Lesson 1: “Shinkurou is a lolicon”

And just when you think the DRAMA should be letting up since what happened with the previous episode should be pretty hard to top off; we get another helping of our weekly recommended DRAMA needs in one episode. If last episode was just a one off crack pot then things are definitely back on track and everyone is returning back to normal (In normal cases I would be saying “thank god” but this series is rather special for me).

Ahhh, relaxing days

Well, the episode actually started off pretty laid back with Tamaki, Yamie and Murasaki all enjoying an afternoon of cheesy soap operas. But words of wise from Tamaki are never far whenever there is a pure, innocent soul to corrupt as the discussion from talking about good guys moving onto Shinkuro being a good guy then moving onto how he is a lolicon. Lolicon, another new word Murasaki has learnt this week but yet again her definition of the term is weirdly twisted based on Tamaki’s ideals.

Basically, the way to describe the phrase “Shinkurou is a lolicon” to Murasaki is simply “he likes you” (which is kind of true in one sense, but horribly under defined).

Murasaki is like a kid in a candy shop, that curious personality of hers will take her far

Moving on, Tamaki decides to take Murasaki to her university and what I love about this section of the episode is how Murasaki continues to learn the world that is years ahead of her. Whether knowledge can ever be enough is open for debate but it is just fascinating for Murasaki to learn about the adult world, especially from Tamaki. Her responses and queries are so interesting to watch, it brings back memories to when I was at that curious age.

Lesson 2: “Stay away from sluts (especially the ones who uses inches of makeup)”

But yea, the adult world can be dangerous as Murasaki learns when Tamaki is hit by a slut. *Tsk tsk* don’t you just hate it when violence is used when you can’t beat the opponent down with words. Interestingly though, Murasaki did get a great jab at the slut.

Ouch..

This punk ass kid is a wimp. I hate wimpy males, just burn in sacred fire

Tamaki continues her teachings to Murasaki in the ways of romance. Pretty interesting stuff here which I am sure Murasaki will be committing to memory and using for future reference. However, the DRAMA begins when some punk named Satoshi turns up and begins his parting speech to Tamaki.
This was one thing new to me. For one thing I never knew Tamaki had a boyfriend, especially so when she keeps smooching all over Shinkurou. But it turns out that this punk is spitting up with her because he is a wimp. Oh my god how I HATE wimps. He even said it himself that he can’t protect Tamaki.

Better yet,

Lesson 3: “GO PUNCH HIM!”

Awwwwww…

And so Tamaki’s heart was smashed. I felt really sorry for her during the following scene at the café where she is all depressed. It is also a wonder seeing a 9 year old trying to tutor Tamaki about how to get over love problems, “just grab a can of beer”.

Cheer up girl, you will find plenty of better guys *nudges Shinkurou*

Male searching, Murasaki style..

Unfortunately, her amazingly cute efforts came to an end when Tamaki sees the punk again with another girl. Oh the heart pain to anyone who has suffered a breakup, my heart is out there for you.
It is interesting though, Tamaki continues let her emotions out for Murasaki to hear but somehow that convinces Murasaki that Yuuno is also one of these girls who deceive the opposite sex. And with that she erratically tries to save Shinkurou from the clutches of a fox.

“OH SHI~”

Poor girl ;_;

However, the DRAMA is not over yet as the main part is to come. Murasaki was accidently spotted by one of the guys sent to find her and oh boy, did this open a can of worms. This is turning out to be a significant turning point in my opinion as sooner or later, the army would be sent in to retake Murasaki.
Random note for this scene, Tamaki is obsessed with people being lolicon.

Man: “Do I know her from somewhere…oh SHI~ its oujo sama O.o”
Tamaki: “quit it now! She’s only 9 you lolicon >.>”

But anyway, an important part of Murasaki’s past was revealed soon after. It turns out that Renjou (Murasaki’s dad) is as misunderstood as Tamaki in his romance affairs. It turns out that even though he was treating Souju (Murasaki’s real mother) badly, it seems like he was just a victim in his own right. Not being allowed to do otherwise, the whole flashback scene showed that he really did love Soujou but the family customs were just too binding.

