BTOOOM! 11-12: Sakamoto, Drama Queen -- Final Thoughts

 BTOOOM! 11: Revival

The BIM inside the trunk that Sakamoto is carrying explodes and it looks like Sakamoto doesn't survive that one. A jubilant Date next goes after Himiko, who is too shell-shocked to fight back. Good for her, Shiki arrives just in time to stab Date in the back. It goes without saying that she's the one who warned Himiko about Date's duplicitous character. Date's wound turns out to be not fatal at all so he sends the girls running. Shiki figures out that Date has planted all his remote-controlled BIMs all over the place, making for a fine trap. Date taunts Shiki who predictably goes after him with one of Himiko's crackers. This is Date's intention all along as he plans to set a trap for Shiki, who seemingly falls for it. With her out of the picture, Date is free to take Himiko's chip as well as that of Sakamoto plus the three more in Taira's possession. But his plan is ruined when the cracker that belonged to Sakamoto doesn't explode upon impact with Himiko. This means, of course, that Sakamoto didn't die in the explosion. He incapacitates Date by moving the latter's BIM to a different location, catching him unawares and nearly killing him. Sakamoto decides that Date has to die since he wouldn't survive on the island with those wounds. Shiki, who miraculously survived, offers to do the honors. However, just as she brings down her scythe to kill her former lover, Date begs for her forgiveness. A distraught Shiki declares that she would never forgive a man like him before swinging down the blade. But it turns out that she doesn't kill him and merely stabbed the ground beside his face. In the end, Shiki treats Date's wounds and he seems to be stable. Meanwhile, Sakamoto and Himiko return to their hideout not realizing that another trap lies in wait for them.

 BTOOOM! 12: Bonds

While the others are gone, a delirious Taira battles his own demons. His insecurity and fear of being abandoned manifest themselves in the form of his wife and son, who ask him to come home. Taira eventually takes it upon himself to betray Sakamoto and Himiko, take their chips and together with the two others he took without their knowledge, he would have eight chips. Hiding in the forest, he sets his homing BIM initially on Sakamoto, who figures out what's going on quickly so that he is able to escape with only a minor leg injury. Realizing Taira's betrayal, Himiko attempts to protect Sakamoto by applying what she knows of the game, which is to catch homing BIMs before they come in range of their target. However, Taira is smarter than that so he targets her next. Sakamoto figures this out at the last instant and, thus, saves Himiko's life for the nth time. Upon witnessing this, Taira loses confidence and begins running away. By this time, Sakamoto has realized why Taira is acting out and blames himself for it, so he chases Taira in order to apologize. Taira, however, misinterprets and thinks they both want to kill him. He ends up in a pit, which turns out to be infested with comodo dragons. Instead of accepting death at the claws of these predators, Taira chooses to end his life using his own BIM. Sakamoto is devastated. Late that evening, Himiko offers up Taira's chips as well as her own in order to help Sakamoto get out of the island. However, Sakamoto has already figured out that Himiko is the same Himiko he met online and he declares that he is not leaving the island without her. With this last secret between them out in the open, the two kiss. Meanwhile, the game operators send out a tech team to the island to fix a mechanical problem. One member of the team turns out to be a friend of Sakamoto's and it seems he planned the whole thing in an effort to help his friend.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

Well, I never really expected much from this show from the start. This was going to be a mindless action series despite early comparisons with Battle Royale. But this never was a show that aimed to make a political statement. Nor was this a character piece. So I took BTOOOM! at face value, which is entertainment, and never looked for anything deeper. To be honest, I think Sakamoto, as a main character, is weak and unlikable. And though his character comes at a full circle in the end, I thought the development was forced and unconvincing.

Speaking of forced and unconvincing, I get that shows, especially action series like BTOOOM!, need to have a romantic angle. I don't necessary agree with it but that has been the standard for a long time and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. So the fact that they made the romance between Sakamoto and Himiko the center piece of this show, I don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is that these two have nothing to anchor their feelings on. We're supposed to believe that they fell in love online but back then both sucked as characters big time: Himiko was a ninny (she still is actually) and Sakamoto was  a major asshole. Now, I'm not saying that a ninny and an asshole can't fall in love. The show, however, kept telling us that their love was each other's saving grace. There is visual evidence, I admit, but zero emotional impact. Am I numb? I don't think so but I tell you, every time Sakamoto and Himiko have their scenes together, and especially at the finale, I find myself rolling my eyes because it feels so manufactured. I don't know. Maybe I'm just a cynic.

Visually, BTOOOM! is eye-candy. The colors are a bit dull, perhaps to highlight the somewhat dark themes of people killing each other in order to survive. But the art is really good and the animation even better. As expected, BTOOOM! has its greatest moments when things are exploding in your face. However, even the quiet moments gives viewers lots of opportunity to just enjoy the gorgeous art.

I don't want to comment on the music much as I don't really notice those kinds of things. But I do still like the OP theme and in fact I believe I made it the best OP theme for 2012. The singer just has that distinctive voice and the rock-inspired tune fits the show well.

