Nijuu Mensou no Musume

[Kaoru Chujo]

Spoiler for ep16:

Well, I'm glad we're not going to have eight episodes of detective girls. No doubt they will appear again, but Chiko is off on her own.

Where is the show going? That can be confusing, but at least it's refreshing that this is a show where the next move in the plot is not always clear. On the other hand, it is clear that getting with NJM again is Chiko's reason for being, so that has to be the driving force of the plot.

The episodic villains thing is a bit of a drag, but we'll see how this pair work out. Hopefully each villain brings her closer to NJM and the truth about him. Chiko's fighting skills are still l33t. And the fact that she often loses is also pretty fine.

The old man who looked as if he was in disguise said he was NJM's teacher. But of course he could be NJM himself. Ken turned up pretty fortuitously that other time. I guess there's a crowd tracking Chiko so as to either protect her or find NJM. It's a wonder they don't keep bumping into one another in the bushes.

And I found Hirano's voice back on track this episode, as Chiko gets back to the dangerous world she is more at home in.

[Peanutbutter]

Spoiler for Ep17:

Exciting episode. Made me wished I can see episode 18 immediately.

Finally, there's story development, which seems to connect all the small story arcs together, from the circus in Toran, the researcher with that big metal guy to the White Devil.

And what do you know? NJM is back, again! I chuckled when he appeared though.

5 more episodes to the end of this series? Looks like the finale will be pretty exciting.

Subbing this episode in English (I saw the Chinese subs, damn they're fast!) will be very interesting though. Looking forward to it.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Outstanding.

Spoiler for ep17:

I'm toying with the idea of saying that is one of the best anime episodes I have ever seen. Full of incident and feeling and thought, with a well-managed pace and some surprises. Enough meat for two episodes, at least.

As well as great voice-acting. Hirano's replies to the professor had her characteristic slightly unnatural feeling, but were so intense. She's like some kind of stylish flamethrower in that mode. So much human energy in the expression. And her "ojisan" to NJM gave me an involuntary shiver. And I had forgotten how much I love Uchida Yuya's voice as NJM.

Lots of wonderful bits:
-- Tome calling out for her in front of the house, and Tome's (Arai Satomi's) quiet but intense words of agreement with the detective to go out and find her
-- The pink-jacketed monster's hand going into and being pulled out of the road surface. The way they drew it seemed very accurate to me, for an asphalt road, and the sound effects, as with most sound effects in this show, were also perfect
-- Ken's trick for blowing up the bike was done beautifully
-- the dead eyes of the pink-jacketed monster were wonderful
-- I loved Chiko's outfit: the cut, the color, the collar, the shoulders, the boots.
-- the way Chiko out-stared the professor, but then had to lower her eyes and give in
-- the image of Chiko at the very end -- so grand

The plot is still full of coincidence, but at least it has a purpose. And all the threads are being drawn together so we see it isn't a haphazard series of villains.

But the person who decided to put those sound effects in the OP still needs his head examined. It breaks the flow of the music, whose regular repetition is part of its strength.

Is it possible that the last few episodes will be Chiko and NJM together bringing an end to the danger of people having a power that they cannot handle? Or will Tome and the detective manage to get in the way yet again?

The speed of the first Chinese sub was impressive, and the translation fairly good -- except for one glaring and unforgiveable error: for water's dai yon keitai 第四形体、it's "fourth form" (after solid, liquid and gas) they heard dai-on keitai 大音形体, its "big sound" form. Weird.

The final episode was recorded last Thursday morning. Here are Hirano Aya and Uchida Yuya (NJM) after the recording. Aya wrote in her blog that the six months of working on the show went by so quickly, that it was a wonderful dramatic work, and that she got an opportunity to do feelings she hadn't done before. She thanked the producers for the opportunity and asked us to watch every episode until the end.

[Peanutbutter]

Yeah, I was scratching my head when the sub said

Spoiler:

大音形体

I was like: what?

[Shiroi Hane]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

But the person who decided to put those sound effects in the OP still needs his head examined. It breaks the flow of the music, whose regular repetition is part of its strength.

I think everyone is in agreement on that one, barring the idiots who approved it. It was a bad idea on D.N.Angel and a bad idea here, and I'm glad that the first DVD had the original version and hope that if they include an NC OP at some point that will be the original also. The credits are at least unintrusive, so they may not bother. I still boggle that they included an NC OP on the Manabi Straight! DVDs, which is only of use for making your own credits since they are an intrinsic part of the animation.

