As I’m currently busy with summer school at the present, I’m having to do the majority of my blogging on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is expected to continue till the end of next week (when I fhinish summer school). On a side note I’m currently enjoying being an participant in the anime draft that is currently being held in the animeondvd forums, and we are currently on round five selections. The draft board can be found here.

As Code Geass has had few episodes that are dedicated to character development so far, I felt that this episode of Code Geass was better than the episode then the Kallen character based episode, for one simply reason; a insert song. As music is sometimes an overlooked element that can make a scene exciting, or sad, I felt that the insert song that was playing at the end of this episode, did a great job of enhancing the drama that was playing on the screen. As I previous speculated that I hopped that this show would go down the line of bring in another Geass user, and possibly of an Geass vs. Geass battle in the future, it looks like I guessed correctly, as Mao reveals himself to be Geass user in this episode.

My thoughts regarding Mao is that, I’m firstly happy to see that the production crew gave Mao some personality, as to me he likes to take pleasure in tormenting people with his power to read people’s mind. Mao to me seems to act a little dramatically, in combination with his sharp comments. The introduction of Mao’s character brings a lot of new interesting plots to the show, and how the story of Code Grass is going down. As Mao is a Geass user like Lelouch, I’m wondering why he has two Geass reflections in his eyes, while Lelouch has only one. Despite this episode being partly to introduce Mao to the viewer (and to reveal a little about himself), this episode is mainly about Lelouch’s and Shirley’s relationship.

As Shirley has found out that Lelouch is Zero, I thought that Shirley tried her best trying to come to terms of all the emotions that she felt regarding Lelouch. I was happy that this episode showcased Shirley’s bedroom, as I like seeing the various environments that the characters live/interact in. When the episode focuses on Shirley’s trying to write a note to Lelouch regarding what has happened that night, I was surprised to see that Shirley’s has a sister. As Shirley’s sister makes a brief appearance in this episode, I’m interested to know, does she go to the same school as Shirley? What is her name? Does she have a boyfriend? Does she like a particular boy at her school? And lastly, is her bust bigger than Shirley’s? As Shirley has a sister, I betting that her sister could be a good element can be used in some constructive way to make this show very interesting (and I don’t meaning from a fan service point of view). As I want to keep this entry short, I will just mention my thoughts regarding this episode, and not mention much about the plot of this episode(as there are many animeblogs that have already gave an episode synopsis of this episode, if you want to read it).

As Diethard is now a member of the order of the black knights, I finding his involvement in the order interesting, because Diethard wants go gather as much information about Zero for his piece that his going to display in the future. Diethard to me seems like a character that is a bit more intelligent than most of the members that are currently in the order of the black knight, and combine that with his sense of doing anything for a story, I sure that Diehard will provide me with some entertaining moments, in future episodes of Code Geass.

As the Shirley x Lelouch relationship pretty much gone back to square one in this episode, it will be interesting to see if the writers will continue with the Lelouch x Shirley storyline in future episodes, or go with Lelouch x Kallen, or maybe (not likely) go with the Lelouch and Shirley’s sister pairing. Whatever the direction the writers take on Lelouch’s relationship with the girls of Ashford Academy, I’m sure it will be an interesting one.

Overall I felt that this episode got everything right, and it will be interesting to see how the future episodes of Code Geass will play out, after this drama filled episode.

Episode Rating: A

With Kurau and Christmas meeting Bindt and Regel at the end of the previous episode, this episode picks off after the small tense stand off between the four individuals. The stand off between the four rynasapiens is disturbed when a girl comes out of the train wreckage looking for her sibling sister. After Kurau has reunited the child with her sister,
Bindt and Regel try to mental get an advantage over Kurau, by saying directly to Kurau that when they entered this world, that Kurau said “Fly freely around this world” to them. After Bindt and Regel try to rattle Kurau mentally by talking to her, the four rynasapiens battle one another, after exiting the wrecked train.

While Kurau and Christmas are engaged in battle against Bindt and Regel, Dag is talking to Kurau’s uncle Frank, trying to talk to Kurau. Uncle Frank informs Dag that Kurau and Christmas left Marseilles, and that Ayaka has contacted them saying that she was unable to contact Kurau. After Uncle Frank informs Dag that Kurau and Christmas were on the train that departed Marseilles at 9:10, Dag is determined to find Kurau and Christmas. After the scene of where Dag is determined to track down Kurau and Christmas, the scene shifts back to the fight between the four rynasapiens.

