Well, Ksahara's family finally makes their appearance. Well... just her parents. They seem to be checking on her and how she performs her job. I have to say with the limited doki-doki KasaDojo interactions, I really enjoyed this episode. Humor is up and as expected, the magic lies in the dialogue. Her father doesn't seem impressed with his daughter's performance, comparing her to Dojo and Tezuka who are expectedly reliable and he wonders why she was even there. In a moment when a thief arrives, Kasahara stopped him by manhandling him with her father within sight. By that time, her mother wanted her to leave the library corps and just go back home to find another job. But her father came to her defense. And Kasahara was sorry to have lied to them in the first place.

 

I liked this episode. It's very funny. What really struck me as strange is that Dojo - who is the last person I expected - was going out of his way to help Kasahara. I mean, with the three boys, I expected Komaki to just laugh every moment off, Tezuka not completely lying but not saying anything incriminating against Kasahara and Dojo to just be straight forward with them about the truth. And it would seem that Dojo has just earned points from her dad. How cute <3

 

 

OK, watching this episode last night made me so cravy over cream puffs. But of course, spending the day with JP (thank you for the coffee!) means that it's spent at Starbucks and their cream puffs are dry and pretty much tastes like paper.

 

Anyway, Riiko has just signed a 70-year plan to purchase Night who seems to want to spend 24/7 with her - well, he's programmed to. With her salary, Riiko encourages Night to also find work and he worked in places where she also had work like Asamoto Group and the bar Riiko frequents. Soshi, believing in Riiko's cream puffs asked her to go overtime for it so he can sell it in their Ginza branch, which the manager (an employee since the time of his grandfather) obliged. Of course, Mika (Riiko's whorish best friend - an archetype of Yuu Watase characters: the bitchy best friend) tries to get it on with Night but of course, Night is programmed to be with Riiko so she stirred the pot and told her that Riiko and Soshi were probably up to monekey business in the office. Night is starting to act like the "slightly" jealous boyfriend that Riiko requested. Anyway, the office had an outing to the hot springs that Riiko left when she heard that the Ginza store manager and Soshi were getting into trouble with Soshi's brother. While she was away, slutty Mika kissed Night therefore reseting Night's settings and when Riiko and Soshi got to the hot springs, Night declared himself as Mika's boyfriend.

 

Well, fans of the manga are actually in an uproar because of the sckewed depiction of the j-drama. Personally, I don't have a problem with it because I've never read the manga and considering that people said that it gets really weird and complicated around the middle, I never bothered. But I actually like this. My problem is with the actress who plays Riiko. She has a very limited range of expressions that you end up seeing it every 2 minutes. The actor who plays Night does nothing for me, but his character seems so unlikeable. Soshi, I like - my Hana Kimi loving self cannot deny me of that fact.

 

 

Fifnally xxx-HOLiC started featuring the meat of the story. Kohane-chan. She and Watanuki met each other under a cherry tree under the park and felt like like that the two of them were the same. But Kohane is a TV celebrity because of ther ability to exorcise demons and has a uber-protective stage mother who doesn't like people going near her fearing that touching her would diminish her powers. Anyway, she was at the sakura tree because she was to exorcise a spirit of a woman who lived there. The spirit told her that the tree will die if she leaves but she did anyway at the request of Kohane. Watanuki brought them to Domeki's temple where it was considered to be a "pure place" and the spirit of the woman started to be amongst the trees there. Kohane like Watanuki because he called her Kohane-chan, no one has ever called her her given name for a long time and Watanuki thought back of her mother. When Kohane came home, she was scolded by her mother and was told to rest.

 

Actually, because I've read the manga, it gets pretty boring to summarize. Although very interesting to watch. The thing about it is that because of the last few chapters of -HOLiC that have been released, I pretty much know what will happen and has reduced the suspense factor - well, most people do this especially if they are watching on-going anime but CLAMP works are so full of twists and sharp turns that once you get your answer, you have exceedingly high expectations of the anime. And the edge-of-your-seat factor has already worn off.

