Shana and the others try and stop Bal Masque’s plans before it’s too late and Yuji disappears.

Impressions:

I thought this episode was great. Putting the conclusion aside for a bit this individual episode was very exciting and fun to watch. Although it isn’t really a conclusion to an overall series, it was a good conclusion to an arc, like Sabrac was. Looking at this episode like that and it really is pretty good. I was a bit confused though when they were fighting the smaller Silver, Shana and Yuji that is. It seemed like it was being controlled or had the mind of Konoe or Hecate or both, yet they didn’t really explain that too much, they just briefly mentioned last episode that Konoe was gathering emotions, didn’t say she would be the full mind of the thing. It just seemed a bit awkward and that they could have explained that a bit better, since it’s the reason Yuji’s not dead.

A quick note, as I’ll talk more about the romance in this series under “Final Thoughts” but I was just absolutely giddy when they showed the scene at the end where Shana turns around and has a big smile on her face. It obviously means Yuji showed up to her and not Kazumi, which is to be expected. I’m just overwhelmingly glad they didn’t just forget they were doing that, I’m glad they continued it.

Now, I have to say that of course it seemed as if nothing was really resolved in this episode. Hell, it’s the same as last season’s ending in regards to the fact none of Bal Masque is dead, everyone is still pretty much where they left it. However at the same time I didn’t feel that this season had too many fillers, so even though not a lot happened, it really came across like that was just the way this series was. They are of course going off of a source material and I thought they did fine. You can’t expect it to conclude, and I’d much rather have an ending like this then have them try and tack on some weird awkward anime exclusive ending, so I thought the way they ended things was fine, it leaves me hopeful for another season.

Final Thoughts:

I’m going to just flat out say right now I absolutely love Shana. I loved the first season and I love this one. Although it may have flaws and ended a bit oddly, that’s pretty much to be expected from something going off source material such as this. Regardless of any of that I had so much fun watching this season. There were so many moments that I was just engrossed in the show. I still remember when fighting Sabrac, when the song Joint started playing I just had a huge smile on my face and was glued to the screen it was such a cool scene for me to watch. The scene itself was alright, but what it meant for the show and situation was amazing. The show got me caring about the characters and the show in general so much that something like that just had me giddy.

I have to make one mention of Kazumi. There is no doubt in my mind that Shana and Yuji will be the ones who end up together and I don’t’ want it any other way. In fact, if he were to end up with Kazumi somehow I would pretty much hate the show. Now, that being said I’m not a huge fan of characters in Kazumi’s position. They don’t do much to help things generally and dealing with them seems to waste time from the real romance. Still, I was blown away by Kazumi in this season. She had some really important roles and an individual story that was interesting, whether or not to use the hougo or not. For a character in her position I was surprised at how much I liked her.

I’ll say something quick about the romance in this season. If you’ve read almost any other post I’ve posted I seem to emphasize how much I love romance in every show. Any show, be it shoujo or mecha I want there to be a big romance focus. (No, not between the mechas you idiot, the pilots or something) So you can imagine I would want it in this show. I have to say that I am very VERY pleased with the amount of romance in this. There could always be more and they could make it more serious but this season was absolutely fine in the amount they had. The first season didn’t have too much as Shana and Yuji were more or less getting to know each other, but here it seemed like half the season focused on it. It was great, and several times they came close to stating it directly. Its no longer at a state where Shana acts tsundere around him and then questions her feelings, she knows her feelings and has admitted them to herself. That itself is a big step and I’m pleased with what they have and I want even more if it should continue.

I doubt anything would make me as happy as an announcement of a third season for this would make me. The major problem I had with this season, like the last, was the way it ended. It gave very little overall closure. The same big bad guys are still pretty much around. Still, even when looking at the show in that mind, that nothing actually really happened in the long term, it was still a joy to watch for me. This show is at the point that I don’t care if others say bad things about it. I’m not going to waste my time to try and convince you to think my way, I don’t care. I love this show, if you don’t then too bad. I just desperately hope for a new season, filled with a lot LOT more serious romance and some darker and deeper continuation to the story.

Shana and the others try and find a way though the barrier put up to save Yuji and stop Bal Masque’s plan.

