The BEST episodes written by Miya Asakawa
#1 - Tokoha vs. Rin
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 41
Following Taiyou being revealed as the newest member of Team Demise, the first game of the special match between TRY3 and Demise begins with Tokoha facing off against Rin. Like the last time they fought, Rin tries to taunt and irritate Tokoha. However, Tokoha instead remains calm and has fun with the battle, which infuriates Rin. After realizing how much Rin is stuck up on Mamoru, Tokoha wins the fight with her new G unit Dream-spinning Ranunculus, Ahsha. Soon afterwards, a disgusted Rin quits Team Demise, and the special match moves on to the next game, which will be between Shion and Shouma.
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#2 - Trinity Dragon's Fierce Battle
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 7 - Episode 14
Team Trinity Dragon stumbles upon a secret facility run by Wakamizu, and they challenge him. If any members of Trinity Dragon beat Wakamizu, then he will tell them his scheme. However, if Wakamizu defeats all of Trinity Dragon, then they will become guinea pigs for his experiments. Both Karl and Tsuneto lose, but Kei gathers information from their fights to finally defeat Wakamizu. As promised, he tells them that he has been using this facility to gather Stride Force to summon the last Zodiac Time Beast and open the Stride Gate. Wakamizu escapes by activating the facility's self-destruct mechanism. Team Trinity Dragon also escapes before the facility is destroyed, and the group tells Kamui what they have learned. After praising them, Kamui informs them about everything that has happened.
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#3 - Night Before the Showdown
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 6 - Episode 22
The G Quest ends after 3 months, and an award ceremony is held in honor of the teams, including TRY3, that have earned the title of "Generation Master". As a grand finale, there is a special match arranged for TRY3 to face a "dream team" selected by the Vanguard Association. During the time before the match, Shion tells his teammates that Am is Ace, which makes Tokoha want to learn why she is working with Myoujin. Later, the day of the special match arrives, and TRY3's opponent is revealed to be Team Q4, consisting of Misaki, Kamui, and Kai. Behind the scenes, Kouji and his comrades begin "GIRS Crisis", a plan that will ultimately locate Myoujin.
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#4 - Shion's Pride
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 7
Tokoha invites Chrono and Shion to a special Vanguard quiz competition event, which is split into three phases. Shion easily wins the first phase, a game in which players are given a picture of a card and must buzz in and call the card's right name as fast as possible. In the second phase, a scavenger hunt, Chrono wins due to Shion prioritizing to help an injured boy. The boy has a pessimistic attitude, but Shion tries to cheer him up by vowing to win the entire event. In the third and final phase, Chrono and Shion race through an obstacle course. Despite some mistakes and with some unexpected help from Chrono, Shion barely manages to reach the goal and win the event, thus fulfilling his promise to the boy.
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#5 - Clan Leader Mamoru
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 16
Tokoha gathers Chrono and the rest of the gang for a meeting to brainstorm ideas on what they can do for an upcoming regional Vanguard festival. When Chrono suggests a takoyaki stand, everyone agrees to do it. The festival eventually begins, and the takoyaki stand turns out to be a success. The others let Chrono, who has surprisingly been working hard this whole time, go enjoy the festival for himself. In the midst of the festivities, Chrono sees Mamoru hard at work himself, doing tasks such as helping attendees, advertising other booths, and cosplaying as Vangaro. Chrono asks why a famous fighter like Mamoru would have festivals and do grunt work when there can instead be tournaments. Mamoru responds that festivals are great in gathering people together and teaching them about Vanguard, which he feels is more important than tournaments. The festival's main event starts, in which players line up, form a group of three, and then simultaneously battle against Mamoru before the next group steps up to fight him. As reward for their work, Chrono and his friends are given special privilege to participate in this event, except Tokoha, who opts out of it. However, Kumi gets an emergency call and rushes back home while requesting Tokoha to take her place. Subsequently, it is time for the trio of Chrono, Shion, and a reluctant Tokoha to fight Mamoru. Nonetheless, like the other fighters before them, they are defeated but given a round of applause from the audience for their efforts. As the festival comes to a close, Chrono and Shion are glad to have fought Mamoru despite losing, and Tokoha invites them to folk dancing around a campfire.
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#6 - The Dark Ones
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 23
After Chrono makes amends with Tokoha and Shion, the three take on a quest that will award Chrono enough points to return to grade 2. In this quest, the trio faces unusual challenges such as standing on top of a stack of pillows, cosplaying, and traversing a maze. They eventually reach the end where Chrono engages in a cardfight with the quest giver, an eccentric man referring to himself as "Vlad III". After winning a long hard-fought battle against Vlad's Dark Irregulars deck, Chrono gains not only the points to reach grade 2 but also the title of "Vlad IV" (much to Chrono's disapproval).
