[Winter 2017] Season of Endings

[KazeShiki]

The winter to end all winters.

「篝」/ 「さとPON」

Much like the threads before it, this is a thread I created stole from blkmage for the discussion of new anime that will be airing on TV in Japan in the Winter 2017 season. Anime typically gets released and runs for a number of seasons. The year is divided up into four seasons: January to March is winter, April to June is spring, July to September is summer, and October to December is fall. Each season is approximately 13 weeks.

Here, we can talk about what shows look interesting, what we plan to watch, and generally get giddy and excited for things that we've been anticipating for a while.

---
ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka
http://acca-anime.com/
Manga

Adventures of a monarch's inspector.


AKIBA' S TRIP: THE ANIMATION
http://akibastrip-anime.com/
Game

Akiba the anime.


Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen
http://www.ao-ex.com/
Sequel

Season 2 of demons and exorcists.


BanG Dream!
http://bang-dream.com/
Original

More dreams. More idols.


Chaos;Child
http://chaoschildanime.com/
Visual Novel

Sci;fi series continues


Chiruran: Nibun no Ichi
http://chiruran.jp/
Manga
**This anime is a short

Chibi Shinsengumi.


Choboraunyopomi Gekijou Dai Ni Maku ai mai mi: Surgical Friends
http://www.dreamcreation.co.jp/aimaimi3/
Manga
**This anime is a short

Season 3 of magic girls.


Demi-chan wa Kataritai
http://demichan.com/
Manga

A biologist teacher and his not-quite-human students.


ēlDLIVE
http://eldlive.tv/
Manga

A boy is chosen to join a galactic police force.


Fuuka
http://fuuka.tv/
Manga

A town where you played in a band.


Gabriel DropOut
http://gabdro.com/
Manga

An angel becomes a gaming addict.


Gintama (2017)
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/gintama/index2.html
Sequel

Gintama season 2017


GRANBLUE FANTASY The Animation
http://anime.granbluefantasy.jp/
Game

Mobage without the gacha.


Hand Shakers
http://www.project-hs.net/
Original

Head into battle, ye who shake hands.


Idol Jihen
http://idoljihen.jp/anime/
Games

Idols are gonna idol.


Kemono Friends
http://kemono-friends.jp/
Game

Park animals transform into human girls because why not, Japan.


Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon
http://maidragon.jp/
Manga

If animals can transform into cute girls, then why not dragons too.


Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2
http://konosuba.com/
Sequel

Megumin returns.


Kuzu no Honkai
http://www.kuzunohonkai.com/
Manga

A perfect couple isn't actually perfect.


Little Witch Academia (TV)
http://tv.littlewitchacademia.jp/
Original

Money was thrown. Anime was made.


Marginal#4 KISS Kara Tsukuru Big Bang
http://marginal4-anime.com/
Original

The idols keep idling.


Masamune-kun no Revenge
http://masamune-tv.com/
Manga

Get bullied by cute girl, become popular for revenge, then fall in love anyway because it's anime.


Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-Bu
http://minakama-anime.jp/
Manga

Cute girls riding bicycles.


nyanko-days
http://nyanko-days.com/
Manga
**This anime is a short

Cat girls.


One Room
http://oneroom-anime.com/
Original
**This anime is a short

Three stories. One Room.


Onihei
http://onihei-anime.com/
Original

Justice in the Edo period.


Piace: Watashi no Italian
http://piace-anime.com/
Manga
**This anime is a short

Italian food.


Reikenzan: Eichi e no Shikaku
http://reikenzan.net/
Sequel

Season 2 of the sage life.


Rewrite / 2nd Season Moon-Hen/Terra-Hen
http://www.rewrite-anime.tv/
Sequel

Supposed to be the part that makes Rewrite amazing.


SCHOOLGIRL STRIKERS Animation Channel
http://sgs-anime.com/
Game

Schoolgirls save the world.


Seiren
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/seiren/
Original

Something about cute girls.


Sentai Heroes SUKIYAKI FORCE
Original
**This anime is a short

Sukiyaki is delicious.


Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen
http://rakugo-shinju-anime.jp/
Sequel

Season 2 of rakugo aspirations.


SUPER LOVERS 2
http://superlovers-anime.com/
Sequel

Season 2 of Yaoi on Ice without the ice.


Tales of Zestiria the X 2
http://toz-thex-anime.tales-ch.jp/
Sequel

Season 2 of Zestria.


Urara Meirochou
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/urara/
Manga

Girls training to become undines, I mean, uranaishis.


Yami Shibai 4
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamishibai/
Sequel
**This anime is a short

Scary stories 4.


Youjo Senki
http://youjo-senki.jp/
Light Novel

A little girl fights on the frontline of war.


Yowamushi Pedal: NEW GENERATION
http://yowapeda.com/
Sequel

Bicycle riding part 3.


Since the forum continues to die, and I've gotten busier in real life, this is going to be the last anime seasonal thread I make unless for some reason a bunch of people suddenly appear and ask me to keep going.

[MangaRocks!]

Since the forum continues to die, and I've gotten busier in real life, this is going to be the last anime seasonal thread I make unless for some reason a bunch of people suddenly appear and ask me to keep going.

I know, it's sad how lonely it's gotten in here lately. I miss the days of lively discussions. Thank you very much for making the threads for so long, though!



