T_T all around this week. Super drama-drama with some filler at the beginning (not super bad ?-egg filler, but still filler). Starting now I won’t be able to have as much fun watching Shugo Chara since fillers are going to be coming where I expected them to. Darn it. I just had a few weeks break from all of my crying emoticons you jerks.

That aside, at least we have a new opening and ending to talk about to take our minds off of stuff. I like both better than the last two (though Buono’s endings are almost always great~)

Also…omg more screencap overload than ever. Sorry.

Oh yeah, also before anything else I wanted to apologize for not replying to comments for the past couple of weeks. I get too busy and then I just space out when I have free time (I really want to answer quite a few from last week too *pout*) but I’ll try to stay on top of it this week!

Also, because of my screencap overload, I left out some comments I would have made otherwise because I had to get rid of some screencaps. But I’m still on a blog slowdown you know! It’s good that I’m just blogging at all!

-

Opening: Guardians 4 – “Omakase Guardians”

Well, it’s still pretty typical for what the openings have evolved into (I miss “Minna Daisuki” ), but it’s a heck of a lot better than “Shugo! Shugo!” and I’d say better than “Minna no Tamago” too. It’s cutesy as expected, but I find it the good sort of cute. It’s catchy, but not really irritating. At least…I haven’t felt like throwing stuff out the window while watching it. I’ve missed my “Hop! Step! Jump!”s recently, but “Lucky~ Happy~” is almost as disgustingly (yet somehow wonderfully) catchy (just like Hop Step Jump). As usual, the lyrics go along with the anime pretty well. This one taking the, “I’m a Cool & Spicy  magical girl that just had two boys confess to me” route. lol

We can say the new group passed just by being better than Shugo Chara Egg was. (And ZOMG! There was no dancing in the opening! Hurray!!!)

Now it’s not “dramatic” by any means like fans wanted for Ikuto’s arc. But that’s okay because judging by the opening alone we’re in for fillers for a while (wait! That’s not okay!!! ). Ikuto only shows up three times in the opening and only twice is he noticeable. And the only time where he shows up nearby Amu outside of her dream is when she can’t see him at the end.

And oh god that end shot. What that says to me is: Yup it’s Ikuto’s arc, but we’re not getting to it yet. Which I knew and expected, but still. But still!

*sigh* Moving past my agony, I’d say the highlight of the opening animation is Utau~ Since we don’t get any more pure Amuto moment. It’s always Tadamuto meh. Though at least I can give major props for the moment with our two boys reaching out to Amu is like Shugo Chara fangirl overload. Amu agrees too it seems.

But Utau~ Since she’s the highlight for me I took some extra screencaps. Spiral twintails Utau is so pretty. And I love her dress. So great.

Another fun inclusion was Kukai and Nikaidou doing Bara-Bara~nsu (lol wtf random).

So the whole animation follows Amu on her quest to catch the embryo after seeing it while shopping, passing by all of her friends, then stopping to do her mahou shoujo stuff (because Lulu is stupid and needs to go away). Then she ends up in a dream at some point where she gets woken up after her bishie overload and is surrounded by her friends. Um…well it was cute? I still want something more original though. Maybe the last opening will be able to give me a “kyaa~” moment like Minna Daisuki (It better! It’s the last opening so it has to hint at the ending!).

-

Ending: Buono! – “My Boy”

Oh god so cute. I love all of Buono’s songs, but this one is really just so cute! Well, not the song, that actually has a bit of a different sound than their usual songs (and I like it), but the animation is so cute. It’s the cutest yet!

The song sounds a little different than usual which is actually good since the songs were starting to sound too similar. Now this one breaks that with a different sound (and it’s got a really good bead)

Yoru picks on Amu’s chara like usual~ But then a bunch of dark stuff comes out to chase him and he runs and runs. Until he’s all depressed and sees some shooting stars and starts chasing them. Then he finds Amu’s charas who reach out to him him. D’aww. (Yoru’s got a harem of loving charas~ lol)

Is it the overactive fangirl in me that sees this as an Amuto ending in a way? Well it can’t just be me, because if you look at the lyrics…

Maybe I was wrong to pretend not to see your worries.
It’s okay if you can’t tell me everything.
With that dark look on your face, go ahead and scream dark things.
You shouldn’t leave all those heavy feelings inside.
Ride on!

