The BEST episodes directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike

#1 - Animation USA

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 17

On a mission to investigate the situation in America, Excel and Hyatt run into a band of street thugs... and a communication problem. Fortunately, they get some help from Sandora, the son of Excel's late friend Pedro, who is working as a cel animator to support his mother. But it seems these cels are being hoarded by an evil gangster, who quickly gets a hard lesson in the rules of cartoon heroics by an outraged Excel.

#2 - We Will Not Be Held Responsible

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 25

Fed up with the insanity, Koshi Rikdo finally insists that the animation and writing crew finish the freaking series already. So, the Safety Assurance Agency locks horns with ACROSS, Excel tracks down Ilpalazzo and beats some sense into him, Watanabe finally realizes the truth about Hyatt, and the series finally comes to an end... or does it?

#3 - Invasion, Mother

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 22

Having finally gotten the hint from ACROSS that he should hurry up the whole invasion thing, Ilpalazzo orders Hyatt to perform final preparations for the conquest of the city of ""F"", and orders the bungling Excel to keep her nose out of it. Excel has no time to be dejected, though: the Puchuus have returned, and she and Hyatt must help a band of freedom fighters thwart the machinations of an evil conqueror and his really big spaceship! But even after our favorite ACROSS agents defeat the invaders and destroy their ship, the city of ""F"" gets squashed by the falling debris. Well, them's the breaks...

#4 - Big City Part II

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 12

Having decided that his employees need some additional training, Kabapu sends Watanabe and the others to train under Purin, a detective who can turn from a tough-as-nails old-timer into a cute girl quite literally at the drop of a hat! And whilst they tag along for Purin's latest case, Excel has some problem solving of her own to do when Hyatt is taken hostage by a pair of burglars.

#5 - The Cold is Winter! Snowed Under Episode

Excel Saga - Season 1 - Episode 6

When Ilpalazzo sends Excel and Hyatt on a mission to gather more resources for Across, the duo find themselves journeying out to the mountains. However, whether it's panning for gold or hunting for meat, finding resources in the middle of a survival drama setting promises to be far from an easy task for our intrepid heroines! And elsewhere, Watanabe, Iwata and Sumiyoshi face trials of their own as they attend a bizarre training seminar and meet up with a new colleague- the beautiful and dangerous Misaki Matsuya.

#6 - Morishima Haruka Arc, Chapter 1: Longing

Amagami SS - Season 1 - Episode 1

It's been two years since Junichi was stood up on Christmas Eve, which has scarred his heart and made him wary of love. While buying lunch for his friends, he helps Sae, a friend of his sister, Miya, which catches the attention of the popular school idol, Haruka. Later that afternoon, he goes to the library to meet his friend Masayoshi but encounters Haruka again and helps carry her books while she teases him before leaving with her friend Hibiki. Junichi's interactions with Haruka makes him believe in love again, so one afternoon he confesses to her. Haruka rejects him but she admires his honesty.

#7 - Inami, Androphobe. But You're the Scary One

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 2

Souta meets Mahiru, who suffers from Androphobia, the fear of men. The rest of the staff sets them up to share shifts in a suicidal, for Souta at least, attempt to cure Mahiru.

#8 - Happening!

Fight Ippatsu! Juden-Chan!! - Season 1 - Episode 5

Sento, his boss, Hakone and Iono go to the beach, whilst Plug and Alesta, also on their day off, decide to go too. Whilst enjoying the sun, Plug notices a writer on a slump behaving strangely, despite being ranked E.

#9 - Kotori-chan Appears!!

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 9

The source of Mahiru's fear of men is revealed to be a plan concocted by her father. Mahiru's father finds out that Takanashi gave her a gift for White Day and visits the restaurant to meet him. Mahiru, afraid that he has come to make her quit working there, asks Takanashi to pretend to be a girl. Takanashi mans up and wears a skirt.

#10 - Welcome to Wagnaria: Takanashi Works

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 1

Takanashi Souta, lover of all things small, is recruited by his tiny sempai Taneshima Popura to work at the family style restaurant Wagnaria. There he meets his new co-workers and begins to learn about their many quirks.