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#7 - Rin Hashima
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 30
While Kamui fights Kouji to determine his intentions, Tokoha battles against Team Demise's Rin Hashima, a girl with a sadistic personality and a grudge against Mamoru. Throughout the cardfight, Rin taunts Tokoha by bringing up Mamoru into the conversation before finally defeating her. As Shion prepares himself for his next fight, Tokoha is left feeling depressed.
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#8 - Rummy Labyrinth
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 6 - Episode 5
TRY3 helps with preparations for a G Quest event to be held in the Dragon Empire branch. They meet, work with, and learn about the members of Rummy Labyrinth throughout the day. When Am's most prized possession gets lost in the trash, TRY3 and Luna desperately search and retrieve it to Am's joy and gratitude. As the friendship between Luna and Am grows, TRY3 briefly meets Kamui's old friends: Naoki, Miwa, Shingo, and Kai. At the end of the day, Shion, who had been putting up a brave front over the Ace takeover incident, is revealed to truly be depressed over it. Then, he encounters Kai...
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#9 - Card Capital #1
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 6 - Episode 14
Chrono, Kamui, and Team Trinity Dragon attend a tournament held at the first Card Capital shop. There, Chrono plays against past fighters including Eru Nakagami, Katsumi Morikawa, and Emi Sendou. Through those fights, Chrono is reminded of how much fun Vanguard is.
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#10 - Reunion with Kanzaki
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 7 - Episode 4
Chrono and Taiyou seek Kanzaki, who is training in a secluded mountain range. They tell him about the situation with Ryuzu, and in exchange, Kanzaki tells them more about Depend Cards; they are contracts between a fighter and a summoned unit from Cray, but summoning units require a large amount of Stride Force. Kanzaki also reminds Chrono of their fight when Chrono had truly summoned Chronojet Dragon, which surprises Chrono of his own untapped power. Meanwhile, Shouma approaches Ibuki and warns him of certain punishment. After spending the night at Kanzaki's hut, Chrono and Taiyou return to the city and confront Hiroki, following Kanzaki's hunches. Having rebuilt his deck, Taiyou challenges Hiroki to a rematch.
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#11 - Mamoru Anjou
Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 5 - Episode 6
Kamui invites Chrono to a special FIVA event where one lucky person can get a chance to fight against Mamoru, who is the Kagero clan leader of the region. After Chrono registers himself for the event, he is approached by a man in a costume of FIVA's mascot character, Vangaro, who is interested in fighting against Chrono's Gear Chronicle deck. Then, Mamoru appears, trying to find the branch manager. He quickly deduces that "Vangaro" is the manager, who escapes with Chrono in hand. To track the manager down, Mamoru creates a quest for all fighters to "catch Vangaro", thus leading the manager and a reluctant Chrono to be chased by several people. They find shelter in a secret room where the manager discards his Vangaro costume and reveals his true appearance. Chrono and the manager have their cardfight in another room equipped with GIRS. Before the battle could conclude, Mamoru shows up, after finishing the event in which he fought a randomly-selected attendee (Tsuneto), and chastises the manager. Chrono and Mamoru finally meet and get acquainted with each other; Mamoru requests to fight Chrono, but he declines because he wishes to get stronger first.
#12 - Urban Legends
A Certain Scientific Railgun - Season 1 - Episode 4
Awkwardness ensues when Mikoto runs into Kamijo. When they meet again later in the day, Mikoto demands a duel! She gives it her all, but there’s a chance she’s no match for Kamijo’s powers.