Misunderstood…

He does love her…

Then the scene where Murasaki was crying her eyes out at the sight of her mother’s corpse. Gosh, that scene gripped me as emotional. Renjou on the other hand also showed more emotions than expected. It is also revealed that Murasaki knew who her real mother was and the will from Souju that she wanted Murasaki to live a normal life. Renjou is honouring the last will of the woman she loved. I guess he is on the surface trying to recapture Murasaki, but on the other than he was also responsible for her freedom in the first place. In any case the cover is blown and even he admits that it may all be over sooner than expected.

*Cries*

See!? He isn’t a bad man ;_;

I really feel that this is going to be brewing into some scene where Shinkurou will be fighting off a whole army to protect Murasaki. Looking forward to more emotional rollercoaster moments, in fact, I am addicted to it.

And just before I go, I have to mention the delightful scene where Murasaki valiantly tells Shinkurou that she needs to get away from Yuuno just because she is the better woman and that is the casue of Shinkurou being lolicon. Absolutely LUL WUT!? Worthy.

“You love me so you are a lolicon!”

“LOL WUT!?”

+20/+20/+20/+30 Support Boosts To Ranka’s Confidence Stat All Round

Okay so this week I’m going to have to do a shorter summary again and I’m sure people don’t mind at all given the irritating length that I’m aware some of my articles can go on for.  So without further ado, Macross Frontier Episode 06 Quickie Edition.

Summary:  The Zentradi record producer signs Ranka to a contract with Ozma’s approval (given in the most dramatic fashion possible) and Alto, Michel, Lucy and Nanase take her out to celebrate and form her first official fan club. (Complete with the coolest mood expression table I’ve ever seen) Meanwhile President Glass is getting ready to make an official announcement regarding the Vajra saying the time must come and he feels now is best.  Leon does not seem to approve.  Meanwhile Sheryl is getting ready for her fairwell concert when she learns of the attack on the Galaxy Fleet.  Alto makes a boneheaded maneuver by indicating that he was with someone else at the mall when her heard her song as if to unintentionally say he wasn’t interested in her and gives her a ticket to Shery’s concert,  but as Michel begins to call him an idiot the President begins an emergency broadcast across all vid windows.

A Prelude To Space War III?

Glass tells everyone the unfortunate news of the Macross Galaxy’s fate and also states that he has declared a state of emergency and a plan of action in order to assist the Galaxy and protect the Frontier.  Ozma also calls Michel to give the unnofficial news that they are about to be deployed.  Meanwhile Leon again seems to be up to his own agenda as when talking about a Sheryl Nome interview with Katherine he says that the “offical appointment” will come later.  Michel later tells Alto that they are now under exception clause b, which forbids them from withdrawing from any government contract during war time, which this qualifies as.  In other words Alto is here until the job is done.  Soon the Sheryl Nome interview broadcasts and she portrays a strong “the show must go on” attitude with regard to the concert not being cancelled and her belief that her home is safe and she will return there.  Alto decides to go out to talk to her and in the meantime the SMS Battleship is being deployed and Katherine assigned to it’s bridge crew.

A Promise Kept

When he gets there he returns the earring as promised and meanwhile a few ships from the Galaxy defold in front of the Skull Squadron and seem to have Vajra attached to them.  Alto and Sheryl continue to talk and she explains that the earrings are a memento from her mother who she doesn’t really recall all that well and leaves it at that.  The conversation shifts to Alto’s distaste for the Frontier Cities lack of a sky, which doesn’t feel right to him as a pilot and Sheryl is about to talk about Galaxy a bit when Michel calls and orders Alto back to the hangars for deployment.  Their mission, assist the survivors of the galaxy and fend of the Vajra.  ESCORT MISSION LEVEL TIME!  First though Sheryl comes clean that she hated the Galaxy since she had no family, relatives and friends and she allows Alto to keep the earrings as a keepsake, but that he has to return it.

….He Gave It A Name….Luca’s Definitely Got A Metrosexual Thing Going On

At Long Last

Holy Crap, This Could Be A Music Video Or Something.  Actually It’s At Least 50 Times Better Done Then The Average Japanese Music Video Since Half The Time I Don’t Have Any Idea What The Fuck Is Going On In Any Of Them

Saraba Frontier Yo Tabidatsu Fune Wa
Uchuu Senkan Macross Quarter

The Macross Quarter makes it’s maiden launch at the command of the captain as Sheryl begins her concert and Ranka rushes to get there.  Ozma gives a speech to his men saying that not one of them is going to die and they will return to the Frontier.  As they begin their fold Ranka arrives at the concert to see it as if both her and Sheryl are seeing them off to the tune of Diamond Crevasse.

