Rail Wars!

Idiot plot, idiotic fanservice, contrived stupidity of everyone present (aiming on comrade with unlocked gun, really Aoi?)

Worst episode so far.

Koumi focuse episode. Just as ridiculous as the previous one, but dumber. Yup, Sakurai's episode was better.

x5 Guess I wasn't the only one who thought of the Mikuru comparison. I'm not sure even being from the future could make Koumi interesting however.

I'm guessing they were just told not to come to work, as there didn't seem to be anything keeping them at home. Although it seems weird that the entire group (including the ones who had nothing to do with it, like Lida and Koumi) were suspended.

It was amusing that they never figured out where the feline assassins came from.

edited 9th Aug '14 8:39:18 AM by kiukiuclk

Will you continue watching, or will you drop it?

Of course I will continue, this show has lot to offer (like Aoi, trains and pleasant fanservice). As long as it doesn't fail deliver on every front like this time regularly I will not give up on it.

edited 11th Aug '14 12:11:24 AM by Tenzen12

I stopped watching since it wasn't having enough trains, personally.

The way he asked Sakurai if she was part of his harem was pretty funny.

It has been so obvious he wants to be a driver. And she tries to ruin it over petty shit.

And then all that stuff at the end is the exact reason harem stuff is really unappealing, they function off of completely avoidable misunderstandings and straight up lies.

This show is prolly gonna end with Takayama giving up his lifelong dreams just to keep the harem happy,sigh.

edited 15th Aug '14 12:19:49 AM by jedi1113

Episode 7: In which I still don't get why Takayama is popular.

Shit, Takayama never tell a girl that she's part of your harem, that's basic etiquette!

Well now, Shou (I still had to check his name) has a personality trait. A single one that makes it look like he could be replaced with a squad dog, but still.

I know Aoi has good intentions but I can't help but think that a guy who can't fight, shoot, run and who gets knocked out by warm water might not be quite up to par to be a security officer.

Anime Cliche back-story #35: "This guy saved my life when I was a kid so I decided to do the same things he does."

Aww, man Aoi looks so cute in civilian clothes also.

Wow Haruka, that's... quite an outburst right there. Jumping to conclusions much? Also, possessiveness issues much?

Noa showed up. I like her but... is she really there for any other reason than making the situation more sticky? And why is Nana trolling Takayama in the first place?

You know, I think I liked this show better when it was about them taking care off emergencies rather than eye rolling harem antics.

Episode 7:

• How gutsy of you asking Aoi if she's a part of your harem, Takayama.
• Cool, Shou got a lot of lines this time. The problem? They basically all amounted to his one true love: Foodstuffs! Darn! At this rate, he won't be getting a spotlight episode at all!
• Hey, Aoi? I think it's better if Takayama became a driver. You know, since he's not really good at security stuff like you are. But...hey, this shows that you don't wanna be separated from him. ...Yay?
• No, really, Mari's just awesome.
• Nice looking outfits, Haruka and Aoi. Sweet.
• Noa, why are you here? Haruka was not pleased^note After last episode, she's been quite...possessive of Takayama, huh?. Neither was Aoi. And Takayama has some explaining to do. I'll just take a deep breath and say... IIIIIIIIIDAAAAAAAAA!

edited 16th Aug '14 1:05:22 AM by Diamite

They're all getting protective...

Real Life notes time:

• In Real Life, the Usui Pass section of the Shin'etsu Main Line was closed in 1997 due to the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen.
• Still, over half of the JNR Class EF63 bankers survive.

Stop, stop, I almost learned something here!

Episode 8:

So it turns out Noa appearance was completely pointless and had nothing to do with the rest of the arc. Not impressed.

But hey, there's actually a crisis this time! That's what I hoped for. And this time they actually drive a train... er, something that rides on tracks at least.

Still can't take Takayama seriously as a leader, but at least he's trying. In fact this is probably the best episode in that regard yet, since for once everyone is useful instead of Aoi doing all the actual work by herself.

The actual action was pretty awesome too, what with counterweighting the train with their own bodies.

"Anywhere I stand is dangerous." Way to go Aoi.

And it's not over yet, huh? Well this series just went back to being interesting.

Watching episodes 8 and 9 together was fantastic! Takayama shows his chops, and everyone was all around great!

Not enough Noa, sadly...

Takayama/Sakurai UST was off the charts too...

This arc finally showed that he actually isn't totally useless.

The action was great, and I liked the stunts they pulled. Man, railways are hardcore.

And yes, Takayama/Sakurai was steaming more than the cart.

Well it's first time he is in his element, he was never aiming to be part of security, that is something pushed on him.

It's just shows he really should continue pursue his dream.

Meet the Prince:

• No need for Notes this week...
• That's a high-end Private School^note  Probably a "Public School" you attended, Koumi.
• Takayama really relies on Sakuri, doesn't he? And it's you, Takayama, YOU!!

• In other news, looks like the author of the LNs doesn't like this adoption. They Just Didn't Care.

edited 6th Sep '14 6:22:39 AM by Greenmantle

Don't worry Takayama, Sakurai will make a man out of you.

