Rating: 8/10

Overall Series Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

All in all, the first season is a lot more impressive. Shana II isn’t necessarily not as good as the first series, save for the simple fact that the first season impresses, and this does not (to me of course). Shana II is far too much like its predecessor, hardly seeming like a second season at all. I probably would have had a lot more interest in the series if this played straight after the first 24 episodes. In any case though, m overall view of Shana hasn’t changed much, and if a third season comes out (which I assume will, due to the lack of closure in this season), I’ll still be sure to watch it.

Leaving aside what happen to Bal Masque, there’s only one thing I want to talk about: Yuuji’s choice. In last few scenes, it is suggested that Yuuji finally chooses Shana, as she sees someone/something approaching her and becomes highly ecstatic. Of course, it could be someone or something completely unrelated, but as a ShanaxYuuji fan, I like to believe the first idea. In terms of relational development, quite a bit has happened since the start of the season, but unfortunately, I actually believe Shana has lost most of her original tsundere charm. She’s too soft now. And Yuuji is far too indifferent for my liking. But the two as a pair still make quite an attractive couple…

Rating: 8.5/10

Overall Series Rating: 8.8/10

Impressions:

To me, Gundam 00 never had a nice flow to it. It’s hard to find shows that actually do, and because of that, I can say that Gundam 00 is already quite the enjoyable anime. This episode ties everything up quite nicely, before throwing out heaps of new leads with the four years later aftermath/interlude. Because of that, I’m anticipating the next season a lot more than I would have if the show simply ended. I love how they decided to make a mess of everything (in a good way), by doing things like putting Louise in the same place as Tieria, or showing how Marie is actually an important person to Allelujah.

Apart from that though, the emergence of an even greater evil was quite expected. They ended up making Allejandro look like quite the unaccomplished fool’s villain, with his reckless last attack and ‘exploding’ timely demise. They also decided to make Setsuna look like the saviour of everything, but ultimately, he’s still just the average pilot (which is greatly disappointing). I doubt he’s actually dead anyway, so he’s probably going to come back and become the star of everything next time. What intrigues me more is what CB have been doing for the four years after the demise of the Gundams.

In regards to the union of the world as shown in the last few scenes, I really still don’t think anything has worked. Sure, they are united as a military force, but chances are there’s still heaps of racism, and certain people not accepting certain other people etc. It’s hard to imagine that a fully united country would ever occur anyway. Relating to this, has CB’s objective been accomplished? Most likely no, so we’ll have to see what they do about everything now. There are also heaps of questions flashing in my mind about the new developments of CB’s arsenal of Gundams (and pilots).

Rating: 8.5/10

Overall Series Rating: 8.8/10

Impressions:

Is it time for me to talk about Clannad as a whole yet? There’s still one more episode to be released as an OAV (I think), and of course there’s the after story which is apparently still in production, but I think it’s safe for me to give my final thoughts on the series. I’ll label this episode as the END, even though it should really either be episode 22 or episode 24, but oh well. I’m going to treat the After Story as a sequel, unless it’s ridiculously short—then it’d have to behave like an OAV or something. Regardless, it won’t change my opinion of Clannad thus far anyway.

Firstly, this episode as a standalone is, in my opinion, fantastic. Personally, the drama employed in Clannad isn’t really all that good, so sticking with comedy and this type of character development suits the show to a greater extent. The return of Clannad’s famous Imouto-san, as well as some great comical development between Tomoya and Nagisa really heightens my opinion of the ‘ending’ of Clannad (which I have profusely expressed about how…average it is). But remember, there’s still the After Story, but who knows when it’s going to air…I doubt I will be nearly as enthusiastic about the show as I am now when it does air.

And as for Clannad as a whole? Well, it’s about the same as Kanon, and not as good as Air. It is somewhat average for a KyoAni show, though that in itself is quite a big thing. Overall, I would have to say that Clannad is a great show, and a must watch if you liked the predecessors that were Air and Kanon. If you think about it though, Clannad is really only good in its slice-of-life genre. It’s doesn’t deliver as a drama, is half-assed as a comedy, and is almost non-existent as a romance/harem. But slice of life is a good genre if you ask me, so no complaints from me. If anything, I can only say I’m tired of seeing so many Key products by KyoAni; they need to find something new.

