天下制覇

Never split the difference.

Impressions:

A decently solid episode, but despite having the girls strutting around in bathing suits for the last part, it faltered a little bit at the end. I think I probably enjoyed the middle part the most. Itoshiki and Kafuka were almost completely absent from the main events, leaving Nami to explain everything that was going on and that just felt… weird. The "third choice" bit was pretty much classical SZS though. I’m a little surprised that they didn’t get too much into the compromise use of it to make sure neither side of an arbitration ‘won,’ but I’ll survive. They also answered my question as to what they’re going to do with the "Draw Zetsubou Sensei" when they run out of VAs. It’s not a pretty sight. It does make me wonder if Shaft’s hitting on hard financial times though. Between the two minutes here of minimal animation at the start and end of every episode and Bakemonogatari’s massive use of stills and pans, the effort they’re putting into actually animating these shows is at an all time low.

The first part was about flipping people’s switches, although Kafuka and Itoshiki were underground and physically flipping them as well. Part two was about when you can’t decide between two things, and then end up splitting the difference and picking the third choice, something you obviously didn’t want. It’s even more of a mouthful in Japanese. Part 3 was the continuation of Itoshiki’s travel struggles. Quite a bit more focused on the sort of obvious mistaken identity thing that the last couple bits have been, but still less directed than the other two parts.

ZSZS OP