Autumn 2013 – Week 6 Anime Review

This week: how the sexiness in KILL la KILL has lost its impact, appreciating the contrast in work between Gotou and Hazama in Samurai Flamenco, discovering a purpose for Aoi in Coppelion, and how character development and story progress made this the best episode of Magi: The Kingdom of Magic in at least 20 episodes.

Spring 2013 – Week 3 Anime Review

This week: thinking ahead on how the weather could be used as a means of conflict in Suisei no Gargantia, weighing in on two fascinating story mechanics in Kakumeiki Valvrave, the fantastic use of voices in Chihayafuru 2, and examining the personalities of Emi in Hataraku Maou-sama! and Misaka in To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S.

Autumn 2012 – Week 12 Anime Review

This week: Magi and Robotics;Notes are here again, how the rural setting of Shin Sekai Yori plays a necessary role in the anime, a disagreement on perspectives in Little Busters!, approaching an abrupt end to a story in Medaka Box Abnormal, and the talents of an effective writer in Psycho-Pass.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume S2 – 5

Our zany and simple-minded squid invader certainly enjoys the company of humans and our lifestyles and activities above the surface.  And she hasn’t receded her ambitions of conquering mankind either, still actively pursuing her goal in every episode.  But she never has any feelings of internal conflict or ambivalence over her simultaneous and contradictory opinions toward these subjects.  She can’t be friends with humans if she also wants to invade mankind.  So if Ika Musume had to choose between one or the other, which would she select?

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume S2 – 3

Is it ironic that Ika Musume invaded the surface to liberate the oceans and topple mankind, yet, through inquiring and imitation, she is slowly becoming human herself?  Or perhaps is it clever that she goes through this gradual transformation?