Drop Dates

So the Royal Rumble has come and gone, and once again WWE has managed to assuage my hopes of them reclaiming their former glory. Full card and only one good match (the WWE title match to be precise). The Rumble itself was a joke, it was like watching a building full of people look at Vince McMahon and saying “Don’t do it.” and him replying “I’m gonna do it.” over and over again. Missed oppotunities abound, and dropped faith in a program I have been watching since I was 12. Guess I did drop something by the third week of the winter season, just not anime (for the most part).

Welcome to Lost in Translation

Things are going to be a little different this time around. Instead episode by episode I’ll be rolling the latest two episodes into one overarching episode review. Let’s get started.

Cross Ange

Ange, Tusk, and Vivian find themselves in the midst of the DRAGONs as they continue their oddyssey on the parallel earth. During the course of their interrogation, Ange reencounters the woman who drove the red Vilkiss, Princess Salamandinay. Hoping to coerce Ange over to their side, Salamnadinay tells her of the DRAGON’s motives as well as their world history and culture. Suffice to say Ange is still reluctant, which forces Salamandinay to pull her trump card, a day full of fun and games.

While still holding on to the gravity of what is happening, episodes 15 and 16 of Cross Ange were definitely on the light side (episode 16 even more so until the last 10 minutes).

Through Salamandinay’s exposition we learn that the DRAGONs aren’t really destructive creatures, they just want to get back their “God” Aura from Ange’s Earth and get revenge on Embryo (that guy just excels at making enemies). Their cause is a worthy one to an extent, which causes some friction between her and Ange, the latter of whom says that their cause doesn’t justify killing so many of her friends, despite the fact that Ange has done the same thing (I’ll introduce you to the kettle in a minute, pot).

We get more exploration into Vivian during these episodes with the introduction of her mother as well as the revelation of Vivian’s real name “Mii” (personally, I think Vivian’s better). This doesn’t really change Vivian’s upbeat character at all but it’s nice to get more explanation on her lineage.

There’s more comedy in these two episodes as well and as expected of Cross Ange, its on the freaky side. There is a whole bit in episode 15 when Ange awakens in the hospital (courtesy of a very physical argument with Salamandinay) to find Tusk butt naked, strapped to a table, and being oggled by legion of DRAGON girls for a study on male anatomy (since the male DRAGONs are the huge Smaug-esque creatures that accompany the smaller DRAGONs through dimensional gates). Suffice to say Ange makes a fool of herself when she tries to rescue him and ends landing face first in his naked crotch (basically a reversal of their entire relationship). Something similar again happens at the beginning of episode 16 when he falls on top of her and Salamandinay enters and thinks they’re about to have morning sex. Episode 16 keeps on going with it’s more lighthearted tone when Salamandinay challenges Ange to a series of games in order to get her to join the DRAGONs in their cause. The games themselves being: tennis, golf, formula one racing, baseball, claw crane machines, and my personal favorite bikini twister.

While these distractions are nice, they do serve a purpose as they allow Ange and “Salako” (Ange’s nickname for her) to get to know and undettsand one another better, which helps them when they have to fight off a dimensional shift in their respective Vilkiss’ (Ange’s gaining the ability to self repair).

A decent collection of episodes, but from the looks of it next week will get things back on track, with Ange and friends returning back home.

Death Parade

A woman in all black is found inside of a barn with no memory how she got there. Guided by a girl named Nona, “Onna” (“woman” in Japanese. This is her name for the time being.)  is taken to Quindecim and is told that she will become Decim’s assistant from this moment forward.

Episode 2 of Death Parade is basically a retread of episode 1, this one just being told from the perspective of Onna and Nona. Nona gives Onna (and by proxy the viewer) a basic run down about how Quindecim works, as well as revealing a couple of secrets. Such as the “bodies” Machiko and Takashi saw behind the mural (turns out they were mannequins that are used to coax people into playing the games). While taking a look back at the episode was a nice detour, it came a bit close to being uneccessary if not for the new information we receive from Onna and Nona’s observations. Although it does prove to worthwhile info as the rest of the episode takes place after the ending of episode one. This shows Onna pointing out that Decim may have potentially sent the wrong person to the void in Machiko (admittedly this through me for a loop). Which leads Decim to getting a rather frightening reprimand from Nona.