Impressions:

This was a pretty big episode. It’s obviously building up to the ultimate climax, since we only have one episode left. However as far as things actually happening in this episode, well… not much did. We had Shana and the others pretty much just find out what the situation was. At the end they busted though but it ended before much really happened. It seemed like this episode was pretty much getting all of the slow things out of the way so the last episode can be action packed, which I’m fine with. The show has had some amazing action and high pace stuff going on that they can have an episode to stop and explain things. This episode made me extremely anxious for the conclusion.

I’m almost more anxious to find out just whether or not Kazumi will use the Hougo to summon Pheles. Although I kind of went over it before, this would be the perfect time to use it since things aren’t going too well for the good guys. The options would be of course to not use it and perhaps not need it, use it and have Kazumi die, sacrificing herself for the one she loves, or she uses it but doesn’t die because it wouldn’t be the first time someone used an attack that is supposed to kill them and doesn’t. I almost want her to use it. It’s not that I hate Kazumi. Although I want Yuji to choose Shana in the end I don’t hate Kazumi enough to say I want her to use it because I want her dead. However having someone like that sacrifice their life in a show like this would make things SOOOO much more dark and serious. There hasn’t even too much of that. Although there have been a lot of fights there hasn’t really been anything that would bring the show to another level like if Kazumi died. Still, as for what I think will happen, I’m sure she won’t die. Even if she uses it I severely doubt they’d kill her. Partially because as I said, the show isn’t that dark and deep and I don’t quite see them doing that.

Shana and Yoshida decide to confirm Yuji’s feelings once and for all and have him choose definitely between the two of them.

Impressions:

Wow…..this was a big episode. It didn’t seem like it at first considering the slow pace they had with relatively no action especially compared to the action packed episodes we just recently had but really taking a look at everything that happened it adds up to A LOT. First off they showed Sabrac is still alive….somehow….that was a big shocker. We have Satou’s continuing story about joining Outlaw and how he’s pretty much confirmed to try and join even doing something involving his father which seems like a big deal for him. We have Ike’s confession to Yoshida. There was a hint at some kind of romance back-story for Wilhelmina. We have of course the big love triangle decision between Yuji, Shana, and Yoshida. Then Hecate’s appearance at the end. It was pretty damn big. The scene with Hecate at the end nearly made me loose it. SHE COULDN’T WAIT 10 FUCKING MINUTES FOR HIM TO CHOOSE!?!? DAMNIT! I’m a big BIG supporter of romance in series and the fact that something this big was about to happen made me giddy but of course it couldn’t have just gone on like normal. It would have been a big enough event by itself for him to make that kind of definite decision but NOOOOO that’s too damn simple! God damn Hecate……….

I have to mention pretty much separately that this episode had one of the funniest Shana moments in the entire series. When Shana demanded like it was no big deal that she be thought how to make babies I just lost it. I burst into laughter. I’m not talking about the silent little chuckle or a continual silent laughter where you laugh but make no noise, I was extremely loudly laughing my ass off for several minutes. Asking not only Yoshida but asking it in front of Yuji and his parents was absolute awesomeness and hilarity.

My primary concern now is their time management. With only four episodes left in this season/series it’s obvious they won’t be able to explain everything. Even considering they would group things together they have Hecate’s appearance and the removable of the Reiji Maigo which could be connected to the Silver appearing they still have to not only defeat the Silver or fight it which would be a huge feat itself they have all the members of B al Masque to fight. I just don’t’ see them fighting and concluding a battle with The Silver, Triclops girl, Metamorphous, and Hecate in four episodes while still just dealing with them explaining the plan going on, getting the Reiji Maigo back, and putting some kind of closure to the romance and the issue of immortality that Yuji and Shana have compared to the human world. My only hope is they have a third season. Hopefully they have no anime original ending and just stop it here. I think the best case scenario is they conclude this individual fight, get the Reiji Maigo back, and then end the season. I’m not sure if they can conclude the romance. Part of me hopes so but the other doesn’t as it would leave the third season with potentially less. Hell, I don’t even think they will defeat any of Bal Masque, bearing a third season is coming, as it seems odd to defeat one member and if any of them is more separate form the group dynamic it’s the Silver which seems to be their ultimate weapon and seems odd it would be defeated here and still leave Bal Masque for another season by themselves effectively weaker.

Yuji comes up with a plan to defeat Sabrac as Wilhelmina tries to hold him off while Yuji, Shana, and Margery carry it out.

