The BEST episodes directed by Kiyomitsu Sato

Promise
star
9.56
32 votes

#1 - Promise

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 7 - Episode 13

Kouji learns from Kai that the Zodiac Time Beasts are somewhere in outer space and relays this info to Chrono and his friends. Later, Chrono decides to cardfight Kouji to test his modified deck which no longer has Chronojet Dragon in it. During the battle, Kouji apologizes to Chrono for withholding information about Rive's condition. He also tells Chrono the reason he treated him so harshly in the past was to toughen him for the battle against Ryuzu. After the fight, Chrono tells Kouji that he is prepared to let Kouji use his power however he wants, even if it may cost Chrono his life.

Thrilling?! Emi's First Fight
star
9.50
34 votes

#2 - Thrilling?! Emi's First Fight

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 15

As Emi continues coming to the Card Capital Card Shop, Shin convinces her to try the game out for herself. While approaching the game shop, Katsumi has his fortune told and he finds that he will have luck with his juniors today (however, Yuta corrects him and says that he'll have terrible luck today). When they arrive at the card shop, Aichi is surprised when Emi is preparing to play Vanguard. Emi is handed Misaki's deck as Shin wants both Aichi and Emi to battle together. However, Katsumi wishes to take Aichi's place and a battle between the new player Emi and the "Expert Naive Player" Katsumi begins, with Kamui bitter about how Katsumi is playing against her instead of himself. Despite only using "cute" cards, Emi defeats Katsumi with some beginner's luck.

Shadow Paladin
star
9.50
34 votes

#3 - Shadow Paladin

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 45

At the start of the tournament, Team Q4 is placed in the same block as Team Jurassic Army and Team Brilliant Stars, another faction of Foo Fighters. After having a brief conversation with Team Q4, Kiriya Bidou, leader of Brilliant Stars, is summoned by Ren, who tells him that if he can take care of Aichi, then he will be allowed into AL4. When Team Q4 is getting ready to face Jurassic Army, they are greeted by the members of Team Caesar, who wish them luck to meet in the finals. Aichi then claims that even without luck, they will be at the finals, since their victory is guaranteed, puzzling Team Caesar. As he steps onto the field, Aichi is once again faced off against Gunji, who asks if he has gotten stronger since their last match. Fed up with people asking how much stronger he has gotten, Aichi tells Gunji that it is best to just show much power he has, and warns him that he will soundly defeat him. Using his new Shadow Paladin deck, Aichi beats Gunji, despite drawing a heal trigger like last time. Although Gunji claims that Aichi has gotten stronger, it is not something that should be praised for. Soonafter, Ren claims that Aichi still has not released his true powers, as Aichi once again collapses from using Psy Qualia. As Aichi is resting in the infirmary, both Kamui and Misaki agree that till the finals, they would not let Aichi fight again, while Kourin returns, hoping that Kai will make it in time to help Aichi.

Songstress of the Sea
star
9.50
34 votes

#4 - Songstress of the Sea

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 52

The shop tournament continues, with Morikawa having a seemingly unstoppable series of victories and Emi's Bermuda Triangle deck dominating the junior division. Though he doesn't win, Aichi realizes that he plays Vanguard because it's fun.

Fighting for the Top Spot
star
9.50
34 votes

#5 - Fighting for the Top Spot

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 59

The final match begins, with Kamui against Tetsu.

Rematch in the Finals!
star
9.45
33 votes

#6 - Rematch in the Finals!

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 21

Aichi's match against Gouki begins. Aichi remembers Gouki as a formidable opponent, and realizes that he cannot stay the same as before if he wishes to win. Using a combination of the skills of Barcgal and Knight of the Future Llew, he Rides Blaster Blade from the deck, surprising Gouki. With both sides getting a Heal Trigger and staying at nearly the same amount of damage, it becomes an intense fight. Gouki Superior Rides Spirit Exceed from the Drop Zone and prepares for a full frontal assault.

