Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God

It's beautiful. I thought the final battle would be saved for the next season since there's only one episode left. But somehow, they managed to wrap it up and it didn't feel rushed. Sure, there are still unanswered questions, but everything that needed to be there was there. I find the ending great. Season 1 first half was quite slow, but the second half was much more engaging. Overall, it's a great anime with few reservations.

Kaito and Rook together here is like wishful thinking. This feels like the calm before the storm, a prelude to the final battle. It's a mix of emotions because, while you're excited for the finale, it's also sad to think that there's no way for them to turn around and choose a different path. It's as if fate has already made its decision.

This one has Ana's guiding moments. This episode is tense and with decent action. I feel sad for Rook who, when you really think about it, could have been a victim from the very beginning. It also ends with a strong hook, making you curious what happens next.

This is Cubie and Jikukawa shining moments. Another intriguing episode here as the revelations start connecting pieces of information. It doesn't explain everything though, as each revelation raises another question. Still, what matters is that the most important questions are being answered little by little.

This is an intriguing episode. It has a mystery-detective vibe, and it kind of rearranges the plot and everything they've shown before. It's probably best to be in "viewing tiimmeee" until the end to get a clear picture of who's who. The questions we thought we had already answered are now being questioned again. The writer must also be a Giver and wants to puzzle the viewers, lol.

I knew it! Like everything else we've heard about sealed tombs, pandora's box, ancient ruins with traps, treasures with curses, or anything that's been sealed away, there's usually a reason why they're locked in the first place. So I think this circles back to the same point I find weak in the plot. It might be better not to solve it at all. Perhaps they should focus on taking down the heads of POG instead.

I previously expressed in the earlier episodes that I didn't like their facial animations, but this time I found it well done with Bishop...only. He's a stunner. Nice puzzle he got here, so expensive.

This is Gammon's stage and he owns it. One thing I find weak in the plot is that, after all the revelations, most of Kaito's friends become irrational. They don't want the enemy to succeed, but their behaviors are contributing success to enemy's plan. If they don't want to risk their lives, they can say no to a puzzle challenge. And what's the guarantee that once the Divine puzzle is solved, things will change for the better? In a way, it would seem to benefit if no one solved it. Therefore, the irrational behavior doesn't add well.

This one should not be a miss, as it has shocking revelationsssss. This is like an all-out episode showing what they've got up their sleeves and revealing their trump card. The rest is for us to watch and see what happens next. By the way, Nonoha's role here is bad writing, just exaggerated.

Count me in for the detour, I could use some vacay from work. Gammon is cool here and his POG rival suits him, too. POG's resources are insane, but I can't still grasp where they're coming from. Who would invest in something like the Divine Puzzle if no one has unlocked it yet? Or has somebody? Did I miss that part? I just hope that all these grandiose puzzle setups and expensive manpower will be worth it when they finally reveal the Divine Puzzle.

This one has a good balance of action, tension, emotional moments, and soundtrack. I think they blended well except for Nonoha. She was introduced as strong, athletic, gifted, and caring, but the excessive clinginess kind of stepped on those qualities. Instead of making me like her, it often makes me see her as annoying. What makes it worse is that some of her actions and dialogue feel unnecessary. Obviously, she has feelings for Kaito but her clingy behavior discouraged me from rooting for her. In fact, Ana, which has few screen times, overshadows her. I like the enigmatic soundtrack, btw.

Usually, when we hear “genius,” we relate it with IQ, analysis, knowledge, and anything that has to do with our brain. But this part shows a different kind of genius, who understands emotions and is using them as offensive weapon. This hits differently as it attack others emotionally and psychologically. It's sad, especially in this scenario for a normal level of genius, who ends up facing a situation where confidence and self-worth is undermined.

Here is another pick-up line for the day, "Life is a puzzle. It is difficult and sad. It is the greatest joy to solve it." I like how they are incorporating lines that are relevant to the plot. I'm already halfway through the season, and it has been going well with each episode so far.

Now we are talking. The challenges are getting more difficult. The excitement is building up and it is worth looking forward to what happens next, especially now that Kaito is in the hands of high-ranking Givers whose puzzles are on a crazy level. One thing that sinks in my brain this time, as it has been said before, is the saying that a puzzle reflects the creator's character. And I agree, it makes perfect sense.

This has a comeback-for-revenge vibes. While a lot of bad things happening, it’s also showing some good sides of a villain. It picks up with the return of a character who once seemed good but became bad. Overall, it's about bad characters who looks good and good characters who looks bad. Now I'm talking like puzzle, lol.

This feels like one of those ordinary episodes you'd casually watch for pastime. It's not mind-blowing, not bad either, just right in the middle. There's also a possible shipping here, which I think they suit each other. Nice and enjoyable to watch.

This is an engaging episode for me. I tried solving the logic puzzle, but it was hard for me without jotting things down. There are surprising revelations here, although it's something you might've suspected all along. One thing I admire is how they strengthened the world-building by showing what makes a good or bad puzzles, as well as the roles between a giver and a solver. I think the series is getting better.

This is a warm episode. It's the kind where goodness can really be felt, making it refreshing for the mood. This one's for everybody who wants to relax. It invites you to take a break once in a while and might even influence you to go on a vacation.

To all the nurses out there, this one’s for you guys. It’s a nice challenge, and I’m amazed at how many puzzles the story or the anime can manage to bring out. So far, they’ve been presenting a couple of puzzles per episode. They feel legit and not just made-up ones. You can really imagine how many puzzles like these actually exist in the world.

This is a difficult stage for Kaito. It's a good thing he's surrounded by good characters. Some of them, whether rival or frenemy, lowkey stood out that they care. Also, good job with the scientific explanation about the armband. That's much better than simply saying that the skill belongs to whoever wears it.