Naruto Shippuuden Episode 24

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi Episode 42

Lucky Star Episode 17 – 18

Naruto Shippuuden

Episode 24: The Third Kazekage

Rating: 3/10

I think I have just wasted 20 minutes of my life watching this episode. First we have a few minutes of Sakura showing off which is from the previous episode, then we have Naruto and Kakashi wasting even more time chasing Deidara again, and yet even more time of the deadlock battle between Team Gai and their clones, with absolutely nothing new. Even the opening and ending animation that featured clips from the new Naruto Shippuuden movie was much more entertaining than the entire episode itself.

When we finally get back to Sakura and Chiyo vs Sasori, we’re treated to the same scene two times in a row. Honestly, this whole episode can be completed in under 5-10 minutes. Sakura’s dodging skills, Sandaime Kazakage’s Saitetsu Kaiho, and Sakura breaking the Kazekage into a million pieces.

Why they have to keep wasting and dragging more time is well beyond me. It’s really starting to piss me off that they’re still adding more fillers in when they should have enough material to last for at least another year or two even they even come close to where the manga is it at now.

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi

Episode 42: Elder’s Special Training! Do or Die Mountain Seclusion

Rating: 6/10

Kenichi goes to train with the Elder and from the looks of Akisame’s reaction, it might not be something which Kenichi should be looking forward to. Sure enough, the Elder does seem to have something up his sleeve, but exactly what, we’re not so sure yet. After some persuasion, Akisame finally spilled the beans about how this journey with the Elder would change Kenichi for either the better or worse.

The comedic highlight of this episode is once again by the Shinpaku alliance group, who has gone to convince Kisara for an alliance. I’m beginning to think that Sieg might actually be more cunning and persuasive than Nijima.

Lucky Star

Episode 17: Under the Sun

Rating: 7/10

It’s Konata’s birthday and her family was going to throw a surprise party for her. Predictably, however, she ended up partying with her friends at work. Then we get a look behind the life of Kagami and her sisters. It seems that she’s only close to Tsukasa and often gets into arguments with Matsuri, one of her older sister. It’s interesting for sure, but it was kind of boring at the same time. There just isn’t any Lucky Star comedic effect there.

The Lucky Channel this time was quite entertaining, with the Anime Tenchou making a guest appearance and taking over the set, leaving Akira disgruntled. And Shiraishi Minoru ended the show with his own version of Lucky Star’s opening theme, Motteke! Sailor Fuku.

Episode 18: To Each Her Own

Rating: 8/10

I like how Konata relates everyone to animals and starts to imagine how they would look like. Definitely moe! The FMP parody between Konata and Kuroi-sensei was just too much fun as well. The focus on the 2nd part of the episode switches to Yutaka and friends. They appear to be another whacky branch as well. Iwasaki always seemed concerned about her “flat-chestedness” (I know I made word up) and Patricia thinks that popular shopping places are Japan’s sacred places. Hiyori also have this habit of drawing Yutaka and Iwasaki in “perverted” manners.

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Naruto Shippuuden Episode 22 – 23

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi Episode 41

Lucky Star Episode 10 – 16

Nana Episode 46 – 47 (END)

Naruto Shippuuden

Episode 22-23: Naruto Shippuuden Special: Summer Battle!!

Rating: 8/10

While I wasn’t completely satisfied with this, especially it being a one hour special, it is possibly the best episode so far for Shippuuden. Finally, some real action instead of watching 2 kunoichi dancing around a cave. The battle between the 2 elite puppet masters were so intense that whatever Kankuro had thrown out thus far in the series suddenly felt like child’s play. The awesome background music added to the overall excitement of the battles. Unfortunately, the total battle scene only lasts about 10 minutes.

There is also a bit more into Sasori’s history including filler scenes that was not present in the manga. It just hit me right now that Kakashi’s father, the White Fang, was probably the one who killed Sasori’s parents. Kind of weird that Sasori did not give any reaction upon seeing Kakashi in the first place. But then, maybe he just didn’t know, although I highly doubt that.

This 1 hour special could have actually been compressed into a single episode, if all the useless filler scenes that serves no purpose other to drag the minutes on to stretch it across 2 episodes.

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi

Episode 41: The Terror of Seikuuken! The Dragon has Landed!

