THe iDOLM@STER 15: Are We Live?

It’s so nice to see the girls hitting a stride with their careers. I can understand why their variety show would be such a hit, especially with someone as adorably clumsy as Haruka. At least the crowd was loving every moment of it.

Mawaru Penguindrum 12: Eye For An Eye

Failure to obtain the penguin drum leads to a darker consequence I’m sure many weren’t expecting to see quite yet, especially if the series really is only halfway through its two-season run.

Mawaru Penguindrum 11: Fate Isn’t What It Seems Anymore

It’s interesting how everything around our usual cast of characters starts to fall apart just because the diary isn’t what it used to be anymore. Revelations about the past begin to surface, those being hunted still don’t know why they’re being hunted, and Ringo’s sudden change of heart in her plans to initiate Project M all begin to take us down a familiar train ride where destiny no longer makes clear sense anymore.

Mayo Chiki 12: A Butler’s Gratitude

Because of Kanade’s injury and Subaru’s insistence that it was her fault for not protecting her master, Subaru is forced to stop being a butler. A series without our star butler? That was only acceptable in the beach episode some weeks ago, but she can’t give up now!

Then again, as long as Punyuru fills in the void, then I guess it’s okay.

The Mystical Archives of Dantalian 11: Archangel Raziel

This is another one of those shows I didn’t blog about for the summer season, yet still kept up with week-by-week anyway. And what better time to start talking about it than with the proper introduction of another one of our favorite forbidden book archivers: Archangel Raziel. Ready for some eye-patch moe? I sure am.

It’s The Only NEET Thing To Do 12 (Final): God’s Memo Pad

My wishful thinking from last week came true in the form of a rather touching and symbolic display of long-headed poppy blooming across the entire school rooftop. Who’d have thought Ayaka had a knack for large-scale logo designs.

Mawaru Penguindrum 10: Cherish Your Memories

Thanks to Hikari and Hibari’s Tokyo Sky Metro ads for efficiently summing up just about everything that happened this episode, we’re now left with the concept of how memories are just as important as the individual destinies some of the characters seem to be adamant at adhering to. Some use those memories to uphold the dreams of the past, and others use them as a means to an end. But if one’s destiny is already torn in half, how does one recover the pieces to keep said destiny alive?

Sacred Seven 12 (Final): A Reason To Live

Aoi’s appearance this week: mere flashback or a sign of what’s to come? As the story draws closer to its finale, lots of loose ends are tied and crystals shattered. Will either Kijima or Kagami ever prove themselves useful this late in the game? Did we really see Arma break character and shed some honest manly tears? Will Fei’s Darkstone transformation ever make its way into the hands of a skilled vinyl figure artist? And will Kenmi ever know the concept of self-restraint in his path to master Darkstone God-mode?

It’s The Only NEET Thing To Do 11: Gates of Heaven

Pieces of the most recent puzzle are starting to come together with the confirmation of the creator of Angel Fix, the hottest underground drug to hit the streets of Shibuya. It’s only a matter of time before our NEET detectives either catch up to him and discover the truth behind last week’s circumstances, or he gets away and leaves the case open for good.

Usagi Drop 11 (Final): Precious Time

It sure isn’t easy being a parent, but it definitely helps to be surrounded by those who share similar circumstances. And like the loss of Rin’s two front teeth, every character moves on and realizes either what’s been laid before them or what must be done in order to make the precious time they’re given all the worthwhile for themselves and their loved ones.