Despite the irony of the episode title of this episode, Kurau: Phantom Memory delivers another solid episode, despite following a predictable formula.

This episode basically deals with a rynax that inhabits Gou’s body (which occurred last episode), as he now runs amuck trying to find his rynax pair. Despite this episode having a simple formula to it, I continue to enjoy Kurau, because there’s something in every episode that makes you feel some emotion, and this episode is no different.

The thing that really impress me with the series, is that there are moments in the episode (and from previous episodes) where the viewer can just sit back and appreciate the felling of visual and sound harmony, as a scene plays before their eyes. In this episode we are treated to a few scenes like this. An example of this is when Kurau rescues Christmas from the rampaging rynax bot, as she performs serval flips before landing a decent blow to the bot. My favourite scene is this episode would have to be when Kurau feels better after eating an apple (which was a great play on the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor way), that is given by Christmas, as then proceeds to chase down Gou, as the ending theme plays in the background. Despite the episode ending in predictable tragic circumstances, one help but fell sorry for Gou, as he was in a no win situation to find his rynax pair. Even though this episode had a predictable air to it, the director mangers to turn what you term an average episode into a good one, due to being able to give the characters depth.

Like previous episodes of Kurau: Phantom Memory, we a given a little taste of what’s possible going to occur in future episodes, as a new plot element is introduced to us before the episode ends.

So far, I have to give credit to the production staff for being able to deliver us quality anime moments, as it’s seems very few shows that are currently being produced, are able to deliver the same quality emotional impact that Kurau: Phantom Memory is able to deliver.

After last week’s introduction to the world of Death Note, the story starts to move forward, as this episode introduces us to Yagami Light rival, L. From the moment the letter L appears on Watari’s laptop screen in front of the police national representatives, one can’t help but get the felling things are about to get interesting very quickly. Even though this episode is to introduce us to the beginning of the rivalry between Yagami and L, it’s good that we are shown a glimpse of both of their high intelligence in this episode, as it will give us a taste of what will occur in future episodes.

Despite this episode mainly being the introduction of L, the scene in this episode where Yagami explains the booby trap he created for the Death Note was very intriguing to me, as it displays Yagami’s willingness to reach his goals. At present I’m looking very hard to find a fault in Death Note, but I may have found a small minor fault in this episode.

In this episode when Yagami gets outwitted by the real L, there’s a 180 degree rotation shot in Yagami’s bedroom room, which I found a bit distracting. Even though I’m not against using 3DCG in anime, and using different presentation techniques, I felt that while watching this, it felt a bit out of place compared to the detailed and beautiful static 2D artwork. My only guess of why it was used is this episode, is because the director may have thought, since we have useing a bit of 3DCG in explaining of how Yagami booby traps the Death Note in his desk drawer, let’s use 3DCG again for a scene in this episode. Even though I felt it was a minor error in this episode, everything about Death Note still oozes class.

The episode picks up from the previous episodes cliff-hanger, as we a treated to an exhilarating and brutal display of swordsmanship, as Lia kills gargoyle Bernice. After slaying gargoyle Bernice, D’eon reverts to his normal self and is shocked and upset upon seeing the dead and bloodied body of his former comrade. After this, we get some interaction between Anna and D’eon in the palace, though it looks like their relationship will have a tragic ending, as an older D’eon narrates to us that Anna dies at some point in time. I for would wouldn’t mind seeing a happy ending between these two, but it looks like the story writers have other plans. Also during this episode we learn that Robin is assigned to D’eon by the Queen of France, to follow and serve him. After the two leave for Paris, they soon run into two other individuals, that will form the title of this episode.

Upon arriving in Paris, the plot of the show thickens ever so slightly, as D’eon is accused of murdering a member of the Secret Police. D’eon resists the arresting officers due to noticing they have the metamorphose mark on their necks. During this scene, we are introduced to the third Musketeer of the group, Durand. The impression we get from Durand interactions with D’eon and Robin is that his sneaky, a bit arrogant, and one also gets the feeling that his possibly going to betray D’eon as the show progress. We are given a little bit of information about Durand, and we learn that he treasures an antique watch that has been passed in his family from his great grand mother, how received it from Henry the fourth. I’m betting in future episodes of Le Chevalier D’eon, that this watch will play some importance (at least I hope).

Also during this episode we learn from Robin, what gargoyles possible are. We learn that gargoyles are heathen gods of luxury that live in the underworld, and were made into monsters. Later that night, we are introduced to the final member that will make up the final member of the musketeer group, Teillagory. Upon meeting Teillagory, Durand challenges Teillagory skill with the sword, and we are yet again treated to an invigorating scene of swordsmanship between the two characters. Lastly we learn from this episode, that Teillagory taught D’eon and Lia swordsmanship. The episode wraps up when the four musketeers are surrounded by a group of gargoyles.

What I really enjoy about Le Chevalier D’eon besides the complex political elements that seem to be building in the background, is the brutality the show is willing to display. In the first episode we get a taste of this when the secret police torture the prisoners for information. As it was episode one, I thought that it was a one off thing, but I was mistaken. In this episode we get Bernice death displayed in all its glory, which is usually thought of a no no in most anime productions, cause of the audience target. If Chevalier can continue this theme of displaying realistic wounding, with its complex developing plot, and cliff hanger endings, I will be eagerly waiting future episodes.

After the previous episode of drama and character introductions, Kurau: Phantom Memory opts for a scenery change, as Kurau and Christmas are being officially hunted by the GPO. In an attempt to start up a new low key way of life, Kurau seeks out an previous agent employer, Carradine.

The thing I found surprising and interesting about Carradine’s character, is how he interacts with Kurau. Carradine is loud, very talkative, and treats Kurau a bit roughly (he playful hits Kurau on the back, which is surprising different of how Kurau interacted with her previous employer in episode one and two). Kurau’s housing problems are also solved in this episode, as Carradine arranges a place for Kurau and Christmas to stay at.

What I continue to enjoy about this show, is the playful smart humour that the production have injected into this show. The scene where we learn of the relationship between Ayaka and Doug, at the bar is another example of this. The rest of this episode deals with Sam(a fellow agent working for Carradine) and Kurau having to team up to return some stolen antiques from a gang a rich kids, after Sam gets caught trying to complete the job.

Like all episodes, the action scene is probably the highlight of the episode, as it deals with Kurau and Sam escaping from the gang of rich kids in powered bots. Unlike most action scenes, where an action scene will try to impress the audience with its stimulating battles, the production crew again uses the opportunity to further reinforce Kurau’s personality to the viewer. The battle that occurs is realistically played out, as Kurau relies on her cunning, skill, and powers of pick off each opponent that she is faced with.

Like some of the previous episodes so far, a good episode of Kurau has an unexpected twist to it, and this episode is no different. The twist comes unexpectedly during the action scene, where we learn that Kurau is not as invincible as we are lead to believe.

As most anime shows start off with a excellent opening episode, and follow it up with average proceeding episodes, I’m glad to see that Kurau: Phantom Memory can go against this trend, and blaze it’s own path.