The BEST episodes directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike

#1 - Animation USA

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 17

On a mission to investigate the situation in America, Excel and Hyatt run into a band of street thugs... and a communication problem. Fortunately, they get some help from Sandora, the son of Excel's late friend Pedro, who is working as a cel animator to support his mother. But it seems these cels are being hoarded by an evil gangster, who quickly gets a hard lesson in the rules of cartoon heroics by an outraged Excel.

#2 - Invasion, Mother

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 22

Having finally gotten the hint from ACROSS that he should hurry up the whole invasion thing, Ilpalazzo orders Hyatt to perform final preparations for the conquest of the city of ""F"", and orders the bungling Excel to keep her nose out of it. Excel has no time to be dejected, though: the Puchuus have returned, and she and Hyatt must help a band of freedom fighters thwart the machinations of an evil conqueror and his really big spaceship! But even after our favorite ACROSS agents defeat the invaders and destroy their ship, the city of ""F"" gets squashed by the falling debris. Well, them's the breaks...

#3 - We Will Not Be Held Responsible

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 25

Fed up with the insanity, Koshi Rikdo finally insists that the animation and writing crew finish the freaking series already. So, the Safety Assurance Agency locks horns with ACROSS, Excel tracks down Ilpalazzo and beats some sense into him, Watanabe finally realizes the truth about Hyatt, and the series finally comes to an end... or does it?

#4 - Big City Part II

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 12

Having decided that his employees need some additional training, Kabapu sends Watanabe and the others to train under Purin, a detective who can turn from a tough-as-nails old-timer into a cute girl quite literally at the drop of a hat! And whilst they tag along for Purin's latest case, Excel has some problem solving of her own to do when Hyatt is taken hostage by a pair of burglars.

#5 - To the Amazing Promised Place

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 25

#6 - The Cold is Winter! Snowed Under Episode

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 6

When Ilpalazzo sends Excel and Hyatt on a mission to gather more resources for Across, the duo find themselves journeying out to the mountains. However, whether it's panning for gold or hunting for meat, finding resources in the middle of a survival drama setting promises to be far from an easy task for our intrepid heroines! And elsewhere, Watanabe, Iwata and Sumiyoshi face trials of their own as they attend a bizarre training seminar and meet up with a new colleague- the beautiful and dangerous Misaki Matsuya.

#7 - Inami, Androphobe. But You're the Scary One

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 2

Souta meets Mahiru, who suffers from Androphobia, the fear of men. The rest of the staff sets them up to share shifts in a suicidal, for Souta at least, attempt to cure Mahiru.

#8 - A Most Amazing and Inescapable Showdown

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 24

Swan Lake gets finalized. Anna trains for her special funny performance. The role of Odette and the Prince must still be decided between Layla and Yuri versus Sora and Leon. Simultaneously on the specially designed trapeze, the pairs perform in front of everyone involved in Kaleido stage. Both rivals are beautiful in their Angel's Maneuver for different reasons. Sora decides to adlib as she thinks about how to get the audience to feel their angels' hearts. The owner shares the realization that Layla is the demon that rises the angel necessary for the Angel's Manneuver. As they are fighting for the role, the audience of Kaleido performers remember important memories that motivated them to their dreams. Unable to help herself, Layla looks at Sora's act and upon the end of the act, says Sora is the winner.

#9 - The Amazing Injured Swan

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 22

#10 - Kotori-chan Appears!!

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 9

The source of Mahiru's fear of men is revealed to be a plan concocted by her father. Mahiru's father finds out that Takanashi gave her a gift for White Day and visits the restaurant to meet him. Mahiru, afraid that he has come to make her quit working there, asks Takanashi to pretend to be a girl. Takanashi mans up and wears a skirt.

#11 - The Amazing Competition Calls Up A Storm

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 13

With a week till the show's opening, the practice for the tight rope act is underway, and Layla and Sora have issues regarding synchronization. To address this issue, Layla looks to observe Sora's day-to-day activity, which includes living in Sora's dorm room. As a result, the two learn to synchronize with each other. Their practice improves, but the stage director looks to tone down the climactic scene. On the last practice day, Sora and Layla practice on a tight rope rigged to a boat out in open water. Layla looks to stage a "real fight", and the two duel on the tight rope using stage props, even in the middle of a rain storm. After practice, Layla shares her reason for joining Kaleido Stage. Then the next morning, they return to start the show on time, and it becomes an instant success.