As the episode focus back on Kurau and Christmas, Kurau is a little shaken before the battle with Bindt and Regel, as before Kurau exited the train, Kurau felt that Bindt’s hand was very cold. After a battle occurs between the four rynasapiens, Kurau decides to leave Christmas alone to survey their surroundings, and see where the rynax possessed twins disappeared to. After searching the area for a brief period, Kurau runs into the rynax possessed twins. Upon running into the rynax possessed twins, Kurau tries to talk her way out of the situation by trying to reason to them, but the rynax possessed twins attack Kurau. I thought that the action scene between Kurau and rynax possessed twins was interesting despite it being short, as the twins managed to wear out Kurau, which hasn’t happened to Kurau up until now. As Christmas has been involved in few battles in this show, Christmas comes to Kurau’s rescue, by managing to bump Regel away from Kurau. After Christmas has taken care of Regel, Kurau delivers a telling kick to Bindt. After both rynax possessed twins are on the ground, Christmas and Kurau use the opportunity to run away, as it seems that the element of surprise was too hard for Kurau to overcome. Despite Kurau and Christmas running away from Bindt and Regel in this episode, I found it interesting that Regel had an odd reaction when Christmas hands touch him, as his hands was hot when Christmas collided with Regal. I found it interesting because Yvon and Jessica didn’t have these reactions when they were touched by another either Kurau or Christmas, in their respective episodes.

After Kurau recovers from her injures from the battle with Bindt and Regel, Dag picks up Kurau and Christmas, and returns them to their aunt’s and uncle place. The trip back to Kurau’s aunt’s and uncle’s place isn’t a pleasant trip, as thought’s of responsibility enter Kurau’s mind, as Kurau thinks that she is responsible for the rynax possessed twins. Kurau thinks that she is responsible for the rynax possessed twins because Kurau’s thinks that when she first became a rynasapien, Kurau thinks that she might have changed something in this world.

After Kurau, Christmas and Dag arrive at Uncle Frank’s place, they discuss the rynax possessed twins, and they come to a small conclusion that even though the rynax possessed twins have caused many terrible acts, which they are also victims. I though that the scene that proceeds this scene of where Christmas and Dag are disturbed by aunt Kline saying that she has a present for Christmas, was a cute scene. I found that scene cute, as Christmas jumps on the spot upon hearing Dag saying that the present that Aunt Kline has, might run away. The present that Aunt Kline has for Christmas, is an advent calendar. Aunt Kline explains to Christmas that the advent calendar works by opening one window at a time, when December comes. Aunt Kline says that when one opens the last window of the advent calendar on Christmas Eve, one prepares to accept the joy of Christmas. As Aunt Kline was explaining how the advent calendar works, I got a little chuckle when Aunt Kline explains what Christmas is to Christmas, has Christmas points to herself.

With Bindt and Regel’s location unknown for the present moment, they soon reveal themselves that following night, by continuing to use their Ryna power for their own mischievous reasons. Bindt and Regel decided to vaporise lots of the townsfolk that night, which have assembled at the local river, where they carry out an old tradition on putting candles in the river. The following day Ayaka returns to Switzerland, and informs Kurau that she heard of some startling news, that mostly likely involves the rynax possessed twins. Ayaka also informs Kurau, that Commissioner Saitou has issued an order for the rynax possessed twins and Kurau, to be found.

When Ayaka, Dag, Kurau and Christmas reach the river of where the rynax possessed twins were the previous night, they all are shocked by the number of victims that have died in the incident. While Christmas is busy talking to Kurau about what had happened, we learn from Dag what has been bothering him throughout this episode. Dag tells Ayaka that Ayaka has been chasing the kind of rynasapian that kill people without remorse, as Dag can’t fight against them, because he has no weapons and that his human. The thing that is really eating away at Dag in this episode is that he can’t save Kurau and Christmas, and that he doesn’t know what to do. As Doug asks these questions to himself, he soon answers his own question of what to do, as he says he will go after them (Kurau and Christmas), after Kurau and Christmas fly off in the direction of where Bindt and Regel are.

Despite this episode containing little in any action in this episode, I thought that this episode was interesting, on the fact that I found that Bindt and Regel are interesting antagonists. I found Bindt and Regel interesting minor villains (as Saitou is most likely the real villain of the series), as they act like children destroying objects with there rynax power. I liked how this episode showed that Bindt and Regel have a bit of nastiness inside of them, as they killed many people in this episode just for the hell of it. I thought that Dag’s character development in this episode was good, as that he realises that if he tires to attack Bindt or Regel, he wouldn’t stand a chance against them, and have a chance to save Kurau and Christmas. I also thought that the character development that comes from Kurau in this episode was also good, as Kurau relies that in fact that she may be responsible of all the rynax related events that has occurred throughout the series.

With the four rynasapiens mostly likely engaging in an big fight with one another in the next episode, and the hint of that the GPO maybe playing a part in the events of next episode, it looks like the next episode of Kurau Phantom Memory is going to be a good episode.

As this episode is entitled friendship, the title relates to how L views his relationship with Light. But before I go on about this revelation, most of this episode is dedicated to the establishment of the relationship that Misa and Light have now formed. I thought that the relationship that Misa and Light agree upon is a relationship where both of them will benefit from one another. Light agrees to be Misa’s pretend girlfriend, as Misa genuinely wants Light to be her real girlfriend, because she honestly likes Light. Misa wants desperately to be Light’s boyfriend because Misa suffers from love at first sight blues. Light agrees to be Misa’s pretend boyfriend because he needs her to get L’s real name, and kill him. Light also needs Misa because Misa possess the shagami eyes, and could become handy if difficult situations, in the future. Even though Light’s and Misa’s relationship is fake, I liked how Misa threatens Light by saying that she will kill any other girl that Light goes out with, because she wants Light all to herself.

