The BEST episodes directed by Takahiko Kyougoku
#1 - Girls Without Their Armor
Walkure Romanze - Season 1 - Episode 5
Mio realizes how she truly feels about jousting and decides to participate in the summer tournament! Celia, the student council president, invites Mio to have tea with her so she can see how Mio really feels about jousting. After having her entry accepted, Mio goes to visit Noel's house with Takahiro. They meet Noel's younger sister who is confined to a wheelchair, Mireille. Takahiro and Mio learn about why Noel really wants to participate in the summer tournament...
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#2 - Ride of the Battle Goddess
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 6
The JSDF sends a helicopter unit to assist the 3rd Unit to defend Italica, defeating the invaders with extreme prejudice, much to Piña's astonishment, as the military weaponry and tech displayed by the Japanese soldiers lies beyond anything she had seen before. After Lelei sells the scales and Itami establishes some rather favorable conditions for Piña and the Italicans in exchange for their sovereignty, the 3rd Unit departs back to Alnus Hill, only to encounter Piña's Order of the Rose Knights on their way. Upon knowing their identities, the knights capture Itami, unaware of the peace treaty he and Piña established. In order to avoid escalated conflict, Itami orders his unit to return without him instead of fighting.
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#3 - Japan, the Other Side of the Gate
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 8
Itami and his group arrives in Tokyo where Lelei, Piña and the others are amazed with the city and its people. After meeting a Public Security agent, who reveals Itami's past on how a slacker like him became a member of the Special Forces Group, Itami, Rory, Lelei and Tuka heads to Japanese Diet while Piña and Bozes meets members of the Foreign Ministry to discuss the 6,000 Special Region prisoners under Japan's custody. At the Japanese Diet, Itami, Rory, Lelei and Tuka are questioned by the chairwoman for the Investigation Committee over the Fire Dragon attack, who accuses the JSDF of failing to protect the refugees killed by the Fire Dragon. Rory, Lelei and Tuka defend the JSDF and reveals how the Japanese soldiers have help and save many lives from the dragon.
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#5 - A Flame Dragon
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 3
Taking the unconscious elf with them, the 3rd Unit return to the village of Coda, and upon learning about the Fire Dragon, the villagers decide to evacuate as well, assisted by the Japanese soldiers where they are later join by two mages Lelei and her master. Taking heed of the situation, a group of bandits decide to attack the villagers, just to be vanquished by Rory Mercury, an apostle of the Dark God Emroy. While escorting the refugees, Itami's party rendezvous with Rory, and taking a special interest on Itami, she decides to accompany them as well. However, the Fire Dragon appears to attack the convoy and the 3rd Unit manages to drive it away, after blowing off one of its front legs with Rory's help.
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#6 - Paratroopers
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 23
A green light is given for the JSDF to assault the capital and protect the diplomats and pro-peace faction. Will they be able to reach the Jade Palace before the exhausted Rose Knights are finally defeated? Itami’s group hurries to the capital to rescue Princess Pina. Tyuule goads Zorzal to continue fighting as he still has one trump card remaining: Princess Pina!
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#8 - The Hakone Mountain Night Battle
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 9
Itami explains everything to his ex-wife Risa, who agrees to help him by bringing Rory, Lelei and Tuka for a shopping trip the next day while Akira accompanies Piña and Bozes to the library after both of them have taken interest in Boys-Love manga from Risa. Meanwhile, Itami meets with his old friend, Defense Minister Kanou Tarou, who orders him to bring their Special Region guests to a Hot Spring Inn guarded by the Japanese SFG. As Itami's group stays at the Inn for some fun and getting know Risa and Bozes' crush on Akira, three different Black Ops team enter the area via the forest and battle with the SFG. When the SFG manages to identity and informs Minister Tarou that two of the Black Ops operatives are foreigners, the Japanese Prime Minister is blackmailed by the US President who wants the SFG to stop attacking his Black Ops team so they can take the Special Region guests with them. The Prime Minister orders Tarou to tell his men to stand down but not before revealing he will be resigning. As the three Black Ops team heads to the Inn, Itami deals with a drunken and aroused Rory.