As far as story goes, the purpose of the island was never fully explained. We get that it's some kind of experiment conducted by a game company but why this -- using live persons in particular -- and how the selection process works is never really addressed. There is an important revelation at the end of the series, which kind of points to the possibility that there might be a season 2. Not sure I'll be staying around for that, but good luck, Madhouse.

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Psycho-Pass 11: Saint's Supper

As Akane and Masaoka rush in to rescue Kogami, Gino and the rest of the team race to find the device that has been jamming their signals. They find it eventually, prompting Makishima to warn Senguji that the police are on to him. But far from giving up the hunt, Senguji reveals an incident from his past wherein a friend of his died. He says that he is experiencing the same feeling and he has never felt more alive. That said, the hunt is still on and Makishima continues to observe the game. A police weapon carrier arrives in the nick of time to give Kogami a fighting chance against the hunter. He manages to take down Senguji, using Yuki as bait. However, he also takes a bullet to his stomach in the process, leaving him weak and defenseless when Makishima comes around to take Yuki away. Akane and Masaoka soon arrive, the latter quickly giving him first aid. When Kogami warns Akane about Makishima, she runs off by herself to find him, but she is completely unprepared for what awaits her. Makishima Shogo is an utter sociopath who feels nothing -- no joy, excitement or passion for his victims or his crimes. A monster created from sheer will. For this reason, the Sybil System is ill-equipped to measure his crime coefficient, making the dominator in Akane's hands entirely useless. Makishima instigates her into killing him by giving her Senguji's shotgun and threatening to kill Yuki if Akane doesn't shoot him. Akane manages to take two shots but she has no will to kill and therefore misses. Seeing Akane rendered inutile, Makishima calmly raises his hand and cuts Yuki's throat right in front of Akane, whose dominator registers a zero crime coefficient. Later, a deeply traumatized Akane shares what she learned about Makishima to a badly injured but stable Kogami.

COMMENTS:

Oh my god. Can anybody say Dexter? 

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Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun 12: The Year Draws to a Close

Natsume drops by the batting center to give something to Sasayan. Of course, Mitsuyoshi is there and she has trouble talking to him, let alone having eye contact. A friend of Sasayan's, Yanagi, gets teased about liking her but Natsume gets irritated and is rude to him, for which Sasayan scolds her. Then Sasayan guesses that Natsume is in love with Mitsuyoshi although Natsume denies this. Haru soon arrives to cheerfully announce that Shizuku has promised to go on a picnic with him next year. What he doesn't seem to realize is that a desperate Shizuku came up with the suggestion so he would leave her alone during the rest of Christmas break.

Christmas came and went and the friends are all busy with their own activities -- Sasayan with his baseball friends, Shizuku with cram school and her family, Haru with Mitsuyoshi, Oshima with her friend, while Natsume spends all that time online, pretending to have so much fun but really she's very lonely. Then she gets an unexpected call from Shizuku, wanting to know how to record the New Year Special for her brother. Natsume soon drops by Shizuku's house with Haru in tow and the three have a dinner of hot pot and sleep through New Year's Eve. However, at around 1:00 a.m., Natsume gets a call from Sasayan inviting them to come to the shrine, which is packed with people. There they find the usual suspects: Sasayan and his friends, Oshima and Yuu as well as Yamaken and his own group of friends.

Much later, they all move to the batting center's roof to watch the sunrise. While there, Natsume finally has her talk with Mitsuyoshi about love in general and how the right kind can help two people grow together. Natsume impulsively asks Mitsuyoshi to grow up with her. A speechless Mitsuyoshi watches Natsume walk away to join her friends. Unknown to both of them, Sasayan hears the whole thing.

COMMENTS:

I cannot believe this is the second to the last episode. Surely, we need a second season? Because things are not going to get resolved by next episode. I mean, what? Are they going to end with Haru and Shizuku deciding that they're a couple but then doing exactly the same thing they've been doing this whole time? This thing with Natsume and Mitsuyoshi...actually this was tastefully done. Natsume has a crush and she can't help it. And honestly, I really can't say that Mitsuyoshi isn't swoon-worthy because he is. That speech he made about love alone would have gotten me. But Sasayan, boy, don't. You're too precious to fall for generic girlfriend right there. Actually, Natsume reminds me of Hachi from Nana. When I think about it, she has the personality and story of a main character in an anime series, and I find it interesting that she isn't a main character in Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Instead, we have two side character materials as the main couple. Pretty clever reversal, show.

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Jormungand Perfect Order 11: Commence Operation

Because of Bookman's early warning, the teams escorting Rabbit's Foot are more than prepared when Koko's extraction team come in. Nevertheless, they manage to seize the scientist but are soon chased by an elite group of Navy SEALs. The enemy is so good, even Lehm, the most veteran of the group, has a hard time. Lutz takes another bullet in the ass but he and Jonah manage to rally back, allowing their team members to put some distance between their pursuers. Koko tips up the scale by taking out the SEALs' eyes on the sky and then tampering with their backup datalink with the help of Minami's computer and Dr. Baburin's hacking skills. As a result, the elite Navy SEALs almost cross the border to Cuba and nearly start world war three. With the SEALs out of action, Koko's team safely reach the ship waiting for them at harbor.

