out from the wreckage. How convenient, there Okuni is. When they reunite with Kyo, Yuya is missing. Ajira has kidnapped her. He warns if they keep disrupting them, something bad will happen to Yuya. Oh Benitora, you mean to scream like that as though Yuya is your girlfriend?

Episode 14
Benitora goes off himself to find Yuya while Kyo wants to rest despite nearing the Sea of Trees. Meanwhile Migeira is seen hunting down Ajira and his comrades in his bid not only to save Yuya but he also wants to know The Lord’s true identity. All Ajira says that The Lord wants to fill this world with Kenyou and only he will control them all. Santera holds Migeira back to let the rest escape but Migeira uses some reckless move to break himself free. Benitora realizes too late about Kyo’s circumstances. Certainly Okuni has noticed long before that Kyo is injured from his previous fight and is taking all his might to stay conscious. But she is curious if he is very concerned for Yuya. Is it because she looks like Sakuya? Kyo warns never to say the name of the woman who betrayed and tried to kill him. Okuni also deduces that there are some parts of his memories he is missing. All Kyo cares is just to kill Kyoushirou. Meanwhile The Lord takes on a temporary form as he can sense Kyo nearby. He wants to go meet him personally. Well, if Kyo isn’t getting lost in this Sea of Trees maze. Then he gets attacked by a couple of Junishinsho members as their warm welcome. Meanwhile Migeira stumbles into a village of strange hooded people. They are protecting Santera. Yukimura and Sasuke stop him and explain that they aren’t actually as threatening as the rumours say they are. Santera is also an inhabitant of this forest but during Sekigahara, she was given new powers and is now a Kenyou. Yukimura claims he knows The Lord’s true identity. Assuming his theory is correct. Yukimura was at Sekigahara and his mission was to retrieve Kyoushirou but failed due that meteor that also decimated their army. When he asked Sakuya about it, she told him it was no comet but a gateway to the demon world. 18 years ago, a Demon King appeared in this world. He was actually invited and the body prepared for his resurrection was no other than Kyo. His name is Nobunaga Kazusanosuke Oda. Now Kyo has come face to face with The Lord.

Episode 15
Yuya dreams as she meets Kyoushirou. She confirms with him that he is the one who defeated Kyo but now he wants to become a medicine man to help others because today you can’t prove your strength by cutting down your enemies. Then Yuya sees her brother being cut down by the man with the cross on his back who turns out to be Kyoushirou. Yuya wakes up as Ajira explains this bed of flowers within the Sea of Trees that brings out one’s deepest and most painful memories. It is also the same reason why it is the best place to hide Kyo’s body. Migeira is not pleased that Yukimura knows about Nobunaga’s plan to revive himself using Kyo’s body and did not take action. So he doesn’t want the country to plunge into chaos, huh? What difference does it make? Migeira deduces that if war happens again, the Sanada clan will have the chance to take over the country. Kyo fights Nobunaga but he is weakened thanks to Basara’s poison arrow attacks. Also, Okuni is part of Junishinsho and her name is actually Indara. However she seems reluctant in totally betraying Kyo as she truly has feelings for him. Due to Nobunaga’s temporary body reaching its limit, he is forced to retreat. Nobunaga then chastises Basara for such lowly tactics that sullen the sanctity of their fight. Migeira treats Kyo’s injuries as Benitora learns what happens. He decides to fight Nobunaga himself after realizing that Yuya isn’t waiting for him but Kyo. He should go to her. Basara takes out his frustration by destroying Santera’s village. Luckily Sasuke saves them all. Yukimura fights that despicable guy in his Kenyou form. Benitora gets ready to fight Nobunaga. Not sure what they’re talking about Benitora’s lineage but he denies all that and claims he is just Benitora. It might seem Benitora destroyed only Nobunaga’s steed. But this is just to give Kyo a small chance even if this means getting a fatal injury. With Benitora bowing out, looks like Kyo has recovered for his rematch.

Episode 16
Yukimura doesn’t view his subordinates as tools but comrades who share his dreams. And that is why he is able to defeat and kill Basara who is in his Kenyou form. Okuni betrays Nobunaga to save Benitora and retreat. Migeira can’t trust this traitor but Kyo claims nobody knows the truth and the truth is what he’ll decide. Okuni tries to regain her honour by sacrificing herself to stop Nobunaga’s attack. Of course Kyo won’t let that happen so it’s round 2 of Kyo vs Nobunaga. Nobunaga has healing properties in this temporary body so Kyo is at a disadvantage. Migeira wants to help but Yukimura will not allow their fight to be interrupted. You know Kyo hates it when others interfere, right? Nobunaga’s body is at its limit but he claims the entire Sea of Trees is his body since its power is what is holding it. He has Shatora to enhance it as he becomes a giant tree man. Meanwhile Ajira has found Kyo’s body. He betrays his comrades and freezes them including Yuya. Kyo is about to be killed by Nobunaga but in that moment, Kyoushirou swaps with him because nobody else is allowed to kill him. With Kyoushirou back, Nobunaga is not pleased with this turn of events because it is the Mibu clan who made that comet fall to revive him with demonic powers at Sekigahara. While Kyoushirou admits that as he has just got all his memories back, he claims he has no interest in his clan and is just a simple medicine man. But if it comes a time has to pick up a sword and fight, he will. He shows his Mizuchi technique that is supposed to be used together rather than how Kyo used separately. Nobunaga crumbling in defeat!