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#13 - Struggle ~the opponent~
Saiyuki - Season 3 - Episode 5
After a flashback to last ep, we see Sanzo asking Doku what he means about breaking through hypnosis, and cut to the throneroom of Houtou Castle. Yet another youkai flunky is polishing Lady GK's nails as she asks Dr. Ni about Kougaiji's progress. He should be back soon, he tells her. She hopes he's still showing the same good behavior, and Ni replies that Kou hasn't the strength to break through this hypnosis--he would have obtained the Maten Sutra long ago if he had. She chuckles, and says maybe she'll have him do her nails next. --Brainwashed? says Sanzo, and Doku bitterly confirms it, saying that right now, Kougaiji is nothing but a heartless killing machine. That [he says it as you might say 'that thing'] isn't Kou, he adds with great emotion. Gojyo rolls his eyes and says he's got to be exaggerating; and isn't he still your prince? Doku and Yaone look miserable, and Gojyo asks if that's why they advised the ikkou to just leave the sutra and run. Sanzo (looking much more irritated by his empty cigarette pack than by their news) growls "don't underestimate us", and Dokugaku actually--whoa!--grabs Sanzo by the front of his robe and hauls him up face-to-face. Don't misunderstand me, snaps the big youkai, I'm not worried about you guys--I just know Kou wouldn't want to win this way. Sanzo slaps his hand away and retorts that whatever, it's nothing to do with them. Straightening his robe =), he says that he kills anyone who gets in his way, and besides, he doubts their leader [he says taicho, "captain" =)] would want pity or surrender. Gojyo sighs and says, see, now our leader has always been a heartless killing machine. =)=) (And you're the one most in my way, mutters Sanzo.) Yaone sadly says that Sanzo-sama is right. Hakkai cautions that just dealing with the hypnosis may not be enough, as they may have actually tampered with Kou's brain. Doku resolutely says that they have to find a way to return Kou to normal; if they don't... And we see Lirin, naked, flo
#14 - Awakening ~back~
Saiyuki - Season 3 - Episode 6
After the "last episode" flashback, we return to the KT and the SI-minus-9, faced off on top of the cliff. Kou raises his head: Genjyo Sanzo, he rasps, give me the Maten Scripture. Kotowaru, I refuse, snaps Sanzo. Then I'll take it, says the prince. Doku is alarmed, and tells him to stop, that his arm's broken [so, Goku was right-- Kou just ignored it] and this whole thing is insane. But Kougaiji struggles to his feet and tells him to shut up; get in my way, he adds (his voice is a flat snarl) and I'll kill you both. [Gojyo is astonished by this, but Hakkai smiles that it sounds quite familiar. =)] Let's go then, growls Sanzo, and Gojyo adds that 'this is to avenge that stupid monkey." (Hakkai does quietly point out that Goku's still alive--and we hear him snoring.) Doku is still inwardly agonizing about what to do if Kou doesn't return to normal. Gojyo summons the shakujou, warning his brother to be ready, as he's not going to hold back. Kougaiji calls up a fire attack; Hakkai blocks it with a ki shield, and the ikkou goes on the attack, Sanzo drawing first blood with a bullet graze to Kou's shoulder. But he somersaults away seemingly unhurt, and Gojyo wonders if he doesn't feel pain anymore, while Hakkai says it seems there's only one way to beat him.== When I first met him, Doku says to himself, all I could think of was how much he looked like my little brother. Those sharp eyes and red hair...the way he seemed to be be trying to look tough... little things like that. --He watches that same brother charge the prince... As Sanzo reloads, Hakkai notes that something's strange here; normally Kou uses not only his mist and fire powers, but his summoning technique as well. Sanzo gets it: summoning requires an agreement between the summoner and the demon, he says, but if the summoner becomes someone else... Then does that mean Kougaiji can't summon demons now? asks Hakkai.== Yaone likewise has a reflective moment: in all the time I've been at his side, she thinks
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#15 - The Red-Haired Woman ~stupid woman~
Saiyuki - Season 3 - Episode 8
At the ikkou's inn of the evening, Gojyo flirts with the waitress, inviting her to drop by their hotel after her shift; but all he gets for his trouble is a smack from Sanzo's harisen. As she hurries off to bring Goku a refill, Gojyo gripes that he can't possibly pick up girls when he's surrounded by these three, and they retort that it's hardly their fault. The guys get downright catty, even Goku, who suggests that he's not nearly as popular with the ladies as he thinks (Hakkai: "Now, now, Goku, let's not tell him the truth."). Gojyo won't hear of it; I'm hot, and that's a fact, he purrs. Sanzo snipes that it'd be interesting to get proof of that 'fact' someday. [...best watch out what you wish for, blondie...] ==Gojyo shrugs them off, drops into his seat and tries to light a smoke, but his lighter's not working...and then a hand reaches in with a match to give him a light. He tracks up the arm and his jaw drops: it's a beautiful redhead in white, a stunner by any standards. [I'd put her at just a little older than Gojyo; early 30s, maybe.] --What, she smiles, you don't like matches? ==The hanyou's literally speechless; even Goku stops eating to stare. And at second look we can all see that both her red hair and her wine-red eyes match Gojyo's. They have a drink at the bar, Gojyo looking as smug as the proverbial pussycat; she suggests they go somewhere quieter, and off they go, the beauty wrapped around his arm. ==They really left, comments Goku in surprise. 