Episode 3 returns to form, this time with two college kids bowling as part of their death game. This episode also deals with love but instead of jealousy, paranoia, and lies as in episode one, episode 3 tells story of unrequited childhood love between players Shigeru and Chisato (who in beginning can’t remember her own name). It’s a different route than I was expecting, with the realizations of their death being a pretty sad scene to watch.

Decim shows a bit more personality in this episode by making jokes and his interactions with Onna are humorous to watch as well. It’s not stated how long after episode 2 that episode 3 is set but it seems its been long enough for Onna and Decim to establish a stable work relationship (seeing as how Onna was nery timid in episode 2).

Even though episode 3’s game wasn’t as compelling or intense as episode 1’s the episode as a whole managed to still entertain. The next episode “Death Arcade” may be the kick start that the series needs to return to the pilot’s level of intrigue, only time will tell.

KanColle

Fubuki has resolved to become stronger as to not be a hindrance to her squadron, trouble is the girl still has problems with standing on her own two feet in water. Luckily she has her friends by her side to help her along the way, just in time too since their next operation is one that will Fubuki to be in top form, otherwise she won’t make it back.

KanColle pulled us in with a nice feint in episode 2 before flooring us with a solid hook of feels in episode 3 ala Ali vs. Foreman. Allow me to elaborate.

Episode 2 focuses on Fubuki as she goes full force in her training. Despite her best efforts, she still comes up short in combat classes, but she eventually evens out with the help of the Light Cruiser sisters (Sendai, Jintsu, and Naka. Who are also apart of Fubuki’s squad), Mutsuki, Kitakami (much to Ooi’s chagrin), and even Akagi (although hers is much more indirect than the others). While not really doing much action wise outside of class combat, this episode does allow us a peek into some of the personalities of some of the show’s huge cast of moe warships. There is even a few lines of naval jargon for those interested in it.

That was the feint, here’s the knockout.

Episode 3 starts off with Squadrons 3 and 4 going on a new mission to take down the an Abyssal torpedo squadron centered around W island.  The mission initially called for a night attack with Fubuki and squad three doing reconnaissance until the attack commences. As expected this plan is soon shot to hell and the girls engage in a fire fight that results in someone not coming home.

While episode 2 focused on Fubuki mostly, episode 3 shared the spotlight with Mutsuki and her relationship with her “elder sister” Kisaragi, who is a member of Squadron 4. There is also more than a few lines about love and admiration, including a pretty poignant speech that Akagi gives Fubuki and Mutsuki about the subjects. This in turn spurns Mutsuki to tell Kisaragi her true feelings when the battle is over (you can see where this is going).

While so and so being “sunk” isn’t a gruesome or bloody scene, it was surprising all the same. It gives KanColle a sense of weight, and announces the fact that just because the show stars cute girls, this war is anything but. It makes the situation real, which means that sometimes people don’t come back. Hopefully the next episode explores this event and uses it to give some more depth to the characters.

Maria The Virgin Witch

Maria continues her intervening on behalf of stopping war, unfortunately this comes at the price of the Archangel Michael. He descends from heaven and delivers righteous vengeance upon Maria’s “heretic” ways. Placing the curse that she will lose her powers if she loses her virginity. He sends the angel Ezekiel to watch over her, but Michael is not the only one stalking Maria, as the church may also have plans for her as well.

Maria the Virgin Witch is definitely in the running for best show of the season at the pace it’s going. It’s completely absorbed in it’s setting, using the backdrop of France during the 100 Year War to near perfection. Every character is unique in their own way, each adding a different element to the table. Whether it be Maria’s stubborness, Aretmis’ crass nature, Priapos’ naivete, Ezekiels rigidity, Joseph’s kindness, or Anne’s innocence, each character does what they need to make them likable an unique among the others.

There is also the shows ambiguous stance on the church. It doesn’t show it as supportive of the angels, but at the same time it doesn’t condemn them for it. Maria makes a valid argument about them not stopping war in her place, but Michael also makes a counterpoint of how humans created war and it is not “nonhumans” place to interfere (this is slightly supported when Maria listens to mercenary complain about not having enough money to eat because of Maria’s actions, although Michael only showed up after Maria had stopped bandits from raiding Anne’s village). It sways both ways, allowing the viewer to choose what side they want to stand on.

Speaking of the church, episode 3 introduces Bernard, a monk who tries to get Maria to join the church to “absolve her sins”. As expected Maria declines, and there is a certain air of mystery about just why the church wants Maria in the first place. I’m betting my money on crusades.