While Misa is in Light’s room, Light tells Misa to destroy and evidence of the tapes that she has previously made and sent, and to send another message to Sakura TV, saying that the second Kira won’t meet the real Kira. What I found interesting about the scene where Misa is in Light’s room, is that Rem told Light upfront, that if Light tried to write Misa’s name in the death note, that Rem will kill him. I found this interesting, as even though Rem isn’t a real Death God, her loyalty to Misa is unquestionable, unlike Ryuk. If I found a death note and I could choose between Ryuk and Rem as the death god, I would choose Rem over Ryuk, because loyalty is a quality that is hard to find these days. As I found this episode to be a weaker episode of Death Note (though this episode is better than most shows currently airing), I though that I would comment on something that very few people are talking about, and that is how chief Yagami has aged.

As chief Yagami has been pushed into the background with Misa being introduced in Death Note, I would just like to mention that I liked how the creators of the show have shown how chief Yagami has aged. If one compares how chief Yagami looks now to when he looked like in episode two, you will notice that chief Yagami now has streaks of white in his hair, while in episode two he has hair that is all black. After the scene of where Misa walks herself home after visiting Light’s place, I enjoyed the little scene of where Light does a search on the internet, and finds modelling pictures of Misa. I liked this scene mainly because this scene conveys a sense of realism to the viewer that this show could play out in today’s world. Despite this episode being mainly about the establishment of how Light’s and Misa’s relationship is going to work, and L declaring that he view’s Light as a friend, I liked how this episode managed to add Takada as a character to Light’s university setting.

Even though Takada is given little screen time in this episode, I found from her interaction with Light in this episode, that she seems to be a girl that is quite intelligence (that’s a plus in my books), and that her friendship can’t be bought with gifts. I enjoyed how Light sweet talked Takada my saying that she could win the local beauty competition if she entered, as even though she indirectly says she doesn’t like that kind of talk, she is still a girl, and that little speech from Light most likely made her more interested in Light.

The main revelation of this episode (at least to me) is to show that L viewed Light as his first friend, despite engaging each other in the battle of wits in the L vs. Kira game. Even though L says to Light that he views him as his first real friend, I felt that this episode was cleverly directed in a way, so that it left the viewer with the feeling that what L told Light about him being his first real friend was no lie.

I thought that the final scene of this episode where it involved Light, Misa, Rem and Ryuk in Light’s was good, as Light manipulates the relationship/bond that Rem has with Misa, so that Rem will have to kill L. Light manipulates Rem into agreeing to kill L, because Light says that L is a obstacle to Misa. Light says that if L finds out that Misa and Light posses death notes, and if they are caught by L, it will not allow Misa to be with Light, which makes Misa happy. Despite me being shocked that Rem agreed so easily to kill L, I like Light cause of how cold and calculating he can be. Despite knowing that Light’s and Misa’s relationship is not an genuine one, I wouldn’t mind seeing Light try a little to display some genuine caring emotion towards Misa, instead of Light doing everything in cold and calculated way.

Episode Rating: B+

This episode of Gun Sword starts off in similar fashion like episode nine, with Van and Wendy hitchhiking. I thought that the sign that Van is resting upon, that reads bodyguard service for hire, was funny. Van is trying to sell his services because Wendy and Van are low on cash. After Van suggests to Wendy that they should go to a casino to increase their money, Wendy and Van go to a turtle racing competition because Wendy doesn’t understand how to play roulette.

As the last of Wendy’s money is riding on Kameo’s back to finish first in the turtle race off. Despite Wendy yelling many words of encouragement to encourage Kameo to finish first in the race, it takes Van to threaten Kameo, to make Kameo finish the race in first place. The threatening comment that Van yells to encourage Kameo to finish first is that Van threatens to turn Kameo into a steak and eat him if Kameo doesn’t finish first in the race.

With Van and Wendy having increased their cash funds from the turtle race, Van and Wendy spend some of their funds of a one way ticket to Jhoschdarn. After arriving at Jhoshdarn they will walk a little to Missoghi, where they will meet up with Carmen 99. Upon Van and Wendy arriving at the terminal to get aborad the helium blimp that will take them to Jhoschdarn, Wendy notes to herself that she and Van standout from the rest of the people on the blimp, due to that everybody else is dressed in eighteen century clothing. Wendy is further embarrassed in this episode, as Van indirectly gets drank, as he drinks some alcoholic drinks that he didn’t order.

After Van is sleeping being drunk, we get a nice little flashback scene of when Van was given Dann. I thought that the flashback scene involving Van testing out Dann, and Elena being the person in charge of this experiment was good, as we start to get a better idea of how Elena and Van interacted with one another. After the flashback scene is over, the episode deals Wendy and Van having dinner, and Wendy asking Van some questions about what will Van do after he has gotten his revenge.

