Although I assumed that this latest mini-arc of Kyouran Kazoku Nikki was actually focusing on Ouka, it looks like I actually got it a little bit wrong - Although episode eight did indeed seem to centre around him, it appears that the real target of the plot itself was, eventually, Kyouka.This particular instalment of the series was as fast-paced as any, and to be honest it kept moving fast enough to keep things reaonsably entertaining throughout, without dwelling too much at any point on the verbal sparring between characters or anything like that, which helped to keep the balance just about right. Kyouka's history was also revealed in a sufficiently interesting manner as well, and I have to admit that she's turned into a pretty decent character from the manic, care-free and fast-talking one that kicked off the show (although of course those traits are still very much in evidence).Once again though, we find Kyouran Kazoku Nikki trying to pull us into a discussion of emotions and morals - On this occasion, the episode's slogan is clearly about how important it is to 'be yourself'. A fine concept, that's for sure, but this is the kind of stuff that we're used to being preached about in kids TV shows, and it feels a little trie to throw it into the slightly more grown-up context of anime - I get a feeling the target audience of this series doesn't need to be told to 'be themselves', and particularly not in the slightly condesending manner used here.Anyway, apart from that gripe this was probably the most enjoyable episode of the series so far in a simple and lightly entertaining way, blending the action and story-telling with a few decent one-liners to help things along from a humour angle as well. Don't be mistaken into thinking that this makes it a great episode, or indeed a great series, as it's still treading on ground that doesn't even earn it cult classic status, but on this occasion it certainly made for a most watchable half an hour's entertainment.
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