While the show is thought provoking, it also has its humorous bits. Maria’s lack of experience (which lead more than a few misunderstandings), Artemis teasing Maria about said inexperience, Priapos’ complaining about not having a penis (also due to Maria’s inexperience), or Ezekiel’s attempt to keep up with her duty to watch Maria. Even with all of these elements you can sense that the cast does care for one another (except for Ezekiel but she’ll come around). There is also the fact the Maria and her familiars are almost always horny. Between Maria bragging about giving it up to anything, to Artemis’ assignments, and Priapos’ absence of a third leg, this show can be just as dirty as it is sophisticated.

Parasyte – The Maxim

Shinichi and Migi find themselves on the defensive as they try and figure out who hired Shirou (the Private Investigator) to shadow them. After they find, capture, and interrogate him, Shinichi and Migi head to a local college where they once again meet Ryoko. After a heated verbal exchange, Shinichi  reaffirms his stance on the Parasytes. Unfortunately for him, he has become public enemy number one for the Parasytes.

More paranoia and suspicions are pushing us forward as Shinichi and Migi ponder on how to deal with the Parsaytes around them. Capturing Shirou is the first step in this plan, in which they call in an old friend.

It was nice seeing Uda and Parasyte (Now calling himself Jaw) again, since they are one of the few friends that Shinichi has left after Kana’s death and Murano’s complete alienation from him (although they still have a moment in episode 16). The interrogation of Shirou went as well as one would expect, with the P.I. freaking out and Shinichi explaining his sitaution in full detail. Interestingly enough, Migi verbally berates Shirou for not being more sympathetic to Shinichi for all the crap he’s gone through since Migi entered his life. Since Shinichi is going through changes, it makes sense that Migi would as well, in his case it’s becoming more human-like. It leaves a lot of possibilities for growth open for the two.

We check up more on Ryoko in episode 14. As expected she is apart of the cabal of Parasytes within the city’s government office. When the Parasytes begin to target Shinichi, Ryoko is the only one who disagrees as she wants to continue studying his growth (although in the next episode she changes her mind). There is also the matter of her child. While not particularly loving it like most mothers would, she is still at loss at what to do with it (which is also aided by a plot convenience class at the college that explains how animals view their offspring). Admittedly her holding her child by the collar of its onesie like a dog is kind of humorous. There is also the matter of her possibly gaining human emotion. This is shown after she severs ties with Shirou and begins to unconsciously laugh out loud. Granted its one of the most uncomfortable, most creepy laughs I’ve ever seen/heard, but it serves its purpose in the plot. Her conversation with Shinichi is very heated, especially when she threatens to use her baby as a shield should he attempt to attack her, even waved the baby above her head. (Mother of the Year right there). It will be pretty interesting to see where Ryoko goes from that point, as she’s easily the most interesting Parasyte after Migi.

Episode 16 doesn’t really start until Shinichi and Migi kill a Parasyte inside a parking garage. Turns out that parking garage was an area designated by the cabal for their kind to feed without arousing suspicion. This action raises Shinichi’s threat level from slight nuisance to public enemy number one. So much so that they send an assassin after him and Migi. This assassin is according comprised of three parasytes, which opens a whole new can of worms for our duo. What’s more is that his persoanality is that of normal human, comprising of humor and very natural facial expressions. They are definitely going to have a tough go of it this coming week.

Rolling Girls

After surviving the roller coaster ride from hell, Nozomi takes it upon herself to fill in for her sister by travelling the country and fullfilling requests made to Maccha Green. Her very first job she crosses paths with Chiyaya, the girl who wore the gas mask in episode 1. Along with Yukina and Ai (who was recently kicked out of the Higashi Murayama for attemtping to save Nozomi and her friends), the four girls embark on a quest to collect the Moonlight Stones, heart-shaped jewels that all Bests carry.

Rolling Girls is still trying to find it’s footing and for what it’s worth it looks like it might be starting to gain balance. While episode 2 still has a somewhat self-contained story, it’s ending directly aligns with the beginning of episode 3.

Episode 2 continued the pilot’s fast paced action with Masami and Shigyou having their rematch in the amusement park. Once again it is a sight to behold as the girls once again beat the crap out of each other, this fight ending with both of them lying in the hospital for 2 months. We get some more light shed on Shigyou as it’s revealed that she once looked up to the heroic bests and tried to be like them, although it’s not fully explained why she became a bad guy before she resumes fighting Masami who is revealed to be Maccha Green.