#11 - The Truth to the Suspicion... Nazuna Works

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 10

Kyouko is gone for a week on company business and in her absence Yachiyo attempts to "serve" Jun, which results in his heart being crushed even more. Later Nazuna sees Takanashi and Mahiru walking home together and bribes Kyouko to let her work at the restaurant for the day to spy on Mahiru. Mahiru eventually admits that she likes Takanashi, though Nazuna misinterprets this thinking that she was confirming that Takanashi was a masochist.

#12 - Kureha's Days Being Stood Up!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 10

One winter day Kohina and Kokkuri-san discover a maple tree still displaying autumn colors. A girl dressed in a kimono standing behind the tree asks them to find the person she is waiting for. They seek out the tengu, who knows about everything happening in the mountains, and he agrees to tell them on one condition.

#13 - The Two of Them Back Then, Yachiyo and Satou. Also, Welcome to the Takanashi Family

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 11

Yamada tells a scary ghost story at the end of work and Mahiru is to scared to go home where she would be by herself. Takanashi invites her over to spend the night at his house, Yamada follows them there, claiming to be too scared even though she was the one who told the story in the first place.

#14 - The Cat Spirit's Love at First Sight!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 7

Tama, a cat god with a fetish for dolls, takes a dubious interest in Kohina, who she believes to be an actual doll, and kidnaps her. Later, Kokkuri finds a cursed box in the family storehouse that turns him into a woman.

#15 - A Certain Day of Flu... A Wagnaria That Is Different From Usual

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 5

Takanashi takes the day off work to take care of his sick sister. The staff attempts to function without them and deal with Mahiru's fear of men with no male server to deal with the male customers.

#16 - Souma, the Overly Invigorating Young Man

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 4

Takanashi is visited at work by one his 4 sisters. Hiroomi the assistant cook attempts to blackmail the staff of Wagnaria so that he won't have to work. At the same time it becomes apparent that Satou the head cook has a thing for Yachiyo the head waitress.

#17 - DESTINY!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 12

Kohina, who came to the city to buy chicken for Christmas, is called by a suspicious man and asked to choose a present for her daughter. The man is busy with work and hasn't done anything like a father, so he wants to make fun memories with her daughter this Christmas.

#18 - Yachiyo, Kyouko, Satou... and the Returning Mr. Otou

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 3

Yachiyo, the samurai sword-carrying waitress, reveals that she started carrying it to ward off bullies back in elementary school. At this time she encounters Kyoko who agrees to act as a bodyguard in exchange for Yachiyo's lunch. Otou Hyougo, the true restaurant manager, returns to the store after another unsuccessful search for his lost wife; his wife, who has the world's worst sense of direction, got lost years ago while out shopping.

#19 - Drop Out of Being an Adult and Cosplay!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 11

Opening the refrigerator after a bath, Inugami discovers a single plastic bottle of "ochimizu," a rejuvenating water Kokkuri-san purchased. Ignoring the written instructions not to drink it, Inugami gulps down the water in an instant, turning him into a child. Shigaraki, who also drank the water, appears from another room...

#20 - The Melancholy of Souta, the Women of the Takanashi Family

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 6

Takanashi spends some quality time with his four quirky sisters; the boss, the drunk, the writer and the manipulative. Each in their own way is reliant on Takanashi to keep their family in order. White Day has arrived and Takanashi gifts Mahiru a bag of hair pins. This is the first White Day gift she has ever received. Later he runs into her on the street worried that she might attack some random male while walking around he escorts her home. On the way they run into his eldest sister Kazue. Mahiru get flustered and admits to "assaulting" Takanashi on a regular basis.

#21 - The One I'm Curious About Is a Sci-Fi Type!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 4

Kohina is haunted by the raccoon dog Shigaraki. The Ichimatsu Family is pushed around and thrown into chaos by the liquor, cigarette, woman, and gambling-loving Shigaraki. Shigaraki steals Kokkuri-san's precious savings and heads to an unexpected location!

#22 - Why!? The Night Before the Climactic Battle: Taneshima's Returned Favor

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 12

Pupura finds out about Takanashis tall sisters and is upset with him for keeping these ideal women from her. As punishment she sets him up to go on a date with Mahiru. An experiment to see how much more man acclimated Mahiru has become concludes that if she can't punch Takanashi she'll kick him in the nuts.

#23 - A Well-Missed Otou, and the New Part-timer = Yamada (!?)