[Peanutbutter]

After watching ep18, seems like we're midway through the end of this arc, tying up all the loose ends and reach the finale of the entire series.

I expect to have a full explanation of what has happened in the episode at the end of the series and I won't be satisfied at all.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Episode 18. A really good episode, but the big deal here for me is one second of Hirano Aya doing something amazing.

Spoiler for ep18:

At 21:10 she lets out an odd animal cry of "ojisan" that is like a dagger to the heart. This is why she is actually a great seiyuu. I can't remember ever hearing anything like this, from anyone. It is certainly odd. As usual, her delivery is not especially natural. But there is more emotional force in this cry than in any three top-notch anime episodes. And certainly more than this anime's restrained direction puts into any part of the plot. I'm still shaking. This is art.

The underground conflict continues, back and forth, with the police and Akino on the way, as well as Ken and the woman researcher. And Shunka plays a key role. Until Hirano's amazing cry, which should become legendary.

And we have four full episodes left to go. I can't -- and don't want to -- predict what is to come.

The official site announces a special three-minute "digest" video of the show, narrated by Touma Yumi (Chiko's aunt). It is available here.

Unfortunately, there is no apparently no broadcast next week. Episode 19 will be shown on Saturday, September 6, at 26:05 (2 am Sunday).

[Peanutbutter]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

The official site announces a special three-minute "digest" video of the show, narrated by Touma Yumi (Chiko's aunt). It is available here.

Unfortunately, there is no apparently no broadcast next week. Episode 19 will be shown on Saturday, September 6, at 26:05 (2 am Sunday).

Now we need someone to translate that video. Her laughter at the end scares me though...

And another week without NJM? What's up with this? Oh well, another week for Tofu-sensei to get things up to speed, I guess.

[thr]

Spoiler for Episode 18:

OK, this episode delivered in spades. For whatever reason, in tone and style, these last few episodes reminded me of Edgar P. Jacobs' Blake and Mortimer. That said, this episode was great, until, you know, NJM once again had to "die" for the sake of a cliffhanger. It has gotten to the point where it is really, really boring to hear Chiko shout out her catchphrase. But that's probably just me.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by thr

Spoiler for Episode 18:

OK, this episode delivered in spades. For whatever reason, in tone and style, these last few episodes reminded me of Edgar P. Jacobs' Blake and Mortimer. That said, this episode was great, until, you know, NJM once again had to "die" for the sake of a cliffhanger. It has gotten to the point where it is really, really boring to hear Chiko shout out her catchphrase. But that's probably just me.

Spoiler for ep18:

Blake and Mortimer, eh? From the Wikipedia page, it certainly looks pretty similar. As for NJM's repeated "deaths," I have to admit to getting a bit jaded, myself. This show also seems to milk every situation for as little tension as it can. But I still love how Aya says her "ojisan," and this one was by far the best, it seemed to me.

[Ghostfriendly]

Originally Posted by thr

Spoiler for Episode 18:

OK, this episode delivered in spades. For whatever reason, in tone and style, these last few episodes reminded me of Edgar P. Jacobs' Blake and Mortimer. That said, this episode was great, until, you know, NJM once again had to "die" for the sake of a cliffhanger. It has gotten to the point where it is really, really boring to hear Chiko shout out her catchphrase. But that's probably just me.

Spoiler for general:

NJM apparently 'dying' doesn't really constitute a cliffhanger, any more than the Joker falling in the river. Maybe Chiko will start pulling off staged deaths by the end of the series herself; she certainly keeps leaving Tome-San behind, the same way NJM leaves her.

[SeijiSensei]

Spoiler for episode 15:

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Other than a supernatural intervention, how might NJM survive that fall?
...
6) He'll fall on top of Tome-san. Once he's removed his head from between her ample bosoms, they'll engage in a few rounds of apology.

Even though it wasn't Nijuu Mensou himself, can I at least get partial credit? It just seemed inevitable that someone's face would end up there.

Any support for a Nijuu Mensou X Tome-san pairing? Chizuko might be a bit jealous, but she'd probably understand.