Thoughts:

Much of this episode spends time tying up the plotlines relevant to the Frontier City story arc as the SMS is about to head off on it’s journey to rescue the Galaxy fleet, not knowing if and when they are going to be back.  It’s good that they spent the time doing this, but it does make this episode a bit slow moving and mostly set up.  That’s not a bad thing though and we do get to learn a bit more about Sheryl.  It seems likely that the reason she was envious of Ranka is that Ranka has the friends and support she wish she had as a child and Sheryl almost seems to realize that her existence as an idol is a hollow one as for all the adoration she is showered with, it’s not a reciprocal or deep meaningful relationship like the one she has with Alto.  Seeing as how the earrings are the closest thing she has to something resembling a familial relationship I think the fact she gave it to Alto means he’s something like a first true friend to her, or likely even a romantic interest.  The time they spent together was short, but it obviously seems to have had a huge impact on her as she wishes him off in another expertly timed scene where the lyrics seem to match exactly what is happening on the screen.  I love the stylish fades to the ending sequence where the music starts early and while Sunrise seems especially fond of them, Macross Frontier’s staff sort of goes a step further by actually making it part of the episodes actual context instead of just an ending theme before it becomes one.  Extremely nice touch.

Ranka’s short on screen time this episode, mostly content to worry about her brother and Alto and it sucks for her that she doesn’t even have time to enjoy her new recording contract.  Poor girl.  On the political front I have to say that Howard Glass seems like an honest politician, but I don’t trust Leon at all.  There’s no other explanation for his cryptic comments other then him having something to do with all of this.  Could the Vajra be a failed experiment that went from on the 117th fleet?  And what does Ranka have to do with this.  So wait….there is sort of some new plot details going on her, just absolutely nothing to build off of yet.  Reminds me of Code Geass’ current “kill god” situation with the Emperor.

Anyway, so aside from a few questionable character art consistency issues the episode is reasonably solid.  Not good, not great, but above average, mostly thanks to the last 6 or so minutes.  I can’t wait for this series to really start feeling like a Macross though.  The Macross Quarter has launched and now the fireworks should really begin.  Even just seeing the bridge bunnies (a bunch of Ruris) and the captain actually get some lines as well as the shots of the bridge and outside of the Quarter gave me a nostalgic feel.  It’s time to get serious…..next episode.

Rating: Seven Out Of Ten

No, it’s not dealing with a crotch stomping loli.  Let’s have a looksee at what else it could be.

Playing Kaizo Mario World

As you can see by clicking the video, it’s a kick you in the crotch (and not the delightful loli style of doing it either) piss hard Rom Hack that basically tests the limits of how far you are willing to die over and over and over again until you can complete it.  Similar to Super Frustration Brothers, the hack basically replaces all the normally levels with what basically amount to fiendishly difficult puzzles which test your knowledge of the games mechanics in a way that the actual Super Mario World never required as well as your reaction time.  It’s actually quite ingenious how some of the puzzle mechanics work.  For example, that Yoshi stages solution for the first half is to feed the baby yoshi all of the enemies in the stage in order for it to grow so you can use the flight power to make it out alive.  Miss one enemy and you lose.  It’s not even that simple though and the hack requires you to swallow the blue shell at the absolute last possible second as the screen scrolls so that you can have enough time to make it through all the obstacles without falling to your doom.  Then you have to ditch Yoshi as you fall and that’s only the first half.  The second half requires you to time a few jumps on the vines and then believe it or not, the solution is to take your hand of the right stick and let the screen scrolling do the work for you as you bounce over the fireballs.  Then you make a quick jump to the left and escape throught the pipe before you smash into a wall with a Kanji just before it made out of blocks that I assume says “Haha you lost”.

It’s pretty instense, but I love that it challenges your mind as well as your reaction time instead of just being a random clusterfuck of obstacles.  I just hope the quality of the puzzle mechanics keeps up.

I also plan on making a go at the Parallel Worlds rom hack of A Link To The Past which also replaces the original game with brand new layouts and puzzles and I hear ups the difficulty exponentially:

A Small Sample Of Legend Of Zelda The Parallel Worlds

What a way to spend my time.  On the less ass raping side of my time wasting is the new Sengoku Rance Slash Burst Three Card Game which shows how to make good use of the concept of cards unlike some other ideas.  No no no, good card ideas are as such.