Gold Paladin
star
9.45
33 votes

#7 - Gold Paladin

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 2 - Episode 1

A few weeks have passed since Team Q4 won the national tournament. One day, Aichi goes to Card Capital and meets a young boy who wants Aichi to teach him how to play Vanguard. Aichi agrees and teaches the boy about Vanguard through playing a game, much like how Kai taught him. The boy, using a Gold Paladin deck, eventually drops the newbie facade. When he rides Great Silver Wolf, Garmore, he draws Aichi into a vision of the Royal Paladin's Blaster Blade, Shadow Paladin's Blaster Dark, and Kagero's Dragonic Overlord being captured by a mysterious force on the planet Cray. He then tells Aichi that a new power that can go past the boundaries must be attained in order to combat this force. After the vision, the boy disappears and Aichi discovers that his Royal Paladin deck has changed to a Gold Paladin deck. What's more is that everyone else's memories have been rewritten to think that Aichi has always used Gold Paladins, not even noticing the change.

Fortune Telling Fight!
star
9.45
33 votes

#8 - Fortune Telling Fight!

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 2 - Episode 8

Team Q4 battles Team Divination in the 2nd round. All 3 members supposedly have psychic powers that allow them to see the future, and they each play with Oracle Think Tank decks, the same deck Misaki uses. The familiarity with the deck gives Team Q4 the advantage as they sweep Team Divination while exposing them as phony prophets. After the battle, Team Q4 runs into Team SIT Genius on the street. Kamui vows never to lose to fighters the same age as he is, and Misaki wonders how she can avoid facing off against an opponent with the power of Limit Break.

The Shop Tournament Begins
star
9.42
36 votes

#9 - The Shop Tournament Begins

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 9

The Card Capital Shop Tournament finally begins. In the first round, Aichi must play against Izaki while at the same time, Morikawa battles Misaki. Since this is his first time in a tournament, Aichi grows nervous. His tournament jitters get the better of him as he makes many amateur mistakes. But when he sees that Izaki is also just as nervous and makes similar mistakes, Aichi realizes that he's not alone, regains his composure, and remembers that Vanguard fights should be fun. When he tells Izaki that, he too calms down, and the two continue playing the game at their best. In the end, not only does Aichi win, but Misaki also advances to the next round.

Jurassic Army
star
9.38
34 votes

#10 - Jurassic Army

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 27

The national tournament preliminary rounds begin! After an explanation of the tournament rules by Ultra Rare, Team Q4 discovers that they are put in the same block as Team Foo Fighter Apex Limited Four, Ren Suzugamori's team and previous winners. To his great surprise, Aichi discovers that Kai not only personally knows one of AL4's members, but is also acquainted with Ren. They are soon forced to forget about AL4, though, since the first round begins and pits them against Team Jurassic Army, a group of militaristic Cardfighters using the brutal Tachikaze clan. Aichi takes the first match against Gunji, and though he allows himself to take damage and use the skill of Blaster Blade effectively, he is cornered by the Tachikaze ace, Tyrant, Deathrex...

Samurai Bride is Born
star
9.34
75 votes

#11 - Samurai Bride is Born

Samurai Girls - Season 2 - Episode 12

Sen blindly pursues the cursed spirit as it arrives at the Academy with Hanzo sacrificing herself to protect Sen. Distraught, Sen is also killed as she remorses over Hanzo's body. Both are absorbed by the spirit as Yukimura, Matabei, Sasuke and Kanetsugu continue to fight. They are also killed and absorbed one by one as Muneakira, Jubei, and Keiji arrive to witness their absorbtion. Muneakira attacks the spirit only to be saved by Keiji as he is hit. Enraged Jubei enters into the spirit meeting with Inko who tells her she wishes to die by Jubei's hand and that it is possible as Muneakira is still alive. Within the Academy, Yoshihiko is informed that the spirit will arrive seven minutes before the Chingo Stone's barrier is complete. Keiji pours her ki into Muneakira telling Jubei that while everyone else believes that the Samurai Bride is monstrously powerful, she believes that a Samurai Bride isn't. At the request of Jubei, Muneakira enters into the spirit with her as Yoshihiko defends the Academy. Yukimura, Sen, Sasuke, Kanetsugu, Matabei, and Hanzo save Jubei and Muneakira from capture. Convincing them not to fight, everyone pours their ki into Muneakira who takes Jubei as his Samurai Bride. The spirits possessing Kojiro, Mataemon, and Inko are defeated by the comforting light of the Samurai Bride and the latter three are released. Only Musashi remains afterwards but is released when Jubei uses her Purified Ascension technique. The barrier protecting the Chingo Stone is completed and Great Japan starts to recover. Gisen praises Jubei on handling the spirit but reveals that Jubei will have to handle her as well someday. Yukimura, Sen, Sasuke, Kanetsugu, Matabei, and Hanzo come back to life as they drift down to Muneakira. After the credits, the spirits seem to be returning only to be stopped by Sasuke applying a seal.

