In this week’s installment…

AAAAAHHH! This season is already almost over! This year is already almost over! We have some fun year-in-review posts lined up starting tomorrow, but in the mean time there is still good anime to talk about. Girlish Number and Yuri On Ice are nearly complete, but strong episodes from Classicaloid and March Comes In Like a Lion make me happy they will be continuing into next season.

Some shows require more words than others. Check out our full coverage of: 
Sound! Euphonium 2 | Flip Flappers | Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable

Jel: It was only a matter of time before Chitose got her just deserts. I’m still not sold on trying to sympathize with her, but I must admit the post ED scene where we finally see behind the bravado was pretty good. Has she been hiding all that insecurity behind false confidence? I guess that’s usually the case with people like her so it makes sense. I can’t tell if we’re supposed to be having a similar change of heart with Kuzu (I’m not) but I do know Chitose’s new manager is almost as annoying as he is. Hard work is great and all but that dude needs some sedatives or something.

Girlish Number – So is Koto considered “too old” for a sexy Santa suit?

Artemis: I don’t have a whole lot to say about this episode of Yuri on Ice, given that it was mainly setup for the grand finale. What I will say is that it’s a testament to how expertly Yuri handles its sports aspects of the series that my heart still speeds up every time anyone (but especially Yuri himself) performs a routine. With a couple of minor changes, these are the same two routines we’ve seen since episodes 3 and 4 respectively, yet I still tense up in anticipation of how well they’re executed. And with the pressure mounting, not only for Yuri but for all our competitors – with even the supremely self-possessed JJ failing to live up to his own expectations – that anticipation has finally reached its peak. It’s now up to the last episode to deliver on all that tension, both on and off the ice, and while I have confidence that a series of Yuri’s caliber can pull it off… yup, my heart’s speeding right back up again.

Yuri On Ice – “KING JJ” sounds like a cool 80s super robot

Jel: This episode was pure, no frills comedy gold and I loved it. The best part is nothing really happened. In a world where genetic reicarnations of famous classical music composers have joined the modern day with magical super powers, I’ve had the most fun I’ve ever had with this show watching them try to do household chores. It’s a testament to the good writing and directing that they can basically through these lovable weirdos into any situation and it will probably be funny. I was also happy to find out Classicaloid will be running through next season, so I’m looking forward to more episodes like this.

Jel: Just as I was happy that last week’s match had a somewhat positive outcome, I’m glad that this one did not. I was already disappointed that the premise (Kyouko dropping info to throw Rei off his game) was nearly identical to last episode, so having the same outcome would have only made my disappointment worse. That said, the payoff in the end was worth it. Rei’s emotional outburst felt completely deserved, a moment we’ve been building up to since the first episode and a fine mid-series climax to achieve before continuing into next season. Now we just need to get this boy back to his support system for a healthy dose of unconditional love.