Anyway, so back to the Rance Game.  This one pits three Sengoku Rance ninjas in Kanami, Suzume and Princess Sen against an assortment of enemies and is freeware if any Sengoku Rance fans are interested.  All the info is on the Alicesoft website for it as well as the download links.  Do note that the Alicesoft website is NSFW if you are unaware of the nature of their products.  And thus without further ado I be getting back to my nightmare.

Yeah so I hand Klash the honourable job of blogging this series and he just runs away. Well its weeks late but at least its here (for those who still haven’t seen *cough*). [Oh and Klash was just busy with preparing for exams, just like me unfortunately].

In a Nutshell: Liz is taking an outdoor bath where a suddenly a flock of crows appear from the water. She wakes up with a startle but thankfully it was only a dream. Unfortunately she also wet herself in the process. Shizuku dangles from the ceiling and is troubled that Liz still wets herself at this age. Shizuku is then knocked flying into a wall by another ninja maid who turns out to be her elder sister, Tsurara (well actually it is later revealed that they are twins but there is a clear difference in mentality). Liz is shocked to find out that Tsurara is actually 21 in fact. Taking this abuse Tsurara then mocks her master in a very sly way.

After some drama she asks Shizuka about how she got on with gathering data on the enemy. It isn’t going well at all which annoys Tsurara. She tells Liz that she cannot fight without knowing the enemy.
The next day Liz is going berserk at Naeka but isn’t able to do anything because of orders from Tsurara.

That night, stalker girl is checking up the pictures of Naeka she has gathered after installing a spy camera. She placed the camera where she can see through the windows into the bathroom and turns it on at home. Feeling happy she begins to fangirl over Naeka’s soft skin however, the screen suddenly fuzzes out and Kogarashi’s voice can be heard. This is another one of his abilities; maid guy voice (which paralyses the victim). He then moves to hypnotise stalker girl so that all she sees is a naked guy taking a bath but she isn’t able to look away.

At home, Kogarashi detects a scream that signals the end of the world for that person. He seems to find great pleasure in torturing the victim. He also reveals that all the peeping cameras around the house have already been installed with bugs. However, he also has the original copy of one of the disks which he puts into the DVD play. Fubuki turns up dressed in Naeka’s uniform causing her to become embarrassed. Naeka praises her but the Fubuki on TV then says that the dress is too big for her. Kogarashi then dies.

Fubuki tells him that he needs to respect other’s privacy and not let any of their information be leaked. Shizuka returns to the base and informs Tsurara that she has the disk from the spy cameras. She puts it into the player but Kogarashi’s virus then kicks in and hypnotises the girls. Tsurara is mocking that it doesn’t work on them but apparently so it does. Shizuka faces hell alone.

At school the breast club trio peeps on Naeka who is doing kendo. They plan on sneaking into the girl’s changing room to steal Naeka’s “everything” but stalker girl steals the key and runs off. She finds the locker but Kogarashi is there ready to ambush her. He freezes her and gives her a body check. Finding out that she is just a civilian, he lets her go…I mean stand there. The trio then walks into the room finding her like a statue.

At the gates the ninja sister infiltrates the school undercover but elder sister isn’t all that convincing. Tsurara enters the kendo dojo and asks to observe but Naeka tests her by asking for her zodiac sign. Taking too long to answer, Naeka then just slides the door shut on Tsurara. Behind the doors she tells the other girls that they need to be careful of old women and predicts that they are over 20. Tsurara’s urge to kill, increases.

Shizuku finds the locker room and throws a bomb inside after hearing a suspicious voice. He walks in after the bomb detonates to find the trio and stalker girl all frozen. Opening the lockers Kogarashi attempts to freeze her as well but Tsurara comes to the rescue. Tsurara swear to get revenge and let’s off a grenade, blowing Kogarashi outside.

She throws more grenades but they seem ineffective. Tsurara then tells her that she intends to erase all of his senses before torturing him. However, Kogarashi breaks the chains easily and begins to hair rape Tsurara. Stalker girl wakes up and takes her anger out on the trio.

Tsurara isn’t able to free herself but says that it is impossible for him to fight back seen as she has taken out 3 of his 5 senses. However Kogarashi then reveals that he has only lost 3 out of 37. Tsurara thinks that it is bull but even so she is being raped as we speak. To save her sister, Shizuku throws stalker girl into the web and cuts Tsurara free.

