Natsume Yuujin-chou San – 09
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「秋風切って」 (Akikaze Kitte)
“The Fading Autumn Wind”
This was definitely an episode for the hard-core fans, but I think it’s nice to see Natsume’s progress in building a normal life take the spotlight.
Ao no Exorcist – 20
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「假面」 (Kamen)
“Mask”
A-1 steps up to the plate with some outstanding anime-original material in episode 20 of Ao no Exorcist. I’m assuming this was anime-original anyway – I’m sure someone will correct me, if not. But more so than the last couple of episodes, this anime-original story seems to set the table for a real conclusion of some sort, building on some old plot points and adding in a few new twists and ending with a major cliffhanger.
Dantalian no Shoka – 07
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「調香師」 (Chōkō-shi)
“Parfumer”
Huey and Dalian are back in the saddle on Dantalian no Shoka this week, with no reference to the Flam and Hal interlude of last week whatsoever. And they deliver a solid if unspectacular episode, whose most impressive feature may be the body count.
NO.6 – 08
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「そのわけは…」 (Sono Wake wa…)
“The reason for that is…”
Things are certainly getting BONES-y again down NoitaminA way. Mysterious female singers, byzantine plot developments, noble savages – it’s easy to see why BONES saw these novels as kindred spirits after its own heart.
Steins;Gate – 21
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「因果律のメルト」 (Ingaritsu no Meruto)
“Paradox Meltdown”
Wow, that was really a heartbreaker. It might have been too slow for some tastes, but I wouldn’t change a second of it.
Natsume Yuujin-chou San – 08
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「子狐のとけい」 (Kogitsune no Tokei)
“The Little Fox’s Watch”
Given that I’ve been counting the days until another episode of Natsume Yuujinchou with Kogitsune for the better part of three years, it was always going to be hard for it to live up to expectations. Amazingly, it did – this episode was everything I love about this series.
Ao no Exorcist – 19
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「なんでもない日」 (Nandemonai Hi)
“A Day When Nothing Happens”
Whatever you thought of the entertainment value of this episode of AoEx, there’s no denying that it was slight. Given that and the fact that it was anime-original, I’m sure there won’t be a lot of excitement in the ranks of the manga readers this week.
Dantalian no Shoka – 06
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「焚書官」 (Funsho-kan)
“The Book Burner”
I guess in judging this episode, one has to look at it both in context and in terms of pure stand-along entertainment value. To tackle the latter first, I guess I’d say it was pretty good. But to finally judge this ep in the context of the series as presented, I’m not overly pleased.
NO.6 – 07
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「真実の嘘・虚構の真実」 (Shinjitsu no Uso Kyokō no Shinjitsu)
“True Lies, False Truths”
I’m pretty sure that never in this history of anime – and maybe any other medium – has one boy kissed another full on the lips, then said “I better go to bed. I have to get up early to shave the dogs.” And that exchange tells you pretty much all you need to know about No. 6.
Steins;Gate – 20
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「怨嗟断絶のアポトーシス」 (Ensa Danzetsu no Apotōshisu)
“Disruption of Apoptosis”
I’m going to resist the urge for a general “I told you so” because I’m sure that by tomorrow, the combination of microanalysis and thoughtless spoilers will have found 20 things wrong in the next few paragraphs. But for now, it feels good to know that we’ve finally reached the point I’ve felt this series has been building towards.