It still hurts a little, but I should get over it eventually. The pain will go away and I should be able to smile and relax again.

Our quote of the week from Kaoru-sensei is a little bit on the cheesy side, but if you put it into context of the drama contained, it isn’t bad at all for this series.

If there’s a series that can warm your heart, then depress you, then make you laughing, then surprised without any use of random scenes; it has to be Sakamichi no Apollon. It overall feels subdued compared to the earlier episodes but it still manages to kick you where it hurts. There’s absolutely no change in the direction and/or writing styles for this episode. This is the coming-of-age drama equivalent of the Gran Turismo driving simulator video game series. From that, we can say that every bit of this portray the unforgiving reality of life. This episode shows how people’s actions and decisions can be easily affected by their feelings or past experiences.

Let’s go back to the ‘subdued’ part. It certainly feels subdued, especially with the amount of drama contained in the earlier episode. This doesn’t automatically mean this week’s episode is bad, however. We now get a clue on why the title is “Sakamichi no Apollon” which could be translated as “Apollo on the Slope.” Yurika’s painting, which had Sentarou as the model, is about the Roman god Apollo. If we recall the mythological stories, Apollo experienced a heartbreak from a river goddess. One of the premises that this drama has is the concept of “Love Hurts.” I hope you get my explanation why this was titled as “Apollo on the Slope”…

Episode Entertainment Factor Rating (EEFR): 99/100

Things are starting to form in Sho’s team. They just need one more player to fill the spot. We still haven’t seen the Brazilian goalkeeper yet, but we get two extras from fifth grade to fill in. Then we also get that hot boy we saw in the first episode as a cliff hanger. Yep. Things are getting interesting here.

I like that the process of getting hired by the team organizer didn’t ran into any snags. The moment they show that scene made me concerned that they will go on about the part where the coach lead a kid to his demise. But then again, it was done impromptu so these details tend to get snug under the rug. What’s interesting is that they actually google him, rather than go on about another DORAMA playing hard-to-get. But in this case, the team organizer wanted to test the coach if he’s the real deal, fair enough, I thought. I really like that everything in this series is nicely paced and nonchalant where it needs to. It brings to wonder why people don’t see this being a proper way on making a sports anime, which tends to over react a lot.

There is also that scene were Rika-chan wanted to join the football team and the trio strongly disagrees. Aside from that, and thank god that we will not be seeing any miracle diet like in Knight. It’s interesting that the kids didn’t put any derogatory remarks of her, like calling her fat. It makes sense that she is the girl in the opening scene, that looks like she is battling with herself and fighting a fight to come out of her shell, ala Tsuritama sense. She is mysterious and the series consistently puts her as important, so I’m interested on where this will go.

Overall, I am loving this show. Out of my personal biases of choosing this show, it avoids the problems that I often experience in other sports theme genre. It has balance of sports and character development mixed into one efficient package. Again, I just hope doremi continues on subbing this.

Episode Rating: 5/5

Well, well… I did not expect myself to be writing for Jormungand. Our two other “active” writers are quite busy in their respective works, a plan of mine wouldn’t proceed properly, good thing I have tonnes of back-up plans. Back to this badass series, I still like how the Tom Clancy-esque arms dealers, armed conflicts, and corporate conspiracy plot is narrated. Enough proof of how Japan has all of the capabilities to give the chums in Hollywood a run for their money… Okay, the fanboyism ends here.

Like most anti-hero characters, we get to see a bunch of the troubled pasts of two characters in these two episodes. The fifth has a fragment of Jonah (real name: Jonathan Mar)’s past as an orphan serving for warlords and how he got recruited to Koko’s badass brigade. The sixth also previews Valmet’s troubled past and how crooked the Chinese (actually, Taiwanese) arms dealers are in South Africa. The action contained in both episodes doesn’t disappoint and its sequences are what makes Jormungand totally reminiscent of the Hollywood action films, generic or not.

If the fourth episode contained some blunt social commentary, this episode contains a moolah of narration about corporate meddling, politics, manipulation, and espionage. Definitely one of the reasons why I’m always excited and thrilled with this series. The preview for the seventh episode hints of more action! Like always here, the action is part of the events that makes the plot whole and intriguing.

Episode 5 Entertainment Factor Rating: 85/100

Episode 6 Entertainment Factor Rating: 88/100

Now this is an interesting episode. Every time we deal with Mary, a lot of things happen. It shakes the foundations of Chi-chan and Shu. With Shu getting the first love treatment and Chi-chan finally making its intentions known. This also rocks Mary’s socks, in taking on who is to love. Will it be what she wants or someone that will love her back? Although I remember commenting about how this Chi-chan’s love came out of nowhere, but then the series slowly develops their relationship into this stage, finally ready to ship them two. But in sense, it is good that we don’t have to drag any more in their internal monologue with each other. But then again, being that this romance will bloom those awkward moments between the two, or three. Then there is the stage where Shu will realize what’s going on. Will this put a riff on him and Chi? Knowing Shu, he might just give way on Chi. But Shu can be stubborn, even with the “Mr Nice Guy” aura of him. But despite that. Shu isn’t really the type, as seen in this episode to commit to a relationship. Reasons still unknown, or he may just be Gay of sorts. Shu is still a mysterious creature, but lacks the bodily communications of Urabe.

Overall. This is a very good development for this series. Both Shu and Chi-chan came out wonderfully here. Although it is sad, this series is episodic. I doubt we will be seeing the result of the revelation in the next episode. But then, I am glad that Chi-chan gets to confess his feelings, finally.

Is that a tissue box? Ho ho ho … So at least one of them is NORMAL.

Episode Rating: 5/5

Overall, the characters are playing their strengths. Gon is a monster. Killua is always getting caught with pants down (yum), and Wing can’t hide is excitement in training these monsters. Despite the simplistic approach of Castro, putting notion that how I praise the complexities of the series in terms of battle. Looking at it now and a few mentions on some blog posts. I do agree that taking a two-year training and coming up on a bunshin technique isn’t has worth of a two year hiatus. But factoring what Wing told, that Nen isn’t something that can be taught and mastered in a few months, two years isn’t really that long to develop this advance technique. Also given that most of the participants are nen users with little to short exposure the art. The complexity levels it presents are not entirely there. Despite the scene where Castro outsmarted Killua is a mere advantage of experience than skill difference. In the future, Gon and Killua will become masters of Nen since they are thought in a young age. Not to mention, under a very skilled master of it. Plus these enemies will look like cakes once the Phantom tourpe kicks in.

Episode Rating: 3/5

Roughly short a year later, I finally caught up with Sket Dan and realized how beautiful it is. Actually, it plays Gintama’s weakness to its strength. I guess it pays to be the god’s assistant. Knowing what makes the series tick and ick. Despite its toned down, clean nature of humour. The entire series so far can get to you like how Gintama use to. As long as you grow to care for the main trio and some of the semi-important characters (eventually watching each episode will grow on you), each skit works well in wonders. Just like how Gintama runs it gags. Each character presents their personality to suit the situation and let it play from there. But unlike Gintama, not every character has the strength of MADAO, Sa-chan or the Shinsengumi. Or the powerhouse comedy godsend of the Shogun. It is still worthy to recognize the SKET dan of its strength to bring laughter to its viewers without resorting to dirty jokes.

In the DORAMA department, where Gintama also has its strengths. SKET dan is, I think, far better than its roots. The thing about Gintama is that its very preachy in nature. We often see the main cast do bad or go in a dark direction then we get a lot of monologue and philosophical rambling on how this is this and that. The last major arc in Gintama, the Thorny arc is one of those overly preachy examples of its DORAMA. Another aspect of Gintama that bogs down a lot is the “coolness” factor. Again in the Thorny arc, they are so busy putting up the classy fight that it contributes to the already bogged down arc. SKET dan on the other hand plays a lot on the characters complicated circumstances, that it surprises you on how can a light-hearted manga and characters that are well off happy to have such a grim cloak of secret behind them. The direction of comedic skits followed by a serious story blend perfectly in making the viewers develop a sense of empathy to the characters. For instance, Switch whom is totally silent and speaks on the computer is living his life everyday to preserve the presence of his dead brother, whom he blames himself for his death. In sense, when the story or the direction took a turn to Switch, his bleak stares and serious look will now have meaning to the viewers.

In strong point: Bossun’s story also has best impact to the series. Aside from the tragic circumstances that surrounds his bio parents. The part where we are revealed that Bossun has a twin brother. The positive feeling and being glad that Bossun can finally call a family on his own (aside from his adopted family). I also like (assuming that the anime is following the manga closely) the Anime is breeding Tsubaki and Bossun. Sandwich in the skits are their moments to reconnecting with each other. Slowly but surely, they are starting to work together and share their own cherished moments. Following this revelation, we are often excited when the two are featured working together as partners, excited to learn on the interactions that will unfold between them. It also pays a good thing, that the despite the episodic nature of the series, most of the events happen in a linear fashion. Any events that folded will factor to the next skit. It adds a bit of excitement on wanting to know the next episode is up to.

Overall, SKET Dan isn’t just a poor man’s Gintama, as Kagura pointed in the cross-over arc. Each of the two series plays each other weaknesses making both of them stand on their own. It’s scary and quite excited if these two creators team up to create the greatest comedy that ever lived in Jump, or perhaps, in the entire galaxy. Nope, I’m not exaggerating.

Oh, will I be blogging this again? Nope. As much as I love SKET dan now, there is little to write about it. But again, its continuing to be amazing each week.

From what we’ve seen so far from Mouretsu Pirates, this episode has to be the most underwhelming in terms of actual story. However, you’ll need to let this episode grow in you for you to absorb the nice things it has to offer. Though, I kind of wonder why they kept on exploring the friendships and bonds between the characters. Oh wait, I almost forgot that this is a space opera that we’re watching….

From the tedious examinations, cleaning her ship, and the yacht club’s adventures as the temporary crew of the Bentenmaru; Marika has grown exhausted of her jobs enough for her to skip eating, sleep in class, and become clumsy in her duties in the club. It also made her loose the administrator’s ID ring in the Odette II, thankfully the Serenity princesses found it and brought it to her just in time when the original crew were asking to activate the ship. The bond the title is referring to is the bond between Marika, her late father, and the two Serenity princesses. Later on the day, Marika found a hidden file about cooking the pot-au-feu her mother cooks.

This episode feels like a little filler to introduces us to the next arc which involves Mr.A Kane being back on teaching business again. Hopefully, the next episode would go back to the usual bang-for-the-effort entertainment Mouretsu delivers to us. And I also hope that they improve on the visual aspects like character animations. The more I watch their late episodes, the more I see inconsistensies in their models

Episode Entertainment Factor Rating: 80/100

BAM! Hyouka delivers another great performance on delivering an interesting narration! I also didn’t expect what happened in this episode, having the first part of the entire mystery solved within just a single episode. Interestingly, they didn’t pull-off a minor mystery on this episode but they focused on solving a single phase in the bigger mystery. Hints of character development are also thrown into this episode.

Oh Shu, since when did you have Gai's voice?

Solving the mystery with just two people working on it proved itself to be hard. In this case, Eru and Houtarou decided to have the entire Classics Club investigate into the matter. The club met in the Chitanda mansion to discuss their theories based on the results of their individual researches. Brainstorming later helped Houtarou solve the question of what happened to Eru’s uncle 45 years ago. This episode also marked the very first time I was able to ‘ride-on’ the Houtarou’s thought process to arrive with the same conclusion — that Eru’s uncle lead the entire student body to pressure the school authorities not to compress the cultural festival into less than five days, and that he was expelled from the school for political reasons. There are also more hints of brewing romance between Houtarou and Eru, jealousy of Mayaka over the mentioned relationship, and Satoshi’s shipping of the relationship.

It ends with several questions still left unanswered. As Eru asked herself, why did she cry after finding out about it from her uncle back when she was still a little girl? It’s a great episode, short of the perfect direction to become sheer ultimate entertainment for me.

Episode Entertainment Factor Rating: 99/100

You probably already know that I’m enjoying Hyouka right now. Just this weekend, I browsed my favourite image boards and artist sites for some entertainment. I chanced upon this illustration by GAU of both Chitanda Eru and Oreki Houtarou. It bears an uncannny resemblance to Inori and Shuu from that infamous “surreal” Guilty Crown. What seals that thought? Just look at Houtarou’s hairstyle on the illustration, it is technically the same with of Shuu’s!

I did get why many anime bloggers are dissuade on how whiny our Shou is. But come on! How can you pressure an adult other than pester him all day. Beside the fact that he’s stubborn as a rock. I like Shou the way he is. The way he puts all his effort in making everything meet despite the seemingly impossible circumstances. He was able to convince Erika, the triples and had a matched with the national team. That’s all his efforts. You can’t top that. Even adults will not have it easy. At least, we can assume that shota charms are used in this process, but that doesn’t matter. It’s admirable that things ended the way they are. Its answers two of the things that composes main characters: someone to empathise, someone to admire. Shou is sympathetic that he doesn’t have the knack to be a football player, but at the same time admirable that he is able to bring this thing together. Despite looking the football for kids, this show is DEEP!

Also, the twins aren’t bad after all. Remember I said before, that they seem to have great deal of respect to Shou even if he isn’t that great of a player? Well, I think its pretty obvious now isn’t that they chose Shou as their captain. But I think it’s not only about his efforts, but skill-wise in the field as a play maker (Did I get the term right). He’s a coach in the making if you don’t notice it.

About the tragedy that the coach had. It’s a bit brief, but its quite sad. I don’t know how spine injury can cause blindness. But it is not entirely impossible I guess. Judging from the bloodstains on the towel in the flashback. There was no force entry in the victims eyes, but there was bleeding of sort. Perhaps blood was forced into the yes and the pressure rupture some of its vital components, halting the function of it, resulting into a permanent lost of sight. To the coach, that’s quite devastating to see. The kid has some serious potential, to fact that he is a KID! It’s inevitable that you would blame yourself in pushing him too hard. But then, I would like to see a conclusion to that tragedy if ever the kid turns up and tells the coach that it’s not his fault that this thing came to be. That would be a nice touch in the story.

Overall we got ourselves a coach. In what level he will be remains to be seen. Also this concludes the first 5 back-to-back broadcast of the series. Episode 6 should had aired by now, I think. But then, we will have to wait for a while to be seen. It sucks that this series is at the mercy of one subber. But I do thank doremi on pulling the strings to make this happen.

Episode Rating: 5/5