[Episode 16: Four Travelers]
[Episode 17: No Need to Speak]

[Enjoyment Value: 7.5/10 & 8/10]

[Thoughts]

Episode 16 was rather interesting. We get to meet an interesting character in the form of Hijikata. He’s quite strict man in my opinion especially if he strikes down any allies who attempt to run away from the battlefield. I admit it is cowardly but his solution scary as hell. Other than that, the episode itself wasn’t really anything out of the ordinary. I did like the part where Kakunojo drew her sword and suddenly started to show the men she fought just how dangerous she can be. The thing is it doesn’t seem as if she was conscious of her actions at the time. I have to wonder if this is a good or bad thing for her…

Episode 17 was great in my opinion with all the Akidzuki and Kakunojo interactions. Seriously, Akidzuki needs to stop fooling around and get with Kakunojo already. He’s trying to push her away using the Lord’s Head as an excuse but I think he’s just afraid of her. I also have a feeling that they knew each other when they were younger but somehow haven’t remembered their pasts clearly. Oryou meant something about them having the same scent so they have to have some sort of past together as children. I’m also concerned about her sword. That is a Moontear sword, isn’t it? Or is it something else altogether? Meanwhile, Soutetsu is up to some suspicious stuff as usual. Why is he trying to recruit Hijikata into Enomoto’s army? Sure, the guy has elite skills but nothing is to be taken at face value when Soutetsu is involved.

[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.

In episode 15, Akidzuki and Kakunojou are finally together. The main focus in this episode was for Kakunojou to find her new sword. It’s not strange since the sword is shown somewhat in the opening sequence. But I do wonder exactly how many of these kinds of swords there are. Are there only two of them? Whatever the case, I can’t wait to see both of them in action. I wonder if Akidzuki will be giving Kakunojou any lessons? Anyways, I liked the three shamisen-players who appeared in this episode, specifically the nee-san of the group.

[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!

On to episode 13: It was the best freaking episode of Iroha so far! Some much stuff happened that it’s all a mess in my head. Well, first off we get introduced to four new characters who go by the names of Knight, Rook, Queen, and Bishop. I have no idea what their mission is but I hope they are around for a while (especially Queen ). We get to see some of the past of Kanna, including a glimpse at the woman who took care of him (his mother? sister?) only to see her taken away from him. The play was brilliant. I honestly didn’t expect for it to turn out the way it did. It was pure chaos and it seems that Ebisu and Juubei are now dead. Not to mention the Lord’s Head has now possessed Enomoto. What does this mean? Well, it does mean that the second part of Bakumatsu Kikanetsu Irohanihoheto begins now!

[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.

Kakunojou can be very sexy when she’s very pissed. *sigh*

Thoughts:

These two episodes were quite entertaining and thought provoking. Starting with episode eight, so many things occurred. While I don’t quite understand the “Why not” phenomenon that was going on at the beginning (I will try to research it), everything else was just excellently done. Soutetsu was the one who had the real Lord’s Head all along. I wondered throughout the episode just what he was doing and what he had in that pot because I thought the Lord’s head was at the location Kakunojou and her troupe were infiltrating. I’m not at all sure what Soutetsu’s intentions are for the Lord’s Head but with something as apparently evil as that, it can’t be any good. Another highlight of the episode (the number one actually) was the Akidzuki vs. Kanna fight. It was just the right length and not too one-sided to either of them. It was a very well choreographed fight. Also, Kakunojou has finally avenged her mother and father!

We’re introduced to a few new characters in episode nine. Not to mention Tayu is reintroduced into the series (I love her for some reason). There’s also Sakamoto’s former lover. Also, we get to see a young Akidzuki in a flashback. Akidzuki meets with an old friend or rather, an old teacher named Okita. He’s quite sick and apparently is near death if him seeing that black cat is an indication. The main highlight of this episode though was a look into the past involving Akidzuki and the death of Sakamoto. The people responsible are still unknown but a little more is shown on how and when it happened. It’s interesting to see Akidzuki so emotional at times since I tend to forget that he’s not just some cold badass. The next episode is going to be interesting I think since Akidzuki is now going after Okita to stop him from causing his own death.

Impressions/Thoughts:

The “Kill, Kill, Kill” triplets return and Kanna is working with the enemy? We have yet another heavy episode. Those guys who were plotting to kill the English got themselves killed instead (and looks like the brothel got burned down =/). The play got interrupted once again by the “Kill, Kill, Kill” triplets but thank goodness Akidzuki finally killed them! Kanna also assisted but I’m still not too sure about his allegiances…

I have to wonder where they story is going from here. Akidzuki still hasn’t sealed the The Lord’s Head as yet and Kakunojo and her troupe still haven’t dealt with the person trying to assassinate her. Kanna is drifting between ally and enemy. A war seems to be on the horizon. There’s just so much things going on as well as history being told. I can’t wait to see more of the plot unravel.

————

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto Episode 7

Impressions/Thoughts:

Okay…what the hell?! Soutetsu…just what side is he on now? Meeting with the enemy to discuss The Lord’s Head and then fighting with Shinza. I’m constantly being surprised from all sides here. I mean, the guy now has The Lord’s Head! Or does he? Man, I don’t know what to think about him any more. Anyways, I’m now wondering about the meaning of that red star in the sky. It seems to have something to do with the Lord’s Head being unsealed but I can’t be sure. I guess I’ll need to see more episodes to be sure about that. And I still don’t know why Kanna is working with such an evil guy using such obviously evil magic. Other than him wanting to meet “that man” I don’t know why he’d help him out other than being paid lots of money. My other concern is Akidzuki, Kakunojou and the rest of the troupe. What are they going to do if and when they find out about Soutetsu’s secrets? I honestly can’t imagine what would happen.