Rating: 9.2/10 (last episode)

Overall Series Rating: 8.9/10

Ah, my blogging of this show really lost momentum as the spring season began…I ended up having to condense the last four episodes into one post. At the moment, I am far more keen on the new shows. Busou Renkin ended up a pretty enjoyable watch, not being too thought-provocative or serious and maintaining a good amount of humour, even though the last episode brought everything down in my opinion. Now really, Kazuki and Victor can survive in space? And Tokiko as well? And somehow everything works out perfectly when Victor decides to take all the Homunculus on to the moon. Right.

I, like most people, only watch shows I find fairly good. Anything from average to excellent is something I would watch, and among the these shows, I’d say Busou Renkin is pretty average (yeah, 8.8/10 is average). Perhaps the manga was too long or something, but the pacing of the last episode was a bit off. Suddenly they’re on the moon; right after that a few months pass etc. It just went way too fast. The resolution was nice, but a bit clichéd as well. I still don’t like the Tokiko x Kazuki pairing. Or rather, I didn’t like Tokiko’s character design to be exact, nor did I like Kazuki’s clichéd shounen hero look. Oh well, it doesn’t really matter in the end.

Rating: 9.5/10 & 9.3/10

Impressions:

Are things getting simpler or more complicated? Victor is now in phase three and is fighting with the commander of the alchemical warriors. Some history is revealed about Tokiko, Bravo etc. Then there’s the deal with the white kakugane and who it will be used on. I’m guessing Victor will die, while Kazuki is saved, or both are saved. It’s pretty hard imagining the main character of a shounen anime dying. This anime isn’t very serious either so the more sensible guess would be that death won’t be prominent. Chouno has become a good guy now, but at the same time a side character as well. Also, there’s still unfinished relational business between Kazuki and Tokiko…

Rating: 9.2/10 & 9.3/10

Impressions:

Busou Renkin’s fights are actually pretty good. It’s the variety of the alchemical weapons that make it highly interesting and entertaining, similar to the various weapons/suits in Mai Hime and Mai Otome. From here, I really can’t see how things are going to end. I want to see Kazuki fight in Victor form again, though from his resolution to stay human and protect everyone this episode, I’m not so sure he will use that higher power of his. Perhaps he will use it against his final battle with Victor, if that ever does happen. Once again, there’s a problem with all the antagonists since they are usually pitiable, and makes me doubt how Victor will be killed.

The sudden changes of heart in Captain Bravo annoy me. He needs to be more resolute. I would have preferred it if he died, and during the last moments of his life will he realise he had made a mistake in trying to kill Kazuki. However, it still seems he is well and truly still alive. Anyway though, with six more episodes to go, there can’t be many more fights, though there are still a few matchups waiting to be determined. Shuusui needs another real fight, while Pappilion might as well just watch from the side lines, as he has already had his share of action. If this series had been longer, I would’ve hoped for more involvement of the organisation of the alchemical warriors.

Rating: 9.2/10 & 9.2/10

Impressions:

I am honestly quite shocked at how good this show has become. I guess I am a shounen fanboy at heart, and such shows naturally get better in the latter half of the series when things start getting serious, and all the fights are increased in intensity and importance. I am also very surprised that the subs are coming out faster than ever! The only fall show so far subbed on episode 18 is Kanon (though other series took breaks…)! It looks like everything starts turning as the show gets better. I suggest if you dropped the show, pick it up again. Busou Renkin has entered the climax; the true good part has just begun!

But what makes this latter half of shounen series good? It’s the rank of the characters in terms of power that is the key. As things get more complicated as shows progress, there are bound to be more fights. Usually, the first introductory battles are between weak hero and weak monster-type enemy. However, during the course of the show, we get ranks of power that emerge. And of course, everyone wants to see those of the same rank fight each other, to see who is stronger. For example, would you rather see Ichigo from Bleach fight his dad, or fight a mob of Hollows with the same combined strength as a captain? His dad of course!

At the moment, there are a couple of fights going on or are about to begin. Gouta is about to take on the support dude from the Regiment sent to kill Kazuki, and it seems Kazuki and Tokiko will take on the current main enemy (sigh, it’s been like, one or two episodes only…I can’t remember names that fast!) Chouno is also taking on the regenerating guy, though that fight really gets on my nerves. The one thing I hate most is people treating massive wounds like nothing, for example, Shirou from F/SN getting up after getting slashed and stabbed multiple times, and managing to fight again. But this is ridiculous; completely regenerating even after his whole body is vaporised?

Diplomacy is an important and effective factor is making things interesting. Currently, it seems like Chouno has allied himself with Kazuki momentarily to preserve him for himself to kill. Also, Ouka (the senpai/girl twin) starts co-operating with Chouno, effectively on Kazuki’s side as well. She also receives a new kakugane. On the other hand, the Regiment have just thrown Bravo back in with some other characters, as well as Shuusui, and are most likely going to give him a kakugane as well. And so, perhaps in future episodes, we will see the ‘inseparable-twins-until-recently’ pitted against each other.

