That’s it? My final impression is included…

Summary:

Kanako excitedly prepares for the upcoming pool classes at school, avoiding any chance for her to miss them. She eventually has an outburst of blood loss upon seeing everyone in their swimsuits at the pool, and is saved by the new teacher named Enjo. Afterwards, all of the surrounding girls request to have mouth to mouth with Kanako to further help her. Unfortunately for Kanako, this was all part of a dream. Priest Kanae eventually visits Kanako at the dorm, with a melon as a gift. Kanako panics, but as Kanae constantly reacts to her responses by grasping onto her, she has more than a simple breakout this time. This causes her to miss the next pool class as well. Kanako next sights kikurage in her baggage, but Honoka and the others deny that it was their doing this time. As Kanako researches this later, she is again caused to miss a pool class. Kanako worries about constantly missing the classes, so she seeks the Dorm leader’s help. The Dorm Leader had recently come across one of her old swimsuits though, and when Kanako sights this, she goes missing during yet another class. By the time Kanako’s last chance comes, the entire class is unable to go to the pool because of the rain.

A swimming competition is announced next, but though she is able to make it, Matsurika reprograms Kanako with her special radio yet again. This denies her from being happy despite being surrounded by several girls in their school swimsuits. When the competition starts, Kanako aims for the source of her problem in hopes of curing herself. Though she suspects this is Maria, she ends up pulling down Shizu’s swimsuit during the event. Shizu meets Kanako in the infirmary after her huge amount of blood loss, but is surprised to see the rosary by her side…

Preview: I probably should have renamed this section to something other than preview.

Impression:

Well, that was…..an ending. I guess? This episode felt a lot like a SZS or Pani Poni Dash episode in terms of sheer chaos, and the whole swimsuit thing was moderately funny, but I’d at least like some kind of closure before they announce the obvious season two. In the end, there wasn’t much at all to talk about in this episode. What’s new, right? The cameo appearances were something though, and the SZS parody is always welcome. I guess fans of school swimsuits or Shizu’s breasts will be satisfied?. Ah, let’s just get on to the final impression.

Impression:

I’m going to be completely honest here. Maria Holic was a disappointment. Not that the show was terrible by any means, but I was hoping for so much more from a Shaft production. What I was expecting from this series was a whacky show based around a lesbian and a trap; What I got was an almost cliched school life comedy, that just happened to have a raging lesbian and trap (who didn’t even have that much screen time overall) in it. Even after 12 episodes, we got absolutely nowhere in this show. Sure, it could be argued that several of Shaft’s other shows follow a similar pattern, but Holic wasn’t exactly set up to be a purely episodic series. I could have lived with this, if it wasn’t for the fact that each episode wasn’t even that funny. I think I chuckled once per episode on average, which is an all time low for any Shaft comedy I’ve watched. And when each episode could be summarized in a couple of sentences, as these “jokes” dragged on for 20 minutes a week, it wasn’t exactly easy to feel enthused.

Sure, I liked the majority of the characters as much as everyone else, but most would be forgettable after such a mediocre presentation of their potential. It’s even hard to recall most of them now. I remember Mariya being a trap, God, Kanako’s discovering Shizu’s boobs, and maybe the crazy priest. Oh..and there was the student council president….. What was her name again?

…Okay, that’s being a bit harsh, but Maria Holic really could have been a lot better. I’m expecting a second season at this point, but it’s too early to say what I would think about that (or even when it would show up). For now, I’m hoping for a better ride during Natsu no Arashi in the Spring!

Was Ame no Kisaki a Catholic school?

Episode 10 Summary:

• With tests around the corner, Kanako starts to realize how inferior she is to those around her. She gets false hopes from her friends, and soon realizes that she has been playing too many games with Mariya to study recently. While talking with her roommates, she also confirms that Matsurika is actually a top scoring student. Matsurika “helps” Kanako that night, by having a certain program play next to her while she sleeps. This results in a change of character for Kanako the next day. Kanako is happy when she is able to pass her tests, though Mariya sees that her scores are clearly nothing to be proud of.
• Dorm Leader-sensei and Yonakuni come across a worn piece of paper while performing their duties. Upon seeing it, the Dorm Leader realizes that this was a love letter that had been presented to her in the past. Yonakuni had taken hold of and destroyed it soon after she received it, however.
• Nanami is one day presented with a love letter from a man riding the same train as her in the morning. Kanako sees this man as nothing but a lolicon, and the usual group of friends worry as Nanami continues to receive strange follow-ups from him. After failed attempts at avoiding the man, Nanami finally seeks help from Mariya and Matsurika. With this, the problem is taken care of immediately.

