The BEST episodes directed by Ryōsuke Takahashi

#1 - A Curious Tale of An Underhanded Scandal

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 4

Yuyama becomes an increasing threat to Nakaiya Juubei; Saigo Magozou is sent to assassinate him. Youjiro's history is revealed.

#2 - Shureiki Unleashed

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 5

Nakaiya Juubei recruits three dangerous men who quickly become possessed by demons. This causes them to lose their minds, and Youjiro must save them.

#3 - The Closing Performance Burneth

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 6

We learn of the bloody history of Yokohama and of the even bloodier history of Youjiro's sword. Meanwhile, the troupe is creating a clever plan.

#4 - Soutetsu Makes His Move

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 7

Soutetsu leaves the troupe and seeks out a strange object capable of summoning a demon before he meets with Nakaiya Juubei. Meanwhile, the rest of the Troupe think back to when they first met.

#5 - Wishes of Revenge Finally Realised

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 8

Nakaiya Juubei finally shows himself and tries to manipulate Katsu with the Conqueror's Head. Meanwhile, Youjiro must fight Kanna to try and reach the Head before it is too late.

#6 - The Black Cat Weeps

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 9

Youjiro meets an old friend from his childhood, and he thinks back on his life--in particular the time he spent with Sakamoto. Meanwhile, a huge army is headed towards Yokohama.

#7 - Ueno Falls

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 10

Juubei's death threatens to split the troupe apart.

#8 - The Troupe Returns to a Temporary Stage

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 11

The troupe travels to Edo based on the information in Soutetsu's script.

#9 - Ryouma's Message

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 12

The troupe is attacked by a group of strange ghosts, and it is up to Youjiro to save them.

#10 - The Conqeuror's Head Enters a Soul

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 13

Soutetsu lets Juubei escape with the Conqueror's Head. Youjiro and Kakunojou chase after him, but their attempt is thwarted by the English forces. Later, a very dark and dangerous enemy is born.

#11 - The Secret Sword Resonates

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 15

Akizuki and Kakunojou are traveling together across Japan to find Kakunojou's new sword when they receive an interesting message.

#12 - Four People Traveling Together

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 16

Now that Kakunojou has foun dher sword, she travels north with Akizuki to reach Enomoto and the Head of the Conqueror.

#13 - Discussion Becomes Needless

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 17

Kakunojou and Akizuki have a difference of opinion on how to proceed against Enomoto.

#14 - Fate Takes a Sorrowful Turn

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 18

The English knights launch a second attack, but it ends in disaster.

#15 - The Pentagram of Reverse-Kaku

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 19

Kakunojou is in a state of shock regarding her actions on board the ship, but her spirits are lifted when she is reunited with the troupe.

#16 - There Being Waves

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 20

Akizuki is nursed back to health by a young woman and her son.

#17 - Crossing the Strait

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 21

Akizuki sets off for Ezo where Kakunojou is still waiting at the hospital.

#18 - Chance Meeting in the North

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 22

Akizuki finally manages to catch up with Enomoto but, once again, Kakunojou gets in the way.

#19 - Hakodate is Red

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 23

Under the command of Kanna, the English knights launch a daring raid against Enomoto.

#20 - Irohanihoheto

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 24

Hijikata finally starts to realize that Soutetsu is up to something.

#21 - The Pentagon Castle Enclosure Surfaces

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 25

With Akizuki closing in on Enomoto, he uses the fearsome power of the Head of the Conqueror to defend his castle.

#22 - Beyond the Sea

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 26

Akizuki strives to defeat Enomoto but he must first take on both Kakunojou and Soutetsu to do it.

#23 - To the North

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 14

Kanna has been promoted to the head of the elite English forces, and is planning an assault on Enomoto.

#24 - The Earth-Fissure Sword Mocks

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 2

The assassin-bodyguard Hario follows Youjiro. Later, Youjiro agrees to travel with the kabuki troupe to offer his protection.

#25 - Poems at Sekkakurou

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 3

Parkes arranges a bodyguard for Katsu. Meanwhile, Youjiro and the theatre troupe have finally caught up with their target. But even out-numbered and surrounded he puts up a good fight.

#26 - Yurts and the Land

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 9

#27 - Portrait

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 2

Saeko started her reporting inside the SDAC secret base. However, Captain Chris denied Saeko's request to follow any military operations involving the use of HAVWC. Saeko tried to capture the soldiers in camera as they returned to base.

#28 - Night of the New Moon

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 4

It was established that the defence capabilities of the armed faction base was much stronger than expected. The SDAC unit decided to launch an operation to retrieve the flag on the night of the new moon. Preparation of the HAVWC tanks, the key element of the operation, became a race against time, and Saeko spent over night covering the activities of the unit. Meanwhile on the same night, as reporter Akagi was pursuing a young girl, a reincarnate of the goddess Kuhura.

#29 - Within the Light

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 13

#30 - Hyperbola of Darkness

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 5

On the night of the new moon, the SDAC unit began its campaign to retrieve the flag and was heading towards the "Ruins", the armed faction stronghold. Shirasu witnessed the crossfire while accompanying the unit. At the same time, the journalists, suspicious of the UN forces, found out about the UN's plan to bomb the city. Akagi had some idea where the target of bombing would be.

#31 - Collecting of Accompanying News

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 3

The SDAC unit is planning scouting missions in area where the FLAG was believed to be hidden. Once again Saeko's request to accompany the unit was denied. Nadi Olowokandi offered his helping hand.

#32 - Flag

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 1

An armed extremist faction had stolen the FLAG, which was previously seen as the symbol of peace that triggered the cease-fire initiative between armed factions and the government forces in Uddiyana. The UN secretly dispatched a SDAC unit to retrieve the FLAG. Saeko Shirasu was assigned as the accompanying reporter. Alternate Synopsis: In the mountainous Asian country of Uddiyana a civil war rages. No end lies in sight for the war-torn nation until a lone photographer snaps an iconic image that comes to be known simply as "Flag." Hope arises as the many factions involved begin an approach to peace, rousing the call for a ceasefire behind the featured flag. When an unknown guerilla sect steals this symbol of unity, a U.N. Special Development Command unit is dispatched using the latest in military technology, a transforming bipedal exoskeleton known as the HAVWC system. Recruited to document this mission is a war-time journalist, the author of the "Flag" photograph, Saeko Shirasu. Witness the trials and triumphs of a peacekeeping taskforce behind the camera's view-finder as they take their first steps towards the recovery of the road to peace and discover the truth behind a struggle.

#33 - Reunion Through the Viewfinder

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 11

#34 - Light in the Darkness

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 6

Ichiyanagi stormed in the armed faction stronghold to retrieve the FLAG. As the team were following the IC tag signal, something unexpected was waiting for them. They discovered the conspiracy to hinder the ceasefire. Facing return attack from the enemy and with no where to retreat, he attempted to breakthrough.

#35 - Reactivation

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 7

#36 - Recapture the Flag

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 12

#37 - The Evil Star Let Loose

Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto - Season 1 - Episode 1

An ominous star lurking in the sky while two horsemen deliver an urgent message to the emperor. Later, Youjiro saves two kabuki students from sudden death.

#38 - SDAC + 1

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 10

#39 - XR-2 Longku

Flag - Season 1 - Episode 8