February 27, 2008

Wellber no Monogatari ~ Sisters of Wellber - 22

Filed under: Finished Series:/Wellber no Monogatari ~ Sisters of Wellber


This episode was mostly unspectacular, and just built up for the finale of this series. Basically, Rita and Tina arrive back at the castle of Wellber and are greeted back by Rita’s family. Galahad formally requests a wedding with Rita, and later he settles an old score with the knight, back from episode one. All in all, the chess-pieces were set right for the final four episodes of this series.

But it does promise to be an awesome finale! In the next episode, we finally get to see the confrontation between Tina and Rita’s brother (because yes: it’s now officially confirmed that he was the one who killed her parents). At this point, I have no idea what she’ll do. Just keep quiet about it in front of Rita? Brainlessly attack the guy? Give subtle hints? Talk things out? It’s all possible.

My guess is then that the final three episodes will deal with the upcoming war between Wellber, Sangatras and Greedam, or to be more precise: preventing it. Here too I wonder what kind of direction the creators will go with. There are still quite a lot of interesting possibilities for the war to turn out in three episodes, but for now they must make sure to build it up well, just like they did with the characters.

Suteki Tantei Labyrinth - 21

Filed under: Finished Series:/Suteki Tantei Labyrinth


Ah, finally Byakko gets her background! I must say that this has turned into quite an interesting family-drama between Seiran, Chien and Seijuu. Their background doesn’t feel complete yet, but then again, there are still five episodes left and these can be used to fill in the blanks that we’re still missing like their parents and why Seijuu has decided to go after the Hyuugake Gentoushuu in Mayuki.

At this point, I’ve also started doubting whether Byakko will change sides or not. At the beginning of the episode, we see her about to kill her master, until he reminds her how he gave her the name Byakko. It turns out that she grew up with Youko (that was her name, right?). Then Chien took Youko away and she was all alone until Seijuu picked her up.

Seriously, Byakko’s mood took huge swings throughout the entire episode, especially after Mayuki (in Hyugake Gentoushu-mode) pointed out towards her cocky mode that she was in fact really unsure of herself. She was really fun to watch, though. One moment she was crazily uttering her name over and over, the next she dresses up in a fancy costume to lure Mayuki’s friends to a deserted location.

And I must say, that this has been one of the most solid episodes of this series yet. There’s no botched storytelling, nor any far-fetched mystery and for once everything felt believable, even Byakko’s insanity (the series built up very well for that, in my opinion). It was also refreshing that for once Seiran was out of the picture, so that none other than Chien had to protect Mayuki.