Rating: 7/10

The first half of this episode continues where it left off last week, with Odin challenging Kenichi to a match whom he easily overpowered and win with his Seikuuken. I had suspected that their vow would be the winner would get Miu’s badge and consequently, Miu’s heart. Although that hasn’t exactly been confirmed, it does seem that way even more now. The second half the episode focuses on Nijima and the Shinpaku alliance. I was literally in tears after this part, although I still can’t figure out whether they are tears from laughing because it’s too funny or too pathetic. You tell me which is it…

Lucky Star

Episode 10: Aspiration

Rating: 7/10

Tsukasa got a new cellphone and Kagami is going nuts watching her twin playing with it. Cousin Yui goes over to Konata’s for a visit and Miyuki took a trip to the clinic for her cold but being her usual dazed self, she missed not only her turn to see the doctor, but her stop at the bus as well. Kagami and Tsukasa also ended up at Konata’s place for a sleepover. Kagami and Tsukasa switched hairstyles after bath, which really confused the heck out o me for a few seconds there…

Did you notice? There’s a Mikuru figure in Konata’s room and a poster of the female cast of Suzumiya Haruhi in bunny outfits… and Minoru’s movement as he explained about tsundere is exactly the same same as Koizumi’s action while taking to Nagato in Suzumiya Haruhi’s Adventures of Mikuru.

Episode 11: The Many Ways to Spend Christmas Eve

Rating: 7/10

Seems like Christmas is approaching and the girls were discussing about how they sometimes misses their stop because they fell asleep in the train. Kagami admitted that she felt like she had to work harder because it’s her pride as the older sister replied that Tsukasa wasn’t much of a competition in the first place. And the hard truth finally hit Konata when Tsukasa asked her when did she stopped believing in Santa. When Christmas eve finally arrived Konata was surprised to find Kuroi-sensei online and decided to spend the night with her playing MMO.

OMG, Doraemon’s theme!

Episode 12: Let’s Go to the Festival
Rating: 8/10

It’s New Year’s eve this time and Konata tries to trick everyone into following her to the Comic Market convention. In the end she managed to get Kagami and Tsukasa to the Comic Market being held at Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba. After sharing with them her war plan, Konata sets off on a spending spree all over the building. In the evening, Konata and her father went to visit the shrine where Kagami and Tsukasa were performing Miko duties. As usual, Konata finds it surprising to see Kuroi-sensei online and cries for her part.

There’s so many things to notice at the Comic Market –

• Kyon (SHnY)
• Chidori (FMP)
• Sousuke (FMP)
• Haruhi (SHnY)
• Mikuru (SHnY)

Episode 13: Savory Day

Rating: 7/10

Yet another food topic, this time it’s about traditional food that you usually eat at New Years. Somehow, Konata have very western ideas of what makes traditioanl New Year food. Out of the blue it’s already Valentines. Konata receives chocolates from Tsukasa and Kagami and Konata had a vision of a Kagami going all tsundere while giving chocolates to a guy. The Anime store seem to finally managed to get Konata to buy something from them… if only she had 3 yen more…

Did you notice… A Mikuru figure on top of Konata’s TV set, and the DVD Konata picked up was The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. There’s also a very short Yu-Gi-Oh parody and I’m pretty sure the tenchou was using “Sharingan” to get Konata to buy the DVD.

Episode 14: Under One Roof

Rating: 7/10

Yutaka moves in with Konata since she’ll be going to the same school. She’s only a year younger than Konata but compared to her, even Konata looks much older. Konata remarked that with Yutaka’s moe-ness, it would be chaotic if she were put next to Miyuki. Cousin Yui invited the group to go drink despite them being underage and her being a police. Hmm…

Episode 15: Can’t Change so Quickly

Rating: 8/10

Konata had the gang in line to try their luck to win tickets to The Jam of Suzumiya Haruhi (which is, by the way, a real event. Click on the link to grab the DVD) concert and luckily for her, both Tsukasa and Miyuki managed to win them. She became touched when Kagami switched place with her during the concert so she could avoid the large man in front of her and watch the show. It’s April Fool’s day and Konata pulls a joke on Kagami that she did her homework, and was later on played the fool by Kuroi-sensei.

Did you notice… During the concert, the Haruhi in bunny gal outfit cosplay was singing “God Knows” that Haruhi/Hirano Aya sang during the school festival in The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi.

Is it just me or was the Hiiragi family watching “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”? 😀

Episode 16: Ring

Rating:9/10

Suzumiya Haruhi ALERT! This has got to be my favourite episode so far. Kagami suggested that they visit Konata at work, thinking that would freak Konata out, but to her disappointment Konata encouraged the idea.

