Durarara 12 - Being and Non-Being mutually exist

Mikado escapes from getting injured after Celty shielded him from Seiji's attack. Seeing Seiji still determined to get Mika back by any means, Celty retaliates by swinging her helmet, and eventually summoned her scythe. Just as she was about to swing it, a scream from Mika stopped her... however Celty had different impression toward the "head" in Mika's body, while Mikado recognize straight away that it was Harima Mika. It was then revealed that Mika wasn't killed in the first place and her head was never replaced with Celty's, it's all merely fabrication by Namie with the help of Shinra. Realizing Shinra's involvement, Celty left the place in a hurry, leaving Seiji in huge shock...

Shinra however has already expected what Celty would want to talk with him, yet he calmly gave the answer Celty seek. He expressed his concern and fears over losing Celty, a person he loved so dearly should she found her head, while Celty herself reveals her own fears and nightmare of her disability to govern her own death. Meanwhile, things at the gathering site has started to calm and most people has already left the scene. After talking about the not-so ordinary life that Mikado tried to seek, Izaya himself dismissed himself, but not before he mentioned Mikado's online nick, Tanaka Taro. Later he had a talk with Namie, and apparently both Namie and Izaya were the mastermind in all Mika's action in previous episode. With the episode coming to the end, they close their chat with Celty's head...

notes: A little late this week, LA kept me busy over the weekend D : now, where to start with this episode. Probably with Mika first. Just wow, to find that the real Mika is alive all these day and that it was all a mere cosmetic surgery just to hadn't died all along, and it all was a mere cosmetic just to make her head looked like Celty's. I would probably say that it is near impossible even for a genius monster to replace a person's head with another, but given that the head is from dullahan, anything is possible. No wonder Celty can't recognize her head while Mikado easily noticed that she was Mika. But really, sucks to be Seiji, I just love Izaya's sarcastic remark about Seiji's love to Celty's head after finding out that the "Celty" that he has loved so far is all but fake. Well at least it's good to see him started to accept Mika's love (plus Mika herself was crazily attached to him).

With all things he did in previous episode, Mikado really deserved that kind of recognition from Izaya. That's one huge achievement considering he's only a few month in Tokyo (although his effort as Dollar's founder track a long way back). Talk about Dollars, Durarara was quite a well thought name. Dullahan, Dollars, Daradara (lazy around). I guess it won't be long before the Setton, Kanra(who should have known who Setton is too) and Tarou, started to know each other's identity IRL.
p/s1: Shinra you lucky bastard щ(ﾟДﾟщ)

"You look cutest without your helmet on". Well, for some reason I disagree with that, although what made me more attracted to Celty is her voice :3

btw, Erika and Walker really are the Durarara version of Aizakku and Miria in Baccano :3
if only they have more screentime lol

Tegami Bachi 24 - Heart's Recollections, Three

Zazie's arrival saves a lot of trouble for Lag and others. However they didn't have the chance to finish the Gaichuu as it went underground again. Zazie come up a plan to eliminate the Gaichuu - Zazie with his dingo Wasiolka will be sensing the Gaichuu's movement underground, giving signal for Connor to set up the mine while Lag use this opportunity to finish the Gaichuu by aiming at its weak point, the butt. Their plan worked as they manage to lure the Gaichuu out, but Lag was unable to shoot his shindan as the Gaichuu retaliates, knocking off the sack of letters into a hole leading to the underground. While Lag trying to rescue the fallen letters, the Gaichuu went rampant and captured Ann by using tentacles coming out of its mouth and tried to eat her. Hunt rushed to tear open the tentacles wrapping Ann, trying to freed her her but failed, ending up with the same fate as Ann. Things gotten even worse when Zazie who tried to release both Ann and Hunt needlessly shoot his shindan, and eventually also get captured, leaving little hope of killing the Gaichuu. It was at this time that Ann and Hunt's memories were shown, apparently triggered when the Gaichuu tried to eat their hearts/memories.

