[Switchblade]

Okay, um... triple-post, I guess?

Coffee-tachi 29-30

I'd forgotten how self-contained these two episodes are. We've got the ongoing stuff with the Taros learning to be forced to work together and the Zeronos card thing, but the Imagin and victims are unique to these episodes. I forgot the show did this and now I wonder if there are any other standalone episodes after this point.

Either way, these were fun, although I liked 30 more. Unfortunately, although it isn't evident, these episodes represent a big turning point in the show.

If you're watching Den-O for the first time, you may have noticed that Hana wasn't in these last few episodes much. She disappeared completely halfway through 29 and didn't leave the Denliner until the ending of 30. And, sadly, this week is the last time we'll be seeing Yuriko Shiratori on Den-O.

The story of exactly why she left has always been a little vague, but it's usually said that she couldn't handle the workload of appearing in a weekly series and it affected her health. It's not the first time something like this had happened; in fact, just the year prior Yui Satonaka who played Hiyori on Kabuto also had to miss out on several episodes due to health concerns. I read on Igadevil's old website a few years back - and this is just speculation, mind you - that he thought the producers were hoping to get Shiratori back after a short break. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and Hana's actress was gone for good.

So what did the show about losing one of its central characters? Well, if you don't know already you'll find out next week.