Simulblast! Week 012 Of Fall 2013
And so… our first Simulblast comes to an end. But you can still vote this week to help your favorite come out on top!
This week’s challenge: Christmas happened! Somehow incorporate your holiday celebration in your summary.
Meganebu! (Episode Twelve)
Player: Kanashimi
Class: Boss
Is this really the last episode of Meganebu!? I kinda feel like it shouldn’t be over so soon. It’s odd; I feel some sort of attachment reviewing the show as the weeks have gone on, despite me initially not liking the comedic nature of the series.
This episode picks up right where the last one left off. The “3rd” is checking out the statues that are safe from the typhoon, still bitter that he missed his chance to help. Obviously there’s a nice Glasses Club explosion to interrupt the moment as they continue to work on their X-Ray glasses. I really, really hope they don’t actually complete them since this is the last episode. Since they’re never deterred by anything, they host a scavenger hunt for the other students attending the festival.
The super interesting thing here is that, when students put on their glasses, they actually appear and aren’t weird paper/stick people. Students rush to be a part of the game, even invading the clubroom and accidentally taking the X-Ray glasses Yukiya was working on. Akira is too busy crying tears of utter joy to really pay attention. They devise that the first to find all the items will be wearing the glasses since he can see through things.
They rush to the clubroom, only to find Akira’s brother, Hikaru (who is adorable by the way). He says he has ten of the items because people gave them to him. My fangirl senses say this is due to the fact that he is cute and huggable. My only regret is that he wasn’t featured more in the show.
The “3rd” finds the X-Ray glasses and then drops them off the roof of the school, because that’s how you make the plot move. They land on one of the large clock hands and just hang there some stupid ridiculous amount of feet in the air. Good job, “3rd”.
The president of the Student Council is unveiling his tower and calls forth Akira as someone who helped extensively. Akira takes over, makes a grand speech, and unveils their project finally for the world to see. A floating fish banner pops out of it filled with the flyers the Student Council made. The explanation is that it’s filled with the President’s “love”. Everyone gets teary-eyed, including the “3rd”. Did that fish banner just begin to unveil a disco ball? Is that what… Okay. Just okay. Oh wait, the typhoon made it malfunction, and it’s stuck.
They make a note of how if sunlight hits it the effect will still be the same. Akira drastically takes the lenses out of his glasses to aim sunlight towards the ball. The other members follow, but it’s not enough. The Student Council then run over with the biggest wok I’ve ever seen and use that to point sunlight as well. Still, not enough. However, they realize that if they had the X-Ray glasses the lenses would focus enough light. This is when the “3rd” finally realizes the glasses he dropped are the X-Ray glasses. So he and Akira decide to climb some clock hands, because no one locks that door full of idiotic teenagers at a government owned school, right?
Once using the X-Ray glasses, they still can’t do it. Somehow the student body has stuck around, though, and they all pop out their lenses as well. There is so much light I’m surprised that no one is being burned like ants. The disco ball begins to let out confetti and float higher. I’d hate to be the guy to clean up that celebration.
This cute moment at the end between Akira and his brother, Hikaru, still makes me long for more Hikaru. I’m not sure I understand their relationship to be quite honest. It appears as though Hikaru might have some sort of vision problem that Akira is attempting to fix with the X-Ray glasses, but that might be a jump in logic. Perhaps he is blind and that’s the reason that Akira is so gung-ho. That really makes me wish there was more focus on the two. Either way, the school was given the gift of glasses, which couldn’t really compare to my gift. This entire show was about togetherness as well growing as people despite all of the wacky humor.
I recently had a similar gift on Christmas where the staff and I got to exchange gifts during Secret Santa. While I don’t think throwing my professional life out there is appropriate, at least for context I have to note I’m generally alone on Christmas with very little interaction from family or local friends. Interacting with the staff in a holiday-like event was very much my Christmas and meant a lot to me. There was a feeling of being unified and being a family for at least a few hours. It meant a lot to me and I think the trials that these characters went through in this very last episode would be a similar feeling.
