Kemonozume Episode [6] A Spicy Birthday

Not very much occurred in this episode, but it seemed to provide a break from the darkness that has been prevailing. The humor was not over the top and not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, yet it suited the series well, and I didn’t mind that it was more of a filler episode.

It is ironic that the large man is a detective. For all the occupations in the world he choose one where he has little ability to be secretive and stealthy. He also didn’t seem very intelligent, as he was oblivious to what Yuka was doing when he wasn’t looking. He has a kind heart, at least for now. Though he let them both go this time I don’t think he could possibly keep purposely avoiding catching them. The members of the Kifuuken are intuitive and it is probable they may try another detective if this large man is not to their liking. I wonder if Kazuma directly hired him?

Ookyu seems like the typical fairy tale land that prevails in many series. Because of the way Kemonozume has developed I cannot see a happy ending in sight. If Yuka and Toshihiko discover this facility, and Yuka becomes a patient, she might die from the medical procedures. Maybe that place isn’t really meant to heal flesh eaters and is actually a trap.

Again, Yuka was quite charming and I truly like her. She acted a little different in this episode, I think partly because she’s beginning to become more comfortable with her situation. I want her to stay a strong womana and not give in to naiviety.

Final Score: 7/10

Kemonozume Episode [5] A Girl’s Secret Ingredient

The obsession of Misao by Souichi was almost strange, but an interesting and probably very truthful occurrence. A very different choice for a storyline, but nevertheless I liked how the attention was moved away from Yuka and Toshihiko for once, as most of the other characters have received little development. I truly liked this approach because it makes the series more dimensional. I see a running occurrence with sexuality…

I can barely believe that another person of the dojo fell in love with a shoujinki. It seems like the flesh eaters are very seductive or there happens to be more and more of them appearing, creating mere coincidences. Will it happen again? It seems that at this rate it is bound to happen.

I was absolutely surprised at the ending! It really made the episode for me because it was not what I was expecting at all. However if what did occur was what I was expecting it wouldn’t have been as interesting. Misao, who supposedly loved Umeda, could not resist her urges. This makes me feel more admiration towards Yuka, who is actually trying with all her might to be with Toshihiko, and suppresses her urges as much as she can. Where does Yuka garner all of her strength from?

Kazuma is a very ambitious man, I feel because of his shortcomings to be the “favorite” son. However I do not denounce what he is doing to the dojo, as it does seem necessary for the continuing appearance of the shoujinki. I am not sure how it will last as he is trying to shed all of the traditions that have worked for years.

I am sure the octopus Kazuma ate at the end will make something terrible happen to him….I have my predictions. Ooba is plotting something.

Who was the man at the beginning? The future of the shoujinki at old age?

Final Score: 8.5/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [9] Jamming with Edward

And now the crew is finally complete! Edward will definitely be a change from the adult presence on the ship. She will get on everybody’s nerves, but no more than they do with each other on a daily basis.

The idea of a self-controlling satellite is interesting and scary at the same time (if they were ever developed). However, the episode lagged and I could tell that the only purpose was to introduce Ed and not generate a real story. It doesn’t bother me too much, but then watching wasn’t too exciting. Even the scenes in space fighting the satellites didn’t have much of a thrill as they usually do. The writers could have introduced Ed in a more thrilling way to show off her hacker abilities, but alas, ingenuity was swept under the rug with this one. All in all the story turned out kind of bland.

There also seemed to be a lot of contemplation on the Bebop, but in a lazy way. Spike, Faye, and Jet were sitting around most of the time and they never do that.

I guess at the end MPU decided not to draw anymore on the Earth’s surface; did it actually come out of the satellite? Did it go into Ed’s computer? I’m not too sure what really happened other than the fact the problem is done with. And what was it actually drawing? Animals that used roam the Earth? Or cave drawings? This is just the most bizarre things for a satellite to be doing in the first place because there are million of other things it could accomplish. How does someone think of this concept? Even satellites get lonely sometimes I guess.

Earth is decimated as usual. Why is Earth never an equal with the space colonies in any show? It is always beat up, abused, and downright destroyed. I can’t see it having any true presence in the series besides the fact it may be featured for a location once again.

Final Score: 6.5/10

Kemonozume Episode [4] The Pain of the Past

A backstory episode! There was a lot more information presented than I though ever would, and I am pleasantly surprised. From what I can gather, kemonozume is a technique of the kifuuken in which you cut off your arms, attach the arms of a shoujinki, and gain its power. However, I am confused about the transforming into a shoujinki part. Does this always happen? If I never find out I won’t be too bothered by it.

I loved Harumi! She was genuine and noble. I don’t think Yuka is really up to her standards though. Harumi was genuinely amiable and generous.

The Triumvirate seemed like it was the “good ol’ days” of Kifuuken. Now everything at the dojo is so dark and despairing. The happy days have been long gone. Now it seems more of an underground kind of thing.

