The BEST episodes directed by Kotono Watanabe

Virtual Bride
star
8.85
159 votes

#1 - Virtual Bride

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 7

Miyamoto, the mercenary, has found Sakamoto and his team. This dangerous player will do anything it takes to win.

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Best in the World
star
8.81
163 votes

#2 - Best in the World

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 4

Kira Kosuke is a disturbed child, but when on the island his true nature can finally come out, unchecked. That is until he faces the best Btooom! player in Japan.

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The Strongest Player
star
8.78
155 votes

#3 - The Strongest Player

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 9

A new player has joined Sakamoto's team, but he carries a dark secret. Before the team could dive deeper into the new players past, a food drop overhead brings many players out of hiding.

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High Level
star
8.74
153 votes

#4 - High Level

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 10

It seems the players on the island are interconnected in more ways than one. While Sakamoto mulls over this new information, the good doctor begins his end game.

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Revival
star
8.73
158 votes

#5 - Revival

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 11

With Ryouta out of the way, Himiko will be an easy target for Date, but Shiki has other plans for the doctor.

Rule Number 10
star
8.72
325 votes

#6 - Rule Number 10

No Game No Life - Season 1 - Episode 12

Sora and Shiro are driven into a corner by Izuna's activated Blood Destruction, but just when Izuna thinks she's won the game, she falls into yet another of their traps and is defeated. Some time later, the siblings are summoned by the leader of the Werebeasts, the Shrine Priestess, who wants a rematch against them for the sake of her people, but the challenge "unexpectedly" ends in a draw. She is convinced into joining forces and establishing the Elkia Federation by merging the Imanity and Werebeast territories into a single nation. While making preparations for their next battles, Sora and Shiro renew their conviction to unite all the races of Disboard under their rule, and one day challenge Tet for his title of "One True God".

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Bonds
star
8.72
156 votes

#7 - Bonds

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 12

Taira has lost it and is attacking his friends. Ryouta doesn't want to fight but this time he truly might not have a choice.

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Attack
star
8.72
163 votes

#8 - Attack

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 5

A pantless corpse floats by Taira and Sakamoto while they are eating lunch. When Sakamoto leaves to investigate he finds a gruesome scene and a familiar figure.

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Night of Sacrifice
star
8.66
168 votes

#9 - Night of Sacrifice

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 6

In the moment of danger, trust issues start to show between Taira and Sakamoto. Sakamoto wants to save everyone especially the girl who just tried to kill him.

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Survival
star
8.62
169 votes

#10 - Survival

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 3

While chasing after the mysterious girl, Ryota runs into Taira Kiyoshi who helps fill in the blanks in his memory.

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The Bloodstained High School Girl
star
8.62
200 votes

#11 - The Bloodstained High School Girl

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 2

A typical high school girl, betrayed by her neighbors, a forced player in the game of Btooom!, betrayed by the group she teamed up with. All men are scum.

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New Challenger
star
8.61
64 votes

#12 - New Challenger

Fighting Spirit - Season 2 - Episode 26

When Miyata confronts Ippo about their promise, it is revealed that Miyata has risen far above Ippo's level due to his over-reliance on the Dempsey Roll. When Ippo's next challenger, Shimabukuro Iwao, declares that he will destroy the Dempsey Roll, Ippo decides to train his Dempsey Roll so that it has no weaknesses. The coach decides to help Ippo, even if it means fighting against modern boxing itself!

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Bring a Life of Everlasting Love
star
8.52
27 votes

#13 - Bring a Life of Everlasting Love

Chihayafuru - Season 3 - Episode 19

Harada leads Suo with two wins and one loss as the Master match enters its fourth round. Harada has studied everything about Suo, including the weakness that Chihaya told him about, and he dominates the match with his trademark offensive karuta. Suo remains calm despite Harada's strong momentum, recalling what his aunt, who raised him, said to him when he was a child. Her words are the reason Suo continues to play karuta.

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Start
star
8.45
201 votes

#14 - Start

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 1

Ryōta Sakamoto is ranked #10 worldwide in Btooom!, an online game where players kill each other with bombs. After a game one day, he mysteriously awakes in a real life version of the game.