Meganebu! was a show with a lot of ups and downs, but, leaving it, I feel pretty satisfied. It didn’t necessarily scratch my itch for meaningful story until the end, but it did give me a challenge in terms of describing some of the more… unique happenings. It was a playful show that I probably needed in my life. So thank you for joining me for our first Simulblast and for the crazy adventures of the Glasses Club.
Watch Meganebu! on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Diabolik Lovers (Episode Twelve)
Player: Midnight
Class: DJ
The end is here at last! I can be rid of this stupid anime forever! Merry Christmas, Happy new Year! It’s done! After this last one, I never have to talk about this demon series ever again.
Alright, we open up the show with them all talking about how Yui tried to off herself. Ayato asks Subaru if it’s okay to pull the knife out. Subaru bends down and pulls it out for him. Makes sense; It is his knife. Then we cut to Richter walking along the sewer, bleeding out. Back to the brothers, who are all standing around nervously waiting for Mommy dearest to pop out of Yui.
Ayato asks if there is a way to drive Cordelia out forever.
Then we cut to Laito/Raito… whatever his name is… finding Richter collapsing near Cordelia’s dress. They begin talking.
Reiji pops into the room with Yui and has some magical Deus Ex Machina juice that can drive Cordelia out of Yui’s body. I get that we sort of established earlier in the series that he’s a mad scientist. This seems a little convenient, though. When did he whip that up? What is it made out of?
Well, anyway. It’s incomplete. He says he needs a part of Cordelia to make the magical make-mommy-go-away juice work. Kanato says he has this and rips open Teddy, bringing out a vial of something. Apparently it’s part of Cordelia, and he puts it in the juice. This brings me to what has always bugged me about this anime. Some explanation would be nice! I’ve said before that I’m watching this show with someone else. He was so lost during this scene it wasn’t even funny. The only reason I knew what was going on and that those were Cordelia’s ashes from when Kanato burned her is because I read the game’s TV tropes page. The anime never says what is in that bottle or why/how Kanato has it. That is not the sort of thing you can just glaze over! Leave it to this show not to explain anything ever.
Anyway, we cut back to the only interesting part of this episode, where Laito takes a lamp and burns Richter alive.
We cut back to Yui. They give her the Dues Ex Machina juice and everyone is happy. She sits up, says she’s thirsty. maybe implying she’s become a vampire. Who cares!? We end this monstrosity of an episode at a mere eight minutes.
The rest of the fourteen minute show is taken up by cryptic dialogue from each of the brothers with super simple animation. If i had to take a guess, it’s what they say at the end of their route in the game? No idea actually. There is a small animation near the end where Ayato gives Yui her cross back and then the house being locked up tightly.Then we cut to the opening, which sounds slightly different. Perhaps it’s the voice actors singing it.
The last image they show us is a image of Ayato saying “See you.” Wait… “See you”? Not “Good bye” or “Thanks for watching”? Why “See you”? Is that a threat? Are they planning to produce more of this? No! I was done! it was over! Why!?
Overall: I don’t think I can stress enough how much I hated this anime. I really don’t. Like, if i could. I would burn the entire show. That’s how much I hated this show. I would throw it in the oven with my Christmas chicken and watch it boil in the juices that cook the rice. If i could, I would throw it to the pit of zombies that made up my High-school of the dead volumes. Okay, this is a pretty crummy excuse for shoehorning in my holiday. I had a great holiday. I hope you did too. I got a bunch of awesome stuff and i really enjoyed doing the Secret Santa with everyone here on the site. Even if the huge group call did crash my computer. I loved doing Simulblast even if i hated this show. I am really looking forward to perhaps getting a better series next season! Thanks everyone for reading, and thanks for the Weis Schwarz cards, Kayrath! It gave me a new card game to play with my boyfriend and taught me the basics of Vangaurd to play with my friends.
Happy New Years everyone!
