After the events of the previous episode, this episode starts of with Robin talking to Teillagory and D’Eon about Durand. After this scene is over Earl Sandwich is seen looking over the casket of Whitehead’s body. Earl Sandwich is interrupted by Maximilien Robespierre. Earl Sandwich and Maximilien Robespierre discuss that Maximilien Robespierre has treated Durand’s injuries by using the power of the Psalm, and pair also discuss matters concerning the state of the parliament. After Maximilien Robespierre and Earl Sandwich talk to one another, Madame de Pompadour and King Louis XV get some screen time, where King Louis XV is keeping a close eye on Madame de Pompadour, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as they make steps to start preparing the battle with England.

As Count Guerchy has featured a fair bit in this England arc, I thought that this scene where is involved with Maximilien Robespierre, Earl Sandwich and George the 3rd was a very interesting scene. The scene starts with Count Guerchy looking at his broken nqm sword, with Maximilien Robespierre; Earl Sandwich enters Count Guerchy room. Maximilien Robespierre, Earl Sandwich asks Count Guerchy to send a message to declare war with France, and to suggest battle plans for the conquest. As Count Guerchy has been bought off in the past, Earl Sandwich puts a case full of money for this favor. As Count Guerchy is considering not going with Maximilien Robespierre, Earl Sandwich plans, Count Guerhy asks for something more as payment than money. While Count Guerchy is delivering the details of what he wants in return for this favor, Count Guerchy says that half of his blood is half french, which I found interesting. What Count Guerchy asks also for this favour is that he wants to retain his current status for the rest of his life. Earl Sandwich says he can provide this request, but Count Guerchy says that he can’t because he needs parliament approval to make this request happen. Despite Count Guerchy questioning I Earl Sandwich can keep his promise, he says he can, because George the 3rd is now in the same room of the four individuals, and Geroge the 3rd and Count Guerchy shake one another’s hands to confirm their deal with one another.

As Durand is now locked up, during this episode Maximilien Robespierre visits Durand to try and have him on his side. After the scene of where Maximilien Robespierre visits Durand, the scene where Durand is seen alone in his cell was interesting, because Durand reveals that he has an nqm mark under his left color bone.

After the scene where we learn that Durand reveals that he has an nqm mark on him, I thought the scene involving Queen Mary and D’Eon was very interesting. The scene involving D’Eon involving and Queen Mary starts of harmless enough, but when Queen Mary brings up the subject that D’Eon fears the psalms, they scene between the two becomes very interesting. After Queen Mary brings up the subject of D’Eon fearing the psalm, Queen Mary reveals to D’Eon that she has an H:O mark on her right breast. After the queen has revealed her H:O mark to D’Eon, she tells D’Eon that she isn’t Mary, but she is really her sister. Queen Mary says to D’Eon that her sister died one year ago, and that she offered to accept her sister’s soul into her. Queen Mary says the ritual that allowed her sisters soul to be within her, was performed by Maximilien Robespierre, Lia, Sir Francis Dashwood and Count Saint Germain. Mary reveals that George the 3rd witnessed the ritual. As George has witnessed the ritual of his wife’s soul being put into her sisters, I now understand from a previous episode (when Lia meet Mary and George) of why Queen Mary said that George spends most of his time with the poets, and not making time to spend with other people.

I thought that the scene where Queen Mary strokes D’Eon’s face was beautiful, yet a bit creep at the same time, because Mary wants to see Lia. I thought that the episode ended on an interesting note, with Sir Dashwood wanting to meet Maximilien Robespierre.

Overall, I thought that this episode of Le Chevalier D’Eon did a good job of building upon the plot of the show, and adding the shade of grey with the usage of the power of the psalm.

After Juliet has been told of the secrets that Conard has been holding back, till Juliet turns sixteen, Conard gives Juliet the family’s sword. While Juliet is given the sword, she faints due to a fever (it’s raining), and being hit pretty hard about the truth about her family’s past.