Episode 17
With Nobunaga actually defeated, Kyoushirou now threatens Shatora as he wants answers why the Mibu clan is doing all this. Unfortunately, the rest of the episode is recap!!! As Yuya freezes, she reflects on why she is chasing the man with the cross scar on his back. At the same time, telling us the main characters like Kyo, Migeira, Yukimura and Benitora. Sakuya takes over from the second half because obviously Yuya doesn’t know about Nobunaga. Hence another recap from that comet and Nobunaga’s revival as well as all the members of Junishinsho. A few additional info we learn include Okuni is the other follower of Kyo aside Akira. Then there is Shatora’s ability to transfer souls from one body to another. That is why she is pivotal to transfer Nobunaga to Kyo’s body. That’s all the recap for today because obviously we can’t go deep into the spoilers for the Mibu clan. Sakuya frees Yuya because she believes she is the one who must return to Kyo while she herself as an unworthy sinner must return to the Mibu clan. Kyoushirou’s interrogation is interrupted with Akira popping up to announce he has both Yuya and Kyo’s body.

Episode 18
Akira says he killed Yuya just to make Kyo made. This means against Kyoushirou’s wishes, Kyo pops back up. Akira further blames Yuya as the source of Kyo becoming weak. He is not supposed to be so. How else are they going to take over the country? He wants Kyo to join in but Kyo says he is not interested in that anymore. This makes Akira displeased since it was Kyo who took him in and vowed to make him the second strongest man in the country. Was it all a lie? Akira would’ve given his body back if he comes back but looks like he’ll keep it. Then Yuya pops up and surprises everyone. Tim for Akira to retreat. Next time. With great balls of fire raining down on the Sea of Trees, they have to escape. Flashback shows when Yuya was unfrozen, she tried to help free Makora and Shindara. Can her rock do the trick? Nope. It was Santera who used her last ounce of life to burn them free. The duo then reunite with Shatora who claims she can still revive Nobunaga as long as she has this whatever. While the gang is resting up, Yukimura notices Kyo getting up and leave. Going after Akira? In this state where he is still wounded? Or is he afraid that if Kyoushirou takes over, he won’t come back again? Whatever the case, he won’t go alone because yeah, the whole gang wants to come with him. But for now, let’s party! Kyo joining his servants, eh? Probably the best chance to give Yuya back her gun. Migeira and Okuni decide to do some investigations on the Mibu clan. When a servant reports to Yukimura that Sakuya has gone missing and no clues of her whereabouts, this has Yuya remember the dream. Muramasa’s village their next destination. They reach there and Sakuya is there too. She claims she has gone to the Mibu side on her own will. She is then taken away by a couple of hot nurses from the Mibu side, Saiko and Saisei. Uhm, did they come from the wrong era and anime?! And how kind of Makora to let Sasuke and Saizou know that he has aligned himself with the Mibu clan.

Episode 19
Sasuke goes after Makora while Kyo talks to Muramasa himself. However they are attacked by assassins sent by the Mibu clan. Easily despatched so they call out the one behind this, Shinrei. He is giving Muramasa one last chance to come back to them or he will have to kill him for treason. Since he won’t, that’s that. Kyo will not be ignored and wants to fight Shinrei. But Shinrei views him incomplete and a toy. Kyo might be angered but he lost to Shinrei! Woah! Dragon pierced through his body! Meanwhile Benitora is being attacked by demonic assassins who are tasked to kill those involved with Muramasa and Kyoushirou. He is assisted by Mahiro and Sasuke but they’re too powerful for them. Shinrei explains that now is the time for the Mibu clan to directly rule over Japan. For millennia, despite the changes in leadership of the country, they are just puppet for the Mibu clan who has been ruling from the shadows. All that change when Nobunaga who was created by them was to be made the next ruler. It was then the clan decided they didn’t want to be shadow rulers anymore. Also, they have been developing secret weapons but in the process there were defects. Those defects are thrown into the Sea of Trees and hence those are the origins of those inhabitants. Nobunaga was defeated back then but the Mibu clan saw it as a minor setback. They attempted to resurrect him at Sekigahara but miscalculated and didn’t expect the summoning of Kyo. Meanwhile Sasuke finds a sword calling him in some rundown shed. Yeah, you bet this is going to be one of those true swords from Muramasa. Long story short, it accepts him as its new master and as proof, Sasuke can summon lightning to strike and destroy his enemy. So easy. Since Shinrei will not retreat, Muramasa will deal with him personally. Also this will be Kyo’s lesson to learn the true Mumyo Jinpuu style.

Episode 20
Wow. Just turn the sword into some lightsabre and voila! Shinrei’s attacks are defeated. This also affects Muramasa’s body because now he too collapses. Meanwhile Migeira and Okuni are investigating Kyoto that has been burnt down. It could be the same culprit who burnt down the Sea of Trees. Migeira explains about certain children who were born with special gifts of seeing the future, were expected to devote themselves to protect history. Migeira hints he is one of them. Because the other alternate history has this arts known as kabuki and no wars. That’s why he is going to collect all the true Muramasa swords so that history will return to its true path. When Okuni finds Kyo’s body, she thought Akira is going to attack her. He is actually protecting her from the flames of Hotaru who is a member of the Mibu clan. Yes, he is the one who burnt down the Sea of Trees. Guess what? Hotaru is the other follower of Kyo and harbours desires to kill Kyo himself. He claims Akira has gotten weak despite using this bait of Kyo’s body to lure him here. Akira fights Hotaru and gets owned so as to let the duo escape and report all this to Kyo. Shinrei recovers as he disposes off Benitora and Sasuke. Can Yuya do the job? She misses. But luckily Kyo broke out from his spell to protect her. Power of love? Shinrei then withdraws out of respect for Muramasa. Muramasa then proceeds to teach Kyo the true Mumyo Jinpuu. Failure to do so would mean death. The other one who mastered it is Kyoushirou and his clash with Kyo will be inevitable. Mahiro wonders why Benitora won’t return to Edo. I thought he left it all to Hanzou? Obviously it’s for Yuya, right? What do you mean Kyo will show you the answer of living and fighting, the reason you’re following him?! Migeira and Okuni return in time to tell that Kyo’s body has fallen into the hands of the Mibu clan. But soon after, Okuni takes off herself as she will be going to the Mibu clan. Yukimura thinks she should be a spy and wants to follow. His goal is to borrow their power so his Sanada clan’s dream of ruling this nation will come true.

