Quick Picks: Momo Kyun Sword Ep 9, Marvel Disk Wars Avengers Ep 23, Persona 4 Golden Ep 9, Rail Wars Ep 10, Kill La Kill Ep 25 FINAL

 

Momo Kyun Sword Ep 9: A mysterious light surrounded a mountain which all the peach fragments that everyone collected it is reacting to. Jyakio immediately ordered his men to find this mysterious light.

 

 

Meanwhile, Momoko met Onihime and after some lunch, Momoko showed her the charm that she lost it previously. It was a ring and Onihime was shocked by it. She went back to her home and showed to Momoko that she has a similar ring as her.

 

 

The animal companions decided to tell the truth-Years ago, a Tenyu Princess fell in love with an Oni and gave birth to a pair of twins. The Tenyu would not allow the twins to live and the princess took the twins to Earth to hide them. She placed the twins into two giant peaches and due to exhaustion, she passed away. The animal companions found one of the peaches which Momoko is in while the other was taken by Jyakio. The two girls then realised they are twin sisters and furthermore, their biological father has passed away too.

 

 

 

Onihime was shocked by it and went to find Jyakio for answers. However he was not in his chamber. Momoko took it well which later the Tenyu girls led them to find the Peach core buried in the mountains. They saw the Oni are finding it and battled them. Tenki challenged Momoko and he overwhelmed her even when she has fused with Inugami. At the same time, Youki found Seimei and Kaguya and wanted her to follow him. Seimei fought him but was ambushed by Enki.

 

 

 

 

Kaguya was willing to follow the Oni claiming she is using Seimei and will resort to any means to return to the moon. At the same time, the Oni found the Core and defeated the girls. Jyakio took the core and went to a secret chamber and claimed the time for revenge has come...

 

This is unexpected that both Momoko and Onihime are twins sisters but fate played them a cruel joke since they were raised differently. Onihime has always regard Jyakio as her father but now learned her biological parents are dead and isn't taking it well. Momoko on the other hand took it well since she was raised by the old couple and the animal companions and do not think too much about her parents.

 

But now dark times has come since Jyakio has found the core fragments and is planning for his revenge while Kaguya (I am guessing she is based on the folktale of the Moon Princess) was using Seimei and now joined the Oni for her own motives. With Momoko badly wounded, is it too late for our heroes?

 

 

Marvel Disk Wars Avengers Ep 23: Crossbones was ordered by his master to begin their operation and headed to Japan. Akira felt sorry for himself after failing to save his father and went to look for Pepper and Sunfire who has come to protect the kids.

 

 

 

 

Iron Man was unable to track the locations of the missing discs lost in the dimension rip but promised Akira that he will find his father for him. The next day, the X-Men and Noriko bid farewell to everyone and returned to their base. Back in New York, Spidey received news from Hawkeye that the Super Heroes Registration Act was scrapped as Senator Roberts (Loki in disguise) went missing with Shield and Nick Fury back in action again.

 

 

 

 

Crossbones freed Tim and his comrades but claimed he want their biocode instead of them. The kids and Pepper secured the remaining villains disks into a suitcase and Pepper left the room with it. They soon realised that the real Pepper was asleep and the impostor is Mystique. She met Crossbones and wanted to know who is his employer. He double cross her and Sunfire arrived to discover that it was the Red Skull all along.

 

 

 

The kids arrived and found Sunfire defeated. The Avengers knew who are they dealing with and ordered the kids to call them out. Red Skull was able to call all the villains at once and he was holding a orb called the Dimensional Sphere to amplify the villains' powers. Hulk was knocked out with one blow by Abomination. The others tried to attack them but nothing worked. The villains now proclaimed themselves as the Masters of Evil however Red Skull recalled them back and claimed he will destroy them the next time.

 

 

The remaining heroes tried to take down Red Skull but were knocked out by the Dimensional Sphere. The kids and the Avengers felt helpless for the first time but Iron Man suggested that he will find a way to make them stronger...

 

So we come to a new arc-The Masters of Evil with Red Skull leading them. I was expecting more from Captain America since he and Red Skull are eternal adversaries. It looked like Red Skull is more dangerous than Loki since he has the Dimensional Sphere which allow him to call out multiple villains and make them stronger. I am actually enjoying this series since the main villain is now Red Skull and he is actually more crazy and evil than Loki. Plus we get to see Sun Fire and Mystique too which is a bonus. However things are getting more interesting as in the next episode, the Guardians of the Galaxy are making their appearance! I am GROOT!!