Later, Valmet tells Lutz that she is finally ready to give her opinion about Koko's recent activities, but Lutz decides that he doesn't need to hear it anymore because no matter what she may be capable of, Koko would never leave any of her men behind. This is why, despite everything, she has her men's loyalty. Koko, at this point, joins Jonah in the bath and after some teasing, reveals that she will tell him about her plan once they reach their destination. But in exchange she wants him to confirm if despite everything he still loves the world. Jonah says yes, adding that because of his travels with Koko he has seen more of it but that he doesn't want to see any more of their friends die like R. This pleases Koko so much she gives him a kiss on the lips.

The next day, Koko tells Rabbit's Foot her plans for her. She makes no secret of her dislike for the scientist but is willing to set aside her own personal feelings to complete the project. Although initially resistant, Rabbit's Foot soon settles down when she learns that Koko is going to give her a new "toy" to play with. Later, Koko reveals the true extent of Jormungand to everyone on her team, including Rabbit's Foot: it is a program designed to create compulsory world peace by specifically targeting the military systems of the world, starting with the sky. She plans to clear the sky of all aircrafts, touting a world before airplanes were invented. A shocked Rabbit's Foot accuses Koko of playing god, but Koko counters that "god" fights soldiers with soldiers. What she is doing is something greater than "god."

Then, Jonah, who has been quiet all this time, asks how many lives would be lost as a result. Koko casually says a number close to a million souls, but that this is nothing compared to the number of lives saved as a result. But this is apparently the last straw for Jonah as he reaches for his gun and draws it against Koko. The movement catches the attention of Lehm, who also reaches for his own gun, pointing it at Jonah.

COMMENTS:

OMG this show. Talk about insane. The action, the terrain, the hair-raising military encounter, even the cliche night rain -- alright! That's what I'm talking about! This is what Jormungand is about and finally, the show delivered, jam-packing 90% of the show's penultimate episode with a smorgasbord of pure, unadulterated gunplay in beautiful animation and fantastic art. YES. 

Now for the story, Koko finally reveals what her plan really is: she wants to impose compulsory world peace and she doesn't care how many lives are lost in the process. She'll stop at nothing to achieve this dream of hers. No wonder she has kept it secret for so long. The plan is insane. Something only an unscrupulous arms dealer with a god complex would think of. Combine this with Koko's virtually unlimited resources and her merry band of loyal, devoted bodyguards, and you have yourself a plan that could work to devastating effect.

The craziest thing about it, however, is not the sheer proportion and madness of the plan. It is Koko's belief that she is doing something good for the world. But something tells me she is going to get a fierce reality check from none other than Jonah, the boy she wants to impress the most with all this. If the devastated look on her face is any indication, it is clear Koko has taken it for granted that Jonah would approve of her plan and that never in a million years did she ever entertain the thought that Jonah might turn on her in the end.

That said, I can't wait for the next episode, especially since this episode ended with a cliffhanger. Are Lehm and Jonah going to duke it out? What is that look on Valmet's face? We never really hear her opinion about Koko's increasingly violent plans of action, and I remember that it was Jonah who saved Valmet's life when she went all lone ranger in the first series. I don't think Valmet will ever betray Koko, not even for Jonah, but it's an entertaining thought nonetheless, considering the tone of her conversations with Lutz lately.

Is this thing going to be resolved internally? Or will some outside force intervene? Hinoki, perhaps? He didn't appear in this episode but he must have some plan. Or Kasper might come in out of nowhere for an ironic twist since it was Kasper who sold the weapons that killed Jonah's family and put an end to the world as Jonah knew it. It would be delicious if Kasper saved Jonah's new world this time around.

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Psycho-Pass 10: The Play of Methuselah

Early one morning, Akane receives an email from her friend, Yuki, asking to meet her. Suspecting trouble, Akane brings Kogami with her. The place turns out to be deserted and Kogami believes it's a trap. He decides to check out the place while Akane walks him through it with the navigation system in her car. But soon, she loses signal. Meanwhile, Kogami hears Akane's voice telling him that the place is an old subway line and that he should check out the train cars. However, the train suddenly comes on, taking Kogami on board. When he finds Yuki on board as well, he surmises that he was right about this being a trap but something doesn't seem right. The train eventually stops and Kogami and Yuki get attacked by some drone dogs, forcing them to take shelter through a metal door.

Back in the surface, the rest of Unit 1 learn about Kogami's disappearance. Gino typically suspects that Kogami might have set up the whole thing in order to run away. However, Akane refuses to believe it. In the tunnels, Kogami and Yuki find themselves becoming unwitting participants in a kind of fox-hunt where they are the prey and Senguji is the hunter. The whole thing has been set up by Makishima who says he wants to test both Senguji and Kogami's character. Senguji comes into it believing that this is nothing more than a normal hunt, albeit a challenging one considering his above-average intelligent victim, but what he doesn't know is that Makishima has decided to add elements of his own. He has provided Kogami a transmitter with the battery and antenna removed and placed in random, secret places. In order to beat the game, Kogami has to figure out where the items are.