Episode 21
Sasuke takes this is Yukimura’s betrayal because he is going to side with the Mibu clan. Saizou tries to reason with both of them that Yukimura has his own reasons but looks like Sasuke is not listening. They got distracted when Kyo seemingly has mastered the moves. Yeah, can’t miss that big fire phoenix rising up. Just like that, Yukimura and Okuni are gone. As Yuya nurses Muramasa, the latter talking how Kyo needs her since she is the one who can only draw out his true strength. Let me guess. Power of love? Anyway, Muramasa’s time is up so he starts disintegrating. He tells them to go to Sekigahara as that is where the Mibu clan’s castle is. Also, please take care of Kyo. RIP, Muramasa. And so Kyo’s entourage make their journey there. One night they stop to rest, WTF Yuya tries to steal a kiss from Kyo. Is this what taking of Kyo means?! Yeah, he almost sliced her! Don’t come up close to me again, woman! Arriving at Sekigahara, Migeira suggests splitting up to split up the enemy. WTF does it even make a difference?! Since Yuya is still sore about last night, she decides to go with Migeira. Where Yuya goes, Benitora goes. So today Kyo will be a shotacon with Sasuke… Migeira’s side encounters those sexy nurses. Not sure about their wood power they explain in which they can create anything. I bet they can make men have morning wood! HAHAHAHA!! Anyway, they create hot female clones to play with them. Of course our heroes won’t take the bait. Migeira is perhaps gay and Benitora only has eyes on Yuya. WTF Yuya gets bullied before fighting back?! WTF YOU DOING, GIRL???!!! Playtime’s over. Nurses gonna get serious.

Episode 22
Migeira and Benitora continue to get their ass handed to them. They can’t even hurt them since they regenerate. Realize too late that this is all just a ploy to wear them down? To make it more fun, they plant a mark on Yuya’s chest. Basically it’s a countdown and if it disappears, Yuya go boom! You boys better hurry up and defeat those nurses. Meanwhile Yukimura and Okuni meet Sakuya. However Shinrei doesn’t trust them. Good timing for Yukimura because as Saizou is here to rescue him, Yukimura disposes of him and claims he has joined the Mibu claim. That enough credit points for you? Back to the fight with the nurses, Saisei shows her body is made up of infinite spaces. She is just a toy created by their creator. Then they reveal the shocking truth that it is the same for Kyo. The Mibu clan created him. Similarly, Yukimura witnesses as Shinrei explains how Shatora will begin some ritual to resurrect Nobunaga inside Kyo’s body. Yukimura wonders if Kyo will be trapped inside Kyoushirou’s body forever. That shock on Yukimura’s face like as though he didn’t see this coming as he is told Kyo never actually existed. Time’s up and Yuya gonna explode. She tries to take out Saisei with her but she gets absorbed to be part of her body instead. However that didn’t go well because Yuya finds her real heart and shoots it to pieces, destroying her for good. Stupid! She let her into her body and exposed her weakness???!!! Saiko is being cocky about dolls being dolls. Then the next second she dies because somehow Migeira and Benitora learnt the trick from Yuya (WHAT TRICK?!) and kill her off. Yeah, time’s running out, might as well kill her off. That sure escalated quickly. Now we see Kyo preparing to face off Hotaru.

Episode 23
We see Sakuya’s true intentions to go to the Mibu side. I bet nobody in the clan saw this intention of hers to unfreeze Kyo’s body just to destroy it. Too bad she fails and gets slapped by Shatora for trying to undo her masterpiece. She is thrown into the same prison cell as Okuni. Oh good. Now the exes can bond. Hotaru feels disappointed fighting Kyo as he thinks he has grown weaker by accumulating friends. He reveals the real truth about Kyo and Kyoushirou (similarly this is explained by Sakuya to Okuni). Long story short, the Mibu clan chose Kyoushirou to become the strongest king of their clan known as Red King who will rule over everything. Hence Kyoushirou had to throw away everything including his emotions and friendship to surpass it all and become the strongest since he realized it was a fate he cannot escape from. Hence he became Kyo as Kyo was created to succeed the Red King. But after Kyoushirou became Kyo, he took flight and abandoned the Mibu clan and causing the clan to panic all over. It was then Hotaru became attracted to Kyo’s ways as they travelled the country and slay all enemies who came their way. Hotaru felt those were the fun days but it is now a distant memory. Hotaru’s only question is how Kyo escaped Kyoushirou’s body but Kyo insists he is himself and Kyoushirou has nothing to do with it. As Okuni laments a man who chooses the top will never choose love, Sakuya disagrees as Kyoushirou tried to grant her wish. That is, not to wound or kill anybody. Hence Kyoushirou chose love. So uhm, let me get this straight, Kyoushirou claims he didn’t divide himself or remove his love or kindness but rather it split into 2? And thus Sakuya’s love for him also split into 2. HUH?! Meanwhile Yukimura has gotten his hands on Tenguko, the final true Muramasa sword. Wow. Not even any Mibu clan members can hold it but he can?! BECAUSE HE ISN’T A TRUE MIBU CLAN MEMBER, SILLY!!! HAHA! Yukimura believes with this, he can kill Kyo. Kyo is going to let Hotaru have a taste of his true Mumyo Jinpuu style.