I have three shows I'm interested in this season:

* ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka - Because it's an adaptation of a Natsume Ono manga, and the few things I've seen and read from that author so far have been great, so I might as well check this out, too.

* Little Witch Academia (TV) - Because I quite enjoyed the two LWA movies, so I'm quite likely to enjoy these next episodes as well.

* Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen - Because the first season was *fantastic,* and I can't wait to see the 'present' arc!

[EventualDay]

I am really, truly sad about the death of this forum. I still come here every season to check what's new. I guess I'll have to find somewhere else to do that now. Though I won't beg you to keep up with these seasonal listings, know that I always read them and laughed. Like MangaRocks! said, thanks for doing them for so long.



Things I'm interested in:
ACCA since it's Natsume Ono and I've always been partial to her art.
Akiba's Trip ... it certainly looks like ecchi ... but if it's anything like Punch Line, it might be worth watching...

... and everything else I want to see, I need to watch the first season for (or the OVAs/ONAs? like Little Witch Academia). Doesn't seem to be much in the way of original works this time.

[MangaRocks!]

Akiba's Trip ... it certainly looks like ecchi ... but if it's anything like Punch Line, it might be worth watching...

^ Just want to warn you... this is based on a 'videogame' which, from what I've heard, pretty much solely consists of SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the player going around stripping vampires (ostensibly so that they can then be burned up by the sun or whatever, but we all know that's not the point... Even the name is an acknowledged 'pun'... ), so... I really doubt there's a big plot twist in there.

[Mouse2010]

I am really, truly sad about the death of this forum. I still come here every season to check what's new. I guess I'll have to find somewhere else to do that now. Though I won't beg you to keep up with these seasonal listings, know that I always read them and laughed. Like MangaRocks! said, thanks for doing them for so long.

Ditto this. This has been my go-to place for finding out what's airing in the upcoming season. I know there are other, livelier anime discussion sites still out there, but I don't tend to like the tone of forums like the ones on MAL. Isn't there anything we can do to keep this forum from dying completely??

Anyway, what I really wanted to say was that I'm excited about both Blue Exorcist and Little Witch Academia. I never really picked up any of the fall's shows, but I'm glad to see that I'll have something to watch in Winter.

[shooraijin]

I'll keep the lights on as long as people are willing to come by.

[EventualDay]

^ Just want to warn you... this is based on a 'videogame' which, from what I've heard, pretty much solely consists of SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the player going around stripping vampires (ostensibly so that they can then be burned up by the sun or whatever, but we all know that's not the point... Even the name is an acknowledged 'pun'... ), so... I really doubt there's a big plot twist in there.

That's so disappointing... though I'd much rather know now then after watching 8 episodes or so hoping for a plot twist. :/ The animation looked nice and stylized too. I might not end up watching much of anything this season..

[MangaRocks!]

...Started watching the first episode of Little Witch Academia (TV), which looks like it's going to retell the story from scratch (and differently, too), but for some reason I just wasn't in the mood for it right now. *shrug* I'll come back to this later on when I feel more inclined to enjoy it.

As for what I *did* watch:



ACCA... episode 1:

This was a great first episode! I loved the art style and general atmosphere, I liked the calm (...well, for now, at any rate ) sort of intrigue running through it, I liked the MC, and that classy music didn't hurt, either. I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy this~~!



And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episodes 1-2:

Ep. 1: Haha, that was a neat way of doing a short recap during the first 3 minutes... Anyway, the state of rakugo at this point in time in the story is kinda depressing , but Yotaro (or should I say SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the new Sukeroku! ) has a very positive attitude about even that, which is really great. Plus, with the advent of the interesting new SPOILER: Highlight text to read: famous writer character who wants to make completely brand-new rakugo stories with Yotaro, and Yotaro's commitment to his promises (one of which was to not let rakugo die ), there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel there I think. Also, Yotaro's utterly unconditional love for Konatsu (and that really honest discussion they had about it) was sooo sweet (as was him wanting to give both Konatsu and Yakumo a real family)~ <3 <3 And the performances were as great as always, too. Oh my gosh I head-over-heels adore this show. Ep. 2: Ah, now we see Yotaro's anxiety kicking in. He is indeed under a lot of pressure, and that (rather mean-spirited) article sure didn't help. Yakumo was touchingly compassionate to him here, though, which was very sweet. <3 Actually, Yakumo was sweeter than usual throughout, brought on by seeming despair, interestingly enough... he is such a complex character, and so interesting...

[ForeverInspired]

College gets busier each year, but I am trying to keep up (it's been a long time since I've posted though).

I'm still watching March Comes in Like a Lion because it's a great show and I really relate to the main character. I'll go back to the fall thread and expand later, but for now, I just love the main character's drive to hold onto his passion. Sometimes, he gets side tracked and is not always the first person to catch on, but once you break the ice of his outer personality, you realize that he is an emotional mess just like everyone else.

Now, for winter, I stormed through the first season of Ao no Exorcist so that I could be ready for Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen. From what I hear though, is it back tracking and startingduring the middle of the first season?

Chaos;Child really interests me because Steins;Gate interested me (let's face it I actually rewatched the series this winter completely... I never do that). Now, I haven't watched Chaos;Head yet, and I am debating whether I should since rthere seems to be a recap at the beginning of episode 1 of Chaos;Child.