Midnight
Watch Diabolik Lovers on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Gundam Build Fighters (Episode Twelve)
Player: Elk
Class: DJ
Gundam Build Fighters, episode 12, AWWW YEAH~! Elk here with the continuation of that big cliffhanger. When I left you guys, a giant Zaku II had just shown up. The episode starts with Ramba Ral running into the stadium, as he forgot to set his alarm. “In the middle of a battle, Ramba Ral forgot to fight!” Thank you based series for finally giving us that line. I cannot tell you how pleased I am.
The Zaku II turns out to be an AI controlled Gunpla. The tournament organizer also learns Reiji’s name, and his face kind of melts? I don’t know, it seems to be showing he’s really worried about Reiji, perhaps hinting that the story about Reiji being a prince on another world being true.
We cut back to the action as the Zaku begins it’s attack, focusing mainly on the Star Build Strike and the rest of their group that just finished off the Ex-Boyfriend team. Yuuki wonders why the Mega Size Zaku was put into the arena, and the organizer tells Allan it’s just to “make it more fun”. A lot of people are given notices about the Mega Size from their teams with instructions to avoid it at all costs.
Back at home, China and Rinko are watching the tournament on TV, and China notices the Zaku targeting Sei’s Gunpla. Reiji gets fired up, and the organizer is cheering for the Zaku, though he didn’t know what it was called. The Star build Strike goes on the offensive despite being completely outclassed in offensive and defensive power by the giant. Nils notices the fight and makes a Don Quixote reference, complete with a windmill resembling the windmill Gundam from G Gundam. The Build Strike is damaged by a giant cracker grenade, but Fellini and Mao join the fight, defending them from a second cracker strike. Nils is in awe of their tenacity, and Yuuki wants to help fight the Zaku but is warned off by Allan. The crew manages to destroy the head, but it’s still operational. Sei commands Reiji to use the Discharge, and he pulls out a giant beam rifle. The Zaku tries to take it out while he’s charging, but Fellini blocks the shot. Two missiles are fired towards Mao and Fellini, but a katana flies out and skewers both missiles. The Zaku then takes aim with it’s Bazooka, but a large beam cuts across near it’s leg, taking it off balance and allowing the Star Build Strike to fire its shot.
Honestly, I was kind of underwhelmed. Instead of a single massive beam, the special attack seemed to split into many small beams of regular strength. I was kind of hoping it would be a giant death beam that punched a hole through the Mega Size… However all the hits add up and it explodes, and as that happens the buzzer sounds, ending the battle royale.
After the fight, Fellini thanks Nils for saving him, but Nils plays the “I wasn’t helping you, I wanted to study your Gunpla more” tsun tsun cliche line. He also announces that he’s figured out Sei’s special shield and shares his confidence that he’ll take out Sei and Reiji. Fellini doesn’t buy it, though.
We cut back to the tournament organizer and his fear of Reiji. Yuuki comes in at the same time and confronts him for deploying the Mega Size Zaku II. When the organizer plays dumb, Yuuki twists his arm until he complies. After he leaves, the chairman, acting like a child, gets his secretary to do a childish pain removal technique to cure his twisted arm.
Back in the PPSE room, Allan lets Yuuki know he knows it was him who saved them from the Zaku with a long range sniper beam shot. Yuuki explains himself saying that, to be Meijin, one has to fight his enemies at their best.
Reiji heads out to get more food while Sei thinks about how Luang and others know about his shield and how it works, though there is a secret third system to the shield besides absorb and discharge. Aila tries to pay Reiji back for the extra money he gave her for the meatbuns, but they’re cold because she waited for him all day. He says he doesn’t want cold buns, and they fight over them until some punks hassle them for acting like a couple. Reiji confronts them, and one of the punks takes out a baseball bat, but the episode ends before we get to see the fight.
Or does it!? Once again, there are still 4 minutes left. Someone has to let them know the end credits are END credits, not 3/4 credits…
The secretary asks the boss why he’s so worried about Reiji, but he refuses to explain himself. However, he has set them up against Luang, the Thai champion, thinking that he’ll take them out of the tournament for sure.