Episode 24
Oh wow. A flaming phoenix, huh? But damn, Hotaru just absorbs it into his black aura and Kyo’s done for?! Of course we should know better to count our chickens because just like the phoenix legend, it rises back up and defeats Hotaru. When Kyo won’t kill him, he thinks he has changed. Too bad, it’s that comrade thingy that goes a long way back and so Hotaru remembers those fun days together and admits his defeat. Yeah. Really. Now Kyo has to fight Yukimura who is hell bent on taking him down. But first, Sasuke is disappointed of Yukimura’s betrayal. However he has to face off with Makora. Because Sasuke doesn’t want to fight his old friend, you bet that’s the reason he can’t win. We hear Makora’s tragic past that doesn’t really matter nor do we care. But it makes Sasuke realize that comrade thingy again because that’s the reason why people like them have to fight as it cannot be avoided! Yeah. Really. Because of that, Sasuke fights better and Makora is baffled he keeps thinking of the past whenever he fights him. So when Makora cannot finish him off, Shindara is going to kill Sasuke himself. WTF Sasuke asking for Yukimura’s help. Did he not say he doesn’t care?! With Yukimura’s fight getting too serious, suddenly Tenguko transforms into its true form, a bow. Quickly, Yukimura then fires through and kills Shindara. Shindara has just shindara! HAHAHA!! And yes, you’ve guessed it that it was all just a ruse. In order to awaken Tenguko’s true form, Yukimura has to put his life on the line. So joining Mibu was just a deception. Hey, to deceive your enemies, deceive your allies first! Yeah, so convincing that Sasuke really thought he betrayed him. Looks like he didn’t believe in his Yukimura 100%! So don’t worry, Saizou is still alive. Now that this is solve, time for the final epic battle as Nobunaga is revived in Kyo’s body. Another meteor hurtling down?

Episode 25
WTF Okuni trying to warn Yuya about trying to continue her love for Kyo or Kyoushirou because she might end up like Sakuya?! I don’t know what’s going on but does it even matter?! You bet Yuya doesn’t give a f*ck and will go with Kyo. Nobunaga disposes of those Mibu dudes. It is very clear and obvious that he doesn’t give a f*ck about the clan. He wants to turn this world into a world filled with Kenyou and endless wars. For the meteor to open such a big gate to bring in all that, hence Sakuya’s powers. Too late for Shinrei to not foresee this as Nobunaga finishes him off and steals his technique. Now the gang is here. But first some cheesy trolling romance as Sakuya doesn’t want Kyo to return to his body as she fears the fight with Kyoushirou will last forever until one of them dies. Pep talk from Yuya about how it’s not their right to dictate that because Kyo is Kyo and Kyoushirou is Kyoushirou. Look who’s the love expert now! Done talking about this? Because now it’s time for the final boss fight. Our true Muramasa wielders attack but get easily subdued by the big man. He attacks Kyo directly who didn’t even budge and takes a direct hit. Nothing happens as Kyo mocks his copied attacks are so inferior. Kyo unleashes the phoenix. Nobunaga also does the same. BOOM! Migeira realizes the only way is to combine all their true Muramasa. He absorbs those from Benitora, Yukimura and Sasuke and fires it against Shatora, killing her. Not sure what real history she saw during that great fire in Edo. What’s this about she’s supposed to be Nobunaga’s sister? Whatever. She does not approve of this true history and dies. WTF. All that is left is to absorb Kyo’s Muramasa. But Kyo is saying goodbye? He allows Migeira to fire at him knowing that doing this, history will be corrected since this deviation started when he split into 2. As a result both will disappear and history will return to its proper course. Yeah, Yuya won’t accept this sh*t because how the f*ck do you know that history is the right one! Yup, the guys she loves disappearing is never going to be the right thing!

Episode 26
Nobunaga still can’t be defeated so does this mean he isn’t the core of the distortion? It’s Kyo or Kyoushirou, right? Akira returns to freeze Nobunaga and give our gang some breathing space. I guess Hotaru didn’t finish him off. How sweet. Migeira can’t shoulder the burden of erasing Kyo and Kyoushirou. Wuss. Kyo doesn’t give a sh*t and will live his life the way he wants. Nobunaga breaks out as Kyo absorbs all the true Muramasa swords. This opens a portal to modern day Japan. Kyo and Nobunaga take their fight to the next world! Holy sh*t! Kyo using Tokyo Tower to pierce through Nobunaga! OH F*CK! THE WHOLE TOKYO GOT DESTROYED TOO?! Ah shucks. We don’t care about that future, right?! Oh damn, this is going to cause both eras to collide. So how? Shindara who isn’t dead yet, explains how the real power that opens the demon gate is them. The samurais’ feelings of not wanting the war to end. What use will samurais be without wars, right? Sakuya’s power was no more than just a catalyst. Shindara claims he is like Migeira and can see the future. He thought of changing history by resurrecting Nobunaga but looks like he realizes his punishment is unavoidable after his betrayal. In short, he is sacrificing himself to close the gate. Bye. For real. With that, this era returns to normal and we have both Kyo and Kyoushirou. Kyo in his original body as Nobunaga has been buried in the other world. Yeah, like we care about that world, right?! In the aftermath, Akira and Hotaru travel to become stronger to defeat Kyo. Still harbouring that dream? Sakuya and Shinrei will gather all the scattered Mibu members to live somewhere quietly and promise to stay in the shadows. Hopefully. She reveals that Yuya’s brother is one of those scattered descendants of Mibu and the night before the battle at Sekigahara, several men including him were despatched to prevent Kyoushirou from going there. She is saying this now to seek her forgiveness. You will, right? WTF Yuya trying to rush to Kyo and Kyoushirou’s fight. Migeira trying to stop her so as to warn she will never love the winner. Jokes on him because she claims she will continue to live with that sorrow. Masochist! With Okuni saying goodbye, does this mean she is settling for Migeira? During a summer battle at Edo, Benitora and Yukimura’s side clash. Yuya is now seen peddling medicine and living a quiet life with Kyo/Kyoushirou.