Believe it or not, I highly enjoyed the first two episodes of Masamune-kun no Revenge. Yes, it is predicatable, but is quite funny and lively which is a nice contrast with the more serious shows that I like to watch. Also, finally the guy is the one out for revenge, which I personally find a nice twist after we had so many rom-com shows where it was always the girl. Plus, I like the guys strategy and that the show not only shows his outword display towards the ladies, but also his inner conflict with how far he has to go to get revenge.

Yes, who would not want to watch Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2???? I was able to get to the first 2 episodes, and I am very excited with where this show is being taken after an amazing rendition of past events in season 1 (I honestly was at first concerned that it wasn't coming back to the present then... and then it blew my mind). This with the continuation of March Comes in Like a Lion will probably be my go-to shows this semester.

Now, I wish there were more serious shows with original stories that were interesting. While Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 is amazing, I want something fresh and new so I will be on the lookout in this thread to see if anyone stumbles on a gem before I do.

[MangaRocks!]

. . . Now, I wish there were more serious shows with original stories that were interesting. While Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 is amazing, I want something fresh and new so I will be on the lookout in this thread to see if anyone stumbles on a gem before I do.

^ Actually, have you tried ACCA yet (it's on Crunchyroll)? It's definitely unique, and it's got that same sort of mature-in-tone-but-not-really-in-content feel, IMO (in fact it's even cleaner so far).

(Speaking of which... )



ACCA... episode 2:

What the heck? Jean's totally being framed! *shakes fist* And SPOILER: Highlight text to read: his supposedly-good-friend is even the spy on him-- and, indeed, has been for essentially forever, no less. Now, in all honesty, I pretty much figured that particular reveal was coming when the spy's face and voice were specifcally hidden at first; however, it does put an interesting wrinkle into the plot and the context of Jean's character, so I don't mind at all that it was a bit predictable. Also: It's interesting how, even with that threat beginning to loom, the tone is still so wonderfully low-key overall (including the humor!). And I'm really drawn to Jean, as well. <3 <3 This show seems to have all the makings of an underrated (as well as understated! ) gem, and I'm certainly enjoying it far more than one might expect from its premise + intentionally languid pace and tone. Really looking forward to the next episode!



And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 3:

Hahahahaha oh wow, that confrontation SPOILER: Highlight text to read: between Yotaro and the gang boss was amazing (on multiple levels, LOL). Yotaro is the man. And seeing Yakumo perform Sukeroku's rakugo was both awesome and very moving. <3

[Mouse2010]

So, I finally started watching something from this season. And for some reason what I picked up was not Blue Exorcist, but Masamune-kun's Revenge. I've watched the first three episodes and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's genuinely funny and occasionally a little sweet. I feel like I've seen plenty of characters like the "Cruel Princess" before, but Masamune, with his mixed motives and emotional baggage, feels a little more fresh as a character type.

And Episode 3 featured one of the WORST SPOILER: Highlight text to read: first dates I have ever seen.

[Mullet Death]

So Nyanko Days is pretty fantastic. It's such a shame it's only two minutes long each episode. Criminal shame.

[MangaRocks!]

Whoops! Accidentally missed posting in here last week... but that doesn't mean I wasn't captivated by the episodes I watched (as you'll see from my comments about them below )~!



ACCA... episodes 3-4:

Ep. 3: Well, it's good that at least *someone* thinks that Jean's got nothing at all to do with the coup + is suspicious of Grossular (although after this ep. *I'm* actually suspicious that Grossular isn't the main problem, LOL... ) And ohhh man, that little moment when Jean was so SPOILER: Highlight text to read: taken by Mauve was so unexpected yet so perfect-- it was really sweet. <3 As for the prince: Oh dear, he really *IS* an idiot... Good thing the king SPOILER: Highlight text to read: didn't abdicate (...yet...). And I still can't quite tell what's going on with SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Nino (...I mean, other than the whole spy thing, obviously , though he seems to be reporting to multiple people now)-- he really doesn't seem like a terrible guy, but there's this subtly uneasy vibe going on underneath all of his 'watching,' like he really might do something to Jean or his sister if he was told to... Indeed, a good portion of the main characters now definitely seem to have ulterior motives, and thanks to that the politics in this have gotten even more interesting (with poor Jean {and even his sister!} now unwillingly caught up in the middle of it). Although, the funny thing is that I actually wouldn't even be surprised (or mind) if Jean actually does end up being revealed to be a part of it (or even a SPOILER: Highlight text to read: secret prince, as per one rather well-laid-out theory that has been going around the anime-only/-first watchers {I myself decided to wait to read the manga until afterwards, too, which is a relatively rare occurrence for me }). Regardless of what occurs, though, I'm really looking forward to it!

And ep. 4: Aha-- finally an (apparent) explanation of the whole free cigarettes deal! Also: So, if I'm getting this right, it looks like SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Nino's *real* boss is the actual owner of the building Jean and Lotte manage (and who a lot of influential businesspeople also happen to live in)... and the siblings have never actually met said owner. Also, Nino truly seems to be a bodyguard as well as an informant, which puts that 'watching for decades' line (and, indeed, his entire purpose) in a whole new light. Veeery interesting. Also: The whole thing with the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: (apparently regularly-occurring) mini-coups and how Jean reacted and dealt with everything was pretty interesting, too.