Episode 11 Summary:

A priest named Kanae Touichirou makes his way to Ame no Kisaki, instantly entranced by Mariya’s appearance. This brings many worries to him, as he further sees barriers facing him in the form of Matsurika and Kanako. When Touichirou first met Kanako, she acted very nervously towards him for unknown reasons. Touichirou eventually asks Mariya about this, and in response, he is given a fib about his looking like Kanako’s older brother. When Touichirou acts upon this while Kanako is in class, she is sent to the infirmary. Touichirou follows up with a request to visit Kanako in her dorm, which he is only able to do after several trials with the Dorm Leader. Even after going inside to meet Kanako though, he isn’t given the time to speak with Mariya before being dragged back out by the Dorm Leader.

Preview: Still digging those art stills.

Impression:

Those priests man…..always going for the jailbait traps! Honestly, watching two episodes of this show in a row was kind of tough. A lot of people may have already said this, but Maria Holic is like an ADD disaster. So little actually happens in the episodes, and the jokes are placed really sporadically. If it weren’t for the characters’ usual antics, I probably would have been staring blankly at the screen rather than laughing for the past 40 minutes. Still though, Holic has some kind of unique charm that still keeps me enjoying it each week.

Matsurika was particularly win in these two episodes. Maybe it was the silly background information that was revealed, or just the fact that she had more screen time, but that emotionless expression was pure gold this week. God still holds one of my top spots as well, for reasons that don’t need to be explained. Touichirou gets a plus for being played by Sugita Tomokazu, but otherwise, he felt like a very used episodic character. Perhaps he could get with Shin after this.

The Cosplay Carnival!

Summary:

Kanako becomes quite excited about the upcoming Seibosai, and as she expresses this to Mariya, he confirms that she is a mere commoner (…by tempting her to lick his feet). While the student council plans events the next day, Ayari gets into an argument with Mariya as usual. As Ayari leaves him, Mariya guesses that she has remembered a particular event because of the Seibosai. Ayari later wonders what caused her to despise Mariya so much, however, leading Natsuru to see that she does not remember the “Panda-chan” event that happened in the past. While watching some small children get into trouble during the festival preparations later, Ayari finally recalls the event from the past. Mariya had accidentally torn open Ayari’s costume during a past Seibosai, revealing to several people her panda panties. Despite Ayari’s current annoyance, Natsuru guesses that she probably wants to forgive Mariya at this point. The children at the festival further cause Kanako trouble, and when Ayari reacts to this, she trips off of the high platform she is on. Mariya saves her, but before Ayari can thank him, he accidentally lets off a suggestive comment about her weight. Further more, Mariya drops Ayari and causes the front of her dress to rip. With this, the past seems to repeat itself.

Sachi and the other girls one day discuss rumors going around about a blood filled pool, which one of the sisters had come across earlier. This horrifies Sachi, but Yudzuru suggests that it is simply a prank. When Kanako relays this to Mariya in their dorm room, he cannot help but think that she is the culprit. This leads to both Mariya and Matsurika coming up with other situations that Kanako could have gotten into to create the various blood stains that have been appearing around school, causing her a lot of ridicule. This talk further leads Kanako to bring up a conversation she had with Fumi about the seven wonders of Ame no Kisaki. These involved various ridiculous conditions with the dorm leader among other things, but Fumi was not knowledgeable about the last seventh wonder. Mariya and Matsurika know what the seventh wonder is, but not the others, so Mariya tells Kanako the last. This is rumored to lead to something terrible, however, which the dorm leader seems to confirm while appearing at the room’s door.

Preview: Sayonara Zetsubou Kanako.