Samurai Derper: My Body Lies Over The Sea (Of Trees)
Oh God. Goodness gracious. The ending felt like crap but I shouldn’t be complaining. The way it was going and how much everything sucked, I couldn’t be happier that the series finally ended. Even if this happy feel good ending was a really crappy one. Sorry folks, I don’t know my Japanese history much so I am not sure if these guys are living the true path as supposedly dictated in history. My guess it is not because many of these characters especially who aren’t based on the historical figures don’t even exist and are only so in fiction. More specifically, this anime. So yeah, Yuya and Kyo/Kyoushirou living together? Yup. Believable. In the context that it is a fairytale that never happened in OUR history.

Very early on in the series, I was beginning to have this sinking feeling that this series is going to suck because of the way things were going. And that worst nightmare came true because as the more episodes I watched, the more the series began to really suck. I wonder why. Then a little Google search somewhat got me enlightened. I found out that the anime series was very loosely based on the manga series of the same name. Uh oh. You know what that means. The anime took a lot of liberties in the story and characters. And that itself means it is bad and the whole thing is going to turn into sh*t. I have not read the manga itself but I read one of the obvious differences pointed out was the Kenyou, which was non-existent in the manga. Those Kenyou characters were actually humans with superhuman abilities, that’s all. And now this anime has turned them into monsters so as to be killed off. No wonder this anime sucked! The other big difference is the role of Yuya. She has been relegated to a side character with no significant role to play. How the f*ck can you turn a hot chick who is supposed to be one of the main characters into some useless character?! NO WONDER THIS ANIME SUCKED! Definitely suck balls hard!!! So can I blame something in history altered that had the producers come up with this crap?!

The whole story feels very iffy and one long side quest. Although the series is divided into small mini arcs, it feels like completing one will lead Kyo and the gang to the next mini arc and finally the big final one. Sometimes it feels a bit disjointed and unrelated. For instance, the beginning we have the introduction followed by some weird and unsatisfying tournament in which then turned into a quest into the Sea of Trees before finally heading to the Mibu clan’s HQ for the big final showdown. Sure, the whole series is probably about Kyo trying to get back his body but in the meantime, lots of other side distractions especially evil organizations who want to have a bone to pick with Kyo. Who’d knew just trying to get back his body would take this long! Makes you wonder if Kyo is really interested in getting his body back or he just enjoys the company of his fellow ‘slaves’. Because like they say, it is the journey and not the destination. Yeah. Such fun times. No wonder this anime is sh*t with plots like that. It even makes me wonder why its title is called Samurai Deeper. What’s so deep?! The whole story feels so shallow! Oh right, the sucking gets deeper!

That means the characters are miserable and painful to watch too. Firstly, Kyo being the main character himself is supposed to be badass and powerful but in many ways he looks like some brooding guy who acts tough. I don’t know if it’s a joke or not that sometimes Kyo ‘loses’ because the plot and the script says it is time for him to do that. Sure, the loss is temporary to cook up some character drama and waste more time with whatever side distractions. Because it makes you wonder if Kyo is that Demon Eyes Kyo we thought he is supposed to be. Yeah, he shows more kindness than your typical baddie by not killing off his opponents and letting his ‘lackey’s do as they please. This Kyo has more mercy than his rumours. And yeah, plot twist! Kyo and Kyoushirou are the same! Created by the Mibu clan as the next puppet! Why am I not feeling that surprise I supposed to feel even though I didn’t see this coming? Oh right. Maybe it’s because this anime sucks!

As mentioned, Yuya has been relegated to a less significant side character and the way I see it, she is more like a damsel in distress as she gets herself into trouble and needs to be rescued in several occasions. Basically, a useless character. The only reason they keep her around is to troll us of the possible romance and the feelings she has for this guy. Uhm, did we forget she was looking for the guy with a cross shaped scar on his back to avenge her dead brother? That’s you, Kyo. Or Kyoushirou. Whoever. And what’s this? She’s following him now like a disciple in hoping to find some sort of answer? What answer?! It’s right before you! Your brother’s killer?! This proves she doesn’t want to kill him because she has fallen head over heels over this badass wannabe. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. In the end, when they decided to go with Yuya ending up with him, it just felt she was like the trophy wife. Yeah…

The same can be said for Okuni and it’s like they need to have some love rivalry since she is more physically endowed than Yuya (yeah, I figure making her wear a mini skirt yukata is some subtle fanservice or something) and it’s the only reason why she didn’t get killed off despite being a member of Junishinsho. Otherwise, she doesn’t do anything much outside her spy role. Then it’s goodbye Kyo/Kyoushirou for her and it’s justified because she didn’t do any jack sh*t either. And this Sakuya, I don’t understand her. So she’s in love with both men, so what? Maybe it is taboo for women to love more than 1 man. Yeah, she looks and sounds so distressed about something and it could be just a mountain out of a molehill. Love is sure complicated for women, don’t you think? So it’s like she wants to atone herself, the Mibu clan’s misdeeds and for Yuya’s brother’s death by surrendering Kyo/Kyoushirou to Yuya. I know it’s not but it feels like that. Kyo/Kyoushirou the trophy husband. Yeah…

Somebody needs to be the light-hearted and casual fellow AKA comical relief. That’s you Benitora. Ah yes, with Kyo being so stubborn, prideful and possibly gay, that’s why you need this joker to sometimes act like a playboy and make wisecracks to liven up the boring situation. Basically Benitora is your ‘the other guy’ in that typical groupie. Then there is Migeira who also feels pretty underutilized. Sometimes an overlapping character with Kyo because of his brooding character. Only, he wears a mask so I can’t see his entire face. So being the foreigner means he wields a gun and gives some sort of variety in the battles. And what’s this he is supposed to be overseer of the actual history? Like, how does it even matter?! What’s so bad about having this timeline as the history? You mean the corrected history is better?! Are you telling me that if history is not corrected to its proper path, then anime and manga would not have existed in Japan???!!! Because if kabuki is said to not exist, what are the chances of the anime and manga?! YIKES! Oh sh*t! Can’t have that! Even if it means this sh*tty anime won’t exist! Okay then. Please go ahead and protect the real history.