 

 

Persona 4 Golden Ep 9: The gang went to the ski resort for holidays and Yosuke brought his video camera to film the trip. Everyone enjoyed themselves in the first day and when the guys were relaxing in the hot spring, Yosuke and Teddie was wondering who did they bought the black swimsuit for during their trip to the beach?

 

 

 

However they ignored it which later Rise showed everyone the photos they have taken so far on her phone. But they realised something is out of place as in every picture, there was a gap in between each other. Yosuke checked his video camera and realised someone film them a few months back but they can't remember who it was.

 

 

 

 

Teddie have to go and spoilt the mood but turning off the lights and was beaten up by the girls. The next day, Yu fell off a small cliff and spotted someone running away. He finally saw it was Marie and she passed her comb like object to him. Yu managed to find a small hut and rest there. The others arrived and they all finally remember Marie. They then saw the old television turned on by itself...

 

So we finally come to the most important part of the Golden storyline. In the original series, this arc stop after Yu and someone of your choice (any of the playable characters) are trapped in the hut after a snowstorm and spent a night there. But with the television turned on by itself, you know something big is about to happen. It seems that the producers are pushing for a Yu and Marie shipping as he cried after knowing he missed her. So what is going to happen now once they entered the television and discover Marie's true identify?

 

 

Rail Wars Ep 10: Aoi trained Naoto more to make him better and ended up spraining his leg. The team was later assigned to protect and escort Prince Berina of Altela during his trip to the next city on an express train.

 

Haruka acted strange after knowing their assignment but kept mum. On the actual day, Berina is also a train fan boy like Naoto and they enjoyed each other company. Aoi missed the train after spotted a suspicious character in the train leaving the other three to protect Berina.

 

 

Later Naoto learned that Haruka and Berina are classmates in the same foreign school years ago which she was embarrassed. Haruka was assigned to act as a decoy in the prince's suite while Sho was next door and Naoto is with Berina in another suite. Berina started exploring the train on his own (Sasshou is on the same train working in the cafe) which got Naoto tired. Berina later took a shower and warned Naoto not to peek at him.

 

 

 

Naoto read the news on his phone and learned that the Altela Royal Family is involved in an accident. He heard Berina fainted in the shower and took him out. Naoto then realised that Berina is actually a girl. When she woke up, she told Naoto to keep it a secret even from Haruka. Later, a man in black suit attacked the guys and Berina in the cafe. Sho hold him off while Naoto and Berina escaped into the carriages. Naoto tried to hold off another kidnapper but he was stunned by a taser. Suddenly Aoi arrived and took on the kidnapper...

 

So after the previous arc of sending an organ though old rail lines, we have the team protecting Prince...no, Princess Berina from kidnappers. She looked like a small boy when she wore her royal attire but now the cat is out and Naoto is swore to protect her and her secret, it is going to be one long night for everyone...

 

 

Kill La Kill Ep 25 FINAL: 2 weeks has passed after Ragyo was defeated by Ryuko, Sanageyama duel with Satsuki for closure and Satsuki won. Sanageyama realised that Satsuki has lost her ambition spirit and wanted some closure for herself. She told Ryuko that she will close the island once the graduation is over.

 

 

 

 

A month later, the school is having their graduation ceremory as the inhibitants are moving out of the city. Satsuki sensed an evil presence but allow herself to get captured. Suddenly an evil clone of Satsuki and the four gods appeared and started attacking everyone. It was revealed that Ragyo's assistant Rei was behind it and she gathered the remaining threads to create clones of them.

 

 

 

Tsumugu and Mikisugi brought weapons for everyone to defend themselves but the clones are giving them a hard time. Rei claimed that she will carry on Ragyo's will and even kidnap Mako as a spare power source to activite the school's secret weapon-A giant robot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mako gave an encourgaing speech to boost morales to everyone and they finally defeated the clones. Ryuko fell off a cliff when suddenly the scissors blade appeared from space and she knew it was Senkentsu. She took the scissors blade and finally destroyed the robot.

 

 

 

 

Rei wanted to kill Satsuki but grazed her neck. She told Rei that it is pointless to live in the past and she will try to change the world despite it's flaws and hope she can join her. Rei finally gave up and they quickly abandoned the island. Ryuko and Mako escaped with her family as Satsuki cut off her hair and bid farewell to the sinking school...