When they arrived, they were greeted by one Suzumiya Haruhi cosplayed by none other than Konata. Kagami saw cosplays of Kyon and Nagato (voiced by the actual seiyuus) before getting interrupted by Konata with Hirano Aya in Haruhi mode. It was fun to see Hirano Aya switch back and forth between Konata mode and Haruhi mode. Then it happened… They did the Hare Hare Yukai on stage…

Nana

Episode: 46

Rating: 7/10

The band went over to room 707 and waited for Hachi, who decided to go over to Jackson’s for a burger and met Shouji there. They sat together and talked about the past and its obvious that they both regretted their breakup. But they’ve made their choices and so they have to live on with it, each on their own path. At the same time, Takumi revealed to Reira that he agreed to let Ren marry Nana. This episode was totally different from what I had thought, but nothing could have prepared me for the final episode…

Episode: 47 (End)

Rating: 7/10

I seriously don’t know what to say, it’s totally different from the many scenarios I had thought up all the way since I first watched the live action movie. I had half expected to see a ending similar to Paradise Kiss, but I was totally wrong. Well, I might still be right, since the way the final episode ended leaves room for continuation of the story.

The episode started off a scene from the future, presumable around 7 years later, where Hachi and her daughter, now 6, was meeting up with the rest of Blast in room 707 for an annual reunion to watch the fireworks. All Blast members seemed present, except for Nana. It seems that the only person who changed is Shin, who has become much taller than Nobu and dyed his hair a light blond.

Going back in time to room 707, where the previous episode had left off, Nana taunts Nobu into getting Hachi back, but he backed out at the last moment, revealing that Nana did not get back together with Nobu. The scene then shifts back to the future, where Nobu presents Satsuki (what happened with Sachiko?) a doll as a present. Nana, as the end of the episode suggested, went missing and was never seen again, although it was mentioned that Ren was still around and would join the reunion in room 707…

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Last week I said that I have a feeling this week’s list would be longer. I’ve added Lucky Star to my watch-list this week and while struggling to complete my assignment I’ve managed to watch 15 episodes so far. However, for this week I’ll only do the review up to episode 9 to prevent this from becoming way too long.

Naruto Shippuuden Episode 21

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi Episode 40

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Episode 15-17

Nana Episode 45

Lucky Star Episode 1-9

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge Episode 25

Naruto Shippuuden

Episode 21: Sasori’s Face

Rating: 5/10

Sasori finally showed his face… and that’s pretty much it. Pretty boring episode, quite a waste of time really. Next episode seems to be an one hour special, maybe something we’ll finally get to see some real action. Maybe…

History’s Strongest Disciple, Kenichi

Episode 40: The Promised Land! Everything Starts From Here!

Rating: 6/10

Odin is revealed to be Asamiya Ryuto, an old friend of Kenichi. Kenichi, Miu and Ryuto met in front of a candy store many years ago and it is there that they exchanged the badges they carry. A good break from the fights we’ve had for the past few episodes, and a prelude to big battle to come.

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl

Episode 15: A Shape of Things to Come. Kurogane Gym! Hyouta vs Shinji!

Rating: 6/10

Shinji took on Hyouta of the Kurogane Gym in a 3 vs 3 battle. I seriously wonder what a gym leader is doing with a Ishitsubute (Geodude) at this point of the anime. But the Zugaidos (Cranidos) and Iwark (Onix) put on a pretty good battle against Elekid and Hikozaru (Chimchar). Not a bad battle, but its either Hyouta was going easy on Shinji or Shinji had not given a chance for Hyouta’s Pokemon to perform more powerful moves. I think its the former…

Episode 16: A Gruff Act to Follow. Cranidos vs Pikachu!

Rating: 6/10

This time it’s Satoshi’s turn to battle the gym leader of Kurogane City, but it seems like Hyouta’s Pokemon have leveled up a bit since his battle with Shinji. Why do I say this? Because they were much stronger and faster, performing more powerful moves than they did against Shinji. Satoshi’s first gym battle in Sinnoh and he screwed it up. Great.

Episode 17: Big Charge of Ancient Pokemon! Wild in the Streets

Rating 6/10

Team Rocket managed to capture and unleashed a Ptera (Aerodactyl) that begins to attack Kurogane City. Armaldo and Kabutops also broke free from the fossil museum and Satoshi and co. along with Hyouta have to try and stop them, putting them back where they belong. Zugaidos (Cranidos) evolved into Rampard (Rampardos) during the battle, and I’m beginning to wonder how Satoshi could win a Rampard when he can’t even do off with a Zugaidos…

Nana

Episode: 45

Rating: 7/10

So close to the ending, the nonchalant atmosphere seems to be the calm before the storm. After a long separation, it seems that Hachi will finally reunite with Blast members… but somehow I don’t think things will go exactly as planned…

Lucky Star

Episode 1: Speedy Lady

Rating: 7/10

Crap… Konata reminds me so much of me and my own friends it’s creepy… The pure randomness of the anime is strangely similar to what we go through daily as well… After the first episode, I told myself that I think I’m going to like this better than Azumanga Daioh.