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Welcome to Card Capital
star
9.33
36 votes

#12 - Welcome to Card Capital

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 3

Aichi's little sister, Emi, is worried by Aichi's different behavior as of late. After school, Emi sees Aichi with Morikawa and Izaki, who want him to go with them to the Card Capital. However, Emi misinterprets the situation as Aichi hanging with the wrong crowd. Concerned for her brother, she secretly follows the trio to the Card Capital. There, Emi is astounded by all the people in the shop, icluding Aichi, Morikawa, and Izaki, playing Vanguard. It is then that the card shop's manager, Shin Nitta, appears and introduces Emi to the world of trading card games. Emi and Shin then observe a cardfight between Aichi and Morikawa. The battle ends with Aichi winning without taking any damage. Watching Aichi play, Emi sees how much her big brother has changed because of Vanguard. And so, she has become supportive of Aichi playing the game.

Supremacy of the Underworld
star
8.88
104 votes

#13 - Supremacy of the Underworld

Samurai Girls - Season 2 - Episode 5

The Café is in trouble when new Maiden Cafés opened in the area stealing the clientele. The M-1 Grand Prix tournament hopes to return Maiden balance to the Number One Café...

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True Shadow, Now Open
star
8.61
117 votes

#14 - True Shadow, Now Open

Samurai Girls - Season 2 - Episode 1

Four mysterious shadows revealed to be Dark Samurai appear within a cemetery and are greeted by Charles who engages them in battle. Muneakira returns to the Yagyu Dojo from his training away only to find that the dojo has been turned into the Shinkage Maid Cafe (True Shadow Maid Cafe). Yukimura reveals that due to the Reiman Shock, the dojo had to make money or else it'd be repossessed. Kanetsugu is shown to have been sent out to the cemetery to hand out flyers where she meets the Dark Samurai and directs them to the dojo. The Dark Samurai skirmish against Muneakira, Yukimura and Sen leaving Muneakira's General's powers sealed. Muneakira is given a month to bring back the Master Samurai Jubei or else his General powers will be destroyed. To the shock of everyone, Musashi returns the next day simply as a customer with an entirely different demeanor.

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Kiss, Again
star
8.60
110 votes

#15 - Kiss, Again

Samurai Girls - Season 2 - Episode 2

A mysterious underwear thief lurks the Café terrorizing the Maidens...

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Game Master and Satan Slave
star
8.28
112 votes

#16 - Game Master and Satan Slave

Trinity Seven - Season 1 - Episode 10

The ultimate demon lord, Astral Trinity, shows up in the form of Arata with a grotesque new appearance. Hijiri appears as well, and the others discover that she is a high-level mage whose goal is to kill Arata and destroy the school.

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Running For Your Lives
star
8.23
22 votes

#17 - Running For Your Lives

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 22

The court ladies make a run for it when their safety is compromised. Shang Lu's ailing army is just barely keeping the enemy out of the royal capital.

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An Alchemist's Anguish
star
8.17
1008 votes

#18 - An Alchemist's Anguish

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Season 1 - Episode 4

Ed and Al become interested in biological transmutation after witnessing a chimera in Lior, so Colonel Mustang introduces them to an expert in the field, Shou Tucker, the Life-binding Alchemist. Meanwhile, a serial killer whose targets are only State Alchemists is on the loose in Central.

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The Ultimate Instinctive Type
star
7.68
22 votes

#19 - The Ultimate Instinctive Type

Kingdom (2012) - Season 3 - Episode 17

Qin's Lord Biao confronts Li Mu at the center of his clever whirlpool trap, where he meets a savage warrior with a history of battling great generals.

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A Parting of Ways
star
7.67
21 votes

#20 - A Parting of Ways

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 19

Xin explains how Diao learned of the rebellion. Lord Changping makes a momentous decision. The seige of Xianyang intensifies as Xin's troops arrive.

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A Coming Together
star
7.62
26 votes

#21 - A Coming Together

Kingdom (2012) - Season 3 - Episode 2

Cai Ze gets a royal audience in hopes of using diplomacy to save Qin. Xin tags along with Lord Biao's army. Lord Changping works to find a solution.

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The Call
star
7.55
22 votes

#22 - The Call

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 7

Kai Meng, Fire Dragon of Wei, challenges Xin to a duel as the battle rages around them. Qiang Lei must act quickly when something goes terribly wrong.

