Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle discussion thread

[something]

ファイ・ブレイン 神のパズル

A two cour original anime directed by Satou Jun'ichi. I think it involves brains and puzzles!

Airs Sunday, October 2 at 17:30 JST on NHK.

Animation studio: Sunrise.

ANN Entry (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=12271)

Official Site (http://www9.nhk.or.jp/anime/phibrain)


Note
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[Fencedude]

October, not September.

[something]

October, not September.

And I put November in the previous batch I did... I must have a grudge against October.

[HitokiriShadow]

Eh, this episode really didn't do anything for me.

Kaito is annoyingly cocky, Nonoha is basically the standard shonen anime side-kick who's job is to look cute, but in trouble, occasionally point something useful out to the hero but cause trouble for him at least as often. And while she appeared as soon as the OP ended, it took half the goddamn episode to get her name.

There's nothing inherently wrong with the concept/premise. But Kaito's "ability" is incredibly boring to watch. We do not see any sort of thought process in his super puzzle solving ability, which is the entire basis of what makes this kind of thing interesting. No, he just suddenly points to a spot on the map and decides its important for no reason at all. Hell, I don't think they even kept the map consistent, the big hole in the map seemed to be in different spots or different proportions at different times.

And now we have a "cliffhanger" while we wait in bated breath as Kaito, with the help of a magical artifact, discerns which rope will stop the water. I don't see any way to make solving that interesting. The solution is to follow the ropes, but that's not exactly exciting and the show has given me no reason to think they'll even do that much.

Akira Ishida's version of Koizumi Itsuki was the only character I found at all entertaining. Maybe some of the other girls will be (Nonoha's okay, but the episode does not give me any reason to expect anything of her except that how the show uses her will annoy me), but the show isn't giving me much reason to stick around and find out. I can't say I won't watch another episode, but I'm not exactly looking forward to it.

[something]

Episode 1:

Well... it was alright. Nonoha got to be a little more useful than I expected, but I'm guessing she'll just be the hostage/damsel-in-distress more often than not.

I might watch another episode but it's definitely not the SatoJun series that's going to get most of my attention this season though.

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, I'll give it credit in one regard. Since Puzzle is being used as a general term it does allow for some variety in terms of what the challenges faced will be.

In any case, the episode succeeded err in causing time to move forward. Yeah, that's it! Time moved forward!

I think the episode left me as soon as our lead entered what appears to be "special mode"

[Suwako Moriya]

Let's add an annoying ****** to the mix.

Let's add some stupid thing about titles to the mix.

Let's add solving anything truly tough with magical artifacts.

Let's add talk about the divine puzzle. Hmm, Demon vs Divine.

Let's add a mention about how that puzzle really wants to be solves.

Yeah, this series is being a bit problematic.

[Suwako Moriya]

Please tell me this show is intentionally trying to be ridiculous. That's about the only way it can work.

They do spend at least sometime talking about the puzzle.

I love how sometimes the simple answer is the right one. Plus, it gave Nonoha a role to play aside from being along for the ride.

Stupid question. If you're actually sane, does that disqualify you from being a Giver?

[Suwako Moriya]

The puzzles aren't to blame! It's the people that make them.

I think someone has a thing for Nonoha. Yeah, the red head definitely does.

Some how Anna can look at puzzle pieces on the floor and tell what the picture is. WTF?

No need to be jealous of Anna, Nonoha. For Anna is actually a boy! Or actually it doesn't matter.

I don't think Kaito is into girls or boys. Clearly the given the way he talks about them, I'm convinced Kaito wants to marry a puzzle.

Seriously, that may be the main issue with the show. It's one thing to like your hobby, but Kaito takes it way too far.

The puzzle is gentle and warm. The puzzle wants to be solved. The puzzle wants to Kaito to shut up.

As amusing as traps may be, it would be nice if we could have another female characters besides Nonoha. Not that I dislike, but she's outnumbered and since Anna is a boy, Ann doesn't count.

As expected the treasure was paintings of the wife.

[EmperorBrandon]

I'm not much into puzzles, but I guess I'm fairly interested. I'll give it a few more episodes at least. I'm not expecting I will be following this all the way through, since I'm in the mood to drop stuff lately, but we'll see...

The "stage" here kind of made me think of Valkyrie Profile for some reason, that one maze-that-shifts-around-as-you-move dungeon. I always use a strategy guide to cheat my way through it. :) Maybe that should be an episodic plot here: a villain that uses a cheat sheet or strategy guide...

There is one guy in there that looked so much like Kalos from Kaleido Star to me, and he even has the same voice actor! I wonder if that's really a coincidence.

[FUNiOP]

Haha, what a ridiculous show. It's a Sunrise original and the animation is nice, even if I don't like some of the designs. There was one musical piece I really liked. And it's definitely an original idea. It's just so damn ridiculous. I feel like they can't possibly be writing these lines with a straight face, but they play it all totally seriously. Maybe that's just to further enhance the joke. I'll certainly be sticking with it since it will be entirely free for all viewers, but I really don't expect much more than some laughs at its expense and the mindless entertainment that comes with something this silly.