I though that the dinner scene involving Van and Wendy was interesting, as Wendy has made an effort to impress Van at dinner, as Wendy borrows a dark green dress from the front counter, so that she wouldn’t look and feel embarrassed as everybody else is dressed in eighteen century clothing. I thought that Wendy look really cute in the green dress that she borrows. I liked the little the occurs between Van and Wendy when Van indirectly teases Wendy in the green dress when she arrive at the dinner table and Van says that the seat is taken, as Van didn’t recognize Wendy all dolled up. Despite Van embarrassing Wendy yet again in this episode by spilling his food and eating it of the ground, and saying out loud that the food is bland, I thought that the conversation that the two have was interesting.

Over dinner Wendy asks Van what he is going to do after he gets his revenge, as Wendy asks Van questions that try to lend to Van answer the questions that will lend Van to say that he will return with Wendy to Evergreen after their journey. Van answers most of Wendy’s questions by saying that he hasn’t thought about it, or he doesn’t know, instead of answering the question that Wendy is afraid of asking. As Van and Wendy have dinner, Wendy mangers to smudge her make up but Van doesn’t say anything. After Wendy has gone to her room, Wendy notices her lipstick is smudged, and the reason of why probably Van didn’t say anything, because he didn’t want to further embarrass Wendy at the dinner table.

The plot of the showed is moved forward in this episode when the focus of this episode is off Van and Wendy, as when Van and Wendy are onboard the Birha One (name of the helium plane that are on) the counter person that dispensed the tickets to Wendy and Van tickets to board the helium plane, informs Wo of the original seven, that Van is aboard the Birha One. I found William Will Wo an interesting member of the original seven, as he lives in his own castle, and that he seems to have a mother complex, as he has a big picture of his mother in his castle, and that he asks for his mothers praise upon entering his castle.

After a day has passed on the Birha One, William attacks the Birho One demanding that he doesn’t want to hurt anybody, but just wants Van to show himself to him. After Wo calls Van out, Van responds by jumping out of the Birha One, and landing on Dann in mid air, after calling Dann with his sword. While Van is jumping out of the Birha one, I thought that scene were Wendy is hugging her pillow in her room was cute, and I also though that Wendy look pretty good with her left side of her hair upbraided, while the right side of her hair was free flowing. When Van jumps out of the Birha one in this episode, Wendy notices that Van has dropped his puzzle that Van has been carrying with him throughout their journey.

As I have enjoyed the various amour design of Gun Sword so far, I liked the design of Wo’s armour Mesta. I found that Mesta to me is designed in a sleek and slender design, to that of a white knight. While Wo is busy fighting Van, we get some very interesting information about Wo, as we learn that Wo is the son of Kryengkru, and that he has come not to get revenge for Gadved’s death, but to stop Van from getting in the claw mans way. I found it interesting that Gadved’s and Van’s armours of the original seven that haven’t had electro-neuro amplification in order for the pilot to operate their respective armour.

I thought that this episode was good because Wo ends up mentally and physically beat Van, cause during the fight between Wo and Van that Wo says that Van called him to come , and that Wo says that Van has deceived himself believing that he is fearless and that it has lend Van to rob himself of his own life.

Despite the episode ending with Dann lying defeated facedown on the snow, I thought the bit where the episode jumped to Fasalina and Michael was interesting. Despite Michael and Fasalina getting a couple minutes of screen time in this episode, I thought that the interaction between the two was interesting, as it seems that Fasalina is going to make a man out of him, so that Michael won’t waver in his thoughts. Also when this episode crosses to Priscilla in this episode, it seems that Priscilla might be regular character that will join Van on his journey for revenge, as Priscilla‘s sister and children that she is looking after encourage Priscilla to leave, and help Van on his journey. Before Priscilla leaves with her hover base and Brownie, a healed Joshua introduces himself to Priscilla.

With Van being defeated in this episode, and it looking like that Joshua and Priscilla will be regulars soon, the remaining episodes of Gun Sword look very interesting indeed, as there’s no shortage of people wanting to help Van to get his revenge on the claw man. The list of people wanting to help Van in his goal of killing the claw man grows at a fast rate in this episode, as Carmen 99 is on her journey to Jhoschdarn, we can she that she has meet up with the El Dorado group, due to seeing the shadow of the El Dorado mecha on the screen. With Joshua, Priscilla, Carmen 99, and the El Dorado soon meeting up together in the near future, and with the claw mans till waiting to achieve his dream, it looks like future episode of Gun Sword will be very interesting once Van deals with Wo.

