First Impressions / Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Shinryaku! Ika Musume – 03

BEHOLD! The true power of Ika Musume unleashed!
Question is, can she really swim without her tentacles?

「怖くなイカ？／天敵じゃなイカ？／新入りじゃなイカ？」
(Kowakunai ka? / Tenteki Janai ka? / Shiniri Janai ka?)
“Aren’t You Afraid? / Isn’t That My Natural Enemy? / Aren’t You The Newcomer?”

In case I haven’t made it clear enough from the Fall 2010 Preview and my posts on the first two episodes, I love this series. It’s not often you can find a cute, lighthearted comedy with a naive squid girl who absolutely steals the show. From ghosts, to killer whales, to the new part-timer at Lemon, this most recent episode delivered a bundle of laughs that left me eagerly anticipating more.

First Impressions / Yosuga no Sora

Yosuga no Sora – 03

「ツカズハナレズ」 (Tsukazu Hanarezu)
“Indecision”

Despite the beach portion of this episode, I couldn’t help but feel that the entire thing had a very somber mood to it. It all started with Kazuha revealing that Akira is the illegitimate child of her father, putting a very literally meaning on the “big sister” conversation Haru overheard last time.

First Impressions / Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 03

「背負った十字」 (Seotta Juuji)
“The Burdened Cross”

The Hagane battleship captained by Daitetsu Minase (Shibata Hidekatsu) and vice-captained Tetsuya Onodera (Horikawa Jin) arrives on the scene, and with it the SRX team as well. The Choukijin that came and gone have become the focus of Bullet’s investigation, while the subtle reintroduction of Kusuha Mizuha in his prized photograph sort of foreshadows what will come from them.

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

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai – 03

Everyone’s probably thinking it, so I’ll just say it. “Moeeeeee~”

「俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない」 (Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai)
“There’s No Way My Little Sister is That Cute”

A mix of heartfelt drama and the usual comedic flair makes this week’s episode of Oreimo one to remember. I still found it a bit cheesy with the way Kyousuke “put his life on the line” to defend Kirino’s unusual hobby in the face of their no-nonsense father, but the end result that shows exactly where the title of this series comes from was so sweet. It was quite possibly the ultimate “dere to the tsundere” moment of the year.

First Impressions / Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 03

I’d like to see this sleeping posture when Lag and Niche are a bit more grown up.

「アジサイ色の絵テガミ」 (Ajisai-iro no Etegami)
“The Hydrangea Colored Picture-Letter”

As Lag struggles over what to write in the letter bullet, the series starts progressing down the episodic route with a request by Ray Attlee (Takayama Minami) to find out who’s been delivering hydrangea colored paintings to her.

First Impressions / Sora no Otoshimono

Sora no Otoshimono Forte – 03

Saying that looks painful would be an understatement.

「煩悩（プライド）ある戦い」 (Bonnou (Puraido) Aru Tatakai)
“A Fight with Worldly Desires (Pride)”

With another festival that sees the return of Judas, I was looking forward to another a repeat of the cork gun survival game seen in episode eight of the first season. Tomoki wasn’t too fond of the idea, given how Ikaros went on an aerial “angel of death” killing spree with her Gatling gun before, so I figured I was in store for something a step up from that.

Amagami SS / First Impressions

Amagami SS – 15

「七咲逢編 第三章 ヘンシン」 (Nanasaki Ai-hen Dai San-shou – Henshin)
“Nanasaki Ai Chapter 3 – Transformation”

I think I just watched some “ramen porn”, whatever the heck that means. Aside from some surreal vibes during Junichi and Ai’s date at the amusement park, this episode also showcased an emotional side to the story not yet seen in the three arcs prior.

First Impressions / Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai

Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai – 02

「あくまでも妹です／ベイビー・ユー・アー・ア・リッチ・ガール」 (Akuma demo Imouto Desu / Beibii Yuu Aa A Ricchi Gaaru)
“I’m Totally Your Younger Sister / Baby You Are A Rich Girl”

I don’t know what Keima’s on, but who wouldn’t want a cutie-pie like Elsie as their younger sister? As a bonus, she’ll even join you in the bath to scrub your butt. Those demon cleaner girls seem to be pretty kinky with their magical pink garments down in hell.

First Impressions / Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Shinryaku! Ika Musume – 02

“Oh my god I totally forgot I can breathe underwater!”

「仲間じゃなイカ？／祝わなイカ？／遊ばなイカ？」 (Nakama Janai ka? / Iwanai ka? / Asobanai ka?)
“Aren’t You an Ally? / Won’t You Celebrate? / Won’t You Play?”

So apparently squid girls are so dumb, they forget that they can breathe underwater and start panicking like they’re going to drown. It’s probably not fair to draw conclusions on the whole squid people race based on Ika Musume, but it’s really all I have to go on so that’s what I’m going to do!