Episode 2: Effort and Results

Rating: 7/10

Gosh… It’s almost like looking at myself in the mirror. Spending the entire holiday on an MMORPG and last minute studies for tests. But Konata pulled it off better than I did *sighs* I’m definitely liking Lucky Star.

Did you notice the Galaxy Angel on the magazine Konata was reading and the Hare Hare no Yukai on the Taiko Master in the arcade?

Episode 3: All Kinds of People

Rating: 6/10

If you’ve ever wanted to win a prize in any post-in prize drawings, you gotta watch this episode and learn from Konata 😀 Plenty of good advices from here in this episode. And after wondering for a couple of episodes on how Kagami and Tsukasa can be in the same year despite being sisters I finally realized they were twins… hmm…

Episode 4: Motivation Issues

Rating: 7/10

Yikes. The similiarities I have with Konata can be getting disturbing… Leaving textbooks behind in school and all… It’s cool to have a teacher who plays online games with you, but it’s also a dangerous thing it seems as Konata’s case has proven, especially when you’re both in the same party.

Did you notice… Suzumiya Haruhi’s armband and To Heart school uniform. Not to mention the part when Konata was late for the 2nd time, she was describing a scenario from Kanon when Yuuichi first met Ayu. Uguu~ And Konata gave another excuse from Shuffle’s Mayumi regarding people with flat chests. There’s also a Mayumi poster in Konata’s room. Also an obvious reference to Shin-chan during the cake scene.

Episode 5: Ace Shooter

Rating: 6/10

It’s summer time, that means… Festivals and Yukata! Obvious reference to Pokemon as Kagami caught a goldfish. Is it just me or is Orochimaru’s voice all over the place as miscellaneous characters… And it’s weird how people loves to hum into the fan isn’t it. Lucky Star sure brings out the weirdest habits that many people have…

Did you notice… Saber and Archer on the magazine cover! Konata was humming the tune from Suzumiya Haruhi’s Bouken Desho Desho while playing her MMO. And Yui was wearing a Bonta-kun mask during the festival.

Episode 6: Summer Events

Rating: 8/10

A great Initial D episode… Uhm.. wait, that’s not right. I meant a great Lucky Star episode with the gang going off to the beach for some fun along with Nanako and Yui. Plenty of “girl-talk” and I didn’t manage to catch all the jokes here And what the heck is “Timotei, Timotei”?!?! I’m just guessing it’s a shampoo advertisement in Japan.

Did you notice… The song played during the Initial D scene was by Noisy Tribe, the same group that did the opening songs for Initial D 4th Stage. The Full Metal Panic Fumoffu reference with the watermelon?

Episode 7: Image

Rating: 7/10

A lady-like Konata is just so… wrong. But it’s also very entertaining to see the responses she gets while acting that way rofl. The way she speaks kind of reminds me of some other anime, but I can’t seem to put my finger on it.

Did you notice… Kagami mentioned that a new volume of FMP is out!

Episode 8: Don’t Need Me to Have a Blast

Rating: 7/10

It’s sports day at school! I always do enjoy sports day episodes in anime, they’re always fun to watch. Konata’s visualization technique FTW! Does anyone else find that game scene strangely familiar?

Episode 9: Just a Feeling

Rating: 7/10

Again, while it’s cool to have a teacher who plays the same MMO as you do, it can be a bad thing as well… You’ll get lectured even during in-game about your homework and stuff. I never really noticed how short Konata really was until now as she stands right next to Kagami and Tsukasa without being noticed. I wish there was an all you can eat cake buffet here

Did you notice… Koi no Mikuru Densetsu (Adventures of Mikuru from Suzumiya Haruhi) and Akira even did the Mikuru beam pose. There’s also a Super Mario Bros reference during the conversation in the next episode preview.

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

Episode 25: Path to Becoming a Lady

Rating: 7/10

Finally get to watch the ending for Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. Sunako finally met face to face with her aunt after staying in the mansion for so long and tries to turn her into a proper housewife while her aunt tries to turn Sunako into a proper lady. Sunako aunt’s idea of a housewife is interesting to say the least. The best part of this episode is probably the middle and the ending, where Sunako gives it her all to become a proper lady, putting on a beautiful white dress to meet her aunt at the ball. Pretty decent ending, but nothing that’s really funny in this finale.