Kogarashi tells stalker girl that she won’t do anything to her but Naeka still stashes him. Naeka will be regretting this as stalker girl jumps on her again.

Back at the base Tsurara is pissed and knocks Chizuku out. Liz walks in and is shocked that Tsurara has already reached that stage in life (a midlife crisis), “oh my god~~”.

No thoughts this time round, too busy.

The Army Is Whole Again

Yeah so I put this off for a while mostly because I had other stuff I wanted to do this week and because I’ve heard it’s not exactly plot heavy.  Let’s see what I can pull out of this apparent filler episode as many call it.

Summary:

Hey, You Might Do The Same If You Were Just Saved From The Brink Of Death

Gotta Love Lelouch’s Victorian Era Chauffeur’s Outfit

C.C Longs For Cheese-Kun To Cuddle

Karen Get’s The Hell Out Of Before Embarassing Herself To Much.  She Learns Fast

That’s The Aim Of The Game This Episode

That’s Kind Of Just Nitpicking….Are You Jason Miao In Disguise?

Fearless Leader Has His Reasons

And Fearless Leader Is Cheered By All But His Must Trusted Associate.  Tough Break Zero….

We begin this time with C.C asking about what happened to the Vincent and Karen says that Li is taking care of it through his route. (Wasn’t my guess for when the pre-opening teasers start for around this episode.  Damn I’m good)  Lelouch plans to escape by said route as well and Karen is a bit surprised that the pilot is the same as the one from the Babel Tower, what with Urabe’s death and all, but Lelouch says they can trust him.  C.C asks if he used his Geass on him and Karen want’s to know if the pilot’s identity is to remain a secret even from her.  Lelouch says he likes keeping some things to himself….including his and Karen’s “relationship”.  Karen just says it’s time for her to resume her duty as Zero’s bodyguard and walks out while C.C says they have things to attend to.  Lelouch knows and dons his Zero mask to face the crowd in the Embassy courtyard.  Outside all the just released prisoners are getting their uniforms back and discussing Urabe’s death when Zero makes his formal appearance.  One says that before they greet their leader they should ask why he betrayed them, and Ougi asks more formally.  Zero says simply that it was for the purpose of defeating Britannia and that’s all.  Unimpressed the crowd starts asking for more answers until Toudou tells them to hold it.  He says that Zero has the right to keep some plans of the operation secret and that they need him, and Ougi joins Toudou on the stage beside Zero to support him.  Despite the fact that he’s probably using them, they need him in order to compete with the likes of Schneizel who is winning in the E.U.  Nobody else is capable enough says Ougi, not even the Chinese Federation and leads them in a chant as his two lieutenants in C.C and Karen look on.

I Love How The Dialogue Following His Reintroduction Is Fused With Discussion About His Status, Not His Looks.  Sunrise Loves To Ignore What Otaku Want Most….Stuff Like SUGOI! HE’S DREAMY!   Thanks For Not Caring Sunrise

Does Anyone Get A Young Reinhard And Siegfried Feel From This Sequence?  Better Question, Does Anyone Know Who I’m Talking About?

Homies?  Amigos? Compadres? Comrades? 

Rolo’s Inner Monologue: KILL! KILL! MAIM! RENDER! DESTROOOOOOOOOOY!

After the opening we seem to have jumped to the school where Lelouch is shocked to find Suzaku being reintroduced to the class. (I’m guessing the reason he showed up at night last episode was to get to his dorm without creating to much of a ruckus given his newfound celebrity)  Commentary by the class ranges from him being the one that captured Zero, to being the glorious Knight of Seven, to being an Eleven, (Seven Eleven eh…*Punches self*) but that’s okay because he’s under the emperor’s direct command.  Lelouch remembers how Suzaku was his very first friend, but how war tore them apart and we see some scenes from there childhood.  (And no they aren’t the same damn scenes as the first season.  This is Code Geass not Gundam Seed Destiny) Anyway some more scenes (and I think the music track just skipped there if it wasn’t my encode) that serve as refresher for the first series.  Both of them know the score about the rewritten memories and know that right now they are…..acquaintances.  Judging by Suzaku’s demeanor Lelouch gauges that he knows everything about him and thus he can work around his presence somehow as long as Rolo doesn’t mess him up.

