Alisa is so devious for taking them to the yaoi butler/voice acting café.

The Corruption of Dia

Her reason for taking everyone? It’s an adventure that every girl should experience. Their wildest fantasies would be reenacted right before them with the help of several handsome men. However, for one so young as Dia, she only wants one thing… milk.

Of course, it’s perfectly fine to trust someone whose name is Peddy and he greets you by fondling your hair.

But when Dia wants milk, she wants Peddy’s milk. Not just any regular milk, his sweet milk…

A quick delivery results in one satisfied customer…

Quality eyes? But anyways, one glass isn’t enough. She wants more but it requires… preparation.

However, the star of the show is Tama. He’s the best!

A very fun episode. So many good parts in this ranging from Hiver and Zoma’s private time to the yaoi cafe to Ultimate Seme Tama~. Definitely the top show of the season with so much fun and energy in each episode. Sure, it might not be the perfect successor to Kiddy Grade but it’s enjoyable.

Think of Full Metal Panic! but with 30 female Sousuke’s transfering in.

Brief Summary

Takuya Ishikawa had a peaceful, boring life at the Kuriyama Private High School. With the exception of his perverted principal, he thought this year will be no different… until he opened the classroom door.

What prompted the principal to do such a thing? Was it out of the kindness of his heart to take in students of Saint Arsenal Academy because their building burned down? No… It was simply the root of all evil, cold hard cash.

At first, Takuya was fine with guiding the new transfer students. After all, it’s a paradise to be around so many lovely ladies.

However, when they showed their true colors, he had second thoughts.

Then the girls pulled out guns and heavy armament.

These girls were trained brainwashed to be perfect soldiers ladies to attain world domination peace.

And so, Tatsuya’s peaceful days came to an end

Impressions

A fun start if a bit generic. Typical bland male protagonist trying to handle a suddenly eventful life. Then again, ladies with guns can hardly go wrong. I’m hoping that the group from Saint Arsenal will provide a nice balance of both action and humor. So far it’s doing fine.

As for that bit about the fourth dimension under their skirts, it’s beyond the Laws of Physics. :)

Doubt and Trust

Even though I’m an Iwase fan, I can’ help but feel sorry for Miyoshi.

Brief Summary

Takagi continues to use Aoki as a reference for female feelings. He had no idea that Miyoshi discovered Iwase’s book and learned of the meeting at the zoo.

That is, until he noticed her absence and called her. The first thing she did was question him. Hearing his nervous answer only made her angrier.

Takagi isn’t the only one in trouble. Mashiro is too.

Impressions

This was definitely coming. I remember way back in the beginning chapters when Takagi had to choose between Iwase and Miyoshi for a girlfriend. Seeing him pick the latter only made me groan about how much of a waste it was to cast Iwase aside. Now, she’s back in the picture and about to make a grand entrance into the world of manga. As for Takagi and Mashiro, they’re about to face the wrath of a woman scorned.

So the choice is clear. Either the boys can clear up the misunderstanding and wind up losing in the rankings since they’ll be using up precious time… or they’ll shelve the girl problems for later and excel in their new manga. Mashiro’s definitely for the first option since he’s so whipped for Azuki. Yet, he’s not in the center of all this. Takagi is the one who shall decide where the series will go.

She’s not really like that… I think.

Brief Summary

Tsugawa Tatsuya had just lost his parents in an accident, leaving him alone with a huge inheritance and some lasting advice. He was to be an honorable man. However, that ideal was crushed when he met Miyazaki Seine.

Wanting to help her, Tatsuya actually got in her way. However, he persisted and found himself involved in something far bigger than he could ever imagine.

Seine is a witch. Her mission is to eliminate mermaids, the villains who corrupt people with parasitic mushi.

Things happened and Seine wound up being his roommate. After all, how could you not pick her up if you found out that she lived in a cardboard box in a public park?

However, their new living arrangement attracted more people, including Seine’s twin guardians.

Yes, Yuzuki is a lolicon. She’s also the new live-in maid.

No one is safe.