After this scene is over, Juliet is seen relaxing in a bath, where we learn that Juliet’s full name is Juliet Fianmmata Asto Capulet. My thoughts regarding this scene is that I think that Gonzo put some tasteful fan service of Juliet is this episode because most Gonzo show’s has some form of fan service in their shows. Anyway it will be interesting to see if any more fan service scenes will appear in the show. After this scene William’s mother decides to pay a visit to Sir Conard. As William to me has confident type of personality, I liked how William’s mother tells William off for sleeping at his desk, and that he could sleep in a bed. As William’s mother seems to be a strict woman, I’m looking forward to any more moments of interaction between William and his mother, as they should be quite entertaining.

After William’s mother has told her son off, she has a conversation with Sir Conard. The details of their conversation is about Juliet turning sixteen, and that Sir Conard is being stubborn about not wanting to live their life, and not revenge on the Montague’s. During the conversation, it’s revealed that William’s mother family is from the Farnese family (thus how Francisco was able to obtain the family crest, to save Juliet in episode two from the guards).

I thought that scene that involves Grand Duke Montague talking about being superior to other people was interesting, as Mercuito is seen Grand Duke Montague’s in this episode. After Grand Duke Montague gives his speech he slaps Romeo for not being responsible towards his house duties. After some time has passed by, Romeo sees off Benvolio, where he is greeted by his mother. While Romeo is with Benvolio, Grand Duke Montague tells Mercuito to keep a close eye on Romeo. After Grand Duke Montague has talked with Mercuito, Grand Duke Montague walks to a secret chamber in the castle (it seems), and he see Grand Duke Montague looking at Escalus. Escalus to me looks likes like some energy giving tree that gives some sort of power to Neo Verno somehow (my guess).

The rest of this episode deals with Romeo visiting his mother, and Juliet (as the Red Whirlwind) rescuing the local doctor from the clutches from the city guards, for distributing food from the Red Whirlwind. I thought that the scene involving Juliet as the Red Whirlwind rescuing the local doctor that Juliet knows was well animated, because the Red Whirlwind cape movement’s looked very fluent. I thought that this episode ended on an interesting note with Juliet realizing that Romero is Montague’s son.

Overall, I thought that this episode did a good job of advancing the development of Romeo’s and Juliet’s relationship, while also introducing other plot elements into this episode. While watching this episode I wonder what Romeo’s mother saw in Romeo’s father, as Romeo’s mothers seems very nice and kind, while Romeo’s father seems very cold to me. Anyway, I’m betting in future episodes that Mercutio might catch Romeo with Juliet in episodes to come, though it will be interesting IMO to see what role Mercuito will play in this series.

After I quite enjoyed the first episode of Darker Than Black, I was hoping that this series could remain its quality of the previous episode, and I wasn’t disappointed with this episode. As the previous episode had Lee and Chiaki establish sort of non romantic relationship with one another, this episode continues with Lee trying to use Chiaki, to get information from her about the gate. As this episode played out, I felt that there were so many good scenes such as Lee and Chiaki lying in Chiaki’s apartment, to Chiaki lying down in Lee’s lap.

I would have to say that this episode continued with mood and atmosphere to set the tone for this episode. I admit that the twist in this episode that Lee meeting Chiaki was all a plan to get to Lee, was very interesting indeed. I also felt a bit sad for Chiaki in this episode, because she is really a Doll that was imprinted with Chiaki’s memories using the ME. As it seems that Lee has been shot to death in this episode, I thought of the idea that Lee’s coat becomes bullet-proof when he only wear’s it, was an interesting point to me. Hopefully in future episodes there will be some explanation of how Lee acquired this jacket, because I am very much interested in how he acquired it.

