First Impressions / Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 23

Triple shindan action! “Aoitoge! Akabari! Shikkoku!”

「アカツキにて」 (Akatsuki nite)
“At Akatsuki”

As much as I like Lag and his unwavering beliefs, there are times when someone should tell him things don’t always work that way in the adult world. You know, smack him around with the reality bat a little bit. One would think that common sense says not to protect someone who’s been just trying to kill you just moments ago, but away Lag goes, jumping in front of Caribs and Hazel when they’re staring down the barrel of Noir’s gun.

First Impressions / FREEZING

FREEZING – 10

「NOVA Form」

While I knew the battle was coming to West Genetics, it didn’t take away from the excitement in this episode one bit. The Nova’s arrival on the outskirts of the school jacked up the suspense right from the get-go, so I was pretty psyched even when it was a bunch of unfamiliar fourth-years who were sent in first. Once the first platoon was deployed and the music kicked in, there was an immediate sense of the urgency drew me right in.

First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 22

「天罰術式」 (Tenbatsu Jutsushiki)
“Divine Punishment Technique”

Even for To Aru Majutsu no Index, the number of punches to the face was off the charts in this arc’s conclusion. Accelerator was on the receiving end for a good chuck of them when his battery died, so there was no shortage of his face getting smashed in. Touma on the other hand got the job done with a single right once the opportunity presented itself, much like he always does. Good ‘ol Imagine Breaker. It’s so reliable it’s worth laughing over.

First Impressions / FRACTALE

FRACTALE – 08

「地下の秘密」 (Chika no Himitsu)
“The Underground Secret”

I never noticed Phryne and Nessa had the same eye color, so I didn’t realize it had any significance until it was spelled out for us. In the concept art for their character designs, they both had the same purplish hair too, which I really wish made it into the anime. Not only do they look better with purple hair and eyes, the similarity made it more believable that Nessa was what Phryne looked like when she was younger.

First Impressions / Infinite Stratos

IS Infinite Stratos – 10

「その境界線の上に立ち（シン・レッド・ライン）」 (Sono Kyoukaisen no Ue ni Tachi (Shin Reddo Rain))
“Standing on Top of the Boundary Line (Thin Red Line)”

It’s Tamura Yukari overload this week as she brings a spirited childish energy to Tabane like only she can. I sometimes wonder what the starring cast of younger seiyuu think when they see Yukarin come into the studio and bust out that voice when she’s a good 10-13 years older than them. Granted, she doesn’t look it since she’s a fellow “eternal 17-year-old” member, so perhaps reality’s not as funny as I imagine it to be. But… but… Ni-paa!

Note: In case you haven’t heard, Japan was struck by a massive 8.9 magnitude quake earlier today. The country is in a crisis right now, so my thoughts go out to all its people. The damage is absolutely unreal.

First Impressions / Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 22

「散りぬべき時知りてこそ」 (Chirinubeki Toki Shirite koso)
“Knowing When Not To Scatter”

The Earth Cradle chapter comes to a close both inside and out, as The School children rid themselves of their past demons and Sanger/Wodan settle their rivalry once and for all. While I already knew how things were going to unfold, that didn’t really take away from the bittersweetness of it all. I even found myself getting a little teary-eyed at the end when the emotions poured uncontrollably out of the kids.

First Impressions / Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 22

How can you just walk away from her Noir? Gauche!!!

「帰りたい場所」 (Kaeritai Basho)
“The Place I Want to Return To”

I don’t know how Noir could walk away from Sylvette after recovering his memories, but the way he simply thanked her for understanding and left her with a goodbye hug did get me a little choked up. The most painful part to watch was how Sylvette was doing everything she could to hold back her tears before they eventually came pouring out.

First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 21

「学習装置（テスタメント）」 (Gakushuu Souchi (Tesutamento))
“Learning Device (Testament)”

She doesn’t have a single line to her name in this entire sequel, but Hyouka makes a return in the big way due to Aleister’s blasphemous act of turning her into an artificial angel to deal with religious fanatics (i.e. Vento).