If you don’t… If it’s like that…
You couldn’t tell me if you wanted to, huh?
I get it.
I’m sure your circumstances will change one day.
That time will come! That time is now!

Don’t you want to have someone say congratulations to you once in your life?
Doesn’t the breeze feel nice today?
Even if you feel like it’s all you can do to survive…
You can make your life into something you enjoy. It’s so nice!
“Everything’s for you.”
How about that?
My boy!

Ikuto came to mind pretty easily with a lot of the lines. Actually, more than an Amuto ending I’d say it’s an Amuto ending for Ikuto’s arc specifically (aww…I made myself sad). After all, Ikuto’s our lonely boy keeping everything inside (and he needs a good hug!). Oh so sad.

Plus it’s also Yoru (who is actually in a tough situation too…poor kitty). So yeah. I see Amuto in this ending (too bad I don’t actually see it because the lack in the opening is killing me!).

-

Summary

When Amu gets home, Ikuto is lounging around like usual and Amu thinks there’s no way that he’s a black cat that brings misfortune. Then the usual Amuto-ness ensues~ (Ikuto tricks Amu so he can glomp onto her, lolz~). Downstairs Amu has a fun, active family dinner which makes Ikuto upstairs think of his family.

At school, the Guardians have an interview for the school newspaper and after a lot of typical guardian oddness the younger kids get attached to the “raburabu” story of the couple in the guardians (Amu x Tadase, not Rima x Nagi *sigh~*). At the end of the day, Tadase asks Amu out on a date for later that day. Amu goes home very excited, until she sees Ikuto (she forgot he was there).

Amu makes Ikuto take a shower since her family is out, but her mom comes home so Amu has to stay in the bathroom. She has her charas get her clothes so she can get ready for her date. When she tells Ikuto not to come out while she’s changing and he listens, she starts thinking about how Ikuto gives her a hard time, but he’ll still help her and such. Then after they’re both done changing, they get ready to sneak out, but Amu’s mom is waiting outside.

Amu’s mom talks to them in the kitchen. Ikuto offers to leave, but Amu says that he can’t because he’s not feeling well. Amu’s mom then surprises them by saying she understands, but was just disappointed that Amu didn’t trust her enough to tell her. She says Ikuto will have to leave, but for that night she’ll set him up to stay in a hotel. (Amu’s mama is the best~)

While Amu is packing things up for Ikuto leaving, she starts to think that she’ll miss him. Then Ikuto talks about how Amu has a family that watches over her and how it must be nice. But then Tadase arrives because he was worried something happened to Amu. Amu goes out to meet him, but Ikuto reveals himself and makes fun of Tadase’s confession from before. Tadase leaves, very hurt and Amu shouts at Ikuto leave.

When Yoru and Ikuto leave, Yoru says that he knows why Ikuto said that, to make sure Amu got mad so her family could stay out of it. Then they get trapped by some idiots from Easter.

Amu runs around looking for Tadase, but can’t find him. She starts crying because she’s never hurt anyone that much before.

-

Thoughts

Luckily our sad episode has a lot of fangirling moments too. So let’s go~

One more slap for the road! *slap~*

This time it’s pretty selfish though, because it makes me feels less bad about what happens later in the episode if I remind myself of what an arse Tadase has been lately. He needs a good shocking drama to get him to snap out of his stupidity (Tadase you’re being stupid! And because of that is the only reason why you fall for what happens later!)

This is the black cat of misfortune. Ooo~ Scary~

“I wanted to see you be a little happy or something…” *mumblemumble*

Oh Amu, it’s just too fun putting words in your mouth.

Ehe~ This is a screencap that pretty much speaks for itself. After weeks of fangirl reactions, Amu and I finally have the same expression from something.

No one can resist the charms of an adorable kitty Ikuto!

*sudden worrying*

Cute~

*grumpy* “Hey pay attention to me! I’m worried about you!”

Amuto interactions are really the best. This feels like such an odd place to fangirl on it, but I love how they’ve become even more comfortable with each other after their time as roomies.

