UN-GO Episode 10

the drama heats up in this episode as Kaishou appears as a witness in the case concerning the explosion he survived. So much happens, however, that i will leave out the spoilers.

Suffice to say, the ramping up of the narrative that took place in the last episode continues full speed in this one. It looks like Un Go, for all my up and down feelings about it, is going for a strong finish.

My one concern is that this show is driving toward some kind of narrative arc resolution, but has too much to resolve. This has reminded me, off and on, of Dantalian no Shoko, but that show didn't strive for a complete narrative. it was far more content to be episodic and intriguing.

I don't have terribly high hopes for the wrap up and half expect a half-baked resolution, but i am willing to be surprised.

Rating: A-

UN-GO Episode 9

Kaishou decides to take part in a TV debate about his company, JJ Systems. All his biggest critics and opponents are there.

ah, the eternal question.

Around the same time, a figure called Full Circle has been releasing information about Kaishou's life and company and makes a statement that Kaishou may be trying to kill off his opponents.

At the TV broadcast, the station blows up, with Kaishou inside. But at the same time, Rie sees him leave the house. What on earth is going on? And where has Bettenou, the one who can make lies the truth, gone?

All the while, Inga has been acting strange and has been wandering off for long periods of time. What on earth is happening?

This part 1 episode of the arc sets up a curious little quandry. I am still not totally sure about what is going on. But by the end, Shinjirou seems pretty convinced he understands.

I generally like this show, but there is some weight that is laking. We get some semblence of character development, but it never really goes that far. The plot is interesting, but it crowds out the characters in it. I mean, what do we know about Kaishou, Rie, Shinjirou, etc. other than how they handle cases?

this episode is awesome!

Rating: B+

UN-GO Episode 8

We are back in the plot arc where Shinjirou his stuck in some kind of alternate space while Inga and Kazamori are searching for a way to find him.

search mode!

They bring in Rie to help, but Kazamori is struggling with the firewall that is keeping Shinjirou trapped. Turns out he is in a prison and his acquantainces try to spring him free, but Rie and the Prosecutor get drawn in as well.

"I don't know what to do. I'm just a plushie."

Inga figures out it is another powerful kami named Bettenou who can cast a spell on people. But Kazamori isn't going to be beaten that easily.

As soon as Shinjirou is back to himself, things begin to unravel quickly. And the ending isn't what you would expect. Except the killer is female. Again. What the hell.

WATCH AFTER THE CREDITS HOLY CRAP.

Rating: B+

UN-GO Episode 7

I was so tripped out by this episode that I forgot to take screenshots.
That, and half the shots would have been of people in the underwear.
gotta keep my standards up.

This ep picks up directly from the conversation with the "novelist" with the creepy girl standing behind him.

said novelist and creepy girl.

We then suddenly find Shinjirou working on a moving set of some post-war type film. He is working with three young actresses (as the camera man) and with a director who seems a little off his nut.

But Shinjirou seems more concerned about what mystery it is he is supposed to solve.

There is an odd, post-modern feel to this episode. It is a little disjointed and while you know what's going on, you never really know what's going on. And one of the central questions centers on interpretation.

This a big WTF episode, though the hints are pretty strong that it has a "Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" type situation.

Rating: B

UN-GO Episode 6

It is becoming more apparent that one of the "bad guys" (as coarse a term as that is) may be Kaishou (the computer detective dude who seems to run everything from behind th scenes).

this is always a pertinent question.

So, of course, they pull in Kaishou's daughter to figure the guy out. The case is such that a certain Professor Kajima was given a book supposedly from Kaishou's own collection that somehow had a piece of the professor's manusrcipt paper in it.

requisite creepy Inga pic.

Rie has an obvious thing for Shinjirou, which is always fun to watch. Other people's awkwardness is great.

It comes out that the professor's wife is involved as well as Kaishou and the professor's children are somehow missing...but why? and how it is all tied together?

The case this time is a bit more tricky and the ending has a great cliff-hanger. It seems there are some other shadow players in this game.

What was my dad doing?

Rating: A-

dun dun dun!

Un Go Episode 5

With the new character Komamori in tow, we start out at a funeral for a group of students killed in a terrorist act. The one doing so is a slightly wacked rightist with a bad reputation.

Central to the whole event is the unveiling of a magnificent commemorative statue. Only the statue holds a deadly secret.

And of course one of the prime suspects is this weeks bishoujo. Figures.

But something changes this go round. Shinjurou screws up. And it forces him to do some soul searching.

This ep is a little erratic. In order to cover a ton of ground, it raced through the first half, almost a little too fast. But then it evened out in the end. Still, though the case was a bit more complicated (or, less...my initial guess was still right) the interesting narrative is the background one, and it is moving a bit slow.

However, big plus for the bit more information on why Inga and Shinjurou work together. So that was cool.

Rating: B

Un Go Episode 4

well, something's hit the fan.

We continue with the Kazamori murder. Only, there IS no Kazamori! But someone died. So, who was it?

This episode finally delivers on what the promise this show has shown all along. As i mostly suspected, the easy to figure out cases were less for the brain tease and more to build intrigue. All that finally gets rolling and we dive down the distopian/authoritarian rabbit hole.

Mr. Anderson. wait, wrong show...

Finally! Turn the corner, slam the gas pedal! Each episode more and more of the back story intrudes on the action. Twisted politics, unholy alliances, and a promising new character.

Requisite creepy Inga shot.

And Inga's crazy level seems to go up each episode.

Kazamori's a chick? uh, kinda...

Rating: A

Un Go Episode 3

We open in the household of some super weird family, complete with strange, 20th Century Boys type head coverings and chanting prayers. You can just taste the family intrigue.

another damsel in distress.

Then someone spontaneously combusts.

Everyone seems oddly calm about the burning guy in the middle of the yard. This apparently happens alot. Thus opens our mystery. Again, the case is pretty easy to figure out. But this episode felt "tighter" and the production is still high quality.

Inga. still creepy.

We do get to see more of the time/place setting with war torn landscape and soldiers and a few flashbacks. This aspect to me seems to be more of what the show is going to be ultimately about, so it was encouraging to see a shift in the balance toward this part of the story and away from the cases as the only component of the narrative.

Except when she (it?) is like this.

Rating: B

subtle. very subtle.

UN-GO Episode 2

future Vocaloid otaku! they're so cuuuute. The relaese of a new synthetic singer's song is put on hold. A famous producer turns up dead in a suitcase. She leaves behind a daughter with a pristine voice. How are they connected? Just wait and see.

I was a little disappointed with this episode. Like the last, the case itself was a little too easy to figure out. There was a bit more setting development and revelation as to who Inga and Shinjirou are, but everything felt a bit rushed.

There is also an interesting wrinkle developing in this series. It creates a deal of moral ambiquity wherein criminals get away with their crimes (as is perhaps inherent in Inga's power - as a supernatural ability, it doesn't leave much in the way of evidence). I don't know how i feel about that and it is left hanging in the narrative.