The last shot of the episode is after Reiji and the punks’ fight. It seems like he probably won, but his arm is hurt, likely from defending a baseball bat strike. The next episode is named Battle Weapon! But that won’t be for a while as the series is on hiatus for a week.
Watch Gundam Build Fighters on Gundam.Info or talk about this episode on our forums.
Log Horizon (Episode Twelve)
Player: Siege
Class: Content Provider
I did a bad thing. I missed last Simulblast! I got so wrapped up with Christmas things that I didn’t have time to write. I’m not going to catch you up to last episode, but rest assured I have watched it, and I liked it well enough. Some nice glimpses into some politics of NPCs. And also glimpses at characters in swimsuits. But it seems like it was mostly buildup for this episode, Episode 12.
This episode definitely reminds us that all of these people are a bunch of computer-game-playing nerds; when it comes time to dance at a ball, they all freak out and try to get someone else to dance.
Speaking of nerds, I’m reminded of an anime series I got for Christmas. We ran a secret santa this year with 91.8 The Fan, and Kana got me the S.A.V.E. set of Welcome to the NHK. It’s a wonderful show, and I binge watched it on Netflix just before Simulblast began. In fact, for the first few weeks of Simulblast, I found myself thinking of how much I’d rather be watching NHK than Log Horizon. The reason I think I liked it so much is because I can relate to it; a friend reccomended it to me when we were in the middle of designing a parody dating visual novel. Good times.
Oh right, Log Horizon. Eventually, Shiroe agrees to dance with one of the Crescent Moon’s members who has never really been important before now. She’s a bard, so dancing comes naturally to her.
Meanwhile, the children are focused on a training camp they’re attending. They’re about to enter a dungeon. The little girl that Shiroe spent the first ten episodes obsessing about is pretty scared. Shiroe basically tells her to toughen up, but in nicer words.
Back at the ball, the adventurers discuss why they were invited to an NPC ball. Apparently Akihabara has a population of 20,000, which is close in power to the city they’re in. I’m not sure how they did a census of Akihabara, but whatever.
In another room, two NPC noblemen are complaining that adventurers aren’t working as cheap labor anymore. Apparently players establishing a government has been pretty bad for them. It’ll be interesting to see where that plotline goes.
But then we cut back to the boring children plotline. Right now it’s just kids doing MMO things. If you’ve been following my summaries, you’ll understand why I’m going to ignore it until something interesting happens. All I gather is that this blonde guy is a jerk and he’s going to do something to get everyone killed. Just a feeling.
Sadly, I was wrong. Just more MMO stuff that I’m sure would be interesting if I was into that sort of thing.
And we end off with one of the Adventurers meeting with the princess of the city they’re in. City? Kingdom? I don’t even know.
It’s an interesting episode past the MMO nonsense. Can’t wait for the next one when Simulblast starts again!
Watch Log Horizon on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided To Get A Job (Episode Twelve)
Player: Bobby Henshin
Class: DJ
The final battle is upon us, ladies and gentlemen! As the heroes fly toward the erupting volcano that leads to the demon realm they are attacked by all manner of demonic creatures. Harpies fill the sky and lunge themselves at our heroes with a thirst for blood. It turns out thought that the perverted old man’s dragon is a magical dragon with a powerful laser and shield attack. Sadly, the shield does not last long, and they are forced to the ground.
After Lore~Sempai fixes the aircraft, they fly straight for the door to the demon realm. Well, actually, there are 2 doors: the door that leads to the chamber of the door that leads to the demon world, and then the door to the demon world. Lam~chan uses her demonic magic to open the door enough for Raul to pass through. Raul tries to hold the door open to let the other girls through because they were being attacked by skeletons and giants. Airi tells him that he is the only one who can bring Fino back. As the door closes, Lam~chan makes a crack about how Airi lost in the battle of love. Raul runs to the chamber where the door to the demon world is kept. He sees Fino there with nothing but what looks like demonic scales covering her up.
