Are you ready for a dose of Wicked? Maybe you would prefer some Rent? Or… who knows, maybe you would just prefer to read about anime.

This week’s challenge: Describe your anime as a Broadway Musical!

Wake Up, Girls! (Episode Nine)
Player: Kanashimi
Class: Boss

Fiiiiigaro. Figaro! Fi— Oh wait, anime music, wrong genre there. I kinda got out easy with this one since most of what Wake Up, Girls! is doing is singing except in a modern setting. While no one is dying of AIDs a la Rent, there is still a tense atmosphere between I-1 and Wake Up, Girls! Instead of actual rivalry, though, the news program is harping about food behind the main conversation between Matsuda and Tange, which makes me think neither of those characters can sing. I expect a love ballad from the 80s from Matsuda somewhere in here! The two are deciding to follow Kikuma who recently got a letter from her family.

The other girls are apparently going with her and, as such, there’s a singing montage to make the travel time go faster. Nanami and Kikuma have their own solos however for very different reasons. Nanami is still dead set on leaving the group and no one has tried to rectify the matter due to the fact the only people that know are Matsuda and Tange. In a shocking reveal, Kikuma expresses how she lost her parents and her aunt is now seen as her mother.

As the girls eat at Kikuma’s house… they all discover she loves saury since she was little. This obviously turns into a musical number about how her breasts got so big. Well, something has to keep this musical interesting for nine full acts. As they go to bed, Maya is missing, so Kikuma looks for her while everyone else sleeps. Kikuma finds her jogging and the two have a rather deep conversation where she shares that letter. Kikuma confesses she was scared to go back home and idled in Sendai. Her idling turned into her application to Wake Up, Girls! She reveals that, if it got boring, she would quit without any problems, but despite the fact it hasn’t been all fun she has continued through with the group. She believes, from a childhood flashback, she should continue to challenge herself to beat that childhood friend. In this sense, she can continue to dance and sing with the other girls.

Surprisingly, Kikuma responds by saying it’s time for Mayu to reveal her own secret. Mayu is fairly cryptic by saying she wants to be able to make herself happy. From here, she finally begins to belt out her lengthy backstory. I’m so excited to finally hear this; it better be good! Mayu started with I-1 when she was twelve years old, she worked for two years to become a part of the first generation of I-1. Eventually, Mayu felt restricted by all the harsh rules, as if she was chained down and unable to breathe; it’s quite a dark telling. Becoming an idol was her dream, however, so she continued, but she saw friend after friend being dismissed for something as little as a picture with a boy getting out. One of her friends, Serika, was kicked for this reason; this seems to be the tipping point.

“You’re only allowed to love your fans. If you love someone else for a moment, you’ll stop being an idol. In other words, you’re a piece of sub-human trash.” These are the words the president of I-1 said to her when she attempted to defend Serika. Due to her attempt, he declares that she will be the center of one single and another girl will be the center of the other. If her sales are lower, she will be fired, plain and simple. However, instead, she seemed to be blacklisted, and pictures of her with a man began to circulate (it appears it was her father, however, but this is merely a guess). Her parents divorced, and she was fired from I-1, returning to Sendai for trying to be human.

A heartfelt song about growth. learning, and overcoming everything together takes its place. To be fair, this is a better group considering it’s not a large monopoly of girls that is able to focus on their own strengths and aide each other’s weaknesses. Kikuma reveals the other girls have been watching and they’ve heard the entire story as well. Mayu and Nanase make up while Nanami speaks up as if disgusted. She instead tears up her invite to a musical school and declares her dedication to the group. Well, that solved that problem quickly.

The curtains close for the ending theme, which seems to strike a chord this time considering the subject matter and tone of the episode. This episode just makes me feel a bigger disconnect to groups like AKB48 or the like, that are big and have a ranking system of sorts.

Watch Wake Up, Girls! on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Sakura Trick (Episode Nine)
Player: Midnight
Class: DJ

This player did not turn in their episode summary for the week. As such, they will not be awarded 50 flat points or the additional 30 for doing a challenge. Midnight is considered a no-show and as such has lost a dollar of her original bid. She has four more chances before she will be kicked out of the competition.

Watch Sakura Trick on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Gundam Build Fighters (Episode Twenty-One)
Player: Elk
Class: DJ

Welcome back to Act 21 of Gundam Build Fighters the Musical! We start off with a musical number of betrayal and royalty, where Reiji announces publicly that he’s the prince and vows to defeat Aila in battle.

When that song ends we immediately have a repeat of the song that was sung at the start of every act for quite a while now… Which is odd because this musical has been going on for hours now, and they’ve sung this one almost ten times… I get that sometimes a song needs to be sung multiple times in a musical, but this is a bit much.

Afterwards the lights dim for a scene change, and we have a bit of a discussion between some of the main characters about Aila. Reiji is distressed, and Mao mentions that a berserker system would get Aila disqualified, but we know from some of the monologues earlier that that’s pretty much what happened. So we have to wonder why she hasn’t been.

