Chihayafuru 2 25, the last episode for a while, was one of the few in recent memory where there was nothing at stake, yet, like most other episodes, it was fun as hell to watch. I always like it when shows take a breather after an intense story arc, and everyone on the team should … Continue reading Chihayafuru 2 finale
With Chihaya out of it and Taichi victorious and now class A, I thought maybe Chihayafuru 24 would let up a little. Heh. It might not have had the emotional weight as the matches starring our team, but the Arata/Shinobou match is as intense as any match they've shown in either season. We get to … Continue reading Chihayafuru 2 24, Railgun S 11
In Chihayafuru 2 23, with Chihaya no longer in it, we switch at last to the other players, well, two of them. For two interesting matches. They contrast each other. Arata and Shinobou are going for the A level championship while Taichi and Rion tangle for the B, and if Taichi wins he'll become an … Continue reading Chihayafuru 2 23, RDG 11
Chihayafuru S2 22 didn't draw out the Chihaya/Shinobou match at all. We even had time to watch Taichi stomp Retro-Kun. I'm relieved. I was worried this one would take two or three episodes to wrap up. It was also an odd match to watch. The mood was different, resigned and bittersweet. The music was quieter … Continue reading Chihayafuru 22, Railgun S 9
As we expected from the previews, Toaru kagaku no Railgun S 8 features Misaka against a formidable enemy. A pity that this enemy is a smirking loli. We're introduced to ITEM, a quartet (at least) of supergirls-for-hire, as they're given the job of covering the two research facilities that Misaka hasn't destroyed yet. And while … Continue reading Catching up: Railgun 8, Chihayafuru S2 21, RDG 8
After several intense episodes Chihayafuru S2 20 finally comes up for air, and we have an episode with no match, apart from the first two cards of the individual match, which naturally don't go so well for Chihaya. Her finger is injured enough (small fracture, or a chip, or something) that going for cards is … Continue reading Chihayafuru S2 20, Railgun S 7
Chihayafuru 2 19 takes the tension it's famous for creating and stretches it farther than I could have imagined, and it didn't break. To do this, it cuts back. Last week they showed us every single thing that was going on in that room, with every player and every viewer. No time for that this … Continue reading Chihayafuru2 19, Railgun S 6
The Sisters arc in Toaru kagaku no Railgun S continues to be undercut by the fact that we know the story already. Episode 5's intentions are obvious: spend the first half having Misaka meet and bond humorously with one of her clones in a manner befitting the series, and spend the second half seeing that … Continue reading Railgun S 5, Chihayafuru 18
All I can say about Attack on Titan 5 is that I can't believe it. I didn't expect another episode where many of the people I've been introduced to in the past couple episodes get eaten. And it unfolds so well that you don't see it coming, and then all of a sudden Eren's lost … Continue reading Quick notes: Attack on Titan 5, Railgun S 4, Chihayafuru 17
As Bakuman3 winds up its all-encompassing story arc, they come up with a terrific episode. Now that the boys have their anime there's not much more the series can throw at us, apart from the new chief editor wanting Reversi to be a flagship series for the magazine while the boys think it will finish … Continue reading Bakuman3 22, Chihayafuru2 9