(I also totally use a strategy guide for puzzles)

[EmperorBrandon]

This series needs more cute megane Airi.

The over-the-top "puzzles are serious business" thing can be pretty amusing, though.

[EmperorBrandon]

Stupid question. If you're actually sane, does that disqualify you from being a Giver?

Yeah, I was wondering the same. The last guy got crazy at the thought of his puzzle being solved, but this guy was completely off his rocker, wanting to destroy the city whether his puzzle was solved or not.

I liked that Nonoha actually solved some stuff that Gammon didn't get this episode.

[EmperorBrandon]

What a surprise... the Butler does it! Actually, the big surprise is that he actually wasn't evil or crazy in the end. I guess there are Givers that are decent people after all.

Oh, and this is the first time I've solved something in the series before Kaito does. When those letters came up, I immediately thought "roman numerals?". Should I be proud of myself? (doubt many moments like that will happen this series...)

And speaking of surprises again, this feels like the first "trap" that I've actually been "trapped" on in a very, very long while. I usually seems like I always get warned ahead of time, and I had no inkling whatsoever on this even if all the title holders so far have been guys... Oh well, I guess Ana Gram (hehe... love the name pun) will be cutest guy in the series, and Airi still holds the title of cutest girl.

[FUNiOP]

Puzzles are serious business indeed. It's like card games in Yu-Gi-Oh!, or hell, like Yu-Gi-Oh! period before Takahashi decided to throw in card games that soon took over the series (this was in the early manga and the Toei anime). Except it's still a lot more clever. But yeah, really ridiculous. Spanish music is interesting. Even a fully Spanish vocal track this time (really hoping that's not some other language now that I've said that).

[FUNiOP]

More crazy bastards. This guy has spent his life developing the city, just for this moment where he can destroy it. And to stop him... there's a Puzzle to be solved! Yeah, this is definitely up there with Yu-Gi-Oh! They need to revoke Gammon's title and give it to Nonoha.

[FUNiOP]

Well Steins;Gate is over, so I guess this season does need a good new trap. So being a guy makes it fine to kiss Kaito? If you say so, Nonoha. And hey, a Giver who's actually a good guy. That's a nice change of pace.

[EmperorBrandon]

Wow... some of the characters' faces looked really wonky to me this episode.

More puzzles are serious business, with Kaito's parents having been killed by a puzzle, and Rook's plan seems to be to traumatize him into not doing puzzles anymore. Rook's hair really bugs me for some reason...

Heh... Nonoha sweets are apparently dangerous, well, maybe just to Kaito since he's the only one we see having a clearly adverse reaction to them.

Next up it looks like we're going to see an evil(?) miko.

[EmperorBrandon]

We get a lot of Kaito puzzle angst this episode, though of course he seems to be over it by the end of episode when he all of the sudden needs to solve puzzles to save his friends... With the scene at the end, I have to wonder if the real main couple of the series is not Kaito and Nonoha, but rather Kaito and Gammon. :sweat:

Next up it looks like we're going to see an evil(?) miko.

Yep, back to crazy Givers with this episode. At least crazy miko girl doesn't seem to continue her craziness after the puzzle is solved like some of the past ones.

Next up... are kindergartners?

[FUNiOP]

Of course puzzles killed his parents. Why didn't I assume that from the beginning? And our lead antagonist is using his connection to our protagonist in the past to did up old trauma, since Kaito doesn't know who it is that's putting him through all this. At first I thought Nonoha sweets would be like the typical "girl makes impossibly disgusting food that she thinks is delicious" thing, but everyone but Kaito seems to be alright with them. Normally I'd say it would be in poor taste (I swear I didn't mean to make that pun) to use something like that to get someone out of trauma from memories of their parents dying, but... when the reason for their death, and everything else important in life, is puzzles... yeah, it's not like I'm taking it too seriously to begin with.

[FUNiOP]

Oh no. Not that. The worst thing that could possibly happen. NOT BEING ABLE TO SOLVE PUZZLES?! The humanity! I like how they treat it like the ability to solve puzzles is completely independent, and although it seemed like he just kind of couldn't think at first, it later became like when he was wearing Cube's bracelet, where it caused him actual pain whenever his thoughts involved puzzles. But of course he managed to solve a puzzle despite that to save his friends. And now he's getting all comfortable with Gammon. You have a girl who always follows you around, you have a trap, but I guess that's your choice...

[Suwako Moriya]

More puzzles are serious business, with Kaito's parents having been killed by a puzzle,

See? I warned you people that Tetris was pure evil! Yet you wouldn't listen. Actually, it would have been better if it was a Tetris type puzzle that did them in. Yeah, I know I sound evil.

[Suwako Moriya]

With the scene at the end, I have to wonder if the real main couple of the series is not Kaito and Nonoha, but rather Kaito and Gammon. :sweat:

Which would kind of funny given how Gammon shows in an interest in Nonoha and and meanwhile Kaito gives the impression of being in love with puzzles. Well, at least to the point of the puzzle angst anyway.