Kogami accidentally comes upon the battery taped to one of the drone dogs. Later, he also figures out that this set-up was never meant for Akane, but for him. This is followed by his realization that if Yuki's role in all this is only as bait, then she has fulfilled her function when that email was sent to Akane. However, she ended up with him. An exhausted Yuki says that she must have been brought there in order to slow Kogami down and force him to make a hard choice. To Yuki's surprise, Kogami asks her to take off her clothes. It turns out that the antenna has been hidden inside Yuki's bra.

Back in the surface, Gino commands the team to search the entire tunnels and to shoot Kogami with the Dominators. Akane protests heatedly, pointing out once more that there is no proof Kogami ran away. But Gino is having none of it and merely says that Sibyl will decide whether to use lethal force or just a paralyzer. So Masaoka shoves him aside, saying that Gino has gone too far. Just then, Kogami's call comes through Yayoi's computer. The team immediately go into action with Gino shouting to send in all the drones.

COMMENTS:

That was really thrilling. But as soon as the characters said it was a trap, I knew the trap was set up by Makishima to capture Kogami so this wasn't a surprising episode for me. But it was pretty interesting how Kogami figured out where the antenna was kept. LOL coordinated underwear. Yes. Kogami would know about that. But I was half-sure that he was going to abandon Yuki. He probably would have if he didn't soon figure out that Yuki had the antenna somewhere in her person. Masaoka raising a hand against Gino in Kogami's defense...I'm sure we're going to see some repercussions for that. Dammit, Yayoi! Can't you do some other cool things besides check out the computer? Like kick some ass or something? Also, tsundere Gino.

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Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun 11: Kenji-kun of the Yamaguchi House

In spite of Haru's jealousy and its violent manifestations, Yamaken continues to attend cram school with Shizuku in the hopes of becoming closer to her. But even as his feelings for her grow, he is still unable to tell her how he really feels. Shizuku, on the other hand, remains clueless, absorbed only with studying. One day, Haru follows Shizuku to school and catches Yamaken with his arm around Shizuku. He had just pulled her out of the way of a passing bicycle. But Haru misinterprets it and gets into a fight Yamaken and then Shizuku, who is angry with his behavior.

Shizuku later reveals that even though she already told Haru how she feels, he still persists in being jealous. Yamaken accuses Shizuku of bragging but instead of taking offense, Shizuku tells him that he is appealing. This puts Yamaken in an incredibly good mood. On his way home, Yamaken meets Haru who offers to walk him to the bus stop.

The meeting causes Yamaken to remember how when they were kids, a smart but bullied Haru used to follow him all the time. As they grew older, Haru became increasingly violent to the point where he even attacked Yamaken. The memory of this leads Yamaken to comment that the present Haru has changed. Haru doesn't agree and says that it's Shizuku who is changing and he is so afraid that she would leave him behind that he considers tearing off her arms and legs. Naturally, this declaration creeps Yamaken out so Haru says that he wouldn't, but adds that while Shizuku is exempted, everyone else is fair game. The threat is clear but Yamaken doesn't let this discourage him.

With Yamaken gone, Haru stays, thinking about the past. It is hinted that Yuzan and Haru didn't grow up with their father but were later taken to the main house. Haru had tried to run away but Yuzan found him. As they grew older, the brothers grew apart, until Yuzan tells Haru that the only reason they were brought back to the main house was because of Haru and that Yuzan wished Haru did not exist. Haru's recollections are interrupted with the arrival of Shizuku, at which point, Haru exclaims that Shizuku is his hero since she always shows up when he needs her. He then pulls her down for a hug and tells her that he loves her and that he doesn't want her to leave him behind. He also asks why he has to suffer so much by restraining himself and that he wants proof of her love. Shizuku realizes that even though their feelings were the same, they still continue to clash.

COMMENTS:

Yamaken aslkdjflskjfklsdjksdkfjsl!!!!!11111 Haru, you disgusting beast. Break her arms and legs? That sounds romantic in anime but in real life, that is sick. Get some help, boy. I'm already caught up in the manga and I don't think I remember the flashback part with Yuzan and Haru, so I think this was inserted in this episode purposely to neutralize the effects of exactly that statement about tearing off Shizuku's arms and legs. Especially when the episode shows such a cute and adorable side to that blond baka, Yamaken. His pride will be the death of him. Honestly. But we're supposed to feel sorry for Haru, and I do. It's a horrible feeling to love someone and be told by that same person that they wished you didn't exist. No wonder he compares himself to the villain in that Spider's Web legend. If I recall correctly, the villain was an incorrigible murderer and thief who was sent to hell for all his misdeeds. But Haru thinks that Shizuku would save him. Well, if you put it THAT way, I do love me some Yamaken x Shizuku but I like Haru and Shizuku, too.