Impressions:

THAT WAS PURE WIN AND AWESOME! My god that episode was great. I can’t believe how much it dragged me in. I loved when the song, Joint, started playing and they activated their plan and killed Sabrac. I couldn’t stop from just having a HUGE smile on my face and having it stay there the entire scene. It was awesome. Everything came together amazingly. Even though I liked Sabrac and thought he was a cool enemy it was still awesome to see them pull of a plan like that. I love how GAR Yuji has become. When Alastor mentioned all the stuff he did and how he pretty much saved their ass multiple times now was great, “When did he become such an important existence” indeed.

I’m curious as to what they are going to do now regarding Yuji leaving the city. They kind of brought up this topic back in the first season but never really touched on it and then they brought it up rather suddenly just a bit ago and now after this fight they talked about it seriously again. I’m not quite sure what’s going to happen regarding that. Leaving the city would be good for the sake of saving all the people that live there from the constant fights but then again defeating all the enemies is something I’d like to see from the show and if that’s done there isn’t that big of a need. Plus moving out of the city seems kind of like just running away even if it’s for the right reasons. Plus depending on whom goes with him it’d be sad to see Yuji and even Shana leaving behind all their friends at school and so on. I’m really interested to see what happens regarding that.

It seems like the next episode will deal a bit more about the romance in this show, which is great. Some people seem to have complained about the romance focus they had early on but I really liked it. I pretty much ant romance in every anime and I think if they develop it a bit more some scenes and events in this show can be all that more serious. Hopefully it will end up meaning something and not go to waste though.

Yuji and Wilhelmina face off against Sabrac after Shana is blasted away from the fight.

Impressions:

This episode was great. It pretty much consisted of one long extremely interesting and exciting fight which by itself is pretty cool. It really made things serious as it wasn’t a fight that the good guys were easily winning, they seem pretty screwed. I have to say for a bit that Sabrac is just freaking awesome. He kicks ass. He’s one of the coolest bad guys, no, THE coolest bad guy I’ve seen in Shana so far. He just looks cool first of all but he’s also pretty good at kicking ass. So far they haven’t really landed a hit on him. Plus his unique ability seems like it really would be one of the best abilities to have in a fight. To have any wound inflected not heal for the duration of a fight and actually get worse. Hell you could kill someone by scratching them and waiting an hour.

I am curious as to what this weird feeling Yuji is getting. At first I thought it was just him detecting Sabrac which it might partially be. If so that’s pretty big by itself as Wilhelm said no one can detect him. If Yuji can that’s a pretty big thing. However, even when he knew where Sabrac was he seemed to feel something weird coming from the hole of the explosion. Perhaps that will be a key to defeating him. Hell, maybe he is detecting Sabrac and the ones fighting are some kind of clones, which would explain him not taking any damage. Either way they didn’t really explain that, they just shrouded it in mystery with Yuji for some reason finding something odd. Hopefully they’ll expand on that, which is likely because as it stands now they aren’t doing crap to Sabrac.

I’ve said this before but I’m going to have to say it again as it became even more apparent after this episode. They do not have enough episodes to finish this in this season. They are either going to have to make a third season or just leave things unconcluded, the latter which would really suck. They have a bout six episodes left and the next one at least seems like it will deal entirely with Sabrac. That’s ok too because as I’ve expressed above I think he is immensely cool but that also means that after the Sabrac arc there will be five maybe four episodes left and that is not enough to conclude all of Bal Masque including Margery’s vendetta on Metamorphous, the triclopes and Wilhelm, Yoshida and the Pheles thing, any romance between Shana and Yuji, Hecate, and the Silver. There is just way too much to try and pack into those episodes that it pretty much guarantees this season won’t conclude anything. I can only hope for them to make another.

Yuji confronts weak Tomogara that has come to lead him somewhere as Yuji tries to find out what his plans are before its too late.

Impressions:

This episode was amazing. Although it did have some action in it and it wasn’t just a lull that’s not really why I was so impressed. I was just blown away by Yuji and how awesome he was. He’s definitely come a long way. He was able to really analyze the situation going on. He questioned the appearance of Zarovee, sent out a message to Tanaka without the Tomogara knowing really, figured out the Tomogara’s plan before he did it really, intervened and stopped it. Although he didn’t resolve it all on his own, if he had just blindly followed him and let him do what he want the situation wouldn’t have turned out in their favor nearly as much. The fight was cool, but for the most part not that impressive since the Tomogara was weak. What was really impressive was his knowledge and being able to realize the trap and situation.