Rating: 8.5/10

Impressions:

Uh oh, second last episode already. And yes, this is what I meant in my Shana post. Some more deaths to plague us with…the show seems like it’s going to throw in a whole new cast next time round. Ok, maybe a little exaggeration there, but I can definitely foresee plenty of new characters. And they really need to develop things with old characters, like Saji and Setsuna, or Marina and Setsuna. I’m only stating Setsuna because, really, he IS the main character here—can’t have him being a character with no substance and whatnot. But before all that, we have to see the finale of this first season, and I doubt there will be much closure…

Rating: 8.5/10

Impressions:

Wow, it’s already the second episode. Things feel highly rushed right about now, but it’s understandable, and with only one episode left, I have a feeling that this may end in a cliff hanger. Are they really going to settle things to a point where a conclusion can be drawn with the Bal Masque? Or will it be something like the ending of Code Geass? In any case, I’m really surprised to see the amount of blood that gushes out of Margery when she’s hit by something so blunt. It goes to show how accustomed I am to seeing Bleach-like violence, which usually involved highly unrealistic injuries and all that.

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

So is this technically the last episode? Well there’s still one left to air, so I will so no for now. But it seems safe to say that the real story has ended (at least in the anime version), so I’ll go ahead and talk about it here. Clannad’s story, or rather, sequence of arks, IMO, is slightly better than Kanon’s. But this ‘ending’ is a lot worse, so in the end, if you ask me to compare the two shows, I’m going to have to say they are roughly equal. Clannad is noticeably more light-hearted and comedic, with that extra romantic element that Kanon did not really have. Overall though, I still like Air better (it was short and very sweet).

This episode is more or less quite predictable, especially with Nagisa breaking down before the play, and having friends and family save the day. It doesn’t strike me as very emotional or surprising as well, as personally, I don’t find the story very sad at all. Akio’s speech definitely has a lot of impact, so I’d say that that’s the highlight of the show. Other than that, this ending’s been quite mediocre in comparison to some other arcs. If anything, Kotomi’s arc is highly out of place, once you think about how the rest of the show is no where near as sad. I really can’t believe that the other world sequences are really just a visualisation of the play…which is somewhat ‘gay’.

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

This is what I love about Shana—the relationships (when they actually get somewhere). This episode certainly takes the one large lingering issue yet to be dealt with pretty far. They set everything out really nicely, even though it’s pretty corny and (most likely) wouldn’t happen in real life (as far as I know). Regardless, it seems like a tragedy is going to befall everyone, and a greater tragedy than Yuuji not going to either girl at that. Another highlight is Yuuji’s new younger brother or sister (though I doubt we’ll ever see it grow up). That also included some nice character development for his father, but at this point in time, it’s not really significant.

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

Oh shit, the next episode is already out. Luckily it hasn’t been subbed yet. I think. Anyway, I have to say, if this really is the second last episode, the ending looks like it’s going to be crap. Honestly. Nagisa’s story seriously has nothing. It’s not very deep and has little substance compared to the usual stories of the other girls. And there’s no real climax anywhere, except maybe when Nagisa finds out about her parents, though that’s nothing big anyway. I can’t fathom what’s going to happen in the next episode, because in my mind, I’m seriously expecting something grand and spectacular. Doesn’t look like it’s going to happen from the way things are going now.

Rating: 9/10

Impressions:

I definitely wasn’t expecting Lockon to die, but it’s for good effect that he did. I’m not being a heartless person, but his death gives the show that much more substance, something which I fully endorse. This show really does just continue on with the same battle-after-battle pattern, but at least they throw in different variables each time to diversify things and make the show more interesting as a whole. There’s still no real mindbender twist in the plot or anything of the nature, but perhaps they can pull something out of their sleeves before the season is over. One thing’s for sure though; Gundam 00 has been more than just a pleasant ride.

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

An excellently executed in my opinion—I love the first OP insert during the climax of the episode. I said I didn’t like the song as an OP, which holds true, but when used as an accompanying piece to such a battle scene, the effect is glamorous. It definitely hypes the entire ordeal up by a lot. They also placed a nice Shana-almost-confessing scene in the midst of things, which almost makes it seem like the season doesn’t need any further development between the two (which would suck, but it works I admit). However, I have a feeling this is just the calm before the storm in terms of the relationship between Shana and Yuuji.

I guess the main question that lingers now is, what is going to happen in the remaining few episodes of the show, when one of them main threats has been eliminated? We all know that Bal Masque has something up their sleeves, and Yuuji’s silver flame has not come close to being resolved yet, so it could be something relating to that. I doubt the series will finish with this second season, so the conclusion will have to be quite open. If I’m not mistaken, the anime is actually really close to the latest novel, which sees a drastic change in Shakugan no Shana. Right now, I still want more Yuuji x Shana.