Impression:

Kanako should have licked Mariya’s feet for real!!!! Holy crap, this was the most hilarious episode in awhile. This is the wackiness I was expecting from the show in the first place, with even Ayari’s background with Mariya creating a hella lot of laughter on my side. Ayari really shined in this episode with her oujosama-tsun killer combo, and there’s something about veils that I’ve been finding really aesthetic recently. Kanako’s pervertedness was played on in a genuinely funny way this week too, as the blood stained Mary alone had me laughing for a good few minutes. This episode was kind of high on fanservice, but it wasn’t so abundant that it became distracting or unnecessary. That’s something I’ve always appreciated about Shaft productions, among all the of other praise I have for the studio. We honestly haven’t gotten very far in the story though, and with only a few weeks left in this season, I can only wonder if this show will be getting the recently familiar treatment of another season in the future.

Cosplay Angel~

Summary:

Kanako notices Mariya singing a song in their room, but when she asks about it, Mariya becomes annoyed with her ignorance. This song is actually for the upcoming Seibosai (Virgin Mary’s festival), which most of the students are familiar with because of tradition. Kanako attempts to gain more information about the Seibosai while with her friends later, but their explanations still do not make everything clear for her. Placed in an important role because of her position in the student council though, she eventually takes the chance to ask Ayari for information about both the festival and Mariya. Despite guessing that Kanako could ask Mariya as her roommate, she agrees to help in any way she can. Kanako wonders if Ayari hates Mariya, and though she denies, she later recalls to herself how much torment she went through as a child because of him.

Sachi and Yuzuru take note of Kanako’s usually strange fits of behavior later, though they do not suspect they are due to what she is truly thinking. They eventually guess that something good has happened to Kanako, which certainly has. Kanako eventually skips in joy to meet Ayari, but she is hit by a basketball sent towards her from Matsurika along the way. This causes Ayari and Matsuru to meet Kanako anyways, allowing them to talk in the infirmary. Kanako starts by telling Ayari all she knows about the festival, and though it isn’t much, Ayari reveals that there are several students who do not know more than the basics. Ayari eventually guesses that Kanako is not a christian, but after confirming this, Ayari also surprises her by revealing that several of the students at Ame no Kisaki are not. This brings Kanako to wonder what the students are thinking while at prayer, so Ayari suggests that they may be taking the time to think about wonderful things like their family and friends. Kanako reflects upon this while with Mariya later, but it does not change much of Mariya’s behavior towards her.

Preview: Unnngh.

Impression:

Going into christian themes in a show centered around a lesbian and a cross dressing boy? Ayari’s revealing that most of the students are actually a bunch of posers was probably the episode’s saving grace. Haha, suckers!

But yea, Kanako definitely had her priorities straight throughout this episode. I would say that she was even more perverted than usual, but maybe it was just the focus on minor characters we’ve been getting recently that took time away from her character. The episode was overall more funny than what we’ve been getting recently too, and who doesn’t like oujosama characters like Ayari? She’s even got the sparkles to back it up.

Notes:

• Despite my thoughts about last week’s episode, Yuzuru’s possessive slapping of Kanako in this episode might have made it all worth it.
• Childhood friend antics are always fun.
• I think we all know who the true god is in this show.

Zetsubou shita!

Summary:

Kanako has difficulty convincing her friends that she did not steal Honoka’s underwear, but Dorm Leader-sensei soon appears to reveal that it was actually Yonakuni that did. This saves her for awhile, but the moment doesn’t last when Kanako herself takes the bra from Yonakuni. In the cafeteria later, Kanako watches in joy as Nanami feeds Sachi some of her homemade lunch. Kanako seems to notice Yuzuru’s distaste in this, but her attention is brought away from her after some of the usual antics. Mariya notices that Yuzuru’s aim is off during archery practice later, so he confronts Kanako about her relationship with her afterwards. Kanako is surprised to learn that Mariya has a lot of information about her friends, but to her disappointment, this consists of normal things like birthdays. When Mariya recalls that Yuzuru is good friends with Sachi, he decides that he has already learned the reason behind her recent actions.

The next day, Yuzuru invites Sachi to watch her practice. To her despair though, Sachi claims to have already made plans with Nanami. When Yuzuru meets Mariya at the archery building later, she asks about his relationship with Kanako. Yuzuru wonders if Mariya ever worries about Kanako spending time with other people, as to her, watching Sachi do so makes her quite frustrated. Mariya is internally annoyed by this, but in response, he compares friendships to the practice they do in the archery club. It’s not as if things would be perfect from the start, so practice would be needed to keep such important things. To Yuzuru’s surprise afterwards, Sachi does appear to watch her practice. To her disappointment though, Nanami has accompanied her.

