First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 20

「猟犬部隊（ハウンドドッグ）」 (Ryouken Butai (Haundo Doggu))
“Hunting Dog Corps (Hound Dog)”

Now is it just me or is this series so much better when it doesn’t beat around the bush with religious mumbo jumbo and stuff actually happens on screen? We had Accelerator trying to get Kihara’s Hound Dogs off his back, Touma trying to do the same before Vento came along, and Kuroko causing a commotion over Mikoto like only she can. Throw in Uihara for good measure and the end result is To Aru Majutsu no Index just the way I like it.

First Impressions / Infinite Stratos

IS Infinite Stratos – 08

「ファインド・アウト・マイ・マインド」 (Faindo Auto Mai Maindo)
“Find Out My Mind”

I’m starting to think that Ichika doesn’t get enough credit, simply because he’s oblivious to the idea that cute girls actually like him. If we’re talking about sticking up for what he believes in, then the inter-class two-versus-two IS tournament was a prime example of some of his redeeming traits.

First Impressions / FRACTALE

FRACTALE – 06

「最果ての町」 (Saihate no Machi)
“The Farthest Town”

“Shut up Enri. Phryne can strip all she wants.” That’s admittedly the first (sarcastic) thought that came to mind when Enri started flipping out about our mysterious priestess taking off all her clothes in record time to go skinny dipping. More so than the actual fan-service, that scene showcased the tomboy side of Phryne yet again, and how she’s not shy about being a girl, let alone an attractive one, which is always fun to watch.

First Impressions / Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai – 12 (TRUE ROUTE)

Is this the start of a dazzling high school life for Kyousuke? Kuroneko… chan?

「俺の妹の人生相談がこれで終わるわけがない」
(Ore no Imouto no Jinsei Soudan ga Kore de Owaru Wake ga Nai)
“There’s No Way My Sister’s Life Counseling Ends Here”

The first of four Oreimo episodes that leads to the “true ending” of the series has been streamed, and it follows the same general flow as the episode twelve “good ending” we saw last season. What was interesting is how the first half was identical, before things starting veering off ever so slightly with Kyousuke missing the last train out of Akihabara and once again going above and beyond what’s expected of a typical older brother.

First Impressions / Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 20

「若き猛禽」 (Wakaki Moukin)
“Young Bird of Prey”

Once I heard Dr. Radom mention “Pattern TBS” to Arado and how he “probably” won’t get a chance to use it, I was eagerly waiting for Seolla to come around and execute Wild Wurger and Wild Falken’s Twin Bird Strike combination attack. I’ve brought up my anticipation towards seeing it on at least a couple of episodes, so naturally I was a little psyched about the moment finally arriving.

First Impressions / STAR DRIVER

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 20

「描かれたあの日の虹」 (Egakareta Ano Hi no Niji)
“The Rainbow Drawn That Day”

The plot finally opens up in a major way with backstory on both Reiji and Katashiro Ryousuke (Miki Shinichirou), and comes with a love triangle that’s oddly familiar to Takuto, Sugata, and Wako’s situation yet noticeably different at the same time.

First Impressions / Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 20

Niche, the always earnest and dependable dingo, has been getting through to everyone lately.

「希望の微笑み」 (Kibou no Hohoemi)
“Smile of Hope”

As the preview hinted at last time, we had an episode about Connor and the aftermath in Lament. It wasn’t nearly as sad as I thought it would be since Sunny is still alive, and instead irked the pessimistic side of me a bit with the false hope that Lag spouts out.

First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 19

「木原数多（けんきゅうしゃ）」 (Kihara Amata (Kenkyuusha))
“Kihara Amata (Researcher)”

With Accelerator at the complete mercy of the researcher who apparently helped develop his powers, this may have been the first time I was looking to Touma to deliver a swift right fist to someone’s face at the very onset of an arc.