Shakugan no Shana 24
Well, it's been a fun ride. Not the greatest masterpiece of all time but definitely one of the most enjoyable series this season. I was initially quite sceptical as I didn't really enjoy the interaction between the male and female leads in the first few episodes - Yuuji was yelling too much and Shana's snarkiness wasn't entertaining yet. But I was gradually won over and found myself rooting for them, especially in the face of Kazumi's challenge and Wilhelmina's disapproval. This series has also been notable for using a new and usually very funny or attractive eyecatch in each episode. It's little details like this that, to me, also show a studio's attention and love. Well done, J.C. Staff. A big factor in upping my enjoyment was how I was fascinated by some of the supporting characters.
Hecate is not Mamiko Noto's best role and her moaning got a bit creepy after a while but I did fully enjoy her honest-to-goodness Base Self-Destruct screaming. Hecate featured pretty strongly in the first and second OPs but it's ironic that we didn't hear her speak until Ep 17. Like when Rie Tanaka voiced both Lacus and Meer in GSD, I wondered if seiyuu are paid for each role, a certain number of words spoken or hours at the studio?
Nitpick. Eclipse translated Hecate's title "???" as "Master Throne" - taking itadaki's mountain peak meaning metaphorically and choosing the seat meaning in kura to render it as throne, appropriate for her lordly status as a King of the Flame World. However kura can also mean theatre troupe or constellation. The former would fit the Balle Masque motif, written literally as "masquerade ball" (?????) in Japanese. However most of the titles seem related to how a Guze no Ou manifests his or her power and kura could refer to her seated position while using her level drain power or it may fit the third meaning where her meditation world looks like a star-filled sky. Interestingly, Hecate's bio on the character page of the official website lists her role in the Balle Masque as "miko". Any opinions on the above?
Now it's my turn to enter you! / OMG... It's soo big!!
The maki-maki of tomogara doom!
I'll make roripedofiends out of you all yet!
Bel Peol does well in my list as well. I love her voice - dripping, as it is, with amusement, condescension and cruelty. Definitely looking forward to more Sayaka Ohara as Yuuko in xxxHOLiC. Points, also, for being able to defeat Wilhelmina without much difficulty - her theme song could be "Back on the Chain Gang" by the Pretenders. Would have loved to see more of her in that black yukata with red flower prints in the Ep 19 eyecatch. [Edit: And Arbiter of Reversed Reasoning (?????) is suuuch a cool title!]
Wilhelmina just gets more and more interesting as she develops increased emotional expression. I suspect her aloofness might have preceded her rejection by Merihim as he apparently regards her as being a "scary woman" (red arrow) but that rejection probably increased her emotional defensiveness and thus have an episode entitled "Heartless (emotionless) Wilhelmina". The calm surface rapidly cracks when effortlessly attacked by resident MILF and secret ninja master Chigusa who surprises two Flame Hazes staking out her house and verbally spars over Shana. Horrification indeed. And I join the chorus of miaoing praise for Wilhelmina-tan, praise be to Wilhelmina-tan de arimasuchu!
Great to see Wilhelmina being able to openly show affection for Shana and stop with the "Flame Haze duty" excuses. A final lovely scene of Chigusa getting under her skin again by noticing Wilhelmina's happy smile as they send off their kids and then Wilhelmina's embarrassment and consternation when she notices that Chigusa has noticed.
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March 23rd, 2006 - 21:15
I watched this episode raw, and I’m so glad I did. I love Bel Peol too, despite her lack of of airtime, and she had a type of style quite unlike the other two Balle Masque members. I only wish there was more Margery this episode; I’m one of those who prefers her to even Shana. The ending with the credits running and everyone happy was great too. I really hope there is a second season so we can see Silver, more of Khasmin and the Balle Masque and the conclusion to the Shana-Yuji-Kazumi love triangle; the way it has been left suggests that there is far more to be told than can fit in the movie.
March 23rd, 2006 - 21:41
Well, it appears that Chigusa really is the Omega in this show, so far as female roles go. She’s been able to outargue Alastor, and towards the end flustered and then apparently cowed Wilhemina into a less dangerous stance.
Of course, you didn’t mention why Wilhemina got incapacitated here… although given that everyone else did, it’s not a big loss. It’s not the best of shows.. but at least it’s not Mai Otome yet.
We’ll see how the Movie does.
March 24th, 2006 - 04:54
Well, its reached the end. One of the more interesting series of the latter part of last year and the beginning of this one.
Best part of this episode: Yuiji goes from molested experiment to ex-SOLDIER Cloud in a matter of seconds.
I agree with your comment about Wilhelmina finally showing a little more emotion, and her reaction toward Chigusa is gold.
The fact that it didn’t end in tragedy had me relieved, and I’m looking forward to the next incarnation of the series.
October 20th, 2006 - 03:22
Will there ever be more to come? really looking forward towards 25- and more…..thanks.
thank you for your time.