Revolutionary Girl Utena – 25

Like I said before: it’s been a long time since I saw the last episode of this. I believed that I’d seen up to number twenty-three. Just now I realize that I made a slight error in my calculations, making me miss the twenty-third one. It would probably have featured the downfall of the boys of the black rose. (note to self: track that episode down)

Anyway, this episode featured the start of a new season. If you’d ask me to describe it in just one word, I’d reply with "refreshing". The boys from the black rose were good in order to show some in-depth character development of some of the major an minor characters. It really felt like I got to know the personages more and more. However, it also felt a bit empty. The black rose had nothing to do with the main story and I also felt like some important characters were neglected a bit.

Therefore it was nice to see that this season will revolve around the members of the student counsel again. Sayonji and Touga are back, in all of their bishounen-ness. We also get some very obvious hints that Akio is some sort of bad guy. In what ways and how, when, why which and where are still a mystery. The recycled cells are replaced with old ones, Utena gets a new sword, the music gets even more awesome, and the shadow-play-girls are back against the walls where they were in the first season.

The story certainly takes a twist in the good direction this time. I liked the overall plot twists. I’m really curious now who End-of-the-world might be. It also seems that Anthy finally acts beyond her role of the rose bride, the student counsel meetings are just as awesome as ever (this time with baseball!) and the shadow-play-girls are as weird as ever. The stairs also seemed to have made way for a modern elevator (don’t you love the modern-day sciende?). All the desks and body outlines shown on the battlefield also got their modernization, as they were repaced by red sport cars, sticking out of the arena, literally (do NOT ask me why). My only complaint is that I almost couldn’t take yaoi-scented scenes.

Mahou Shoujotai – 39


WHAT!?! Oh my GOD NO! Everything makes sense now, but still, not that! Aargh! *screams*

Ahem. Now that that’s out, today has been the best episode thus far. A lot of things get explained, and things are starting to make sense now. The plot twist is incredibly sad. Alice also makes a lot of progress. This really was THE roaller coaster ride of the roller coaster rides in anime.

I’m REALLY looking forward to the last episode now, but HOW THE FRIGGIN HECK are the creators going to solve all this in just EIGHT minutes!?!

Mahou Shoujotai – 38


OMG! Best speech ever! Best tear-dropping moments ever! Best plot twist ever! Best episode EVER! This episode was so utterly incredible, you’d have to see it for yourself. I just love the way Sheila tried to convince Alice not to give up. Eva really looks beautiful now. And the cliff-hanger at the end made me almost explode of curiosity.

Mahou Shoujotai – 37


I knew it! The character art has changed! The characters really look older now. I first noticed this with Sheila, but no I see it as well with Eva and Alice. How much time did this show span in order to show such features? This show just keeps getting better and better! And I really feel along with Eva.

Popolocrois Story 1998 – 03



We get an introduction of the knight with a medieval accent. I like him, he seems like an interesting character. The bad guy needed a bit bigger role in this episode, which was mainly focused on Hyuu trying to get home again and eventually deciding that she should stay. It was entertaining, but I expected a bit more of it. We get an introduction of the knight with a medieval accent. I like him, he seems like an interesting character. The bad guy needed a bit bigger role in this episode, which was mainly focused on Hyuu trying to get home again and eventually deciding that she should stay. It was entertaining, but I expected a bit more of it.

The Law of Ueki – 32

This episode was a bit too full of coincidences. For example, I’d like to have had a reason for why Pekol and Gurano have such matching powers. It’s also a bit strange that Mori has to be with every fight. Okay, she’ll make sure of some good laughs, but it still irks me.

I’m attracted to Pekol’s story. I like the way he believes he’s weak and can do nothing and I also like the way he realizes that he can be something if he wants to.

About the battle, I believe it was a bit too long. It had a lot of useless time-filling moves, who could’ve been replaced by other things. I did like the way the second mecha was destroyed. In there, you really could see the creativeness working overtime.

Revolutionary Girl Utena – 24

Yes, I know. This anime is nine years old. Everybody must’ve seen this by now. Well, make that everone but me. Blame Holland’s crappy anime-industry.

The reason why I decided to blog this series is simple: because I like it. This anime is pure style and elegance. The drama scenes work really well, and even the minor characters get their development (okay, maybe not the curry guys, but you get the overall idea). I’ve also got to say that each comedy episode is laughing me to tears.