TL;DR: Basically, there's just something about this show that is really attractive, and I am absolutely *loving* it!



And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episodes 4-5:

Ep. 4: Aww, it's so nice to see them all doing well now at this point-- Yotaro is finally doing great, the kid is so cute and sly now~~ (getting even Yakumo to warm up to him {!}, plus learning rakugo himself on his own!) , and Konatsu is finally not only working on playing music for the shows, but she even got to legitimately perform one rakugo show (albeit as a surprise to both her and the young audience ), as well. (...That said, even though she had tons of fun doing it, she's apparently trying to make peace with Yakumo by deciding that she'll never do it for a living; but that's probably going to change soon, especially given the events of the next episode...)

And ep. 5: Wow. This show really does constantly impress. I loved Yotaro's understanding that he has no 'ego' (and loves rakugo and the characters in it much more than himself) <3 , as well as the symbolism of him SPOILER: Highlight text to read: finishing his tattoo (and Yakumo's approval of it, too). And while the foreshadowing made it obvious that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: something was going to happen to Yakumo during his performance, it still kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for the next ep.!

[John_Smith]

First of all, thank-you Kazeshiki for posting these threads!

This seasons choices seemed a little lackluster to me. The stuff I’m most interested (God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World, Little Witch Academia) both have preexisting content I’d like to watch first. Now, I could have used this as an opportunity to be more productive this season, but since I apparently have no life, I tried out shows I normally wouldn’t watch.

Masamune-kun's Revenge. Similar to ForeverInspired and Mouse, I was expecting it to be terrible, but find myself enjoying it and its cringe worthy humor.

Youjo Senki. This is my ‘What the heck is this show even doing?’ series of the season. No moe here, none at all! (well, that’s not technically true, but said scenes are few and far between) It’s actually pretty terrifying watching Tanya move up through the ranks of a Nazi-esque military and vanquish her enemies. I thought the first episode was horrible, but (in my opinion) the second episode saw a bump in quality, and the episodes since have kept said quality.

ACCA- This wasn’t even on my radar until I saw it recommended here (shame on me for lurking on this forum!) I figured if it was the popular choice around here, why not jump in?
My initial reactions to it were a little negative. I’m not a particular fan of the art style, and I find the slow pace rather annoying. BUT, I enjoy how this same slow pace is letting it set up the plot, characters, and mythology of the story. I already overthink shows I watch, but this show has my brain on paranoia levels. After seeing episode 3, I was going over in my head everything I had watched, and came to the conclusion that there’s reason to be suspicious of all the characters! I’m serious! (I even sound paranoid…) Even with Jean and his sister. All I know is someone’s lying.

I also tried the first episode of elDlive, and found it to be a pretty generic shounen. Won’t be watching the rest.

Lastly, I’m keeping Rewrite in mind. I’m not holding my breath, but I’ll happily watch the season if at the end everyone’s raving about it.

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 5:

Welp, my opinion on SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Nino has just done a complete 180° (in a very good way ); and I don't think SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Grossular is going to turn out to be a real baddie anymore, either (but we'll see about *that* next week ). (...Also: For various reasons, I'm now 100% convinced that the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: secret prince theory is going to be correct, so it'll be fun to see how that eventually turns out, too. ) Anyway, as for the details of just how great this particular ep. was, the ANN review of it was so wonderful that all I can even add to it is that this show is brilliantly, quietly awesome, and my rating is an A+.



And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 6:

So. Darn. Good!! SPOILER: Highlight text to read: I had kinda figured that the thing with old-Sukeroku apologizing and then choking Yakumo('s soul?) at the path of candles in the previous ep. was him actually sending Yakumo back to earth (well, barely, but it's the metaphor that counts, LOL). And obviously Yotaro had to continue the performance-- there really was no other choice he could make. And indeed, as Konatsu said, he was actually the only one who even could-- because in true acting fashion (or, as the writer guy puts it, one of the three different types of rakugo acting), his own self 'disappears' and he *becomes*/channels the characters themselves, so he was still able to give it his absolute all, regardless of his own immediate feelings and circumstances. And it was brilliant. (Plus, it looks like that thing I'd heard about some of Yakumo's backstory-telling to Yotaro and Konatsu being a bit on the unreliable-narrator side is true, since going by the preview the next episode is apparently going to revisit the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: death scene...) Cannot wait for next week!!

[artisticDreamer]

I vanished a long time ago, but I came back for some reason. So I'm posting here again.
Watching: Ao no Exorcist season 2. I'm pretty happy they just ignored the last half of the first season.
Little Witch Academia. I liked the short so why not?
Youjo Senki. I liked the art AND THEN THE SHOW WAS JUST SO GOOD.

Aside from that, I'm watching TRICKSTER and Nobunaga no Shinobi, which both carried over from last season.
And, of course, I'm behind in all of these.

[KazeShiki]

Uh so Rakugo ep7 just had one of the best plot twists in a long time. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: There is a subtle but very important difference between lying to characters vs lying to the audience in order to mislead the audience, and it's very easy to mix the two up, especially when it's lying to the characters but for the sole purpose of tricking the audience. Rakugo, however, did this perfectly because it's so easy to forget that season 1 was a story being told by Yakumo, and he has an incredibly big reason to lie about the truth. Additionally, the way he chose to lie in being overly poetic fits the thematic of Rakugo perfectly because, rakugo. A good plot twist should not be "wow did not see that coming at all;" it should be "wow that makes so much sense how did I not see that coming at all?" Rather than overruling a previous assumption that was wrong, which is the blandest and laziest yet most popular form of twists, it changes your perspective on what something meant and brings greater meaning to the events of the past because you lacked certain information. That was really great.