Impressions

A wonderful series that had a great start. From the author of Chibi Vampire (Karin), Kagesaki Yuna kept her style consistent. Seine has a slight resemblence to Karin if you smooth away the errant strands of hair. Despite the serious nature of the plot, there’s plenty of humor inserted here and there. One-sided action so far with the witch’s AION pet.

Of course, what really hooked me was Yuzuki and her new job in the Tsugawa house. All brawn and no brain. That half is maintained by her twin Suzuki. A delightful series with the tsundere Seine and maid Yuzuki.

The Melancholy of Take-chan

Would you date that girl and face the FINAL BOSS standing behind her?

Brief Summary

Take and Tomoko decided to visit Takeshi to ask some more personal questions about his relationship with Suzune. Their friend had changed so much ever since she met Takeshi. They were concerned about his true reason for dating her, whether it’s just physical attraction or actually because they love each other.

Unsatisfied by his response, Take became to administer a test of her own. Here comes round 2!

Using her own body, Take tried to tempt Takeshi with some sensual poses. It was a formidable first step but he was able to resist.

Even Tomoki got involved, forced at first. Double the power of seduction and Takeshi wavered slightly.

Seeing his defenses crumble, Take went for the final attack. She took off her panties and proceeded to lift her skirt.

Before Takeshi could succumb to carnal desires, Suzune made her grand entrance. Take tried to take advantage of the situation but she knew the truth. Suzune completely trusts Takeshi.

Nothing could come between them anymore.

Impressions

The power of love… is so beautiful. Suzune is such a lovely girlfriend to Takeshi. She’s so cute and innocent but at the same time, she has complete faith in her boyfriend. She won’t fall to lies spun by others, including her friends. Ahhh~

An adorable chapter laden with fanservice from Take’s “test”. I can see her warming up to him. Even Tomoki accepted the happiness borne between the two lovers. Now if only Take would focus her attention to another resident of the apartment…

Tis the season of maids… but even that is not enough to win my heart.

Brief Summary

Need I say more? :)

Those from the Empire will be working to earn their stay. Every single of them… including Charlotte.

Who’s the one to commit such a heinous crime? It was Fio, the loyal maid of the Campbell house. She is strict and unforgiving to the ones who threatened her master. Hence, there was no mercy.

Yet, she’s keen enough to quickly solve problems, even if her precious master must suffer a little bit of indignity. After all, misery loves company.

Another reason to love Fio. She is undoubtedly loyal and she wouldn’t mind making sacrifices… on behalf of Cecily.

And it was the knighted maid’s luck… to be given an errand to get apples. While coming back with a basketful, Cecily came across the last person that she would ever want to see, especially when she’s dressed up as a maid.

Finally, Luke learned a very important lesson. Don’t compliment Cecily. She will destroy you.

Impressions

Definite maid overload in this episode. If I didn’t know better about Manglobe’s financial problems, I might assume that this episode was tailored just for me… and other various maid fanatics. We went from a brief glimpse of Fio… to a grand total of six. Four from the Charlotte’s troupe (Empire princess inclusive) and one knight who was forced into it. Not complaining about the service… not at all.

However, what happened to all the serious business with the cloaked guy and the Devil’s Contract? The best action was when Fio tamed the unruly maid trainees and Cecily’s K.O. punch against Luke. Then again, I don’t want any cheesy human transformation and a boring fight where Cecily will be useless again, losing Aria only to have Luke clean up the mess afterward.

A delicious episode but one that leaves me craving for more service, not plot development. Hence, I wonder if Manglobe’s so great with the fanservice aspect, why can’t they apply the same effort to advance the story? Great episode on the surface… but no substance.

If you’re in the need of a new, seriously good show, this is your destination.

I just felt the need to make this quick post to draw attention to Aoi Bungaku. This is the must see show this fall.   It does not excel at animation as it’s one of those less commercial titles that do not get a large budget to flaunt. The music is fantastic and the effects are unique and downright…effective. Add to this realistic characters and a tearsly paced story with some first person narration and you have a speical show. Madhouse is at it again.

Watch it the impressive mood it creates and see what else you get from it.

Bridging the gap between the first and second season.