Boy, is Takayama dense. That was some obvious flirting right here. I mean "I should prove to you I'm great at massages"? Get a clue man!

Aoi is an independent woman, thank you very much.

And suddenly the prince is already there with no explanation.

Oh boy, another train nerd.

Aoi, takes things solo, also gives Declaration Ofprotection to Takayama. What a gal!

And now lets spend some time running around train.

Wait, shouldn't a Prince have more protection than a single rookie team of security forces?

Yes "...unless something horrible happens." But what are the odds?

...Pretty good as it turns out.

Wait, he's a girl?! Why, she has four older brothers, why is there a need for her to pretend to be a dude? And oh yeah, now an actual princess has crush on Takayama too.

In Japan the smallest bit of water on your skin will lead to catching a cold... even if you are in a warm room.

Bad guys attack, and they mean business. Shou counterattacks with his own stunt baton.

Takayama did pretty good for withstanding the taser. He's bit less of a wimp now. But things still look grim, until...

FUCK YEAH, SAKURAI! She's here to save the day!

Not gonna lie, most of this episode was pretty boring compared to the last one, but things picked up at the end. Next one should be pretty exciting.

I admit, that lack of security on the princess was pretty sad. Should have been at least 1 guy I would think. Of course, her attackers were just as incompetent, so it works out I guess.

The Captain Obvious Reveal with the prince was pretty funny. But yeah....I really don't see what the point of it was in the first place.

I would agree. Pretty dull other than the Aoi parts.

It's not like the first episode of the previous arc was stellar either, but it turned out great, so I'm not losing hope here.

Episode 10:

• They're escorting royalty this time.
• Bernina's such a train nut. Just like Takayama.
• Mari's always having some convenient training that conveniently lands her where Defense Four is. Not that I'm complaining, more Mari's appreciated.
• ...Just had to raise a flag huh, Bernina?
• ...And you're a girl. I half-expected that. Well, Haruka has nothing to worry about now. ...Then again... Takayama was pretty funny there.
• Killer suits attack. And Shou burns some muscle.
• Heh, Aoi trained you well, Takayama. Being tasered everywhere, yet you didn't falter.
• And thus, to reward your effort... Epic Aoi Knee! I was wondering when you'd show up!

Okay, this was great.

Episode 11: In which Princess serves marginal role.

You know, if she had time to get between them, she could have just kicked the guy from behind... whatever, it's more dramatic like that or something.

I can't believe that leaving your most useless teammate in the room that you thought might be attacked turned out badly... no wait, I'm not, because that was a retarded plan. Why is this guy the leader again?

Sakurai calling him out was nice. It's good that someone can think straight around there.

Wow, the central is kinda useless, isn't it? What happened to the Death Squad from second episode?

That's you plan? Dressing Takayama as the Prince and hoping the kidnappers are color blind?

Bye Princess, you won't be missed.

Oh look, it worked, that was easy.

Aoi really is serious about protecting him. What a gal!

I liked how one scene Koumi is dramatically screaming their names, and then it cuts to them sitting with bored look on their faces.

Dem legs.... uh, I mean, that was really nice moment they had there. And in the end Aoi did end up carried by her Prince.

Aoi is inarguably the best girl... scratch that the best thing about this show. I really like that she's getting so much attention.

The final episode doesn't sound too amazing, to be honest, but maybe they'll surprise us. I'm already hoping for a second season.

- sees the first cover of the novel-

.... oh it's THAT guy!

Man, the people you find out has an anime made of their work!

Episode 11:

• Heh, Shou was right. What bunch of amateurs. The real enemy was the runaway train.
• Still, Takayama dressing up as a prince was a good idea. Now, where was the wig that would've made things more convincing?
• More Taka/Aoi support. Oh, and remember the whole prince talk you had with Mari? Your words, Aoi!
• The final episode's gonna be focusing on Iida? Hm, an odd place for catching the spotlight.

Episode 12:

Wow, this was an underwhelming final episode if I ever saw one.

Nothing interesting happens, they just ride the train and do some minor maintenance work on it. Iida gets more (very weird time to give it to her) but we don't really get to know her better so it feels wasted. Takayam has only limited contact with the rest of the team, which brings his dullness out to the forefront as he had no one to play off him.

The episode ends with a small gathering that seems to be there to remind us that Takayama is inexplicably popular with women, even by anime standards.

This was not an atrocious episode, but as the final it's just weak, weak, weak. In my personal opinion, if the episode order was rearranged, with this one put somewhere in the middle, and the series ended up with the Princess two-parter (or even Organ delivery story) it would work out much better, and this could end up on a high note, instead of kind of fizzling out.

On the series as a whole.... I enjoyed it. Yeah, the main character can be annoying, very many things just don't make sense, and the harem elements seem unnecessary, but despite that it's a very fun experience. The strong points include Sakurai, exciting action sequences, beautiful art, and interesting train trivia. The series is hurt a bit by lack of general plot direction, but individual stories are for most part good enough that it isn't a major grievance.

Over all I would give this series a solid 7 out of 10 and a "Would like a second season, but won't hold my breath" stamp.

I'll probably watch it again sometime in a year or two.