The flame wielding guy and Bravo seem to be an interesting match up as well. Are they of the same rank in the Regiment? They really need to fight; perhaps if Bravo realises some extra profound meaning to his life and changes his ideals in order to defend Kazuki or something. And of course, the new guys from the Regiment, such as Chitose, need some action quick! It’s about time the real heads behind the alchemical warriors show themselves. Maybe the top guy (or is he really the boss of everything?) will get some ass-kicking time of his own! In any case, the next few episodes should all be good. The quality is staying high as well! Let’s hope for the very best!

Preview:

Next episode – #19
The end is near…

Rating: 8.4/10 & 9/10

Impressions:

Oh shit wow, this show is getting much better now. Compared to the current D.Gray-man, and I stress the word ‘current’, Busou Renkin wins by a mile. But of course D.Gray-man will get much better later on…but that’s not relevant to this anyway. But man, this episode is just filled with surprises and plot twists; I’m loving it. It seems like a lot of shows from the last season are getting good as they all pass the halfway mark. The only hurdle left to leap is the ending, the grand finale! Now’s the time for Busou Renkin to set up the stage for the final few episodes, which I cannot wait for now. And if they do that well, this will be another show I recommend to my friends!

Going on from the surprises I mentioned, episode 15 and 16 has a mix of drama, emotion and beach-time! It’s really all over the place, and the time spent on the beach is hilarious. I’m loving Mahiro more and more as her personality reveals itself repeatedly. Plus, the various getups Kazuki and company get up to are priceless, such as surfing on each other’s heads! Oh and who can forget Captain Bravo’s arousing blow kiss that got all the girls blushing! And immediately after that, Kazuki takes his chances, and who does he do it to? Of course Tokiko, but obviously it doesn’t work and he gets a quick beating from her. xD

But the big surprise is how Captain Bravo ‘kills’ Kazuki. But being a shounen series, there is absolutely no chance of Kazuki actually being dead, or if he is, there is no way of him staying that way. Although the chances of this are extremely thin, I’m thinking that Bravo purposely does not kill Kazuki to give him a chance to return. Reasons for me thinking this is how he questions Kazuki beforehand, and I’m sure the answer he gets is a good one. But, reasons that he really did give it his all to kill Kazuki; his short monologue about defeating Victor, and also the resolution he shows, (which includes when he attacks Tokiko for trying to save Kazuki).

And yes, I have caught up with Busou Renkin! I know there is still episode 17, but I need to wait until episode 18 is subbed before doing my next post. It seems like the subs are being released more punctually, and episode 17 was done before the raws for 18 were released. Hopefully I can keep up with this show as well. It’s gotten a lot better since a few months ago, which is all the more reason for me to watch and blog this on time. Oh and a last comment, I believe Chouno will be the final enemy. I think he will help Kazuki defeat the true bad guys so he they can have a rival battle in the end, after the main antagonists die. I also think Chouno has a black Kakugane…

Rating: 8.3/10 & 8.5/10

Impressions:

Well, the fights are still as silly as always, with Bravo’s battle against Moonface being a perfect example. Although this is good, this is one of the reasons why the show will never ascend to Bleach levels. The world of Busou Renkin is also currently too small with too little characters, and it seems the ultimate boss is already in everyone’s reach…So in the end, Busou Renkin remains too localised, but then again, it only has 26 episodes. And this is irrelevant but the third bring higher than humans and humonculus reminds me of the enemies in Zegapain…I think it’s the hair. And wow, I didn’t expect Kazuki to turn into one…

Well, with his new powers, things are definitely getting more interesting. Perhaps the upcoming fight will be more serious than past fights. Actually, maybe this time it will be GOOD. Hmm…nah I have no confidence in that happening lol. Anyway though, at this point in the anime, for such an enemy to rise, it seems like the show is going to end soon, yet they still have more than ten episodes to go. It makes me wonder if the enemy that appears in episode 14 is really the final antagonist. Perhaps Kazuki will undergo some sort of training phase. I hope that happens rather than say, a fourth being even stronger appears…

Rating: 8.3/10 & 8.7/10

Impressions:

This is why I especially love part-school genres, since the fantasical/mecha/sci-fi side of the story will usually always merge with the school life side in the form of the lead revealing his or her powers to his or her school. This is also why I found episode 12 especially exciting. Things are rolling faster now, and it’s to be expected since we are now at the half way mark for the show. Yes I know I’m very behind on this, but now that I’ve seen and decided on most of the winter shows now, I can settle down somewhat and catch up with this show. Episode 11 concludes the twins arc, and I’m glad neither of them died. I guess it’s natural for someone to wish they didn’t die since their exceptionally sad back story is enough to convert almost anyone to at least pity them. I hope they get involved in the fighting later on though; I’m still waiting to see more alchemical warriors. I seriously doubt it, but perhaps Kazuki’s friends will become warriors like him. And on another note, I’m really liking Mahiro now, and she’s becoming more and more energetic. Hirano’s Haruhi voice is quite useful in this situation as well. I should also mention that this series’ hilarious absurdity is continuously rising. A fine example would be the super hero pose in episode 12.

