You're right! It's exactly the same down to the religious spirit tags (Fuda?) hanging around the tree! :eek:

Another excellent episode. It was great seeing the fallout of the last episode amongst the all of the Riders, and the rift between Kota and Micchy continues to grow. While I don't think it has any meaning whatsoever, I thought it was nice from a framing standpoint that when the two were talking in the juice bar that Micchy was sitting on the side Sid did.

And of course, Shin Zangetsu is just beautiful.

While Zangetsu is my favourite rider from a purely aesthetic standpoint, I've never been this hard pressed to pick a favourite character. Everyone brings something different to the series and none of it is ever wasted.

God! I love how dark and dramatic this show is!

Brilliant episode, but the best part had to be Jonouchi going to Alfonso for advice on how to be a man, where we see him still obsessing over Zangetsu. I remember hating him when he first showed up and plunged their friendly game into his opinion of actual war, but now I really like his character. I didn't like everyone abandoning Hase, and I don't want him to turn into an Invess. Hopefully those rumors are right. Or at least that bit about Hase. Micchy was strange this episode, as well. I didn't like his complete asshole attitude to the people being attacked.

But finally, we get to the foreshadowing: Red-Hair Mai. So, her only chance of ending up in a good place is getting out of Zawame City. Are we sure Urobutcher won't kill of kids? And, the final finally, Shin-Zangetsu. God-damned awesome. While I wish he could have an individual weapon to separate him from the other Energy riders, he kicks those Clonokages asses. And bows and arrows are always cool.

I love the subtle hints this show gives.

I didn't even realize that the tree from Ep 11 that the main crack in Yggdrasill has is the same tree from Ep 12's flashback between Baron and Mai.

I didn't realize that Micchy, as he becomes darker and darker, took the seat of Sid and began almost ordering Kouta around.

And I love that Micchy was willing to let people get hurt to protect himself and Kouta.

DARK MICCHY, ARISE!

Yup. I am loving this dark turn for Micchy. First he wants Kouta to stop using the driver, then he wants him to dump it into the river. Makes you wonder what side he's really on.

Right now Micchy is only on Micchy's side. He doesn't want to transform because he doesn't want his brother finding out he is Ryugen or that he is one of the "street rats" on the side. He also can't let Kouta in on the whole truth because he probably feels Kouta will think he has been in on the plan to use them as guinea pigs the whole time. Dark Micchy is probably coming, but he has to choose between his family or his friends.

I'm starting to think Miichy may end up turning on Kouta going by the end of the episode. I don't know, just feels like it.

You havent been in the rumor thread latel have you?

No I have not.

Go take a look, you might believe your theory some more ;)

Am I the only one who can totally see Hase getting a mid-season upgrade and a step in badass after being betrayed by all those whom he considered his friends, possibly becoming Sigurd?

Almost reminds me of a certain duo of Bee guys....who became grasshopper guys....hmmm.....

No, you are most certainly not the only one. With all this rampant speculation did you think any theory has been left unexplored? :D

I must sound like a really broken record if I keep saying another really good episode :lol. The tension between Kouta and Mitchy was good, as it shows what they are really thinking. Gives me the feeling Mitchy might become "Dark Mitchy" soon. Seeing Kaito and Mai have a common point in their backstory is interesting, and the tree in the flashback is totally the tree that houses the crack in Yggdrasil Tower. Hase falls from grace and Jounouchi latches onto Oren for his newest muscle(which might explain why he's with Baron in that episode 1 scene). And Shin Zangetsu is awesome, even if he was beating up on just Kurokages right now