The BEST episodes written by Junichi Sato

#1 - Because You Were Watching

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 19

Upon learning that Jin could be saved if someone else replaced him as the Orpheus's vessel, Gammon and Erena go to the Republic of Amgine to challenge Orpheus once and for all.

#2 - Even So, I'll Believe

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 3

As Raetsel transfers into Root Academy, Gammon spots Jin behaving rather oddly, uncertain whether or not to believe either Kaito or Ratesel. Later, a Master Brain posing as Jin appears before Kaito, challenging him to a Fool's Puzzle in which he much navigate a sliding puzzle maze within a time limit or else fall to his death. As Kaito comes close to solving it, the fake Jin blows out one of the rooms, preventing him from reaching the exit, as well as tilting the maze. However, Kaito manages to take advantage of risky nature and reach the maze's goal in time.

#3 - Rätsel...

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 1

Whilst exploring a Sage's Puzzle in England with Jin in the hopes of recovering his memory, Kaito stumbles upon an unsolved puzzle, having assumed Jin had already solved all of them. Solving the puzzle with ease, Kaito discovers a brooch with a cat engraved on it, which Jin takes an interest in. Later, they, along with Nonoha and Rook, go to the Fool's Puzzle where Kaito and Rook previously faced off against each other, where they encounter a strange girl named Raetsel, who takes the brooch and runs off with Jin inside the puzzle, activating its traps. Back in Japan, a man named Johan Seigmund Enigma appears before the other Phi Brain children, attaching an explosive puzzle on Cubic's back, stating his intent to annihilate all puzzlers, claiming it to be Jin's desire. After the bomb is disarmed, Enigma leaves whilst his accomplace, Whodunnit, challenges the others to a puzzle. Meanwhile, Kaito's group arrive at a room with many doors, with Raetsel tasking them with finding the correct door before the ceiling collapses, claiming that Jin hated puzzles.

#4 - You Know Nothing

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 2

Thanks to Kaito's deductions and Nonoha's memory, their group manages to find the correct exit and escape. Afterwards, Raetsel takes everyone to her personal boat, where she shows them a feed of Gammon's group as they face Whodunnit's puzzle, where they must arrange cubes successfully or else be electrocuted. Working together, they deduce the colors of the cube are a clue to numbers in a magic square puzzle, managing to solve it with a second to spare. Although Raetsel leaves Jin with Kaito and the others, they are left uncertain by how the Master Brains, who target puzzlers for bounty rewards, claim to be contracted by Jin.

#5 - I Just Get That Feeling

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 5

Jin once told Rook that “Puzzles are chains. Puzzles are also mirrors.” Unsure how to interpret those words, Rook jumps on the chance to challenge a Puzzle of Fools that Jin once fought in the hopes of gaining insight into his heart...

#6 - Eating Delicious Things is an Alternate Method for Solving Puzzles

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 4

Whilst Kaito is having a picnic with Jin and Nonoha, Raetsel appears before Kaito, stating that the Fools' Puzzles made Jin suffer, clashing with Kaito's own memories of him. However, Nonoha helps them realise there are some memories of Jin that they both share. Meanwhile, a Master Brain named Dr. Theorem appears before Cubic, who decides to face him in a puzzle to prevent him from reaching Kaito. Cubic is tasked with finding 'the most beautiful number' within 15 minutes before he is engulfed in flames. After Kaito learns of Cubic's predicament, he rushes to his aid and helps him find the solution; the golden ratio. After the battle, however, Jin starts experiencing pains in his head.

#7 - My Amazing Stage Debut

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 1

Sora Naegino is an enthusiastic and acrobatically talented girl with the dream of performing on the Kaleido Stage. She had traveled from Japan to Los Angeles for the opportunity. In search of her chance, she inadvertently and unknowingly meets the head of the Kaleido Stage, Kalos Eido (a.k.a. the boss). Soon afterwards, a thief runs off with her luggage; and she uses her acrobatic skills to catch up and retrieve the luggage. Combined with time lost at the police station, she ends up missing the audition. Though Sora asks Layla Hamilton for an audition, she declines. Sora persuades stage manager, Ken Robbins to grant her access backstage, where she ends up with an opportunity to perform as commanded by Kalos. In the dressing room, Sora meets Fool, a mysterious spirit of the stage only seen by her. Sora's efforts fail and she is depressed, but Kalos accepts her into the Kaleido Stage.

#8 - To the Amazing Promised Place

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 25

#9 - Lost

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 5

Yune feels downhearted when she is scorned by Claude for being too friendly towards customers. When a scruffy boy takes advantage of Yune's gullibility and steals a candlestick, she chases after him but loses him. Furthermore, she forgets her way back to the Enseignes du Roy, unable to ask others for help and becoming suspicious towards those who do try to help her. She is eventually found by Claude who takes her back home.