I thought that the action scenes in this episode involving Lee and the other contractors, played out to me in realistic fashion. I didn’t think that Chiaki would have died in the way that she did in this episode, if one asked me if that she would die in this episode. My thoughts regarding Lee in this episode is that he seems to able to switch off and on his emotions, which I find rather interesting, and will most likely confuse him later on in the series, of how to act in a certain situation. I don’t mind Lee having a bottom less stomach in this episode because, so far this stomach doesn’t growl when he is hungry.

After this episode played out, I thought that this episode played out like some of the Cowboy Bebop episodes that involved mature themes, though I’m hoping at the end of the episode that Lee will not die because, as they first episode opened with Lee’s telescope, I got the memories of the main character from Gundam Seed Stargazer (I forgot his name), and that he died when the series ended. I’m hoping that Lee doesn’t die at the end of this series, but I get the feeling that this might happen, by series end.

Overall, I thought that this episode built upon the previous episode, and did a good job of introducing some new elements to this series.

The first half on this episode is mainly a junk/recap episode of all the events that lead up to this episode. I did notice however as the recap part of this episode played out, that there were a few scenes that were added in this half, that weren’t scene in the previous episode, like Weddy saying Matsuda is an idiot after he fakes his death, at Yotsuba. The remaining half of this episode is just a little follow up of what has happened after L’s death. What I liked in the half recap/half follow up of this episode, was how Light killed all of the Yotsuba group, and Weddy and Amber in this episode. Despite Light having no real worries at this point in time, it seems that L will have the last laugh, as I am waiting to see N make his appearance next episode.

Episode Rating: N/A

As the previous episode had the Puppet Squadron disguise themselves as merchants, as the episode plays out, their goal is to capture Michel, and return her/him to Vettai. As Michel is seen helping is alleged brother on board Cleo’s glass ship, I was very interested in fact in that this mysterious individual was Michel’s brother, as they two of them look similar. While Michel is helping his/her alleged brother on the ship, I thought that Silua’s full name was rather interesting.

Silua reveals that her full name is Silua Moe Silvania, when Silua and Jean thought that they saw Michel’s brother. I was surprised that the production crew decided to give Silua’s middle name as Moe, because to what Moe means. After the Puppet Squadron in disguise have successfully made their way on board Cleo’s ship, I thought that the scene that involves Vettai and Ralph was pretty yaoi. I liked how Rachael called Vettai are clown in her response to Vettai’s letter, though I liked how Vettai thought of it as a game, with Rachael. I thought that the scene were Vettai is in pain in his right eye, will probably play a role in future episodes. I thought that the scene where Vettai is in Ralph’s lap, due to the pain in his eye, was pretty yaoi, and predictable to me.

After the Ralph and Vettai scene in this episode, I felt that this episode played out in predictable fashion. I found it a bit odd that Cleo crew decided to take some goats and other stuff from the distressed ships cargo hold. I have no idea why goats would be transported in space, on a transport ship, but something like art or alcohol would be more acceptable than goats, and other stuff. As the goat’s elements left a soar taste in my mouth, while watching this episode, I disliked how this episode didn’t give a name to Michel’s brother, as he is referred to as brother though out this episode.

As this episode strongly suggests that the person that Michel carried aboard was his/her brother, I thought that this was probably the only good point of this episode. As this episode plays out, I liked the flashback sequence of where Michel and his/her older brother are fencing one another when they were young. Despite this episode playing out mostly in predictable fashion, I thought that Puppet Squadron looked like fishes (with fins on their arms), and that they looked odd in that fish getup. Despite this episode playing out in predictable fashion, I liked the scene at the end of this episode, where Michel is forced to choose to either save Cleo, or his brother, from dying in space, due to its unbreathable air.

Overall, I didn’t mind Michel’s relative showing up out of the blue, but the lack of a name, and background of Michel’s brother character, hurt him, because I wanted to know more about him. Besides Michel’s brother being involved in this episode, I disliked the little oddities that this episode threw up. What I liked at the end of this episode was where Michel makes an interesting choice in this episode, to save Cleo, instead of Michel’s brother from being sucked into space (which would result in suffocating to death, due to not breathing in any air.) I did however like that the last scene of this episode, which showed that Michel’s brother has a x shape scar on his back, and I wonder if Michel to also has a scar on his back also. In the end, I felt that there were too much bad elements in this episode, which could out weight the goods elements of this episode.

