Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W Episode 10 - Fat-Free Review!

You could just transform, couldn't you?

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. The coughing and sneezing with random references to anything gets old quick.
2. Kuuko says she is physically incapable of getting sick and Mahiro chooses to pull out the "idiots can't catch colds" card? Don't be a dick, Mahiro!
3. I actually have no idea what Kurei was getting out in terms of where she stands if Mahiro doesn't stay home with Nyaruko. ...... What???
4. When we saw Nyaruko playing Monster Hunter, I thought they were going to have the "faking sick" cliche. Luckily, that wasn't the case.
5. Aww! Nyaruko, you're so mean! I mean, no, I wouldn't have used the cough drop from Kuuko either, but you still came off as a jerk for being so rude about it.
6. Oh, I forgot Hastur wasn't an agent. Why is he there, anyway?
7. Nyaruko's cute laugh is "creepy" by Mahiro's standards. That's rude too!
8. I like how Mahiro brings up the obvious point of "I really didn't need to come with you guys, did I?"
9. Tentacle monsters that aren't used in an ecchi way? I'm absolutely stunned!
10. Of course this alien has a horrible reason for doing this. That's pretty much the running gag in this series.
11. Wait. Hastur can slice things up with his wind? Since when?!?!
12. Whoa! Those "digging" guns aren't to be messed around with!
13. Nyaruko used the deus ex machina to come to their aid. How unoriginal...
14. "Accidentally" saved Kuuko? What is with the mean-spiritedness in this episode?!
15. Speaking of meanness, why is Nyaruko so willing to just let Shanta die? At least attempt to rescue her, you jerk!
16. Also, why can't Shanta just transform into her larger form? I'm pretty sure that would free her easily.
17. A fake-out foreshadowing which was pretty clever leads to the real foreshadowing... which was stupid. I think they made a mistake somewhere.
18. Where'd Kuuko pull out the music amplifier?!
19. Everyone pretends to be sick to get some Mahiro love!
20. Another unfunny ending. Sigh...

This wasn't the best episode of Nyaruko-san we've seen, but it was watchable, and even entertaining for the most part. However, the jokes in this episode weren't very funny, and instead made the character look really bad. Mean-spirited jokes can only be funny on rare occasions, and it's obvious that Nyaruko-san isn't sure what those occasions are. To be fair, though, it wasn't as though the jokes were excessively demeaning, but added up over the course of the episode to give off that feeling. While this isn't the sole factor that made the episode less enjoyable to watching, it is the main factory. Here's hoping to a better episode for next week!

[Copyright to: Manta Aisora, SoftBank Creative, DLE, Azuma Tani, Shueisha, Flex Comix, Noboru Kimura, Xebec]

Suisei no Gargantia Episode 11 - Fat-Free Review!

"And I knight you, Sir Guy-Whose-Face-Shall-Be-Painted!"

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. That was a rather short and pointless opening scene in Gargantia, but I guess it shows that Amy is moving on, if nothing else.
2. It was necessary to maintain radio silence? For what possible reason?!
3. Kugel is coming off so untrustworthy in this episode, which is weird because he seemed to really care about his people in the first episode.
4. Oh crap! It's the Evolvers! ...At least that's what these people with the face paint look like. This is a very bad sign.
5. Why are the mech units equipped with transportable hologram units? I can't imagine these machines designed for military use would need such things very often.
6. A disease? What? You got it on Earth, or you've always had it?
7. It's weird how Pinion suddenly has his brains returned to him. He went from over-enthusiastic, but competent salvager, to 100% full idiot, to decently intelligent and highly capable salvager.
8. Lukkage makes her return. I had honestly forgotten about her until now. However, I guess the fact that her face isn't painted means she's just waiting for the best time to rebel.
9. Hmm... We have two different classes on the same ship, and food is rationed off where some people get more food for having "higher priority" jobs. Figures.
10. Ledo, you're stuck back on the hideauze being humans? I thought you got over that already in the last episode!
11. So Kugel wants to turn this planet into what the Alliance was like, huh? Looks like Ledo will finally be confronted with rejoining the Alliance and maintaining the peaceful status quo after all.
12. Considering all the options available to Pinion, I can't blame him for basically surrendering.
13. It's weird, though. He flat-out tells Striker that he won't help unless his crew is safe. Immediately after this, they're taken in a hostile manner at gunpoint. If they rebelled, Pinion would no longer aid Striker. Are they just fucking stupid, or what?!
14. "Terror breeds obedience"? You don't know much about human beings and religion, do you?
15. And the very first target for a hostile takeover under Ledo's lead is Gargantia? Well, talk about coincidences. Yeah, they said they might be getting close, but that was fast!

