Posted inFirst Impressions Mawaru Penguindrum

Mawaru Penguindrum – 17

「許されざる者」 (Yurusarezaru Mono)
"Unforgiven Ones"

At first glance, this was the most straightforward and unambiguous episode in recent weeks. However, a closer look at some of the implications reveals that we're really no closer to understanding what's going on than we started.

Posted inFirst Impressions Guilty Crown

Guilty Crown – 04

「浮動 flux」 (Fudou)

After the cliffhanger last time, Guilty Crown takes a noticeable turn for the better in terms of showcasing complexity in the characters, building up the story, foreshadowing future events, and most importantly, avoiding any questionable plot developments that viewers may dwell upon prematurely. At the center of it all is of course Shuu, who's now at a crossroads on who to trust.

Posted inFirst Impressions UN-GO

UN-GO – 04

「素顔の家」 (Sugao no Ie)
"House, Unmasked"

Now that was more like it. Building on the strong first half last week, UN-GO delivered a conclusion to its first two-parter that was exactly what I hoped this show would be – smart, funny, dark and extremely interesting.

Posted inChihayafuru First Impressions

Chihayafuru – 05

「よはのつきかな」 (Yoha no Tsuki Kana)
"The Sight of a Midnight Moon"

This was the week Chihayafuru left the kid stuff behind and ventured into altogether more depressing territory. But I have a suspicion this was a change-of-pace and not a trend.

Posted inFirst Impressions Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume – 05

「ラジコンじゃなイカ!?／七夕じゃなイカ!?／一人遊びしなイカ!?」 (Rajikon Janai ka!? / Tanabata Janai ka!? / Hitori Asobi Shinai ka!?)
"Isn't That Remote-Controlled!? / Isn't It Tanabata!? / Won't You Play Alone!?"

* Note: Ika Musume will be on break again next week so that the other broadcast stations can finally catch up.

Posted inFirst Impressions Mirai Nikki

Mirai Nikki – 04

「手書き入力」 (Tegaki Nyūryoku)
"Handwritten Input"

Purely in terms of development this was certainly the most important episode of Mirai Nikki yet. It was also the first time I felt the anime’s version of events lacked a little bit of the punch the manga packed.