Yuzuru misses her shots constantly throughout practice, finally running out in frustration. To everyone but Mariya, this was seen as a slump that would solve itself soon. A fellow archery club member, Satsuki, helps Yuzuru in her dorm later, only leaving her to fall asleep with a headache afterwards. When Sachi and the others learn the next day that Yuzuru is absent from sickness, they worry because of the particular day it is. Kanako learns that this is none other than Yuzuru’s birthday, as the girls visit her with a cake that afternoon. As the girls present gifts to Yuzuru, she learns that Nanami and Sachi had actually been spending time together to buy her a gift. This was a new archery glove, which Nanami had gotten help from Sachi to purchase. Nanami was quite worried about this recently, as it was the first time she bought a present for a friend.

Kanako worries when she is the only one who hadn’t prepared a present for Yuzuru, and despite her friends suggestion not to worry about it, she is put further into despair when Mariya and Matsurika appear with gifts as well. Kanako wonders why Mariya did not tell her about Yuzuru’s birthday, but in response, Mariya only troubles Kanako more by having her perform in front of the group in exchange.

Preview: Wow… Also, Ume illustration!

Impression:

I’m in despair because this show has become a regular friendship power anime, rather than the traptastic and wacky show that we all thought it was going to be! I’m kidding of course, but really…. Are we going to have to get through all of Kanako’s friends before getting back to the main attraction? This show is only going to last a season, and we’re already on episode seven. I like Yuzuru as the side character she is suppose to be, but most of this episode was too predictable to be truly entertaining. And if it wasn’t for Shaft’s animation liberties, we wouldn’t have really gotten anything new from this episode either. Kanako was perverted, Sachi was a kid, and Nanami got all blushy around her friends. Well, I guess we learned that Mariya is pro at archery……great.

In other news, the OP/ED singles were released sometime last week. Yea, I listened to them, but they really weren’t my cup of tea without the animation. When it comes to Shaft though, I think ef was the only show that had OPs that I didn’t treat this way.

Also, someone should make this a wallpaper for me. 1680 x 1050 x 2 k, thx!

Damn it.

Summary:

• Kanako wakes with a number of expressions on her face, so Mariya quickly has Matsurika take care of her.
• Kanako finally reveals that she has been asked to help with the upcoming health examinations, and she was obviously excited at the chance to see girls in the particular situation.
• Mariya leaves early in the morning, and as he does not appear during breakfast, the girls around Kanako guess that he is simply at his house that is nearby campus. Kanako sees this as his running away from the examinations.
• During the examinations, Kanako collapses from loss of blood after seeing the nearby girls undress.
• Later, when the first years arrive, Kanako is surprised to hear that Mariya is in the infirmary. When she finds “him” though, she is shocked to see that Mariya has breasts.
• The female Mariya finds Kanako’s actions strange as she sits with her later, but then becomes ecstatic when Kanako reveals her knowledge of Mariya’s being a boy.
• When the real Mariya appears, he reveals that this person is actually his twin sister Shizu. Mariya and Shizu have been playing a game to see how far they could go in playing each other’s roles in all male and female schools. According to their grandmother, the winner would become chairman of both Ame no Kisaki and the male equivalent.
• Shizu believes she has won already, but Mariya explains that Kanako had realized he was a boy before becoming a student at Ame no Kisaki. On the other hand, Shizu had revealed her identity to her on the spot.
• Mariya offers to let Shizu go with an apology and kissing of the feet, but this causes her to leave the room in tears.
• Mariya reveals in private to Kanako that he actually only saw Shizu’s attending an all boys school as a chance for her to overcome her fear of men, and that was even willing to let her have the chair position. With this being a secret between him and her, Kanako is touched by his words once again.

Sorry for the lazy summary. I’m busy this weekend. If you want a direct translation, just go find the manga. The anime follows it very closely.

Preview: This is where the preview text goes, kay.