This was an okay episode of Suisei no Gargantia, but nothing special, really. You'd have thought with such a big development, there'd be a lot more drama and questions, and maybe a really interesting story. Unfortunately, Ledo is more than ready to just accept the situation as is without asking any questions. I understand that Kugel stayed behind in the first episode, but the fact that they both landed on Earth is simply astronomical! I would have liked to have heard what happened through Kugel's own words, but that didn't happen. Here's one last thought, though. Kugel cannot leave the cockpit due to his disease, right? Well then, how are we so sure that Striker isn't just producing a fake hologram on him? I'm just saying it's a possibility. The weak/diseased humans are to be culled, right? We'll see.

[Copyright to: Gen Urobuchi, Production I.G, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Lantis, Kazuya Murata]

Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. Episode 10 - Fat-Free Review!

NTR Project! ...Failed.

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. Azusa can't seem to make up her mind about what she wants to do with Youto. She was running away last episode, but they made up, yet she was still hiding from him. Now she's his personal cheerleader? Azusa is a confused young lady.
2. I like the way Youto calls the vice-president of their club a tsundere. Towards him, though, it's all "tsun" and no "dere".
3. Moment of kindness ruined by a nut shot! Owww!!!
4. The board game is definitely geared towards Tsukushi's tastes, but I think they made it look like the vice-president likes Youto when she demanded that they do the "loved one caresses your head" activity. It looked like she wanted him to caress her head, but I doubt that.
5. Tsukiko, NO!!! Betty-chan is innocent! T^T
6. Ah... I don't think Tsukiko knows what NTR actually means (I wish I didn't).
7. Tsukiko: Worst hide-and-seek player of all time!
8. I don't see how Tsukiko is so jealous of Azusa. Seriously! Youto has always shown favor towards Tsukiko over Azusa at every step in this series, but Tsukiko has always been completely blind to this!
9. Knowing someone the longest? Tsukiko, are you going for the "childhood friend" route?!
10. Why is he on a date with Emi? This has something to do with "the mystery", doesn't it?
11. Lying to Tsukushi to get her to help you? I can't say I find this tactic used by our main character very endearing, but I can't deny its effectiveness either.
12. Once we start talking about the past and how something has been warped pretty badly, I really start to get hooked! I'll explain why a bit later.
13. So Youto knew the sister when he was younger, and there may be photographic evidence of this... in their house? Ah! I'm all confused because "the mystery" is making everything too crazy!
14. At least Tsukiko is happy at the prospect of getting back on top of the "childhood friend" chart.
15. Azusa shows up at a bad time for Tsukiko, who gets really down on herself for being so jealous of her. Azusa is a good girl, but Youto makes sure to talk Tsukiko up too.
16. The wish is made and the ... bunny/demon(?) shows up to grant it! "The mystery" is about to be revealed! I can't wait to see what Youto was so strongly repressing!!!

This was a good episode of Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko, though my main complaint concerns how Azusa and Tsukiko tend to continuously act differently from episode to episode. Azusa is by far the most spastic in terms of how she feels about Youto and whether or not she can say her feelings to him. However, Tsukiko has been on a rather gloomy streak for no reason, and I don't think she ever apologized to wrongly blaming Youto for the things that happened at the school (I may be mistaken, though). I really want to route for her, but she makes it hard! Lastly, I have to say that I'm very impressed with how they're building up "the mystery". It's really got me! I can't imagine what secrets await us, but it's going to be super traumatic, I'm sure! Next week is going to be extra fulfilling!

[Copyright to: Sou Sagara, Media Factory, J.C. Staff, Frontier Works]

Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san Episode 11 - Fat-Free Review!

When you have to command your flunkies to do it, you kind of take most of the sting out of the humiliation.

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. The convenience store guy, Masuda, almost looked like he could have been of some interest in this episode. He wasn't.
2. Ah~! An Otohime episode! I like her as a character, and her development in this one was great! You really get a feel for her motivations and strong will, even though it seems she's pretty unlucky.
3. It's weird how there's just a random group of high-class mermaids under the sea when we've barely been introduced to the ones we already have.
4. Aww! Takurou is a nice guy, and it seems like Otohime kind of likes him. I don't think she's taking over the land any time soon, though. Still, I like her determination and it seems like she's a really good person at heart!
5. Hmm... It seems like there is a salvageable friendship between Muromi and Otohime deep down. Really, REALLY deep down!
6. The cashier just doesn't care about a sea monster shopping at his store. I guess a regular is a regular, though.
7. So Levia-san invites Otohime to drink with her, but then they exchange some heated words? I don't get their relationship at all! Also, why drink outside all night?! Go home!
8. Whoa! What's with the serious ending? This isn't the finale, you know!