Ikuto’s being Ikuto and Amu’s keeping him in line while being Amu. It’s cute~

Plus it’s fun to see Amu taking care of Ikuto after all of the times that he’s helped here. Ehe~

“Oh good. You’re not that hurt.” *smilesmilesmile* *is so happeh~*

So naturally Ikuto’s thought process now is: She totally let her guard down. Time to tease~

Ahaha~ Of course I think it’s a little more than just being given an opportunity. I’ve started noticing that Ikuto really likes teasing Amu when she’s worrying about him. I think it’s for two reasons! One, he doesn’t want her to keep worrying. Two, since Ikuto likes Amu it’s natural that the girl he likes worrying about him would make him uncomfortable (in a good way~) so he teases her to get her back in tsun mode.

The second reasons is even more aww-worthy, so I’m keeping them both as factual truths!!!

Anyway…the teasing~

*glomp*

XD Looking at Ikuto’s expression during this is great. You can tell that he’s up to something right away. Silly gullible Amu let her guard down because she was worried. Like Ikuto would specifically point out that he’s hurt to Amu. The only way she gets to find out and help if she does it herself.

Ahahaha~ She really is. But you shouldn’t tease her too much Ikuto~ Amu’s been getting suspicious and more on her guard lately.

And I think Ikuto would agree. He enjoys teasing Amu too much and he can’t do that unless she easy to trick.

lol. Again. Doesn’t Ami ever knock? (Little girls~ They’re so cute and have no time for privacy)

Oh gawd poor Yoru. Another boy in Shugo Chara was forced into girls clothes. Only a few are still safe now…

And aww…Ikuto smiling at Amu’s happy sibling antics.

It’s okay Ikuto. You get to join this family and then you can put your awesome onii-san skills to use. (Try to be less awesome this time though because we can’t have any more little sister falling in love with you, ‘kay?)

And the happy family downstairs~ It seems like it’s so fun at dinnertime in the Hinamori family. (Poor Papa though~ He gets traumatized by his daughters and their prince fangirling)

And poor Ikuto listening to the happy family downstairs.

One of the many T_T-inducing things in this episode was how much we were reminded of Ikuto’s family situation. I want a happy ending already!!! Happiness everywhere! Family reunions everywhere!!!

*gasp* *immediately distracted by supreme cuteness*

Oh gawd this is just too freakin’ cute!!! How old are they? So cute and small and ah! I want to pinch their cute little cheeks. Come to Fuyu-neechan little children so I can hug you~ Ohohoho~

But a happy memory of watching your dad play the violin, eh Ikuto? Hehehe. Fuyu sees through it all.

Ikuto’s just mad at his dad because he left the family, but he doesn’t dislike his father at all. Ohoho~ As if him taking good care of the violin wasn’t proof enough already. Now we get to see him thinking of his family and missing it (hmm~ I wonder if this is Ikuto real wish rather than to be free).

Ehe. Ikuto’s so cute though. He’s just the typical boy, pretending like he doesn’t care about his dad that left them behind because he was strong enough to take care of things on his own.

Thinking about this stuff is making me daydream about Ikuto’s reunion with his father. I’ll bet Aruto is another person he can’t quite stand up to in his usual cool~ “I’m better than you” way. After all, Aruto is the original Tsukiyomi! (or at least the oldest one we’ve seen so…yeah)

Um yeah. This has gotten old now guys. Remember what I said about one-joke parts getting lame if they happen too often. Well now that it’s especially been happening a lot in the course of a few episodes…yeah. It got old. Cut it out. I don’t want to get bored with someone as awesome as Rima so make her do more awesome Rima-ish things!

Watching Nagi lose his cool is so much fun. I love my normally calm, cool boys getting all messed-up. I love my girls doing that too acutally, and hey with our trap it’s like two for once!

…Okay I’ll stop with the trap jokes…for now. (Because I have no more for today)

YEAH! That’s more like my Rima! You tell that little kid how do your favorite gags RIGHT!

Nothing less than perfection is expected!!!

You earn a teeny bit of the respect that I lost with all your “Ikuto is so bad” emo-ing last week. Asking Amu out on a date like that was pretty good.

It’s just too bad that I even find this to be basic “school-age crush” in moments like this too.

Oh wait. Well for honesty I guess I have to say it’s not too bad at all. The shipper in me is so very happy. HAHAHA!

