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「仏蘭西から来たサムライ」 (Furansu kara Kita Samurai)
“The Samurai From France”
This sleeper series continues to impress, as the cliffhanger from last episode picks up in many ways that I was expecting, and in many ways that I wasn’t as well. Jubei’s awakening as her master samurai counterpart led to a fair bit of action, whereas Nia’s past with Yoshihiko built up the drama and provided a truly unexpected dimension to the story.
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「失意の果てに～凶刃～」 (Shitsui no Hate Ni ~ Kyoujin ~)
“The Limits of Despair ~ Assassin’s Dagger ~ “
While last week’s episode kind of foreshadowed that something was going to happen to Isshin, I never expected that he would go down as hard or as fast as he did. Under the circumstances, I’m still amazed that what happened, actually happened.
“Bring it on snake! Kakatte kuru de geso!”
Ika takes a page out of Gorou’s book to try and look cool.
「人形じゃなイカ？／疑惑じゃなイカ？／登山しなイカ？」
(Ningyou Janai ka? / Giwaku Janai ka? / Tozan Shinai ka?)
“Isn’t That a Doll? / Isn’t it Suspicious? / Won’t You Go Mountain Climbing?”
Creepy dolls, invisible American scientists, and mountain climbing. This wasn’t an overly hilarious episode, but still had its moments when Ika was scared to death of Eiko’s old doll (as opposed to ghosts) and received a beat down from a king cobra in the mountains.
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「ソラメクフタリ」 (Sorameku Futari)
“Uncertain Couple”
I knew it was coming, so it didn’t come as any surprise to see this series tread into highly controversial territory by depicting an incestuous relationship. What did come as a surprise though was how none of the censoring seen at the end of the last episode was really present, meaning that Sora was out in the open for everyone to see both with and without Haru.
** WARNING: NSFW. Please don’t say I didn’t warn you. **
So this is what it feels like to be seduced by a feline-like 15 year-old. *gulp*
「俺の妹がこんなにメイドなわけがない」 (Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Medio na Wake ga Nai)
“There’s No Way My Sister’s This Much of a Maid”
As the precursor to the television finale next time, this week’s episode paved way for both that and the DVD/BD one that we’ll see next year. In particular, Kirino finally showed some appreciation towards everything that Kyousuke’s done for her up until now. Unfortunately, the first half of this episode set back the potential impact of that gesture, as it left a negative impression that carried on easily into the second half.
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「ハルパーの鎌」 (Harupaa no Kama)
“The Harpe Sickle”
After all the crazy battles, it’s somewhat refreshing to get a dose of the game’s intermission side of things to set the stage for the upcoming battle — Operation Plantagenet. It’s the codename for the plan to retake North America from the Inspectors, except it comes with the added twist that it’s in cooperation with the Neo Divine Crusaders.
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「サイバディの私的活用術」 (Saibadi no Shiteki Katsuyou Jutsu)
“Personal Use of Cybodies”
It was only last episode that I was hoping to see Sugata show everyone who’s the ruler around these parts, and this very next episode delivered when he decided to use his King’s Pillar to even things up. After witnessing that and how he took Head’s words to heart about using abilities one’s been blessed with, I’m already looking forward to the prospect of seeing Samekh in action before long.
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「失われたメモリー」 (Ushinawareta Memorii)
“Lost Memories”
With Tarou suffering from amnesia and Arashiko using the chance to lie about being his girlfriend, this week’s episode provided a few interesting scenarios for the pairing that I’ve been wanting to see. Unfortunately, Tarou’s clean slate didn’t last very long when Tomoko and Shizuka seized the opportunity to mold him into the incestuous son/brother they’ve been longing for.
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「ワンス・アポン・ア・タイム・イン・ガーターベルト」 (Wansu Apon a Taimu in Gātāberuto)
“Once Upon a Time in Garterbelt”
I’ve never liked Garterbelt. I’m glad he never had a huge role, because I have to say, he doesn’t exactly “grace” the screens. Now we’re getting a biographical episode about Garterbelt, filled with a surprisingly epic journey, but I still don’t like him. But hey, I can’t say it wasn’t an intriguing episode.
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「穴ツッコミじいさん」 (Ana Tsukkomi Jiisan)
“The Finger-Pointing Geriatric”
I never thought Sore Machi could get weirder. Apparently, I thought wrong. From Aliens to Ghosts this episode dives headfirst into some strange topics. I should have seen this coming – especially since there was a real time traveler last episode.