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tripleaamin
All Star
So now we are properly introduced to Nodoka Toyohama, who is Mai's half sister. In the first conversation between the Nodoka, Mai & Sakuta you can seem a difference of composure comparing the half sisters. Granted, Mai & Sakuta have dealt with weird shyt like this before. At first glance, it seems simple that the sisters go about being the other until the situation resolves.
Of course, one thing that is clear is that the two sisters barely know each other. We can see that Nodoka idolizes Mai. One major issue with Nodoka is her mother. Basically, her mother was jealous of Mai's success. I assume that didn't bother Mai's mother, so I doubt it was much on Mai's mind as well. But it really gives out that Nodoka's mother was obsessed with beating Mai's mom. You get the sense the pressure was there for Nodoka. A part also has with how successful Mai is. Nodoka isn't as naturally talented as Mai at picking up stuff. One thing is quite odd Mai & Nodoka are famous, but their areas shouldn't impact on each other. It makes me think that while Mai was active, Nodoka was feeling pressured by her mom. Thus, when Mai was inactive, things felt better back at home. Then when Mai came back that pressure came back. I mostly believe this because I think Mai being Nodoka's idol figure is true. Plus, I feel the conversation with Saki might be a solid hint.
The sisters' lack of communicating with each other might just highlight the issue at hand. We even see Nodoka having a panic attack while doing one of Mai's shoot. Clearly, Mai cares because she asked Sakuta to check up on her. Plus, when Sakuta says Mai had confidence in Nodoka that she could do a good job leads me to believe that Nodoka doesn't actually hate her sister. I guess part of it for Mai also is that she doesn't know how to act like a big sister.
Of course, one thing that is clear is that the two sisters barely know each other. We can see that Nodoka idolizes Mai. One major issue with Nodoka is her mother. Basically, her mother was jealous of Mai's success. I assume that didn't bother Mai's mother, so I doubt it was much on Mai's mind as well. But it really gives out that Nodoka's mother was obsessed with beating Mai's mom. You get the sense the pressure was there for Nodoka. A part also has with how successful Mai is. Nodoka isn't as naturally talented as Mai at picking up stuff. One thing is quite odd Mai & Nodoka are famous, but their areas shouldn't impact on each other. It makes me think that while Mai was active, Nodoka was feeling pressured by her mom. Thus, when Mai was inactive, things felt better back at home. Then when Mai came back that pressure came back. I mostly believe this because I think Mai being Nodoka's idol figure is true. Plus, I feel the conversation with Saki might be a solid hint.
The sisters' lack of communicating with each other might just highlight the issue at hand. We even see Nodoka having a panic attack while doing one of Mai's shoot. Clearly, Mai cares because she asked Sakuta to check up on her. Plus, when Sakuta says Mai had confidence in Nodoka that she could do a good job leads me to believe that Nodoka doesn't actually hate her sister. I guess part of it for Mai also is that she doesn't know how to act like a big sister.
Bryan Danielson
Jmare007 x Bryan Danielson x JLova = King Ghidorah
Boss, you seen this?
Bryan Danielson
Jmare007 x Bryan Danielson x JLova = King Ghidorah
Yeah, I'm not even sure about this...
is the back story really needed for the trans kid in Windbreaker. It's been a weird few episodes
tripleaamin
All Star
This show keeps on delivering. Def looking to beat out Orb for AOTY so far 
We can already tell how much Shisui hates her mother. She has endured so much from that woman, and we know how kind she truly is. Although why did Shisui bring Maomao to where the kids are. Is it so they could at least have a proper burial? Sure, assuming the same poison was used for both the kids & Suirei back in S1. I don't see where there could be a place for them. For now though, Shisui has her own duties to do, but it really feels like she won't make it out of this alive.
This episode was the first time we really got an insight into Shishou and man he has been miserable for two decades. The mention that Shenmei didn't use to be this way leads me to some doubts. It all started with him taking a request from the Emperor which led him to have Suirei as his daughter. I get the feeling that Shenmei was perhaps part of that request he made to the Emperor. Maybe it is what led to her coming back from the rear palace. Though him seeing a side of Loulan he has never seen and seeing his two daughters interact. You can clearly see that Shishou was in misery for awhile. Loulan's request of him to take responsibility for once in his life. As Loulan sheds the doll image that he had of her, I get the sense he will do something too. But what he does has me curious.
The strategy is in play with Lankan & Jinshi leading the charge. I think Gaoshun mentioning how going for a surprise attack is typical not in play for the royal guard. Makes me wonder if going forward how much Jinshi changes going forward. How much he will be more so the Moon Prince rather than the Eunuch. Maomao meets up with Jinishi, and she finally realizes this is who he really is. Though the comments on him no longer being the crown prince would make sense if Gyokuyou birthed a boy.