Completing the merry group is Yukimura and his aides. Yeah, this Yukimura dude feels even more a slacker than Benitora since he has this air of mystery over him and does what he wants. He seems to be at his own pace although his actions have deeper meaning. If Benitora is more brash and bold as a playboy, perhaps Yukimura is the opposite as he is gentler and more suave in his words. But sorry girls, no yaoi awakening between these guys here. Shotacon lovers would love Sasuke while Saizou feels like another overlapping character with Benitora in terms of comic relief character. Too bad he is a lesser character so he doesn’t get much of the spotlight and is mostly forgettable. Same case for Mahiro because she joined the gang late just to protect Hidetada (Benitora’s real name for those who have already forgotten) but does not leave any impressionable impact. I don’t know, it feels like they want to troll us that she might have feelings for her lord.

The bad guys are pathetic and they exist only to get killed off. I mean, you realize the pattern in every mini arc, right? We are introduced to a small group who are out after Kyo. Unless they become part of Kyo’s groupie, they get killed off quick or when their time is up as the arc approaches to a close. I mean, do you people even remember the first mini antagonist group, Sansaishuu? Here I was a fool to think that they might be the series’ main antagonist but I should’ve seen it coming that they appeared way too early. And when they all got killed off, I just realized it was just part of the plot to add Benitora to the team. And worse for all these baddies, they are Kenyou and because they are monsters, no love lost when they die a horrible death. After all, you just killed a monster, not a human. Phew. That sure would be easy on our conscience! That saves us from any character development unless they’re related to any of Kyo’s groupie (like Makora), then yeah, a bit of flashback and the likes but nothing really impressive either.

One of the worst aspects of this anime is the animation quality. It is very paltry and while it might not be the worst animation ever if you are to rank those with bad animation quality, it is still bad. The biggest culprit is during the fight scenes as you can obviously see the drop in the quality like as though they want to do a quick job and get the scene over. Like as though they felt this anime was going to suck anyway so they decided not to give a f*ck and simply do up what was necessary so as to have the bare minimum of what an anime should look like. The characters themselves don’t look detailed sometimes, like as though they skimp on them in some scenes in hopes viewers won’t notice. Oh heck, even in normal scenes they just look pretty below average. And there are some scenes that aren’t animated and it’s just like a moving picture slide. Not sure if this is for dramatic effect but I have this feeling in my guts that they’re skipping out on the animation to save time and cost. In short, it sucks! And to think that veteran Studio Deen who made Fate/Stay Night, KonoSuba, Rurouni Kenshin, the original Fruits Basket, Vampire Knight, Jigoku Shoujo and Nanatsu No Taizai among others, could produce such a crap quality! Thank goodness this series also doesn’t use much CGI. Most notable, the meteor. Those f*cking CGI fire trail is hideous! I believe that is what sealed the demon world!

Thanks to that substandard animation quality, I would also like to say the action and battle scenes are a pain to watch. Correction. Laughable! Oh wait. That would also mean it sucks and unsatisfying that it is no laughing matter! Sad. To think you have samurai with swords would at least provide us some decent action if the story and characters themselves couldn’t live up to standard. A very big unfortunate thing that watching them feels like they want you to notice all the flaws in the animation because it makes the fights look weird as hell as well. Good thing most fights don’t last very long and the baddies of the day get killed off as soon as the battle wears out. You know it’s cue and time for them to die for example when Kyo says his trademark line. I think it’s something like, do you hear the wind or something. Swoosh! Blam! They’re dead. Easy. Not sure if my ears heard a joke and that’s why I was hesitant to laugh at this cringe. And that’s why I pointed out these baddies were made as Kenyou so there won’t be love lost to these characters who are a dime a dozen. Good riddance. Do you even know how many members there are in Junishinsho?! Oh right, silly me. It’s in the name itself. No wonder, truly a dime a dozen.

The voice acting is pretty average. I can’t fault these seiyuus if the story and characters they play are that bad. So it pains my heart to hear cutie Yui Horie as Yuya because it feels like she’s wasting her talents on a useless character. Even though if Nana Mizuki makes a small cameo is Mika, somehow I feel relieved she didn’t have to be featured for the rest of the series. Same case for Takahiro Sakurai as Kubira. WTF did they run out of people to voice because Hotaru and Hanzou are voiced by the same Takehito Koyasu! I’m forming complicated and baseless conspiracies already about them being the same character! Others I recognized include Katsuyuki Konishi as Kyo/Kyoushirou, Megumi Ogata as Yukimura, Akira Ishida as Sasuke, Mikako Takahashi as Mahiro and Sho Hayami as Nobunaga. The other casts are Toshihiko Seki as Benitora (Kibutsuji in Kimetsu No Yaiba), Hikaru Midorikawa as Migeira (Zora in Black Clover), Yumi Kakazu as Okuni (Aya in Ayashi No Ceres), Yukana as Sakuya (C.C. in Code Geass), Takashi Matsuyama as Saizou (Jeeves in Hatena Illusion), Souichiro Hoshi as Akira (Kaoru in Ai Yori Aoshi) and Tomokazu Seki as Shinrei (Gilgamesh in the Fate series).

At least the opening theme, Ao No Requiem by Pipeline Project featuring Yuiko Tsubokura is bearable. Your typical anime rock beat that isn’t all too shabby. It would have fit the series like a glove and a decent opener had the series itself didn’t suck balls! Too bad I can’t say the same for the ending theme, Love Deeper sung by the same group. Because it feels so out of place with its hip hop and funky beat despite being a rock song. I won’t say this song is entirely bad but it certainly gave me this weird feeling as it has some similar vibes to the opening theme of Outlaw Star (Through The Night). Of course the latter is much superior and I still prefer that one. Though, if you want some music that would make you get up and dance to the beat, this ending theme feels like it. As for the BGM, there is a wide range of them ranging from rock to even acoustic. And of course, some are weird.