Episode Rating: B-

This is the episode that will some Death Note fans cry, as the genius vs. genius battle reaches its climax, with one of the two genius meeting their maker in this episode. As L has been playing catch up since he made his introduction in episode two, to catch Light, L dies in this episode, due to Light manipulating Rem into writing Watari’s and L’s real name in the death note.

As this episode started of with Watari talking to L at his station, I got the feeling that this episode would contain high quality animation, as each scene in this episode looked above the normal standard of animation quality that Madhouse after made for this show. As the key scene in this episode is L dying, I thought that the scene in the episode where Misa looks like a doll, as she is looking for names to write in her death note.

As L has some interesting manners when he eats he food, I thought that the scene where L crushes a tiny panda biscuit, and eat the tiny panda biscuits out of frustration, was another scene of how interesting L is, as a character. I thought that Light looked particular evil, when his eyes were animated red in this episode. The music I thought in this episode played a part of adding to the terror of when L’s investigation building had a black, due to Rem.

As this episode played out, I was sad because L died (he was such an interesting and likable character), though as having read the manga, L will be replaced by N in the episodes to come. As L doesn’t die in the manga of death note till chapter 52 or 53 (if I remember correctly), I sort of feel that the anime adoption of death note doesn’t feel as intelligent as the manga, due to the amount of scenes, and dialogue that was cut out. I will admit that death note is a good anime series, though after this episode, I wish that death note had been adapted on the format of two manga chapters per episode, (which would roughly take 52 episodes). I believe two manga chapters for one episode is about the ratio because, when N gets introduced in future episodes, there are some scenes in the manga where N has some long dialogue scenes, where he is thinking to himself, of ways to outwit Kira.

As the series is slated for thirty seven or thirty nine episodes, it will be interesting to see how the quality of the N arc will be like, compared to the L arc. Besides the introduction of N, I will be looking forward to in future episodes of death note, Takada-san, and the evil looking toys that N plays with, as the series reaches its conclusion.

Episode Rating: A-

As the last episode left off with Romeo and Juliet gawking at one another, the episode starts off with Romeo and Juliet nervously asking questions about the other. After Juliet runs off, due to Benvolio asking for Romeo to come inside.

After Juliet has run off from meeting Romeo, Juliet is stopped at the palace gates, where the guards ask her if she will be leaving alone. As the guards are becoming quite pressing of Juliet’s family origins, Francisco comes out from the nearby carriage and says that Juliet is the daughter of the Farnese family, and that that the Farnese family are distant relatives to the Montague’s. After Francisco shows the guards the Farnese family crest to the guards, Juliet’s makes her leave from the Rose ball. While Juliet is exiting the Rose ball, Romeo’s father (Grand Duke Montague) announces that Romeo and Hermione (daughter of the House of Borromeo) will marry. As I have found that there are few ballroom dance scenes in anime in general, I liked the short animated sequence of Romeo, Hermione and the other guests dancing at the Rose Ball.

After night has fallen, and the next day arrives, I thought that Juliet looked pretty cute hugging her pillow, when she turned sixteen. After Juliet has gotten dressed and has breakfast, Juliet’s asks Antonia where Conard is. After Antonia says that Conard is out, the pair decided to play hero, as Juliet adopts her Red Whirlwind persona again.

As Juliet’s alter ego as the Red Whirlwind is very different to the normal girly Juliet, I have so far in the twp episodes of this show, found Juliet to be a very interesting character. I liked how Juliet’s heroic attempts in this episode showed that Juliet isn’t unbeatable, as she mangers to get a cut on her arm, when she is rescuing women from the hands of the greedy officials. As Curio so far has been seen as a side character so far in the series, I thought that his actions while helping Juliet rescue the women from the officials were interesting, as it seems that he was a few of the Capulet’s that survived the massacre from the Montague’s. After Juliet gets her wound treated, I thought that the scene where Juliet and Romeo are talking about love at the same time was a nice touch.