[zzeroparticle]

I was sort of ready for the Detective Girls segment and braced myself for the fact that it'd be less action-packed than everything that had transpired before. I don't think my thoughts are too far off the mark here and the fact that everything seems toned down and more relaxed gives it a vibe that doesn't quite fit with past episodes.

Mind you, it's still pretty entertaining and I'll take whatever kickass moments from Chiko that I can get, but I'm really interested in seeing how this series will resolve the plot strings that are dangling about. 10 episodes should be enough, but we'll have to see.

[Ghostfriendly]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Even though it wasn't Nijuu Mensou himself, can I at least get partial credit? It just seemed inevitable that someone's face would end up there.

Any support for a Nijuu Mensou X Tome-san pairing? Chizuko might be a bit jealous, but she'd probably understand.

I could see a pairing like that if NJM got disabled or imprisoned, and became totally disillusioned with his mysterious purpose, and Tome was attending to him and said things like, 'You kept meanly abandoning Chiko for the sake of your mission, does it matter this little to you?' She wouldn't be afraid to critcise him; NJM could concievably take a liking to her, but not much more unless we write a fanfic specifically to bring it about. Any DTF fanfic yet?

I remember mentions of Ken/Chiko, but it seems as if Tome might end up paired with Akine, from the general turn of events...not the best pairing, but hey, fat guys need love like everyone does.

[Tofusensei]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter003

Now we need someone to translate that video. Her laughter at the end scares me though...

And another week without NJM? What's up with this? Oh well, another week for Tofu-sensei to get things up to speed, I guess.

Yup! I'll let you guys know, I had a chance to get current with the translations. We will probably have episode 19 out before episode 20 airs. Thanks for being patient!

-Tofu

[The Chaos]

Originally Posted by Tofusensei

Yup! I'll let you guys know, I had a chance to get current with the translations. We will probably have episode 19 out before episode 20 airs. Thanks for being patient!

-Tofu

Really Thanks For The translation ^_^
Can't Wait To See The Other Ep

[Peanutbutter]

To sum up Ep19, it's running, running and running...

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

...Any support for a Nijuu Mensou X Tome-san pairing? Chizuko might be a bit jealous, but she'd probably understand.

She isn't bright enough for him, unfortunately. But her devotion and determination make her pretty wonderful. I'm not sure whether romance will rear its lovely head in this show or not.

I'm not one who demands originality, but there are so many things in this show that I haven't seen before. The whole tone is unusual, for better and worse.

Hey, Tofusensei, I loved ep19 and look forward to your translation.

Spoiler for ep19:

Some hints of affection between Ken and the scientist lady who was with the mechanical man. And running, running, running. I wonder when Chiko will use that length of wire she picked up.

I loved the vivid portrayal of mob mentality, and how Chiko related it to fear (I think she said). As we watch elections unfold, we see some of the same mob psychology.

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Ghostfriendly

I remember mentions of Ken/Chiko, but it seems as if Tome might end up paired with Akine, from the general turn of events...not the best pairing, but hey, fat guys need love like everyone does.

Yes, they do. (I'm a bit on the overweight side myself.) But Akine X Tome? No..., just no. Ken X Tome could be a possibility though, if he actually steps out of the shadows at some point.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

She isn't bright enough for him, unfortunately.

True enough, but anime doesn't always let real-world factors like the characters' relative intelligence stand in the way of a pairing. Tome just seemed like the only female we've seen who is not a villaness and is in the right age category to become NJM's lover. But who know what's going on at the bottom of the ocean?

But her devotion and determination make her pretty wonderful.

Those are certainly her best assets, though a couple of others were on full display in episode 15.

I'm not sure whether romance will rear its lovely head in this show or not.

Me neither; just speculating.

Looking forward to seeing the next batch of episodes. Thanks, Tofu!

[Mirrinus]

Spoiler for Episode 16:

One thing I really liked about this episode was how it did a good job casting doubt on NJM's intentions and his own secret agenda. I know I got that same vibe earlier with the White Haired Devil arc, but this episode really brings it to the fore. Sure, it wasn't enough to sway Chiko, but it was enough to make me, the viewer, question all that's been going on. It adds a level of drama that has so far been missing from the show, and overall I think it's a nice touch.

Although, Chiko must be rather confidant in her own abilities to be leaving alone with a complete stranger. Still, it definite leaves me interested in seeing what happens next.

I'm also very curious as to how (or if) the Anastasia Ruby will play any more of a role in the story.