Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 5: The Queen's Written Challenge ]

The hell?! To LOVE-Ru is an acronym?! Someone is pulling off a Gundam!

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Series Information
ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
OP: “Kimi = Hana (君＝花)” by pigstar
ED: “Baby Romantica (ベイビーロマンチカ)” by SCRIPT
Production: Studio DEEN

[ Episode 1: Truth is stranger than fiction ]

For those who aren’t into this don’t worry, I didn’t take that many pictures this time around!

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[ Episode 57-58:
Deprived of Eternal Sleep & Loneliness ]

This is more like it. It seems as if there are finally capable writers doing the original stuff for Naruto. It’s kind of funny that I’m enjoying the beginning of this arc more than I did the previous canon stuff (mainly after the KN vs. Oro bit). Attributing it to one being completely new to me and the other being something I already read probably wouldn’t be too much of a good reason. So, I suppose I’ll have to chalk it up to my interest in how this original arc is going to tie in with the canon material given that they’re using the Fire Temple and monks which will be used later (in canon). Asuma is another important element as well for various reasons which will be revealed later on in canon as well.

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[ BLEACH #169]

Haha. This was a pretty funny episode. The new character, Luri, is right up my alley. Sure she has that bratty streak going but it’s not that bad and it’s actually preferable to certain level. I found it hilarious how she and Ichigo practically hit it off on their very first meeting. Those two are going to have an interesting relationship during this arc if the OP sequence is any indication. I don’t care much for Luri’s two bodyguards, especially Ken. He’s even worse than Byakuya when it comes to the whole status nonsense. I don’t see myself coming to like either of them in the near future. As far as the story of this original arc goes, nothing much has been revealed outside of the OP sequence. It would seem that Luri is going to get kidnapped and of course Ichigo is going to have to save her by returning to Soul Society. Even though things are anything but clear at the moment I’m looking forward to the direction this original story goes and hope that all the characters are used efficiently throughout.

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Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
OP: “resonance” by T.M.Revolution
ED: “I Wanna Be” by STANCE PUNKS
Production: BONES

[ Episode 1: Resonance of the Soul ～ Soul = Eater, Becoming a Death Scythe？～ ]

When it all boils down to it, only your SOUL matters. Or something like that.

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[ Episode 4: Thongs and Big Breasts ]

The maid with the awesome hair.

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[ Episode 56: Squirm ]

Just like the previous episode, I really enjoyed this one. It’s hard to put my finger on it but I’ve found these episodes quite enjoyable compared to the majority of those in the previous arc. I suppose it’s because these episodes have a feeling similar to those of the earlier Naruto episodes. Anyway, this episode pretty much presses the pause button on Naruto’s training although he does manage to cut a leaf in half completely before he is sent off on a mission with Sakura, Sai, and Yamato. I’m glad that they’ll be working together again in this new original arc since I rather like the team as a whole. Speaking of teams, Team Asuma will also be going on a mission which no doubt will overlap with Team Yamato. I’m looking forward to seeing Ino, Shika, Chouji (not so much him though…), and Asuma in action, especially before the story returns to the manga material…

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[ Episode 4: The Universe's Love Apron ]

Attack of the stereotypical CG-Sea Monsters!

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[ Episode 2: Girl - 少女 ]

I didn’t mention this in my previous entry but the OP and ED are rockin’! They might not win any awards but I found them to be among the best the season has to offer. The sequences are pretty well-made as well which isn’t much of a surprise coming from Production I.G. Anyway, as the actual episode itself I was very pleased with the way things turned out. This episode pretty much followed Minamo on her quest to help restore the power to the Artificial Island. We also go a glimpse into her past during the entire thing. One important thing we learned about her is that as a young girl she was always eager to learn. I wonder if she’s the same way now? Well, she is as positive as ever and I rather liked the way she encouraged Haru in the previous episode which is why he is able to help her restore the power in this episode because he was able to somehow dive. I’m guessing that will be explained in the next episode or a theory will be put forth. Or we’ll just have to wait a little longer.

As for the feeling I mentioned in the previous entry, watching Real Drive reminds me of Planetes for some reason. There’s just something about the world and characters as a whole that causes me to reminisce about that series. Real Drive has had me sucked into its world and it’s a really beautiful and interesting place. I’m hoping soon that we’re given at least a glimpse of what the “sea burning” incidents are about. It appears to be something supernatural but it may not be as simple as that (or perhaps it is). Lastly, the Minamo fanservice while unexpected was pretty awesome, especially during those roller-blading scenes. I want more please!

Series Information
ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
OP: “Wanderland” by 9mm Parabellum Bullet
ED: “Katahiza no Yogore (片膝の汚れ)” by Last Alliance
Production: Production I.G

[ Episode 1: Underwater Island Drive - ウラシマドライブ ]

Wow. There was quite a bit of stuff to go through in this introductory episode. Needless to say, I felt that this was one of the more solid first episodes of the Spring selections. Real Drive definitely has tons of imagination flowing through it and you can see it almost every where you look. People can talk to each other through brainwaves thanks to cyber brains, there are (seemingly) independent androids such as Holon walking around that have a certain degree of loyalty, and the concept of diving is pretty involved to a point where it’s almost insanely complex. Most things are pretty understandable though aside from the mystery of the sea “burning” and a few other things that will most likely be explained as the series progresses.

The characters are some of the most interesting this season. The main character, Haru, starts off young and ends up as an old guy after an unfortunate accident puts him into a coma. He’s easily one of, if not the, oldest main characters I’ve ever seen. He seems to be pretty likable and not like the stereotypical grumpy old coot. Kushima is a friend of his who aged pretty well for reasons unclear to me at the moment. Perhaps he didn’t age as much because of specific type of medical science? I would expect the explanation for his youthful appearance to be connected to that sort of thing. Souta is a pretty cool guy even if he’s a bit stiff when it comes to performing his duties or being ‘proper’. He’s a pretty good fighter too though he wasn’t a match for Haru’s android, Holon. Speaking of Holon, she’s pretty awesome. If she wasn’t revealed as such, I wouldn’t have been able to tell that she was an android at all. Minamo is the sole female main character at the moment and is pretty refreshing to have around. She seems to be a pretty open girl and radiates positivity almost 24/7. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her (same with Holon and Souta).

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