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#9 - Hope and Despair
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 10
Rory's attempts to seduce Itami is interrupted by a phone call by Tarou. The US Black Ops team arrives at the Inn, only to encounter the Chinese and Russia Black Ops team, leading to a fight between the three sides which Rory later joins which ends with everyone killed except Rory. After packing their things and taking a van from the Russians, Itami's group heads back to Ginza but worried that the foreign agents will attack again, Risa posts a message on the internet that the Special Region girls will be attending the Ginza memorial. As a result, a large crowd gathers at Ginza to meet the girls, foiling the foreign agents kidnapping plans. Due to the large crowd, Public Security arresting several foreign agents and Shino revealing to her news reporter sister Nanami about the attempts on them, the US, Chinese and Russian leaders call it quits and orders their men to stand down.
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#11 - The Imperial Capital Quake
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 14
An earthquake strikes the empire, and the SDF visit the Imperial Palace to give advice on relief. There, they find that the Empire has been keeping Japanese slaves. An enraged Kuribayashi beats the Imperial Prince to a pulp. How will the SDF respond?
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#12 - The Princess's Decision
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 7
Piña scolds her knights Bozes and Panache for not only attacking Itami but treating him inhumanely, which both violated the treaty she signed with him which she fears the JSDF will use as an excuse to attack them. As the Formal family staff treat Itami wounds, Rory, Lelei, Tuka and some of the 3rd Unit sneak back to Italica to rescue Itami but not before learning, much to Shino Kuribayashi shock, Itami is a Special Forces Ranger. The 3rd Unit are welcomed by the Formal maids and join Itami for a small party where some of the soldiers get to know the non-human maids. Meanwhile, Piña orders Bozes to sleep with Itami as an apology but gets angry and slaps him after seeing him having a party. Wishing to apologize to Itami's superiors personally for Bozes actions, she and Bozes join the 3rd Unit's trip back to Alnus Hill where they witness the JSDF having a Field training exercise along with tanks and helicopters, and is shock to learn from Lelei that their their soldiers do not use magic but weapons called guns. While Piña and Bozes meets with Itami's commanding officer Lieutenant General Hazama with Lelei as an interpreter, Itami invites Tuka to come with him to Japan to meet the Japanese Diet as a representative of the Special Region. The next day, Itami, Shino and Akira Tomita accompany Rory, Lelei, Tuka to Japan using the Gate along with Piña and Bozes to show them around.
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#13 - The Battle of Italica
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 5
Itami's party arrives at Italica, just as the city's forces, led by Princess Piña has just repelled a siege from an invading bandit force. Knowing that her knights combined with the local soldiers have not enough strength to keep holding off the bandits until help arrives, Piña finds herself in a predicament until meeting the 3rd Recon Unit. Upon being informed of the situation, Itami decides to help defend the city and agrees with her plan of positioning himself and his soldiers in the least guarded side of the walls, in order to act as a decoy. However, the enemy does not fall for their trap and launch an attack on the main force instead. As the city's defenses are broken, Itami wonders about what will be the princess' next step as she sees herself on the verge of despair.
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#15 - To the Land of the Unknown
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 4
The 3rd Recon Unit returns to Alnus Hill, now converted into an advanced JSDF base and Itami obtains authorization to provide shelter to the refugees, including Tuka Luna Marceau, the elf girl he saved. Meanwhile, Princess Piña Co Lada from the Empire learns more about the JSDF's exploits and decides to investigate herself. Back at Alnus, Tuka and the other refugees get used to their new lives among the Japanese soldiers, but for some reason, Tuka keeps requesting supplies not only for herself, but for another, unknown male not listed among the guests, and knowing that they can't depend on the JSDF's charity forever, she is worried about how they can provide for themselves, until Lelei points out that they can collect scales from the corpse of dragons killed by JSDF, which can fetch a good price in the local markets.
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#16 - Two Forces
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 2
The army sent by the Empire to deal with the Japanese forces stationed at Alnus Hill where the Gate is located is obliterated. Emperor Molt calls for the vassal states to attack them, just to be defeated with huge casualties as well, a move planned in advance by the emperor to avoid the vassal states taking advantage of the Empire's weakened state. As Emperor Molt decides to delay a possible advance from the JSDF with a scorched earth maneuver, the President of the United States decides to leave the investigation of the Special Region to the JSDF for a while, and Itami is assigned to lead the 3rd Recon Unit, created to survey the nearby cities and points of interest. After passing by the village of Coda, the 3rd Unit finds a massive Fire Dragon burning the nearby forest and then attacking and destroying a nearby settlement.
