THE IDOLM@STER – 24

「夢」 (Yume)
"Dream"

Up until about a month ago, it would've been nothing more than a joke to consider IM@S as one of the best dramas of year, but this recent string of episodes has really made a case for the series. Of course, it never hurts when the budget's been blown for this episode, where we finally get a resolution to all of Haruka's bottled up feelings.

Mawaru Penguindrum – 23

「運命の至る場所」 (Unmei no Itaru Basho)
"The Place Where Fate Leads"

Well, it looks like Ikuhara's intent on keeping me guessing until the very end, as I have even less of an idea on how Mawaru Penguindrum will conclude after watching this episode. And here I thought this precursor to the finale would confirm my suspicions that Momoka's diary would transfer everyone's fate to a better one. Instead, it took that idea and completely derailed it.

UN-GO – 10

「海勝麟六の葬送」 (Kaishō Rinroku no Sōsō)
"Rinroku Kaisho's Funeral"

It’s a shame more people aren’t watching UN-GO, because it’s delivering some of the smartest and most interesting non-commercial anime in ages.

Guilty Crown – 10

「縮退 retraction」 (Shukutai)

I'd like to think that I'm pretty forgiving as far as anime goes -- particularly when it comes to overused stereotypes -- but while Guilty Crown's done a decent job of avoiding that pitfall lately, there always seems to be something else that rubs me the wrong way. This time it was Shuu and almost everything about his character.

Gundam AGE – 10

「激戦の日」 (Gekisen no Hi)
"Day of the Fierce Battle"

I'll be quick to admit that I have a soft spot for prideful stubbornness that someone will take to their grave, but even then, Gundam AGE deserves some praise for getting an emotional response out of me with the deaths of some side characters.