This episode was the first time we really got an insight into Shishou and man he has been miserable for two decades. The mention that Shenmei didn't use to be this way leads me to some doubts. It all started with him taking a request from the Emperor which led him to have Suirei as his daughter. I get the feeling that Shenmei was perhaps part of that request he made to the Emperor. Maybe it is what led to her coming back from the rear palace. Though him seeing a side of Loulan he has never seen and seeing his two daughters interact. You can clearly see that Shishou was in misery for awhile. Loulan's request of him to take responsibility for once in his life. As Loulan sheds the doll image that he had of her, I get the sense he will do something too. But what he does has me curious.
The strategy is in play with Lankan & Jinshi leading the charge. I think Gaoshun mentioning how going for a surprise attack is typical not in play for the royal guard. Makes me wonder if going forward how much Jinshi changes going forward. How much he will be more so the Moon Prince rather than the Eunuch. Maomao meets up with Jinishi, and she finally realizes this is who he really is. Though the comments on him no longer being the crown prince would make sense if Gyokuyou birthed a boy.
T-K-G
Veteran
Fire Force - got alot going on, definitely end game fukkery season for that show
Loser Ranger - with the crazy reveal we were already expecting concerning Divine Artifacts, I like how Yellow just embraces he ain't shyt
On season 3 of TDL of Immortal King - they REALLY be roasting the fukk out of Japanese culture and anime
shyt's hilarious, this pokemon episode is dope, the fukking rabbit stepped out with a 6 pack and put foot to ass!
Looking like we're finally at the climax of Lazarus, I'm just here for good animation and music at this point
Old Country Bumpkin - still has weird energy imo, he trained all these girls and they have crushes on his old ass, he immediately looks like a creep if he follows any of them up, do they expect us to be rooting for something here?
they are doing a good job with the fights tho, never seen 3D look so smooth.
Yaiba - im ready to be done with all of these side bosses, gotta be the worst henchmen ever
Wind Breakers - all them boys just got styled on. 3 nikkas jumping couldn't land a hit on broski
Loser Ranger - with the crazy reveal we were already expecting concerning Divine Artifacts, I like how Yellow just embraces he ain't shyt
On season 3 of TDL of Immortal King - they REALLY be roasting the fukk out of Japanese culture and anime
shyt's hilarious, this pokemon episode is dope, the fukking rabbit stepped out with a 6 pack and put foot to ass!Looking like we're finally at the climax of Lazarus, I'm just here for good animation and music at this point
Old Country Bumpkin - still has weird energy imo, he trained all these girls and they have crushes on his old ass, he immediately looks like a creep if he follows any of them up, do they expect us to be rooting for something here?
they are doing a good job with the fights tho, never seen 3D look so smooth.Yaiba - im ready to be done with all of these side bosses, gotta be the worst henchmen ever
Wind Breakers - all them boys just got styled on. 3 nikkas jumping couldn't land a hit on broski
tripleaamin
All Star
With the hint of Nodoka's past more and more, it is clear she doesn't hate Mai. In fact, to hide that feeling she has to use the word hate. Although it's apparent that Nodoka wanted to be just like her sister. It makes you wonder know if that pressure is more self inflected. Just look at her mom. Sure, when she comes looking for Nodoka she seems harsh towards what she thinks of Mai. As Mai points out, she is quite invested in her performance and success. In fact, you imagine for Mai and given what we know about her mother, she is jealous of Nodoka to having a caring mother.
Though for Nodoka seeing that problem did more harm than it did good. The sister that she could never catch up to was having success in ways that Nodoka could never do. Luckily, Sakuta is around. While he doesn't have any feelings about Nodoka he can tell how much Mai loves her sister even if she can't be up front about her feelings. Hell, he can empathize with her because he has Kaede. Of course, the differences in his situation with Kaede is way different from Mai & Nodoka's situation.
The scene where Sakuta shows off the letters that Nodoka sent to Mai really illustrates how much Mai loves her sister. As we know with Mai, she had a bad relationship with her mother, and we don't know what she thinks of her dad. Nodoka praising her and having a sister like that probably meant a lot more to her than she lets on. As Nodoka admits in the past she wanted to be like Mai more than likely, it is safe to assume her mom wanted to make that dream come true. Though not being as talented as Mai made it harder. Makes me feel that her mother talked about Mai to try to push Nodoka to make her dream come true. With all that said, Mai's dream is sound because if you want to make your mom proud, do it in a way you want. Don't try to be like Mai.
We're learning more about Sakuta's family situation. It's good to see bits of improvement from Kaede at least willing to try different clothes. Though it seems the mom's situation is much worse than one could imagine.
While the emotional impact of the scene between Mai & Nodoka executed perfectly. Why this all happened felt off. It makes sense that Nodoka wanted to be like her older sister. Basically, acquired the blueprint of her body in a type of quantum teleportation. Thus, when she realized she didn't have to be like her older sister, everything reverted. It's just felt very tacked on at the end and it felt off.
Though for Nodoka seeing that problem did more harm than it did good. The sister that she could never catch up to was having success in ways that Nodoka could never do. Luckily, Sakuta is around. While he doesn't have any feelings about Nodoka he can tell how much Mai loves her sister even if she can't be up front about her feelings. Hell, he can empathize with her because he has Kaede. Of course, the differences in his situation with Kaede is way different from Mai & Nodoka's situation.
