19 - Random Curiosity

Natsume Yuujin-chou San – 12

By Guardian Enzo September 19, 2011

「帰る場所」 (Kaeru Basho)
"A Place To Go Home To"

Natsume Yuujinchou gives us its strongest episode since 08 with its penultimate effort, a nice hybrid of the themes of the third season with the emotional tug of the first two. But whether I was supposed to or not, I felt a little conflicted about events at the end of the episode.

Final Impressions First Impressions Ikoku Meiro no Croisée

Ikoku Meiro no Croisée The Animation – 12 (END)

By Divine September 19, 2011

「屋根の上の猫 Chats sur un toit」 (Yane no Ue no Neko)
"The Cat on the Roof"

It became more and more apparent as the remaining minutes trickled down in this final episode -- I'm going to miss watching this show on Sundays.

First Impressions Hanasaku Iroha

Hanasaku Iroha – 25

By Takaii September 19, 2011

「私の好きな喜翆荘」 (Watashi no Sukina Kissuiso)
"The Kissuiso I Love"

That slap to the face couldn't have come any sooner.

BLOOD-C First Impressions

BLOOD-C – 10

By Divine September 18, 2011

「ふくからに」 (Fuku kara ni)
"By Its Breath"

I don't know if CLAMP was anticipating the sight of the Motoe twins inexplicably alive again to be a series-defining moment, but it sure didn't come off as one after they went ahead and killed one of the few remaining characters in the opening parts of the episode.

First Impressions THE IDOLM@STER

THE IDOLM@STER – 11

By Divine September 18, 2011

「期待、不安、そして予兆」 (Kitai, Fuan, Soshite Yochou)
"Hopes, Anxieties, and Signs"

As much as I enjoyed seeing Haruka spearhead the optimism in the group, I can't say I like where things are headed with Miki feeling betrayed by the Producer at the very end. If she leaves 765 Pro for another agency, a huge part of way I started watching IM@S will be gone. God forbid, she goes back to rival studio 961 Pro, which she was an idol of in the IDOLM@STER SP game.

Ao no Exorcist First Impressions

Ao no Exorcist – 23

By Guardian Enzo September 18, 2011

「真実」 (Shinjitsu)
"Truth"

Whatever else you might care to say about A-1 Pictures’ anime-original ending for this season, let this be clear – they’re definitely going big.

First Impressions Mawaru Penguindrum

Mawaru Penguindrum – 10

By Divine September 18, 2011

「だって好きだから」 (Datte Suki Dakara)
"Because I Love Him"

Oddly enough, despite all Ringo's questionable advances toward Tabuki, it only occurred this episode that a girl so obsessed with Kanba might be another stalker in disguise.

Final Impressions First Impressions Sacred Seven

Sacred Seven – 12 (END)

By Divine September 18, 2011

「セイクリッドセブン」 (Seikuriddo Sebun)
"Sacred Seven"

From the last boss transformations to our hero's newly acquired power-ups in the final battle, Sunrise threw in just about every single video game cliche I could think of. They did manage to wrap everything up fairly well, but the surprise turn of events one after another didn't leave a very good last impression.

First Impressions Nichijou

Nichijou – 25

By Takaii September 18, 2011

「日常２５」 (Nichijou 25)
"My Ordinary Life 25"

Really Kyoani, really? Spending the first half of the episode on two (technically one extended) skits? I'll have to say that if you were planning on closing this series with some sort of bang, you've set the bar pretty high.