#10 - A Most Amazing and Inescapable Showdown

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 24

Swan Lake gets finalized. Anna trains for her special funny performance. The role of Odette and the Prince must still be decided between Layla and Yuri versus Sora and Leon. Simultaneously on the specially designed trapeze, the pairs perform in front of everyone involved in Kaleido stage. Both rivals are beautiful in their Angel's Maneuver for different reasons. Sora decides to adlib as she thinks about how to get the audience to feel their angels' hearts. The owner shares the realization that Layla is the demon that rises the angel necessary for the Angel's Manneuver. As they are fighting for the role, the audience of Kaleido performers remember important memories that motivated them to their dreams. Unable to help herself, Layla looks at Sora's act and upon the end of the act, says Sora is the winner.

#11 - An Amazing Comeback

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 26

#12 - 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.

#13 - 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.

#14 - The Story of Future Possibilities

Amanchu! - Season 2 - Episode 12

It's finally time for Teko's advanced certification test, with a promise of a night-diving celebration if she passes!

#15 - The Amazing Mystery Star

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 21

Sora and company are granted a contract with the marine park, on condition of more appearances by the masked performer as the featured attraction. However, unable to guarantee masked performer appearances, Sora disguises as the masked performer; however, the replacement performance ends as a flop. On the next day, Sora and company meet two children who sought their autographs, and this motivates Sora to perform. Prior to performance time, Mia devises a balloon themed performance, and as Sora does the rope jump, the masked performer arrives. For a better view, the two children climb a dangerous ladder. This prompts Sora and the masked performer to save them and amaze the audience in the process.

#16 - Just Now, I Was Thinking of Someone

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 11

Ana and Cubik have decided to help Kaito solve Raetsel’s puzzle! Whenthey reach the coordinates Kaito gave them, they discover that Kaito and his group got caught up in some bad weather. Can they find the next clue on their own?

#17 - The Two Amazing Demons

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 11

#18 - Is That What You Thought I’d Say?

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 12

Herbert is bent on defeating Kaito in a puzzle battle. He’ll do anything it takes to taste sweet victory, even if it means using the power of the Rings. Can Kaito and his friends defeat the ultimate king of cheaters?

#19 - Japanese Labyrinth

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 3

As Claude is having trouble coming up with an idea for a sign for a music shop, he finds inspiration after seeing Yune write out a letter to her sister. Meanwhile, Oscar learns that Yune's kimono had been bought by the upper-class Blanche family, the youngest of which, Alice, showing excitement when she hears rumours about Yune.

#20 - The Diva's Amazing Love

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 15

An old love triangle resurfaces between Kalos, Sarah, and an old friend named Andy. After speaking with Kalos, Sarah is left crying after being told to be "no longer needed". Speaking with Sora, Sarah reveals an old picture of herself with Kalos and Andy, and she talks about the beginnings of Kaleido Stage and her reasons for staying the past 10 years. Despite Sora's plea, Kalos maintains his stoic decision in front of Andy. So, just as Sarah departs with Andy, Sora and friends executes a plan. In Kalos's office, Sora teases Kalos to reveal his true feelings, while Fool looks for evidence. In the meantime, the others bring Sarah to the stage, and she listens to Kalos's words via Sora's hidden microphone. With the truth revealed, Sora leaves Sarah and Kalos alone together.

#21 - It's Insanely Fun to be Alive

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 25

Kaito and Raetsel reach a turning point in their battle to solve the Puzzle of God. To solve this puzzle they must resort to unforeseen tactics.

#22 - Cat on the Roof

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 12

Yune hears about a black cat that ran away from one of the stores. Later, Claude yells at Yune when she touches a pair of gloves with belonged to his late father. When Yune hears a bell, she assumes it to be the cat she heard about and goes to search for it, which causes Claude to worry when he can't find her. As Claude gets help from Alice and the other Galerie shopkeepers, he finds Yune up on the roof of the Galerie. After getting her to safety, Claude tells Yune about his father and agrees to take her to the Grand Magasin at some point. Afterwards, Claude returns Yune to the Galerie where everyone is waiting.

#23 - That's Why You Mustn't Hesitate

Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God - Season 3 - Episode 22

The puzzlers are pitted against each other in a game that will test their puzzle solving skills and their camaraderie.

#24 - An Amazing Change From Zero To Hero

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 20

Sora and company had not worked for 2 weeks, and they attend the first Kaleido Stage production under Yuri. Soon, the three work at a seafood restaurant, which ends shortly after humiliating themselves in front of Yuri. Upon Sarah's return, she arrives with a job opportunity at the marine park. Auditioning for the job, they invite other former Kaleido Stage members, including Rosetta. On the other hand, Layla declines. At the marine park, the group is notified of a show cancellation, which brings suspicion of Yuri's intervention. Nevertheless, they perform their routines in the park anyways, and they impress the park attendees. During their impromptu show, Sarah surmises that it was actually Kalos who cancelled the performance to give them an opportunity to perform in a more open space with a bigger audience. Just before an angered park owner interrupts their performances, Dio and a mysterious masked performer arrives.