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I have a feeling next week’s list will be much longer 😀

This week we have –

Naruto Shippuuden Episode 20

History’s Strongest Disciple, Kenichi Episode 37 – 39

There are possible (minor) spoilers if you haven�t watched it yourself already so read at your own risk!

Naruto Shippuuden

Episode 20: Hiruko vs the Two Female Ninja

Rating: 5/10

This episode was pretty boring. Nothing worth mentioning. Sakura and Chiyo-baa dancing to Sasori’s rhythm. Nuff’ said.

History’s Strongest Disciple, Kenichi

Episode 37: Dangerous Temptation! Let’s eat the hot pot together!

Rating: 6/10

Kenichi finally decided to deal a pre-emptive strike on Ragnarok by directly challenging Thor, the 7th Fist. A decent episode, but it was unreal to see Kenichi throwing the giant out of the ring. Then again, this is Kenichi we’re talking about, so anything is possible. While Kenichi might think otherwise, I’m with the others in thinking that Thor is a bit nuts with his combat sumo ideals. I wouldn’t want to end up looking like him, that’s for sure!

Episode 38: Lovely Kitten, Women’s Struggle!

Rating: 8/10

Very interesting episode with Kisara showing her other side and began to get close with Kenichi and Miu after saving a stray cat from being run over by a pair of gangsters on a bike. Kisara’s expression when she realized she had been discovered by Kenichi and Miu was just priceless. It also soon became obvious that Ragnarok will have one member less when the Freya, the 3rd Fist, sent her own troops of Valkyries to “take care” of Kisara under the suspect of betraying Ragnarok.

Episode 39: Shigure’s Personal Teachings…

Rating: 8/10

The first half of this episode felt slow, but that’s probably because I couldn’t wait to see Shigure appear and take on the girls from Freya. Freya made an appearance herself, but only for a minute or two before disappearing into thin air. During that time there were also a bit more into Kisara’s background, how she was part of Freya’s Valkyries and decided to leave and run her own group because she could not agree with using weapons to become stronger than men.

That’s nice and all, but the fun part began when Shigure finally shows up. Using only a rice spoon, she did this…

And oh, it was nice to finally know Shigure’s philosophy on weapon usage.

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Been a pretty hectic week with assignments on due soon, and I expect next week to be the same too

Inuyasha Episode 161 – 163

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi Episode 36

There are possible (minor) spoilers if you haven’t watched it yourself already so read at your own risk!

Inuyasha

Episode 161:Miroku’s Past Mistake

Rating: 6/10

As the episode title suggests, this episode revolves around Miroku and his relationship (or lack of) with Sango. They stumbled upon a village that Miroku once came across a few years ago and just as luck (good and bad) would have it, there’s actually a girl who Miroku had as usual proposed to back then who had been waiting for his return after he had saved her life. It just so happens that the demon of the lake is trying to have the girl’s hand in marriage, but the person who she really wants to marry is Miroku. Sango went into her usual cold mode which pretty much freaked Miroku every so often.

Episode 162: Forever with Lord Sesshomaru

Rating: 6/10

A nice little episode about Rin and how she wishes to stay with Sesshomaru forever. As expected, any episodes with Sesshomaru kicking either bad guys or good guys around is good in my books Inuyasha and co. did not really get to do much in this episode and the plot is putting the blame on the new full moon (when Inuyasha turns human during the night) for it.

Episode 163: Kohaku, Sango and Kirara

Rating: 7/10

A bitter-sweet episode where Kohaku and Kirara recalls the past before Naraku as they wondered through familiar places near their old homes. More in-depth look at the demon hunters lives, particularly between Kohaku and Sango. As Kirara reminisce the past, a bunch of demons attacked but with Kohaku’s helped, they managed to defeat the demons easily.

Towards the end, Sango appeared searching for Kirara and realized the Kohaku was nearby when she saw Kagura and tried to search for him. Kohaku, of course, could not show himself since he still hasn’t completed his mission to finish off Naraku. Kirara, being the only one who knows the truth, brought Sango to the place where Kohaku had said he that he wished for Sango to see.

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi

Episode 36: Miu vs. Renka! The Triangle that Calls up a Storm

Rating 6/10

Nothing spectacular in this episode, but as usual it’s still full of fun and laughter, especially when the whole group went to the pool for relaxation. Ma Kensei’s daughter, Ma Renka, came by Ryouzanpaku to bring not only her father back to China, but Kenichi as well! A rivalry sparked off between Miu and Renka, but in the end Miu just began treating Renka as a cat.

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