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Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

I like the calm and tranquillity after the storm in many cases, and not so much the type that exists before the storm. It gives a sense of achievement, as it evaluates the results of the action in the previous episodes, and gives you an idea of what might come next. This particular episode also brings a lot of character development, especially in Yoshida, and although I don’t like her at all, I must approve of this method of execution. If you ask me, Yoshida isn’t going to die any time soon no matter what. She’s been built up as a tremendously strong support character, with all the attention she gets, as well as the acknowledgement from the main characters.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 9.5/10

Impressions:

Definitely the best episode thus far—the action is actually animated really well, while things just keep happening one after another, as Marcosias mentions in this episode. Konoe’s mystery is finally solved, as it turns out she is simply a faux body (perhaps similar to the one Pheles uses) of Hecate, though the emphasis on the memories Konoe has of her friends makes me think that it will change something within Hecate, perhaps making her reluctant in any future dealings with Shana and co. It’s also interesting to see that she possesses quite a strong power and is able to stand up to a Flame Haze.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

Oops…I left this so late that the next episode is already out…but I haven’t seen it yet. Anyway, I was almost about to start raging at the show for creating another villain that turns good, but thankfully, this isn’t the case at all as you see once you near the end of the episode. And of course, Konoe/Hecate is somehow involved, and more likely they are the bigger evil. In terms of power though, Pheles appears quite imposing, while Sakai’s silver flame might somehow give him the edge in a battle if it were to occur. Ahh, the many things happening are all nicely intertwined, which is what I always look for in plots. Now to wait for Shana’s confession…

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 8.5/10

Impressions:

Aside from an awesome and suspenseful return of Shakugan no Shana II, they completely shrug off the confession that Shana starts in the previous episode, which is immensely annoying. *Sigh*. I sure hope it comes before the end of the season at least. Anyway, I’m sure from now the show isn’t going to continue at a snail’s pace, with the introduction of Pheles, and the mystery of the Reiji Maigo’s mutation. Hopefully this all means that Sakai will be able to fight later on as well. And there’s also the question of how Hecate fits in with all of this…does she have anything to do with Sakai’s silver flame?

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

FAAAAARRRRKKKK. SHANA WAS SOOOO CLOSE. Ok, it was kinda obvious that Pheles would come and interrupt her when she announces her resolution to, and we start getting random cuts to scenes of the approaching omnipotent power. BUT I still can’t help but keep my freaking hopes up. I was practically laughing in denial when it happened…Awwww man, it’s so never gonna happen. That’s what I say but, hopefully after everything is over (or when the immediate danger is gone at least), Shana will be able to conjure up her courage and announces her feelings, but sadly, I have a feeling the producers have a third season in mind. -____-

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

For me, Shakugan no Shana doesn’t have as much impact in an episode as other series (such as ef, Clannad etc), but the driving factor that makes me yearn for more after watching each episode is tremendously strong. It’s what makes me regard it as my 5th favourite show of all time (although, Bleach is slipping away from 3rd, so Shana might move up to 4th). This episode in particular doesn’t have much excitement, but with the explanations and revelations, and knowing that nothing will be dragged out excessively due to an episode count limit, you just know things are going to heat up immensely in the near future.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

Sigh…I was hoping for some elaboration on the last episode’s revelation, but we only get a little extra information at the end of the episode, when Wilhelmina is informed of the existence of Pheles. I’m going to assume that Pheles’s past lover is probably Silver, who now seems to reside in Yuuji, either as or related to the Reiji Maigo. I wonder if this enemy presence will rival that of Hecate/Konoe, or if they’re actually interchangeable (they’re on the same side). In my opinion, Hecate will probably remain as the dominant evil, though Pheles may prove to be an interesting sideshow before the big stuff starts to happen (and would create some in-ally tension).

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Rating: 8.5/10

Impressions:

In my opinion, the constant changing of viewpoints in this episode is executed excellently. I think this has to be one of my favourite episodes of Shana so far. The crossing between Margery’s flashbacks (which not only tells us about her past, but also reinstates the reason of her being a flamehaze) and Yuuji’s training, which reveals that the mysterious ‘Silver’ which Margery desires to destroy, is probably the Reiji Maigo within our protagonist. And Shana appears to know what it means as well. It’s this type of ending that really makes me want to see more. Hopefully, the pace will pick up from here (and some Shana x Yuuji action for no apparent reason!!)

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Popularity: 2% [?]