The BEST episodes directed by Kazuya Ichikawa

#1 - After Giving Every Last Drop

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 12

There is one minute remaining. Noukin has lost Ojo and allowed Kouyou to take a five point lead. Their fatigue is at its peak. Amidst all this, Yoigoshi does not relent in his raid and takes back two points. However, he was unable to return Ojo to the court. Still, Noukin refuses to give up, and their morale rises through the efforts of Misumi. Fifteen seconds remain. Yoigoshi is raring to go. "This time, it's my turn."

#2 - Sakai-kun's Hairstyle Has Changed

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 11

Sakai Kazuma is sort of the leader of the three stooges, and very average. Or he should have been, but all of the sudden he started to hear "The Whisper"! The desire to be attractive has awakened the goal hunter in the defender! Because of that, in danger of losing his position in the starting team, Zaizen decides to step up his game. Things are certainly more turbulent now at the Fujimi High School soccer club!

#3 - Odagiri-san Can't Get It In

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 7

Odagiri Mio is the school's idol, a regular on the basketball team as a freshman, and lauded to be the cutest and to have the best figure in the class. However, she is exceptionally bad at shooting! One day during PE, Odagiri sees Aoyama-kun's elegant shots and starts to call him "master". Can Odagiri actually land a shot?! And then, the relationship between Aoyama-kun and Odagiri becomes the talk of the entire school!

#4 - Aoyama-kun Has Many Secrets

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 10

Aoyama-kun's private life is full of mysteries! In order to reveal some of those mysteries, the three stooges and Zaizen commit the rude act of tailing him. But when they finally arrive at his destination, it's an old, traditional Japanese house, nothing like what they imagined. And for some reason, Ibuki Seigo is there, even though he's supposed to be playing for a famous pro youth team in Spain! He is Aoyama-kun's true rival! Does this mean trouble is brewing?!

#5 - The Reason Behind Aoyama-kun`s Choice

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 12

Today is the match against the high-ranking Kuraishi High School. In order to break through their ironclad defense, Zaizen's performance as the forward need to be stellar! However, he is the one whose head doesn't seem to be quite in the game. The reason being that Aoyama-kun is being actively scouted for the U16 team! On top of that, today is supposedly the day an important family member passed away. Aoyama-kun might quit the club! This might be the last match Fujimi High School's soccer club plays with this team!

#6 - The Strongest Raider

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 4

As Yoigoshi tries to find a way to capture the feeling of "winning" in training, his impatience begins to take over. Iura realizes this and tells him to make use of his superlative potential to become "Noukin's Beast," the strongest raider. Later, while Yoigoshi is out running, he crashes into a slightly built male whose presence he hadn't sensed at all. This person is only just recovering from a stay in the hospital and his identity is...

#7 - Aoyama-Kun, Do You Remember?

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 2

Since Aoyama-kun joined the soccer club, from one day to another, the dirty club house has become spotless! On top of that, the school uniforms are neatly folded! But it's not Aoyama-kun's doing!? Is this the work of a fairy!? Meanwhile, the rumor that Aoyama-kun's towel smell amazing wildly escalates. "I want to smell it!" "But my pride!" "I need to protect Aoyama-kun!" These thoughts, amongst others, collide!

#8 - STRUGGLE

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 7

The second half of the match begins. Ojo and Takaya battle furiously, switching from offense to defense and back again. Noukin closes the point gap to four points. Then, Iura tells Ojo he can't go out on the next raid. If Ojo, tired as he is, gets injured, they won't be able to enter the upcoming tournament. It's a decision made to keep Noukin's dreams from ending. Once Ojo understands Iura's true intentions, he entrusts the task of sending Takaya out to Yoigoshi.

#9 - Chase X Counterattack

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 6

Yoigoshi's successful raid has earned his team 3 points. Noukin thought they had momentum on their side, but with Takaya scoring a huge number of points and Rokugen executing perfect defense, the tables are turned and the point spread grows larger and larger. The fact that all of Takaya's attention is trained on Ojo sitting on the bench makes Yoigoshi angry. With the widening point gap, Azemichi's injury, and Noukin's weakening mental fortitude, the only one who can save them would have to be...

#10 - Because He's the Ace

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 10

Sakura Manabu was once one of Ojo's juniors in kabaddi, and he's lit a sense of rivalry in Yoigoshi. At the same time, Sakura wants to surpass the person he sees as his master teacher—Ojo. In a way, Yoigoshi and Sakura are like fellow apprentices. The two clash on the court. Yoigoshi unleashes a new skill he's been working on in secret, further showing his growth. Meanwhile, Sakura faces off against Ojo with a conflicted heart. Amidst the ebb and flow of raid and defense, an unexpected accident occurs...