The scene where Sakuta shows off the letters that Nodoka sent to Mai really illustrates how much Mai loves her sister. As we know with Mai, she had a bad relationship with her mother, and we don't know what she thinks of her dad. Nodoka praising her and having a sister like that probably meant a lot more to her than she lets on. As Nodoka admits in the past she wanted to be like Mai more than likely, it is safe to assume her mom wanted to make that dream come true. Though not being as talented as Mai made it harder. Makes me feel that her mother talked about Mai to try to push Nodoka to make her dream come true. With all that said, Mai's dream is sound because if you want to make your mom proud, do it in a way you want. Don't try to be like Mai.
We're learning more about Sakuta's family situation. It's good to see bits of improvement from Kaede at least willing to try different clothes. Though it seems the mom's situation is much worse than one could imagine.
While the emotional impact of the scene between Mai & Nodoka executed perfectly. Why this all happened felt off. It makes sense that Nodoka wanted to be like her older sister. Basically, acquired the blueprint of her body in a type of quantum teleportation. Thus, when she realized she didn't have to be like her older sister, everything reverted. It's just felt very tacked on at the end and it felt off.
tripleaamin
All Star
Wit really popping off here . Been hearing how the remake is condensing the chapters, and it honestly makes sense seeing how it adapts. I can't imagine how slow the pacing was in the OG anime 
Yaiba isn't the best show, but it executes what it sets out to be. Which imo makes it cool in my books
. Been hearing how the remake is condensing the chapters, and it honestly makes sense seeing how it adapts. I can't imagine how slow the pacing was in the OG anime Yaiba isn't the best show, but it executes what it sets out to be. Which imo makes it cool in my books
Jmare007
pico pal q lee
Just when I was about to say I was sick and tired of Mao Mao becoming a fukking moron every time Jinshi's true identity would come up, they rip the band aid off and they reveal in the quickest and least melodramatic way possible. This is show is well made brehs 
tripleaamin
All Star
It was always more her not wanting to dive too deep into the whole rear palace drama. Like she is already deep in it already. She didn't want to add more to her plate on top of that.Just when I was about to say I was sick and tired of Mao Mao becoming a fukking moron every time Jinshi's true identity would come up, they rip the band aid off and they reveal in the quickest and least melodramatic way possible. This is show is well made brehs
Plus, it was already shown that she had a good idea about what Jinshi's identity was. Even if Maomao's monologues didn't explicit state it, her actions did, though.
This show might have AOTY on lock since the only other shows that are written almost as well, like Orb, Kingdom & Hanako-kun don't have the directing & production values that Kusuriya has.
Jmare007
pico pal q lee
Yes, but it was annoying as fukk to have to see her and listening to her go "so what if...nah, let's not get into that" every 3-4 eps, it was a tired troupe that had ran its course.
Mao Mao gets into rear palace drama all the time and I get what her character's logic was behind not wanting to go deeper into Jinshi's identity, but I did not need to see/hear her go through the same damn sequence so many times. I'm very glad that shyt is over with.
tripleaamin
All Star
Fantastic episode
Man this episode very much matches the episode where the twist was revealed that Sullivan wasn't a witch. We got the sense that Wolfram hated all of this. Finally having enough, he is the one who makes the shot that allows Sullivan to escape. But not before Hilde shoots him down.
Wolfram's flashback really emphasizes how much a child can bring color to one's life. Wolfram clearly was one that, through his training, would do as he was told. Of course, his task was to be Sullivan's bodyguard. With how she got attached to him. He was family to Sullivan. The tears of him realizing how much he cared for was done beautifully.
Good job to Ciel for having Sullivan being the one that saved Wolfram. His speech to her was about saving lives instead of taking them. By saving Wolfram's life it gives her the bit of confidence going forward. Plus, you know having him by her side means so much to Sullivan. This arc really shows how awful humans could be. At the very least, Wolfram is one who knew what he was doing was wrong. Ciel knows Sullivan needs someone to protect her. Unlike Lizzie, Sullivan can't take care of herself. Of course, Ciel points out him knows too much. But that is Ciel not being true to his feelings.
Wolfram's flashback really emphasizes how much a child can bring color to one's life. Wolfram clearly was one that, through his training, would do as he was told. Of course, his task was to be Sullivan's bodyguard. With how she got attached to him. He was family to Sullivan. The tears of him realizing how much he cared for was done beautifully.
Good job to Ciel for having Sullivan being the one that saved Wolfram. His speech to her was about saving lives instead of taking them. By saving Wolfram's life it gives her the bit of confidence going forward. Plus, you know having him by her side means so much to Sullivan. This arc really shows how awful humans could be. At the very least, Wolfram is one who knew what he was doing was wrong. Ciel knows Sullivan needs someone to protect her. Unlike Lizzie, Sullivan can't take care of herself. Of course, Ciel points out him knows too much. But that is Ciel not being true to his feelings.