Hey there. Thanks for stopping by Anime Rants today. I’m almost caught up to the current week. Without further ado, here are the week 11 episodes for Winter 2023 anime.
Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season: Episode 11
Atsushi and Kyouka break into the bank and free Mushitarou, who only begrudgingly agrees to help them escape. They are all pursued by Ango Sakaguchi and his men. Although Ango makes a fake show for his men of blaming the Detective Agency, he privately takes Atsushi and company into his car, believing their story. From there, the four ability users go to Anne’s Room, the mini-dimension created by Lucy. Ango asks Mushitarou to explain what’s happening.
Mushitarou is at first reluctant to talk, but Ango and company convince him. According to Mushitarou, the Angels Decay is a terrorist organization trying to bring down the government as a whole. Fyodor is not the leader of the organization, as I previously believed. There’s a mastermind even above him. Ango, Atsushi, and the others have ten days to stop the Angels Decay before they once again use the page from the reality-altering book. Once it’s being used, there’s no way to fight it. Despite the terrible odds, Atsushi smiles, because he now has hope.
This episode was exciting and enjoyable to me. Bungo Stray Dogs has become an important anime of which I’m very fond. I especially loved the parts about Mushitarou and his dead friend Yokomizu. I want to write an article about them. However, despite its many strengths, Bungo Stray Dogs is also quite silly at times. The anime breaks the suspension of disbelief whenever it includes things like Dazai’s ability to send encoded messages with his heartbeat. That’s honestly laughable. Nevertheless, I am having a lot of fun with Bungo Stray Dogs.
Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi
(Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague): Episode 11
In this cute installment, Himuro befriends a stray cat and considers taking it home with him. However, while out with Fuyutsuki, he discovers the cat already belongs to someone and is lost. Himuro and Fuyutsuki return the cat to its home, and Fuyutsuki invites Himuro to her apartment the next day to meet her cat. The visit goes well. Himuro is extremely happy that he has now spent time with Fuyutsuki outside of work and employee groups. Fuyutsuki definitely seems to like Himuro, getting flustered and red when their hands touched by accident.
Honestly, I hope the two of them become an official couple soon. I like how this anime isn’t sexual in nature, but at the same time, I just want them to make love after eleven long episodes. Another enjoyable element of this anime is the cuteness and sweetness of Himuro. It does without saying that Fuyutsuki is adorable and beautiful, with many kind and caring behaviors. But Himuro is also a big sweetheart, and attractive to boot. I’m tired of toxically masculine characters, so the vulnerable and awkward Himuro is a real treasure for me.
Mononogatari: Malevolent Spirits: Episode 10
It was a pretty casual and goofy episode this time, except at the very beginning. Tsubaki asks Hyoma to leave the Nagatsuki and join her, but Hyoma declines. Although pursuing the paper umbrella spirit with Tusbaki sounds appealing, he cannot bring himself to abandon his previous comittments. Plus, learning to get along with the Nagatsuki is something Hyoma’s siblings would have wanted.
The rest of the episode was laidback and honestly rather fun. Haori announces that everyone is going to eat hotpot tonight to celebrate Botan and Hyoma and their respective progress at university and as a Saenome. While looking for the large pot, Botan and Hyoma interact awkwardly, both embarrassed as they think about the arranged marriage. Meanwhile, the other Nagatsuki members gather ingredients. Soon enough, it’s time to eat hotpot, and everyone has a good time.
Nokemono-tachi no Yoru (Tale of Outcasts): Episode 10
Marbas takes Wisteria on a tour of London to cheer her up, but the sharp young girl already knows the truth. She saw a dream of Snow turning into a demon. There is no known way to save a person possessed by a high-ranking demon. Nevertheless, Wisteria wants to find and face whatever is left of her beloved brother.
Meanwhile, the armored commander of the sword cross knights begins a attack on Luther and Dantalion. But he underestimated them, and they wiped out many of his knights before retreating due to Luther’s serious injury. Marbas and Naberius also showed up for the fight and inadvertently helped the sword cross knights. Next, Wisteria plans to accompany the armored commander to the headquarters of the sword cross knights. That’s where an army of demons are about to attack – including Snow. I have no particular thoughts that I haven’t shared already. This anime isn’t great quality, but I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
TenTen Kakumei (Magical Revolution): Episode 11
Anis is having a difficult time as she tries to win the approval of the magic/religious leaders of the kingdom. Frankly, they are disgusting. But the next day, Euphie meets with Anis and her family to tell them that she’s chosen to become a spirit contractor. Being a spirit contractor means one will never age and will eventually lose one’s humanity and forget human warmth and “spirit.” Anis can’t accept the idea of Euphie becoming a contractor, because a) it would take away Anis’ only perceived value as a useful princess, and b) it would eventually break Euphie’s humanity. Anis runs away, crying.
Tilty helps comfort Anis for a while in her cabin. Soon, Euphie shows up and sits down to talk alone with Anis. The two of them are both set on making sure that the other one doesn’t sacrifice their dreams or human life. Anis proposes that they fight a duel. If Euphie wins, Anis will have to accept her decision to be a spirit contractor.
I’m very impressed with this highly emotional episode, as well as the way it leads into a climatic final installment for next time. I was moved to tears by all the emotional dialogue, especially between Anis and Euphie at the end of the episode. I was worried about this anime having a weak ending, but the way they set things up for the duel between the girls is perfect for this story. Hopefully, the two will find a solution that doesn’t involve either of them sacrificing their lives or dreams. We’ll see next week.
Vinland Saga Season 2: Episode 10
After they cut down the last tree on their farm plot, Einar and Thorfinn were told that they may go free after the planting season. But before he officially lets the men go, Kentil is going to visit King Harald. Speaking of Harald, he is dying. He’s been secretly poisoned by order of his own little brother, King Canute. Two kings would eventually be in the way, so Canute felt it necessary to eliminate his brother. It’s all to ensure the utopia he wants to build in England and Denmark.
Despite his efforts to justify it, Canute is haunted by his own decisions. He begins to see – and hear – visions of his dead father, who tells him he has fallen to the curse of the crown. As Canute remembers the old days of playing ball with Harald, he wonders if all of this is for nothing. It was a gloomy ending, but the episode overall was highly interesting to me. Canute is my favorite character, so I was beyond delighted to see more of him.
It seems the show is taking his character in the direction that I expected: the more Canute does to build his idealistic kingdom, the more he loses those personal ideals. It’s a sad and heavy struggle to watch, and I don’t know how it will end. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to see more.
Thank you for reading~
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