Lunacy Divine

Sep 6 2012, 03:35 PM

I find it surprising that Hong Rong did a much better job in heading the animation this time than in that stiff-looking Mifune vs. Hanzou episode. Maybe there were different key animators involved? Whatever the case, I liked it - nice use of colors and that nighttime glow effect, on-model artwork, surprisingly good animation, fitting music placement and beautiful night scenery that we usually don't see in such a predominantly daytime story. Zetsu Neji's evil smirk was also a nice plus.

The suspenseful, horror-flick-inspired story themes in this episode offered a different but refreshing change of pace for the series and was executed exceptionally well; turns out the creeper was just a socially awkward guy with a crush and the murderer was a fabricated Neji. What I liked even more than that though was how additionally suspenseful the not-so-emphasized scenes were, like how the dialogue between Itachi and Nagato or Shikaku's nervousness provided more subtle ominous tones for the war. Essentially, the arc's entire theme has changed into a more subdued and dangerous one in its night phase. I can dig it.

With the exception of last week, Pierrot is doing this arc justice. The only grating thing about this episode was my having to continuously witness Sakura's mindless infatuation over a guy who clearly wants nothing to do with her and in fact tried to kill her. I know she's only 16, but that's just unhealthy.

Aesthetic Rating: 4/5
Story Rating: 4/5
Overall Score: 8/10