[MangaRocks!]

^ Indeed. (More on that in a minute though. )



ACCA... episode 6:

I love how subtle the pacing of this show is-- on the surface, it might seem like nothing much is happening; however, if you pay close enough attention, you can see that actually a lot is. Take this episode, for example: ...YEP YEP YEP YEP YEP IT'S TRUE!!! (The one theory, I mean ; though SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Jean and Lotte themselves don't know it yet! ) And the prince SPOILER: Highlight text to read: (that is, the publicly-known one ) actually wasn't acting like a ditz this time, surprisingly enough. (He definitely knows about at least some of it, if not all. Putting his painting precisely *there* was way too sly.) And yeah, while we're obviously seeing things through Jean's rather-biased-in-the-positive-direction lens here when it comes to Grossular, I really don't think he's a bad guy at all now. He certainly has his own agenda (as nearly everyone except Jean and Lotte apparently do, LOL!), whatever that is, but even regardless of whether or not he's SPOILER: Highlight text to read: for the coup right now (although I haven't quite made up my mind yet which I think it is), he seems to be doing things with good intentions overall, at the very least. (As Mauve says later on in the ep.-- and whoever is originating the plans-- whether there will be a real attempt or not is going to be up to the royal family.) Also: I love, love, *love* the interactions between Jean and Nino now that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Jean's fully aware of Nino's job (and doesn't even mind, LOL)-- Nino can openly tease (and console) him about SPOILER: Highlight text to read: not being good at giving *cough*edited*cough* reports , Jean can SPOILER: Highlight text to read: (attempt to ) use the techniques he now knows were used on him to try and dig up info from others in turn (though not liking it very much {nor being very successful at it, either}, LOL), and they can hang out even easier and SPOILER: Highlight text to read: with no more pretense. (Plus that little smile when Jean gutsily informed SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Grossular that Nino might not have been entirely honest/detailed in his reports to him {which shows just how well he really does know-- and trust-- Nino <3 }...) It's great. And as for Mauve: So, she gave up on getting covert info from poor Jean and started really digging into things on her own (blatantly against orders now, instead of subtly, LOL ), and her reactions at some of the reports were interesting. For instance, SPOILER: Highlight text to read: she didn't fault Jean for helping to cover up the mini-coup (which she knew had occurred on multiple occasions before she became Director-General); in fact, she almost seemed pleased at how 'seriously he took his job' and protected his subordinates. And ohhh man, with Jean's next audit being in the capitol district, something big is definitely going to go down... Looking forward to next week!




And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 7:

...Holy crap!! I'd heard that there was some unreliable-narrator going on with the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: death scene back in S1, and always was a bit suspicious of its inconsistency with that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: hazy, blood-spattered memory Konatsu had, but even knowing all that, what *really* happened was even more horrible than I could have imagined. I just... wow. There are no words, just... well, basically just Yotaro's reaction. *...takes a few deep, calming breaths...* Okay, so that *completely* recontextualizes not only *that* whole thing (obviously! ), but also both Yakumo's character and Yakumo's entire relationship with Konatsu (plus making that exchange between them near the start of the episode sharply painful in hindsight), all in one fell swoop. (Basically, all of this:)

Uh so Rakugo ep7 just had one of the best plot twists in a long time. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: There is a subtle but very important difference between lying to characters vs lying to the audience in order to mislead the audience, and it's very easy to mix the two up, especially when it's lying to the characters but for the sole purpose of tricking the audience. Rakugo, however, did this perfectly because it's so easy to forget that season 1 was a story being told by Yakumo, and he has an incredibly big reason to lie about the truth. Additionally, the way he chose to lie in being overly poetic fits the thematic of Rakugo perfectly because, rakugo. A good plot twist should not be "wow did not see that coming at all;" it should be "wow that makes so much sense how did I not see that coming at all?" Rather than overruling a previous assumption that was wrong, which is the blandest and laziest yet most popular form of twists, it changes your perspective on what something meant and brings greater meaning to the events of the past because you lacked certain information. That was really great.

...And then, of course, there's all the other great stuff, like the reveals about the writer SPOILER: Highlight text to read: having known Miyokichi when he was a kid, all of Matsuda's emotion, the films, and the perspective on how Yotaro experienced the two different stories and the different types of acting by their tellers in his mind's eye as he was watching/listening, etc.

This show as a whole is a masterpiece.