We cut to the next scene and it’s a flashback. Apparently Aila can sense Plavsky particles and that helps her predict what’s going to happen. We also learn about the Embody system through an odd song and dance number from a group of scientists. Apparently it takes her brain waves and displays them visually on her visor so she can see the particles.

Reiji is so frustrated that he’s starting to lose his cool. He has some dialogue with Ricardo, which leads to a fight in the streets.

Another scene change and we see Aila arguing with her handler. It seems the handler is keeping her under duress, and the Embody system numbs her mind. He convinces her to turn off her emotions and treat the upcoming battle as business.

The lights dim again and we catch some dialogue between Fellini and Kirara, followed by spotlit monologues from other characters in preparation for what’s happening the next day.

Before the fight, China wishes Aila luck and gives her a charm. Her handler tells her to accept it and learn how to please fans. He tells her to wear the charm and China signals to Sei that she was successful.

The Gunpla battle starts and the actors in Gundam suits come on stage. It’s really cool how they have them set up with wires for flying. The closest comparison I’ve heard of to this is SeraMyu, with lights and special effects on stage showing off different attacks, but this seems a lot more technical. Aila nearly defeats them, but she has a moment of consciousness and purposely misses. Her handler urges her to fight, and turns up a dial on the console he’s standing at, making Aila scream out like she did in the Fellini fight. The battle continues. Even with the Embody system turned up to max she still tries to fight it. Dramatic music and singing starts as they continue to battle. Aila calls out for help, and Reiji hears it. Using the gems Reiji and Aila have (from China’s charm), suddenly Reiji and Aila can talk to each other like a two person soliloquy with everyone else frozen. Aila confides her situation to Reiji, and Reiji lets her know she doesn’t have to stay with the handlers and that she can stay with Sei and him. The soliloquy ends, and the battle stops. Aila removes the helmet and gets all tsun tsun with him. They continue fighting, Aila fighting for herself. Reiji quickly wins, and Aila understands the true meaning of Gunpla battle.

They sing another song they’ve sung a ton of times already for some reason with a bunch of actors and actresses coming on stage as well.

After the song they’re casually talking post fight, and Aila brings up Reiji’s promise. Everyone else is shocked by his offer, but it seems like Aila will be staying with them regardless.

Then they basically have a live Gunpla commercial in the middle of the play… It’s kind of odd, and I’ve not really ever seen something like it in another musical before. Regardless, the curtain falls and we’re between acts again. This is like over 20 acts though… Why is this musical so long? There are armed guards at the theatre; we can’t leave til it’s over.

Watch Gundam Build Fighters on Gundam.Info or talk about this episode on our forums.

Nobunagun (Episode Nine)
Player: Bobby Henshin
Class: DJ

When we left off, Team 1, Team 2, and the Special Team were made to work together to defeat the giant squid-like Invasionary Object when Sio was knocked out. Now, at the start of the 9th episode, we take you to a Japanese hospital where Sio was sent for a one-day recovery. Visiting her is her friend or wannabe girlfriend. I can’t tell what side she’s batting for right now. The first number in this musical is a song of friendship and confusion, because both Sio and the audience are confused as to where her love belongs. She begins to tell Asao what she has been doing for the last couple of months. Asao now thinks that Sio might have a crush on Jack The Ripper. Both the audience and I laugh at this statement. We don’t see Jack, or Adam, as the lover type.

They share a large bucket of candied Naoto. For those who don’t know, it is fermented beans. They were given to her by Saint Germain from the commander, saying it was the commander’s favorites. They enjoy a nice stroll outside as Asao tells her about how she is volunteering as a nurse to try and help those affected by the Object attacks. Meanwhile, at the pier, shadows fall over the stage as a man looks into the waters and says he thought he saw the shadow of an Invasionary Object in the water. Dramatic music starts playing as a giant shadow pops out of the water followed by a small group of solider Objects. Two more groups of these monster emerge from two other piers and attack different parts of Japan. Asao tries to help little children get into a bus to get to a safer area when a solider monster makes it into the hospital grounds. Saint Germain attacks the monster with his car and slams it into a wall. The car then explodes with Saint Germain in it. Well, Saint Germain, you were a great Sebastian Michaels look-alike, and you will be missed. The Object notices Sio and starts to run towards her. Asao, however, tries to grab the monster’s attention and is now heading for her. Sio tried to save her, but her ankle was sprained from the last encounter. She then closes her eyes and talks to the soul of Nobunaga inside of her. She asks to use his power because she doesn’t have her AU ball with her.

She points her finger towards the beast as the band’s music crescendos into the defining moment when energy is flowing into her finger and fires at the monster. This shows now that Sio is able to use a small portion of her powers without the use of a AU ball, but it leaves her very drained. After the defeat of the monster, more show up. Then comes Jack The Ripper to save the day and finish off the monsters. Asao makes sure Sio is okay and still thinks she has a crush on Jack. Jack comes up to Sio and says they need to talk as the episode comes to an end. So far all we have learned is that Sio can now summon a little bit of Nobunaga’s power without the use of an AU ball. Oh, did I also forget to mention that Saint Germain is alive and without a scratch on him?! Wait! What happened!? How did he live?! Hopefully we will find out next time.