Overall, this anime is largely disappointing and I can’t stress this enough, IT SUCKS BALLS!!!!!!! Perhaps knowing the fact that it didn’t follow the manga despite I myself did not read the original source, that bias perception of mine unconsciously deducted lots of points that I can no longer see any sort of salvation for this series whatsoever. This series is a great lesson why if you want to adapt something, please do not stray so far from the source material and do your own stuffs. Otherwise I would personally regard this as some sort of legal plagiarism. It is sad that in this timeline we had this nonsense and trash. Because I figure that if should this anime’s ‘false’ timeline stood, this crap would never had existed at all and we would have been saved from this garbage. Oh right. Anime might not exist then. Can’t have that. Okay then. A small price to pay for something that largely brings me joy. I’ll accept this sh*t and move on.

Graduation

Oh man… It really feels like a long time ago. Thinking back about me being in high school and that time era that I lived through. Yeah, the 90’s seemed so far away yet so close whenever I think about it, bringing back some of the nostalgic memories I had during my growing up years in school. Yeah, it’s making me feel old now. That was what I felt when I stumbled upon this retro OVA anime, Graduation. It relates about 5 friends who are going to graduate high school soon as they ponder about the path they should take in the future. Oh yes, one of those many crossroads in life that many of us go through and make a decision. Sometimes the most important decision that will shape the rest of our future. So yeah, watching this anime takes me back to those times. The good, the bad, the ugly, the embarrassing… Oh shucks, come to think of it, feels like a time that I would love to forget.

Episode 1
A group of high school girls are seen taking an exam. The bell rings, signalling the end of it all. Mami Shimura is in despair as she didn’t have time to finish it and worries she will fail. Her friends tell her not to worry since the results aren’t out yet. Yeah, you have not failed until the final results show you are! Seeing this is their last year together and to help ease all this tension, they decide to go on a graduation trip together. That night as Mami packs her stuffs, her mom talks to her as this brings back memories of her own graduation. Mami thought it was her fault that mom has never kept in touch with her friends ever since (because mom gave birth to her and was busy being a mom) but mom says everything that happened just naturally happened. Next day, Mami meets up with Mika Katou and Shizuka Nakamoto at the train station. They almost miss the train since Mami is carrying a heavy bag filled with snacks! Phew, made it in time. But the train trip will be only them as Kiyomi Arai will be riding her own bike there while rich girl Reiko Takagi will have a chauffeur drive her. The journey seems to be going along fine. But when Kiyomi and Reiko reach the inn, they get a call from Mika and Shizuka. Apparently Mami has gone missing! Gasp! Kiyomi and Reiko ride to the train stop to get Mika and Shizuka. Because her bags are still here, they are puzzled if Mami got lost or worst, kidnapped. Well, it makes more sense for Reiko to be kidnapped, right? They tried to call her pager but yeah, it’s in her bag. While Kiyomi rides around to look for her, the rest wait at the inn, hoping for that miracle phone call. Mika and Shizuka talk about their separation after graduation and that gloomy feeling that they won’t be seeing each other as frequently as before.

Now, this is what really happened to Mika. When the train was stopping at a station, she saw somebody selling lunch and alighted. Yeah, she took too long, the train left and when she’s done, she got on board the wrong one. Now she’s at some seemingly desolated station in the mountains. So she’s going to wait till the next train? Keep waiting. Thankfully the kind old station master helps keep her company as he learns about her predicament and graduation trip. She asks if he has ever felt lonely since he says he is retiring next year and from then on, this station will be unmanned. It will be his graduation. He never felt so because in his heydays he has met so many people who gave him wonderful memories. Some even sending him letters and pictures. It made him feel he had the right job. While separation is inevitable and it will be sad when that happens, it is more important to cherish the feelings of the moment. Soon, Kiyomi comes in looking for Mami. Found you. Bringing her back, you bet she is going to get a big lecture. You wonder why she did not call them but bear in mind that this is an era where handphones aren’t the norm! So… CALL WHAT NUMBER?! The friends have a nice time relaxing while ‘warning’ Mami that they won’t save her the next time she gets into such trouble. If they can all laugh it off, it means they’re joking, right? Or not…

Episode 2
Reiko’s father talks to her into making some decision. He is not forcing her into anything and she can not proceed with it if she doesn’t want to. But he needs her answer so they can move on. Later Mami is hanging out with Reiko since their other friends are busy. Mami complaining she is going to vocational school while trying to guess what Reiko is going to do for her future. Since she denies using her father’s connections to get into college, Mami jokingly claims she will get married. This hits a nerve so Reiko storms out leaving Mami bewildered. Meanwhile Shizuka sees Kiyomi to talk about their future. It seems Kiyomi is having second thoughts about wanting to be a veterinarian and wants to change to medicine. But even so, she isn’t confident with that. This makes Kiyomi mad because she is already complaining without even trying. Sorry girl, she’s not the right person you should seek advice with. Next day in class, the friends talk about their future like Kiyomi taking over her dad’s bike shop and Mika taking over her dad’s restaurant. And when Mami points out Reiko getting married, Reiko plays along and agrees with that, shocking everyone. Mika’s dad seems to want her to go to college despite Mika adamant she wants to take over his restaurant. He tells her not to worry about money and just go study. Kiyomi’s dad is a bit ill but refuses to lie down and continues working. He talks to her about her future. He knows she wants to become some Paris-Dakar racer but since she insists in taking over his place, it’s her choice. Dad’s chest starts to feel pain. Luckily Reiko is around and helps call the ambulance. His condition isn’t fatal as both girls talk about their future. So Reiko was snooping around secretly, trying to get what her friends are doing for their future? Can’t she just talk to them normally? Aren’t they friends? Anyway, Reiko is very unsure about what she wants to do especially her marriage and is worried her father will not listen to her. Of course Kiyomi sees all this as Reiko being a spoilt rich lady so she feels disappointed in her for having such thinking. Once again, Reiko gets irked and storms out.

