I recently finished my first anime marathon ever since I started medical school. To sum everything up: feels good man. With that said, I was able to do it because I resolved to wean myself off bidding on eBay. I am extremely grateful for those who commented on my previous post and the grains of wisdom within their comments. I was wavering with symptoms of withdrawal beforehand, but I am glad to say that it has been a week since I have bid on anything on eBay. It may be a minutiae to many, but it is something significant to me. As I believe this will become a relatively lengthy post, I will divide the post between its central part [the anime part] and the personal part [my continuing battle against addiction], as I feel writing about my problems will help solve it.

I really like Feldt.

I need your help.

It’s the first time I am following quite a few series as compared to my regular one or two per season, and I need your help in choosing the best fansubs possible. Because of this vacillation in choosing fansub groups, the only series I have been able to follow for the past few weeks were ToraDora! and Tentai Senshi Sunred (which is the anime I tout, in all seriousness, to be the best of this season).

Because of this I only have one episode of Casshern Sins, three of Kurozuka, two of Mouryou no Hako, two of Yozakura Quartet, one of Kemeko DX, one of Hakushaku to Yousei, four of Gundam 00 S2, two of Ga Rei Zero, one of Michiko to Hatchin, and one of Bihada Ichizoku. All in all those are twelve series I’m paying attention to, and with all the attention on Kannagi I may pick up one more.

The thing is, I am unfamiliar with most of the fansub groups who release subbed episodes of most of these shows. Gundam 00 S2 is practically the only show where I know Menclave is the best. I’m currently sticking with [sudo] for Michiko to Hatchin as I loved their Darker than Black subs, but I wonder if I should pick up other groups.

For the rest of the shows, which subs do you recommend?

I’m sticking with AOne for Yozakura Quartet as their releases have been of consistent quality for these past years; I have doubts as to whether I’d choose Shinsen for Casshern Sins; I’m currently sticking with Ureshii for Kurozuka, unless someone recommends Shinsen-Subs (and I have quite a lot of doubt as regards Shinsen as a group); I don’t know which group to follow for Kemeko, and I also don’t know which group to follow for Ga Rei, but I’m currently with Deculture and sMi respectively.

I also wouldn’t mind being recommended other anime to watch, as long as you guys could hook me into them.

Thanks.

I think this second season of Gundam 00 will have romance as a focus more.

The second episode practically was an episode of recruitment and commitment: Lyle Dylandy, younger brother of Neil Dylandy (the first season’s Lockon Stratos), has just joined with Celestial Being. Sumeragi vi Noriega was also recruited once more into Celestial Being: it could be noted that she drowned herself in alcohol more due to the ultimate failure of their operations back in the first season. One has to wonder why Setsuna was nonchalant despite the fact that Billy was around when Setsuna approached Sumeragi.

Despite her recriminations and her unwillingness, however, Sumeragi was finally convinced by Setsuna to join them back into the Celestial Being fray. Gundam 00 (I believe) has just made its first appearance with its wonderfully-animated TransAm system activated, and the mechas of the A-Laws were easily defeated.

Other notable occurrences in the episode were Saji’s realization that the Halevy massacre wasn’t Setsuna’s but the fault of Gundam Throne; Shirin making an apperance as well as Nena Trinity (Shirin is so cute!); Ribbons and Regine appearing; and Marina being kidnapped (I believe). Oh, and lest I forget, the look on Feldt’s face when Lyle was introduced into Celestial Being was just so priceless: the utter shock and perplexity of her expression was simply a sight to behold!

I won’t give any summaries, but that was a most wonderful first episode. It was already chock-full of action and mecha battles, and the conflicts were already forming. I was absolutely enthralled with the struggle of Louise as regards her driving the mecha; I was also enthralled with the manliness of Setsuna.

She's cute!

In a nutshell, Saji was placed in a prison colony (?) [I don't know much Japanese.] where Gundam Exia was also located. In a mission of stealth, Setsuna sought to retrieve the Gundam. There were hitches, however, namely A-LAWS. Louise was part of the invading A-LAWS force, yet it seems she still struggles with live battle. I believe she only forces herself to prove something to herself, but from what I’ve seen, she still has a hard time dealing with killing.

Setsuna is almost defeated, with parts of his Gundam being torn with the A-LAWS’ attacks, but Tieria comes and saves the day, with wonderful and beautiful fighting. After being rescued, Saji pieces the puzzle together and realize that Setsuna is a Gundam meister. He then blames Setsuna, not knowing it was that bitch Nena who killed Louise’s family and Ali who killed his sister. Tieria approaches Saji afterward and tells him that he should be thankful to Setsuna for saving him.

What an awesome first episode. It totally drove my withdrawal for Geass out.

P.S. The OP by UVERworld is just so damn awesome.

P.P.S. For the TV-size mp3 of the OP, click here.