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 7

Otoo returns to Wagnaria once again this time bringing with him a new waitress, Yamada Aoi. Aoi tells a "tragic tale of woe" to which Takanashi responds that she is a liar. Reluctantly he ends up training Aoi in how to be a waitress. As the day progress she tries to assign the various staff members into a fake family structure.

#24 - Inami's First? Outing!

Wagnaria!! - Season 1 - Episode 8

The girls decided to take a trip to the hot springs which will be the first time for Mahiru. Takanashi concerned about the fate of the male guests at the hot springs goes as well. In the end the entire staff ends up going only to be so late that the hot spring is closed by the time they arrive.

#25 - Age of Many Concerns!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 9

Kokkuri-san regularly uses yellow hair dye while in his animal form. However, when Shigaraki says using hair dye will make him go bald, Kokkuri-san is struck with fear. That night, he loses handfuls of hair while taking a bath, and hairballs thought to be made of Kokkuri-san's hair appear in the hallway. His fear of going bald suddenly swells!

#26 - The Flowers on the Desk are a Message!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 5

Inugami appears in her female form. Taking advantage of being the same sex as Kohina, she begins doing things she cannot do as a man to close the distance between them. However, she instead finds herself being badgered by ladies' man Shigaraki, and seeing this, Kokkuri-san worries for the corruption of the Ichimatsu household's morals...

#27 - Ms. Kokkuri's Miracle Hot Springs Search in the Steam!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 8

A curse turns Kokkuri-san into a woman. When Shigaraki proposes they visit a legendary hot spring capable of lifting curses, the entire Ichimatsu household goes on a trip. Kokkuri-san and Shigaraki search for the hot spring together, and Kokkuri-san develops feelings for Shigaraki's gentlemanly behavior...

#28 - Kohina and One Eye and Shigaraki!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 6

While living with Kokkuri-san and the other spirits, Kohina's sixth sense grows stronger and suddenly develops the ability to see monsters and ghosts. Kokkuri-san is concerned and warns Kohina not to approach them. Kohina encounters a cyclops. She skips ropes and draws pictures with the cyclops as she befriends it, but...

#29 - A Refreshing Smile is the First Step Towards Becoming a Respectable Person!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 2

One day while out for a walk, Kohina discovers a suspicious man in a suit holding his knees and sitting inside a cardboard box. Kohina accidentally makes eye contact with the man and he follows her home, where he is revealed to be "Inugami", a dog ghost who ruins those he haunts!

#30 - Doll Girl Meets Kokkuri-san!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 1

A little girl named Kohina ends up summoning a Kokkuri-san, a lower-ranking ghost in Japanese folklore. The Kokkuri-san she calls ends up being a white-haired handsome, young man. Although he had intended to merely haunt her at first, he becomes worried about her terrible eating habit of cup ramen for every meal, so he decides to haunt her in order to protect her. Super, Ultra Cute!!!

#31 - Inugami Stay House!

Gugure! Kokkuri-san - Season 1 - Episode 3

Inugami begins haunting Kohina and begins criticizing Kokkuri-san's housework in order to drive him out of the home. Kokkuri-san's stomach begins hurting from the stress inflicted on him by Inugami.

#32 - Are We Now Dating?

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 2

Narumi and Hirotaka went from being otaku friends to being in a relationship. However, Narumi feels awkward and starts avoiding Hirotaka. When they notice what's going on, their senior coworkers Hanako Koyanagi (a cosplayer) and Taro Kabakura (a mild otaku) try to give some advice.

#33 - Sales Event and Gamers Meetup

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 3

Hirotaka invites Narumi to his house after work, but Narumi starts acting weird. As they head to his place, Narumi talks about her childhood memories, but tells Hirotaka that she doesn't remember how they started being friends. Hirotaka has a sad look on his face as he listens.

#34 - Is Mature Love as Difficult?

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 4

Hanako and Kabakura get into a fight when they go out for drinks after work one day. Hanako starts to worry because she thought that dating Kabakura would be easy since they were both otaku. Narumi is reminded of her own relationship as she watches Hanako and Kabakura.

#35 - Introducing Naoya and Gamers Meetup (Part II)

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 5

Hanako and Kabakura see Narumi having fun talking to a Starbocks barista and start to get suspicious. However, it turns out that the young guy she was talking to is actually Hirotaka’s younger brother, Naoya Nifuji. Afterwards, they all end up going over to Hirotaka’s house together.