 

 

 

 

 

Well... Chairman Cross gave Yuki a bracelet that, with Zero's blood, will enable her to control Zero's urges for blood because he's become afraid that he might end up killing the his next prey. The next day in class, a new Ethics teacher came who was Zero's master - a vampire hunter - so he kinga freaked out and ran out the classroon. The chaiman gave them pass to take the day-off so they went around town where they encountered another Level E vampire. Zero hesitated in killing him but Ichijou finished the job. That night, Ichijou invited the two to his birthday party promising to tell them about why they disposed of the Level E Vampire. In that party, they learned that Level E vampires were products of the vampires so they have the responsibility of disposing them and that Kaname was a pureblood - able to create vampires and have supernatural powers. Anyway, Zero started seeing the kind of behavior that vampires have (with all the finger-licking and blood sucking going around, got blood-lust again and ran off. Yuki ran after him as always and he was about to bite her, they fell into the pool (or pond) and was shot, identifying the person as his master.

 

OK, I'm actually not very much into the emo personality of Zero... I mean, he could be a little more personable seriously. But after reading the manga, I found their interaction with Yuki more heart-warming while I just get jeepers creepers when I see Kaname and Yuki together.  Seriously, since I now know what will happen next, I am so looking forward to the next episode than this one. And here I thought it would actually happen here.

 

 

 

After panty thieves have tried to steal Fubuki's underwear so they can be sold for millions (apparently Naeka's can only be sold for 70,000 yen because she's a kendo girl), Naeka's inevitible rival has finally arrived - an English loli Elizabeth Strawberryfield who likes to wear strawberry-print underwear. She has a ninja maid of her own too, which has fallen victim to the Maid Guy. She wants to rid Naeka because she's the heires to her granfather's fortune. However, they never said that she had anything to do with it.

 

It's really incredible the way that the Male kendo Club a.k.a. The Fujiwara Naeka Chichi Fan Club would refuse Naeka's panties... well, until Liz mentioned that Naeka will probably give up her breasts for her underwear. Points!

 

 

Well, Yuri and his man harem (minus Gunther who has to stay and look after the affairs of the kingdom) travels to Francshire for the wedding of its king Antoine and her faithful servant Lila. It seems strange that her mother was not that thrilled about the wedding but it had something to do with the country's tradition that once married, the queen will no longer be allowed to step out of the castle. Well, another thing is that they cannot get married without the Sword of the Earth which is part of the ceremony. Of course, always in the side of justice, Yuri and his party helps out. They found it and Antoine and Lila were able to get married. Then Antoine declared that a third of each year, the queen will be allowed to get out of the castle.

 

A few notable things about this anime is the inconsistencies in the art of the characters. There are a few scenes where Conrad looked like he was 12 years old (I would know because there is a past episode where he looked 12 though his age was not revealed there since Mazoku supposedly age slower. Anyway, there is also the creepy guys who keeps stealing valuable swords and propositioned Conrad so he can be given the kingdom of Dai Shimaron (which is actually a birthright of the Weller family before the Belal's took over). Anyway, I'm glad that they are utilizing filler episodes for things to unfold. Anyway, it's weird that Antoine was throwing Lila back to her village a little after the wedding. Men *roll eyes*

 

 

 

ANN announced that a continuation of Nodame Cantabile anime is currently in the works. This will cover Paris, which is generally the whole thing that moving forward from Volume 10.  But there is no information if this is going to be a new season or an OVA like the j-drama which covered 3 whole volumes! Gosh! I'm so excited and I can't wait. The bitch there is that there have been no announcements when this is going to premiere yet. I am too excited I don't even care. Of course, I shall be stalking many NC fansites for announcements and stuff. That would mean more classical music for me ^_^

 

 

Kasahara and Commander Inamine were kidnapped by the Bakushuukai - a group of bald men in white suits. (The look more like a cult than a supporter of the Media Enhancement Group.) When they went back to the library to regroup, Dojo seems to be both guilty and saddened by the group abducting Kasahara, especially with the things that he told her (the image of him staring at Kasahara's desk makes any shoujo heart melt). When the Bakushuukai finally contacted the library corps, she gave hints about their location, which was deciphered by Shibasaki. But their exact location was given out by the prosthetic the Commander had and a contingent was put together headed by Dojo. He had this little monologue about her being a lot like him when he was younger, which melted my heart more * \^o^/ fangirl squeal * Anyway, in the end, they were rescued, Dojo apologized for telling her that she didn't have what it took to contribue to military power but of course, them being them, it turned into another shouting match. In the end, she turned Tezuka down (thank God!) and was planning to tell her parents about her job only to find out that they were already on their way for the visit.

