Steins;Gate – 24 (END)

「終わりと始まりのプロローグ」 (Owari to Hajimari no Purorōgu)
“Prologue to the End and Beginning”

Tuturu! Finale season is upon us, and it begins with one of the most highly anticipated endings in many a year as Steins;Gate finally concludes its epic journey through time. The obvious question on everyone’s mind – did it live up to the hype?

Natsume Yuujin-chou San – 11

「映すもの」 (Utsusu mono)
“The Picture”

For the first time one of Natsume’s friends can truly understand his world, and that’s a pretty important moment for the series. This whole season seems to be building towards the crucial moment when Natsume tells his foster parents the Fujiwaras – the most interesting of Natsume’s human companions – about his gift, but whether that long-awaited event occurs in the last two episodes remains to be seen.

Hanasaku Iroha – 24

「ラスボスは四十万スイ」 (Rasubosu wa Shijima Sui)
“Last Boss — Shijima Sui”

Even when given the opportunity to resolve all the problems in the world, I’m baffled by how Ohana didn’t utilize the almost perfect chance she was given to reveal everything she had to offer to Ko. She even went as far as covering his mouth to prevent him from uttering those three simple words — only to give up right at the last moment!

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! – 10

「僕と恋路と恋愛術」 (Boku to Koiji To Renaijutsuu)
“Me, Romance, and the Art of Love!”

I don’t know how he did it, and I don’t really care how he did it, but he did it. Somehow clawing his way back from the brinks of death, at least romantically, Akihisa has once again proved his worth as the stupidest but best protagonist of the season.

Ouran High School Host Club (Drama) – 08

「Episode 8」

Given Nekozawa Umehito’s prominent role in the drama, it doesn’t come as any real surprise that the episode about him and his younger sister Kirimi (Sawada Mone) would be adapted. While I don’t really care too much about Nekozawa’s character, it is nice to hear Ryuusei Ryou use a normal voice for a change.

THE IDOLM@STER – 10

「みんなで、少しでも前へ」 (Minna de, Sukoshi demo Mae e)
“Moving Forward a Little with Everyone”

How dare those Shinkan Shoujo girls make Yayoi cry! The 765 Pro girls may have been the better person about it, but I was ready to bust some idol heads by slapping a bitch. I dare say I would’ve enjoyed it too after Hikari (Higasayama Tsugumi) proved to be one tough customer.

Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi – 10

「神隠しの同級生」 (Kamikakushi no Doukyuusei)
“Classmate Spirited Away”

In an effort to push the story forward, I think that this show is slipping back into the problem of pushing too much story into one episode. Using the Beach Arc as an example of how things can get really fun and interesting when it’s broken up into pieces, I’m hoping that these last few episodes can bring some kind of closure without making it feel like a cop out.