Fat Chance

Why Did You Take An Animal That Clearly Hates You?

The Funny Thing Is, Everyone In This Room Is Pretty Much On A Different Side Whether They Know It Or Not

That Might Take Some More Doing Then Even A Geassing Can Allow

In the Academy courtyard the group talks about how everyone they knew has gone back to the homeland and only the core group of “friends” remains the same.  Soon enough the group (including Lelouch) starts badgering Suzaku about who Zero might have been (Rivalz thinks it might have been Clovis, which I find hysterical) and as he tries to avoid the question Arthur bites him again.  Later in the school basement Viletta is asking Suzaku what he could read from Lelouch and thinks that because Suzaku had nothing that they should assume he hasn’t regained his memories.  Suzaku wants to begin his own investigation though and Rolo asks him if he doesn’t trust their intelligence and Suzaku asks him to just keep at it.  Meanwhile Viletta asks Suzaku to try and get more confirmation during the student councils welcome back party for him.  Meanwhile (Damn Sunrise series move back and forth moreso then ever these days don’t they) Lelouch is already setting up whatever he needs by geassing a teacher to overlook all irregularities regarding him and Rolo.  Rolo asks Lelouch if he should make plans to kill Suzaku Kururugi, but Lelouch says he needs to stop thinking about to keep up the brother act.

Sunrise Continues To Not Care About Imagery Possibly Offending

You Ever Notice How Symbolic Britannian Architecture Is

It’s The Next Gen Vic Viper….Wait

Names Gino Weinberg, I’ll Be Your Asshole This Episode

Why Even Bother Trying….

It Sure Can Move Like Any MA From Gundam

Arrogance Will Get You Nowhere

It’s A Transformer

Don’t Even Try To Tell Me That Tristan Isn’t A Slick Design

It’s The Sparda!

Or Rather A Double Harken Ala Grendizer

Gino Sure Lives Up To His Title In Combat

Time To End The Fight Now

He’s Not Even Trying Anymore

Suzaku To The Rescue

Suzaku: So Stop Molesting Me Already

The Smaller The Pilot The Bigger The KF Apparently

It’s Safe To Come Out Now Little One

In the government building the Britannian occupation leaders are getting irritated by the sudden resurgence in terrorist acts after Zero’s reappearance against their supply of Sakuradite, worrying the shipments might stall.  They think it probably also has to do with them getting emboldened by Guilford’s absence when suddenly the building is under attack by an unidentified MRF.  It’s Gino in his Tristan who mocks the defensive capability of Area 11.  He makes quick work of some of the guards before transforming into KF mode (The thing also moves ridiculously fast by the way) and the guard realizes who they are dealing with.  Gino says he’s come to test them and they accept the challenge, saying they plan not to be humiliated by the Knight of Three, which they are.  Before things can progress to far though (Not before we’ve seen some fancy action though), Suzaku enters saying the fights been decided and that enough is enough and tells Gino he asked him to bring his Lancelot.  Gino says that Lloyd is going to bring it in a week, but seems more interested in Suzaku’s uniforme.  Suzaku asks Gino why he’s from a distinguished noble line, but acts so….normal.  Mordred shows up too with the Knight of Six Anya Earlstraim who speak rather simplisticly and merely asks “Over”. Gino says that Suzaku called the fight, and she says “Boring” while Suzaku marvels at the manpower assembled.and now it’s time to make things clear with Lelouch.

After the break it’s mostly wacky antics as Suzaku’s party get’s underway.  Wacky costumes, lots of games and treats and good times.  Lot’s of fanservice too.  So in the meantime I propose to raise a more important question to get people in the mood before I continue:

Swimsuit Competition:

Code Geass Girls:

Vs.

iDOLM@STER XENOGLOSSIA GIRLS

You Judge The Winner

Millay Takes A Cue From Lelouch With The Victorian Oufit

These Outfits I Just Have No Idea

So Wait, Is The Angle Looking Up Down The Thrilling Part Or The Angle Looking Up?