In other news, Ooshima! She should get it on with Yamaken instead.

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Jormungand PERFECT ORDER 10-11: The Best Laid Plans

 Jormungand: PERFECT ORDER 10: New World Phase 1

Koko meets up with Dr. Minami in South Africa to open the Marchen, a robotics toy factory that both of them built from their own dreams. Chocolate, who has been tailing Koko's group, reports the whole thing to Scarecrow who in turns informs Bookman of the new development. Bookman believes that Koko is planning something big and has Scarecrow look into Koko's activities more closely. Koko urges Minami to keep their plan a secret as they are very close to accomplishing it. Jonah and Karen go out for a walk with Minami where Jonah asks the latter what she is planning with Koko. Minami stays true to her word to Koko and keeps mum about the topic. Before Koko leaves, she gives in to Minami's request to name their project and Koko names it Jormungand. Later, Minami meets with Curry, who wants in on whatever Minami has with Koko but Minami demurs. While Karen gives Mildred the beating of her life, Curry considers pulling out of the arms dealing business all together.

Meanwhile, Koko meets with Amalia, who like Curry, is interested in Koko's secret project. She shows Koko her new technology while pressing Koko to let her in on the secret. In the Philippines, Kasper makes a speech about the launching of HCLI's newest satellite network, the Hekmatyar Global Grid which would help their clients to greatly improve their logistics. Bookman and Hinoki are not particularly pleased by the announcement. Meanwhile Jonah observes that Koko doesn't even listen to Kasper's speech. He later comments that even though he has been traveling with Koko for a while now, he still doesn't understand her character.

COMMENTS:

I do not understand what is going on. Where are the explosions and the guns? Come on, Jormungand, don't be so high-brow.

 Jormungand: PERFECT ORDER 11: New World Phase 2

A quantum physicist, Elena Baburin, is kidnapped with all her military guards wiped out by Koko and her team. Bookman realizes that Koko is responsible for the kidnapping and that the incident has something to do with Marchen. A subsequent investigation on Koko's finances reveals that Koko has been liquidating her assets and funneling them all to Marchen, and keeping it a secret even from HCLI. At Dulles Airport, Bookman and Hinoki warn Koko that is under watch but she defies them both. While Koko meets with a Japanese executive that specializes in making robotic parts, Lutz voices his concerns over Koko's suddenly aggressive tactics. Valmet has noticed the change as well but she confirms that she still believes in Koko.

Meanwhile, Chocolate who is still tailing Koko loses track of her, leading Bookman to figure out that Koko's next target is Rabbit's Foot, a notorious hacker and political activist, who is detained in Camp No in Guantanamo Bay. With this new information, they surmise that Koko's plan is to build a Quantum Computer. Koko and her team are preparing themselves for Rabbit's Foot's extraction when Lutz questions Koko's true intentions. Although Koko refrains from answering, all of her guards reaffirm their commitment to her. Much later, Hinoki meets with an NSA agent who informs him of that Bookman is on to Koko's plan and that they are moving Rabbit's Foot to another location with orders for her escort to kill anyone who tries to come after them.

COMMENTS:

Ah, there we go. The gun play. But I'm thinking we're up some grand finale next week.

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Zetsuen no Tempest 10: How to Make a Time Machine

Evangeline fights Natsumura in order to buy the military some time to get air support. Her efforts are not in vain as fighter jets soon arrive to bombard the barrier over the Tree of Zetsuen. Sensing that the barrier can't hold, Tetsuma tries to hasten the ritual by diverting the magic of the second and third barrier to the awakening of the tree. Junichiro also arrives at the scene to a shocked Natsumura.

Meanwhile, within the forest, Yoshino hypothesizes that there is no time paradox and that everything is just an elaborate plot by the Kusaribe Clan to trick Hakaze and the world' logic. According to him, Samon merely put Hakaze to sleep for two years before sending her to the desert island. This means that Hakaze's count of only four months being on the island is correct and that she is in fact in the present timeline. He also explains away the skeleton as being a mere prop created with magic. The theory is convincing enough to lift Hakaze out of despair and cast some doubt on Samon's claims, forcing him to prove the existence of a time shift. He does this by getting Hakaze to carve a word of Yoshino's choosing on the barrel. The same word "Ariel" appears on the barrel in the present timeline, thus, proving Samon correct. However, Samon's suspicious behavior as well as the fact that Hakaze's voice is able to travel through time makes Hakaze and the boys think that there is a way to make her body travel through time.

COMMENTS:

Another talk-y episode. Did it really have to take that long to explain all that? I mean, the episode title is "How to Make a Time Machine." I came into this episode fully expecting that Hakaze will already travel through time and face Samon once for all. But no, they had to drag out the whole thing. Now we have to wait another week to find out if Hakaze will ever be able to get off that damned island.

Meanwhile, I don't give a flying fudge what Junichiro or Natsumura or Evangeline is up to.