The reveal itself looks dramatic with the slow-mo shot complete with the hero grin, but it soon turns humorous when it turns out that the only person surprised by the revelation was Nozomi. Everyone else kept it quiet because it was Masami’s business and they didn’t wana make her feel bad for believing she was keeping it secret. Masami reveals that she only hid her identity because she didn’t want Nozomi to put herself in danger by helping her (this reason is punctuated by a flashback of Masami pretending to drown that resulted in Nozomi almost drowning for real to save her). However this reasoning also backfired when Nozomi logically asks why she would run into a situation where she would easily get killed i.e. a fight between Bests.

We get fully introduced to our main cast by the end of episode 2 with all the girls converging in one place by complete accident and deciding to find the Moonlight Stones for no other reason other than Chiyaya thinks they’re pretty. Gotta start a journey some kind way, right?

The girls have a small bit of chemistry with their unique personalities and Chiyaya has her own air of mystery (she knows the girl’s childhood nicknames despite the four having supposedly just met). Episode 3 takes them on the first stop of their adventure when they end up in Always Comina (basically the Akihabara of the New Japan). Their trip soon turns into imprisonment when they are accused of being a group of terrorists called the Dynamite Bombers along with being blamed for the theft of the Moonlight Stone belonging to the city’s lead law enforcer Thunderoad. Nozomi and the others are soon tasked to prove their innocence by finding Thunderoad’s Moonlight Stone or face Capital Punishment.

While there is little to no action to be found in episode 3, it still succeeds in exploring the world and peeking on a few subplots, chief among them being Chiyaya’s mother, Haruka; who just happens to be the President of Tokorozawa. She has a collection of Moonlight Stones and seems to be distributing them to Bests, but has recently begun to take them back for some reason (her taking of the stones are the main reason it’s taking Masami and Shigyou so long to heal). This also comes into the Thunderoad plot as the cosplaying Best is debating whether to sell her stone to one of Haruka’s men so she has enough money to buy a statue of her favorite superhero. Whether Chiyaya and Haruka are aware of the other’s actions is unknown, but Rolling Girls is starting to get things going as its story continues.

 Saekano

Tomoya Aki is a boy with a dream, that dream is to make a VN that will melt the hearts of Otaku everywhere. The problem is…his plans for it kinda suck. However, all hope is not lost. As a “chance” encounter allows him to speed full force to his goal and nothing will stop him,

Saekano is definitely gonna be one of those shows that might throw people off if they expect one thing from it. While episode 0 showed off the typical sexy harem tropes, episodes 1 and 2 are nothing like it, instead opting to take a more meta look at the harem genre as a whole. Saekano doesn’t look to be a typical harem show, and that’s what I find myself liking the most about it.

Episode 1 takes place about 3 or so months before episode 0 and focuses on Tomoya’s encounter with the mystery woman as well as how that will effect his VN plans. We are reintroduced to Utaha and Eriri who at this point in time are way less gung ho about the project. Although they do offer biting commentary about Tomoya’s oblivious behavior towards women and how much his game’s plans suck due to lack of clear direction on his part. Eventually Tomoya finds out that his “chance encounter” was with none other than his classmate Megumi who also proceeds to comment on his otaku ways. This continues on into episode 2 when Tomoya once again tries to convince the girls to join him in his cause. He’s once again rebuffed by Utaha and Eriri but he manages to string along Megumi far enough where he brings her to his house and make her play other VN’s, which he calls “research for her character”.

The best thing about Saekano is the chemistry between it’s cast. Each of the girls have a different relationship with Tomoya which in turn leads to different interactions and moments. Utaha is cold but at the same time still waiting for him to accept her feelings for him, Eriri is delightfully tsundere but on the same boat as Utaha when it comes to Tomoya’s feelings (which leads to a funny scene in a cafe when Tomoya says he’s made a decision and both of the girls stand up and ask “who?” only to be disappointed when he says its about the VN). Michiru (Tomoya’s cousin and my favorite) has yet to show up but it’s only a matter of time.

Megumi is another animal in of herself. It’s not especially clear at this point whether or not she finds Tomoya as anything other than weird but their dialogue serves as some of the most comedic moments in the show. Her deadpan/slightly self-depreciating comments make for the excellent “straight man” to the rest of the cast’s wild antics and explosive reactions. With all these things happening around her it will be a sight to see how she interacts with the others as things get more intensive.