 

If you remember the final credits in Ep 24, Satsuki has short hair and have got on with Ryuko and Mako. So this episode saw the reason why it is so. Both Satsuki and Rei have past they can't get suppass it. Satsuki felt a sense of emptyness atfer defeating Ragyo and the empire she built for revenge is going to be taken down. But when she saw Rei still living in the past, she realised she too is falling that path and decided to use her power to help others in need. Rei who was saved by Ragyo as a child was obliged to serve her and became a slave to Ragyo. She too realised that nothing will come out of vengence and gave up. 

 

Ryuko too has a bit of closure as Senkentsu sarcfice itself to save her and it gave it's last hope to her in the form of the scissors blade. She now know that Senkenstu will always be in her body and start a new life with Mako's family. A great closure to one of the best shows of the 2013 line up and we thank Ryuko and friends and said goodbye to them as they begin a new life in the future! 

 

Quick Picks: Wake Up Girls Ep 12 FINAL, Samurai Flamenco Ep 22 FINAL, Buddy Complex Ep 13 FINAL, Kill La Kill Ep 24 FINAL

 

Wake Up Girls Ep 12 FINAL: The girls returned to do their rehearsal when they noticed Nanase was not performing well. She confessed in the dressing room that she suffered a sprain. They were thinking of withdrawing when Shiho appeared with two of her staff.

 

 

 

She overheard what has happened and got her staff to check on Nanase. They gave a cast to ease the pain until the performance is over. Mayu thank Shiho which she didn't gave a reply. The girls went up on stage when it is their turn. Although Ota and his small group of fans supported the girls, they soon won everyone on stage and cheered for them when it is over.

 

 

 

 

However the results are out and the girls didn't win the event, losing to another group. A few days later in the office, they got a call from a record company in Tokyo who offered them a contract...

So that's it? A sort of cliffhanger ending with the girls getting a contract and people have started to supported them despite losing the contest. I am guessing that they want the girls to learn that it is not all about winning but rather the journey of getting there. Beside if they did win, I am guessing I-One will not take it lightly on them. Never mind, there is always next time.

Final Thoughts: If Idolmaster is about the dreams of an idol, Love Live is about friendship then Wake Up Girls is about the true reality of an idol. It is pretty realistic as they do show the conflicts among members and higher management. Most idols love to perform on stage which is something they truly enjoy but management just want to get sponsors and profits and will resort to anything especially if you have a golden goose for an idol.

Mayu sincerely want to be an idol but learn the harsh truth from Shiarki's demands. She did fell from grace however fate gave her another chance and joined the other girls for a comeback. People might have doubts of her in the beginning but somehow through hard work and determination, their efforts paid off. The rest of the cast were fine although the only characters development are from Mayu, Airi, Nanase and Kayu. The other three girls were like supporting characters and their development are shallow. Overall, the show was all right but I wish they will continue to develop the story further rather than leaving a cliffhanger ending like that.

Samurai Flamenco Ep 22 FINAL: Years ago, Goto started texting his girlfriend's phone and create the illusion she still exist. Sawada started tauting him by deleting all the message including his girlfriend's last message before she went missing.

 

 

Masayoshi learned from Konno that he probed further on Sawada's parents who learned they are in cahoots in faking his death. Masayoshi confronted Sawada and demanded an explanation. He claimed he want to make Samurai Flamenco a dark hero by ruining the people around him. Sawada tried to make Masayoshi wear his first Samurai Flamenco costume but instead Masayoshi refused and strip butt naked.

 

 

Masayoshi understand that Sawada is a lonely person and volunteer to care for him. Goto escaped from his cuffs and want to shoot Sawada. Instead Masayoshi claimed he care for him too and if he carried on, his girlfriend will be sad. Goto texted his last message addressed to Masayohi claiming his girlfriend have finally "left."

 

 

 

 

Mari arrived and beat Sawada to a pulp (And kicking him in the balls.) A few months later, a museum dedicated to all the heroes was opened to the public and Kaname was made the director. The four remaining Flamengers also visited the museum with Masayoshi visiting Sawada in the reformative center.

 

 

 

Masayoshi accepted him but make Sawada promise not to hurt his friends. He and Goto later took a walk to the museum when suddenly a car driver litter on the road which got Masayoshi to reveal his Samurai Flamenco costume inside...