Impression:

Why does the character that would make Mariya safe have to be played by someone I dread so much? That aside, this episode was probably one of the best yet. Mariya’s twin sister Shizu, playing the exact opposite role of her brother, would have been a real shocker……if everyone hadn’t already been spoiled weeks ago already. (You know you were spoiled already.) Kanako’s typical pervertedness made everything all the more fun, and I was laughing from start to finish because of things like her being accused of stealing Honoka’s beautiful undergarments.

Notes:

• Kanako, already whipped by Mariya.
• God…praying to herself.
• The busty nurse…always a necessary element.
• Fanservice……or plot device??
• Shizu must be a fan of Kotomi.
• *moe*

Yup, that’s a nurse outfit. A pink one.

Summary:

Kanako finally approaches Fumi to tell her what has been happening between her and Nanami, but Fumi refuses to take back what she told Nanami. After all, it would be awkward to do so after just having advised her to take care of Kanako. Kanako’s troubles seem to increase when she finds that she has been elected as the class representative in homeroom. Seeing that she is bothered though, Nanami volunteers to be the vice representative. Kanako next learns that Ryuuken is also the representative in her class as she enters the meeting room to listen to the president Ayari’s speech. Ayari takes note of Kanako becoming a representative after just having transfered, making Kanako very happy when she praises her. Mariya is also the representative of her class, and while listening to some of the students around her, Kanako cannot help but be happy to learn another one of his secrets.

Kanako eventually wonders how she should become better friends with Nanami, asking for advice from Mariya and her other friends. This leads to various attempts to get closer to her, but Nanami constantly denies her offers. Sachi eventually approaches Nanami in a particularly indirect way to learn more about her, but after being found out and only expressing her wish to be her friend, she is surprised to find that Nanami gladly accepts her offer. Kanako is left waiting as the two walk home together, and the next day, she finds that Nanami still doesn’t easily accept her as her friend.

Dorm Leader-sensei investigates all of the girl’s dorms thoroughly, later gathering everything she has found to judge in front of a large audience. Though Kanako believes that these items would simply be confiscated, Dorm Leader actually grades them before handing them back with hopes that the students would hide them better the next time. This leaves Kanako with the strange creature she has been wanting to get rid of. After Mariya later looks through some of her belongings, Kanako requests to see one of his secrets in return. With this, Mariya reveals a ridiculously advanced hidden room that he has been using to protect his secret. Kanako believes that she could hide the creature she has in here, but Mariya quickly reminds her that they are not friends. With this, Kanako is forced to sadly abandon the creature outside. Unfortunately, when Kanako returns to the dorms, she finds that this wasn’t truly the end of her troubles.

Preview: These aren’t even previews!

Impression:

Man, I love Dorm Leader-sensei. I think we should all follow Shin’s example and start worshiping new gods. I thought we were going to have some Pengy-esque episode here, with Kanako becoming the class rep, but that oddly didn’t really go anywhere productive this week. The girls going around trying to get Nanami was pretty fun/cute, and I guess this did move us forward just a little (we got to have a few laughs for it too). But still, the last few episodes really haven’t been moving what plot we do have very much. I mean, things like Mariya’s super Batman style hidden room just don’t seem like they should be taking large portions of time in episodes. I’m really not sure what I’m suppose to think about this recurring tentacle monster either. But eh, it’s not like I’m not enjoying myself at all. It’s just that Maria Holic is becoming one of those shows that leaves me with very little to say after watching. That is, unless you guys would be satisfied with me throwing a bunch of mindless notes everywhere. *cough*

Notes:

• And here I was thinking that candy would solve everything in the world.
• MARRY ME.
• A large gathering and clapping when one announces friendship? This is truly an all girls school anime.
• Not a demon, but a god.
• Yuri-buta!
• Still digging those chibis.
• Copy-rider. Epic.
• No need for Nagato style explanations, Kanako. Just take it as it is.
• Kanako and Mariya; not friends…but something more…?

Not as much Mariya fanservice as advertised.