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Expression
star
8.44
17 votes

#15 - Expression

Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 40

Practice match with Aichi's male Saiho High School. Starter Sawamura appealed for good performance, for example, taking two strikeouts from the first time. On the other hand, Ace Akashi of Saiho was a hot player who was once complained with a super freshman in Koshien. Akashi, who has fallen sick due to injuries and has finally returned to the line after a long female prostration, overwhelms the viewer with muscular armor and powerful throws all over his body. On the other hand, Sawamura and Okumura Battery are cooperating with the opponent of the machine gun hitting Saiho.

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White Ghost
star
8.42
180 votes

#16 - White Ghost

BTOOOM! - Season 1 - Episode 8

As Sakamoto and Himiko try to rest for the night, Himiko wrestles with the idea of telling Sakamoto her true identity, but before she can do anything she is visited by a “ghost”.

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The Only Thing I Have Left to Guide Me
star
8.26
293 votes

#17 - The Only Thing I Have Left to Guide Me

Puella Magi Madoka Magica - Season 1 - Episode 11

Kyubey appears in front of Madoka, who is consumed by grief. Not understanding her emotions, he tells the history of the human race and of his kind.

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When Winds Send Waves Crashing
star
8.24
25 votes

#18 - When Winds Send Waves Crashing

Chihayafuru - Season 3 - Episode 24

Taichi has told Chihaya about the feelings he had kept secret for so long. Now he's left the karuta club, and Chihaya's regret over failing to notice how he felt leaves her unable to play. But some new members have joined Mizusawa's karuta club, and among them is Tamaru Midori, a Class A player. She is a promising new member, but also a troublemaker.

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O Heavenly Wind
star
8.22
37 votes

#19 - O Heavenly Wind

Chihayafuru - Season 1 - Episode 11

As the Misuzawa team start to face off against Hokuou Academy in the regional finals, Arata discovers the masses of e-mails Chihaya had sent him. Chihaya struggles when her opponent uses her favourite card to distract her. However, she is soon encouraged by her teammates. Meanwhile, Yusei feels disheartened when facing off against an old rival, but finds encouragement from seeing the passion of the juniors. Through all their struggles, Misuzawa manages to win their match and the regional championship, securing them a place in the nationals.

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Bright, but With Snow
star
8.18
45 votes

#20 - Bright, but With Snow

Chihayafuru - Season 1 - Episode 3

Chihaya, Taichi and Arata go to a karuta society where people practice competitive karuta. There, they are challenged to a three-on-three match against some of the regulars. Arata takes charge for most of the games, leading to some competitiveness within the team as well as with the opposing team. After winning the game, the group learn of a team tournament and start training for it. Later, Chihaya learns that Taichi is going to a far away middle school and Arata is going to return to Fukui after he graduates, meaning they will not be able to keep playing karuta together. At the thought of this, she becomes upset and refuses to enter the tournament. However, after some advice from her karuta mentor, she decides to join them after all, accepting that she is not the only one who will be lonely. After graduation, Chihaya challenges Arata to one final match and promises that one day they will meet again.

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Smile is Flower
star
8.09
11 votes

#21 - Smile is Flower

Hanayamata - Season 1 - Episode 11

After the girls practise by the poolside, Hana reveals her mother has come to Japan, though seems to be hiding the real reason she is so down about it. Later, Yaya comes up with some lyrics for everyone to sing during their performance, encouraging everyone to work hard, while Hana remains unable to tell them what's bothering her. That night, Hana goes over to Naru's house and tells her she will be unable to participate in the festival because she has to return to America with her parents, who are getting back together. With Hana conflicted over choosing between her friends and her family, Naru tells her to seek out her own happiness. Hana leaves the next morning, leaving Naru a letter which she shares with the others. Determined not to let things end like this, Naru and the others rush to the airport in order to see Hana off. After Hana leaves on her flight, leaving Naru her spare naruko, Naru and the others become determined to practise hard for the festival in Hana's place.

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So the Flower Petals Are Scattered Like the Snow By the Passing Storm
star
8.04
26 votes

#22 - So the Flower Petals Are Scattered Like the Snow By the Passing Storm

Chihayafuru - Season 3 - Episode 12

It's the day of the Master and Queen challenger finals. Dr. Harada and Arata are competing for the chance to challenge the master, while Inokuma and Megumu battle it out to challenge the Queen. Harada confides in Arata that he once played against his grandfather, Eternal Master Wataya Hajime, and expresses his joy at being able to play karuta with Arata. A passionate battle spanning multiple generations begins at last!