As Hermione is now engaged to Romeo, I already feel sorry for her, because it’s most likely that Romeo will end up with Juliet, and not her. My thoughts regarding Hermione are that she is the stereotypical kind, beautiful female. I hoping that a twist will occur like Hermione putting up a fight for Romeo, but most likely that she will likely will be partnered with Benvolio, or some other person from the Juliet family, by the series end.

I thought that the scene where Romeo and Juliet meet where iris bloom, was the standout scene, in this episode for me, because the relationship between Romeo and Juliet goes up another notch. I thought that the episode ended on a good note with Juliet being hit with the harsh reality of the truth behind her family’s past.

Overall, I thought that this episode did a good job of continuing the story from the previous episode. As Gonzo to me has a reputation of having questionable animation through previous projects, I’m finding that the animation is still holding the quality from episode one. As I haven’t really gotten into the opening and closing themes of this show, my thought’s regarding the background so far in the show as been pretty good, though it still to early to till if the background music can hit the emotional chords of the key scenes, that are to come in this series.

As I was impressed with Gonzo’s take of the story of Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristro, Gonzo has decided to write their own take on the classic story of Romeo and Juliet. When I first sure the web trailer that Gonzo put up of the show, I was impressed by the trailer, in that it contained elements that both genders would like. As I was impressed by the trailer tat appeared of the show, I would have to say the first episode of Gonzo’s Romeo X Juliet, was pretty impressive. Instead of providing a summary of how this episode played out, I’ve decided to summarize what I liked, disliked and elements I found interesting about this episode.

The Good:
-I liked how the episode started of with a written narration, as it provided the viewer about the world of Neo Verona.
-I thought that Juliet dressing up as the masked individual called the Red Whirlwind was interesting.
-As the episode opened with Juliet’s father being called, and the Capulets family being slaughtered, I’m will be interesting to see if Juliet will get her revenge on the Grand Duke.
-Good to see that the show is mainly hand drawn animated, but some CG was used for the flags of Romeo’s family earlier on in this episode. CG used sometimes that was non-jarring, that was used for the background.

The Interesting:
-I noticed the play that William was making in this episode was named Otello. If you add in an h to William’s play Otello, you get another of William’s Shakespeare’s book’s Othello.
- It seems that Gonzo’s take of Romeo X Juliet will have a love triangle element to it, as Grand Duke wants Romeo to be good towards Hermione.

Overall, I was impressed with how well this episode played out, because I think that Gonzo’s works are either very good, or just plain average. I thought that the animation of this first episode was of a high standard, but most first episodes tend to have good animation to make the viewer might come back to watch the show. It will be interesting to see if the animation standard of this first episode will flow over to the rest of the episodes of this show, as I think that this show can be another show where both genders can watch and enjoy, if the story and animation hold out to this quality, of this episode.

The main reason why I was attracted to this series is because that Yoko Kanno, is doing the musical score for this show, but I was also attracted to this show because the story of this show sounds really interesting to me. The plot of Darker Than Black revolves around the concept of superhuman agents called Contractors, and the mysterious of huge impenetrable structure called Hell’s Gate. I will admit I didn’t watch Tensai Okamura’s Wolf’s Rain, but I’d thought that I would give this show a chance.

I thought that this episode started off on a good with an action scene of Rui (who has the power to control gravity) escape from the police. After Rui has escaped, he meets up with Hei in a mask, and subdues him quite easily. I liked how Hei hit Rui with his knife on his finger, and then hit him on the leg. After Rui tries to act smart towards Hei, I liked how Hei slapped Rui, showing him that he is superior. I found it interesting, that Hei wanted to crush Rui’s skull with his hand.