'That woman's hair...' says Hakkai, and Sanzo confirms that, yes, she too is a Taboo Child. As they walk, we see a youkai duck out of sight. Gojyo remarks that quiet is fine and all, but they're almost to the outskirts of town. She says she prefers places without many people, but Gojyo smells trouble, and scoops the babe over his shoulder. We're surrounded, he tells her, and calls up the shakujou as --you guessed it--armed demons leap in from all directions. Even one-handed, he makes short work of them,
#16 - Reanimated Man ~desperado~
Saiyuki - Season 3 - Episode 21
After the flashback: we see the ikkou-minus-3 (I-3) driving along. Goku gripes that he'd never thought Sanzo would be such an asshole; Hakkai diplomatically says "well, he's very stubborn" and Gojyo snaps that Hakkai shouldn't let the "self-centered, bald SoB" off so easy. It'll be great not having him around, says Gojyo, and angry Goku agrees. The saru wonders how the KT is. Flashback to their dropping Lirin off: the princess thanked them, and angrily swore to kill Hazel next time she saw him, for tricking her and hurting her brother and friends. Hakkai advised her to return home at once, as her brother must be worried; Lirin promised to help the SI defeat Hazel ("and afterward we'll beat you guys too!" --yeah right, bring it on, snorts Gojyo) and took off on dragonback.==Goku is still pensive; Gojyo remarks that he has too few brain cells to waste them on worrying, and Goku suddenly stands up in the back seat and lets out a howl that nearly startles Hakuryu into a wheelie. Gojyo upbraids Goku; the saru gripes that "just thinking of that baldy Sanzo makes me so mad!" (yeah, right.) --Hakkai laughs, and Gojyo tells him to pick up speed, so they can reach the West before Sanzo does. We're counting on you, Hakuryu! Goku tells the jeep, which kyuus in enthused response. Hakkai adds that there's no chance he'll get there ahead of them, as he's traveling on foot, and G&G break out in fresh chortles; he's so slow! and those sandals are hard to walk in! [Um, Goku ought to have noticed that he gave up wearing his temple sandals 2 series ago...] And he smokes too much, puts in Hakkai. Yet more chortles from the back seat. On the trail: Sanzo trips on a rock, stumbles and goes splat; he cusses, dusts off and walks on. Hazel observes that at this pace they'll be campin' out for the night, and Gato has been patiently gathering up Sanzo's chain-smoked cigarettes as he drops them--he has most of a can full. Hazel catches up as the monk lights yet another and asks if he doesn't
#17 - Breakthrough ~battle royal~
Saiyuki - Season 3 - Episode 23
After the flashback: Hazel tells Sanzo that this will all end if he just says 'Hazel, I'll travel with you'. You've got to be kidding, growls Sanzo, and Gato's next bullet grazes his cheek, drawing blood. Gato will punish you if you say anything besides what I want to hear, the 'angel' admonishes. Zakuro finds this uproariously funny, and calls out to Sanzo that since he can't move he'd better start begging for his life. Hazel snaps for him to shut up [hee, "Urasai!" --the nerve of him, stealing Sanzo's lines!=)], saying he'll keep his mouth shut until he's told otherwise; he, Hazel, is talking to Sanzo right now. Sanzo retorts that he doesn't want to talk to either of them, takes another bullet that staggers him backward, and tries to fire back--but his gun is still 'turned to stone'. Hazel laughs: trying to prove you're tough? he taunts. Or are you waiting for your demon friends to come save you? Sanzo says he can't remember them ever doing that [oh, really now...]. Hazel replies that it's fine if he wants to see it that way, but no matter how long he waits, those youkai won't be coming to his rescue. Sanzo doesn't like his I-know-somethin'-you-don't tone, and rasps, "What?" but the bishop just laughs. Meanwhile, the I-3 are sitting in a forest clearing with defeated youkai scattered everywhere, complaining that they seem to be getting attacked even more without Sanzo than they did with him. (One of the battered youkai raises his head long enough to gasp "we'll get the sutra next time, Sanzo-ikkou!" and gets a fast faceful of dragon foot--even Hakuryu is getting annoyed, smiles Hakkai. =) Gojyo grumbles that Sanzo is the cause of all their troubles, but this is followed by an uncomfortable silence, and he suggests, "Maybe there is one thing we have to do before we head west." It's just gonna get worse if we don't, agrees Goku, and Hakkai finally says it: "Shall we go back where Sanzo is?" --And beat him up! adds Goku. Hakkai concurs. We'll never shake off this