Rolo Needs Some Anger Management Courses

I Think Anya Might Win On The Most Ridiculous Outfit Front For This Series

How Nostalgic….And Disturbing

I Guess The Carve-Tan Went Back To The Momeland

That’s The Worst Disguise Since Char Aznable As Quattro Bajina

That’s…..Better

Meanwhile Lelouch also works on mellowing Rolo’s kill happiness out a little while they prepare some treats and Rolo confides in Lelouch a weakness in his Geass  Gino and Anya clash personalities as they sample the food (or at least Gino does while Anya takes pictures and is really quiet to his loudness).  We also see the relics of Nina and the Carve-Tan left behind from last year and Lelouch is trying to take care of some business with Diethard and Laksharta when he is shocked to find C.C on the campus looking to find the worlds largest pizza which Rivalz claims they are building.  He goes to fetch her and remind her of the situation they are all in and that the Emperor is after her.  Meanwhile Viletta (who would be his next targe) is participating in a swimming club cafe and plans to kill Shirley for dragging her into this. (Fanservice) In fact the only reason she even volunteered for the mission is because Ougi used to be a teacher at the academy.

 Awkard….

She Still Seems Batshit Crazy To Me

Sounds Fun

She Definitely Came To Annoy

Panty Shot In Code Geass…How Uncreative

Poor Lelouch, Always Getting Pushed Around By The Ladies

Karen Tries To One Up C.C In Her Legendary Asset

And C.C Can’t Stand Being Beaten By Karen. 2-2 All

Suzaku He Had No Chance, Karen Is Uber, Shirley Is Athletic, But Milay In A Victorian Dress?  Get Out More Lelouch

Hang On For Dear Life

Good Question

Meanwhile Suzaku is surprisingly sharing information about where Karen is with Millay and she’s worried about how Karen got caught up in the resistance.  She’s proud of Nina though for making it into the Britannian Science division and eventually the conversation switches to Lloyd who Millay guesses gave up on her when she decided to take an extra year to complete school.  When Suzaku is about to try and tell her why Lloyd isn’t her type anyway, Arthur steals his quill which apparently was given to him by Euphemia and a chase is on.  As he drops his board with all the itinarary on it, Gino picks it up and seems excited by the chance to make the world’s largest pizza using a KF.  Meanwhile, Lelouch is told by Suzaku that the Emperor was given a Geass by the same person that informed Suzaku of his Geass….V.V.  He starts to ask her some more questions, but when Shirley comes be he quickly knocks her into the vat of tomato’s behind them.  Shirley needs help talking to Viletta and wants to try and score with Lelouch when she thinks he’s alone.  He’s captured by a mascot suddenly, who turns out to be Karen come to fetch C.C.  A fight soon starts with Shirley and Karen (in disguise still) and Lelouch gets tossed around a bit by Shirley when she pulls him out.  Eventually Millay and Suzaku show up and everybody goes to chase after Arthur.  Meanwhile C.C gets abducted by Gino who starts shaking the container with his KF to make the Pizza sauce.  All the while the chase is underway as everyone manages to outrun Lelouch.  As Gino is about to deliver his Pizza (I wonder if they know about that franchise or not) Suzaku catches Arthur and Lelouch geasses a student and has him release some foam to cover C.C’s presence as she falls out of the container.  In the chase Shirley get’s knocked over and runs into Anya who takes a picture of her and Karen is surprised to see Viletta on the campus.

That’s So Bitter

A Wild Dog, But Also A Gentleman

Your New Governor General

Meanwhile Lelouch learns of Viletta and Ougi’s relationship from C.C and goes to confront her with Rolo.  He blackmails her with the information of said relationship that can’t be allowed to get out lest she lose her baronship and wishes her a sardonic happy birthday with a bottle of wine.  Afterward Li is taking Karen and C.C back to the embassy and Lelouch tells him on the phone that he wants to get in touch with the eunuch general.  Suzaku talks to Lelouch on the roof and tells him how he plans to become Knight of One so he can exercise a special privledge that will grant him governorship of a territory of his choice.  He wants Japan.  In the meantime Suzaku has a phone call prepped for Lelouch….it’s Nunally…and she’s coming to be the new Governor General of Area 11.  Lelouch is none to happy that there’s nothing he can do to act on this at the moment.

Thoughts:  You know I expected to hate this episode, but once again it works for me, and mostly thanks to the strong characters.  The episode is a deliberately slow one as everyone does their reuniting and catching up including the black knights repledging their support to Zero and the Academy crew reuniting again as well….all under awkard circumstances.  For one the Black Knights despite being angry about being betrayed, realize that Zero has handed them many a victory from the jaws of defeat and that they need to trust him if they want to have any hope of victory against an empire.

