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Utena Watch Party: Episode 23
In which the Black Rose Saga ends the way it began: With a Black Rose duelist losing a fight, and Akio scaring the hell out of me.
Click here for an explanation of the watch party, and an invitation to chime in with your own thoughts (Tumblr tag: #Utena Watch Party).
For Returning Viewers, Vrai’s episode analysis is here for your reading pleasure:
And my own newbie-friendly commentary is below the jump.
Continue readingSailor Moon Newbie Reviews: Episodes 75-76
A wild Time Lord appears!
The story moves forward a bit and then settles into its next mini-aRc as new (surprisingly likeable) villains take the stage and Chibiusa’s mysterious helper at last introduces herself. Also, cake! And really, what’s not to love about that?
Yurikuma Arashi Recap – Episode 4: “I Can’t Get a Kiss”
And now for something completely different…
Beforethoughts
Yurikuma has been pretty much a nonstop bear-shock horror movie experience from the word “go,” and while I was starting to settle in to that experience and finding ways to not just analyze it, but also kind of like it, I do think that after the Mitsuko Madness of last week we were sorely in need of an episode that offered us a reprieve from the harsh angles, saturated colors, and unrelenting intensity of Arashigaoka Academy. Fortunately Ikuhara must have realized that himself, because this week takes us away from the main story almost entirely and delivers a lovely, melancholy, and at times pretty darn funny fairy tale.
Oh, and speaking of—Ikuhara included a fairy tale in an anime, you guys! Everybody do a shot!
Then grab a chaser and gather ‘round, boys and grrls. It’s story time at the Severance Court.
Rule of Three Review: Yatterman Night – Episodes 1-3
Utena Watch Party: Episode 22
In which Ohtori Academy’s past proves even bloodier (and more symbolic) than its present. And that is freaking saying something.
Click here for an explanation of the watch party, and an invitation to chime in with your own thoughts (Tumblr tag: #Utena Watch Party).
For Returning Viewers, Vrai’s episode analysis is here for your reading pleasure:
And my own newbie-friendly commentary is below the jump.
Rule of Three Review: Maria the Virgin Witch – Episodes 2-3
Rule of Three Review: The Rolling ☆ Girls – Episodes 2-3
Rule of Three Review: Death Parade – Episodes 2-3
Sailor Moon Newbie Reviews: Episodes 73-74
Everything’s comin’ up Rubeus!
While Episode 73 was pretty much just me shouting at Chibusa for 25 minutes, I kinda loved Episode 74, partly because we got us some fast-acting karma, but mostly because it did a good job of showing how much Usagi has matured since the series began—heck, it showed how much she’s matured since the end of Season 1, even. Sailor Moon’s character growth is enjoyably realistic, really: People still have their weaknesses and quirks, and they backslide from time to time, but overall these gals are growing up, and Usagi is a prime example of that.
So—who’s ready to shout at Chibusa and storm a spaceshaft with me?
The Josei Next Door 