This was a pretty good episode of Muromi-san, though it lacked the humor we've come to love from the series in exchange for some character development. There was a actually a good balance between the two, though, and I was happy to see Otohime get some more growth. It was a bit odd to see this series on such low spirits, but interesting as well. We've seen some pretty dramatic narrations from this anime before (from Takurou), so they weren't completely out of their depth here. I'd give this episode a thumbs-up, but I am honestly hoping for more humor in the finale. Judging from the preview, which I only just peeked at, I'm assuming the humor will be back in full swing.

[Copyright to: Keiji Najima, Kodansha, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Starchild Records, Tatsunoko Productions, Studio Tulip, Half H.P Studio]

Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) Episode 11 - Fat-Free Review!

"And fear not! I know this will work because... Well, just trust me!"

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. I understand the idea of "Hey! This could work, and really, what other choice do we have?", but could they seriously not give Eren a day or so to practice controlling the titan?
2. The troops freak out and even Sasha seems to be on edge until Pixis gives a pretty thoughtful speech. Still, I'd have liked for Sasha to have more development as a character by now.
3. Pixis' words aren't wrong. If they lose the second wall, humanity is fucked!
4. Eren, no! Don't drink the alcoh- Ah. Too late.
5. With so many possible "Abnormals" running around, I don't think their plan is that sound, and they even admit it pretty much has a 100% chance of losing lives.
6. I don't have high hopes for the three new elites they introduced. I'm counting their remaining time in minutes, not hours.
7. Eren is really starting to get annoyed at Mikasa. Oh come on! You can't be this blind to her feelings, Eren! That's just fucking impossible, even for a complete idiot!
8. The elite force supposed to aid Eren are kind of a bunch of dicks. They not only make light of Eren and belittle him (calling him a "spoiled kid"), but the girl piles on the pressure as much as she possibly can. Lady, ease up! What if all the stress you're putting on him backfires and he ends up- NOOOO!!!
9. Eren! Don't attack Mikasa! Even in titan form, and even if you're pissed at her, you can't just attack someone who you should, by all accounts, view as your family!

This episode of Attack on Titan was honestly pretty slow-going. I didn't mind Pixis' speech, or the discussing of a battle plan, but a lot of this could have been shortened or cut out. I was really hoping we'd see the main event this episode, but we just get a short cliffhanger which was actually kind of predictable. I wasn't disappointed by this episode, but I wasn't impressed either. It was just a case of poor time management in a lot of cases. Even if it all ends up being essential to the story, it would have been easy to cut most of the scenes to nearly half their length without losing anything. Oh well. The next episode will surely make up for this one!

[Copyright to: Hajime Isayama, Kodansha, Yasuko Kobayashi, Wit Studio, Production I.G, Mainichi Broadcasting, Pony Canyon, Shingeki no Kyojin Team]

Photo Kano Episode 11 - Fat-Free Review!

Vanilla. More vanilla! More vanilla!! MOOOOOOORE!!!

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. I think the only reason Kazuya didn't go with the other two for spying was because their plan wasn't very good.
2. Well, I stated last time (in that lovely video) that these girls were bland. This week, it seems we have the most bland girl of all!
3. Wait. Didn't we see these two meet in a different way before, or am I mistaken? Something about getting something off the top shelf and getting a face full of boobs.
4. Damn it! I'm hungry now!
5. Photos of good food isn't such a bad idea for a poster. Considering the opening showed us the poster already (which is admittedly well-done), having Rina in the picture was also a good call.
6. Kazuya gets beaten up for his clubmates' perviness. I would call this unfair if I didn't already know how much he deserves this beating.
7. It would have made the episode a million times better is Rina actually did turn out to be and ESPer! Oh well.
8. Really? The "bumping heads" cliche? It takes a special level of writing to pull that kind of trick off without looking stupid, and Photo Kano, you don't have that level of writing.
9. Stealth Uchida: Spotted! Actually, this takes away from that one time Kazuya "sensed" her, when he was defending Niimi. Oh well. Uchida (thankfully) doesn't have to end up with Kazuya in the finale, so that's one good thing.
10. How did Erina know who Kazuya was if they never met?
11. Actually, here's a better question. How in the world did they make Erina into such a convenient lump of a character. Seriously! The child is without any personality whatsoever!
12. So Rina makes the perfect burger, and Kazuya has only minutes to take the picture and submit it. If we assume the poster was already set and waiting for the picture to just be added, I think the anime forgot that pictures need to be developed. That doesn't take just a few minutes, guys.
13. During the festival, Rina's outfit looks like an umbrella turned inside-out! Honestly, I'll never understand the obsession with breasts that big. They're just not as fun to *CENSORED*
14. And Uchida makes what is likely to be her final appearance in cosplay form. Not too bad of a way to go out, really. At least, as good as we can expect from this series...
15. The club is saved and a bland romance blooms. Blah.