As I have guessed, Love was the only thing Masayoshi needed to defeat Sawada and saved Goto's sanity. Although the way he did it was kind of hilarious and perhaps raised some flags of questionable sexuality? Anyway, Sawada's plot was also kinda of stupid, thinking that by forcing Masayoshi to kill him, he will become the dark hero and therefore heading a path of no return. Unfortunately, Masayoshi is a guy whose heart is very naive and unpredictable which got Sawada all freaked out when he saw Masayoshi's "naked truth." Mari kicking Sawada in the balls is deserving for all the acts he did which I laughed out at Mari's psycho expressions.

Final Thoughts: When this show started off, I thought it is like Kick Ass without all the hardcore violence but when things got weird with a giant mutant gorilla, the show turned into a full blown action series. From amateur hero to hero to Super hero, Masayoshi's imagination just got weirder and weirder every minute. Although I do like the Super heroes coming together and the evil conspiracy plot hatched by the Prime Minister.

Masayoshi is a super hero fan boy who realised his dream of becoming a hero and saving the world. Although he did learned the harsh truth of heroism and why everything bad is falling on him but for a while, I was enjoying the adventures of Samurai Flamenco and the Flamengers every minute. The last arc for Sawada was kinda of disappointing but I guessing the message was anyone can be a hero but it will take love and care to make everyone understand each other better.

Goto was all along the straight guy but somehow he believe in Masayoshi especially when he was framed. He even joined in the fight against the Prime Minister despite having no powers. But when his past is revealed to be broken, it kinda of ruined his image and Mari totally hated him. But not Masayoshi who still treat him as a friend and managed to stop his disillusion.

Mari is very unpredictable as she become an energetic person (and make out with Moe and Mizuki) or turned into psycho heroine who kick men's testicles for fun. A true sadist indeed. The rest of the cast were all right and because of Masayoshi's imagination, they too got involved in becoming heroes of their own.

As long there are crimes no matter how big or small, you can be ensured that Samurai Flamenco will appear to save the day!

Buddy Complex Ep 13 FINAL: The Zogilia forces began attacking the United forces and with Bizon and Hina's coupling system activated (by force from Hahn), they were destroying the fleet. Aoba and Dio headed to find the transport planes for their new units while the others hold the line.

 

 

 

Bizon was about to destroy the Cygnus when suddenly Aoba and Dio arrived with their new units-Luxon Next and Bradyon Next. Elvria told Aoba and Dio that Hina's coupling system has a strange signal coming from it. Aoba called out to Hina which she broke free from the system.

 

 

 

Bizon tried to interfere again and force Hina to do the coupling again. But she refused instead Aoba told her to accept him which worked. The Gorgon cannon fired again and it caused a strange effect when the two machines united. A warp hole appeared and suck Bizon in. Aoba realised it is the same time tunnel that brought him here.

 

 

 

 

He knew that if Hina will to go back in time to stop Bizon, the cycle will repeat itself. Instead, Aoba and Dio stopped Hina and destroyed Bizon's unit not knowing Bizon has fell into the tunnel. The Zogilia forces retreated after the Gorgon cannon was destroyed as the three units returned to Cygnus.

 

 

Later, the head of Zogilia forces appeared in a meeting and it is an elderly Bizon...

So instead of solving the problem, Aoba has created a worse time paradox since Bizon has went back in time becoming the ruler of the Zogilia forces with his obsession of killing him. Although we now know who the true enemies are we dealing with in the next season. With Hina and the new units now joining the crew, it will be a more fierce battle in the future.

Final Thoughts: After Sunrise's horrible train wreck with Valvrave, I have doubts with Buddy Complex at first with it's time travel story and with the psychic abilities needed to pilot the units. At least, Aoba is a more competent male lead than Haruto's indecisive. With no place to go back, he stay with the crew and became family with them. Although he knocked head with Dio, it is obvious these two need each other more.

Dio is the proud rival pilot that Sunrise is famous for. He couldn't accept Aoba as his partner at first but Aoba's stubbornness won him over and he kinda of accept him especially Fiona enjoyed Aoba's company. He might have some father issues but he is a perfect match for Aoba's antics. Hina's development only shine during her time with Aoba in the island and learning of her past. It is clearly that she has a thing for Aoba since she remember how she went to the past. But she might have to deal with Mayuka who also has a slight crush on him too.