The friends now decide to see who this guy Reiko is getting married to. From Mika’s intel (one of her regulars who delivers liquor to Reiko’s house), it is the CEO of this huge corporation. They’re forming bias stereotypes about this old man who is forcing Reiko into marriage but Takei turns out to be a young handsome and nice guy. So they confront Reiko and ask her to meet Takei himself (she has not even seen the person herself) and if she doesn’t like him, she can turn him down. However Reiko is distraught since that is not the main problem. It is rather she doesn’t know what to do after graduation. Wow. Can Reiko just run away in the middle of class like that? Great timing, Takei is here to pick her up and talk things over. He heard from her friends who were worried she was forced into marriage but he assures her that it was nothing like that. He asks if she has dreams or things she wants to do after graduating. None? He relates he had that same experience as well as a best friend who had clear goals of what he wanted. His friend advised him about thinking of doing things he wants to do without his parents’ support. Now that friend of his is a chef in France and comes back a few times a year so they still meet up and see each other. They agree to put this marriage thing off until Reiko finds her dream. Reiko returns and her friends apologize for it all. Well, well, she’s going to have them all take responsibility for this especially making her giving up marriage. This means all of them must choose their own path or she’ll not forgive them. Reiko will go abroad to work and study in Canada, Kiyomi will become a racer, Mika takes up her father’s advice to go to college, Shizuka will stay on her path to become a veterinarian and Mika still complaining she has to go to vocational school? Wanted to swap with Reiko to marry Takei, eh? Sorry girl, life not that easy for you. The friends graduate and go their own separate ways.

One For The Album…
Well, enough nostalgia for me. Memories of my high school years are now a distant memory. Time to get back to reality. Sighs. Anyway, although this OVA feels a lot like nothing burger, but it gives some sort of insights the usual troubles and anxieties that these young people go through during those important and decisive moments of their lives. While it may not mean much from the viewers’ point of view because it’s all just the usual dilemma of thinking and worrying before making a decision, the important point here is that these girls have finally came to a decision on their own. Whether or not they become successful later on life or achieve their dreams, that would be another story. For now, even though they are going to walk different paths in life, this does not mean that they have stopped being friends. While this also does not guarantee that they will keep in touch with each other in the future, the important thing is that in the past, they were all friends and that’s one of the more important aspects as you look back in life. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for myself as I kept in touch with none! That’s what happens when you decided to become an otaku… But I’m proud of it! :-)

More nostalgia as you can see the kind of technology the series has: Pager and landline phones! Oh man, do you youngsters even know what these are?! Yeah. I wonder how back in 1995, we kids have fun without the internet. A great time to be too because since everything is not so connected like today, people our generation are spared the embarrassment of parents uploading embarrassing moments of our lives on the internet! Phew! Anyway, with this OVA coming out back in 1995 (ah yes, I was still in the midst of high school then), you bet the art and animation are very retro looking and you know me, it still looks way better than some of today’s animation quality and standards despite looking quite dated.

As for the characters, there isn’t much on them because basically, how much can you tell in just 2 episodes? They’re just given their simple predicament and worries. What they are now and what they are going to do next, that is all we need to know. That itself is sufficient for us because as long as they have firmly decided on what to do, then there is your happy ending. They have graduated and levelled up to the next phase in life. Hence the friends here are quite diverse in terms of background and even their physical looks. From rich girl Reiko to tomboyish Mika to badass biker girl Kiyomi to bespectacled Shizuka and, uhm, retard Mami? I’m not saying she’s the dumb one but we all have that one person in the group who is easy going and lax, right? At first I was confused about the characters because they reminded me of Ojousama Sousamou. If I am not mistaken, these characters are from the Graduation game franchise and even more so from the short OVA series, Sailor Victory. Who borrowed from who? Not really sure. Don’t really want to care so much either. We all already graduated from this series, right?!

I read there is a sequel spinoff of this called Marriage. So far I am not sure whether I want to watch this or not because well, yeah, a silly excuse is that I’m not close to getting hitched so it won’t do for me. Yeah, I’ve watched so many animes with stuffs that are unrelated in my life. Okay, okay. Maybe in the future I will since I need to have the right mood and all. After being spammed with my own personal nostalgia after watching this, I need a bit of cooling off period. So I’ll see in the near (or distant) future if I will ever get to watching that. As this series was adapted from the game of the same name, there are a few sequels in the visual novel game itself but as I read, no hentai elements as this is more of a teaching sim than a dating one. Must be one of those wholesome Japanese games, huh? Even the hotspring scene at the end of episode 1 is quite mild. Can’t see any bare tits is it because there are really none or the visual quality is low. And if you think this caters to just the male demographics, be sure to note that a few years later, there is another OVA that has male characters instead. Definitely won’t watch this one because I’m not into some gay fest sh*t or anything these days!

Overall, this series may not bring much to the table but in its own right it is still decent and enjoyable. Nothing too heavy or complicating but since it has got nothing much, there’s a chance it isn’t going to be a memorable one if you’re talking about retro animes that leave an impression. Not sure if this OVA was some sort of promotional stint and awareness to make you go buy and play the game. Hey remember, no internet back then so trying to market and promote your product via the biggest media medium would be the TV, no? I think. So perhaps if you want deeper characterizations and all, it is best you go play the retro games. If you can still find them. Otherwise, I’m just going to leave this series here and graduate from it. That’s right. Back to more crappy and nonsense current animes. Uh huh. So in the future when I look back at them, I’ll remember how trashy they were. Nostalgia, I’ll say by then! Hey, did this anime stated that it is important to remember the feelings of the moment? And no, I did not regret becoming an otaku. So maybe I’ll never graduate from this ever, huh? Not that I’m complaining whatsoever.