*ahem* But I’ll let my ebil little inner-shipper take a rest for today. One little poke is enough for today.

orz

Okay…one more…

As a girl I have to say, this much fangirling excitement at the beginning of a relationship even though you’ve known each other for a while is bad. I remember being in junior high school and when my friend got together with her guy friend and was acting all disgustingly excited whenever he was mentioned.

But then that fades. Quick. Basically you get too excited early on and then you go from, “ZOMG~ This is so fun~” to boredom. After you do everything and have nothing to get excited about, then you two have to sit down and talk and you suddenly realize that you’ve never even really done that with just the two of you. -_-;

It’s kind of like being in love with love and being happy that your crush finally returned your feelings. But once that fades, what are you going to have left?

Well…I give Shugo Chara props right now for making it pretty realistic though. This is something I really saw back in Junior High and in 6th grade, back with kids the same age as Amu and Tadase. The age where you think, “Well, I like this person” and that’s enough.

However, I would say that the realistic rules totally apply here because this is fiction and more importantly, shoujo. Because of that Tadase still has his chance.

tsun~

Amu has to be all poser-ish when talking with Ikuto, huh? Hmm…how can I (inappropriately) over-analyze this.

…Well I think the fact that I made the decision to over-analyze at all means I see something to pick at so I’ll leave it there. (DX Shut up I’m tired!)

That’s my kitty boy! Even Tadase will be a tool to bother Amu so you can make her all flustered (then get ticked off that she was flustered about Tadase and so punish her with cuddling).

Super Amu is back with her super Ikuto rag-doll carrying strength!

Oh Amu…so scary~ Where’s my adorable tsuntsun?

Oh wait. Let’s have Ikuto bring it out.

XD

Ikuto, you’re just way too great. He says it so casually, like he’s totally serious and is trying to figure out how to get around the fact that there’s not enough space.

Ah! I love it! It seems there’s always one more thing Ikuto can think of to make sure Amu gets embarrassed even if she’s used to his teasing.

Aww…Amu…she’s getting better at holding back her blushing and just letting out her anger. This makes me sad.

“S-stupid Ikuto. Saying things to get me embarrassed and all I can do is get angry.”

Oh there it is~ Too bad Ikuto can’t see it. (Aww, this makes me sad again.)

“It’s not like I want to be in here…”
…*gasp*
“No! I aabsolutely, really don’t want that!” *maximum embarrassment*

Tsundere Amu at her best. Trying to hide that Ikuto has her feeling all dokidoki. (More d’aww-ing is in order)

She’s so much fun to poke fun at. Amu-chan~ If she stopped getting embarrassed, I think I’d feel like I really lost something.

Because the fangirls want to see it. That is all.

Awww…Ikuto~ You really know that he’s really a nice, noble boy. Always rescuing Amu and then telling her to grow up (uh…when it’s said that way it doesn’t specifically sound noble or whatever, but it’s the same, more vague way of saying, “I’ll wait for you” …zomg aww!).

*ahem* Anyway~ I know I’ve talked about this before, but having it said in the anime is something that really deserves a mention. It’s like…one of the rare things Amu still had to completely figure out about Ikuto. He’ll tease her, but not when she really wants him to stop. He knows she loves it.

And aww…deredere Amu. Why does she always have to go that way when Ikuto can’t see her! (Argh! Tsundere! As cute as tsunderes are, it is frustrating).

Oh yeah and I don’t like the “responsible” translation. “Responsible” sounds too open and not aww-inducing.  Amu could just be talking about Ikuto doing something else. Booo…the fangirl in me doesn’t approve.

Ah~! The amusement park scene! See! I knew that was like the most important Amuto moment we’ve had so far.

I actually don’t have much to add here. Except that what Amu just said totally backed up what we Amuto fans have been saying forever.

Swish~ That’s a three point game-winner I think. Ohoho~

Now the competitive bitch in me wants so specifically poke at other fans and say, “So now you prove why your couple has depth in a specific way of Amu saying how she’s understood by that…person” *being vague on purpose* But I doubt I have too many non-Amuto fans lurking around anyway so it’s not worth it.

But still…swish~

Yeah you tell him and let him know that he’s being a freakin’ idiot too. He deserves one of your, “You’re being stupid!” mahou shoujo speeches to snap him back out of non-stupidity.

