Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae Ep. 8: Neighbor

I had such high hopes for the third installment of this series, too.  I’m just praying now that they don’t completely butcher it all by the end of the 13th episode.  It can’t POSSIBLY get any worse than this!  This episode, however, is proof that nothing is taken seriously anymore.  I now assume that there won’t be a dramatic end like Futakomori ended on.  This is all very tongue-in-cheek, and it’s almost as if it were a parody of itself.  I suppose if you like that kind of humor, all the power to you.  For me, it’s pretty much a waste of my time.  I’m a week behind, and I just barely mustered the effort to put up with it.

Rosario + Vampire Capu2 Ep. 9: Ski + Vampire

Well…it’s not exactly snow woman country, but I guess it comes close enough.  Since it’s techically a skiing episode, not many panty shots this time around (mixed blessing?).  In fact, only Kokoa provides that kind of…relief.  Still mind-numbingly funny, I suppose, though it’s really a novelty show right now.  To be honest, I’ve been watching more Top Gear, House, and Fringe than anime.  American TV can be good sometimes – honestly!

Kannagi Ep. 8: Going Astray in Wuthering Heights

And the madness continues!  Once again, lies don’t get anybody anywhere, as Nagi and Jin can only go for so long before someone found them out.  In this case, however, we get a wild imagination to go along with it.  I’d just love to know who in the world thinks up of these episode names.  Yes, it’s not an exact translation; someone apparently liked Emily Bronte.  Oh well, any time you can get a English literature reference with Street Fighter is quite something.

Tales of the Abyss Ep. 8: Collapse

And Luke gets a rather rude awakening…of course, how anybody could be so CLUELESS is anybody’s guess.  Poor Tear, she’s concerned for Luke, idiocy and all.  I still have no sympathy for the guy, but all the RAAAGE I have right now is tempered by the knowledge that he at least grows up a little bit before…erm…the end.

Rosario + Vampire Capu2 Ep. 8: Youth + Vampire

Yes, I am way behind due to sickness, work, and some extenuating circumstances.  Let’s see if I can get back up to speed sooner rather than later, starting with the latest episode of R+V.  This episode is quite a mash of different short stories, but the end is quite a shift in tone.  It’s literally as if someone flipped a switch on the entire thing.

Kannagi Ep. 7: Cutie Big Pinch! Super Spicy Hitsumabushi Strikes Back

Such a LONG episode name.  Hell to translate sometimes.  However, this is quite possibly the most entertainment you can expect out of an episode that really never leaves one location.  Again, Kannagi showcases its ability to blend every popular category right now into a highly successful show.  The fanservice is just enough to make you laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of it, and the situation insane and yet…I’m sure a few of us have had moments like Nagi’s.

Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae Ep. 7: Liar

This could’ve gotten up yesterday if I managed to press ‘Publish’ before I got evacuated.  At least the fires have died down, and most of us in the lower OC area can return home.  We’re all eternally grateful to the fire department, law enforcement, and pretty much everybody who’s participated in fighting this fire, it’s their efforts that allow us to keep our homes.

Anyway, to this episode – bleh.  Dramatic ‘twist’ is what they aimed for, but you can kind of predict where they want to take the story in a fairly regular fashion.  Takes most of the fun out of the suspense, really.  I am a little more excited about next week – hopefully Yuzuki gets to do more than just see visions in her head…

Oh, and was I wrong about Abyss not showing this weekend?  Hmm….odd.

Tales of the Abyss Ep. 7: Desert Rain

Good time to be a week late, no?  There’s no Tales of the Abyss airing until the 22nd, so I get to play catch up.  Not that being one episode behind is a terrible thing.  However, I can’t remember the last time I facepalmed so many times in a single episode.  I know that Luke is an asshole, but this one really takes the cake.  Kudos to the entire team for bringing out THAT lousy aspect of him.  After all, his stupidity made me sit through an entire episode without one single humorous moment out of Tear and Anise…sort of.