Rating: 8.5/10, 8.5/10

Impressions:

Well, these two episodes are definitely much better than the last few with half-assed comedy and action tossed together. It goes to show that action in a serious mood exceeds ridiculous comedic fighting by far. Well, at least for me. The sparring in episode 10 is done rather well, and it’s not just a bunch of lousy stills with streaked backgrounds, but almost like Samurai Champloo fighting, where all the swings are shown carefully. Of course, it’s not as creative and varying as Samurai Champloo, but comparing Busou Renkin with that show is not what I’m here to do. Anyway, I’m glad this fight lasts more than one episode. Well, technically the real fight takes only one episode, though there’re clear before and after episodes, while something might happen to resume the combat next episode. But then again, seeing as how the preview depicts the crescent dude and Bravo at a standstill, the twins are probably either gonna get saved or killed quite shortly and be absent for the rest of the episode.

What surprises me the most is the ‘wish’ the twins want to get granted; to become homunculi. I had known for the most part that they aren’t homunculi since they never changed forms even halfway into the battle, though I always had that lingering feeling that their wish would be something like reviving their dead mother. If that’s the case, it would probably turn out to be impossible, meaning the twins would have obviously been betrayed, resulting in them crossing over to the good side and allying with Kazuki and Tokiko. There’s definitely been enough bonding and character development for it, but killing them off as bad guys would have an equally opposite effect, which would do well in showing that Busou Renkin can have sorrow and angst as well. Anyway though, the kakuganes’ special powers are so incredibly lame. I mean, it just so happens that the little brother’s special ability is to absorb energy? Then he would pretty much die right away if faced with an opponent like his sister or Tokiko. And the sister’s ability is pretty crap as well. Unless she can transfer her own injuries to others. That would be awesome.

Preview:

Next episode – #11
And the results of the fight…?

Rating: 7.8/10 & 7.5/10

Impressions:

Ok, so this show hasn’t exactly turned out how I expected it would. It’s not how the butterfly dude comes back or anything, it’s just that this show is completely whacked up and so does not take itself seriously. It’s a bit too light-hearted for my tastes, since not even the battles are serious anymore. Papillion talking with Kazuki, Tokiko and Bravo is just outrageous – no way something like that would ever happen. I really don’t know what to think of this show. Bravo is simply hilarious, as well as the revived version of Papillion. The only serious fight has to be attribute to Tokiko’s bout with the wave-frequency-mind-controlling homunculus. Her flashback really changed the entire mood of the episode, creating the same feeling a murder mystery would give off. It’s fairly odd how the character’s mentalities can change so easily. Bravo and Kazuki make an awesome combination too, since they are equally crazy. It does get me thinking that Bravo is not all that witty and carefree, and perhaps will play a larger role in the future.

As for now, I wonder whether the current antagonist cast will be the main opposition, since the Papillion’s team was wiped out pretty quickly. Since there are only 26 episodes, Busou Renkin can not hope to go to such depths like Bleach and Naruto. In Bleach, the ‘real’ battle only starts at around episode 20 and onwards, so any pacing issues this show has will be expected. I still don’t really like the engineering behind the homunculus though – they are practically all mechanical. The concept of Chevaliers in Blood+ is a much better idea, where they are essentially humans who turn into beasts, though are able to retain their human form, only stronger and faster. This is essentially the same as the homunculus, except Chevaliers are purely organic, which provides an excellent basis for lots of blood splattering and stabbing. Unfortunately, Busou Renkin has proved itself to be more of a comedy show, and perhaps the action will pick up later on in the series. So for now, I guess I should just relax and enjoy the show.

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

I guess this means Chouno’s reign as enemy ends, thus also concluding the first arc of the series. There is nothing spectacular and it lacks uniqueness, as quite a few scenes a fairly cheesy and overused. Overall though, it’s not a bad start. It seems that Tokiko had been saved by another alchemical warrior, so I hope many more characters are introduced soon. The ‘community’ within the show needs to grow, and it has limited time to do that with the planned twenty-six episodes. However, as an opposite to that, Kazuki and Tokiko are becoming more attached to each other faster now, which makes me wonder whether one of them will confess or something to the other halfway through the series. What I can definitely say is that Busou Renkin is an action-shounen and I watch it purely because of that. The best way to improve this series is to better the action scenes, since they are currently quite lacking and dull. However if that’s not possible, blossoming some love-interests could make the show more enjoyable. Anyway, the other thing I feel compelled to mention, as anyone probably would, Chouno is disgusting. However, he does provide the basis for the enemies to come. The typical scaling factor is used for when it comes to power/strength levels. Everyone gets stronger as the show progresses (enemies, allies etc), and each time the strongest guy of that ‘phase’ is made to look extremely significant. But then a few episodes later, that guy is forgotten when something much stronger appears. In this case, it seems like a lot of human type Homunculi are going to appear soon.

Preview:

Next episode – #7
New enemies? New allies?