Episode Rating: B+

This episode of Tsukikage Ran starts off with Tsukikage Ran and Meow together, and they both are watching a circus attraction. The main attraction of the circus is Taromaru, the elephant. While Tsukikage Ran and Meow are watching the performance I found Truckage Ran reaction to seeing Trommer the elephant funny, as I thought that the behaviour that Tsukikage Ran displayed was the type of behaviour that the hyperactive Meow would display. Also I didn’t expect Truckage Ran, to have a soft spot for elephants. After Truckage Ran makes Meow buy lots of souvenirs such as manju, and elephant sembei, we meet the huge European girl that this episode is entitled.

Stephanie is the huge European girl that this episode is titled, and she is very tall individual that also has a strong build. After Stephanie is introduced in this episode, Stephanie asks Tsukikage Ran to be her apprentice. Meow decides to call Stephanie Su for this episode, as Meow can’t say Stephine. Su’s makes life very difficult for Meow and Tsukikage Ran, as Tsukikage Ran and Meow try to use various techniques such as running for it, and leading Su around to try and lose her, to get rid of. Each attempt that Tsukikage Ran and meow come up with gets hindered by Su.

To get Su away from Tsukikage Ran and Meow’s hands, Tsukikage Ran gives Su a diploma saying she has passed, and that Su is a samurai. Tsukikage Ran has tricked Su, as Su can’t read Japanese; the diploma says that “This girl is a ran-away, so take her to a police station”, because Tsukikage Ran is trying to put Su’s best interest at heart.

After Tsukikage Ran and Meow have gotten rid of Su, they meet Su again, as Su is now working as backup for a yukaza clan. As Su is stronger and taller then all the members of the two waring yukaza clans, Su easily manhandles everybody. After Su has taken care of most of the members of the waring yukaza clans, Su decides to challenge Tsukikage Ran to a duel.

I thought that the duel between Tsukikage Ran and Su was choreographed well, and upon seeing Tsukikage Ran throw a rock at Su, I thought that the battle between Tsukikage Ran and Su developed into a battle that was similar watching a battle between David vs. Goliath. As Tsukikage Ran is smaller then Su, Tsukikage Ran uses her small size to her advantage, by defeating Su with a sleeper hold. After Tsukikage Ran defeats Su, Su decides to go back to her country and try to be samurai there. After Su says that she wants to be try and be a samurai in her home country, Tsukikage Ran and Meow are speechless of how to react to Su’s speech, so to be safe, they decided to fun for it.

As the previous episode of Tsukikage Ran was a drama filled episode, I thought that this episode was a nice funny episode, to lighten the mode from the previous episode. I liked how this episode managed to show that Tsukikage Ran has a thing for elephants, while also showing a bit of Tsukikage Ran’s caring side in this episode, when she wrote Su’s circumstances on Su’s samurai diploma.

With the Russian arc being wrapped up with previous episode, this episode of Le Chevalier D’Eon starts off with the four musketeers arriving at London Quay. After arriving at London Quay, the four musketeers go to an inn to drink a little and plan there next move. Durand proposes that the musketeer groups meet with Duke Guerchy, who serves as an ambassador plenipotentiary to gather information they need for their recent assignment. Durand tells D’Eon that Duke Guerchy used to be part of the secret bureau, and that he also knew Lia. After it has gotten a bit later on in the night, Durand tells D’Eon about Maximilien Robespierre.

Durand says that Maximilien Robespierre served as a knight for the king, and that he was a man of worthy of being called a knight, that Maximilien Robespierre had undoubting allegiance to France until he switch sides. Despite not knowing why Maximilien Robespierre changed allegiance, Durand tells D’Eon that he will settle the matter regarding Maximilien Robespierre. As I have been intrigued by the affairs that Madame de Pompadour has been up to in the palace, Madame de Pompadour continues her treacherous activities with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has got Duke Guerchy of the Foreign Affairs on their side, by Madame de Pompadour buying him off. After the scene involving Madame de Pompadour and the minister of foreign affairs, we see King Louis busy at work talking about how the events of Russia have played out. King Louis states that if Pytor succeed the throne that Madame de Pompadour would come to the forefront in France. What I found interesting in this scene involving King Louis, was the secret message that King Louis is about to write and send to Durand, as it seems the message that King Louis will write, will contain some secret message that will be for Durand’s eyes only. I also found interesting was how King Louis signed the letter that he was busy currently writing, as King Louis signed the letter with the nqm symbol.

As The Duke of Cagliostro and Lorenze have been out of the spotlight for quite sometime, The Duke of Cagliostro tries to open the Verse of the Royal Family book, but can’t open it. Lorenze has a go at opening the Verse of the Royal Family book, but can’t open it also. Lorenze however does manger to be able to lift the book up from the desk, while the Duke of Cagliostro couldn’t even lift the book from the desk. After Maximilien Robespierre gives some money to the Duke of Cagliostro, Maximilien Robespierre explains to Lorenze that the book knows who to open to, and that soon the book will open to all things in an equal manner. As Maximilien Robespierre is busy thinking about what he has to do next in his plan, the four musketeers meet Duke Guerchy.