“Alright so here’s the plan…”

“First we’ll crawl through the hallway. Then we’ll make a stop at the closet to listen for Mama. Then we’ll shimmy past my parent’s room. Stop to make sure we’re not being followed by anyone suspicious. Then we’ll leap over some toys Ami will have accidentally left in the hallway and quietly slip in to my room.”

Inner thoughts: ‘Then we’ll get back to some cuddling~ And I’ll pretend to be all tsuntsun.’

“Um…sure…”

Inner thoughts: ‘Whatever. As long as we get back to the room and I can glomp her when she drops her guard again.’

“Drats! Foiled before we’re even out the door.”

Inner thoughts: ‘Agh! Now I’ll never get my cuddle time!’

Aww! I wanted more cuddling!

…I really shouldn’t write posts when I’ve been up all night.

They look like a teenage couple that got caught by their parents when they were running away together to get eloped.

…What? That’s a totally legitimate and common situation. My fangirling has nothing to do with it!

Ehe~ But even if I’m exaggerating, they do look like a couple that got caught by their parents and now has to hear a talk. Which is exactly what’s happening! (My delusion is better though!)

Ikuto! You wonderful self-sacrificing boy! Like I said before, you’re so nice and noble (chivalrous! lol). We really got to see a lot of that this episode so I feel like such a proud fangirl.

But uh…stop it. I mean, I guess in this situation it’s fine to say you’ll leave (because, well, you’re really not supposed to be there), but stop it! Unless you stop doing things like that, you’re going to keep making girls cry. And that includes Amu, you stupid, wonderful boy!

Yay~ Amu standing up for Ikuto. Yeah! Standing up to her mom so that she can protect someone important to her (she wouldn’t let just any boy stay in her room I think~). She’s kind of growing up a little now isn’t she? *so proud again*

Oh, but Amu really didn’t have to stand up to her mom at all (it still counts though).

A pleasant surprise~

(For some reason I really, really like this screencap. They look like a couple, right? Ri~ght?)

Hinamori Midori love break! What a wonderful mother! We know where Amu gets her…everything from now. (lol, I can’t see anything coming from her father, except maybe her crazy overreactions? Yeah…that makes sense )

I really can’t say much else besides, Midori! You’re a wonderful mother! No wonder Amu is such a wonderful girl!

Trusting parents really are the best parents. You don’t want them to be too trusting, but parents with good kids should be able to trust their children. There’s not many things that feel better than knowing your parents trust you. As long as you’re living up to that trust, because otherwise you feel so guilty.

Like this. Poor Amu. It hurts when you disappoint your parents, doesn’t it? Especially right after you find out that they’re being so awesome and understanding.

(Ahaha~ Part of me wants to demand a hug from Amu-chan right now, but I’ll keep it low-key to preserve the mood)

Nuuu! Ikuto don’t leave!!!

But lol. Ikuto’s being so polite and nice. He sure knows what sort of personality to use in front of the parents, doesn’t he?

I really think that this is the real Ikut though. The nice (noble~) boy that we get to see when he’s not busy teasing someone (usually Amu so it’s okay).

It’s too bad they cut out Midori’s comment about Ikuto being a nice boy. *feeling grumpy*

Midori! Best Mama ever! The mother in her just has to take care of all kids in trouble.

(Oh I just made myself sad thinking of Souko who can’t do this right now )

Pleasant surprise again~

I think I like these shots because Amu and Ikuto have the same expressions. They really feel like a couple that wants the same thing when I see that. Oh I love it!

Awww…and Amu’s happy. So very, very happy. (Families are so great. Supporting you when you need them to.)

Hey, let’s pretend like the rest of the episode doesn’t happen and leave it with a happy Amu, okay?

…fine.

Yes you will. Heck Amu’s already looking a little lonely and he hasn’t even left yet. (Awww~ Amu-chan~)

Ikuto…finding such wonderful things about a family just because of a clean shirt. I don’t know if I want to cry or smile. Because, because, it’s a great thing for a family to be like that, but Ikuto notices because his family isn’t like that. Ah!!!

Ikuto really does show some of his best sides in this episode though. Now saying really great things like this. Why does this have to make it even tougher!?