 

I like this episode. Though lacking in KasaDojo moments (except for many many flashbacks of Episode 3) save for the near end, I love, love, love Dojo's monologue when he was thinking about Kasahara and how she is so like him when he was still younger. It was really telling the way that Kasahara saw her a vision of her Prince Charming just before Dojo and his contingent attacked. Just from the top my head (considering that it's probably impossible) that maybe considering that since Dojo was a lot like Kasahara when he was younger that maybe he's that Prince Charming. If this was 5-6 years go, it's not that far away. Oh well... maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself. Needless to say, this is my most favorite anime this season.

 

manservice +1
Yay! Naked Black Knights are free! They celebrate by taking their shirts off.

 

yaoi onii-san factor +1
What the hell is going on with Rollo? The ruthless killing machine is gone and he has becomes an insecure uke longing for nii-san's love. (Sorry... I've been on a yaoi high with two consecutive of Junjou coming out in one weekend.) But that's how it seems. I know he's confused but he doesn't have to be so girly about it. Honestly.

 

yaoi factor +1
Speaking of yaoi... Suzaku (once the object of many, many authored LelouchXSuzaku h-doujin) is now jealous that Rollo has come. Awww... Oh well, he has Zino now. By the way, Zino is now on top of my "Most Annoying Guy" this season. Annoying, annoying, annoying! And the loli Anya that follows him around looks fishy - Kagusa still top loli of Geass.

 

psycho-bitch x100
Nina is weird. I hope she doesn't come back with Lloyd next week, though I doubt it. I hope Suzaku kills her on their duel for Euphie. Honestly, the two doesn't know how to get over grief.

 

fanservice +1
Not to be outdone by shirtless Elevens in their underwear, the Ashford Academy Swim Team show off themselves in the pick-you-server cafe. Yes, money well-spent for the education of your daughters there, Britannians.

 

evil +1
Lelouch's Guide To Juggling The Women In His Live: If the other one comes when you're with the other, push her in a vat of tomatoes. You would think that C.C. would have died in ecstacy inside a tomato sauce container - it's not the same as when it has the crust and toppings now, is it?.

 

fanservice +1
Kallen's obligatory fanservce shot for the day. Karen fanboys are happy and currently taking COLD showers. Britannia can throw all their girls in skimpy bikinis but they can never defeat a geniune Kallen fanserv.

 

~FAIL +1
Shirley's really sad. She should just really give up. She couldn't get Lelouch with his memories re-wired, she'll never get him now that he's back to being deliciously evil.

 

~FAIL +1
Lemme guess... Lelouch is not in the track and field team. Millie outran him. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the salvation of the Japanese people. Pathetic.

 

pwned +1
WOW!!! Suzaku: 1 Lelouch: 0.

 

Body Count +0
When episodes is within the walls of Ashford Academy, it becomes boring because no one dies. WTF? Nunally is gonna be the Governor-General of Area 11??? Last week, I said No more student council shit. Please NO MORE ASHFORD ACADEMY SHIT! Let's please go back to the business of senseless violence of killing innocent by-standers and a handful of soldiers. Anyway, Lloyd and Cecille are coming back to Area 11 next week. I cross my fingers that she doesn't bring that table humper Nina with them. I'm finding it totally convinient of the animators to pull all the students and teachers of Ashford Academy from last year and put in new ones this year.

 

 

Aikawa, Usagi's editor, has made her appearance. She's a bijin(???) - well, that was according to Misaki - who happens to have a key to Usagi's place. High drama much in this episode. Misaki's finding himself jealous the close way Aikawa interacts with Usagi and thinks that maybe Usagi is not that gay as he says he is. Well, Usagi finally tells Misaki that he was in love with Misaki and have another set of mansex session. Then Usagi finally just how evil Aikawa is... he could have save his breath and just told Misaki that all the sex senarios in his BL novels are all requests of Aikawa.

 

In Hinano's summary of this epiosde, she mentioned that Aikawa was fugly and God forbid there be any beautiful women in yaoi. Well, I don't really think that she's fugly per se. But I have to admit... the art for her could be better. This is the first yaoi I've picked up so I can't really compare. But this is the third series I've picked up that was made by Studio DEEN and I would have to admit - between this, Kyo Kara Maou and Vampire Knight though the art of the women are OK, it seems to be made sure that the guys are super-duper dropdead hot. ^_^ Oh well, I enjoy bishies so I'm not really in the position to complain.