Tokyo Ghoul Root A

Kaneki is still running around with Aogiri Tree, who have begun to take more direct actions against the CCG. In response a new “Dove” has joined their ranks, Akira Mado, the daughter of Amon’s mentor/former partner. Meanwhile at Anteiku, Touka tries to keep her mind off of Kaneki by focusing on college. Meanwhile Kaneki finds himself being watched by the wrong type of people.

After the action-oriented, emotionally heavy episode 1, Tokyo Ghoul has decided to slow things down with it’s latest two episodes. Each one focusing on the people surrounding Kaneki’s life.

Episode 2 focuses more on the CCG and how they plan to move forward after the 20th Ward incident. The first step is bringing about Mado’s daughter Akira, who already seems to have heat with one of her fellow investigators. Even she and Amon get off on an awkward foot when he offers to take her to dinner to get to know her better and she breaks down (in excruciating detail) how much time would be wasted by doing that, she also breaks down to the minute how much time would be wasted by addressing him with honorifics. Despite her less than friendly demeanor, she is very smart. Having figured out the connection between Rize and Kaneki nearly instantly as well as Aogiri’s goals. Keep an eye on that loose cannon.

Episode 3 shines its light more on Touka and Hide. Touka is trying her best to forget about Kaneki but is finding little luck as he was reported on the local news and her trip to his college (which she also applied to) makes her reminisce on him more. This leads her to Hide who she sees taking down a poster of Kaneki hanging up on a bulletin board. The two talk and have moment as they both talk about Kaneki, with Hide saying in no certain terms to believe in him. Hide himself is more shrewd this season as he now works as a delivery boy inside the CCG headquarters. It’s not really clear what his motives are but it definitely has aroused the suspicion of Akira. We even get a small segment with Hinami in this episode when she goes to get a book signed by Kaneki’s favorite author, who seems to have some vested interest in Kaneki (could she be a ghoul as well? Probably.).

Speaking of interest in Kankei, we get a small look at those twin ghouls who were watching Kaneki in episode 1, turns out they, like him, appear to be half ghoul themselves (This can only end well).

Not completely out of the loop of melancholy half-ghoul does make small appearances in these episodes and is shown to not fully be behind whatever Aogiri is truly planning. Seeing as how he spares CCG members during attacks. His ends are only justified by him wanting to protect Anteiku but this can only last for so long (probably even shorter since Aogiri’s last op had them rescue a subordinate of Jason’s, who Kaneki completely killed and consumed at the end of season one.).

Yatterman Night

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original “Yatterman” series, Yatterman Night tells a new tale, this one from the perspective of the villainous Doronbow gang, or to be more accurate their descendants. A young girl named Leopard along with her guardians Voltkatze and Elepahntus on the personas of their evil ancestors in order to punish the Yattermen for their crimes.

Now while I have never seen the original Yatterman series, I know of it enough to know that this show is much darker interpretation of it. Although it does have it moments of light-hearted comedy. Honestly the show is quite adept at tonal shifts that come off as very natural and essential to the story.

Leopard is a young girl who has only known the warmth and love of her mother, Dorothy. Despite being thrown to the wastelands on the outside of the properous Yatter Kingdowm due to their ancestor’s crimes, Leopard’s makeshift family was still a happy one. With Leopard having been told by Dorothy about how heroic the Yattermen are as heroes. When Dorothy falls ill, Leopard, Voltkatze, Elphantus, and Honorable Oda (Leopard’s pet pig) race to plead their case to the Yattermen, but are instead and sent back home. Unfortunately, Dorothy dies and Leopard swear to make it up to her as she, Voltkatze (now going by Boyacky) and Elephantus (now Tonzra)  don the identities of their ancestors, the Doronbow Gang, and venture to the Yatter Kingdom in order to give the Yattermen a “forehead flicking”.

Yatterman Night has successfully distanced itself from the other shows this season. Its pretty accessible to those who have not seen Yatterman before but I’m sure fans of their series will like this interpretation as well. It’s unique feel and atmosphere and use of it’s very likable characters help it excel where it needs to. There is a theme of love and family, while also having that contrast of corrupting power and isolation as well. It’s dark color palette also helps those small moments of levity a happiness shine that much brighter. One minute will having you smiling while the next could have you come close to grabbing a tissue (episode 3 was loaded with these moments with the introduction of Galina and Alouette), all the while not betraying the tone it’s set. I’m all set to see where the show will go from here.

