Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Review

After a year of absence, Ika Musume returns once again to invade the anime world, bringing along with her all the gags and skits of the first season back for another run. For those who have watched season one of Ika Musume, this is definitely a must-watch. But even for those who haven't watched season one, you won't be missing anything if you jump right into the second season. All you need to know is that there's a squid girl "attempting" to invade the land. Shinryaku!? Ika Musume is essentially the exact replica of the first season except with different stories so don't go into it expecting something totally brand-new. So, let's begin the review ~de geso.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 12

New Character = Season Three?

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Another season of Ika Musume has now come to an end. There were a few ups and downs along the way, but I still enjoyed this season as well. I personally wouldn't mind a season three. But then again, seeing as how this season wasn't as good as the first, I have some doubts. As for this episode, it had a nice ending, but nothing spectacular.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 11

Yes, Chizuru has eyes

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

This was arguably the best episode of the series. All three stories were for the most part interesting and entertaining. The variety of the stories made it easier to retain the attention of the audience as the episode wouldn't seem boring or repetitive halfway through. It's sad that the next episode will be the last. I, for one, won't mind a season three at around the same time next year. Ika Musume is just one of those shows that can go on forever as long as there is enough manga material left to animate.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 10

Ika Musume dies.

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Trying to stick with the "review-first" posts that I have been starting to do recently. I feel that these are more effective and easier to read.
The ED sequence was interesting but, aside from that, no extra comments on the episode are needed as the three paragraphs below contain all my thoughts on it.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 9

Buy now and you'll get an Ika-in-a-bag, absolutely free!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

THE iDOLM@STER after this.
It'll get repetitive if I keep saying "This episode was good." or "I liked this episode." every week so it is safe to assume that I enjoyed the episode if I don't have anything to say about it. No criticism this week; I was entertained throughout. We'll see if it stays this way next week ~de geso.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 8

Hurray! All caught up now!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Another typical Ika Musume episode. In terms of strength, I found the first story the best due to all the misunderstandings involved. The weakest one would be the second story given the fact that it's virtually an exact replica of the story in season one where Sanae tried to give up on Ika Musume. The third story fell in the middle with amusing drama but content that felt a bit too dragged out. And with that, I am finally caught up with Shinryaku!? Ika Musume. A status update on other reports will be posted soon since there's a lot of stuff on my review backlog.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 7

So squids can get sick, too? Interesting...

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Almost finished catching up with this!
I'm running out of things to say for this show. However, this does not mean I hate watching it; it's just that there's nothing "new" in a sense - every episode is just three random gags that do not further the barely existing plot. Watching Ika Musume gives me a good laugh or two and that's essentially all that I want from it. So expect the posts to get shorter and shorter as the episodes go on (unless the episode is really epic or I just feel like ranting). And now for episode 8 after I finish up my readings for one course. I'm ahead of in my schedule so far which is good.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 6

またね, Mini Ika Musume!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

Done the readings I planned to do today!
Oh, there's Mini Ika Musume in this episode? Automatic 5/5!
But, in all seriousness, this was a very good episode. Yes, part of it is due to the appearance of Miki Ika Musume but the other two stories weren't far behind. I found Gorou and Ika Musume getting owned by the Aizawa sisters really amusing, as well as Sanae trying to be Ika Musume's SP. These kinds of gags are what make the series enjoyable. I would say it's either you like it or hate it when it comes to comedy series like Shinryaku!? Ika Musume. Anyhow, I'll probably finish catching up tomorrow assuming I complete my planned textbook readings.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 5

怖いですか?

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Alternating between anime and readings for finals.
Back to catching up with Ika Musume. What I love about this show is that you can easily watch it without paying too much attention to plot because there hardly is one. It's one of those anime which you can unwind with as almost all the stories are funny in their own way. This episode was no different. For me, I would have to say that the "forever alone" story was my favorite of the episode, simply because of how they made loneliness, something that is shunned by society, quite amusing and seemingly acceptable. Now it's off to Episode 6! (after I do some textbook readings that is)

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 4

Surf's up, Mini Ika-chan~

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

Best episode thus far with all the English, tickling and the return of Mini Ika Musume. All three parts were top quality and induced quite a few laughs from me, especially the one with all the obviously-not-Japanese-seiyuu English. In fact, I think "Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ じゃなイカ!？" is my favorite story out of both seasons. I think it would've been much funnier if the seiyuus were the ones speaking English Engrish. Not sure if the next episode will be as good as this one since the story titles are either too vague or don't make sense to me. Nonetheless, still looking forward to it and hopefully Mini Ika Musume shows up more often.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 3

Alex... ;__;

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

It's been a while since an anime episode got me full-out laughing for an extended period of time, but this episode of Shinryaku!? Ika Musume was able to do just that, thanks to the wonderfully epic scene of Ika Musume joining tentacle whipping the other children in the morning exercise. It was an excellent episode overall. The first part of next week's episode should be amusing as it focuses on 'Engrish'. Will it be able to top Ika Musume's tentacle whipping? Who knows? Only time will tell.

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 2

I believe I can fly ~de geso!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Another great episode filled with everyone's favorite squid. How the stories manage to keep me entertained (and laughing at times) is impressive, considering that it has already been 14 episodes of plotless comedy. Will I ever get bored of Ika Musume? Probably not. I expect more or less the same score each episode, give or take a ★ depending on the content. Oh, and the OP and ED are really good (forgot to talk about them in the Episode 1 Review), although I thought the ones from Season 1 were slightly better.

Fall 2011

Below is the list of shows I plan to watch for the Fall 2011 season (subject to change):

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Episode 1

She's back, and ready to invade ~de geso!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

Welcome back, Ika Musume!
For a show that barely has a plot, Shinryaku!? Ika Musume continues to deliver the comedy and entertainment that many viewers enjoyed back in Season 1. For me, I thought it was a lovely first episode, reminding me how much I enjoyed the show last year. Just as expected, I got my fair share of laughs throughout the 24 minutes. For those who are still deciding on watching this and haven't watched Season 1 yet, don't worry; one of the advantages of plot-less anime is that you can start from any point in the series and not miss anything important. Judging by the first episode, I have a feeling that the next 11 weeks (assuming it's 12 episodes like last year) are going to be great as I'll be, once again, getting my weekly dose of "ika?" and "~de geso." Next week needs to come sooner...

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume - Preview

At long last, the Shinryaku!? Ika Musume has finally arrived. One year ago, a friend introduced me to the first season and upon watching the first episode, I was hooked. Fast-forward to today and I am overjoyed at the arrival of the second season. This show has been on my anticipation list for quite a while now and I really hope that it will give me the same, awesome experience I had during Season 1. With more "ika?" and "~de geso" filling my week, I have a feeling that this is going to be another great season.