Ann's previous memories saw her happy time with her father before he become the victim of the Gaichuu, while Hunt's was the time when he and Sarah were tied to traveling circus show due to their debt, with Sarah planned to be sold to a no-good owner soon. One day, one of the shows' mainliner beast was dead and they decide to cut one of the people's arm and replace it with the beast's arm. Hearing the high payment that they'll get, Hunt decides to offer himself as the one to receive the arm, with a promise that they won't sell Sarah... Back to the crisis against the Gaichuu, there were only Connor and Lag who can save the 4 who were caught (Ann, Hunt, Zazie and Wasiolka). Luckily when Lag tried to return to the surface from the underground, he arrived right below the Gaichuu's weak spot, making it much esier to aim its weak point. The Gaichuu was finally terminated, Lag's shindan however revealed memories contained in the Gaichuu's fragment, and some of them projected Gauche's memories..

notes: Niche was absent at the worst possible time. Her help is badly needed, good thing Lag's going down to save the letters were a blessing in disguise because that positioned him right below the Gaichuu's butt. Hunt really did suffers a lot more than I though, having his arm replaced just so that Sarah didn't get sold by the road circus people. I wonder if Sarah knows about Hunt's sacrifice for her, but then she already showed how much she cared for him. Although her past is something to be sympathised for, it's a bit pity that she resort to using lies to fool the people in Honey Water and gain influence.
We got to see a bit on how Gaichuu actually cause people's "death" by consuming their important memories. At first I thought Zazie's shindan had something to do with triggering the memories shown to us, but then it's more likely that their memories were simply sucked out when they were about to get eaten. In the end, Gauche's disappearance really did have something to do with either the Gaichuu there or Honey Water, and there's even "that" Gauche next as seen in the preview. I guess this season 1 would have its ending hanging, since the story about Gauche will be mostly carried out to the 2nd season.

p/s: tentacle in my animu

Ookamikakushi 11 - THE END

It's a rush against time to stop Sakaki from releasing the floodgate. The place was in uproarupon hearing the news about Sakaki's attempt. Sakaki who had arrived at the dam site, tried to use his knife to attack the man in charge of controlling the floodgate. However his attack was unsuccessful as the man who is a Kamibito proved to be too strong for him. He then resort to use his gun to deal with the man before releasing the floodgate and flee. Nemuru and others meanwhile manage to catch up to the dam site but they were slightly late and the gate has partially been released, pouring torrents of water into the stagnant river. Luckily they were quick to fix the gate and minimise the damage done by the turbulence of the water flow. Knowing that Sakaki was injured, Isuzu tried to track Sakaki into the forest, but instead she was found by Sakaki, pointing his gun toward her. Sakaki fired a shot but fortunately it only hit Isuzu on her leg.

Nemuru arrived to where Sakaki and Isuzu were, with Saaki still determined to end this tale of monsters in the town. Hiro tried to convince Sakaki that Nemuru and others are not monsters as what Sakaki thought, but his efforts was useless as Sakaki was pretty much consumed by his revenge. Then Nemuru offered herself to Sakaki to redemp what she had done. Hiro again tried to stop Sakaki but failed. Just as Sakaki was about to point his gun toward Nemuru, he heard a strange sound and see a hordes of White Wolf (Hakurou Kannon) coming from afar. Leading the group was Kaori who then remove her mask and tried to talk things out with Sakaki, saying that if he was to destroy Jouga, he need tp kill Kaori because she is the group of people entrusted by the Great God to protect the Jouga. This throws Sakaki's mind disarray because Kaori really remind him a lot to Mieko, but in the end he still can't forgive Nemuru and tried to shoot her. But Kaori direct the point of the gun to her chest and pull the trigger, hug him to the edge of the cliff and jumped into the river, ending the tragic tale of revenge...
Time flowed and things going back to normal as if nothing really happened. Many people (mostly ochibito/the fallen) left the town, leaving the new town pretty much deserted, but Hiro and others still living their life smoothly and nobody hardly mentioned the incident anymore.

