I considered finishing off this series today – it would only take 4 hours. Actually a little less as each episode is only around 23 minutes, and even then I skip the opening and ending songs (along with Hiyono’s little show), so I’m shaving off a few extra minutes there. And as tempting as it was to get this series out of my face, I considered that to be 4 hours of time that could be well spent doing something more useful with my life. And as it’s summer and I’m not working, it’s not like there’s much else to do. To me, that says a lot about how interesting, or rather, uninteresting, this series has become. I could cheat and read up on episode summaries somewhere that give away everything under the sun, but then I wouldn’t be fulfilling my personal obligations to finish what I start. Ah me.

Two years ago, Kiyotaka Narumi, famed pianist and esteemed detective disappeared off the face of the earth in search of the Blade Children. Now, the Blade Children have surfaced for Ayumu Narumi – and it seems they want him as well. But for what? And will we ever be allowed to find out who the Blade Children are and what all this nonsense is that they’re talking about??

Episode 18: Madoka, Ayumu’s sister-in-law, is starting to crack under all the secrecy of Ayumu’s doings. She knows he’s into something similar to Kiyotaka, but he won’t tell her. Ayumu believes he’s doing things for the best – especially if there are Hunters in the police department. Out of nowhere a boy named Kanone shows up – he seems to put everyone on edge. But why wouldn’t another one of the Blade Children do that? Not to mention Sayoko’s sudden disappearance.

Episode 19: 4 players. One game. A small bomb. 5 minutes. Plus rules. Eyes and Ayumu – can they do it? Will they even work together? Perhaps the number of players should jump up a notch…

Episode 20: Asazuki isn’t one to sit around and wait for death to show up at his doorstep. He goes on the offensive, searching out clues concerning the Hunters. His search might turn up more than he bargained for though.

Episode 21: Madoka gets more upset, Hiyono tries to get information on the police insider, Eyes must make a choice, Rio, Asazuki, and Ryoko decide to go on the offensive when it comes to the Hunters, and Ayumu must decide whether or not to continue helping the Blade Children. …And I don’t trust Kanone with anyone.

Sayoko is a sucker. Come on – does she not remember the last time she followed what a note said? She almost died, hello?? Sorry, stupid people, real or not, annoy me. And the whole bomb thing? What is with these people and bombs? Honestly. These Hunters are horrible at what they do. Maybe if they weren’t so busy acting like they were just as smart and trying to play stupid death games all the time, they would have killed all the Blade Children already. Shut up, get a gun, and snipe them, end of story. Another case of bad guys taking too long to kill someone. “No, I’m going to put them in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic death.” That’s why I was glad that guy snatched out a gun with a silencer in #20. But he’s a horrible shot. Despite all that, I was glad when Ayumu declined giving help. Besides, after doing all that to them, they’re telling him this is all none of his business and he doesn’t have to get involved. In or out, pick one will you, and maybe your fate would be decided already and this series would be over.

No preference to Japanese or English. I don’t have any problems with the English version, as everyone does their part and no one sounds too awkward and such. Whatever floats yer boat.

The opening and ending songs are still the same, so there’s nothing new to state about that. Within the episodes, there are a few new pieces here and there, but all in all, it’s still the same basic clips played in their typical spots. At least we got a little more piano playing via Eyes.

The animation is still the same as usual. One thing I noticed was that in #22 Asazuki, Rio, and Ryoko were wearing different outfits from their usual ones, which I always like to see. For once a realistic clothing change, huzzah!

So, four more episodes to go. What’s Kanone up to? What’s with the irises? Will Kiyotaka ever show up, and if not, will we ever get to know what happened to him? And are we going to find out what the @%$&! the Blade Children are, why they’re cursed, and if they’re going to bring down Armageddon or something?

Episodes in Volume 5:
18. The Lamenting Angel
19. Mirror of the Heart
20. Whispering Shadows
21. The Sound of a Breaking Heart

NT

Previous Volumes:
Spiral - Volume 1: What Are the Blade Children?
Spiral - Volume 2: Disarming Fate
Spiral - Volume 3: Shooting Fallen Stars
Spiral - Volume 4: Sharpening Wit

Future Volumes:
Spiral - Volume 6: The Notes of Truth

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD