Week 4 of the new season is here, and we have had a taste of what each show has to offer at this point. This also means some dust left by the hype machine is finally starting to settle, which is actually a good thing. In other news, a second season has been announced for Gatchaman Crowds, and the proposed third season of Sora no Otoshimono is now planned to be replaced with a movie in 2014. The 3rd Madoka film is also coming stateside very soon, with most showings in early December; so if you happen to live in a major US city, you are very, very lucky. Try not to spoil it for everyone else that has to wait for the BD’s.
Coppelion: Episode 4
The girls have conveniently stumbled upon a Stinger missile launcher, and have decided to hunt down the mysterious B2 bomber. Awesomeness ensues. Watch and find out why someone would be crazy enough to fly around a nuclear wasteland in an old stealth bomber to begin with.
Freezing Vibration: Episode 4
The Mark IV injections don’t really make great warriors as much as turn sexy girls into deadly monsters, as expected of evil science. Neither the E-Pandora’s or the originals seem very pleased with how things are going, so it seems a bit of rebellion may be in the works. This was a pretty harsh episode, especially for ecchi fare, and even a topless fight scene and gratuitous shower fanservice wasn’t enough to lighten up the suffering.
Galilei Donna: Episode 3
One of the world’s largest energy companies has a problem with sky pirates stealing their best-selling product, methane hydrate. Said energy company is also run by an evil illuminati-like organization that wants the secret of Galileo’s inheritance. Naturally, they decide to label the Ferrari sisters as international criminals, which results in more mecha-goldfish combat. Holy shit, this show is awesome.
Infinite Stratos 2: Episode 4
What better way to finish a unique interpretation of Cinderella that with an enemy attack? An organization devoted to stealing unique IS units are now after Ichika’s suit, leaving him to fight for his life beneath the school. This episode features almost non-stop action, along with the debut of the class president’s awesome IS.
Kakumeiki Valvrave: Episode 15
(Valvrave the Liberator)
After opening with yet another seemingly pointless scene from the future, we return to our favorite group of teen space vampires stuck right in the middle of enemy territory. Several scenes made me wonder what exactly is going on, but at this point that is par for the course for this show. This show is one more excessive plot twist away from snapping apart, but there are pretty robot fights. Great job?
Kill la Kill: Episode 4
The schoolyard insanity continues, this time with an annual event where students are forced to navigate an obstacle course full of deathtraps in order to make it to school on time… or face expulsion. For whatever reason, school is really fucking important to the impoverished people of this insane world, so they risk life and limb (literally) to get to homeroom before the morning bell rings. There is a noticeable dip in animation quality (likely for cost saving measures) that has some fans in a bit of an uproar, but it wouldn’t be another week of KlK without people bitching about KlK. That being said, this was a really funny episode. Enjoy! (Or don’t?)
Kyoukai no Kanata: Episode: 4
(Beyond the Boundary)
Not only has Mirai run up against one of the most powerful phantoms of all time, she is also on the run from someone who has devoted themselves to one thing: taking revenge on Mirai. Lots of crazy stuff happens this week, so I’m going to let everyone watch and see for themselves.
Little Busters! Refrain: Episode 4
After Riki’s crush led to a reality-bending dream/time loop, one would think that Riki isn’t quite ready to move on yet. Instead, Riki’s heart-breaking train keeps rollin’ down the tracks, and this time he ends up with his childhood friend, Rin. I have to admit, I’m really shocked that everyone can so easily brush off what happened like it was nothing, but I guess that’s how Busters roll.
Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai: Episode 3
(Unbreakable Machine-Doll)
Raishin continues his investigation of the “Cannibal Candy” case, and it seems the deeper he digs the worse things get for him. He also runs into Yaya’s creator, who’s lewd nature explains why Yaya acts the way she does. Things get pretty crazy towards the end of this episode. I have to admit, this show is getting much better than I thought it would be.
Monogatari Series: Second Season: Episode 17
After ending the last story arc in a terrible manner and attempting to set the record for recap episodes, Monogatari is back. A new story arc begins, yet I’m not exactly sure where this one is going. This is a fairly bland episode, but being hit and miss is nothing out of the ordinary for this show.
Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love Comedy wo Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru (AKA Noucome): Episode: 3
(My Mental Multiple-Choice Power Is Completely Ruining My School Romantic Comedy)
With Chocolat’s help, Kanade begins the missions from god in order to free himself of the curse of “absolute choice.” Yes, you read that right, that is the story thus far. Kanade completes his first mission, only to be assigned to a mission that involves checking out the panties of one of his classmates while she is wearing them. Will Kanade rid himself of this curse, or just end up in jail?
Outbreak Company: Episode 4
The Empire is safe from terrorism, and the school of otaku culture is finally open for business. The first lesson includes the basics, such as knee socks, pantsu, Boys Love, and traps. It only gets crazier from here.
Yuusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shuushoku wo Ketsui Shimashita (AKA Yuushibu): Episode: 4
(I Couldn’t Become a Hero, so I Reluctantly Decided to get a Job)
The Lawson convenience store next door is short on help, so Fino is recruited to join their ranks for a day and brush up on her customer service skills. (Fun Fact: Lawson is a real chain of convenience stores that originated in Ohio, but later moved to Japan, becoming Japan’s #2 convenience store chain, next to 7-11.) This episode is pretty much designed to send droves of otaku to the nearest Lawson, whom will quickly be disappointed to see the lack of sexy Fino and adorable Lam-chan, er, I mean Lamdimina Do Aximemor. Don’t worry, this is still a really fun episode.
