天下制覇

From a vagina, Shana.

Impressions:

Well, I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that it looks like we’re heading for a space filling ending, but at least it looks like it should be pretty decent. No Dark Overlord Yuji until the inevitable next season… ah well. Yes yes, ROBBLE ROBBLE ROBBLE ANIME ORIGINAL… BAD! In some ways, I prefer this to them trying to cram everything that happens in the more recent novels into a couple episodes. They’re packed full of… well… everything about the Silver, its relationship to Yuji and somebody sort of losing control of their abilities. Of course, we get to the "ROBBLE ROBBLE BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WASTED FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON" question but *shrug* water under the bridge. No use complaining about what I’ve already complained about and I’m certainly not going to let it ruin what is otherwise entertaining.

Anyway, as for the episode at hand, a bit of a cooldown after the Sabrac arc and going into the ending arc. I found it funny that Sabrac is already back and hanging around, but I also already knew that they hadn’t finished him off last episode anyway. The closeup of Bel Peol’s chest also amused me. All around, I had a lot more fun with this episode than I probably should have because after a certain point, I just started mocking it. The last few minutes do tell me that they are going to fit at least a little more action into this one before it ends, so I’m pleased. I’m not sure people watching it, even those that think Shana is a romantic comedy where love power conquers all will enjoy it all that much outside of "Where do babies come from?" thanks to the nearly five minute manly pow-wow between Yuji and his father, but eh… I got a few laughs from the episode. It wasn’t supposed to be a comedy, but you know… it was funnier than KimiAru has been for weeks.

Also, it’s really fun to use "ROBBLE ROBBLE ROBBLE" to cover all generic internet squawking.

Bel Peol and Sabrac chat while looking over the Silver. Sabrac was surprised by the Mystes, but they’re confident that things will go well now. The end is approaching. Sabrac exchanges a glance with the prof and wanders off. Bel Peol declares that they’ll now start. CLOSEUP ON HER CLEAVAGE. THANKS.

Christmas time in the city. Satou gets up the courage and picks up the phone… but then slams it down before he dials. Margery and Marco razz him for his lack of courage. Satou tells them that he’s not ready for Outlaw yet.

He wants to study and learn more and raise his confidence. Marco and Margery wander off, but they’re not really overly displeased and think of him telling her what he’d do if he died.

Ike walks into class and looks around. He thinks how much has changed. Satou broke up with Eita. Shana and Kazumi are getting along and Yuji feels more distant. Ike gets pulled out by another class rep, but he looks back towards Kazumi as they leave.

Later, Shana and Yuji walk home. He asks her plans… blah blah… she promised to meet up with Kazumi later. Yuji’s father is waiting for them at the end of the street.

Yuji and his father have something to talk about on the bridge. Daddy makes random nonsensical small talk about the city, blah blah… the news is about Chigusa. He’ll be around more now because Chigusa’s going through some things and will need him. It’s nothing bad though, and Yuji’s thick enough to make this conversation go on and on and on. Daddy finally drops the bomb that Yuji is going to be a big brother and Yuji doubletakes.

 He recovers and then congratulates his father for scoring. At least someone in the household has. Yuji’s dad has a little more to say, but it’s mostly "let’s do our best for Chigusa and make things happy for a child." Will to summarize fading. More conversation about Yuji being a big brother. Tinkly piano tune distracting me. Fade out… finally.

Shana and Chigusa are cleaning up Yuji self-narrates about a new life and protecting it, blah blah. Eyecatch. Whew.

CLOCK TOWER. Satou’s house. The doorbell rings, it’s Ike.

Twintail Shana finishes gnoshing on some melon bread as Kazumi walks up. Busty tries to strike up light conversation with Loli, but Shana immediately demands to know where babies come from. Apparently Yuji’s family told her to ask Wilhelmina. Alastor won’t tell her either.

Kazumi sort of dances around it too, but Shana blushes and more or less understands. THANKS. THIS WAS A USEFUL CONVERSATION.

So, Kazumi knows that there’s a baby on the way too. Shana and Kazumi makes small talk and they declare to bring an end to this on Christmas Eve. Busty and Loli get up and are all defiant at eachother. Rarr rarr, who will Yuji pick?

 Shana wants to decide it through a love letter… though she’s business-like about it. "That’s no good!" Busty declares and they go off shopping to get proper loveletter writing supplies. They write their letters together at a diner.

At home, Yuji hears a noise and finds the two letters on his porch.

Ike walks through town like the lonely loser that he is. He talked with Satou about nothing interesting apparently. Or at least, the conversation lasted all of a sentence.

He keeps thinking about Kazumi and lo and behold… she appears in front of him. Ike stands there like a stunned imbecile.

Flash forward to Kazumi in bed at night. HA HA, psyche, we immediately flash back to Ike asking Kazumi to meet him tomorrow because he has something to say… but that’s when she’s supposed to meet Yuji. At least you’ve got a safety net now, Busty. She gets up out of bed and grabs Pheles’ cross, still thinking about Yuji.

The next morning, Loli and Maidy are having toast. Loli asks Maidy about liking Yuji and after Maidy almost stabs herself with a breadknife in surprise, she gives Loli a lecture and gets all pissy over these immature feelings that’ll get in the way of everything.

The two argue until Tiamet stops them. Shana excuses herself and runs off. Maidy thinks about Skeletony… alright… Merihem.

Shana mopes in her room. Wilhelmina knocks and tells Shana that she needs to dress better. Shana realizes that Maidy is trying to meet her halfway and that Shana shouldn’t look like a homeless waif when she goes out on a date.

At midnight, Christmas Eve, Kazumi meets with Ike. Way to give up, Busty. Ike confesses that he likes her, but she doesn’t respond. He turns around and thanks her for listening to him, then walks off. Kazumi bows to him as he goes and then walks away herself.

Shana and Kazumi wait at their respective spots. Yuji comes to the crossroads.  One direction is Shana, the other is Kazumi.

Oops. Right in front of him is Hecate. NOT ACCORDING TO PLAN. She points her staff at him and pulls something out of him. He screams and all the Flame Hazes sense the barrier. Even Kazumi sees it.

The Reiji Maigo floats above Yuji.

Preview:

Rarr rarr Hecate rarr rarr!