#11 - The Reason Aoyama-kun Isn't Here

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 3

The day before hte match, people from the soccer team are getting food at a family restaurant. Suddenly, Takechi appears and starts an eating costest with Yoshioka. Then, the day of the match vs Takada Academy. The match is about to begin, but Aoyama-kun can't be found anywhere! Left without a choice, Fujimi High School starts the match without Aoyama-kun. Could this be their biggest challenge in the preliminaries?!

#12 - Reprisal -Counterattack-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 11

Nemo goes on the run with Faria and Reda. Meanwhile, the curse of Granseed Academy is unleashed, putting the world itself at stake!

#13 - Into the Burning World

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 3

First years Yoigoshi and Azemichi go up against second years Misumi and Date in a practice match resulting in the first years suffering an overwhelming defeat. Realizing that the cause of their failure is their lack of coordinated teamwork, and that he'll have to work with Azemichi, makes Yoigoshi angry. Then he gets a flash of inspiration. If they need to work together to win, then they can use codes to coordinate their plays. Yoigoshi and Azemichi begin secret training sessions. All fired up, they challenge the second years once more!

#14 - A Battle of Wills

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 9

Misumi is feeling troubled. Since he's been paired with Date for so long, he doesn't know what he should do as an anti in the new formations. "What did I used to do before this guy was around...?" In his first tournament after joining the team, Misumi experienced failure and frustration. Not wanting to feel that miserable ever again, Misumi invites Date, who has a very athletic build, to the kabaddi team, but...

#15 - The Direction We're Aiming

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 11

Sakura has awakened as his team's ace and racks up an incredible number of points in a single raid. Noukin withers away. But, Yoigoshi alone is different. Knowing that they must recover on his raid, Yoigoshi aims for a split-second opening and uses a new skill against Sakura. "What was that?!" Everyone is shocked. But Sakura regains his focus and prevents Yoigoshi from returning, thus turning the tables on Noukin.

#16 - Team Applicants

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 8

First year Ban Nobutaka brings a club application form saying he wants to join the kabaddi team. Ban is a bit of an odd one who wears his hair in a pompadour, has a mean look to his eyes, and in spite of all that, has a tiny, quiet voice. He arrives at the gym with two fellow first years, Seki Ryuta and Hitomi Yuki, who say he invited them to come along. The truth is, this man called Ban has met Yoigoshi back in second grade. It all happened one very hot day...

#17 - The Match Begins!!!

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 5

Ojo talks about becoming number one in Japan with the teammates he's trained so hard alongside through kabaddi. For that purpose, he wants them to experience a match, so he arranges a practice game with a school whose team includes a member who was part of the World Squad, a group of top-tier kabaddi athletes. They will be facing Ojo's old friend and rival, Rokugen Ayumu, and the ace raider, Takaya Ren, on a powerhouse team that made it to the Kanto region's final four — Souwa High School's kabaddi team.

#18 - Holiday -Festival-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 6

The school is preparing for its annual festival. While the rest of the students worry about finding a partner for the night's dance, Claire struggles to find a way to be useful to Gareth.

#19 - Conviction -Punishment-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 10

Nemo reveals the truth of his past while facing the accusations of his friends. In desperation to help him, Faria asks Eunomia to tell her the truth.

#20 - Men Who Connect

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 2

Yoigoshi refuses to practice being an anti because he doesn't like the defense formation commonly known as a "chain" where they have hold hands. However, even though he rejects the idea of holding hands with other guys, his raid success rate against them is zero. But after observing Iura, and second years Misumi Kyohei and Date Shinji, Yoigoshi declares that he has discovered a surefire way to win — a raiding hat trick.

#21 - Hero -Seven Knights-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 3

When the Seven Knights fight together for the first time, Gildan begins to feel eclipsed by Nemo's power. As fear overtakes him, darkness follows.

#22 - Umeya-kun Is Very Patient

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 8

Umeya Tsuba excels in academic as well as athletic pursuits, and has devotedly followed that path. Even as a freshman, he was throwing his senpais around and was the hope of the judo club. All of the sudden he switched to the soccer club and challenges Aoyama-kun to a duel! Umeya is relentless and keeps at it, but his gaze is on the real reason why he joined the soccer club...

#23 - Finale -Nemo-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 12

Sophitia attempts to bestow her final "salvation" on the world, becoming an avatar of the god of destruction and wreathing Granseed in flames. But the Seven Knights won't let it happen!

