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「無情のうた」 (Mujō no Uta)
“Pitiless Song”
If the measure of a second episode is to be better than the first, then this week’s UN-GO certainly passed the test. What it didn’t do is finish the job of convincing me that this is going to be a compelling series.
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「ふれるしらゆき」 (Fureru Shirayuki)
“From the Crystal White Snow”
Am I reading too much into the fact that Chihaya was wearing a “Let’s GO!” T-shirt when she and the boys visited a Go Karuta salon for the first time?
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「契約条件」 (Keiyaku Jouken)
“Contract Conditions”
You may have figured this out already, but Mirai Nikki probably isn’t the best choice if you’re looking for something to restore your faith in humanity.
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「Open file」
I was sorely tempted to title this post “(at long) Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam”…
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「舞踏会の殺人」 (Butōkai no Satsujin)
“Murder at the Ball!”
Given the staff involved I have no doubt that this will be a competently produced and directed series. The key question is whether the story and characters will come alive in future episodes, and make the series engaging as well as competent.
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「からくれなゐに」 (Karakurenai ni)
“I Won’t Give Up”
If there were any doubts that this show was for real, Chihayafuru dispelled them with a second episode as nearly perfect the first. This is a series that has the potential for greatness written all over it.
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「サインアップ」 (Sain Appu)
“Sign Up”
Whatever else happens, let me make it perfectly clear that I’m not impartial when it comes to Mirai Nikki. The manga is one of the scariest, funniest, juiciest and more ruthless you’ll find in mainstream manga and I absolutely love it. So with that said, Asread has a pretty tough job on their hands to meet expectations.
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「さくやこのはな」 (Saku ya Kono Hana)
“The Flower Blooms”
It’s always a little scary waiting for that first premiere of the season that you love – what if it never comes? But it’s also pretty exciting when it does – and for me, Chihayafuru is that series this season. It’s love at first sight.
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「時よ止まれ」 (Toki yo Tomare)
“Stop Time”
The ending for the anime of the manga that isn’t ending anytime soon wasn’t really an ending at all. But stay tuned for the movie…
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「まだ見ぬ明日の詩」
“Poetry of unseen tomorrows”
Dantalian no Shoka ends with a very powerful, visually stunning and (finally) emotional episode. But in looking back, I can’t help but feel I’ve just watched a pretty, well-produced 12-episode teaser trailer for the light novels.