#12 - Morishima Haruka Arc, Chapter 1: Longing

Amagami SS - Season 1 - Episode 1

It's been two years since Junichi was stood up on Christmas Eve, which has scarred his heart and made him wary of love. While buying lunch for his friends, he helps Sae, a friend of his sister, Miya, which catches the attention of the popular school idol, Haruka. Later that afternoon, he goes to the library to meet his friend Masayoshi but encounters Haruka again and helps carry her books while she teases him before leaving with her friend Hibiki. Junichi's interactions with Haruka makes him believe in love again, so one afternoon he confesses to her. Haruka rejects him but she admires his honesty.

#13 - Happening!

Juden Chan - Season 1 - Episode 5

Sento, his boss, Hakone and Iono go to the beach, whilst Plug and Alesta, also on their day off, decide to go too. Whilst enjoying the sun, Plug notices a writer on a slump behaving strangely, despite being ranked E.

#14 - Welcome to Wagnaria: Takanashi Works

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 1

Takanashi Souta, lover of all things small, is recruited by his tiny sempai Taneshima Popura to work at the family style restaurant Wagnaria. There he meets his new co-workers and begins to learn about their many quirks.

#15 - Amazing Match On Ice

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 6

The new Kaleido Stage production is going to be Dracula and Sora is competing with May for the role of Mina Murray. But after May shows off her impressive ice skating routine Leon decides that Mia should change the show and put it on ice, Sora who has no experience at ice skating must be able to compete with May for the role in three days time. Sora puts in a lot of effort and comes close to beating May but in the end Leon chooses May for the role of Mina Murray.

#16 - The Truth to the Suspicion... Nazuna Works

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 10

Kyouko is gone for a week on company business and in her absence Yachiyo attempts to "serve" Jun, which results in his heart being crushed even more. Later Nazuna sees Takanashi and Mahiru walking home together and bribes Kyouko to let her work at the restaurant for the day to spy on Mahiru. Mahiru eventually admits that she likes Takanashi, though Nazuna misinterprets this thinking that she was confirming that Takanashi was a masochist.

#17 - With My Cats

Nyanko Days - Season 1 - Episode 12

At the festival, Yuuko and Azumi walk along a street lined with food stalls, accompanied by Shii and Rou. They're looking for Maa and Elsa, who have strayed from the group, when Ran shows up...

#18 - The Amazing Fated Duel

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 20

The Kaleido Stage reopens as Leon's injury is healed. Yuri provokes Leon that he was what made Sophie unsuccessful in order to get repentance. As Yuri and Leon fight intensely with fencing swords on the new trapeze design, Sora interferes. Leon remembers his promise to Sophie for her dream to unite a stage without competition and the audience. Layla appears because she has unfinished business, and Leon realizes that Sora will be his partner to make Sophie's dream come true. The next Kaleido stage performance is Swan Lake and the story will be made by Mia and Cathy.

#19 - Leon's Amazing Past

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 19

The Kaleido gang goes to France on contract to perform for a circus. Knowing that Sora focuses on smiles, May thinks it is important that she smiles to gain Sora's brilliance. Having gone there early, Rosetta gets Leon's old coach to train her. The coach shares with the gang Leon and Sophie's training for the Angel's Maneuver. He intensely trains Leon thinking that the maneuver requires a strong partner, but upon realizing that the female must have a natural talent for balance, he begins to give Sophie intense training. To become an angel, there must a demon. Sophie also wants to learn the maneuver in order to unite the audience and the star, the same belief as Sora's. Rosetta is able to perform the trapeze as the princess while May is the villain and Sora is the prince. Again, Sora's brilliance to perform for the audience brings out May's desire to perform better.

#20 - Flight of the Amazing Angel

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 21

#21 - Our Amazing Futures

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 23

Everyone works on their role for Swan Lake. Mia finds that the Kaleido stage is missing something for the climax. May also thinks about her role as Odile and gets Rosetta to be the Fairy of Light for the climax move that will save Odile called Eternal Illusion. With Leon convinced to help Sora again, Sora gets another set of special training with water and weights. Layla also practices the Angel's Maneuver at her home and asks for Yuri's help.

