Verdict: 8/10

Impressions:

Asa-senpai! I adored this girl in the original series. She’s such so feminine yet at the same time is as strong as a guy (I bet Rin’s back gets numb automatically with just one of her slaps lol). The episode basically covered Asa’s fun and upbeat personality and her relationship with Rin. I teared up once again when hearing Asa’s story of when she was younger and how she used to treate Ama because of her pain. Anyways, I can’t wait to see the second half of Asa’s story in the future. But until then, next episode is devoted to Nerine.

Oh yes, and Ama is still one of the hottest MILFs in anime history.

Asa OP:

Asa OP: [High Tension Dreamer] by Itou Miki

Asa ED:

Asa ED: [wish] by Itou Miki

Verdict: 8/10 (No, I didn’t forget about this series)

Impressions:

Ah, yes. A Kaede episode. She was one of my favorite characters in the original series and skyrocketed even further near the end for obvious reasons (assuming you’ve watched the first series that is). That reason being Psycho Kaede. Anyways, the Kaede OP and ED used in this episode isn’t brand-new since they appeared on past SHUFFLE! CDs but I loved the effort they put in to use them. This episode brought back memories (heh) of the first time Kaede and Rin’s pasts were explained and how I felt at that time, which is a mix between excited and sort of freaked out. As for new material, I didn’t notice any new stuff aside from Kaede’s monologue at the end of the episode which seems like all the characters will have in the future episodes.

Kaede OP:

Kaede OP: [memories] by Gotou Yuuko

Kaede ED:

Kaede ED: [only one, only love] by Gotou Yuuko

The cast of SHUFFLE! returns! Most of all, the busty Benibara-sensei too! ^_^

OP Sequence:

OP: Fateful Encounters by YURIA

Thoughts:

Pretty much a recap episode to introduce all of the characters from the original series. Rin talks about Sunshine town and the relations between the three worlds: the human, god, and demon worlds. Then he talks about each of the characters in th e following order: Kaede, Sia, Eustoma, Forbesii, Nerine, Primula, Asa, Ama, Kareha, Itsuki, Mayumi=Thymes, and ever lovely Benibara.

Overall, it was great to see everyone again even if it was just in recap form. Even more so because one of my favorite scenes in all of SHUFFLE! was shown. That scene being Benibara catching Rin staring outside of the window. I still laugh uncontrollably whenever I see it.

ED Sequence:

ED: Innocence by Hashimoto Miyuki

The OP is different this time around with a new song from YURIA and scenes from the original series, some focus on the girls and Primula sprouting wings. I quite like the song too. And, surprisingly the ED theme is the same from before! Yes, that includes both the animation and song. Oh, and no episode preview this week so the wait is on to see exactly where MEMORIES is going.