And here we have our couple with more development than ever. I like Amu looking at Ikuto and noticing the new sides she’s gotten to see. (And noticing that she might miss him)

But ugh. This development isn’t given any time to properly sit in Amu’s head. Can I just pretend the episode ends here now?

…AGH! Fine!

lol. Midori letting Tadase go right up. It always occurred to me as strange that she might not think there could be a little love triangle going on here since she’s been so smart about everything else.

But oh well. For the sake of plot!

That’s pretty confident for you Tadase. Normally what would go through someone’s mind when they’re waiting on their first date is that they were stood up. But you think that nothing but a horrible accident could keep Amu away from you. Pretty confident, eh?

… *is still bitter from last week*

Nuuu! Ikuto don’t do it! Not because it’ll hurt Tadase (What? He needs some reality snapped into him!), but because it’s going to be bad for you and it’s going to hurt Amu and then I won’t see you for god knows how many episodes!!!!!

AGH! I want my happy ending now (what? It hasn’t even happened yet?)

Oh. Now here it comes.

Ahhhhhh

At least I have to say this part of the scene was really well done (the Ikuto being mean part), but that doesn’t make me feel any better! (It makes me feel worse )

Ikuto’s good at being mean when he’s trying to be (this doesn’t make me feel any better either). Which really makes it obvious that until now Ikuto’s never tried to be mean. When he is trying to hurt someone, he’ll really, really hurt them.

(No! Ikuto you can’t do that! You’re too nice! )

And dramatic expressions because everything is oh so dramatic.

…

Noooo! Amu!!! That’s what he wanted.

Ahhhh! Ikuto you stupid, stupid, noble boy.

His expression while Amu yelled at him made me so sad. Because he was expecting it and wasn’t going to say anything back because it’s what he wanted, but it still hurts him and agh! Fangirl agony is pretty much at maximum here. (Stupid love triangle plot and stupid Easter and stupid everyone that gets in the way of my Happy End!!!)

That’s right. Ikuto…Ikuto… You shouldn’t have done that. Even if you’re protecting Amu and her family…something else could have been worked out! Somehow! (Stupid boy keeping everything to himself should have told Amu! )

No! Don’t say that! It’s not true! It’s not!

*lacks coherent thought right now*

DX

…I am sad. Very, very sad.

Ikuto! You shouldn’t have left! Now the next time we see you, you won’t be Ikuto! DX

Irony came back. The “Best Couple” isn’t even a couple right now.

And now Amu is crying because she hurt someone more than she’s ever hurt anyone in her life and for a nice girl like that it’s awful.

…Not to sound cold, but I feel worse for Tadase and Ikuto (Ikuto’s the one I feel worst for overall since Tadase needed a little slap to get back to reality, but what good comes of Ikuto going away!? DX )

Amu getting sad over hurting someone makes it feel like this is the closest she’s ever gotten to Mary-Sue status. I think it’s natural to get that upset so that’s why it’s not Mary-Sue-ish, but the way she said it kind of leaned in the, “I’m so nice that hurting people is the worst thing I could do” direction. Which once again, isn’t that Mary-Sue-ish, it’s just the wording. (Don’t get mad at me, I’m just saying that it felt like it leaned in that direction for a second)

But ah…this cliffhanger is worse than last week. Mandatory crying emoticons time: T_T ;_; TT_____TT

This sucks! And now we’ll have to wait a whole story arc to get it resolved! *returns to the emo closet for the next 20 or so episodes*

-

Preview

……………

…

*flips a table over* THIS DOESN’T MAKE ME FEEL BETTER AT ALL YOU F&%$#@%&#$@! Assholes!

*tosses another table over*

… *sigh* THis sucks though. Who the Hell has patience for Lulu and her dumb ?-eggs when Ikuto’s been caught by Easter and the other two main characters are traumatized by emo drama. Freakin’ Satelight! DX

I understand if you guys want to use a filler to drag things out, but make it without ?-eggs because they ruin any seriousness! Use a X-egg isntead you…agh!

*goes to sit in a corner to calm down before next week*

(In the meantime, feel free to point out typos since I’m sure they’re there. The post is too long and I’m too tired to go through the whole thing.)

In: Shugo Chara! | tags: aww, drama!!!, emo, fangirling, Fuyu-neechan, shipping, squee, T_T. | #