In any case, it's kind of fun that Nonoha might be getting a title next episode. I say might because previews are sometimes evil and misleading.

[Suwako Moriya]

Nonoha is the Monster Lady! She's also quite strong! Especially if we assume this is not meant to be one of those universes where uber strong people are common place.

Nonoha gains the title of Nightingale!

Apparently having a title is considered a bad thing by Nonoha. As she doesn't want to be grouped with the weirdos. Err, I hate to break it to her, but it's probably too late.

[Suwako Moriya]

Resorts + Puzzles!

Kaito apparently needs to remember that Anna is a guy.

For an episode like this, there wasn't enough Nonoha fanservice.

Thankfully, if you avoid blinking you can get an idea of glorious Nonoha can be in a swimsuit.

Now if only they could have a closer view of that and for a longer term.

Darn it, this show needs to focus on what matters! What?

[Suwako Moriya]

Festival Time!

Cross Dressing Contest and Nonoha does not want Ana to enter.

Note that in spite of this, Ana wins anyway.

So we get a Snow White theme where Princess Kaito saves Prince Nonoha!

Nonoha is a dedicated helper of the festival.

So one thing they make clear in this episode. To solve a puzzle you actually need enough information work with. The giver tried to hide some of the information, but it was given to Kaito.

[FUNiOP]

Man this show is brutal for having such a silly plot. Not quite TV-MA level, though, which is what Sentai is rating it. It seemed like a strange choice. You know what else seemed like a strange choice? Having the most brutal serious business in the series yet take place while the characters are crossdressing. It kind of kills any potential for the mood they were going for actually working. Well, there's also the fact that the whole story is about silly puzzles and the cast's melodrama-focused life surrounding. Oh well. It's still fun and a little interesting to see the puzzles get solved.

[ookamigirl]

Episode 9

Cultural festival time ^^
It was pretty LOL, loved the cross dressing part!
The puzzle this time was quite dangerous, but that much fire seemed too much.

Episode 10

Selfish idol girl Elena.
Guess Gyamon made a new acquaintance.
Well, the new puzzle challenge was interesting..

Episode 11

Puzzle Queen Elena LOL
Pretty good episode.
I like the whole costumes thing ^^

Episode 12

So Kaito went abroad..
Those flashbacks were nice with new info.
Good episode, but Rook probably has some hidden intentions.

Episode 13

That Fool's puzzle sure was no joke.
This was the most dangerous puzzle so far.
Rook sure is a devious one.
Reminiscing parts were nice.
Great episode.

Episode 14

Kaito sure did himself in with that last puzzle.
Genius-kid got himself into trouble. Thought he was smarter than that.
Falling for a trap like that...

Episode 15

Kaito and his feelings about Rook..
The flashbacks were not too necessary, but there still were a few.
The Stonehenge-like puzzle was kinda interesting.

Episode 16

Gyamon sure is a spirited one, especially when it comes to puzzles.
Kaito always comes to the rescue ^^"
Nice puzzle with the gondolas.

Episode 17

This was the best episode so far.
Finally, they spilled the info about Kaito's past and his connection to the puzzle world.
This was like his revenge to the puzzle for the death of his parents.

Episode 18

This was an interesting episode.
Kaito was all down.
Even that latest puzzle didn't bring out his usual fire.
After what happened in the previous episode it's no wonder some of them have become scared of him.

Episode 19

Gyamon sure was determined to join Rook.
The motorcycle lane puzzle was pretty interesting.
Looks like Gyamon kinda lost it... he turned into a monster.

Episode 20

Gyamon totally lost it.
He sure made an interesting puzzle for Kaito.
Interesting and very dangerous.
That guy seems keen on crushing Kaito.
That armband sure is amazing, he can even see the future now...

Episode 21

Kaito's condition sure is getting worse..
Cubic was right, but Kaito is just too stubborn to listen.
Guess Nonoha really cares about Kaito, could it be love? LOL

Episode 22

Well, this time we got some new info about the whole POG thing goal and plans.
Can't wait to finally see a real Kaito vs Rook standoff!
Guess Jin was totally right to quit POG, he was the smart one.
The only mistake was taking on the main boss Pythagoras...
No way! Rook is now the boss.
Really interesting episode!

Episode 23

Interesting how Kaito is his own worst enemy, at least for now.
The artist girl is interesting.
Kaito vs Gyamon! Amazing how he got free of the bracelet.
Guess he kinda absorbed its powers and doesn't need it as help.
Probably just surpassed it.

Episode 24

Rook totally snapped this time.
I was kinda surprised Kaito managed to stay normal after all that.
Rooks' behavior around Kaito was just like when they were kids.
It was kinda nice watching them just hang out.
I just knew there was some catch to that whole "nice" thing.
Final showdown is here...

[ookamigirl]

Rook vs Kaito. The final showdown!
It was a pretty interesting puzzle.
Well, at least Rook came to his senses after all.
His friendship with Kaito was stronger than the power of the armlet.
Nice final episode.