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BTOOOM! 9-10: All In

BTOOOM! 9: The Strongest Player

Sakamoto and Himiko return to camp only to find that Taira is no longer alone. A new player who happens to be a doctor treats Taira's wound, thus, earning the latter's trust and later even Sakamoto's. But Himiko remains suspicious. What all three don't know is that the new guy is Date, the same doctor that betrayed Murasaki on the island six months ago. As a gesture of trust, Sakamoto tells Date about their plan to collect seven chips and sabotage the helicopter. He also reveals that they already have three chips in their collection. This spurs Date to join their group, thinking that all three of them totals to six chips. Later, at the food drop, Sakamoto has to fight a strong player for the right to one of the trunks. Date helps somewhat but also nearly kills Himiko in the process. The incident increases Himiko's suspicions but she wisely keeps them to herself for now. Meanwhile, Sakamoto nearly falls for a trap set up by a player, who surprisingly knows him by name.

COMMENTS:

Ah. Things are finally picking up and all the important players (including even that psychopathic kid) are coming to a head. The next few episodes should be interesting.

BTOOOM! 10: High Level

Sakamoto survives the trap, to Himiko's huge relief. But the event triggers Sakamoto's memory of an old school friend of his, Oda. The guy was an ace -- popular, good at sports, good in academics -- but for some reason, he used to hang out with Sakamoto all the time. That was, until Oda slept with Aiko, a girl that Sakamoto liked. The incident created a rift between them. In the present, Sakamoto decides to look for medicine for Taira's wound at the abandoned building. On their way there, Himiko finally voices her suspicions about Date's character. Sakamoto, however, continues to believe Date, adding that to survive on this island they have to trust people. To his utter discredit, Sakamoto completely falls for Date's trap. He had set up a remote-controlled BIM inside the trunk which he made Sakamoto carry. Himiko tries to warn him but she may be too late.

COMMENTS:

Idiot Sakamoto. So glad Himiko isn't the airhead she appears to be. And wow, Oda, how did you get from clean-cut white-side wall to long hair and tattoos. Oh, I know. You became a host and then a club owner. lol Date and Murasaki showdown, coming up! Why do I have a feeling the two of them are just going to take each other out?

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Psycho-Pass 9: The Fruit of Paradise

After apologizing to Kogami for doubting him, Gino has the team finding out more about Makishima and his activities. They are not entirely successful so Kogami takes it upon himself to go after a possible lead on Makishima's identity. He suspects that Makishima may have been a student of Professor Saiga, a renowned psychiatrist who used to work as a criminal profiler. While he inspects the professor's old class list, he also has the professor give Akane a crash course on criminal profiling, despite knowing that such lectures have been known to cloud people's psycho-pass. As it turns out, Makishima is not on the roster.

Gino soon finds out about Kogami and Akane's visit to Professor Saiga and gives the both of them a thorough lecture. Akane grows a backbone and reminds him that since they are equal in rank, Gino has no right to talk her down in front of her colleagues. After Gino walks out, Masaoka gets Akane to see matters from Gino's perspective. Gino suffered a lot as a child because of the discrimination that came after his father was diagnosed a latent criminal. The reason Gino is acting out against Akane becoming too involved in cases is because he doesn't want her to get eventually corrupted by it all.

Meanwhile, on the news front, the chairman of a cybernetic company is interviewed for being the only man in the world with an entirely cyborg body. It is revealed that he is the same man who shot Rikako point-blank. He says that his company is working on cybernetizing the human brain in order to achieve immortality. Later, his talks with Makishima reveals that he is privy to the former's plans for Kogami.

COMMENTS:

If I were Akane, I'd have a crush on Kogami, too. But, god, I hope they don't go there. I mean, come on, we're on the 9th episode and still no back story on our side characters. And yet, they have time to tease us with a possible romance between the two main characters. The imbalance is obvious.

I'm glad though that we get to hear Gino's story. A family member of his being a latent criminal was already hinted at in an earlier episode. That actually explains a lot about his character. Now, can we have, pretty please, a scene with Yayoi and Shion? :)

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2012 Anime Report: The Best List

I haven't really watched that many series this year so this list might be a little bit skewed. Moreover, I totally stopped watching anime the whole summer and only really started picking up in time for the fall season. There are many series that I was very enthusiastic about at first but eventually dropped for one reason or another. In any event, this list has a very narrow range: 2011-2012 Winter up to 2012 Fall seasons with a huge gap where 2012 Summer should be.

On a side-note, it's this blog's birthday. Exactly 5 years ago, or on December 7, 2007, this blog was created. :)

Now, on to the list....

Most Highly Anticipated Series

Sakamichi no Apollon

(RUNNERS-UP: Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi, Jormungand: PERFECT ORDER, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, Moyashimon Returns)

As soon as I saw the promo poster for Sakamichi no Apollon, I had high hopes this was going to be a beautiful series. Plus, the pedigree involved (Watanabe Shinichirou and Yoko Kanno). By the time the trailer came out and I heard the first jazz note, I was a goner. The visuals are just stunning and I loved the music, the setting, the characters, the premise right from the onset. 