#22 - The Two Amazing Demons

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 11

#23 - The Two of Them Back Then, Yachiyo and Satou. Also, Welcome to the Takanashi Family

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 11

Yamada tells a scary ghost story at the end of work and Mahiru is to scared to go home where she would be by herself. Takanashi invites her over to spend the night at his house, Yamada follows them there, claiming to be too scared even though she was the one who told the story in the first place.

#24 - Let's Go to the Festival

Nyanko Days - Season 1 - Episode 11

Yuuko is looking at a festival flyer in her room. Though Yuuko doesn't like big crowds, Maa is intrigued by the idea of a festival and begs to go, so Yuuko takes her three cats to check out the festival.

#25 - Souma, the Overly Invigorating Young Man

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 4

Takanashi is visited at work by one his 4 sisters. Hiroomi the assistant cook attempts to blackmail the staff of Wagnaria so that he won't have to work. At the same time it becomes apparent that Satou the head cook has a thing for Yachiyo the head waitress.

#26 - A Certain Day of Flu... A Wagnaria That Is Different From Usual

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 5

Takanashi takes the day off work to take care of his sick sister. The staff attempts to function without them and deal with Mahiru's fear of men with no male server to deal with the male customers.

#27 - Yuri's Amazing Trap

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 18

Kaleido Stage continues to thrive with Mia's production. However, their hopes are dashed, as Yuri takes ownership of Kaleido Stage and cancels the remaining performances of Mia's show. Likewise, anyone refusing to work for Yuri resign their positions at Kaleido Stage. Regardless of the circumstances, Layla continues to view Sora as a worthy partner, but her father makes a greater presence on her career path. With the transfer of Kaleido Stage, the stage crew have one last show, but Sora deals with the bleak outlook of Kalos's words and not seeing Fool. In addition, she contemplates the last performance as the end, but she overhears Layla's conversation with Yuri, where she depicts a more optimistic view. As a result, they move onward with good spirits.

#28 - My Amazing And Lonely Challenge

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 2

Sora deals with Fool, who indicates her as a future star performer. However, the other performers view Sora with jealousy, because she qualified without an audition. Motivated, she cleans the stage early in the morning. After the cleaning work, she ends up late to ballet lessons. At practice, she stumbles and draws further disrespect from the other performers. In addition, she blurts out her prospect of performing Layla's special trapeze trick, the "Golden Phoenix". Overhearing Sora's boast, Layla is adamant that she will practice and perform the trick in one week's time. Motivated to earn respect, she learns the trick with the help of Ken, even without prior experience handling the swings. As she trained, Sora shares her determination with Mia Guillem and Anna Heart, whom she gains support and friendship. Sora persistence earns Layla's approval.

#29 - Battle with the Heroes

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 7

Kelvin battles the heroes who are destined to save the world, and he has more than a few things to teach them.

#30 - Yachiyo, Kyouko, Satou... and the Returning Mr. Otou

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 3

Yachiyo, the samurai sword-carrying waitress, reveals that she started carrying it to ward off bullies back in elementary school. At this time she encounters Kyoko who agrees to act as a bodyguard in exchange for Yachiyo's lunch. Otou Hyougo, the true restaurant manager, returns to the store after another unsuccessful search for his lost wife; his wife, who has the world's worst sense of direction, got lost years ago while out shopping.

#31 - Cruel Amazing Festival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 13

May gains motivation to perfect her Demon Spiral after learning that Sora will compete in the competition as well. Sora continues to train for the Angel's Maneuver, but her lack of basic balance makes it difficult. During the actual festival, Leon and Yuri reveal that they knew each other before. While many people perform, Sora gets the shock of her life from the betrayal of friends. The shock and the unwelcoming spirit of the competition gets to Sora for her performance, and Sora realizes that she wants the friendly stage that she saw as a child with her parents on the Kaleido Stage. Having won the festival three years before, Layla presents the award to the winner,and Layla expresses disappointment at Sora.