Yeah, this episode wasn't very good, but by the standards of this series, I admit that it's the best episode of Photo Kano by leaps and bounds. It's always weird to say that about this series. It was as bland as humanly possible, but it was watchable, and that makes a world of difference. I wasn't seething with hatred and wriggling around due to discomfort (most of the time). This episode found a way to suck less than ever, and I give it credit (or as much as I can muster at this point) for that. Sadly, I can only wish for more of the same. Please, Photo Kano, will you please remain as bland and unoriginal as possible next episode too?!?

[Copyright to: Dingo, Enterbrain, ASCII Media Works, Kadokawa Games, Hakusensha, Earth Star Entertainment, Akitoshi Yokoyama, Madhouse, Sentai Filmworks]

Saint Seiya Omega Episode 61 - Fat-Free Review!

Hey, older fans, do you remember when you HATED Genbu?

[Fat-Free Review!]

1. I really like the way Kouga looks at he reaches Palestra! He looks a good bit older and more mature and the picture is just perfect. This will soon be ruined, but trust me, I'll get to that later.
2. Every meets up at Palestra. That's odd. I kind of expected each character to have their own little sub-plot wherein they each tried to reach Palestra on their own. I'm disappointed now...
3. There it is! Ryuuho's animation when he's talking makes him look like a freak cross-eyed fish!
4. ...I'm confused. What did Souma say that was so bad, exactly? Lost in translation?
5. Having Geki around is always nice. He's already proven himself to be a hero in this series, and he has a good amount of intelligence, along with a fun personality.
6. Genbu's back! He's as strict as ever (as far as I've known him anyway), and doesn't pull his punches in telling our heroes how they're relying too much on their new Cloths. He comes off as a jerk at first, but by the end of the episode.. well... Let's just say that's no longer the case.
7. The "ultimate zone", huh? I guess that's just another name for the "8th sense"?
8. Oh! Haruto's here! I was wondering what happened to him. I guess he either didn't need the lecture or got it already. Consider it's Haruto, though, probably the former.
9. "Pretending to lose"? If that's what they want to tell themselves...
10. Oh no! The obnoxious hammer guy is back! Why couldn't have have been done in for good?!
11. Hyperion has a Class-2 Pallasite leading the attack on Palestra? This could be fun!
12. Oh man! This fight is going to be awesome!
13. Genbu! Don't ruin the fight! I want to see the massive battle all over Palestra!
14. ... Oh... Okay. You can be badass if you want. I mean, you took out pretty much the whole army single handedly and used minimal effort to take out the hammer guy, all while teaching the young Saints valuable lessons. I can't complain when you're that awesome.
15. The Gauntlet guy seems like he'll get his ass beat pretty easily, but that is one powerful weapon! The defense is nice, but the offensive nature is frightening! I was worried for a bit!
16. A strong cosmos beats all weapons! Good less, Genbu!
17. Hyperion says he's ashamed, but still lends his aid? I don't know... This seems suspicious. I wouldn't touch that sword of destruction if I were Gauntlet. The only thing it may be there to cause destruction to is him!
18. Still, if it's another fight we'll be getting next episode, I'm super excited!

I'll admit it; I didn't expect this episode to be good going in. Saint Seiya Omega has been in a serious slump lately, and I just haven't been enjoying the series very much since the new season began. The writing has really tanked lately, and even the service geared towards old fans is outweighed by just plain bad decisions. Sadly, it seems that it takes an episode wherein we don't even focus on our main cast very much to get things rolling once more. If that's the case, just take off the "Omega", and make a new Saint Seiya series. Your ratings would probably shoot through the roof!

[Copyright to: Toei Animation, Shueisha, Jump J Books]