Summary:

Kanako refuses to wake from a dream continuing from the previous day’s events, where both Kiri and Ryuuken are by her side. The monster that Ryuuken had protected Kanako from was actually Yonakuni wrapped in a large amount of seaweed, so the two girls feed her simultaneously. Mariya gets Kanako’s attention when she is finally conscious, alerting her that Ryuuken is waiting outside of their dorm room. Kanako is overjoyed, but Mariya suggests that this endangers him of being found out. Honoka and the other girls apologize to Kanako as she passes them in the halls later, making Kanako even more glad that the school’s idol is her bodyguard. She becomes even more excited about spending time with her new girlfriend Nanami, but when the two meet, Nanami makes Kanako realize that her past statement was only an act. She had only done this at Fumi’s request to help her, and to more of Kanako’s disappointment, Nanami further claims that there is no way two girls could be going out anyways.

Ryuuken continues to follow Kanako during class and afterwards, but because of her close proximity, Kanako is actually caused trouble by several of her devoted fans. It is even revealed that Honoka has not really committed to forgiving her. Ryuuken stays in Kanako’s dorm that night, to the annoyance of Mariya. Kanako takes the chance later to ask why Ryuuken has made such a choice though, leading Ryuuken to tell a story about the pets she had once cared for. This story was not unlike the current situation, as her dog eventually died after being forced out of Ryuuken’s house by her cat. The cat was very mean to the dog, and appeared to be jealous when Ryuuken would take the dog out on walks. With this, Kanako realizes that Ryuuken was not only doing this for her alone.

Despite what she has learned, Kanako can’t help but mention her troubles to Nanami the next day. With this, Nanami takes the initiative by confronting Ryuuken herself. Kanako meets the girls afterwards, finding that Ryuuken quickly apologizes to her in embarrassment. She further learns that Nanami told Ryuuken that they were going out, and that they could not get the privacy they deserved with her following Kanako around. Kanako still wonders why Nanami would go so far for her, and despite her reaffirming her promise to Fumi, Kanako still finds it strange. In response though, Nanami claims that this is not for Kanako to decide. In other places, Honaka and the other girls continue to plot something horrifying against Kanako.

Preview: Jason-oniichan~

Impression:

Less than five minutes of Mariya screen time? Who’s running the show here?? While this episode may have been only slightly less enjoyable than the previous ones, I’m just not sure if I’m left with a whole lot to talk about after watching it. Most of the episode was spent on Ryuuken’s stalking antics, which was basically like a repeat of events three times over. Sure, it supported the whole idea of how much Kanako was troubled, but I just thought it was a little overkill. This episode also makes us wonder what exactly Nanami is thinking, as just like Kanako implies, it’s not exactly normal for her to lie about her relationships so easily.

There was some really fun imagery in this episode as usual though. I loved the SZS-esque film situations, which Kanako made all the more funny. The changing stained glass towards the end was hilarious and aesthetic towards the end too, and I loved the emphasis on lips when Ryuuken went “Mmm” during the more dramatic scene of this episode. This is more than just comedy! … *cough*

God’s nekomimi.

Summary:

Mariya presents Kanako with a new bag to replace her old one that has been ruined, but to Kanako’s worry, there seems to be something living inside of it. Mariya has Kanako guess what it is, but Matsurika explains this as one of Mariya’s jokes as she goes on to prove that the inside of the bag is empty. Kanako then takes out the necklace she plans on wearing for the day, which is one that has an adorned cross attached to it. Mariya explains to Kanako that accessories are not allowed at the school in response, however, with the exception of rosaries. Mariya follows by showing Kanako her own rosary, which she even allows Kanako to borrow. As Kanako leaves the dorm, Matsurika wonders why Mariya has let Kanako borrow something so important to him. Further more, she notices that Kanako’s necklace resembled Mariya’s rosary quite a bit.

While Kanako is with the other girls, she learns that there are other kinds of rosaries as well. Shiki shows that she has one in the form of a ring, as Yuzuru explains that there are some exceptions to the “no accessories” rule. Before lunch, Kanako takes note of the strangely large amount of nikogori in her desk. She links this to the recent happenings that seem to have a connection to the horrors that she previously heard about from Mariya. Kanako’s thoughts are interrupted by Shiki noticing Mariya’s Rosary, as she further shows the properties of the special stone attached to it. When light is shined on the green jewel, it changes to a vibrant red. Shiki goes on to tell Kanako how much the accessory is worth, and of course, this turns out to be more than Kanako can imagine. Outside, it is revealed that it was a group of girls who caused the troubling events for Kanako.