Your Lie in April

With Kaori nowhere to be found, Kousei is on his own at the Gala concert. After some contemplation he takes the stage and proceeds to give another awe-inspiring performance. After learning the circumstances behind Kaori’s absence, Kousei begins to question just where his life is going to head. At the same time, Tsubaki slowly begins to realize just who she wants to be with.

Episodes 13 and 14 both excel at continuing the stories of the characters they follow, with 13 possibly being the best episode in the series so far.

Episode 13 deals with Kousei beginning to accept his mother and her treatment of him in her final days. It’s some pretty intense stuff as the entire sequence is backed by Kousei’s playing of Fritz Kreisler’s “Love’s Sorrow”, a song his mother used to play all of the time. It shows a different side of abuse that most forms of media take, making us feel sympathetic for his mother as well as showing Kousei’s memories of his mother’s love for him. She pushes him because she knows she’s dying and she wants to hope that he will play well enough to be able to survive without her. She wanted to make sure he was ready for the world in her absence, but she neglected to show him the light in the world as well before she left. We even see her final moments when she regrets leaving her son so early and not watching him grow up. It’s a very moving series of scenes that push Kousei play his heart out. He even breaks down and cries with Hiroko hoping that Saki (his mother) was able to hear him play wherever she went.

Episode 14, while not as strong as 13, still has its moments. It reveals that Kaori was hospitalized with a head injury and was unable to make the concert. She claims it was because she was clumsy but a later seen with a nurse proves it’s more than she let on. Kaori has shown to have health problems before and this only shake Kousei more as he begins to fear that Kaori will leave him just like his mother did.

On the whole, the episode focuses on Tsubaki and her coming to terms with her feelings for Kousei. She has an interesting take on how she views music as opposed to the others. While Kaori and Kousei love it, Watari finds it boring depending on who’s playing, but Tsubaki hates it. She hates it because it “took Kousei away from her” when they were children as his mother’s growing abuse and intense lessons diminished the time they had to play together. Despite that she still wanted him to play, because she knew he enjoyed it despite her personal feelings (it gives a lot more context to those scenes where Tsubaki is staring almost blankly when Kousei played piano).

It was hinted at early in the series that Tsubaki was in denial about her feelings for Kousei (despite being jealous of his relationship with Kaori) and this episode expanded more on that denial and how it ultimately caught up with her. She never realizes how much it catches up with her until Kousei tells her that he’s attending a high school with a music program, meaning that he would once again be leaving her. Only this time he’d be moving away altogether. Her running away from Kousei and crying is the culmination of all that denial bubbling up and exploding out of her (which is only amplified by the amazing score) and it makes for some great character development as well as some heart-punching drama.

Next episode looks like it will also focus more on Tsubaki, but hopefully Kaori can share some of it as well. She’s hiding something and I wanna know what.

Yuri Kuma Arashi

Things are just not going right for the girls of Arashigaoka as more and more bears are spotted around the campus. This goes double for Kureha as she had deal with on top of accepting the fact that Sumika has been killed. Even with all of this weighing her down, Kureha still vows to kill bears, but just how long she will last is uncertain.

Ok, after three weeks I think I’m starting to get this show (as much as one can get into an Ikuhara joint). At it’s surface it’s about love, but anyone could have figured that out. Yuri Kuma shows all facets of love. Angry love, jealous love, sad love, happy love, love for the sake of love, and lust. It also deals with isolation and how love can separate you from society. I think I’m somewhere in the ballpark, although I have to keep digging.

One thing I have learned is that almost the invisible storm is in fact a mass shunning of an individual who refuses to be, well “invisible”. All of this controlled by Mitsuko, who uses this method in order to push Kureha closer to her. When Kureha once again rebukes her, Mitsuko attempts to eat her but Kureha manages to shoot her down thanks to help from Ginko and Lulu. Who’s motives I still have yet to ascertain. They both want to eat Kureha but Kureha encounters Mitusko Bear they elect to save her from that fate. Why did they intervene then but not the last two times?

There is also the fact that Ginko and Lulu continue to eat other girls on campus, but for some reason have not snacked on Kureha yet (unless you count the flower licking).

On the other side we get a revelation that the principal of the school may or may not have had feelings for Kureha’s mother. It isn’t revealed why she gave up on these feelings but it could have easily been out of fear of the Invisible Storm.

Yuri Kuma continues to be a rubiks cube for me. Seemingly solving one side only to find a color that’s out of place. That being said it’s still a good watch with some stellar animation, direction, and characters.

So what did you guys of week 3? Let us know in the comments below.

See you in 2.