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A Passing Shower
star
8.03
36 votes

#23 - A Passing Shower

Chihayafuru - Season 2 - Episode 10

Whilst Misuzawa begin their match against Yamaguchi Mioka, a distinguished school, the judging committee discusses what to do concerning Arata's violation, with Arata feeling he should accept what punishment they decide. As Chihaya struggles against Mioka due to their random card placement and knowledge that they gained from doing quiz shows, she spots Shinobu watching from outside and gets her drive back. As Shinobu learns of Arata's situation, she pleads with the judges to let him participate in the individuals. After focusing on their strengths and weaknesses, Misuzawa manage to win their round and advance to the playoffs. Chihaya hears about Arata from Sumire, but Taichi insists she focus on the matches ahead. As the group consider including Tsutomu for the next match, Yusei suggests they use the same playing order.

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Weak Square
star
7.99
322 votes

#24 - Weak Square

No Game No Life - Season 1 - Episode 5

Sora and Shiro leave the running of the country to Steph and spend every day playing video games. Steph's hope that they would become not only the saviors of Elukia, but all of humanity, crumbles away.

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Get Back
star
7.94
16 votes

#25 - Get Back

Ace of Diamond - Season 3 - Episode 48

Sawamura who carried the ace number on his back and climbed the mound of the first game of the summer. However, he allowed the first batter to go to base and broke the rhythm, losing one point from the first time. With a runner still in the scoring position, Yura Sogo and Sakaki aim for the in-course fastball, which Sawamura is most good at. Sawamura gets stuck in the old Sakaki's surgery. Where is the match going?

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Mt. Fuji and Its Lofty Peaks, Still White from Never-Ending Snow
star
7.90
39 votes

#26 - Mt. Fuji and Its Lofty Peaks, Still White from Never-Ending Snow

Chihayafuru - Season 2 - Episode 25

As it is revealed that Tsutomu and Akihiro had managed to win their own tournaments, Chihaya laments how she hasn't managed to live up to her own goals. As they leave, Chihaya exchanges contact details with Midori, who offers to send her a video of the Class A final. Later, a hospital examination of Chihaya's finger reveals she has enchondromatosis in her index finger, so Chihaya decides to undergo an operation. Whilst hospitalized, Chihaya expresses some of her frustrations over the phone to Arata, who tells her that whenever he plays, he thinks back to his old apartment where he used to play with Chihaya. As Chihaya spends the next week recovering from her operation, she comes to realise she is in love with Arata. Taking note of this, Kana prompts Taichi to try harder in expressing his true feelings towards Chihaya. The next day, Chihaya calls Midori, who offers to take her to a Fujisaki training camp, which Chihaya and Taichi go to.

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Near the Rice Paddy
star
7.53
32 votes

#27 - Near the Rice Paddy

Chihayafuru - Season 2 - Episode 20

After Misuzawa receive their award for winning the tournament, Taeko takes Chihaya to a clinic to see to the injuries to her hand. Meanwhile, Arata walks Taichi and the others to the station, where he reveals that he plans to go to a college in Tokyo if he wins the individual tournament, much to Taichi's dismay. Chihaya is informed by the doctor that she has a chip fracture and should not do any intense karuta. After receiving from shirts from Yusei's sister though, Chihaya remains determined to play in the individuals, deciding she will play with her left hand instead. As Chihaya is drawn to go against Fukui's Keiko Yuube, she becomes more determined after seeing both Arata and Shinobu are competing. As the Class A tournament begins, Chihaya finds using her left hand is a lot harder than using her normal hand.

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First Step
star
7.09
11 votes

#28 - First Step

Hanayamata - Season 1 - Episode 5

With Tami and Yaya having joined, the club finally has four members, and they begin working towards their goal of performing in the Hanairo Yosakoi Festival in the summer. But Naru and the others have never seen real yosakoi, so by Tami's suggestion, they go to the Shounan Yosakoi Festival.

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Mount Ogura (Complete Collection)
star
6.60
34 votes

#29 - Mount Ogura (Complete Collection)

Chihayafuru - Season 1 - Episode 16

A recap of the events so far, interspersed with various omake segments.

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