I can’t believe the whole arm chopping off process. Jin became so enraged and disturbed that I wasn’t too sure as to what had really pushed over the edge. Did he love Harumi secretly? He couldn’t have gone that crazy over not fighting Juzo! Now, I surmise that Juzo cut of Hazumi’s arms to save the school/town/area from Jin? He has to kill the one he loves dearly to save everything around him. That’s deep. This is the opposite though of what Toshihiko does, as he runs away with Yuka instead of trying to protect the dojo.

I figured out a lot of family trees now. Rie has no relation to anyone; Toshihiko and Kazuma (who definitely has to be the baby) are half brothers. If Kazuma is this baby, then he is half shoujinki, and can probably transform! He is killing his own kind and somehow keeping it a secret from everyone else. Maybe he discovered his past, is shamed by it, and so destroys everything like him? Or maybe he’s just one of those people who always has some type of vendetta and hates Toshihiko. But maybe he hates Toshihiko for being normal. And Toshihiko doesn’t know his secret. This going to become so crazy.

Yuka has the same last name as Harumi, Kamitsuki. It is mentioned that Harumi was previously, or still technically, married to another man, who happens to be a shoujinki. So, Harumi could have had another daughter. Plus, they like the same rose cream. That can’t be a coincidence. If Yuka is her daughter, than she and Kazuma are half sister and half brother. She is full shoujinki, yet Kazuma is only half. I wonder if this makes any difference somehow. Maybe Kazuma can suppress it better?

Was it Harumi who killed Juzo? Possibly he envisioned that it was Harumi and it was someone else. Maybe Yuka? Now my hypothesis is incorrect if this is true. I hope there is more information to be had.

Final Score: 8/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [8] Waltz For Venus

Though there was the typical brother who’s only bad because his sister’s in trouble, the storyline remained functional. I liked that Roco’s efforts succeeded in the end, but that he himself did not. His death put a calming spin on what would have been a melodramatic ending, changing it into more of a contemplative state, and dulling Spike’s mood.

I was annoyed by Roco in the beginning. The writers did a great job of making him seem really desperate, which came off pretty humorous, but those kind of characters always annoy me. Yet by the end I felt a tiny twinge of sadness in my unemotional heart for him. His death wasn’t glorified, it was subtle, and this made Roco more meaningful to me, because for all his efforts his end should not have came. Out of death comes life, in reference to Stella.

Why in the world did Stella have the operation? She told Spike previously that she didn’t wish to have sight. I’m kind of confused on this one, as she didn’t know Roco had died, so it wasn’t a favor to him or anything, and she just goes ahead anyway. Was it supposed to be some kind of surprise for him? It really doesn’t make sense to me.

I thought Spike acted a little out of character due to the amount of attention he gave Stella at the end. I pictured him far more removed. He felt guilty, perhaps? His actions make me think that he longs for some type of strong relationship, such as the one between Roco and Stella. I suppose that Stella’s praise of Roco reminded Spike of a small thing called love. Spike could possibly just seemed so involved as a favor to Roco due to guilt.

There were a lot of beautiful sunset-like images throughout the episode and lots of contrast between black and other colors.

Final Score: 8/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [7] Heavy Metal Queen

This episode took a departure from the morose mood that permeated throughout the past two episodes. A break from despair is always fine; I understand that Bebop needs be light hearted from time to time.

Decker was a spitting image of Woody Allen. To think a notorious criminal would love the atmosphere of a children’s ice cream parlor… The whole mix-up between criminals was amusing because where of the location. If it were anywhere else, say a bar, it would have lost a lot of comedy.

The concept of space tractor trailers is pretty ingenious to me, making the series seem more modern than futuristic. However, the music that accompanied was more for show than it was to provide accompaniment to the scenes. I know the music is there for a reason, but it was too loud and overbearing, and out of place with other episodes. I miss the classier sounds of earlier.

I would have never guessed V.T. to be a woman at all. Honestly, it figures that Spike would be the one with enough intuition to see through her. I mean, if Faye were the one to decipher V.T., Spike would lose credibility. He has to be put on a pedestal sometime. All in all V.T. was an decent character; she didn’t really impress me beyond the fact that she was a cross dresser. She seems to be like Spike in the respect that she is burying her past and forging a new life. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is mentioned again.

The scene at the Linus Mines = very entertaining. Shooting a gun to move through space is one of the smartest things anyone could ever imagine. I can tell that Faye will never be taken seriously at all. She isn’t too air headed; I guess it’s just the fact she’s so stubborn.

Final Score: 7/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [6] Sympathy for the Devil

I’m disappointed that there was no reference to Episode 5 because I was hoping a little that the content presented might be further explored. I was totally wrong. Yet, this episode was intriguing and dark, continuing the mood set earlier.

Wen was a phenomenal character; I was completely afraid of Wen and then somehow I felt sympathy for him at the end. His evilness is at an all time overload, as he manipulates the basically unconscious Zebra. He was like one of those possessed children out of a horror movie that they always put on the movie trailer and I will have nightmares.

When Spike reached Giraffe too late, it further cemented my theories of fate. He can’t save everyone. He’s not your typical hero that can miraculously wipe out the baddies and save the day. Spike comes across as a regular person who is trying to combat what is thrown at him the best way he can.