#36 - Bleak Christmas

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 6

It’s the end of the year, and Christmas is coming up while everyone is busy. Hanako, who tells Narumi that last year’s Christmas was the worst ever, isn’t expecting much this year. Meanwhile, Kabakura is busy at work...

#37 - Online Gaming and Their Respective Nights

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 7

The group decides to get together to play an online game. However, while they wait inside the game for Hirotaka to join them, a rare enemy suddenly appears! Narumi, Hanako, and Kabakura aren’t strong enough to beat the enemy themselves and find themselves in a tight spot when suddenly, a savior comes to the rescue!

#38 - Weakness is Thunder and Years of Insecurity

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku - Season 1 - Episode 8

Hirotaka asks Kabakura what he and Hanako are like when they’re alone. Kabakura answers that they’re the same as Hirotaka and Narumi, but Hirotaka doesn’t fully believe him, and proposes a new idea to Narumi on the way home.

#39 - Yuri's Amazing Trap

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 18

Kaleido Stage continues to thrive with Mia's production. However, their hopes are dashed, as Yuri takes ownership of Kaleido Stage and cancels the remaining performances of Mia's show. Likewise, anyone refusing to work for Yuri resign their positions at Kaleido Stage. Regardless of the circumstances, Layla continues to view Sora as a worthy partner, but her father makes a greater presence on her career path. With the transfer of Kaleido Stage, the stage crew have one last show, but Sora deals with the bleak outlook of Kalos's words and not seeing Fool. In addition, she contemplates the last performance as the end, but she overhears Layla's conversation with Yuri, where she depicts a more optimistic view. As a result, they move onward with good spirits.

#40 - My Amazing And Lonely Challenge

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 2

Sora deals with Fool, who indicates her as a future star performer. However, the other performers view Sora with jealousy, because she qualified without an audition. Motivated, she cleans the stage early in the morning. After the cleaning work, she ends up late to ballet lessons. At practice, she stumbles and draws further disrespect from the other performers. In addition, she blurts out her prospect of performing Layla's special trapeze trick, the "Golden Phoenix". Overhearing Sora's boast, Layla is adamant that she will practice and perform the trick in one week's time. Motivated to earn respect, she learns the trick with the help of Ken, even without prior experience handling the swings. As she trained, Sora shares her determination with Mia Guillem and Anna Heart, whom she gains support and friendship. Sora persistence earns Layla's approval.

#41 - The Amazing Competition Calls Up A Storm

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 13

With a week till the show's opening, the practice for the tight rope act is underway, and Layla and Sora have issues regarding synchronization. To address this issue, Layla looks to observe Sora's day-to-day activity, which includes living in Sora's dorm room. As a result, the two learn to synchronize with each other. Their practice improves, but the stage director looks to tone down the climactic scene. On the last practice day, Sora and Layla practice on a tight rope rigged to a boat out in open water. Layla looks to stage a "real fight", and the two duel on the tight rope using stage props, even in the middle of a rain storm. After practice, Layla shares her reason for joining Kaleido Stage. Then the next morning, they return to start the show on time, and it becomes an instant success.

#42 - Amazing Prologue to Stardom (Part 1)

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 1

Fool recaps Sora's career as a performer from joining Kaleido Stage up to the Arabian Nights show.

#43 - Amazing Prologue to Stardom (Part 2)

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 2

Fool recaps Sora's career as a performer from joining Kaleido Stage up to the Legendary Great Maneuver.

#44 - An Amazing New Rival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 3

#45 - The Amazing Newcomer

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 4

#46 - The Amazing Passionate Rival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 5

#47 - Amazing Match On Ice

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 6

The new Kaleido Stage production is going to be Dracula and Sora is competing with May for the role of Mina Murray. But after May shows off her impressive ice skating routine Leon decides that Mia should change the show and put it on ice, Sora who has no experience at ice skating must be able to compete with May for the role in three days time. Sora puts in a lot of effort and comes close to beating May but in the end Leon chooses May for the role of Mina Murray.

#48 - Amazing Rosetta of Sweat and Tears

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 7

#49 - The Ever Amazing Miss Layla

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 8

#50 - Marion's Amazing Debut

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 9