This player has been docked 5 points for grammar problems in their summary.

Watch Nobunagun on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Log Horizon (Episode Twenty-One)

Player: Siege

Class: Content Provider

This player did not turn in their episode summary for the week. As such, they will not be awarded 50 flat points or the additional 30 for doing a challenge. Siege is considered a no-show and as such has lost a dollar of his original bid. He has three more chances before he will be kicked out of the competition.

Watch Log Horizon on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Engaged To Unidentified (Episode Nine)
Player: Kayarath
Class: Content Provider

Today we reach the climax of the Konoha act here on Engage The Unidentified. As anyone who paid attention can predict, Hakuya rejected Konoha’s proposal for marriage with Sonic-like speed. Afterwards, he went to find Kobeni. A little later they were found by Niko Ono. As anyone who paid attention can predict, Niko began to press Kobeni for information. Hakuya denied any involvement with Kobeni, as per her request to keep their relationship secret for now.

Obviously, the whole situation has Kobeni quite upset. Seeing another girl propose to your fiance can be a harrowing experience. It apparently also stung to have him then deny existence of your engagement. But why should Kobeni be so upset about all that? After all, it’s an arranged marriage that she was enlisted into. Since it wasn’t Kobeni’s choice, she wouldn’t mind Konoha making some moves to Hakuya’s unidentified areas, so to speak. However, when Konoha discusses the matter with Kobeni, she starts sobbing uncontrollably. Does Konoha have the worst luck in making people cry or what?

After taking the time to sort out her feelings, Kobeni comes to the conclusion that she actually likes Hakuya. She even manages to communicate this to him before the episode is over. Okay, only sort of. She was nervous about it, so she was fairly subtle, and subtle doesn’t work on Hakuya. Luckily, Mashiro is here to blurt it out plain as day. Once Hakuya got the picture, he became as ecstatic as Natsu at an all-you-can-eat buffet. As anyone who paid attention can predict, Benio didn’t like the stench of love comedy one bit. In fact, she actually got angry over it. She became genuinely angry over it. This is the first time Benio got mad for real, and it was frankly a bit shocking. Can Hakuya withstand Benio’s wrath? Will Konoha get any more screen time? What will Kobeni get for White day? Tune in next time to find out!

Watch Engaged To Unidentified on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Kill La Kill (Episode Twenty-One)
Player: Knightshade
Class: DJ

How’s it going internet! Knightshade here to take a look at Kill la Kill episode 21. One of the greatest musicals of all time!

We start off our little episode with… I can’t believe I’m about to say this… Ryuko, Ragyo and Nui having what appears to be a sexual encounter with each other. I really think the creators are trying to ship their own characters together and it’s really starting to disturb me. After the brainwashing-via-sex is done, Ryuko goes off to kill the non-believers of clothing! Satsuki and Senketsu begin their fight against Ryuko to try and bring her back to her senses, but they soon find themselves overwhelmed.

The Elite Four soon join the battle, distracting Ryuko so that Ira can use his device to try and remove Junketsu. However, they are interrupted by Nui, who reveals that she has stitched Junketsu to Ryuko’s Life Fibers and that forcibly removing it will kill her. Meanwhile, Ragyo uses the power of the Covers to give the Life Fiber Meteorite the power of flight and making it look like one of those really cool starships. As Mako tries to reason with Ryuko, Senketsu puts himself onto her to protect her, though at this point her dying would make more of a noble gesture and give Ryuko more of a reason to fight. Satsuki manages to make an opening for Mako and Senketsu to dive inside Ryuko’s body, where their words bring Ryuko back to her senses, allowing her to break free from Junketsu.

This episode was fantastic! The music during the battle scenes was adrenaline-pumpingly great! The fact that the music in this episode stood out just as much as the fights, characters, and… Mako. I was so very, very pleased. I give it 9 sing-a-longs out of 10.

Watch Kill La Kill on Crunchyroll & Daisuki or talk about this episode on our forums.

Nisekoi (Episode Nine)
Player: Zero Gravity
Class: DJ

This player did not turn in their episode summary for the week. As such, they will not be awarded 50 flat points or the additional 30 for doing a challenge. Zero is considered a no-show and as such has lost a dollar of his original bid. He has one more chance before he will be kicked out of the competition.

Watch Nisekoi on Crunchyroll or talk about this episode on our forums.

Week 009 Tally

1. Kanashimi: 2,737
2. Midnight: 2,266
3. Elk: 2,178
4. Bobby Henshin: 1,800
5. Siege: 1,530
6. Kayarath: 1,530
7. Knightshade: 1,520
8. Zero Gravity: 900

Next week’s challenge: It’s time for you to grab your friends or family members and get them to watch an episode of a show that’s almost over. Don’t give them any context, just get their idea of what’s happening… maybe they’ll be right, most likely they won’t.

Make sure to vote for your favorite review below! You can give your favorite an extra 20 points.