The interaction between Spike and Jet mirrored much of The Ballad of Fallen Angles. There was tension and many unspoken words that showed a deep friendship between the two.

I was somewhat sorrowful when the tear rolled down Zebra’s cheek, and I never really am a person that becomes deeply involved in a storyline. They managed to keep the episode’s humor at a minimum, allowing emotion to accumulate, which I approve, because although comedy is fun, it often pulls away from the story at hand.

The execution of Wen’s death was fitting. Perhaps death is really the ultimate problem solver. I could not feel any sympathy for him because eternal life is no reason to kill whatsoever. He was so unbelievably demented that he was a character that could have a major presence throughout a series.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Kemonozume Episode [3] The Night of the Salty New Moon

Not a particulary fast moving episode. Yuka has expressed a great deal about her past, feeling confined to the fate her mother has left her. At times she acts in a child-like manner, referring to the name of her friend’s dog and the way she interacts fluidly with the children. She seems to have lost what was her childhood due to her “condition.” The mention of her friend Midori makes me now believe that the shokujinki are quite widespread. Will we meet any more on the interaction level as Yuka?

Toshihiko on the other hand discloses nothing about himself and I am waiting for him to do so because when he does we will also learn more about Kazuma. I don’t believe that Kazuma’s hatred towards Toshihiko is simply that Toshihiko is not blood-related. There had to have been something else that happened before the whole Yuka incident. Did Juzo give preferential treatment? This is probably the most reasonable explanation.

I liked the snippets of dialouge expressing the relationship between Toshihiko and Kazuma. It’s almost ideal to simply fast forward through what would be overdone scenes. An interesting technique.

The appearance of the “giant” man made me confused because it was never explained why he was so massively huge. However, by his presence it is shown that Toshihiko is basically outlawed and on the run with Yuka.

The state of Yuka’s uncle’s villa was decrepid and foreign, resembling the not so normal like Yuka has been leading. Except for the encounter with the children, there was no one there at all, creating detachment. The whole place is similar to Yuka in general.

Final Score: 8/10

Kemonozume Episode [2] Hardship’s Farewell

There was not a lot of dialogue in the beginning, and I rather liked it, as the music and the images told what was happening and made it all more believable. I enjoy the romance between Yuka and Toshihiko.

Everyone has finally discovered Yuka’s secret, and I am quite surprised it happened this early, as I thought it would be drawn out longer. The tension occurring with Yuka during the dinner after the viewing only strained the relationship between Toshihiko and his family. Of course, Toshihiko will more than likely fight for his girl until the very end and never give in.

The stomach aches Toshihiko has before he can finish off a shokujinki must be related to Yuka somehow, distantly. I surmise that he has never been able to completely kill one before. The image of the “mother” that appears looks a lot like Yuka. I wonder about that and how Toshihiko came into his adopted family in the first place.

I cannot figure out Rie. She seems timid and manipulative, but somehow I think she only acted the way she did because of her father’s death. I will keep my thoughts about her in the back of my mind until later.

All of the men at the dojo are very, very creepy. Most of them look like they have huge, round fish heads! That’s the style though.

I believe that Yuka’s ex-boyfriend (or whatever he is) killed the father. It all makes sense; he wanted Yuka for himself and he could easily frame her for it. We shall see if this is so.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [5] Ballad of Fallen Angels

Completely and utterly breathtaking! This is the true potential the Bebop can ascertain. After the previous episode this makes me think where in the hell did this come from? I don’t really need to know the answer because it was stupendous. The animation quality was raised very noticeably. Faye’s dress at the opera flushed with color and intesified her beauty. Even the church caught my eye, although it was all drabby and the like.

I must have watched Spike’s fall at least five times; I couldn’t help rewinding! The music that accompanied the scene enchanted me, drawing me away from the darkness presented, just as Spike’s mind is closing itself to the outside world and delving deep into hauting memories. A mysterious woman permeates all his memories, though we have never seen her, and I can assume that she hold meaning to Spike. Because she has been missing since the beginning, no doubt they are estranged.

Vicious, a no doubt intricate character that has a long history with Spike. His killings in the beginning surprised me, as it made the plot take such a depth of darkness that was lacking. He barely seems human and the crow that accompanies him reminds me of something that just walked out of the crypt. I want to know more about him…much more. He reminds me of Sephiroth from FFVII completely.

The whole episode reminded me of a movie, presenting unforgettable characters, such as Annie, who trickle in much needed backstory. No actions were overdone throughout; everything was so subtle, lacking the predictability of previous episodes. Fate took over the characters and everything fell into place because nothing was inserted to cushion the plot. This made Ballad of the Fallen Angels ten times more engrossing to watch because I had no idea what would happen.

Faye became vulnerable, which is out of the ordinary for her, but then gave her more intricacy. The dead Mao sitting next to her was something out of a horror movie. It surprised me! I suppose it was all for the presentation of Spike’s obscure past, which I believe to be filled with immorality and death, as the whole episode ebbed despair. Such an effective mood of gloominess throughout that made it so mysterious that I can’t wait to find out more.

Final Score: 9.5/10