Satou calls Tanaka to warn of the incoming Denizen, but the Flame Hazes have already detected it, and felt that it’s not just a Denizen but probably a Crimson Lord. Margery heads out to scout out what they’re up against and discovers that the Denizen is actually Yuji. Learning this, Shana decides to go and meet Yuji. Yuji, meanwhile, walks around town reminiscing about all his memories with Shana. He then meets Shana on top of Misaki Bridge…

Yuji is...Yuji is...Yuji is...GAY! NOOOO!

This was kind of an anti-climatic episode in a way. The Flame Hazes sensed Yuji’s arrival (though they didn’t know it was him), and Margery is the one who confirmed that Yuji was the Denizen that they sensed. Also, Tanaka decided to work for Margery again, going up to the Crystal Alter with Yoshida. Otherwise the episode was what I described above: Yuji remembering things.

This the first time we’ve ween Yuji in his body with his voice and, at least seemingly, with his thoughts. This would seem to suggest that he can allow either his or Silver’s consciousness to be in control of his body at any given time, and that he isn’t opposing Silver. Of course, again, to what end he is doing it, we can’t really say. I guess we’ll find out his real intentions of coming back to Misaki City in the next episode…

Sydonay destroys Shanghai’s Outlaw organization and the Flame Haze leading it, but cautions not to celebrate yet, as the other Flame Hazes will unite under the leadership of Sophie Sawallisch. Yuji then arrives to give his orders to his followers. Meanwhile, Satou heads out toward his Outlaw base, but detects a Crimson Denizen headed back toward Misaki City on his way…Yuji.

I'm all cool and wearing armor and hanging out with Hecate and stuff

We see a couple of instances of Denizens, including Bel Peol having some slight doubts about Yuji-Silver, so to this point their worries seem to be alleviated. Exactly what the relationship between Yuji and Silver is hasn’t really been revealed. So far it seems like Silver is just using Yuji’s body, which is entirely possible, but Yuji’s behavior in the first episode suggests that it’s not as clear cut as that. In any case, there is no indication that there is any resistance from Yuji against Silver so far.

Shana gets a somewhat cryptic message back from Sophie, though she seems to revolve what it means by the end of the episode. Anyway, I’m interested to see what Yuji’s visit back to Misaki City will be like. Will he reveal that he’s Silver or pretend to be normal Yuji. In any case he’s going to have to explain what he’s been up to.

It’s finally here…the series I have been waiting four years for (yes, it’s been that long). The final season of Shakugan no Shana. The first season was one of the early anime series I watched, and of course I blogged the second season and the OVA. Now it’s time for Shakugan no Shana III (or Final). I hope this ends up being worth the four years I’ve been waiting to see it…

Shana is fighting a horde of Rinne when the Crimson Denizen appears and…is Yuji. We then flash back to the end of the 2nd season when it appeared Yuji and chosen Shana. Instead, he vanished as if he ran out of power of existence, though Yoshida still remembers him. However, Shana and the other flame hazes don’t believe he’s gone and think his disappearance is part of a major plot by the Bal Masqué. Meanwhile, Yuji, apparently trapped in the Midnight Lost Child, tells Silver that he wants to “change it” and takes his place as the leader of the Bal Masqué.

But Yugi...what about our threesome!?

So…something happened to Yuji, probably caused by the Bal Masqué, that caused him to become somehow trapped inside the Midnight Lost Child. There he is having a conversation with Silver about the cycle of Flame Hazes and Crimson Denizens, and then at the end says that he wants to “change it.” Presumably this means he wants to change the cycle of never-ending battle between the two sides, though I’m not really sure how Yuji would think this would be accomplished by becoming head of the Bal Masqué.

Otherwise, this episode was kind of a catchup. We are reminded that Satou wants to work for Outlaw now, and that Tanaka and Ogata are an item. It also appears like we’re about to be introduced to yet another Flame Haze: Sophie Sawallisch. One other item of note is that Shana is learning to use her Flame Haze powers much more effectively, which I’m sure will come in handy later.

A fairly interesting, and plot twisting, first episode of the third season here. Interested where this series will go now that it looks like Shana will have to fight Yuji instead of be his guide.

Series: Shakugan no Shana S
Media: Ruffian fansub – Episode 4

Shana vs. the Smog Monster

Apparently now more skilled at liking as Junko, Shana can now sense memories from the bracelet from Yukio.  Also, I didn’t think things within a fuzetsu would interact with the outside world until the fuzetsu vanished.  Maybe because it was a moving fuzetsu, that’s why it could?  Though, even then, things that occur within a fuzetsu usually take place instantaneously as compared to the outside world, so I”m not sure what was up with this one.

I thought this was a so-so episode.  I liked the first part better, and I kinda wonder why they needed to spend two episodes on it, but whatever.  It was interesting to see Shana’s experiences working within a Torche’s existence though.

However, at the very end, Shana says something very interesting about Yuuji: “that day we separated,” apparently mentioning the day Yuuji appeared to “choose” Shana at the end of the second series, as she stands across from, apparently, Yuuji on the bridge.  Of course, that looks like a direct feed into the 3rd series (whenever it airs) which just makes me want to see it all the more to see what that’s all about (and no spoiler from those who might know!).