Raul first tries to get Fino’s attention, but Fino’s response is to fly over to him and try to kill him. Raul fends her off to the best of his abilities with the sword he was given by Lore~sempai. He tries and tries again to get through to her, but nothing works. With his failed attempts, he tries to remind her of all the experiences they had working together: the parties with the gang, the shopping, and all the friends she has made. He even shows the first order she ever took from a customer and tells her that the customer is waiting for her to complete the order. Little twitches start to happen, but it’s still not enough. So what is Raul to do? He flashes back to the second episode where he trained her on the 7 phrases to say to a customer: “Thank you.”, “Excuse Me.”, “Welcome.”,
“I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.”, “I will be right back, sir!”, ” How may I help you today?”, and “How may I help you?”. These phrase struck the biggest cord with Fino so far, so Raul continues to repeat these phrases over and over again until Fino starts to fight back her demonic fury.
She snaps out of it just in time for the door to the demon world to start opening. Remember, if Fino goes to the demon world, her transformation into the next Demon King will be complete. Raul, with all his might, tries to force the door shut. Fino’s demonic side comes out again and tries to choke Raul while he is trying to close the door. Raul then tells her that everyone is waiting for her to go back, and that he is waiting to go back with her. This was enough of a shock to send her back into her old self, and they close the door to the demon world! Fino’s body returns to normal… and naked. She falls on Raul and they share a sweet embrace as tears fall from her eyes.
We cut back to Leon the next day where everything is back to normal and Fino completed her order for a blood red refrigerator. The manager tells everyone that a new employee is joining them at Leon and that Fino should be the one to train her. Fino, of course, flips out and is excited. It turns out the new Employee is All A! Airi~san is made the new employee at Leon and Fino couldn’t be more happy. We pan out of the store to the title screen as the word “Reluctantly” starts disappearing. Now the title reads: “I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Decided To Get A Job.”
All in all this series was kinda cookie cutter fan service to me. The action was great, and the world they lived in was interesting: A combination of modern day and magical fantasy, kinda like Dungeons and Dragons. But the story seems basic “boy falls for girl who is quirky and hyper.” For my final rating of “I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get A Job”, I give it a 5/10. It’s average, but has a lot of things that could’ve made it a great story, which I think a lot of animes suffer from nowadays.
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Watch I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided To Get A Job on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Galilei Donna (Episode Twelve)
Player: Christmas
Class: Guest Relations
This player is officially out of the competition, but can join again for the Winter season.
Watch Galilei Donna on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Outbreak Company (Episode Twelve)
Player: Kayarath
Class: Content Provider
Outbreak Company goes for a sucker punch today, because the opening segment is an assassination attempt on Shini’ichi life. Putting your protagonist in mortal danger may be par for the course in many shows, but here it has impact since it really is an unusual occurrence. The fact that the assassination was on behalf of the Japanese government also isn’t something you see everyday. This sets the course for the rest of the episode where the objective for everyone is to kill/save Shini’ichi.
Luckily for Shini’ichi, when you’re best friends with Empress Pentralka, you gain access to certain “perks.” Of course, I’m referring to 24/7 protection by an elite unit of ninja maids, or mage maids as the case may be. The best protection in the world won’t save if you’re otaku enough to run into a burning building to save a limited edition magazine! I can’t help but think that is very stupid on his part. Then again, the Japanese government purposely got the biggest piece of otaku-bait possible in order to lure him into a trap.
It’s time for a rescue segment led by Myucel! While Shini’ichi will go into a burning building to save a magazine, she’ll go into one to rescue the person she loves. If Myucel talking about how she’s willing to follow him into heaven isn’t a sign of love, then I don’t know what is. Luckily, she doesn’t have to eat those words today, and everyone gets out okay.
Two assassination attempts in one episode does show how serious things are. Afterwards, there’s a lot of political positioning and two-faced talk. I’m not good at reading between the lines, but I sense tension when I see it. I’m in a hurry so I’ll just skip to the ending. The Japanese government is not to be trusted, Shini’ichi is allowed to continue his work at the Eldant Empire, ship to ship warfare is still happening between Myucel and Pentralka, and the adventure continues! See you all next season!
