Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[Episode 12: The Eternal Kuu]

[Enjoyment Value: 7.5/10]
[Overall series review: 79/100]

[Thoughts]

Three words will probably be left in your mouth after watching this final episode: What the hell? Feel free to swap ‘hell’ with something else if you want but that basically sums up my feelings toward the ending. Kazuya is now apparently just paralyzed and is in the care of Waruteishia. I have no idea what the hell happened to him. Did he paralyze himself with his own technique? But that’s not the confusing part. After Kuu disappears Kyoushirou and Setsuna set off to find her. When they do, Kyoushirou is sporting long hair and Setsuna has apparently regrown the very same hair she cut short. Did I mention that Kuu looked like a 10-year old and suddenly reverted back to her normal self when she ran towards Kyoushirou? What the hell was that?! Was that scene representing Kyoushirou replacing Kazuya in her dreams? Or did that actually take place? If so how long did it take for them to find her? I personally have no idea and it’s almost too confusing to even try to guess but it’s not a bad ending. Definitely note.

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[Episode 11: The Angel's Gallery]

[Enjoyment Value: 7.5/10]

[Thoughts]

Wow. Ok. That episode was rather…interesting. I’m still slightly confused at exactly what happened. Kazuya’s apparently dead and I have no idea what happened to Himeko or Soijiro. Yeah…um, I doubt Kazuya is dead just yet and the same goes for the other two. Bastille though, still seems to be on the rampage even though Kuu was expelled from it as the core. I have to wonder just what the final episode will be about. Sure, the world still seems to be in danger but who’s going to save it? Probably Kuu, since she hasn’t really done anything as an AA since her identity was found out. I just have a feeling the ending is going to be quite “WTF”. I have no idea whether that’s good or bad but I’ll find out in the next and final episode.

[BLEACH #120]

[Enjoyment Value: 9/10]

[Thoughts]

Oh. Hell. Yes. There was a lot of goodness in this week’s episode. Rangiku’s, Shirou-chan’s, and Renji’s fights started out really rough but you have to keep in mind that a huge chunk of their power is limited. How do they get around that problem? By lifting the damn limit is how! I also came into this episode to behold Ururu’s awesomeness animated. Do we get it? Yes, she strongly strikes Ilfort Grantz so hard that he has to release. Shouldn’t he be ashamed of himself? On a side note, I seriously could’ve done without the appearance of Ririn and crew…

Sadly, there’s no Bleach next week but when it does return we should have the conclusion of Rangiku’s, Shirou-chan’s, and Renji’s battles, Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, and also the debut of the new OP and ED by Aqua Timez and ORESKABAND, respectively. I hope that they’re good.

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[Episode 14: To the North]
[Episode 15: The Secret Blades Resonate]

[Enjoyment Value: 8/10 & 9/10]

[Thoughts]

Thus begins the second part of Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto. Episode 14 shows us many things, such as Ebisu’s funeral, Akidzuki’s anger towards Soutetsu, and Kanna who now has command over the four warriors introduced in episode thirteen. They’re some wicked bastards too; they raided and took control of an entire French ship without almost any problems. Kakunojou is now following Akidzuki, both now on their way to the North. It seems like the rest of hte old Troupe may be on their way to the North as well if the letter from Soutetsu is any indication.

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[Episode 12: Ryouma's Message]
[Episode 13: The Lord's Head Finds a Soul]

[Enjoyment Value: 8/10 & 9.5/10]

[Thoughts]

Episode 12 answered some questions and yet brought a lot with it. Same masked guys killed Sakamoto. As to who they are I’m not sure yet but I think we might see them sooner or later, if they’re not dead. Also, what is Soutetsu up to? His intentions so far aren’t clear to me. As for Kanna, just who is he loyal to? He’s seen taking orders from both Juubei and Parkes. A double agent maybe? Also, I wonder why Kakunojou was so afraid of those strange monsters? The best parts of the episode though was when Kakunojou was relaying Oryou’s message to Akidzuki and the clash between Akidzuki, Kanna, and Soutetsu. Now that’s something I want to see more of!