Notes: Appropriate Episode Title I guess. My, what an ending to Sakaki's tale, but to be honest I'm not really satisfied with the way he met his end and the way all the problems surrounding the Kamibito and Ochibito is dealt. It's like some sort of connection is missing, or that this episode is heavily compressed. Sakaki went on and on about his revenge and shoot on people, Kaori appeared out of nowhere and end the whole thing with that shot and jump over the cliff into the river, then everything went back to normal and they all live happily... ending not good enough imo considering the story was developed nicely throughout the series. Anyway since it seems like everything done for Ookamikakushi, I wonder if we going to see more things about Jouga in the next episode, or just extra special episode for some fun (based on the preview). Am I thinking too much that supernatural element was involved to a degree beyond what I would have expected? The kamibito that fought Sakaki, the white wolf moving like wind, floating in the air before landing...
Overall with regard to Ookamikakushi series up till this episode, I would say I am pretty impressed with the series, from the animation art, some great music composition, and intriguing plot. The series started a bit slow (which I though could compensate something in this episode) and got more exciting midway through. And it delivered a good message too - " we shouldn't just fear/abhor anybody who sis different, but instead try to understand them". The only disappointment I had so far is the way this episode is presented, kinda rushed or lacking detailed explanation if you ask me. But as a whole, Ookamikakushi has been one of the best Winter show for me.

Durarara 11 - Sturm and Drang

Seiji's obsession toward "Maki" remained as ridiculous as ever, while Namie still moaning in her office that they can't find Mika. Unexpectedly, she got a phone call from Mikado who then proposed a deal with him. Both arrange a meeting somewhere in the city, Namie with all her guards while Mikado seems, well, alone. Apparently the deal between the two is that in exchange for the person Namie was looking for, Mikado want Namie to turn herself in for what she had done to Mika's body. Namie of course simply did not heed to such deal and despite all the argument that Mikado throw, she turned a deaf ear, giving some nonsense replies because all she care is her brother Seiji. She's simply insusceptible to reason, as Mikado said. Then as she called her guards, Mikado started his plan by triggering something from his phone. As a result, heaps of people around that place received an email on their phone, the Dollars member Dotachin and co included. It turned out that all those people were there for a reason - they were all part of Dollars who attend the first ever gathering of Dollars, organised by who else but Mikado. it was then revealed how Mikado started doing his things since before he move to Tokyo, developing a website for Dollars, spread rumors on the net and even directing their activities.

Celty meanwhile was on the rooftop when Dotachin came to her with Mika whom he and his Dollars friends met while speeding the van in previous episode. After a few Words with Mika, Celty's behaviour changed stating that she had come to her sense and started charging down the rooftop, to Namie's guards in the middle of the gathered people. She easily beat all of them, and declare her intention of making people in the city acknowledge her presence. This cause a bit of chaos in the area, and with no other option, Namie was forced to flee. It was in that moment when Seiji found Mikado and tried to attack him...

notes: It was a rather fun episode, seeing how Namie almost wet her pant after being surprised and intimidated by such sheer number of people, all staring at her. Mikado certainly impressed me. He's really had some unexpected side. Who would have thought that he is the founder? His determination to expose Namie and the strategy he set was amazing, setting a website for Dollars since the day he got a computer and keep in touch with his friend Kida at Tokyo, acting as a leader to suggest what Dollars should do (and surprisingly people even heed to his words), and now, the first ever large gathering of Dollars and at the same time, setting up a meeting with Namie in the midst of that. "The people who aren't looking at the text on their phones right now are our enemies. Don't attack them, simply stare at them." Simply brilliant.
Then to Celty - hm...for some reason the meeting with Mika at the top of the roof completely change her (and perhaps partly responsible is Shinra's word of wanting to marry her!). She wanted people in the city to know her with keen interest, well at least she got her wish when her helmet was blown away by Namie's men. And now a Headless Rider is no more an urban legend. Is it just me though, I think this is the first time Celty's word actually materialize into voice? Can't wait to see what's going to be for Mikado and Seiji.
Lastly LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL AIZAKKU & MIRIA cameo! It made me laugh seeing the pair again, it really is :D
p/s: yes, watch Baccano people.