My impressions of Duke Guerchy is that he seems to be a individual that likes to make a scene, and likes to reveal what he knows about a person, after he has greeted them. As Duke Guerchy introduces himself to the four musketeers, he first greets Terrigory. Duke Guerchy upon greeting Terrigory, says that Terrigory is a famous knight of antiquity. I liked how Duke Guerchy introduced himself to Robin, as Duke Guerchy grabs Robin’s both hands, which scares Robin with his unique personality. Upon Duke Guerchy greeting Robin, Duke Guerchy says that Robin is a once in ten year prodigy, which is the Queen’s right hand man. After Duke Guerchy has greeted Robin, Duke Guerchy greets D’Eon. D’Eon isn’t speared by Duke Guerchy antics, as Duke Guerchy rattlers of that D’Eon was once a member of the Parisian Secret Police, and is now a secret agent of France. After Duke Guerchy has greeted all members of the musketeer group, Duke Guerhy offers the musketeer group as much food and drink they want. I found Duke Guerchy to be interesting and smart person, as he points to sums of money to written on a piece of paper, to say how much his services will be to investigate the poets.

After the musketeer group has paid the sum of money that Duke Guerchy requested, Duke Guerchy informs the musketeer group of the tense situation between France and England. Duke Guerchy explains that there’s going to be a treaty going to be signed between England and France. Duke Guerchy points out the two important points that need to be addressed by the palace. The first point that needs to be addressed is that the assistant foreign diplomat Robert Wood, has documents about this treat in his brief case. The second point is that the poets are on good terms with the king and the parliament. As Durand says that there is something that Duke Guerchy doesn’t (Duke Guerchy doesn’t know how these ‘poets’ are, D’Eon mutters in a calm fashion that the poet that they are after was a member of the secret bureau, that was dispatched to England. D’Eon says that his man has a strong connection to King George. D’Eon also says that this poet meet King George through the poet society. D’Eon lastly says that the poet’s name is Maximilien Robespierre.

After D’Eon informs that he has crossed paths with Maximilien Robespierre, Duke Guerchy offers some provisions to the musketeer group. As Duke Guerchy knows Robert Wood’s fancies, Duke Guerchy tells that Robert Wood fancies a wine from Tonnerre, and he likes watching duels. After Duke Guerchy mentions he doesn’t have an actress at the opera that can seduce him, Lia makes her presence known to Duke Guerchy, and Lia offers to be Robert Wood’s escort. As Duke Guerchy agrees with Lia’s plan, Duke Guerchy makes arrangements for Lia to attend the banquet that is being held that night.

The next scene sees Lorenze, Maximilien Robespierre and Duke of Cagliostro go into a covenant that has a sign that reads ‘Do what thy wilt’ at it’s entrance. As The Duke of Cagliostro translates the covenants sign, Maximilien Robespierre says that Sir Dashwood gave his teaching to this land. I found this covenant scene to be rather creepy, as there’s creepy choir like music playing in the background of this scene. After the three enter deeper into the covenant, Maximilien Robespierre asks Sir Dashwood for Sir WhiteHead’s eyes to open the door of the Verse of the Paslm. After the scene involving the covenant is over, I thought that the scene involving the party played out in an interesting fashion, as this time we get to see Lia in the same purple dress that D’Eon previous wore in episode eight. It was interesting to see that Durand and Duke Guerchy were unaware that Lia and the Queen of England we close. After Duke Guerchy introduces Lia to the queen and king of England, I liked how Duke Guerchy exploits Lia’s relationship with the queen, by informing them that an evening party will be held next Friday. As King George says that there is poet society gathering being held at the same time, Duke Guerchy convinces Robert Wood and the queen of England to come to the event. I thought that the final scene of this episode with Maximilien Robespierre appearing in some form in front of D’Eon and Lia, was creepy and interesting, as Maximilien Robespierre wants Lia the chance to join him in opening the verse of the Royal family.

I thought that this episode of Le Chevalier D’Eon was very good from a plot point of view, as new characters and new plot elements are brought into this episode. I thought that the last couple of scenes towards the end of this episode where Durand looks like his got the case of the love bug for Lia was interesting, as Durand is stoped in his movements, as he is thinking about the time he acted, before he left for Russia wit him farewelling Lia’s dead body. With lots of developments occurring in the secret bureau and with Maximilien Robespierre seeming to move forward with his plans to open the door to Verse of the Royal Family, the second half of Le Chevalier D’Eon is shaping up to be an exciting set of future episodes.