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[Episode 10: Uena Falls]
[Episode 11: The Troupe Again at a Provisional Stage]

[Enjoyment Value: 8/10 & 8/10]

[Thoughts]

So it seems that Juubei didn’t die at all in the past few episodes and is alive according to the new scripts that Soutetsu gave the Troupe. Thank goodness it happened because I was feeling a bit sad that they were going to break up but now they’ve got one more play left in them! I felt bad for Akidzuki having to see his friend die right in front of him as well but he doesn’t seem to be overly broken up about it, which is good since it would only lead to problems for him in the future.

As for episode 11, it basically reveals Juubei still alive and kicking with that annoying laugh of his. Why the hell isn’t he dead? I have no idea why he isn’t but it seems to be connected to the Lord’s Head (semi-eternal life or something?). Also, why is Taiyou even in Edo right now? I’m guessing Katsu is in Edo as well if she’s there. Well, whatever the case, these past two episodes are basically ushering in the second major arc of the series and that means new faces and new places.

[Episode 22: Bloodstained Euphie]

[Enjoyment Value: 10/10] (It was that damn good.)

[Overall Feeling: Um, WTF??????!!]

[Thoughts]

Holy… Wow. Just wow. This episode was beyond the level of enjoyment of all the past ones. It’s episodes like these that really showcase the greatness of a series and the seiyuu and other staff involved. That said, the events scripted were absolutely outstanding, shocking, and very heart-wrenching (especially for me since I’m a Euphie fan). The massacre of the Japanese people at the hands of Euphie and Lelouch was something I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted and if anyone says different then I personally think they’re just BSing. This situation was a very complicated one though since no one can really be blamed for this massacre. Lelouch didn’t know that his Geass had suddenly leveled up and would have a simple joke turned into a command. Euphie can’t be blamed either because she did intially try to resist the command (I was near tears, very near tears) but just couldn’t. What’s going to happen to her now? With only three episodes left in the first season I’m not sure if her situation will be resolved by the end but if it does I just hope she doesn’t die.

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[Episode 21: School Festival Announcement]

[Enjoyment Value: 9/10]

[Thoughts]

What a good episode. There wasn’t any fast-paced action or anything like that but it was very informational. I liked how everyone was in a panic-fest mood throughout the entire episode. Lelouch, C.C., Kallen, Suzaku, Ohgi, Villetta, and Shirley all together was almost unbelievable that I was sitting on the very edge of my seat wondering if something would happen. Aside from that, I enjoyed the bit with Euphie talking with Nunnally a lot. It really made me believe that they (including Lelouch) were very close in the past. One would hope that would stay the same in the present but things aren’t that easy. Speaking of which, Euphie’s announcement at the end was a big “Woah” factor. Though I’m not quite sure why Nina reacted the way she did…. As for Lelouch, Euphie’s announcement was really a big blow to his plans and the Order itself. I hope he doesn’t overreact in the next episode.

[BLEACH #119]

[Enjoyment Value: 8/10]

[Thoughts]

Not one of the best episodes of late but it was good. It was nice to see some back-story on Ikkaku. Seeing him go from just a common street fighter to a Shinigami all with the goal to surpass Kenpachi in mind. As evidenced by this episode though, Ikkaku had Bankai well before the series started. That means if he wanted to, he could’ve defeated Ichigo earlier in the series with ease but unfortunately he hides it. I suppose I understand why he doesn’t want to become a Captain but that shouldn’t let him restrict the use of such an awesome Bankai. Especially a Bankai that ended up killing such a strong Arrancar.

Anyways, next episode has some Shirou-chan and Renji Bankai action!

[Episode 22: Light]

[Enjoyment Value: 9/10]
[Overall series review: 85/100]

[Thoughts]

The best episode in the entire series. That’s the title this episode deserves. The war between the Animus and the Doral came to an end and it was a very satisfying one. Everyone gave a wonderful performance in this final episode but the ones that stood out were Kate (she has always been my absolute favorite), Lula, and Hervé. Kate thoroughly expressed her feelings while fighting against Hervé and didn’t once bat an eye in doubt (I loved her serious expressions a lot). Lula sacrificed herself to mortally wound Hervé and as such made a great contribution to the end of the war. As for Hervé, he had lost it ever since the episode began which I think is in part of him being so concerned about his sister.

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