Best First Episode

Sakamichi no Apollon

(RUNNERS-UP: Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, Another, Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna, Space Brothers, Psycho-Pass)

I came into this series with very high expectations and the first episode really delivered. I loved how the show immediately focused on the friendship between Sen and Kaoru, which is the series' selling point. But what I loved best about the first episode was the impromptu jamming session by the boys where you could actually hear Kaoru's initial hesitation and the freeing effect that jazz music has done for him. It was just beautiful.

Best Finale

Another

(RUNNERS-UP: Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi, Jormungand)

This show wasn't as great as I'd hoped but it did unveil a neat twist at the end. For me, that's what saved Another from being another lackluster dark anime ambition. That and because there's really nothing better than having tons of characters die in just the span of one or two episodes.

Best Randomly Picked Series

Space Brothers

(No runners-up)

This was the only show that I randomly picked up for the entire 2012 season. Ha-ha. And I'm very glad I did. Space Brotherswas one of the better shows that came out this year and it's still running. The sheer amount of episodes and my still watching this series should attest to how much I'm enjoying this show. I never watch anime that go beyond the 26-episode mark. This is an exception.

Favorite Female Character

Ada Wong [Resident Evil: Damnation]

(RUNNERS-UP: Svetlana Belikova [RE: Damnation], Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun], Mine Fujiko [Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna])

Ada Wong isn't my favorite female character from the Resident Evil franchise. That singular title belongs to Jill Valentine. However, I've always liked the lady in red, mainly because of the ambiguity of her allegiance and the sexual tension she has with Leon. And then this movie came out and I was just...WOW. That knife fight has gotta be one of the hottest fight scenes I've ever seen.

Favorite Male Character

Nanba Mutta [Space Brothers]

(RUNNERS-UP: Nanba Hibito [Space Brothers], Leon S. Kennedy [RE: Damnation], Sasha [RE: Damnation], Nishimi Kaoru [Sakamichi no Apollon])

As a twenty-something girl who is among the rank of the plebes, I can relate very much to Mutta. I don't have any younger sibling but I do have older ones and they're all variedly stable in their respective lives. Mutta's insecurities are my insecurities and I have dreams that I don't even know how to begin to make them come true. Some days I'm just barely hanging on. Others, I feel very motivated. I'm just like Mutta, taking it one step at a time, perhaps stumbling along the way but picking myself up and trudging on.

Favorite Villain

Juppongatana [Rurouni Kenshin: Shin Kyoto Hen]

(RUNNERS-UP: Karen Low [Jormungand], Orchestra [Jormungand], Svetlana Belikova [RE: Damnation], Makishima [Psycho-Pass])

An eclectic mix of murderers and psychopaths, no one can beat Shishio's "Ten Swords" in terms of villainy.

Funniest Character

Nanba Mutta [Space Brothers]

(RUNNERS-UP: Nyanko-sensei [Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi], Sofia Valmet [Jormungand], Hitagi Senjougahara [Nisemonogatari])

Unlike many characters in "comedy" series who are funny because of what they say or their antics, Mutta is just naturally funny. I mean, you look at him and you just know that he's a funny guy. 

Saddest Character

Sakakibara Kouichi [Another]

(RUNNERS-UP: Kawabuchi Sentarou [Sakamichi no Apollon], Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun], Sasha Kozachenko [RE: Damnation], Natsume Takashi [Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi])

Kouichi lost his mom when he was only a boy, something that still haunts him. His father is in a far away country. And his aunt, who looked a lot like his mom and has therefore become his surrogate mom, turns out to be not quite alive. Yes, Kouichi is a sad character, alright.

Coolest Character

Kogami Shinya [Psycho-Pass]

(RUNNERS-UP: Kawabuchi Sentarou [Sakamichi no Apollon], Saitou Hajime [RK: Shin Kyoto Hen] Sofia Valmet [Jormungand], Kunizuka Yayoi [Psycho-Pass], Katsuragi Junichi [Sakamichi no Apollon])

I mean look at him. He's like Spike Spiegel's spiritual successor, without the martial arts, less of the pathos and more on the rage. His mortal enemy even has white hair. Kogami Shinya, you are one cool dude.

Favorite Het Couple

Yoshida Haru x Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun]

(RUNNERS-UP: Nishimi Kaoru x Mukae Ritsuko [Sakamichi no Apollon] Araragi Koyomi x Hitagi Senjougahara [Nisemonogatari])

I just find them cute, okay? I love their blunt honesty, how they always say what they mean and mean what they say. I love that they approach their relationship problems head on. I love that they are such perfect foils for each other -- Shizuku with her reserve and Yoshida with his expansiveness. I love that their more romantic interactions make me feel giddy inside. It has been awhile since I felt anything like this from a canon pairing. They are the reason why I love this series.

Favorite Slash Couple

Karanomori Shion x Kunizuka Yayoi [Psycho-Pass]

(RUNNER-UP: Watanabe Saki x Akizuki Maria [Shin Sekai Yori])

I believe with all my heart that these two are a couple. I mean, there was that very telling episode with Yayoi, fixing her tie as she is coming out of Shion's lab just as Akane is coming in and catching Shion putting on her pantyhose. lolz Plus the fact that Yayoi seems to be always hanging out in Shion's lab. Surely, these aren't all just coincidence.