They did seem to resolve whatever issue Yuji was having. He seemed to kind of realize something involving himself and what his attitude had been regarding leaving. However honestly I’m still a bit fuzzy on what that all really meant. It wasn’t really clear what his stance was and what was so wrong with his attitude. There was obviously something off about him and it seems like the issue is fixed that because he realized something and even wanted to talk to Shana about what he said before, however even though it was resolved I’m still not sure what the problem was to begin with. As long as it’s over with now it doesn’t really matter, but that whole topic seemed a bit off to me.

The next episode definitely looks like it’ll be a big one. Not only are they jumping right into an episode that will be packed with action right after another episode with action, but the focus of the next episode is Sabrac. He’s not just some random Tomogara like the two in this episode were, he’s been built up as an important target for a while now. He’s got a huge connection to Wilhelmina, as she was almost killed by him the last time they met, and Wilhelm isn’t super weak or anything. I just hope she doesn’t die. I was actually thinking she might when I first saw the preview and it would be pretty interesting if she did. It would add a TON of drama and seriousness to the show which is already full of it, to have someone as close to Shana as Wilhelm die is pretty big. However with Wilhelm’s rival in Bal Masque still alive I doubt she would die before facing her. Still, it looks to be a pretty big episode.

Shana begins to notice an increasingly different behavior motivation in Yuji and wonders if it is good for him or not.

Impressions:

I would definitely say the most interesting part of this episode was the focus they had on Yuji’s changing behavior. I really really hope they continue to explore this because it really does mean something important. Some of the other things they have focused on don’t have that much lasting affect, but this is actual real character development, not just character back stories and facts. Yuji really seems to be changing and depending on how he changes it could rally affect things drastically later on.

Of course, not only was Yuji’s change pretty big but they now have this extremely weird and creepy old guy Tomogara. I’m wondering if he has soothing to do with the way people are acting. Yuji kind of sensed that something wasn’t quite right and perhaps he’s influencing people. Shana even seemed surprised at herself when she forgot to give the get well present, though that could be because she didn’t want to ask to go into the house after reprimanding Yuji, even without that Yuji noticed some things going on. Perhaps his attitude is influenced by him, maybe not. Either way they look important in the next episode.

After seeing this episode and noting how far they are in the story and how many episodes they have left, I’m really starting to wonder how much is actually going to be resolved and if there perhaps may be a third season somewhere down the road. They just keep piling thing sup and from my calculations they have only eight episodes. To deal with the weird old guy Tomogara that has appeared, Yuji’s changing personality, Yoshida’s story and hougo, the other Tomogaras, Sabrac, and the Silver….that’s a lot and I don’t see all of it being resolved in eight episodes. It might, but I’d almost think it would be better if there was a third season which is really weird to say because that means having this season conclude with no actual conclusion to the big picture. Still, it’s a thought in my head about how they’ll finish this season up and if there will be another.

Tanaka struggles with what to do regarding Ogata and his involvement in the flame haze world, as Satou also wonders if his path is diverging from his friend’s.

Impressions:

I thought this was a great episode. Even though the pace has slowed down, as is expected, it was still amazing. I always thought Tanaka and Satou were interesting characters. Well, actually probably not always, as early on first season I don’t think I liked them much. However I thought their story was great. It was different then what was focused on before that. All the focus on fighting and romance is great but I thought the struggle with whether or not to be involved in this universe was great. I’m glad Tanaka really made an exact decision on what to do, giving up the hougo and effectively saying he won’t have anything to do with the supernatural things going on, which is a valid choice. Seeing someone you care about being ripped to pieces and burn then to see them again as if nothing happened is defiantly nothing to scoff at. I’m just curious as to how much more focus Satou will get.

I was a bit surprised and interested in what the preview showed for the next episode and what was to come, although I guess I really wasn’t surprised in the fact that it does seem pretty normal for this show. I’m referring to the piling on of even more things that everyone has to deal with. A lot of shows would pretty much work on resolving problems they have but this show seems to ignore the fact there is already a ton of stuff going on and just adds more on. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s pretty good since it just makes things more and more interesting. There seems to be a group of creepy old guy Tomogaras. Although, what peaked my interest the most was the idea that something may be influencing and changing Yuji’s personality a bit. He seems more bloodthirsty almost and I noticed it a bit in this episode without the preview and it says even Shana starts to get worried. It defiantly seems like something that could become a big issue, so I’m looking forward to that.