#32 - Amazing Angelic Counterattack

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 12

May demonstrates the Demon Spiral that gets Leon to agree to be her partner for the world festival. Sora, thus, goes to Paris to find Yuri where Yuri begins to train Sora for the Angel's Maneuver. Along the way, Sora befriends Mute and Alice.

#33 - The Amazing Passionate Rival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 5

#34 - Amazing Training With Leon

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 10

#35 - Kureha's Days Being Stood Up!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 10

One winter day Kohina and Kokkuri-san discover a maple tree still displaying autumn colors. A girl dressed in a kimono standing behind the tree asks them to find the person she is waiting for. They seek out the tengu, who knows about everything happening in the mountains, and he agrees to tell them on one condition.

#36 - Sales Event and Gamers Meetup

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 3

Hirotaka invites Narumi to his house after work, but Narumi starts acting weird. As they head to his place, Narumi talks about her childhood memories, but tells Hirotaka that she doesn't remember how they started being friends. Hirotaka has a sad look on his face as he listens.

#37 - Another Reincarnated

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 12

Kelvin fights another reincarnated warrior to protect the elven village.

#38 - Weakness is Thunder and Years of Insecurity

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 8

Hirotaka asks Kabakura what he and Hanako are like when they’re alone. Kabakura answers that they’re the same as Hirotaka and Narumi, but Hirotaka doesn’t fully believe him, and proposes a new idea to Narumi on the way home.

#39 - The Melancholy of Souta, the Women of the Takanashi Family

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 6

Takanashi spends some quality time with his four quirky sisters; the boss, the drunk, the writer and the manipulative. Each in their own way is reliant on Takanashi to keep their family in order. White Day has arrived and Takanashi gifts Mahiru a bag of hair pins. This is the first White Day gift she has ever received. Later he runs into her on the street worried that she might attack some random male while walking around he escorts her home. On the way they run into his eldest sister Kazue. Mahiru get flustered and admits to "assaulting" Takanashi on a regular basis.

#40 - The Amazing Newcomer

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 4

#41 - Daughter of the Demon King

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 5

Kelvin faces off with a powerful gluttony demon in the depths of a dungeon.

#42 - Rice and Thieves and Heroes

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 6

Kelvin sets off on a new journey in search of more powerful foes... and rice?!

#43 - Rank S Promotion Exam

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 11

Kelvin heads to an elven village for his S Rank Promotion exam.

#44 - Is Mature Love as Difficult?

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 4

Hanako and Kabakura get into a fight when they go out for drinks after work one day. Hanako starts to worry because she thought that dating Kabakura would be easy since they were both otaku. Narumi is reminded of her own relationship as she watches Hanako and Kabakura.

#45 - The Cat Spirit's Love at First Sight!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 7

Tama, a cat god with a fetish for dolls, takes a dubious interest in Kohina, who she believes to be an actual doll, and kidnaps her. Later, Kokkuri finds a cursed box in the family storehouse that turns him into a woman.

#46 - Hero Summoning

Black Summoner - Season 1 - Episode 9

After getting his own house and reunited with Melfina, Kelvin summons a new hero.

#47 - Online Gaming and Their Respective Nights

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 7

The group decides to get together to play an online game. However, while they wait inside the game for Hirotaka to join them, a rare enemy suddenly appears! Narumi, Hanako, and Kabakura aren’t strong enough to beat the enemy themselves and find themselves in a tight spot when suddenly, a savior comes to the rescue!

#48 - The Cats' Day 2

Nyanko Days - Season 1 - Episode 8

Rou turns on the TV with the remote control. Maa and Shii are intrigued by the program that's on, but Maa grows bored and changes the channel...

#49 - Amazing and Sad Homecoming

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 14

Everyone returns to Kaleido Stage to begin rehearsal, but Sora feels defeated. So she gives up and decides to return to Japan for good with her family. Sora takes the chance to spend time with her new baby sister, but the Fool reminds her if she gives up then he'll disappear from her sight. Meanwhile at Kaleido Stage, May begins to annoy the cast while tensely rehearsing. Ken and Mr. Policeman attempt to visit Sora and Minami convinces Sora to go back to Kaleido Stage.

#50 - The Ever Amazing Miss Layla

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 8