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#18 - The Rainbow of Albion
Captain Earth - Season 1 - Episode 3
Yomatsuri Akari who is the only daughter of the Globe commander - Nishikubo - applied to the new team, they're enjoying the full summer of Tanegashima. In front of such four, a new enemy -Amarok- appears. Plateau with shaking off the restraint of Nishikubo,
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#19 - The Dead Line
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 21
Tensions escalate as Zorzal uses the Japanese acceptance of the Sherry and other refugees as a warrant an attack. The Japanese Prime Minister refuses to evacuate the Jade Palace while the foreign media is in the Special Region. Meanwhile, Itami's crew continues to come under attack by assassins.
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#22 - Antarcticite
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 8
Pho has lost their arms, but Master Kongo believes them to be at the Chord Shore. Antarcticite makes it their mission to piece Phos back together.
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#23 - Tuka Luna Marceau
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 15
Chuka has gone insane and refuses to face the fact that her father is dead. She thinks that Itami is her father. The only way to snap her back to sanity is to kill the Fire Dragon, but engaging it would mean getting most of Itami's squad killed.
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#24 - Shiro
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 10
To help them get a better grasp of their new-found abilities, Bort and Phos team up. Dia on the other hand feels a bit left out.
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#25 - JSDF Goes to Another World
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 1
A mysterious gate suddenly appears in Ginza, Tokyo where fantasy creatures led by men in Roman armor come out from it and attack the people. Yōji Itami, a JSDF reservist, who was attending a nearby doujin convention, takes action by organizing the police to evacuate the civilians into a palace to protect them before the JSDF arrives to stop the invaders. Due to his actions, Itami is promoted to First Lieutenant and celebrated as a national hero. The appearance of the Gate and massacre of Japanese civilians, dubbed the Ginza Incident, prompts the Incumbent Prime Minister to takes action by proclaiming Japan will send a JSDF task force backed by the US to the "Special Region", the world beyond the Gate, to not only explore the new world but also capture and demand reparations from those responsible for the attack.
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#26 - The Dangerous Sisters
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 19
Lelei's sister, Arpeggio, is jealous of her success and challenges Lelei to a duel, which threatens to burn down the entire city! In the Empire, Zorzal begins arresting the pro-peace faction on charges of accepting bribes from Japan.
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#27 - Soul - Flesh - Bone
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 4
Phos is attacked, but manages to make a new friend out of the attacker. Together, both travel to the ocean where Phos learns more about the past.
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#28 - Visitor
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 11
Five months since the Gate's opening, the Alnus refugee camp develops into a town while Piña introduces Kouji Sugawara from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Lord Cicero, one of the most important nobles from the Empire, and obtains his cooperation with the peace talks in exchange for the release of his nephew, who is currently in Japan's custody as a prisoner. Back in Alnus, Tuka keeps wandering the city looking for his father and refusing to accept the fact that he is already dead. As Itami and his friends discuss about it in a tavern, Mari claims that they must make her face the truth, but Itami objects, certain that they can not be responsible for her as they don't know when they will be called back to Japan, much to Mari's dismay. Left alone with Rory, Itami keeps drinking with her until a Dark Elf woman appears and mistaking Rory as a child, reprimands Itami for having a drink with her. With her plans to spend the night with Itami ruined, Rory mischievously plays along with the Dark Elf's misunderstanding, forcing Itami to flee, with the elf unaware Itami was one of the "Men in Green", the JSDF soldiers, she was looking for. The Dark Elf introduces herself as Yao Haa Dusi and offers a huge Adamantium stone as a reward for helping her village that is being attacked by the Fire Dragon, which is why she has come to Alnus to seek the JSDF's aid. Having no success, Yao looks for a place to rest outside the town when she watches two F4 fighter jets maneuvering in some exercises and a helicopter taking off with Itami with some goods from the base heading towards the Imperial capital, renewing her hopes that the Japanese forces will help save her people from the dragon.
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#29 - New Work
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 12
Phos must now decide to follow their instinct or back down. What will happen if they try to investigate further?
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#30 - Secrets
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 11
A recent incident has ignited some internal questions in Phos' mind. Who's Shiro and why is Sensei so kind to this Lunarian?
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#31 - The Lovers
GATE - Season 1 - Episode 20
Itami’s group deal with assassination attempts. With the Emperor bedridden, Zorzal is free to run things as he sees fit, establishing a reign of terror over the empire. The Oprichnina kill Sherry’s parents and she is forced to flee to safety, but the Japanese embassy refuses to take her in.
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#32 - First Battle
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 6
Phos has recovered from the disaster at sea and has gained a new ability! What will happen to Phos as they put their skill to use as a lookout?