And then there’s the school front.  The thing is, despite the episode having a lot of laid back comedic moments, everyone is clearly there on personal business and as much as they pretend everything is like good old times, they are not.  Karen is a known resistance member judging by Millay and Suzaku’s dialogue and now her business on campus in fetching C.C is so awkward that she has to wear that ridiculous mascot outfit.  She doesn’t even get to interact with Shirley or any of them anymore and is only seen once by Viletta which may or may not be a problem later on.  C.C cannot ever be seen in public and her business in getting to see the pizza (yeah I know, not really business) causes much distress for Lelouch as usual and I swear she gets a kick out of it.  Despite her mucking things up a lot for him, he does learn lot’s of valuable information from her and is able to put to rest Viletta’s little spy ring and we also learn why Viletta even chose the mission in the first place.  Rolo seems to have fully gone over to Lelouch’s side in this episode and I see his confession of whatever his Geass’ weakness is (it must have something to do with why he was paralyzed last episode and needed to be saved by Lelouch) as a sign that he’s ready to fully place his fate in Lelouch’s hands and stop the kill happiness.  Heck he even waits for Lelouch to show up when he has Viletta at gunpoint when he normally would have probably just killed her.

Suzaku’s business is of course to find out what’s going on with Lelouch as well as to start his climb to the top of the Knight of Round ranks, and his arrival is a stark contrast to his introduction in the first series.  Whereas the first time comments flew around of an eleven being in the school and people didn’t know what to make of him, now he is greeted as the glorious Knight of Seven who caputured zero and is idolized and welcomed back with a party in his honor.  His dialogue with the gang is pretty awkward too as it’s obvious things just aren’t the same.  He’s also brought company in the perfect opposites of Gino Weinberg and Anya Earlstraim.  Whereas Gino is introduced as wild party animal who causes a ruckus everywhere he goes and stirs up trouble for his own side even, (who starts a fight with their own allies just for kicks anyway?  Apparently Gino) Anya is pretty quiet and unassuming and she almost seems to be content in just wandering and taking pictures rather then combat.  She doesn’t even seem to want to show up until Gino’s antics are over the first time, which makes me wonder if she’s really cut out as a Britannian soldier.  She just seems to…..polite.  Of course then there’s the contrast between Gino being a noble yet acting like a commoner, which is amusing as he calls everyone else commoners when he’s the most rowdy and brash of anyone in the series frankly, although he does have the dance with Millay at the end so he’s not a complete redneck.  I’m not sure if Anya is a commoner or not though, but going by the opposite factor between her and Gino I say it’ s a good bet.  Nunally is also reintroduced to the storyline as the new governor general of area 11 and one has to wonder how insulted the Japanese are going to feel about Britannia’s gesture that says a blind and crippled 15 year old girl is good enough to govern them.  It’s kind of insulting, but then again I’m sure deep down every Japanese otaku wishes the Prime Minister was a cute loli.

Anyway, so things aren’t the same, and despite this everyone seems to be trying to have one last party as they all know that a new war is on the horizon with Zero’s ressurection.  There might not be another chance like this and it’s nice to see the characters trying to live the good old times one last time, even if it’s sort of spoiled in the end by the business and plot getting in the way.  And you know for a supposed filler episode, there’s tons of progression plot and character wise and I doubt many other series I’ve seen could have pulled it off if they tried the same type of episode.  The staff at Sunrise continues to deliver (Kaioshin’s a fanboy?) on the solid episodes, even when it seems like they are taking a break and with a new arc on the horizon (The Nunally is a Governor General one) we’re not likely to see much more good old fashioned fun for a while yet if ever.  That is unless Gino get’s a lot of screen time.

Rating: Eight Out Of Ten

Any Time Ranka

Would you believe I spent most of this week doing nothing but playing Gundam games and finishing up some old anime I left on the backburner.  Yes it’s true, I’m an expert at wasting time, but no more will I waste any time in getting to Macross Frontier episode 05.  This time we take a tour of the city and see some interesting locales.  Try not to get stepped on.

And I hope people don’t mind to much if I use the Moetan format for this one.  I’ve got other things to do today.  Gotta do the laundry, buy a gift for the mother and take care of a few other things.  Well then:

Summary: We begin with Ozma berating Ranka for entering the Ms. Macross contest without letting him know, after all he did trying to get her into an elite girls school.  Ranka says she wants to be a singer, but Ozma says that a shy girl like he