Everyone discusses their current situation and what to do while Yoshida wrestles with what to do now that she has been given a Hougo by Pheles.

Impressions:

This episode was pretty good. Of course it’s nothing like last episode, but I didn’t’ really expect it to be as that was quite the episode. Still, this episode was pretty interesting. It really seemed to pretty much reiterate the fact that everyone is completely screwed and they are in the middle of just so many things. I really actually laughed out loud at a part in this episode that wasn’t rally funny. When Wilhelm said that they wouldn’t have sent Hecate just to seal the Reiji Maigo, that there was something else beyond everything they knew I actually laughed saying “Of course, because we don’t have enough going on right now.” They really are just piling on the problems.

I was just absolutely shocked at the information they gave on Yoshida. I always viewed her as a rather useless character and more so in the way that she didn’t actually contribute to fights or information. It just seemed hopeless for her, Shana is the main character there’s no way Yuji will end up with Yoshida, since they’ve gotten closer and are busy with other things she cant really play the role of making Shana jealous. They actually did a good job of resolving that between the two of them so it’s not like she really could play the same role she used to. Really, she can’t do much. But if she were to kill herself in order to save Yuji, holy shit that would be big. I mean…I love Yoshida. She’s a sweet girl and character and I don’t hate her but I would love to see her kill herself to save Yuji. It would make this show SO SO SOOO much more interesting and deep. Having a character like that always feeling she can’t do that much give her life to save the life of someone she loves but knows she probably can’t be with… that’s huge. Now, that being said, I don’t think it will happen. Even if she uses the Hougo she probably won’t die. They’ll find someway around it, but still just the set up is pretty interesting.

I’m really looking forward to next episode. Even though it doesn’t seem like it will be the kind to have a lot of action like 13 and 15, I’m rally interested in the focus it seems they will be putting on Satou and Tanaka. I always thought the two of them had a lot of potential to be really interesting but they never really took off with them, they never spent a lot of time developing them, which was always a bit of a shame. However it seems like they’ll finally get some good screen time. I’d guess that Tanaka kind of wants to quit being involved with all of this. Ignorance is bliss in a way, realizing how horrible it can be and now that he’s getting closer with Oga he has more to loose. Satou, who has nothing, obviously wants to be involved and for more power. It just seems like an interesting situation that I hope they make good use of.

Everyone reacts to the silver arm and head coming out of Yuji’s chest and the sudden appearance of Konoe who is able to move inside the fuzetsu.

Impressions:

Now THAT’s a Shana episode. My god, this kind of goes along with episode 13 in being a major episode. Although they had an episode in between where things were calm, they just exploded with plot and excitement with this episode. It wasn’t just that this episode was exciting and action packed, it really changed….almost everything about what we know about the plot and how things are going. Konoe is absorbed into Hecate, Yuji turns into Johan and then back, we see the special order of Tomogara (I forget their special organization name) is tied in with The Silver somehow, studying him or trying to brig him back, Yuji was stabbed through the chest and Reiji Maigo was sealed or something…. It was just huge.

I’m rather uncertain of what’s going to happen in the show now. They have the big name Tomogara to deal with still which everyone seems to have a personal past with, Wilhelm with the three eyed woman, Margery with Metamorphous, and Shan with Hecate kind of. Not only that but they aren’t just some enemy that’s out there, they’re tied in to the silver thing, the Reiji Maigo mystery and pretty much everything else. Really looking at this episode it didn’t give us any answers just more and more questions, which is great for making the show interesting and engaging.

I’m curious as to what’s going to happen with Yoshida now. The preview said, and it kind of showed at the end of this episode, that she got a Hougo from Pheles. However, unless I’m missing something, she already had one. I thought a Hougo was kind of a magical item and since she was able to move in the fuzetsu she had something like that from the giant pole guy… I should remember his real name. Anyways, a mystes is someone with a hougo inside them; perhaps what she got from Pheles will allow her to become a mystes which would make it so she wouldn’t grow old when Yuji didn’t. All of those possibilities seem to be here now so it will be interesting to see what happens. ON a smaller note, it seems as if they aren’t done with Tanaka, as they showed him kind of freaking out just from the fact a fuzetsu was going so perhaps they’ll show some drama for him later on in the series as well.