Watch Outbreak Company on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Kill La Kill (Episode Twelve)
Player: Knightshade
Class: DJ
It’s Christmas time! You know what that means!? Nothing… it- it means nothing. Hello again Ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls and other! Knightshade back once again on this joyous of holidays to give you another super happy Christmas fun time review of Kill la Kill! Now hold onto your scissor blades and grab onto your Santa hats ’cause here we go!
As Ryuko angrily goes into a furious attack, Nui tells her how she killed her father with the Scissor Blades he himself created. She was able to steal one of its blades, but not before having her left eye slashed in the process. That explains the eye patch, but not how it stays on with no strap. The boiling blood of Ryuko’s rage has an adverse effect on Senketsu, causing him to go berserk and consume her, resulting in a monstrous form. It looks hideous and awesome at the same time, which I love.
As Mako and her family head towards the scene in order to save Ryuko from dying of blood loss, Tsumugu tries to draw away Nui to give Aikuro the opportunity to use an adhesive bullet on Ryuko. Satsuki dons her Kamui in order to put a stop to Ryuko, but it is Mako who manages to slap Ryuko to her senses and bring her back to her normal self, saving her life. A few days later, as Ryuko is recovering from her battle, Satsuki reveals that she was the one who ordered Nui to steal the sword scissors from Isshin before announcing that Ryuko’s battles with the Elite Four have helped her perfect the Goku Uniforms so that they can take over every school that opposes them. It’s a great suspenseful ending!
So… this episode. I like it and don’t like it, so I’m gonna point out the goods and bads of this episode. Let’s start off with the goods. The last few episodes and especially this one made me question Satsuki even at the end. I really think there is more going on then what’s seen; I can’t see her as a straight up bad guy, or in this case a bad girl. I see her as more of an anti-hero than a villain now. Another great thing was the epic fight between monster Ryuko and Nui; it was really great to see the true villain and Ryuko fight each other. One with such hatred and one with the mindset of not giving a crap. Tis the season for a beatin’, as the old saying goes… I think.
Now the bad. Take this with a grain of salt, die hard fans. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen villains like Nui in other anime. This just seems to be too odd for me. I know Nui killed Ryuko’s father as part of a mission from higher-ups and so forth, but she just seemed to do it because she was bored, I mean until she got her eye gouged out. The other thing would be Mako slapping Ryuko awake. I figured that this would be a more serious scene because, well, Ryuko is a monster and the only way to wake her up is “through the power of friendship.” I thought, “Okay, this could be a very touching moment.” However, it was more comedic than anything else. It’s like seeing a wrapped box under the tree, and you think “It’s gotta be that new laptop” only to see that it’s clothing. No pun intended.
Does this mean that this show is awful and I hate it with my very soul? No, this episode was great, but not awesome like my other encounters. That being said, while this episode wasn’t awesome as per usual, I still can’t wait for the next episode, and I’m dying to see where the new development of world domination with clothing goes. Anyways everyone, later days, merry Christmas to all, and to all: get the hell back to work.
Watch Kill La Kill on Crunchyroll & Daisuki or talk about this episode on our forums.
Beyond The Boundary (Episode Twelve)
Player: Zero Gravity
Class: DJ
This player is officially out of the competition, but can join again for the Winter season.
Watch Beyond The Boundary on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Nagi No Asukara (Episode Twelve)
Player: MakiMaki
Class: Content Provider
This player is officially out of the competition, but can join again for the Winter season.
Watch Nagi No Asukara on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.
Week 012 Tally
- Kanashimi: 1,697
- Midnight: 1,391
- Elk: 1,278
- Siege: 880
- Bobby Henshin: 860
- Kayarath: 680
- Christmas: 660
- Knightshade: 610
- Zero Gravity: 360
- MakiMaki: 70
This completes Simulblast for the Fall season! Due to the response we’ll be continuing the game into the Winter season with some mild changes. We’ll be posting the details and who won next week. So stay tuned!
Make sure to vote for your favorite review below! You can give your favorite an extra 30 points.
I vote for Bobby, yeah he may not win, but I rather enjoyed his the best.