Tegami Bachi 23 - Honey Waters

Sarah use the spirit amber and chanted Black Needle on one of the gathered people. Surprised, Lag made a bit of noise and was noticed by the people at the gathering, whom despise anyone linked with the government (Bees included). Connor eventually drag Lag and ran away, but they're caught quickly and Niche was unable to save them because of the poisonous honey water she drank in last episode. Lucky for Lag, Master Hunt came to him and throw him away to safety, before Lag was dragged into hiding by a girl who later introduced herself as Ann Grado, 14 years old. She brought lag through an abandoned underground passageway to a sack containing a bunch of letters. There' she told the whole story behind the appearance of those called "One who Unable to Become Spirit" into the ties, growing influences and cut ties with the government and letter deliveries. There are however people who didn't side with the group and still writing letters, but they were unable to deliver it because on their first attempt, the sender (who was Ann's father) was attacked by a Gaichuu and lost heart as a result. Ann then want lag to deliver all those letters for her because he is the only one capable of doing the job.

To the captured Niche and Connor, the people exposed her arm and found that her arm resembled almost like Master Hunt's arm - a Maka. Sarah then realized that Niche's arm is different in that it doesn't have any operation scar like master Hunt's, meaning that Niche is what they call a "true" One Unable to become Spirit. Sarah want to use this chance to offer Niche to someone and joined something called "Reverse", so that they can lead a good life in the capital. Master Hunt who did not agree with all the deceit they've done to the people all along, tried to persuade Sarah from continuing their lies, but she persist. Connor who was faking his unconsciousness all along, heard all the conversations and then had a talk with Master Hunt. He noticed how the Spirit Amber was fake due to the light emitted when Sarah chant the Black Needle. Soon afterward, Gus (Connor's dingo) appeared from underground to save him, but they was interrupted by a gaichuu, who apparently was attracted to the letters carried by lag in the underground passage. Lag and Connor later combined force to fight the Gaichuu, with Lag being the decoy and Connor showing his Shindan for the first time, Yellow Explosion land mines. Unfortunately the deceived people of the town thought the Gaichuu was brought by the Bees, and wanted to offer Lag and Ann to the monsters, but was stopped by Master Hunt. Before long, a Blue Needle shindan appeared, along with Zazie...

comments: The conspiracy in the town is nearly exposed, too bad for the people who wholeheartedly believes in the crap spread by Sarah. Finally we see the real Connor in action. I've always wondered how he did his job as a letter bee especially while dealing with Gaichuu, and it's finally shown to us, fighting with the use of land mines (lol "the land mines I bury are fragments of my hunger"), with the help of Gus. His ability to dig even the sturdiest floow amazed me. But then I wonder how did Connor aimed Gaichuu's weak point if land mines are all he got. Seeing that even Zazie came to help right in the end, it appears that there's even bigger issue lies ahead. Anyway, since the spirit amber that Sarah use is fake, does that mean these events had little to do with Gauche?
Seems like Sarah also has her own sad story with Master Hunt in the past which leads to what they've done at present (and why they hate the government), hopefully it's not going to be a tear jerking episode lol (*cough ep15cough*). Would love to see what's actually happened to Master Hunt and the Artificial Project he's involved with (the origin of his arm), and where the term "One Unable to become Spiri" came from, and how it was related to Maka. Well at least he (and Sarah, partially) isn't a bad person.
p/s: what's with Ann's tsun attitude lol