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#33 - Spring
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 9
Spring comes with a bitter taste for Phos as they try to cope with the kidnapping of Antarcticite. In the meantime, the gems are trying to come to terms with the new Phos.
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#34 - Return
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 5
Phos is captured by the Lunarians. King reveals the truth behind the deception but is interrupted by their slumbering brother.
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#35 - Metamorphose
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 3
Unable to find Phos the group is concerned of what happened to them. However, Diamond is determined to bring Phos back.
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#36 - Hibernation
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 7
It's winter time and everyone is discussing the best way to make it through the cold. Meanwhile, Phos gets roped into Antarcticite's yearly duties.
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#37 - For Victory
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 2 - Episode 9
Liella! gets past the regional prelims. Chisato quietly tells the other second-years about the skill difference between them and the first-years, which may affect them going to the finals. Keke thinks things are fine as they are but Sumire seems uneasy.
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#38 - Diamond
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 2
Phos is looking for ideas for the encyclopedia but is struggling to come up with anything. They go to Diamond for help as they have been working on a new technique.
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#39 - Check It Out!!
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 10
The girls decide on the group name "Liella!" and enter the Love Live. For the regional prelims, they find out that they have to rap. While the others struggle, Sumire displays impromptu rap skills and Kanon nominates Sumire as the center, but...
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#40 - No School Idols Allowed?!
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 2
Realizing that she still loves singing, Kanon decides to become a school idol. However, Ren Hazuki insists that school idols are not needed at Yuigaoka. Kanon tries to find Ren's weakness with Chisato's help only to find out that many students trust her.
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#41 - Phosphophyllite
Land of the Lustrous - Season 1 - Episode 1
Master Kongo finally decides to give the young Phos an assignment. Much to Phos dismay the assignment is to write an encyclopedia about the world.
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#42 - This Yet Unknown Feeling
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 1
Kanon Shibuya takes the entrance exams for the music program at Yuigaoka Girls' High School. But she fails her singing test and ends up taking the general curriculum. She is approached by Keke Tang from her class who asks her to be a school idol with her.
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#43 - Kuukaa
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 3
The girls have to place 1st at a local festival to stay school idols. Chisato & Keke try to help Kanon get over her fear but nothing works. Keke tells Kanon she'll sing alone this time. Meanwhile, one of the most prominent groups, Sunny Passion, joins the festival.
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#44 - Song for All
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 12
Did you succeed in the solo stage at your alma mater? The survival of the school has been decided, and love live with the five enthusiastic people! The outline of the Tokyo tournament arrives. The content was a remote format, and each district representative used the net to relay the live broadcast live. In other words, you have to prepare the stage yourself. It seems that Kanon isn't very particular about what kind of stage he should make while everyone comes up with ideas.
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#45 - Welcome to Liella!!
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 2 - Episode 1
A new school year has begun at Yuigaoka Girls' High School. Liella! is practicing up on the roof as usual, and a new student named Kinako Sakurakoji is drawn in by their voices. She ends up sneaking into the school and quietly watches them train and...
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#46 - Connected Feelings
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 8
Ren is carrying the burden of Yuigaoka all alone since it's the school her late mother left behind. She asks Kanon & the others not to mention this even though she's facing backlash for saying that the school festival would be put on by the music program.
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#47 - Once Again, At That Place
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 11
lovelive! Liella !, who showed her presence on the stage of the district qualifying, successfully passed the qualifying. At that time, Kanon and Chisago's alma mater's elementary school asked me to sing "Liella!". I agree, but I'm afraid. The elementary school stage was once the stage where the first incident that triggered Kanon to be unable to sing in public occurred. Chisago, who knows Kanon at that time, tells everyone about it again.
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#48 - UR Ren Hazuki
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 2 - Episode 7
Liella! now has 9 members after Natsumi joins and the Love Live is finally announced. There is no set theme this time for their song, so they excitedly get to work on it. Ren agrees to write the song, but Mei notices that she's been acting strange lately.
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#49 - I Was Dreaming
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 6
Kanon and her friends train with Sunny Passion for their next concert. Meanwhile, Chisato is training for her dance contest, and Ren spots Chisato's withdrawal letter to the school. Kanon and Chisato talk that night over the phone, but they seem distant.
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#50 - Battle! The Student Council President Elections
Love Live! Superstar!! - Season 1 - Episode 7
After a successful show at Kozushima, the School Idol Club welcomes Chisato, their 4th member. They are now starting a new term and find out there will be an election for the student council president. If Ren becomes president, it may affect their club.
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