#24 - Rampancy -Physis-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 5

Nemo offers his help when a series of vampire attacks strikes the campus. Shirley refuses his aid, hoping to solve the incident alone... but it turns out the vampire is after Shirley herself!

#25 - Miwa-chan Wants to Do a Training Camp

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 9

As coach of the fujimi soccer club's coach, Takei Miwa decides to take the club to their very first training camp! With the help of Zaizen Kaoru's sister, Karin, who fully utilizes the Zaizen group's resources, the training camp turns into something unimaginably big. Summer! Sea! Test of courage! ...wait, what about practice? A totally unique summer experience is about to begin.

#26 - Conclusion -End Times-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 9

While Reda joins the fight against Amis Germain and his overwhelming power, Gareth learns the secret of the old library from Sophitia.

#27 - What Is Kabaddi?

Burning Kabaddi - Season 1 - Episode 1

Yoigoshi Tatsuya was a famous soccer player, but when he entered high school, he took the opportunity to sever every relationship he had with sports. Azemichi Soma barges in on him to invite him to join the kabaddi team, and drags him to practice saying all he needs to do is watch. Yoigoshi thinks it's a ridiculous sport, only good for gags, but he's soon caught in a trap set by the vice-captain, Iura Kei, and forced to try kabaddi for himself...

#28 - Tsukamoto-kun is a Receiver for Life

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 5

Tsukamoto Jin is the good vibrations officer of the Fujimi High School soccer club. He's getting everybody fired up with his time-honored treasure, the butt lifts! However, as soon as the match starts, Four-Eyes is acting quite strangely. The captain of Minamida Fuzoku High School's team, Kadomatsu, was Tsukamoto's senpai at their middleschool. As he keeps targeting Four-Eyes repeatedly, Fujimi High School is under pressure. What happened between those two in middle school? What's wrong, Tsukamoto? This is the time to fight!

#29 - Ozaki-kun Has His Pride

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 6

Ozaki Atsumu is a mysterious loner who intently stares at things or people of interest. He is actually the author of the super hit manga "I will save this world!!"! He models his new character after Aoyama-kun and creates a villain "The Blue Wizard". To his surprise, he leaps to the top of the popularity chart! Despite his efforts to make the protagonist more popular, the Wizard keeps getting more popular. He tries everything to lower the popularity of the Wizard...

#30 - Narita-kun Keeps It a Secret

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 4

There is another clean freak in Aoyama-kun's class, Narita Shion. Every day, he keeps his germaphobia a secret, avoids human contact as much as possible, and plays online games as he can't get dirty there. One day, in the home economics class, a super high-level cooking contest breaks out between Aoyama-kun and Narita. On top of that, Narita gets accused of stealing a girl's gym clothes. Will he be able to prove his innocence without revealing his germaphobia?!

#31 - Rivalry -Conflict-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 8

While Gareth pursues secrets in Granseed Academy, Amis Germain's plots appear to be on the verge of fruition. As the three students of Granseed struggle against the "synthetic successors"... Nemo makes a confession!

#32 - Sortie -Apocalypse-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 7

The council orders an all-out offensive against the forces of Physis in Burgot Volcano. Once inside the stronghold, Faria, Nemo, and Shirley come face to face with three new hero successors... who fight in the name of destruction!

#33 - Duel at the Shopping Mall

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 5

"Enter the Legendary Wrestler" Ren and Aoi are attacked by a mysterious team of junior high schoolers. Backed into a corner, the two fight back… ▽ Duel at the Shopping Mall [Japan: literal English translation] ▽ Mall Brawl [Int'l: renamed English title] ▽ Shoppingumooru no kettou! [Japan: original Romaji title]

#34 - Friendship -Connection-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 4

Nemo is laid up after the last battle, with Faria nursing him back to health. While the others speculate about the dark power that overtook Gildan, Nemo and Faria end up tracking down a runaway cat!

#35 - Aoyama-kun Is a Clean Freak!

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun - Season 1 - Episode 1

The prodigy U-16 national player Aoyama-kun has come Fujimi High School's weak soccer team! However, he's an extreme clean freak! He avoids passes, doesn't head, and contact plays are completely out. With him on the roster, Fujimi High School is to play against the historically strong Oshigamiminami High School. That's where Aoyama-kun meets another U-16 national player, the forward Takechi, again. Aoyama-kun has the absolute territory called germaphobia. What will happen in this match?