The supporting cast were all right with Captain Gengo as the laid back commander and his first mate, Rene who overact like a mother hen but meant well. Mayuka played "the girl who is in love with the male lead but will not get her love return" type. Hopefully she doesn't in the next season. Alfried as the Zogilia commander was pretty cool as he cared for his men and if he even find out that Hahn did the brain wash on Hina, he is going to flip out. Bizon is clearly the villain and now being the head, he has unlimited resources and will stop at nothing to kill Aoba and claim Hina. I could already see Aoba and Hina's disbelief faces when they confront him in the next season.

 

 

A good show and hopefully the next season will not be another train wreck like Valvrave.

Kill La Kill Ep 24 FINAL: Everyone started to take down the super antenna but it is protected by a Life Fiber force shield. Ragyo then used her powers to negate all the Kamui clothes causing Ryuko and the others to lose their powers.

 

 

 

Nui tried to kill Mako but Gamagoori shield her and got stabbed instead. Ryuko took off Senketsu and continue battling Nui and Ragyo. Ragyo captured Satsuki and the others and tried to place them inside the Life Fiber. Suddenly Senketsu turned itself into a drill and damaged Ragyo's Kamui.

 

 

 

Everyone was able to call back their powers and battle Nui while Ryuko and Satsuki battled Ragyo. Gamagoori was alive and break open the force field. They then destroyed the antenna and damaged Ragyo badly.

 

 

 

However Ragyo absorbed Nui and the Life Fiber, turning herself into a rocket and headed straight to the satellite in space. Ryuko asked everyone to give her their powers and she became Senketsu Kisaragi to stop Ragyo. Ragyo succeeded in turning everyone into Life Fiber and covered the Earth with it.

 

 

 

Ryuko arrived to stop her but she get beaten up by Ragyo. Ryuko did it on purpose in order for Senketsu to absorb enough energy from Ragyo until she is strong enough to overcome her. She rushed to the satellite and was able to call off the Life Fibers to leave Earth.

 

 

 

 

Ragyo could not believe that she has lose. Ryuko want to take her back but she choose to kill herself and disappeared completely. Ryuko fell back to Earth and Senketsu shielded her but it is burning itself while entering the atmosphere. Senketsu bid farewell to her and burned up. Ryuko was caught by everyone as she finally called Satsuki "Nee-San."

 

 

 

A few weeks later, the school was disbanded and Ryuko, Mako and Satsuki begin a normal life together...

A great finale from beginning to end with some close shaves! One of the best anime for the 2013/14 line up!

Final Thoughts: When I watch the first episode, I am reminded of Gurren Lagann by it's art work. The story started of as a revenge theme as Ryuko tried to find her father's killer. Satsuki played as the hard core dictator of the academy but as the story progress, you started to feel that Satsuki isn't all heartless and even claimed responsibility of Ryuko's father's death.

Suddenly the show turned into a full blown alien invasion with the introduction of Ragyo, Nui and the Life Fibers. The Life Fibers actually won and everyone both allies and enemies now work together against a common enemy. Ryuko and Satsuki learned the truth of their family line which turned them off for a moment but thanks to Mako and the others, they finally worked together to defeat Ragyo and the Life Fibers to save the world.

Ryuko and Satsuki were great characters. One is hot-headed while the other is cool and calculated. In the beginning, they hated each other's guts but they finally accepted who they are and now begin a normal life as sisters. Mako was the glue that brought everyone together. Her positivie and sometime hilarious preaching make everyone stop what are they doing and listen to her. The Elite Four are also good characters especially Gamagoori who is the most developed among the four and care for his comrades including Mako which I am guessing he has a crush for her. Ragyo and Nui are over the top villains with Ragyo and her megalomaniac mind and Nui's sadistic actions make them one of the most creepiest villains this year. Never wrath a crazed woman!

In all, this is perhaps one of the better animes I have seen a while for the last three years. Highly recommend for anyone who want to get away from all the moe and shouen series. It started off with a standard plot which escalate to one of the best storyline (over the top!) I have seem for a while! It is announced that there will be an episode 25 which is the epilogue that will be out in the final DVD volume. I will take note of that when that episode come!

P.S: This is the last anime series for Quick Pick in the 2013 line up. Next post will be for the new series! Keep an eye for the next post for that! See you!