12 Days of Anime (2012) – Day 2 – Sengoku Collection Episode 18

Considering that I watch over 50 anime each year, ranging roughly between 12 to 26 episodes each, you’d figure it might be difficult for me to choose my favorite episode of the year when there’s nearly a thousand to choose from.  However, from the moment I finished episode 18 of the Sengoku Collection, I knew which one it would be this year.  No episode of any other anime comes even remotely close to the profoundness, merit and brilliance of this episode of Sengoku Collection.  It stands alone at the summit of anime excellence, an episode comprised of a spectacular art style, influential and engrossing characters, the haunting absence of music, and a simple, modest story shown to us through ingenious directing to tie it all together and create an inspiring, illustrious episode that has become one of my favorite episodes of all time.

Autumn 2012 – Week 7 Anime Review

This week: Speedwagon is a grave-robber in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, the magnificent world-building in Psycho-Pass, why friendship episodes are better than romance episodes for Little Busters!, and issues with the education system in Shin Sekai Yori.

Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita – 12 (Finale)

Being alone is one thing; choosing to be alone is something else entirely.  But if it were up to Watashi, she’d be alone through any means possible, whether by default or by choice.  It wasn’t until a bit of maturity on Watashi’s behalf did she finally change her stance on solitude and reverse her antisocial behavior.  This occurred when Watashi learned the valuable and timeless lesson to accept others for who they are and not to exclude them for what you think they are.  And though she faced difficulties and challenges, Watashi overcame her fear of friendship and changed, nay, improved her life forever.

Guilty Crown – 13

Ayase has always been underdeveloped as a character despite playing substantial roles in the main story, the various skirmishes we’ve seen, and interacting with the trio of main characters regularly.  Ayase has shared significant duties throughout, including playing essential roles during missions and training Shu first joined Funeral Parlor, so the lack of character development for someone this important is somewhat unexpected.  Accordingly, with Gai now gone and Ayase rattled and depressed, it’s time we finally examine one of the best characters in Guilty Crown.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume S2 – 6

I love those Mini Ika Musume skits.  No, it’s not just because they’re always so freaking adorable that I feel all warm and cozy inside each time.  That certainly helps but it is not the main reason why I get excited every time our tiny heroine gets caught up in a new adventure.  What I like most about the Mini Ika Musume skits are the entirely different feel it has from the rest of series while still being effective in its laughs and appeal.

Guilty Crown – 5

I hope Gai is evil.  I want Gai to be evil.  I really do.   Maybe not ‘mastermind behind the release of the Apocalyspe Virus’ which devastated Japan but I don’t want him to be the hero when this anime is over.  I want his morals and actions to be questioned by both the characters and the audience.  And I want it to be done in a way that changes everyone around him.

Steins;Gate – 21

The juicy information revealed in this episode is that Mayuri has seemingly existed through, or retains memories, of all the D-mails and time leaps that Okabe has carried out thus far.  If that is true, then Mayuri and Okabe are well aware of every event and every death that has happened thus far.  You can’t help but feel bad for Mayuri after witnessing all that’s happened.  But it’s not for the multiple deaths she’s had to bear.  No, seeing Okabe and her grow more distant over the entire season is truly the most difficult and depressing thing she’s gone through.