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Charlotte - 06. Happy You Did Not Notice

I think this is probably going to be the best episode of any show this year, to the point where I'm having trouble explaining just how good it is. I was still a bit unsure about the series, as it hadn't previously grabbed me emotionally, but I was absolutely wrong. It is absolutely amazing, and if you're not yet watching this series, you absolutely should be.

The episode manages to start with very funny sequences involving the student council (I almost died laughing at the window scene), then gives a bit more development to Yusarin besides cutesy idol stuff, then moves towards some spending some more time with sister, who for once gets more than a 30 second cameo at the beginning or end of an episode, and finally it build to an epic final scene. I was seething when the episode ended - How dare they end it there?

Somehow it does all this despite feeling rushed, although if I had to complain, the incident that triggers the final scene seems to come out of nowhere, and both Yuu and Nao seemed to be slightly muddled character wise, but those are minor things, and I was more than happy for the return of 'Bitchy Yuu', even if it was just for one line.
 
Charlotte (Japanese Dub) - Episode 01
Gate (Japanese Dub) - Episode 06

Gate:
"Why do you guys sit on your helmets?"
"So we won't get our balls blown off."
 
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Yu-Gi-Oh GX (Subbed)-Episode 12 (On Hold)

A fun episode. On hold for now until CR put up more episodes. Not sure how often they're adding them but I hope it's not too long before they add more. Now I can finally get full time on Hunter x Hunter again. It's weird, HxH is a better show in every way than Yu-Gi-Oh GX but I feel like I've been watching more of that recently than HxH...

Edit: I just read the release schedule for the show and man it's going to take a while to get through it. They're putting out 12 episodes a month. At 180 episodes it's going to be another 14 months before it's finished. Jeez. No idea why they can't just put it all up. Probably some licensing BS. I suppose it's better than nothing.

Hunter x Hunter-Episode 54

Glad to see the main cast reunited. It feels like forever since they've been on screen together. I've learned to accept my issue with the 2nd auction. I guess the creators just assume that you know all the auction merchandise isn't gathered on the same day. I would have liked a line explaining this but whatever...
 
GATE: Thus the JSDF Fought There ep6. Apocalypse Now: The Anime.
EDIT: Damnit, qaiz beat me too it.

Nadia: Secret of Blue Water ep19-20.

The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls s2 ep4.
 
Durarara!!x2 - Episode 18

Is it just me or has Masomi Kida's voice been knocked down about 5 octaves compared to previous seasons? He sounds weird, and I can't work out why.

GATE - Episode 5

Well, I watched about half of it, then I came to the realisation, it's just a waste of time. This show is so boring and so slow and so dull, that it's just a chore to sit through. I don't get it, this show is practically a home run based on concept alone, and yet somehow all of the exciting and funny possibilities that come into your head when you hear the set-up seem to have been completely missed in favour of boring politics crap and unfunny boner jokes.

I'd heard that this was highly controversial nationalistic military porn with a vague semblance of plot, designed solely to recruit otaku into the JSDF. It isn't, but I wish it was, because then at least something vaguely interesting might actually happen...
 
Gate ep6

Kind of guessed the Apocalypse Now schtick was coming from the episode name and the brief glimpse of the helicopter in last week's preview, but it was still pretty funny.

Part of what bothered me before with this show though, and particularly with this episode, is the morality of what the JSDF are doing. The air cavalry attack was little more than a one-sided slaughter, against an army that poses little threat to their modern technology, and seemed to include gunning down enemy troops who were actively fleeing the battle. Even the main characters seem completely unphased by this and made no attempt to warn them or call for their surrender until they were virtually wiped out.

I dare say it's possible that this may become more of a plot point later on and perhaps they're making some kind of arch comment about the nature of modern warfare, but taking it at face value, I just find it a bit troubling that the audience is being asked to cheer for such things.
 
Hunter x Hunter-Episodes 55-57

Episode 56: Very predictable kill at the end there. It was obvious Squala the moment he said he was quitting.