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Turnabout Samurai - 2nd Trial
star
7.27
33 votes

#23 - Turnabout Samurai - 2nd Trial

Ace Attorney - Season 1 - Episode 6

The investigation on the Steel Samurai case turns to a new direction, as the security lady's information gives our attorneys a valuable lead.

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Another Path
star
7.25
24 votes

#24 - Another Path

Kingdom (2012) - Season 3 - Episode 26

Kyou Kai continues to confront Yuu Ren's subordinates, but preserves herself for the latter. It is time to avenge Kyou Shou, it is time to clear the past. But Yuu Ren is still the one who overcame the ritual. She might be stronger than Kyou Kai imagines.

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Wa Lin: A Spirited Woman
star
7.23
26 votes

#25 - Wa Lin: A Spirited Woman

Kingdom (2012) - Season 3 - Episode 8

A new commander takes over Chu's second army, bringing along a new strategy and a lot of confusion. The grotesque Cheng Hui of Han makes his move.

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A New Strategic Base
star
7.15
20 votes

#26 - A New Strategic Base

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 6

Xin and Wang Ben are summoned to assist General Teng in a complex battle with Zhao, but Zhao's star general has some monumental aces up his sleeve.

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Movement in Xianyang
star
7.00
18 votes

#27 - Movement in Xianyang

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 13

Zhao's military minds ponder the aftermath of the Battle at Zhuyong. A powerful figure visits the Royal Court to stake a claim on the new Qin outpost.

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In a Mined Pinch!
star
7.00
9 votes

#28 - In a Mined Pinch!

High School Fleet - Season 1 - Episode 6

Will Akeno be able to save her beloved friend? Tune in this week as we go on a German Food Tour, and eat all the food! After all, what's mine is mine, right?

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The Man Who Was Nothing
star
6.95
19 votes

#29 - The Man Who Was Nothing

Kingdom (2012) - Season 4 - Episode 15

Wang Ben and Xin are rewarded for their actions in Zhuyong as Ai grows ever stronger. Lao Ai reflects on the path his life has taken to this point.

Shine! Light of Thought
star
6.60
5 votes

#30 - Shine! Light of Thought

Aquarion - Season 3 - Episode 2

Sougon’s power menaces with a deadly illness as the captured Maia seeks to escape from Deava’s underground facility. Will she heed her master’s command, or will she follow the voice of her conscience?

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Know It! The Reason You Were Born
star
6.33
3 votes

#31 - Know It! The Reason You Were Born

Aquarion - Season 3 - Episode 20

As her friends work on Shirobaco's third-anniversary menu, Maia digs into DEAVA's history in an effort to save Akira. Her search leads her back to Nesta, where she learns more of her own history than she ever wanted to know...

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To Battle! With My Existence on the Line
star
6.33
3 votes

#32 - To Battle! With My Existence on the Line

Aquarion - Season 3 - Episode 24

12,000 years ago, the struggle between the world of truth and the world of the written word was set in motion. Now, Akira Kaibuki and Subete Kenzaki prepare to bring it to its ultimate conclusion.

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Return to Regionals
star
5.75
4 votes

#33 - Return to Regionals

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 39

The regionals commence once again, with Team Q4 and Team Handsome competing. Battles rage as Team Handsome advances to the next round. Team Q4's first opponent, though, is Team Fragrance, a dangerous group whose members claim to be able to sense their opponent's feelings by their scent. Aichi displays extraordinary positiveness by claiming the first spot for Q4, and proceeds to the fighting arena.

Blaster of Darkness
star
4.33
3 votes

#34 - Blaster of Darkness

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 1 - Episode 33

Team Q4 gathers at Card Capital to watch the national tournament finals. Due to various delays, they only manage to catch the very last match, where Ren, leader of Foo Fighter AL4, faces of against Kenji, leader of Team Caesar. Even though Kenji appears to put up a good fight, Aichi sees right through Ren's power. Ren quickly decides to take the battle a little more seriously, and rides Blaster Dark, a black version of Blaster Blade. In a couple of turns, he completely annihilates Kenji, and AL4 are crowned the national champions. In an attempt to cheer Q4 up, Shin arranges for a beach trip, but Aichi is too demotivated for it. Miwa manages to convince Kai to speak to Aichi. Kai's words give Aichi the motivation to continue playing. Fired up, Q4 requests a special training session from Shin.