I am also very interested in the shadow plays, which happen every episode. Okay. It may be to save some budget, but it really works. This episode was also full of it and it really gives a certain feeling to the scene. Oh, and I just love the two girls behind the curtains who appear every episode.

Anyway, it had been a long while since I saw an episode of this show, due to the fact that it’s so friggin’ hard to find. A recap episode, therefore, was a pleasant surprise. The episode is about Tsuwabuki and Nanami. Utena and Himemiya get to know Nanami’s secret plans of the first couple of episodes through the help of Tsuwabuki’s diary, and it appears that she’s been stalked everywhere she went by him, in rather funny ways. This was entirely performed behind a curtain and those moments really had me laughing. Then Nanami found out some secret fantasies Tsuwabuki had. Those were a little painful to watch.

Overall, if you compare it with other recaps from different anime, I’d say this is a pretty good episode. It really is a bit more than just a repeat of some previous important scenes.

Orphen Review – 76/100

I’m watching more anime than just the ones I’m blogging. I will be trying to provide a small review once I finish them. I’ll probably do the same with the anime that I already finished before, although it will take a loooong time for me to do so…

Anyway, what we have here, is a typical fantasy story. It starts out with a decent above-average story, with a few special elements, but it still comes down to girl’s in trouble, main hero tries to save her, evil guy tries to stop them. Then, once the second half of the anime enters, one plot twist entirely changes your view of the entire story. From there on, the anime continues with a truly captivating story, that will surely make you feel along with the characters.

This anime mainly is an action/drama series, with a healthy dose of comedy thrown in. The comedy does really work, especially with the two nosy brothers who keep causing troubles. There is just the problem that this anime also tries to be cute at some moments (for example the blue dog-like creature who gets introduced in the show). This doesn’t work.

Most of the main characters have been developed excellently. You can exactly see why they did what they did, but still you can’t predict them. You’ll even feel with some of the less important characters of the show. I do, unfortunately, have to say that the two characters always travelling along with Orpen can get annoying at times. True, they do have their genious moments, but at some times they only seem like thrown in for comic relief that doesn’t work.

This story certainly has its creative moments. Mostly in the story and comedy department. Especially at the second half of the anime, the story is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Do also not miss the episodes devoted to comedy. I’ll assure you: you’ll have some good laughs.

Why you should watch this anime: if you like fantasy stories, you will definately like Orphen.

P.S. Yes, if you look at the score of this anime, you’ll see that my standards are really low. This is the table to which I’m holding myself:
0…10: A worthless piece of garbage.
10…20: Has no good points, you should never watch this.
20…30: Only watch this if you’re bored.
40…50: Has a lot of flaws, but maybe some good points.
50…60: Decent anime, but still very flawed.
60…70: Average to good anime. I’d recommend it.
70…80: Anime with some extremely good points. I really like these
80…90: These are so awesome, I’d keep on muttering about them.
90…100: These are the anime that make me go crazy. They are the best anime ever, and with very good reasons.
You may ask why I’m saving so much room for the good anime. Well, I want the good anime to have some extra attention they deserve. Some people all rate their favourite anime between 9.0 and 10.0. I’m finding this extremely subjective. When do you know what’s your favourite anime? Is it the one with the 10.0 rating, or the other ten ones with the 10.0 ratings, which may have been 9.0 as well?

Mahou Shoujotai – 36


OMG! There are really too few people who know about this wonderful anime. This is such a pity, because it is one of the best ever made. This episode as well was nothing but awesomeness. We first get the delusion of a happy ending, it may not be clear if it really is a happy ending, but still everyone believes it and it’s noticable by the overall mood. But right afterwards we get smacked down by the reality. I won’t spoil what will happen, but all I can say is that I’m really looking forward to the last four episodes of this unique anime.

Well, this concludes my christmas update. Didn’t I tell you it was going to be huge? ^_^
Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you have a good time.

Mahou Shoujotai – 35


Just when I thought that this show couldn’t get any better. Alice still is the only one who truly acts right, even though that means acting extremely stupid. The world destruction finally is about to happen. We get a few surprises from Alice’s dad, and from Alice as well. Furthermore, you can’t help but sympathize with Eva, now that she lost her magic, she also lost her bravery and I’m getting more and more respect for Sigma.

Whoa, this series really is a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Thumbs up for the creators.