Episode of the Week:
Shakugan no Shana II - 13
This was a very hard choice this week. It eventually came down to this, or Clannad 14 and I’m a bit surprised I actually had trouble deciding between an arc ending episode or something else. Partially because something made me think that an episode was good enough to beat this Clannad episode pushed it over the top. However it does seem there will be some top contenders for this spot with the new season. True Tears and H20 both seem like they have the possibility for some really high drama and emotional episodes which may take the spot, and while I’m not fully blogging it like the other shows, Shigofumi just jumped at me as amazing and it was almost a three way tie between Clannad, Shana, and Shigofumi, and for a first episode of Shigofumi too. Since I did do a post on it and will likely do a post after every small arc it will be counted, but this episode of Shana just managed to top the others in individual episode for me, but not easily.
This episode was just fantastic. This is how Shana should be. I’ve heard many people make similar comments such as, “Now THIS is Shana” or “This is how it should be” this episode really pulled out a lot to make it so great. It had a great fight scene, a four way fight scene where one of the “bad guys” was on the “good side” but gone berserk. The fight was incredible but it also had some very emotional scenes and just high tension situation all around. That paired with the fact that it revealed even more things to make the story more complicated and interesting, bringing out so many possibilities on what could happen in the future, truly made this episode deserve this spot, ESPECIALLY considering what this individual episode did for the series.
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Really was an interesting week with new series moving along and some getting started. Plus you have a major conclusion coming from Clannad and finally Shana hitting its stride after 12 episodes of build up :).
Really do think this episode did a lot right. It worked in a lot of important elements. It’s not just a school series, but there is that dangerous world of Flame Hazes that can send everything into chaos. Pheles showing up and then Margery going berserk really sent the situation into a dangerous place. A terrifying thing for Tanaka when Oga got blasted away. Logic just leaves you during that kind of situation.
Also things aren’t finished. Pheles is still going to wnat to get her hands on the Reiji Maigo to get Johan out. Questions about this Sabrac guy who attacked them and what he did to the Reiji Maigo. Margery is still pretty off after seeing what she did and how her relationship with Satou and Tanaka will stand. Plus you can’t forget out Hecate look a like and what’s up there.
Good for Shana to win this week and hope it stays competitive moving forward.
I haven’t watched Clannad 14 so I may disagree later, but for now I could not agree more with your choice this week. Shana 13 was indeed excellent and made me remember why I enjoyed the first season so much. Was glad they got away from the school harem antics for a few minutes and focused on some action. The Tanaka/Oga scene is still etched in the back of my mind.