Impressions

This has to be one of the best promotional videos that I’ve ever seen. It’s building upon a series that I’ve held in high regards… and it’s how the sequel should have been, a point that I shall address further in the post.

The beginning 30 seconds of the video shows three contractors cornering Hei in an isolated industrial area… only to be destroyed by him. However, despite the victory, he’s reminded that The Syndicate is unrelenting in its hunt for traitors. It is a great way to catch fans of the first season. The only downside was how one of the contractors had familiar powers…

But unlike him, she used knives instead of nails and had the ability to control time. That and she’s the head maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

The traitors are Hei and Yin. Also Mao if you want to be real technical but the animal-possessing contractor isn’t the focus of this OVA. Plus, from what I’ve seen of the second season, Mao didn’t know what happened between the two so he might not even show up. A (very minor) pity.

But being on the run with no one to trust but each other brings about a different development, one that was hinted at the finale of the first season but never made official. To best describe their relationship, Yin is Hei’s woman.

However, something happens. Something that seems to originate from Yin. Whatever it was, Hei and Yin split up… and Hei wants to kill her. At least in words but his action in stopping Suou’s shot indicates otherwise.

Through all this, they continue their escape from the secret organization that used to control them. Tougher opponents appear, including one who could pass off as Amber’s sister. Little is known about the antagonist besides her remuneration of eating flowers. However, judging by her use of a gun, her ability is more of a crippling one, not offensive like Hei’s.

The inevitable result leads into second season and the cause of Hei’s haggard appearance. What and how it happened remains unknown, unspoiled by the 3-minute release.

Unlike the second season, I don’t think I’ll have as much of a problem enjoying it. The Black Contractor is very clear with identifying the main characters, Hei and Yin. With the Twins of the Meteor, I’m still not so sure. It could be centralized around Suou or Hei and just looking at the opening, probably Suou. Frankly, I found Chiaki from the first season’s starter episodes more interesting than that Russian schoolgirl, and she was just a Doll to bait Hei out. In addition, Suou haven’t been fully immersed yet since she’s still a pseudo-Contractor. The mission to reunite with her twin brother was all but forgotten, replaced by jealousy. Also, the OVA is directed to a more experienced crowd, people who’ve seen the first season in its entirety. Hopefully, it’ll pick off right from the end of the first season without focusing on minor characters.

With Twins of the Meteor, it’s slowly warming up to me. I have a theory about what happened but plenty of holes in the logic. That theory is: [highlight to show] Yin became a contractor and the only way to turn her back is for Hei to use a Meteor fragment. Hei wants to kill her because she betrayed him but her action was a sacrifice, to protect Hei from her awakening powers and from the pursuing Syndicate.

I can’t wait for the release in January. More Yin = More happiness!

Sharpeless Witch

I’ll be more than ok with that.

Brief Summary

Things continued to get worse. Battler noticed more oddities with his family. Jessica and Shannon have gone missing. An axe-wielding girl was voluntarily mowing their lawn for no real reason.

His grandfather suddenly showed up and demanded all the youngsters to leave. It was time for a serious discussion between adults… but not about the inheritance. It was for Beato. Everything’s for Beato.

Wandering around, Battler ventured into the forest and found Beatrice Angel Mort. He also found his father… and Shannon (and Shion and Satoko). Like father, like son.

Shannon was his maid for the session… not that Battler was complaining or anything.

But Jessica is still missing. The chessboard has been set up and so, the game begins.

Impressions

An interesting mix of the two series. Rena’s appearance was a tad out of place and the Beato March was just way out there. Kinzo may be 100% gag with his bottomless obsession of the Golden Witch.

Of course, my favorite part was when Shannon showed up at Angel Mort. It would’ve been PERFECT if she wore the standard restaurant uniform. The Ushiromiya maid looks so conservative when standing next to Shion. I would be envious of Rudolf had I not known about the Seven Stakes of the Purgatory. That and they’re not in the proper dress.

Amazing so far. Definitely seeing the parallels and enjoying the obvious humor. Now I’m waiting for that one defining Higurashi moment…