This episode doesn’t pick immediately after the events of the previous episode, as this episode starts off with Dr Amari having a shocked look on his face, as he is staring at some foreign rynax equipment that is in front of him. The episode then continues from where the previous episode left off, with Kurau offering Ayaka to cook dinner, as they are now on goods terms with each other. As Ayaka has spent a fair bit of time and energy into capturing Kurau, I thought that this scene of Ayaka being able to enjoy a meal with Kurau’s family really showed how much Ayaka view has slowly but surely changed about Kurau and Christmas. After finishing dinner, I thought that the scene that occurs after dinner in Kurau’s bedroom was very good, where we get Ayaka and Kurau talking to each other about how Kurau viewed Ayaka when she started chasing after Kurau and Christmas. Kurau says to Ayaka that when she first meets her, that Kurau thought that Ayaka as a non-threating person, that was just lonely. After Ayaka and Kurau talk to each other I thought that the gesture of Ayaka returning the photograph of her with her parents that Kurau had been carrying around with her, until Kurau lost it, was a nice yet simple gesture, which showed how far their relationship has changed. I also thought this scene of seeing Ayaka in a nightie and seeing her crying, also showed how much Ayaka has changed throughout the series. After Ayaka gives Kurau her treasured photograph with her parents, Kurau decides to give Ayaka her phone number, if they needed to contact one another (while also showing that they are now friends with one another.)

After Ayaka leaves Kurau aunt’s and uncle’s place the following morning, I thought that the simple scene which fellows, with Dag managing to catch a baseball that has gone into the crowed, was again another scene to display Dag’s loving nature as a parent. Despite Dag reacting is classic fashion of being shocked by the announcement of that Kurau and Ayaka are now friends, Kurau Phantom Memory can get away with using this classic reaction, because the show has built and established itself based upon mature themes and character development.

After talking to Dag on the phone, Kurau and Christmas head to Marsilles, France; where Kurau believes the rynax possessed twins are currently, due to Ayaka giving Kurau a device that detects rynax energy, when it is activated. Ayaka hands this rynax device before Ayaka leaves Kurau families place. While Kurau and Christmas are searching for the twins, we learn that Kurau can’t detect the rynax energy when the twins use their powers. Upon searching for the rynax twins, Kurau and Christmas witness some of the twins childish destructive behaviour, as Kurau and Christmas see many every day items being fused together, or being bent into different shapes.

After Kurau and Christmas have searched for two days for the twins, Kurau and Christmas decided to head back home, upon not finding the rynax possessed twins. As Kurau and Christmas are making their way back home on a train, the rynax possesed twins finally appear in front of Kurau and Christmas, with their objective to make rynax’s pour out of Kurau.

Despite this episode mainly focusing on Kurau and Christmas looking for the rynax possessed twins, while Kurau is busy searching for the rynax possessed twins, Ayaka decides to visit the murderer of her family, Saitou Kanema. I thought that the scene between Ayaka and Saitou was interesting, as despite Saitou admitting that the GPO are creating rynasapiens, Saitou justifies creating rynasapeins due to that throughout human history of war, that humans build power, and that rynasapeins are just a extension of weapons. Saito says to Ayaka that she reminds him of her father, due to that she and her father share the same ideal when it comes to creating and gathering more power through unethical ideas. As Ayaka can’t take any more of Saitou’s trash talk, Ayaka points her gun at Saito. Despite Ayaka not shooting Saitou due to that she doesn’t want to become him. After Ayaka leaves the dinner table we how smart Saitou is, as some hidden body reveal themselves with guns in hand, ready to kill Ayaka if they thought that she was going to kill Saitou.

Despite this episode containing little action scenes, this episode was used to setup some more plot elements. I thought that this episode had lots of well constructed scenes, which really enhanced the relationships that the characters of the show have with one another.

After last weeks interesting episode of Code Geass, this episode continues the drama fest of emotions, as this episode starts off with the sober funeral service of Shirley’s father. I felt that the funeral scene in this episode had a similar tone to the funeral scene of Major Hughes in Full Metal Alchemist, as it’s the cool calm collected characters feeling the most emotion, as the funeral service of the dead individual in occurring. After the funeral service is over, I liked how Milly acted with a sense of maturity as she tried her best to make Shirley feel better. Also I liked how Milly grabbed Rival around his neck and pushed him in another direction, so it enabled Shirley to talk to Lelouch.

I thought that Shirley acted with a lot of maturity that was beyond her years, as she admits to Lelouch that she was acting a bit manipulative when she kissed Lelouch. After the funeral service, there are some more Pizza antics involving C.C, as she has got enough coupons to get a plushie with her recent order. As Lelouch is starting to waver after the recent events of Shirley’s father death, I liked how C.C reminded Lelouch of what path he should be walking down, as C.C reminds Lelouch that this isn’t a game that Lelouch is playing and that when a person is killed that their death will affect their family and friends as well. After C.C gives Lelouch a reminder of not to disappoint her, Lelouch has a shower to gather himself. As a shower scene is primarily used to show some fan service, we get some fan service of all the fan girls with Lelouch being the person providing it. Even though the previous shower scene showcased Kallen well, if you are a fan girl, I would say that his shower was disappearing, as the viewer isn’t given a view of Lelouch’s chest or butt. Anyway I liked how Lelouch was hitting the wall with his fist, to showcase him being shaken.