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 7:

Well, of all the people to break the news to SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Jean about his lineage (plus that he's actually the *first* in line, no less!) for the first time, I have to admit that I wasn't expecting it to be SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Mauve (and so bluntly, too!). Well played. (And that conversation they had also explained a couple of things about SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Mauve's reactions in the previous ep., too. She's certainly not the Director-General for nothing... ) Also: Since the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: stuff about the ship sinking (or at least the reported 'deaths' from it) was obviously faked, I'm guessing that Abend ended up being the princess' eventual husband, under the assumed name of Otus. Oh, and the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: (publicly-known) prince-- while a power-hungry narcissist -- is actually, to my surprise, looking like less and less of an idiot with each passing episode, at least when it comes to SPOILER: Highlight text to read: trying to maintain his status as heir. (Nice misdirection on his interest in Lotte, too {and here we all-- even his own retainer/protector!-- just assumed that he was interested in her in an... er... amorous way until now...} Again, well-played. ) Looking forward to the full backstory from SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Nino to Jean next week~! <3




And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 8:

Wow... that entire sequence where Yakumo SPOILER: Highlight text to read: was contemplating suicide and the responses from (and following conversation with) both Yotaro and Konatsu was quite powerful. Other things of note: Konatsu is finally (and rather adorably <3 ) showing Yotaro some affection of her own accord ; Yotaro now apparently has an apprentice of his own (!); and seeing SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the inn lady essentially throw Yakumo by the collar was the highlight of the episode. Also: The echoing of old-Sukeroku in Yotaro (both in him telling Yakumo that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: he can vent to him all he likes and also with that beautifully tender performance of SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Sukeroku's very last story-- which also seems to be the first one Yotaro put some of his own personal feelings into as he performed <3) was so sweet. Finally: That ending SPOILER: Highlight text to read: with the boss being arrested just as Yakumo finally committed to performing felt like quite a blow; but the apparent prison uniforms in the next-ep. preview make me think that Yakumo is going to do a performance for the inmates, which would still give the boss what he wanted and also provide a very nice full-circle feeling (since it was hearing Yakumo's rakugo in prison that started Yotaro down his path in ep.1 to begin with, which in turn has affected Konatsu and Yakumo's lives for the better over time; etc.). This series is awesome.

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 8:

Wow, the backstory here actually managed to (pleasantly!) surprise me in several ways: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: First was that until this ep. I could have sworn the princess was going to get with Abend. Now that we know she *didn't* (and never intended to-- really nice twisting of clichés, there, BTW, especially since Abend clearly *did* love her, and never was this Simpsons meme more accurate than that scene when she told him to leave her side like it was nothing... </3 ), I've seen some people say that they think he's Grossular, but that would actually make a couple things *more* confusing instead of less, LOL, so I think he's just from the same district (where tall, attractive white-haired guys who all kinda look like Grossular are actually a widespread thing, remember? ). It *is* suspicious that they didn't reveal Abend's eyes to the audience yet, though... because that means that we *have* seen him in the series already (in disguise but for those eyes, I assume); however, I'm positive he's not Grossular (as, again, that would actually make less sense, for multiple reasons). Guess we'll find out who he's really been disguised as soon. As for the second thing that pleasantly surprised me, it goes along with the first-- the princess (who was totally awesome, BTW! ) didn't elope or anything like that, she was just too smart/was really getting into politics/kept meeting with too many unstable elements in the populace, and thus had a high chance of being used to upset the balance of power despite her desire for complete peace. So her dad, being the good-hearted soul that we now know he is <3 , gave her *complete* freedom (albeit thanks to the deviousness of the council dude... there's still something about that guy that feels off, even if he supposedly really did do that for the good of the country/monarachy...). And the third thing that pleasantly surprised me was the fact that Nino actually chose to go along with his dad and work with him instead of being left behind. ...And speaking of Nino: Turns out he was always tremendously adorable (especially when he was a kid, but even after that <3 ), and his dad was hilariously adorable as well. <3 And that montage of their school days was great. (Granted, the insert song was a little cheesy, but I had a huge grin on my face throughout, so who cares, LOL! ) And Nino meeting Lotte was the cutest thing ever. <3 <3 Oh man, though... of course SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Nino's dad would indeed have been on the same train... Nino trying to comfort Jean about the loss of his parents while hiding that the same thing had just happened to himself (and thus Nino having no one to comfort him in turn) was one of the most heartbreaking things I've seen lately (helped by great directing, too). </3 And then showing them eating Nino's favorite dessert at the end... What a great show. Really looking forward to the next ep.!




And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 9:

Whoa, what an episode! Sukeroku's red eyes in the OP (which is only the second time that has happened) was the first clue that something big was going to go down, and the anticipation only built from there. First: Yakumo's explanation about the performance he did at Yotaro's prison was so priceless I just had to grin at his wicked sense of humor. The new performance he did at the prison the boss is now in, though... that one wasn't even funny in a black-humor way, it was just plain heartrending. I can see how that would move even some of the criminals' hearts (...it sure moved me!). And aw, the little compliment Yakumo paid to the writer guy! <3 It was obvious that was intended to be a goodbye, though, especially when he told him to SPOILER: Highlight text to read: give Yotaro the fan (as that was Sukeroku's fan, after all, and very precious to Yakumo)-- which is, of course, what clued Yotaro in that something was wrong (thankfully!). Speaking of which: The whole thing with the Shinigami story at the end was perfectly fitting, super intense, and rather more symbolic than I expected all at the same time, and I'm still trying to figure out SPOILER: Highlight text to read: if that was a Shinigami the entire time or if Sukeroku's spirit really did appear at first. There was that statement about him(/it?) being audible being 'his' doing, but I'm not quite sure which 'him' is which, LOL (if it really wasn't the Shinigami the entire time... I mean, when it had red eyes it's pretty obvious that it was the Shinigami, but as for when it didn't have red eyes, I'm still not quite sure; it was acting kinda differently than Sukeroku, though, so I think it's safe to assume that it was indeed a Shinigami the entire time-- so the 'him' allowing Yakumo to hear it must've been the real Sukeroku's spirit {again, I assume}). So that means an actual Shinigami praised Yakumo's performance about a Shinigami, you gotta admit that's impressive. Holy crap, though, I hadn't expected Yakumo to (not necessarily fully-intentionally) SPOILER: Highlight text to read: burn the whole place down ... and the scene where Yotaro runs in and Yakumo finally reaches out to be saved because he realizes that he really doesn't want to die after all was so powerful. It's incredible how this series never fails to impress. Can't wait for next week!

