Noviceotaku

I admit that this episode of Toaru Majutsu no Index is good, only because of Accelerator. Accelerator definitely amused me with his laugh and insanity, his abilities are pretty interesting too. He managed to overshadow Kamijou Touma’s incessant speech. However, several aspects remained outstanding, outstandingly bad that is. An example would be  the explanation of details in the episode were done through blatant narrations by the characters.

The slight inclusion of chemistry into Accelerator’s fight with Mikoto piqued my interest, that, however was once again explained through prominent narration of the happening, something along the lines of “She formed oxygen atoms to create ozone by breaking down oxygen in the atmosphere”.

The episode would have been perfect if ALL of Kamijou’s lines were cut, include Misaka and her clone’s as well. If there’s any line I would have to agree on in this episode, it would be this.

If I had to summarise my thoughts of the final episode of Kannagi in one word, it would be superb. The episode had great storytelling, everything from Jin’s resignation to losing Nagi to Tsugumi’s futile efforts to win Jin was depicted proficiently. Above all, I am utterly amazed as to how this adaptation managed to make the sharp switch from comedy to drama.

Tsugumi’s love for Jin often goes unnoticed. Despite that, she tries her best to win Jin’s heart, that itself is amazing in my opinion. Nevertheless, I thought it was great to leave Tsugumi’s relationship with Jin at status quo. In that way, Tsugumi’s situation, probably something many people would have experienced before, would be highlighted, hence allowing for viewers’ pity.

There has to be a second season with the great dvd sales and the mangaka being well enough to draw. In addition, several questions still remain of which the more prominent ones, the identity of the other Nagi and the reason for Nagi’s memory lapse. These factors increase the likelihood of a sequel, something which I am definitely looking foward to.

Friends who have watched the episode told me it was fabulous, I thought it was moderately good. The conclusion to the cultural festival arc was indeed simple, Ryuuji realises that Taiga’s father does not truly love her and intends to make up for it by accompanying her. Ami mentions that Taiga’s “father was at the beauty contest”, angering Taiga who wins the beauty contest without surprise and Ryuuji participates in a race to crown Taiga and dance with her.

Well I didn’t think that this was a fantastic episode, it was simply moderately good. Ryuuji clapping for Taiga in the silence was touching, Minori joining in had definitely shown how much she cared for Taiga. The objective of entering the race was heartwarming too, Ryuuji had to ensure that no one would ruin Taiga’s day further by being with her.

Unfortunately things became awkward closing to the end of the race where Minori attacks several race participants. Ryuuji was told by Minori to be faster than the rest, “for the sake of Taiga”. I told myself that Toradora isn’t The Chronicles of Narnia where you can hear “for Narnia/Aslan” throughout the show. Minori telling Ryuuji to run fast is already implicit of her intentions; to ensure no anonymous people win the race.

Kitamura appeared to operate in a similar fashion to Taiga’s father at the end of the episode, he picked Taiga as his second choice while seemingly appeasing her, when Sumire leaves. He had better make his intentions clear to Taiga soon, instead of giving her false hope which Taiga notices. Taiga questions Kitamura, but eventually plays along the act. Nevertheless, the conclusion was sound, the music was great, Minori and Ryuuji are on good terms again and all is right.

By the way, Toradora is taking a break from its usual broadcast schedule, it will resume airing on 8th January, as will episode 13 of Clannad.

Just watched the early broadcast of Akikan, it turned out to contain less fanservice than what was initially expected. The story goes somewhere along the line of  a student named Kakeru Daichi’s akikan (empty can) transforming into a girl. He eventually names it Melon.

The animation was neither amazing nor horrible, but is close to the negative extreme. All the characters except the guy from the ministry looked weird, the faces are likely at fault. Unfortunately, they are now imprinted in my head, I’ll have a hard time trying to get rid of them.

The plot was not clearly established in the first episode, several questions were left unanswered, for example the motive of the Ministry; which more or less explains what the plot of Akikan. Though viewers are unable to understand the main complication in Akikan, the show is humorous to a certain extent with its sexual references and jokes.

Though the show has its fair share of comedy, it is much predictable that it would have equal portions of fanservice, or manservice in the case of the first episode. All these in addition to a light plot simply hold no huge appeal to me, I’ll probably read its manga instead.

Video Link: http://www.veoh.com/videos/v17016826ShWrt2Jt

What I liked about this episode was the Jin’s reluctance to lose Nagi being depicted in a thorough and logical manner. Jin’s moping over Nagi’s disappearance just blew me away, it felt authentic, unlike a certain other show. I sympathise with Jin for his situation of “not appreciating something until it’s gone”, given the various actions he had undertaken that expressed his dismay. Just watching that alone, was entertaining, even more so than the comedy in other episodes.

I loved how the comedy had not affected the general mood of the episode, the funny scenes were played out nicely in this first half of the episode before Jin’s despondency stepped in. Even when Takako took the spotlight midway through the melancholy of Jin with her wolf antic, the story remained focused on Jin’s dejected spirits.

The drama when played with the music in the episode was amazing, I just hope we’ll get to see more of that in the next episode. The gods’ surprising lack of understanding of themselves is definitely a major issue that hasn’t been explained, perhaps it is related to the fire that occured  several years back, perhaps there’s a mastermind behind all these? Hopefully not.

“You know what? I won’t fight you, and I don’t know why.” -Kamijou

Many things appear to be illogical in the 12th episode of Toaru Majutsu no Index. Kamijou’s motivation to pry into the matters of others remains an unsolved mystery. What puzzles me the most is his determination to set things “right” for people who he has spoken with for less than a week. Kamijou barely knows Mikoto and I would definitely not term them as close friends. He is determined to have a word with Mikoto regarding the death of her clones upon learning about it. When Mikoto informs him of her plans, he disapproves of her idea and acts as a human “wall” blocking her from accelerator? What could be the reason for his “good-natured personality” which has resulted in such selfish interventions?
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Well if anyone is interested in KissxSis’s ED, you can download it here.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=27112153ec3c6a45d2db6fb9a8902bda

(More juicy screencaps at the end…)

I was initially puzzled at Tomoya’s reluctance to speak about his father, changing the subject to swimsuits when Nagisa speaks to him was simply extreme. The first season did not make his father seem all that detestable. The couple’s visit to the prison justifies Tomoya’s reactions in my opinion. The father did prevent Tomoya from advancing his career by participating in illicit activities, despite knowing that, all he has is a face staring into nothingness devoid of expression?

Yuusuke’s past serves as an uncanny archetype of Tomoya’s current situation. Tomoya’s career advancement came to a stop when Mr Okazaki committed a crime, I would take that to be loli rape. Tomoya seems to be worked up over the issue and lost focus on his main objective, which was to make Nagisa happy. I hope he puts the situation off his mind and just resume working at his original workplace, willingly. The severity of matters for Tomoya will probably be reduced when Sanae acts as the middleman for the father and son in the next episode. Hopefully things get better between the two after that.

Minori’s firm reply towards Ryuuji’s comment on Taiga’s father suggests that there was more to what Ryuuji had saw of that man. That could only leave me wonder about the truth of the situation, is the man a penny-pinching miser who refuses to pay for Taiga’s apartment? There is hardly anything I could think of that he would have done to make Minori consider him as a threat.
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