After this action scene is over and done with, we get a look at the detectives that will mostly likely play a role through out this series. My thoughts regarding Kirihara Misaki (the female detective with glasses) is that it’s good to see some adult characters take the lead of the show, as most anime shows are about high schoolers. After Kirihara is introduced into this episode, we get a look at Hei’s alter ego Lee Shanshun. My thought’s of Lee Shanshun is that when he is playing everyday Lee, is that he is a kind, shy, helpful person, but when he Hei the contractor, that he switches off his emotions, and becomes a cold hearted individual. While Lee gets settled into the apartment that he is to stay at, Lee meets Haraguchi (how is really Shinoda Chiaki is disguise) that wrote a thesis how Hell’s gate works, but has been missing for two weeks.

As this episode played out, I really liked the scene where Lee rescues Harguchi from the two detectives that have been moving chasing her, in this episode. I liked how this episode ended with Haraguchi escaping from Jean (other Contractor), and meeting Lee in the rain. As Darker Than Black has taken over Code Geass time slot, I think that the shows are quite different, as Darker Than Black to me relies on mood, and atmosphere to convey the story, while Code Geass is a show that is a cash cow, like other Sunrise shows that they have produced. As Darker Than Black looks like a show that will be episodic in nature, the thing will determine if they show will be good or bad (besides Yoko Kanno’s music which is always of a high standard) , is the quality of these stories.

Overall, I thought that this episode started off on the right note, though it will be interesting to see how future episodes will play out, after a quite good start to this new Bones show.

As the Yotsuba arc reached its climax last episode, this episode of death note deals with the after math of Higuchi getting caught. After Higuchi complies with the interesting to get out of his car, Higuchi is then blindfolded, and given a head set to L can talk to Higuchi. After Higuchi reveals that the method how he kills is a note book, Yagami senior retrieves the death note. After Yagami senior touches the death note, he freaks out a little, from seeing Rem.

After the death note has passed some more into L’s hands, L also freaks out a little from seeing a Shagami. While L is in possession of the death note he hears whispers that there are two death notes and two Kira’s, so this case is not over. I thought that the seen where Light grabs the death note and regains all his memoires of Kira, was pretty cool. I liked how when Light regained all his memoires of being Kira was good, because the camera shock, while images from previous episodes flashed in the background at a high frame rate, so the scene gave a sense that this was one of the more important scenes in this episode.

After Light was regained his memories of being the first Kira, Light calmly types in the names of the people that are in the death note, to show L that he is busy working, but L as usual is suspicious. While Higuchi is being taken into custody, he dies of heart attack because of Light writing is name on a piece of death note, which was hidden in his watch.

After Higuchi has died, the scene shifts to L’s investigation building, where it’s assumed all of team L have touched the death note. As I started to like Matsauda in this mini arc, I liked how he touched the death note just to see the Shagami. During this scene, where a taken back to a flash back where Light told Ryuk and Rem his plan to get Misa’s name’s cleared, when she was captured by L. What I found interesting during the flashback scene was the fake rules that Ryuk wrote on the death note, so when Light got his memories back the death note wouldn’t be destroyed, and that Light’s and Misa’s name would be clear. The two rules that frustrate the hell out of L in this episode are the fake rules that deal with destroying the Death Note, and the rule dealing with having to write names in the death note within thirteen days.

As Light gets his Kira memories back in this episode, Light tells Misa this to her in a smart way before she is allowed to leave L’s investigation building. After Light tells her where his death note is, Misa gets her memories back, from touching Light’s death note, which is buried in the ground. While Misa is with Ryuk, she does the eyes deal with him. I liked how this episode ended with Light and Misa hugging, and Ryuk standing over the pair.

As I found parts of the Yotsuba arc abit boring at times, I was excited that Light finally recovered his memories, to become the evil, sly, cunning individual that we all love. As this episode played out, I felt a little sorry for L because he knows something is up with Light being Kira, but he can’t prove it, due to Light being so cunning.