The troubling girls continue to plot while Kanako is in gym class, then putting a certain item in her bag. When they see what is inside, however, they are horrified. Kanako appears to find the girls in the act, and when she asks why they are doing these things, they quickly credit it to their jealousy over Ryuuken and Mariya’s interaction with her. The leader Honoka then pretends to throw Mariya’s rosary out of the window, causing Kanako to desperately chase after it.

Even as it begins pouring rain, Kanako continues to search for the rosary that was never thrown outside. Honoka and the troublesome girls even start to feel sorry for her, but Honoka is still unable to forgive her. Shiki and Yuzuru wonder where Kanako could be after classes, but as Nanami had seen everything that previously happened, she takes Mariya’s rosary to Kanako outside. Kanako is clearly relieved when Nanami helps her, but as the two return to the apologizing troublemakers, she further surprises the group by announcing that she would be dating Kanako from now on.

Ryuuken meets Kanako a bit later, then wondering if she has been in trouble because of her again. As Mariya and Matsurika approach Kanako, they watch in shock as Ryuuken declares to protect her from here on. Further adding to the twist, a strange monster has been created by mendling from Yonakuni.

ED: “Kimi ni, Mune Kyun (君に、胸キュン)” by Yu Kobayashi, Asami Sanada and Marina Inoue – This showed up in the broadcast version of episode one, but I’m just now mentioning it because it was skipped in episode two. It’s for my own records. Don’t judge me! I’m still not sure if I like the style, and the song isn’t something I’d usually listen to. Definitely unique for an ED though.

Preview: I’m thinking about just leaving these out, lol.

Impression:

Nekomimi bloomer~!

Since subs have been getting out to most of the blogsphere by now, I got the chance to see what the general opinion of Holic was earlier in the week. Overall, it was really more or less the same old story. There are those like myself and TheBigN who love it, but would love it no matter what because of Shinbo/SHAFT, then there are those like Moogy who seemed to dislike it for the very same reason we enjoy it. Ironic, right? (Aroduc also dropped it because he only pretends to like Shaft.) Going into this episode with these things in mind though, I was at least able to acknowledge some of the criticism the show is getting.

I can already imagine that people will claim so much style was used in this episode that the drama gets lost, but I would have to disagree. After all, this isn’t a drama. Though Holic obviously has some dramatic elements, it has been a comedy from the start. And without the stylistic choices that the studio made, this would only become a very awkward version of Marimite. I felt genuinely sorry for Kanako during the later scenes of this episode, while the rest of the half hour successfully had me laughing out loud. How many shows can accomplish that?

This week’s episode took notes from the OP, because it was purely high tension. It was even kind of exhausting, with so much dialog going around while very little was actually accomplished. I absolutely loved the several stylish stills that showed up throughout though (in classic Shaft style), and the split second of color isolation made my senses flare as they always do. It looks like Kanako will be getting her harem route after all, with both Nanami and Ryuuken deciding that they need to protect her. And of course, we can’t forget about good ol’ Mariya. I can’t wait to see where this is going.

OP: “HANAJI” by Yu Kobayashi – Definitely getting NEGIMA!? and SZS vibes from this. I will admit that I was a little freaked out at first though, since I initially thought Mariya was painting with the mannequins’ busted open heads. It’s also notable that Yu Kobayashi solo performs the OP, which she hasn’t done for an anime single since Dragonaut or Saint October (neither of which I have watched).

Summary:

At the start of the semester, Mariya impresses Kanako with his appearance in the high school’s uniform. Of course, this would be better if he was actually a woman. Mariya eventually brings up her own wish to change, asking Mariya to leave the room, but he refuses to. Despite Kanako’s unwillingness to undress in front of a boy, and her suggestion that they should be something of equals, Mariya easily shows Kanako that he has financial superiority over her. As time is running out for the girls to reach the breakfast hall, Kanako decides to change under her sheets. This saddens her, however, as her new clothes are already becoming wrinkly before school. When Mariya sees that Kanako is crying, he apologizes as he leaves the room. Kanako is unable to believe that Mariya did this, but she soon sees that she has developed hives. Matsurika guesses that Mariya did this on purpose, but he denies such a thing.

