Mawaru Penguindrum Episode 4: Ringo Goes Nanners

One thing was quite off in this episode, and one thing only. It was as interesting a watch as always that further proved how far removed Ringo was from reality, the penguins were excellent as far as slapstick comedy goes, and it ends on a note that raises many questions that I hope are answered or at least acknowledged in the next episode. But… no Survival Strategy. It would’ve been out of place since this isn’t a Himari-centric episode, but I was looking forward to it. Okay, with that minor gripe out of the way, moving on!

This episode mostly reflected on Ringo’s detachment from the norms of reality, and the role of a roaming skunk in snapping her out of her delusions when any of the events of her diary were slated to pass.

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Manga Update Box Social Fun Time Extravaganza!

At the end of my rope, trying not to miss any other post days this month, I figured I had three options to choose from: Write a filler post to say something silly that in the end would make most people think “Why the hell did I come here today?” before closing out of their page in a blind fury, clack out a review of the latest episode of Penguindrum in record time without giving thought to quality control, or write a filler post detailing some of my manga backlog that I’ve been checking off lately. Since you’re all such astute readers, I think you can guess which one I chose.

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Kamisama Dolls Episode 4: Kuuko’s Cuckoo for Kidnapping

Kamisama Dolls has been the perennial underdog of the season, and for a great number of reasons. When it does finally have something somewhat intriguing, it’s balanced by half an episode of Utao just being clumsy, because obviously that’s what we came into a show about murder and fighting constructs to see.

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Shiki Episode 21.5: Crazy Ladies Make Everything Better

 

She just gets crazier from here.

I was giving serious thought to going on break from blogging for a day or two. I mean I’ve written a post for every day this month, save one, and my muse is starting to protest her harsh and unceasing treatment to squeeze out what little bit of creativity she has left in her. Fortunately for all who have enjoyed this flood of posts, I’ll be working my muse even harder until I can get my hands on Catherine, since I’m fully aware that I won’t stop playing it once I start.

Okay, so Shiki Episode 21.5! We get to see the life of a background character as her world begins to decay around her, reflecting her mental state perfectly. In the end, shiki are staked (Duh), questions about humanity are raised, and fires that serve as the icing to an already deliciously tragic cake rage unabated, reflecting the out of control nature of the townspeople.

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Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2: The Bells Toll For Thee, Originality

In this episode of Dantalian no Shoka, we see Huey and Dalian take a trip to the countryside. Will they find love? Books? A slightly unhinged black widow in training? Only time, and this episode, will tell.

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Mawaru Penguindrum Episode 3: Destiny Comes in Many Forms, and Love Equals Curry

Mawaru Penguindrum is something as deceptively simple as can be, while still retaining the appearance of depth that thus far has proven to be a little more than mere illusion. Whether this remains the case for the rest of the series is in question, but it’s been the show to ponder for the season, and the one that I’ve been eagerly watching more than any other. Any and all symbolic elements are being introduced a piece at a time, fate has officially been amended to destiny, and it hasn’t been terribly hard to keep up with such drastic changes.

Do you know how the last episode was practically swimming in symbolic apples? Well, this one threw some curry (With apple mixed in, of course) into the jumble of symbolism.

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Blood-C Episode 3: Saya’s Here to Pet Puppies and Impale Bubblegum… and She’s All Out of Puppies

Blood-C hasn’t been living up to its action and drama tags at all, as far as everyone’s concerned. While the action bits at the end have all been fairly well done, they comprise a very small part of what consists mostly of inconsequential school life and the consumption of pink cubes of undetermined origin.

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B Gata H Kei: Missed Potential and Moustachioed Sex Gods

If there is any show that defines wasted potential, it’s B Gata H Kei. What started as a possible lighthearted gender flipped rendition of School Days ended up a pedestrian school comedy that was only saved by a somewhat fresh sense of humor and constant victimization of the lead and her love interest.

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Kamisama Dolls Episode 3: Ambiguous Motives and Pointless Fluff Galore

As more of this goes on, the less I’m sure Kamisama Dolls will be a good show to blog. On one hand, the action and chase scenes are fun to watch, if easy to predict. On the other, the fluff that has thus far comprised half of each episode doesn’t really add anything to the plot, which is a bit of a shame considering quite a lot could be added through the avenue of conversation.

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Dantalian no Shoka First Impressions: Knowledge is Power, and also Evidently Coming to Life to Murder You

Dantalian no Shoka is a latecomer to this stale season. With most lists finalized by the end of the previous week, it was kind of a curveball to have this enter the game so late. And unless it proved itself better than most of its peers, it would most likely wallow in a ditch, huddled against a rabid dog for warmth while the heavy hitters like Usagi Drop and Mawaru Penguindrum frolicked on the surface, beloved by many.

Fortunately, both for the audience and the cast that are partaking in this show, it definitely manages to stand above most of the crowd in both its premise and characters so far.

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