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 9:

Wow, this ep. felt like it was only about 10 minutes long, if that! First things first: OHHH CRAP-- that prince really *is* smarter than he seemed! The deviousness he displayed here would have been a thing of beauty if it hadn’t been so evil... thankfully, though, SPOILER: Highlight text to read: his guard actually has a conscience, and thus kinda-stalker-guy (who I had actually completely forgotten about these past few ep.'s, LOL! ) finally became relevant! (Despite him ending up failing anyway, LOL. But, hey, at least he really tried. ) And as for that rescue by the chief... welp, I'm thinking it just became obvious who Abend has been disguised as (which would actually make a ton of sense, between him keeping an eye on Lotte’s well-being and the little mystery of Jean’s transfer requests always seemingly disappearing, etc.). Also: While by this point I had already mostly-correctly guessed Grossular's plans, this show managed to surprise me yet again with SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the reveal that Lillium was actually the puppetmaster all along-- well, rather, he definitely had a dangerous vibe the whole time, so it's not like that particular twist itself was all *that* much of a surprise; it’s just that to see the sheer amount of power and complete control he had over Grossular (seemingly in every possible way, no less) was a bit of a shock (in a good way, I mean, dramatically).




And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 10:

The Aftermath was emotional in a very good way. Later, Yotaro’s simultaneously sweet and clever request for the writer’s newly-written pieces to be performed by women (really Konatsu ), and also his little discussion about the relationship between mentors and their pupils... And then that little reveal that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Yotaro and Konatsu are finally having a kid of their very own~! Finally: Oh man... that entire sequence with Konatsu and Yakumo (plus Shinnosuke at the end) was so beautiful and so moving in so many ways. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: I can’t even parse out all of those ways into words here right now, but just a few I can were: The beauty of Yotaro (and Shin ) performing that particular story at that particular moment; Yakumo apologizing/being at peace/laughing in a truly happy way for what I think was the very first time onscreen; him and Konatsu working out their issues (well, minus the truth about the incident, of course , but it’s the emotions that needed to get worked out here, and they did); and her even asking him to teach her rakugo, and him agreeing so sweetly and with no more bias! <3 <3 <3 ...Holy crap at that ending, though...

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 10:

Ohohoho, Mauve showing her brilliance yet again here by SPOILER: Highlight text to read: heading Grossular off at the pass when it comes to the little discussion he was told to have with her. And, to my slight surprise, even she is for the coup, too! Anyway, the desert district Jean went to here was so wonderfully... well, down-to-earth (pun not intended )-- it actually ended up being one of the better areas, in terms of endearment. <3 As for the king: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Can’t decide whether or not he really is ill or if he’s doing something clever as a ploy again instead, but either way the outcome should be interesting. And as for the last sequence: Looks like the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: attempts on Jean and Lotte’s lives are really going to kick into high gear now … and ohhh crap, SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Lilium’s district is the last one (seriously, I didn’t need the title of the next ep. to tell me that there’s dangerous malice there, LOL ). ...Speaking of which: AAAAAUGH NO, don’t you do that to me, next-ep. preview! Not only is SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Jean narrating it instead of Nino for once, but those lines were just dripping with ominous foreshadowing when it comes to Nino’s well-being (especially when placed in context with the apparently-escalating mortal threat to the siblings, *plus* that little crush of Lotte’s-- the acknowledgement of which in this ep. {I say ‘acknowledgement’ instead of ‘reveal’ because I had already kinda suspected that might have been the case} being a red flag in and of itself)! (...Nope nope nope, not listening, totally in denial-- Nino must live, darn it!! ) ...Who would have thought this show could have this much power of suspense? (Need… next… ep…)




And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 11:

...Welp, that explained the whole SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Sukeroku’s-spirit/Shinigami thing-- even right down to SPOILER: Highlight text to read: when they switched! ...Anyway, this entire episode SPOILER: Highlight text to read: took place in their version of the afterlife; and, despite the obvious, it was beautiful. <3 There were a couple of good lessons, some great rakugo (of course! ), and a lot of closure… and I have to admit that I cried at SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the goodbye/pinky-promise sequence at the end, too (gah, that plus Sukeroku crying was just too much for me , *plus* then there was the surprise of who was rowing the boat, which just kept the tears flowing. This show, man...

[MangaRocks!]