Favorite Crack Couple

Nanba Mutta x Itou Serika [Space Brothers]

(RUNNERS-UP: Leon S. Kennedy x Ada Wong [RE: Damnation], Karen Low x Sofia Valmet [Jormungand])

I hope these two are going to end up together. At the moment, we're clear on Mutta's crush on Serika but not so sure whether the feeling is mutual. Still, these are my crack couple at the moment and I always look forward to each scene of them together.

Best Dark Series

Psycho-Pass

(RUNNERS-UP: Another, Shin Sekai Yori)

If the execution of Another was better handled, it would have easily won this category. Dark, brooding characters? Check. Futuristic society with dark underpinnings of dystopia? Check. Brutal murders? Check. Mysterious, unrelentless villain? Check. Lots and lots of pathos? Check. It looks like Psycho-Pass wins this round, easy.

Best Comedy Series

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

(RUNNERS-UP: Jormungand, Space Brothers)

A lot of the antics of this show revolves around the main characters' quirks. Yoshida is violent but is an animal-lover. He has a pet rooster (which is actually a hen), named Nagoya. For some reason, he is afraid of his brother and will go to extremes just to get away from him. Shizuku has virtually no interest apart from studying. Her coldness and other people's reaction to it are a source of consternation and hilarity. Yamaken is rich, handsome and popular but has a bad sense of direction and is too proud to admit it. These characters interactions, plus the usual school tropes, make for a fun show that is reminiscent of Toradora!

Best Drama Series

Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi

(RUNNERS-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Another, Space Brothers)

The series had to win at something. Even though Sakamichi no Apollon comes at a close second, Natsume  is just better in terms of handling drama. This show is gentle and just takes its own leisurely pace but when it does get to that point, the emotional impact will surprise you. At one point, I teared up over this series. That's how good it is at handling emotional scenes.

Best Action Series

Jormungand

(RUNNERS-UP: BTOOOM!, Zetsuen no Tempest, Psycho-Pass, Jormangand: PERFECT ORDER)

This is like Black Lagoon light. The stories of Jormungand are nothing but the mayhem that happens every other episode is nothing short of fantastic. Truly, there is nothing more thrilling than traveling with an arms dealer.

Best Romance Series

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

(RUNNER-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Chouyaku Hyakunin Issho: Uta Koi)

Sakamichi no Apollon does not win this round because that series is more about the friendship between Sen and Kaoru than a love story. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is unabashedly about a romantic couple and the only other romance series in the running is Sukitte Ii na Yo, which I abhorred on first viewing, so that leaves only this. This is both a default win and a deserving win because I do enjoy the romance in this title.

Best Production Value

Psycho-Pass

(RUNNERS-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Another, Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna, Zetsuen no Tempest, BTOOOM!)

It's by Production I.G. What else do you expect? Overall, the series just looks really good from its character designs to its color pallet and its excellent use of CGI. Even the music is good and I loved both the OP and ED animation sequences.

Best Opening Theme

BTOOOM! ["No Pain, No Game" by Nano]

(RUNNER-UP: Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna ["New Wuthering Heights" by Ichiko Hashimoto])

The tune is forgettable but every time I watch an episode and don't skip the opening credits, I find myself enjoying this song. 

Best Ending Theme

Sakamichi no Apollon ["Altair" by Motohiro Hata]

(RUNNER-UP: BTOOOM! ["Aozara" by May'n])

Piano solo. Nuff said.

Best BGM

Sakamichi no Apollon

(RUNNERS-UP: Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi, Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna)

Yoko Kanno. Jazz. Eargasm.

Best Ensemble Cast

Psycho-Pass

(RUNNERS-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi)

They're just cool and like sex in black and white. Film noir with a sci-fi twist. And radiating danger like no tomorrow. The minute Kogami and Shion showed up on my screen.... AND OVARIES EXPLODE.

Best Art

Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna

(RUNNERS-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Chouyaku Hyakunin Issho: Uta Koi )

The most stylistic outing this year, Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna took me by surprise because I honestly did not expect the art vomit. It is so visually stunning and eye-candy and so very, very different from everything else this year, I just can't find any comparison.

Best Character Design

Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna

(RUNNER-UP: Space Brothers )

Nothing beats a classic.

Best Storytelling

Space Brothers

(RUNNERS-UP: Sakamichi no Apollon, Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi)

Perhaps because it has the advantage of spanning over several episodes. I don't really know how many episodes this is going to be but I'm not paying attention. I'm just here for the ride. That and because the story of Mutta and Hibito is that compelling.

Anime Series of the Year

Sakamichi no Apollon

(RUNNERS-UP: Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi, Space Brothers, Psycho-Pass)

This series for me is the most complete. It had a very good story, told really well, peopled by wonderful, well-developed characters with music that is to die for and visuals that are just gorgeous.

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