Kanako later meets her homeroom teacher Kumagai Fumi, who after explaining how strange it is for transfer students to come to the school, offers her help if she would ever need it. Kanako of course has a lot of trouble, but with Mariya’s warning, she decides to keep quiet about it. Kanako soon learns that Fumi knew her parents while attending the school herself, and that she even met her as a child. Kanako takes interest in this, even trying to calculate Fumi’s age with the information she has given her. Kanako is introduced to her homeroom class after reaching the room with Fumi, but because of her nervousness, her introduction comes off as a bit awkward. Kanako is then seated next to a girl named Kiri Nanami, who she takes special note of because of her glasses. She sees that the previous girl from the archery club is there as well, who finally introduces herself as Inamori Yuzuru. Further meeting a girl named Momoi Sachi, Kanako is overjoyed by the cute girls around her.

Kanako is surprised to see that Mariya is giving the introduction speech to the students in the auditorium later, but when he looks her way, she cannot help but be won over by his face again. Overhearing the girls’ conversations around her, she realizes that everyone is being fooled despite how much they admire Mariya. Kanako’s thoughts are interrupted by her stomach growling, which she becomes very embarrassed about as the students around her look for the culprit. This causes Mariya to take a pause in her speech to discuss the circumstances behind this, and though Kanako sees this as his saving her, Mariya had obviously had other plans. Getting off the podium, Mariya passes by what seems to be his rival Shiki Ayari. Receiving some candy from Sachi during Shiki’s speech, Kanako decides that she will do well at the school despite her difficulties.

Mariya is invited out by Sachi and Nanami after classes, and by other girls as well, but she is called by Ryuuken before she can agree to anyone’s request. Ryuuken brings up her being forced into a new dorm while outside with her, then wondering if she had troubled Kanako is some way. As Kanako begins to reply though, Mariya appears to explain instead. Mariya introduces herself as Kanako’s new roommate, then exchanging compliments with Ryuuken for her popularity in acting among other things. Bringing up several horrifying events that have supposedly happened at the dorm, Mariya convinces Ryuuken to accept a ridiculous explanation. As she leaves, Ryuuken can only believe that she has troubled Kanako.

Mariya then brings up her distaste in what happened between herself and Ayari earlier, and after hearing that they have known each other for quite some time, Kanako guesses that they are something of childhood friends. She questions if Ayari knows that Mariya is truly a boy, but he only replies by saying that Kanako has nothing to do with this. As Mariya leaves, Kanako thinks to herself that it wasn’t as if she wanted to know anything about Mariya either; especially since she dislikes men. However, at the same time, she suddenly notices a pain in her heart that she has never experienced before. In other places, rumors have already spread about Kanako’s relationship with Ryuuken.

Preview: I have no idea.

Impression:

Mariya is already in Kanako’s heart! As obvious as it is how this story is suppose to end, I found it hilarious when the narrator actually came out and mentioned the fact by the end of the episode. They say that it’s how these stories develop though, not how they end, and it already looks like there will be several other routes and developments after this episode. In typical anime fashion, there were quite a few character introductions this week. I’m already liking the silliness of Yuzuru and her refusal to leave her archery uniform, but I can’t really say I like Shiki. The childish types really aren’t my thing. Ryuuken seems like she will be playing a bigger role in Kanako’s story though, and the same can be said about Ayari when dealing with Mariya. I don’t have much of an opinion about Nanami yet, but it looks like she’ll be something of an observer/supporting character in soon to come arcs?

I’ll have to take back what I said a few weeks ago about the style being more subtle in this series, because this episode was as out of control as most all of Shaft’s other productions. I really loved the way the side characters were displayed, something that Shaft has always done uniquely, as well as how the classrooms were introduced. I felt like there were some Gainax influences with the shots going around the auditorium, and I definitely had “FLCL” at the tip of my tongue during the shift to manga pages. I know I will be watching that OP a few more times before the night is over too. Talk about awesome.

Notes:

• I’ll never get tired of Dorm Leader-sensei.
• Kanako knows that it is so wrong, but it feels so right.
• Harem route!
• Nosebleed flying!
• Payback for last week: the boob grab.
• Aroduc has the OP up.