After Lelouch has reaffirmed himself on what he has to do, Zero gathers his black knights’ members for another operating. As Zero is informing his black knight followers of the upcoming operation, it was interesting to see that Diethard Ried has joined the order of the black knights. I for one find Diethard an interesting individual, as he seems to understand Zero’s sense of reasoning more than some members of the order of the Black Knights. I thought that the scene involving Zero with his Zero outfit half on, and he is talking to Kallen was interesting, as despite being affected by the death of Shirley’s father that she is still willing to protect Zero and fellow him. As this episode has to do with a bit to do with Lelouch x Shirley, I fell that Kallen is falling into the same similar role that Lunamarania Hawke found herself with in Gundam Seed Destiney, with Arthrun Zala. I would like to see Kallen to be bit more aggressive if she is indeed trying to be Lelouch’s girlfriend, instead of keeping silent about any feeling that she may have about Lelouch.

I thought that Lelouch’s plan to blow up the liquid Sukuradite that the Japanese Liberation Front were transporting was an interesting plan, as it would draw the Britannia forces to that area, while also destroying some of the Japanese Liberation Front group and destroying some of Britannia’s units. I thought that Villetta’s approach of how she handled her suspicious about Lelouch possibly being involved in the order of the black Knights was interesting, as she opted to use Shirley to gather proof about Lelouch being involved in the order of the black Knights group.

I thought that this episode ended on a good note with Shirley pointing a gun at Lelouch, after she finds out that he is indeed Zero. I thought that this episode of Code Geass was better than I had expected, as it seems that Shirley’s and Lelouch relationship has changed in this episode, and that C.C and the mysterious individual that was introduced in the previous episode are moving in the background, as this episode is playing out.

Episode Rating: A-

As the previous episode of Death Note gave as better insight of Misa’s character and how she acquired her Death Note, this week’s episode of Death Note deals with Misa meeting Light. The episode starts off with the second Kira sending another message to the real Kira, which contains a video and a diary. After Light has made his way into L’s investigation room, where L believes that the second Kira will show up at the 30th of May at Tokyo Dome. As Light is the real Kira, and inspecting all the diary contents entries, Light figures out the real message that the second Kira is sending. Light figures out the second Kira will be at Aoyama on the 22nd of May, where they will exchange Death Notes. Despite L trying to deduce any secret message that have may be contained in the diary page that the second Kira sent, Light voluntaries to go to Aoyama and Shibuya with Matsui-san. After Light heads home in a taxi, L tells Matsui to keep a close eye on Light at Shibuya and Aoyama, because L believes that if he isn’t 100% sure that Light is innocent, that he will still carefully watch any possible suspects.

When the 22nd of the month comes around, Light has made some adjustments to L’s plans, by taking a group of university friends with him on this scouting assignment. Light has brought some university friends with him so if the second Kira sees Ryuk then the second Kira won’t be able to know how is possessed. While Matsui thinks that it’s great that Light brought some university friends with him on his little assignment due to it will enable to blend in with the crowd, Light also delights in the thought that Light is using his university friends as a wall so L’s surveillance camera’s. As Light is confident about the second Kira will show up at Note Blue, but Misa is already there sitting in a disguise, observing people walking past the Note Blue place. As Light walks past Misa, she is able to tell that Light is Kira, due to Misa seeing no lifespan details from looking at Light.

What I found interesting about this episode besides Light being his calculating self, is that I liked all the clothing designs that all the characters wear in this episode. As most anime have characters in a few outfits, I glad this episode was able to show a little, the clothing that Light and Matsui wears in this episode. After Misa as identified Light being Kira, I liked how we got a little peek at Misa’s computer and bedroom, as seeing the environment and little touches that show a characters personality interests me.

After Team L regroups from the visits to Aoyami and Shibuya, the second Kira sends a message saying thank you for helping him/her to meet the real Kira. As L listens to the second Kira message, L deduces that that as this message was sent on the 23rd of May, and that only Light and Matsui went to Aoyami, that Light may be Kira, though he has no proof that it happened in Aoyami. As the only thing that team L can only do in this situation, is try to persuade the second Kira not to meet the second Kira. Unfortunately for L, sending this message only makes Misa immediately want to confess to Light.

I thought that the scene involving Light, Misa , Ryuk and Rem was interesting, as that despite both Misa and Light having being owner’s of a Death Note in common, one could feel that where was an invisible line between Light and Misa there corresponding Death Gods, as it was a bit tense of a brief period of time. I also thought that when Misa confessed to Light, that we were able to get some cute shots of Misa.

Despite this episode leaving out some source material of the manga in this episode, I thought that this episode of Death Note did a job of following up the revelations of the previous episode. The scene that was left out of this episode is the scene where Light’s sister says to her mother that she can see Misa’s panties, when Misa is walking up the stairs to Light’s room. As Death Note is slated to be thirty nine episodes long, I betting the source material will be followed up till chapter sixty three of the manga source material. If I’m correct (and Death Note is popular enough, and is turning over a lot of cash) I’m hoping that there will be a second season announced soon, as the second season will animate the rest of the remaining source material of Death Note.

Episode Rating: A-