Spring 2016 – Week 5 Spotlight – The Shanghai International Settlement in Joker Game

The fourth episode of Joker Game had an astonishing setting, both in terms of its historical context and for the presentation of its story.  Yet, how was such a locale and situation even possible for a plot like this?  This episode was set in Shanghai and between 1937 and 1941, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War when Japan was invading and controlling large regions of China.  You may be wondering, with war between Japan and China raging across the nation, how was such a setting possible for Joker Game to utilize?  How was a military police unit, Chinese revolutionaries, and America and British citizens able to coexist in such a place with such turmoil and conflict?  This post on the fourth episode of Joker Game attempts to describe all the details and history of the Shanghai International Settlement and why it was such a remarkable setting for this episode’s narrative.

Summer 2014 – Week 9 Anime Review

Back during Week 9: explaining why Tokyo ESP is the most disappointing anime of the season despite not being the worst, layering the education and presenting knowledge in Yama no Susume Second Season, why Sanae is more than just the #1 girl in Koutarou’s harem in Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?, and wondering why more people don’t use photon swords in Sword Art Online II.

Summer 2014 – Week 2 Anime Review

Last week: examining why Momoka dominates the comedy in Sabagebu!, a justification for why the educational segments in Yama no Susume Second Season are so enjoyable, enjoying the use of parallels in Zankyou no Terror and not understanding Japanese calligraphy at all in Barakamon.

Winter 2014 – Week 8 Anime Review

This week: thoughts on whether to dislike or sympathize with Yukine in Noragami, why the confession scene in Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha was exceptional, why Silver Spoon S2 works better as a sports anime, and recommending The Princess and the Pilot (Toaru Hikuushi e no Tsuioku) for those watching Pilot’s Love Song (Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta)

Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita – 9

Humanity Has Declined is an anime defined by the fairies.  And though the fairies have been present and highly influential in every story, this is the first episode where the story revolved around the fairies and Watashi interacts with them.  Finally, an episode with some insight and information on the adorable, pint-sized creatures that dominate this world and truly represent this anime.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica – 10

And now for something completely different.

Episode 10 of Puella Magi Madoka Magica provides us with Homura’s backstory, depicting her metamorphosis from her frail, timid, and emotional former self to the Homura we’ve grown to love and cheer for.  The previous timelines through which she lived help us understand Homura a little more, as well as show us some interesting storylines involving her relationships with the various characters.  But that wasn’t the best part about the episode.

Kimi ni Todoke Season 2 – 8

The school festival is nearly over and we have Sawako and Kazehaya together, alone in the vacant classroom.  They’re far removed from any potential threats (I’m looking at you Kent, Kurumi, and Pin) and the next episode is titled Confession, so yeah, we’ll finally be getting that coveted and elusive relationship progress.  So get those party poppers ready for next week’s episode.

And with the fruition of romance imminent, you can’t help but notice another blossoming take place in the series.  Well, perhaps blossoming isn’t the right word but rather utilization.  But then utilization doesn’t make for a better metaphor, so I’m going back to blossoming.  Yes, it’s eerie how Sawako’s medicinal herb garden is a metaphor for the relationship between Sawako and Kazehaya this season.