#36 - Midnght at the Monster Colosseum

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 4

"Once Again, But With Four!" Ren decides to challenge the Colosseum after being inspired by the epic battles between monsters. But Aoi's a stickler and wants to do things right before joning the fray. ▽ A Night At The Colosseum [Int'l: renamed English title] ▽ Mayonaka no monsutokoroshiamu [Japan: original Romaji title] ▽ Midnight at the Monster Colosseum [Japan: literal English translation]

#37 - Awakening -Succession-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 1

Faria, successor to Eunomia of the Seven Knights, saves a boy named Nemo in a village under attack by monsters. Nemo awakens his own successor power during the fight, and what he does stuns even Faria!

#38 - This is the Beginning Strike!

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 1

I've Been Eaten?! Ren returns to the town of his childhood, Kaminohara. Strangely, Ren is unable to recall any memories of the town. Meanwhile, his smartphone installs a mysterious game called Monster Strike — heralding the start of a desperate battle! ▽ Kore ga hajime no sutoraiku! [Japan: original Romaji title] ▽ The First Strike! [Int'l: renamed English title] ▽ This is the Beginning Strike! [Japan: literal English translation]

#39 - Finger Hit Parade! Oragon!

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 2

Monster Strike the Animation Begins! Awaken. The Story Takes Off! Ren is forced into a heated battle with the bestial Fenrir X. Unable to control his companion Oragon and on the verge of defeat, a girl appears before Ren. Who could she be? ▽ Finger Hit Parade! Oragon! [Japan: literal English translation] ▽ Slingshot Away! Call Me Oragon! [Int'l: renamed English title] ▽ Yubide hippare! Oragon! [Japan: original Romaji title] NOTE: "Hippare" (ヒッパレ) is an abbreviation of "Hit Parade".

#40 - Erased

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 3

As the Reapers' Game nears its end, Neku, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme get a mission so easy it seems like a day off. Is this a respite before their looming battle with the Game Master, or one last trap to stop them from ever reaching it?

#41 - Chance Encounter -Granseed-

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor - Season 1 - Episode 2

After arriving at Granseed Academy, Nemo is inducted into the Seven Knights, and meets its idiosyncratic members. Jou Tsurugi, successor to the hero Spike, takes an immediate dislike to the weak-willed Nemo.

#42 - Reapers

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 4

Neku's second game has begun. He may have experience, but the new Game Master is out for blood, and Neku can't fight without a partner. A mysterious boy named Joshua may be the help Neku needs, but can he be trusted?

#43 - Shiki

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 2

Each mission is tougher than the last as the Reapers' Game enters its second half. When a chance encounter shakes Shiki's confidence and motivation, it's Neku's turn to support her for a change. Can he be a good enough partner to keep them alive?

#44 - Aoi Mizusawa's Secret

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 3

"I'll tell you all about MS." Almost every middle school student who lives in Kaminohara plays the game "Monster Strike." Aoi invites Ren to go to this "special place" where MS addicts gather. ▽ Aoi Mizusawa's Secret [Japan: literal English translation, short onscreen title] ▽ Aoi Mizusawa's Secret [Japan: literal English translation, full title] ▽ Mizusawa Aoi (水澤葵) [Japan original Romaji title, short onscreen versioin] ▽ Mizusawa Aoi no himitsu [Japan: original Romaji title, full version]

#45 - Shopfront Shocker

Monster Strike - Season 1 - Episode 10

#46 - The Reapers' Game

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 1

Neku wakes up in the middle of an otherworldly Shibuya teeming with monsters. He's been dragged into the Reapers' Game, and he'll need to learn to work with the other players he meets if he wants to survive the seven-day contest.

#47 - Joshua

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 7

Neku's second game is nearly over, and he trusts his partner less than ever. What is the rebel Game Master Minamimoto planning, and will Neku be able to handle it if he keeps Joshua at arms length?

#48 - CAT

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 5

There are no new missions, and it's making Neku nervous. Joshua, however, has his own agenda, and he wants Neku to lend him a hand. When the pair reunite with Hanekoma, a chance remark sparks a memory in Neku.

#49 - It's a Wonderful World

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 12

Neku confronts Kitaniji for the final time when the return of a familiar face turns everything he thought he knew on its head! Who is the real Composer? Will the lessons Neku has learned in Shibuya carry him through one last game?

#50 - Turf

The World Ends With You: The Animation - Season 1 - Episode 6

Neku starts to remember his death, and it makes him more suspicious of Joshua than ever. Meanwhile, the game grinds to a halt as Taboo Noise attack Players and Reapers alike. Minamimoto is the prime suspect, but what does he have to gain?