The concluding episode. Lilith lashes out at Eve for abandoning her in the Great Library for what seems to be tens of thousands of years and Eve tries to make it up to her. Lilith notices that Eve misses Hazuki who seems not to have returned to the correct book-world. Alone again, Hazuki reflects on her dreamlike adventures but suddenly sees Hatsumi returning to the house. History repeats itself - like a universe reset but Hatsumi does not glow and disappear at the stroke of midnight. Instead Hatsumi and Hazuki share a passionate kiss and then a cuddle. Hazuki awakens the next day not remembering anything but notices the signs of Lilith’s future rebirth as her child. Continue reading ‘Yamibou 13′
Hi, I’m Ilya. Iliyasufiiru Fon Aintsuberun (イリヤスフィール・フォン・アインツベルン). Like Ana Coppola, I suck at my native language. / Aintsuberun… You really do need some German lessons from, say, Mina! Continue reading ‘Fate/Stay Night 4′
I like this OP a lot as the song is energetic and images a clear shift to the war phase of Mai Otome. The Gundam SEED parallels were a bit much though. Didn’t really find it that spoilerific but then again I’m the sort of fanboy who reads Omni’s entries on Random Curiosity even before I watch an episode. In any case, while there were some spoiling surprises, it also raised more questions than it answers.
The above pair of screencaps shows the sheer extent of the war waged on Windbloom and Garderobe with both under siege by massive numbers. We got a foretaste of it in the closing moments of Ep 16 but the buzzing hordes was much more than I expected. Their objective is probably seizure of the Harmonium and its controlling trinity of keys. Continue reading ‘Mai Otome 2nd OP - Crystal Energy’
Well, I’m happy with this episode - like the second OP (will talk about it in a subsequent post), Nao onee-sama has been chosen as a Pillar and Ers-chan had some good scenes. However the increased expectations I am now having of this series is also making me more fearful for Ers-chan’s survival. But I’ve finally cracked - I just have to say it - I really dislike the costume designs for the Otome robes!!! Nao-onee-sama’s Spiderwoman robe was the last straw - just too horrible for an otherwise very cool character. While SUNRISE scored big with Lunamaria’s miniskirt and Lacus’ battle kimono and Sith Lord [thanks to T_I for the link] outfits, they should just stick to designing big robots and out-source female costume design to someone else. See Random Curiosity for summary and a more balanced set of screencaps. Continue reading ‘Mai Otome 16′
Too tired to do a summary and also why re-invent the wheel? Check out the summaries by Omni and Kurogane. A Yasuna-centric episode but Tomari’s interaction with Hazumu plays an important role in the buildup. I liked very much how the primulas (which were not in the manga) were used again to emphasize Hazumu and Yasuna’s estrangement and then reconciliation. Pacing and structure was more believable with this reconciliation taking place gradually over two episodes and that Yasuna didn’t just mount her Get Hazumu’s Love Expedition straight after his transformation into her. I don’t think this detracts from Yasuna’s desire for Hazumu at all and IMHO makes Yasuna a more likeable and sympathetic character who felt guilty about turning down and hurting Hazumu. Well, she is relieved that Hazumu wants to be friends - “normal friends” said Hazumu but looks like the next episode will see Yasuna opening her heart to Hazumu. I’m still rooting for Tomari though. ;) The love letter and the Tomari fangirls were hilarous especially when one of them called Tomari her "prince". LOL
I don’t recall Yasuna having a dog in the manga either and the presence of her pet was a good device for her to see Hazumu snuggling with Tomari in the previous episode after the Attack of the Media Vultures. In this episode, Yasuna’s interaction with the dog showed her stoic attempt to cope with her loneliness but also underlined the cracks in that facade.
Again, elements of the manga have been reshuffled or changed but they largely improve the flow and coherence of the story. The alien, Sora Hitomi, was “detected” by Namiko-sensei twice before his infiltration of the school as a teacher (foreshadowed by the OP). I found Namiko annoying in the first two episodes but really had a hearty laugh when her students repeated her every word in class, even her sigh. The explanation of Jan-puu’s human form was also appreciated. And Hazumu’s mom rocks - love her Kyoto-ben and her power wrestling moves. I wonder if she’s related to School Rumble’s Karen Ichijou?
Screencaps follow: Continue reading ‘Kashimashi 3′