Winter 2013 – Week 2 Anime Review

This week: an analogy between the war and the Crusades in Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, the unpopulated, empty world of Sasami-san@Ganbaranai, the damage and durability of the karuta cards in Chihayafuru 2, and thoughts on the criminalization of artists in Psycho-Pass.

Dog Days’ (S2) – 11

So what’s the point of any of this?

For the most part, Dog Days’ has been a collection of haphazard, disconnected events, recounting the activities and adventures of Shinku and his friends in Flonyard.  And though some episodes conclude with some development taking place, such as the introduction of Adélaïde and Valério, the institution of Hero Crystals and Bright Power Gears, and now with Yuki’s newly acquired ability to swap bodies with anyone.  But what is this all building to, why are we seeing these developments take place?  With no structure plot apparent and the finale hastily approaching, the question quickly turns to ask, what is the point of everything that’s happened thus far in Dog Days’?

Dog Days’ (S2) – 8

Although the realm of Flonyard appears to be incredibly peaceful, exceptionally pleasant, and irrefutably safe, it’s essentially a world plagued with horrifying demons, merciless highway bandits, and innumerable crimes and destruction.  Even with respect to the lighthearted, friendly, and optimistic themes that Dog Days’ constantly upholds, Flonyard is beleaguered with threats and menaces.  While a world perfect for fun and adventures to any traveling hero or super-solider, it must be entirely the opposite for the citizens who inhabit these lands and call Flonyard home.

Needless – Chapter 96

Ah, Chapter 96.  It’s another chapter which means a bunch of new developments and the return of a few old faces.  This time, it’s the reappearance of probably my two favorite characters in the series, so I’m beyond thrilled.  And regarding the story, another character is revealed to be marked with a Stigmata.  But with what we’ve learned in this arc about cloning and Eden’s Seeds, could this a true Stigmata or another fake? **Warning: spoilers below**

[C] The Money of Soul and Possibility Control – 9

So what exactly does the Midas Bank do with all these futures they receive in payment for their loans?  We’ve seen how energetic and overjoyed Masakaki gets over these gains but what does he do with them?  Does he just bunch them up in a pile and roll around in it like we imagine so many wealthy bankers doing when they return home after a rewarding day at the office?  Or are they a needed good for the tentacled villain that resides in the salient red sky of the Financial District?  We know how valuable these futures are but how are they used?

Dog Day – 10

Sorry for the brief hiatus but my computer had difficulties playing games, videos, and even browsing the web, so I went out and recently bought a new computer.  Now that I can watch anime again, I plan to catch up with the thousand or shows I seem to be behind on.  Anyway, onto Dog Days…

The tenth episode of Dog Days discarded the series’ legendary light-hearted image for a bold, new one.  Battling a gargantuan demon that cries rivers of blood and showcasing nothing but animated action sequences and teary-eyed drama scenes, Dog Days has evolved into a well-done action anime.  But only for this one episode.

Dog Days – 9

Really?  This was only the ninth episode?  It felt like the eleventh with all the characters gathering together, the dialogue between Millhiore and Leonmichelle regarding their friendship and these increasingly aggressive wars, and the arrival of a common threat for everyone.  Most anime save this to lead into their finale but we have three episodes left to go in Dog Days.