ACCA... episode 11:

Fortunately, SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the thing I was expecting/dreading about Nino turned out to both happen and *not* happen-- on the one hand, yes, Nino *did* end up having to use himself as a living bullet-shield for Jean ... but, on the other hand, he did *NOT* die, thank goodness!! *sigh of relief* Also, Jean was truly angry here (I mean, subtly, as always, of course; but still quite clearly, if one is paying attention )-- not only about Nino almost getting killed, but also about the whole ‘serving’ attitude in the first place, and made sure to tell Nino so. And the contrast of the pure honesty of the people in the previous district with the sly condescension in this one was so interesting. Oh, and on a sidenote, that little aside about the unexpected romance between a couple of minor characters was pretty amusing (actually, I literally LOL'd). Just one more ep. to go, and obviously there's another twist coming when it all goes down (since obviously neither SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the stupid-prince nor Lilium can be allowed to gain control)-- and I have a very strong suspicion that said twist will actually come from Jean himself, considering that he seems to be SPOILER: Highlight text to read: playing Lilium at his own game here, or at the very least making sure that Lilium severely underestimates him. Can't wait for the finale!





And Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu S2 episode 11 (end):

...Oooookay, going to get the obvious topic out of the way first: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: As for the whole parentage thing, well... it's clearly not as out of the blue as some seem to think, because some viewers had already speculated that a while ago, and indeed the very show itself had some odd lines and hints throughout it that only really make sense in that context. For example, even beyond the obvious hint of Shin's looks now as a young adult, there's these facts to consider (and this is just from what I can recall ATM, would have to rewatch to see if there's more): Yakumo's rather odd line of thanks to the gang boss, the combination of Konatsu *never* seeing Yakumo as her father or even a father-figure with her wanting revenge on him + to carry out the rakugo bloodline (which means that Yakumo would make infinitely more sense than some random guy from a gang), and then of course there was this line in particular very early on in this season (which really stood out to me as strange at the time... until now, that is ). Now, granted, Konatsu did seem to be messing with the writer a little in her reply to his guess, and his guesses did tend to be off sometimes when they were about Yakumo anyway, so the show is clearly trying to let the viewer decide. But there seemed to be enough hints scattered throughout the show earlier on that only really make sense if it's true that I think it really is. And, honestly, I don't mind it in terms of the story, because while, yes, it's pretty twisted, so was a lot of other stuff in the characters' lives all throughout the entire series; and that would totally have been in character for her at that point in time (indeed, it's quite easy to picture her guilt-tripping Yakumo into such a thing; etc.). So, story-wise, I think it works, no matter the implications of it. ...*Ahem!* So, now that *that's* out of the way , as for the rest of the ep.: Oh my gosh, the two siblings are so adorable (both in and of themselves as well as with each other <3 ). Man, though, poor Shin-- what's Konatsu's problem? Seriously, she really needs to let up on him. He's got well more than enough pressure on him now to begin with without her ripping him a new one on top of all that (apparently fairly often, too, given the way he acts around her). Though, his relationship with his sister and with Yotaro are both really sweet, so at least he has that (...and rakugo, of course!). Speaking of which: Everything was wrapped up very nicely while at the same time moving forward, with the old barriers in the world of rakugo now gone (encompassing everyone-- SPOILER: Highlight text to read: east and west, male and female {with Konatsu of course becoming the first-ever female rakugo performer, as she indeed should [...so lighten up already, dear! ]}), Yotaro performing "Shinigami," and Matsuda not only actually being alive (holy crap!!) but yet again providing one of the most wonderfully emotional moments. Oh, and then Yotaro simply stating that something that good could never go away... <3 <3

In the end, despite whatever I or anyone else might think about SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the whole thing with Shin's parentage, IMO this show (both seasons of it) was a masterpiece overall, and am very glad that it was made and that I watched it.

[MangaRocks!]

...And, finally, ACCA... episode 12 (end):

First things first: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Yep, Abend was hiding in plain sight as Jean's boss, just as I had figured. And Mauve is a fantastic character, and 100% deserves SPOILER: Highlight text to read: her new position. <3 Second things second: Oh my gosh, the slow build of palpable tension throughout the beginning of this episode was *superb,* and the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: *completely*-averted outcome (and consequent diffusion of the aforementioned tension)-- as well as the details of who, how, and why it was done-- was absolutely brilliant, too. (This smile says it all~ ) And while SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the whole thing with the aunt who sent the assassins was very quietly (and surprisingly smoothly-- almost certainly due to the Council Head working some of his usual devious {though apparently truly well-intentioned} magic behind-the-scenes ) dealt with offscreen with only a passing mention in the dialogue, I didn't even mind, because to be honest that fit the tone of the show just right anyway. And all of the wrap-up with the characters and districts was really satisfying due to SPOILER: Highlight text to read: how great it turned out for everyone all around. Also: The very final scene after the credits with SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Jean and Nino was the most utterly *perfect* way to close both the episode and the show itself.

This was easily one of the most special and unique (and best!) shows I've seen in a while-- so glad that it exists + that I watched it! (Now to see if I can find the manga + its sequel!)



...P.S: Thanks once again for keeping this thread going these past few years!

[Mouse2010]

So . . . apparently episode 12 was the final episode of Masamune-kun's Revenge and I didn't even realize it? I was so sure that there was another episode. I was expecting an ending that lacked closure, but wow! So much left unresolved, and unexplained.

Other than the ending, I liked the show, but I'm really disappointed now. I get that this is based on an ongoing manga, but surely they could have picked a better place to end the story?