Himouto! Umarau-chan-Episode 5

Quite surprised they did the Summer Vacation episode but didn't include a beach trip. I mean, they managed to get 3 characters in their swimwear but only for a couple of seconds. This isn't a fan service-y show really but even K-On had a beach episode :p

Gate-Episode 6

Is anyone else having a hard time keeping up with the politics of this show? I thought that it was just Bandits attacking Italica but then their commander said something about vengeance for what happened at Arnus Hill. How did that involve Italica? Wasn't that just an army from the other world against the military? I also cannot for the life of me distinguish between the different factions and armies in the show or keep up with their different relationships. Like I don't even remember who those knights were at the end of the episode that were supposedly mentioned before. This episode was enjoyable and I really like the Rory's scenes but I just wish I could keep up with the politics and what not better. I'm genuinely not sure if it's hard to follow or me being simple...
 
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Watched Episodes 13-18 of My Love Story/Ore Monogatari.

I've really enjoyed this show so far. Great characters, great stories and great fun.

I liked the episodes where they took two minor characters (with a lot of potential to be annoying) and made a good story with them while still managing to tie into the story of the main characters. It worked very well, especially the way it set up another storyline in a way that seemed natural.

I'm slightly concerned that a side character who was relevant for one story may have been forgotten, which seems like a waste. They've had side characters return before so it might be okay but it seems like this one should have fit into the cast a bit more going forward. I could understand if they weren't sure what to do with her but it'd be a little disappointing since they've handled other things so well. I guess that's the problem when you set a high standard in the first place.

Now I have to wait for the simulcasting episodes, kind of a shame but at least there will be more episodes. I'd certainly recommend the show so far, especially to fans of Shoujo. I think it would work for a lot of people who aren't really fans of Shoujo too since it often does things differently than you might expect. Probably the biggest test would be if the comedy works for you, it's not the only thing the show has going for it but if you found it annoying then I doubt you could enjoy the rest (whereas, you might be able to mostly enjoy the show if you only like the comedy).

I also watched Episodes 1-3 of Himouto! Umaru-chan.

I found it quite amusing, I think it started a little slowly but picked up quite fast for me. I was surprised that there are some nice touching messages hidden in amongst the episodes. There's some good stuff about the way that Onii-chan and Umaru do seem to care about each other (not like that, at least probably not). I also really liked the episode with Ebina-chan and her struggles with moving into the city, I can't say I expected the story to go the way it did but it made me smile.

The third episode even added some Yuri potential, which is always appreciated. There were a few other nice ideas here, I liked the way the perspective of a particular character was shown (in a sense, most of the episode was about perspective really).

I think the downside of these sort of comedies is that their characters may have potential to do more than just comedy but are unlikely to have much opportunity. I guess that's a bit unfair to say though, they already have done a bit more than comedy and sometimes it's nice to have something with a "reliable" tone.

Anyway, it's been quite enjoyable and above what I had expected so far.
 
Charlotte-Episode 6

Really good episode this week. Once again the mix of comedy and drama works well and feels similar to Angel Beats. Did anyone else think that the girl trying to stab Ayumi was a little over the top? Like would anyone really get upset enough over a crush in middle school that you'd attempt to kill someone? You'd have to be deranged.

Hunter x Hunter-Episodes 58 and 59

Episode 58: And that's the Yorknew Arc finished. Whilst I did think it was the best arc in the show so far, I thought that ending was anticlimactic. I mean, Kurapika didn't even reclaim the eyes of his people. It also left a lot of questions. What about the remaining troupe members? Does he not want to kill them still? What about Neon? Did her Dad fall from power without his daughter's ability? What's Melody doing? I hope at least some of these are resolved at the start of the next arc.

Episode 59: Okay, credit where it's due, this episode did resolve a lot of the questions I had left from the previous episode. I thought they might have just forgot about that stuff to move on to a new focus. I didn't give this show enough credit.
 
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IncendiaryLemon said:
Charlotte-Episode 6

Really good episode this week. Once again the mix of comedy and drama works well and feels similar to Angel Beats. Did anyone else think that the girl trying to stab Ayumi was a little over the top? Like would anyone really get upset enough over a crush in middle school that you'd attempt to kill someone? You'd have to be deranged.
Click to expand...

Yes, but IIRC she appears at their house, when Ayumi's friends go to check up on her and is completely ignored. She isn't given the opportunity to introduce herself and, again IIRC, is not even mentioned by anybody in the room.I think I'd be a little pissed off if that happened to me. Not sure I'd threaten to knife somebodythough...
 
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