#25 - The Amazing Resolve Beneath The Mask

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 22

Performances at the marine park continue, and a low-profile Layla scurries off after the rain. Apparently, Yuri is aware of her identity as the masked performer, and Layla's father confronts her about it. In the meantime, Yuri buys out a large number of marine park tickets, on condition for the cancellation of Sora's contract. This forces the group to enter a performance competition in Vancouver, where Yuri is unknowingly one of the judges. Concerned about Sora, Layla temporarily leaves her movie production and helps with the group's performance as the masked performer. Afterwards, Layla's identity is revealed in front of everyone, including her own father, and Layla expresses her desire to continue performing. In the end, Layla gains the ability to see Fool.

#26 - 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.

#27 - The Amazing Intensive Training Continues

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 24

#28 - Cruel Amazing Festival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 13

May gains motivation to perfect her Demon Spiral after learning that Sora will compete in the competition as well. Sora continues to train for the Angel's Maneuver, but her lack of basic balance makes it difficult. During the actual festival, Leon and Yuri reveal that they knew each other before. While many people perform, Sora gets the shock of her life from the betrayal of friends. The shock and the unwelcoming spirit of the competition gets to Sora for her performance, and Sora realizes that she wants the friendly stage that she saw as a child with her parents on the Kaleido Stage. Having won the festival three years before, Layla presents the award to the winner,and Layla expresses disappointment at Sora.

#29 - The Amazing Passionate Rival

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 5

#30 - The Amazing Newcomer

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 4

#31 - Cheese

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 2

In order to learn more about living in France, Yune starts out by embracing French food. Yune clearly struggles from eating cheese and drinking coffee, but Oscar decides to give her much more comfortable food to eat for the meantime. Claude would also take Yune to a walk to the market to learn about food the French usually eat.

#32 - The Story of One Summer Night and a Confession

Amanchu! - Season 2 - Episode 1

After helping out at Kino's beach house during a lunch rush, Futaba decides to return there the next day while Hikari goes scuba diving with the others. While there, Hikari accidentally goes into an outdoor hot spring without her bikini top, putting her at risk of being exposed before the other girls come to save her. Later, after Hikari holds a barbecue party for everyone, Futaba worries about what she'd do if she has to part ways with Hikari, but Hikari encourages her to enjoy every moment they spend together.

#33 - Fire it up! Amazing Mia

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 17

Entrusted with the next show, Mia devotes her efforts towards writing the script. In the meantime, Layla turns to Simon, an experienced scriptwriter. Also, Sora talks to Yuri about his motivation towards dismantling Kaleido Stage, which involves revenge for his deceased father. The next day, Mia presents her rough draft, and Layla disapproves. Yet, Kalos appoints Mia as the director, and Simon is assigned as Mia's mentor and the script supervisor. Just as Mia nearly quits writing, Sora inspires her with additional story ideas, and Mia asks the others to practice some routines, even with an unfinished script. A week later, the show is successful.

#34 - An Amazing Bond

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 25

#35 - An Amazing Sinister Rumor

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 16

Manami, Sora's old friend, visits Kaleido Stage while on the way to Boston. Throughout the day, Manami overhears various backstage discussions and observes Sora's regular day schedule. During practice the following day, Yuri takes Sora out to lunch and offers her a job outside Kaleido Stage. He reveals his intent on creating a new circus to rival Kaleido Stage. In addition, Kaleido Stage workers leave in droves, which cancels further performances. After the last Arabian Nights show, Yuri makes his separation official, and Manami departs feeling satisfied about Sora's choices. In order to keep Kaleido Stage in operation, Mia submits ideas for the next show, and Kalos orders its one week preparation.

#36 - Phantasmagoria

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 10

As Claude goes to see one of his late father's old clients about a commission, Yune finds an old slide projector, which Oscar decides to show off to her and Alice. Yune is reminded of the time she used to make shadow puppets with her sister. Afterwards, after Oscar teaches the girls how to make phenakistoscopes, one of his friends, Alan, helps him put on a public projector show.

#37 - A Prayer

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 11

Alice invites Yune to come to an exhibition at the Grand Magasin, but Claude is strongly against it for some reason. As a reprise, Claude takes Yune and Oscar to a picnic in the park. After seeing her upset whilst thinking about home, Claude asks Yune to tell him about her sister, Shione. As Shione was often looked at strangly because of her pale blue eyes, Yune, who was weak at the time, made a prayer that she would only be able to look at her. However, as time went on and Yune became stronger, Shione's grew weak and went blind, which Yune blames herself for to this day. However, Oscar assures her that Yune's words made Shione happy.

#38 - Amazing and Sad Homecoming

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 14

Everyone returns to Kaleido Stage to begin rehearsal, but Sora feels defeated. So she gives up and decides to return to Japan for good with her family. Sora takes the chance to spend time with her new baby sister, but the Fool reminds her if she gives up then he'll disappear from her sight. Meanwhile at Kaleido Stage, May begins to annoy the cast while tensely rehearsing. Ken and Mr. Policeman attempt to visit Sora and Minami convinces Sora to go back to Kaleido Stage.

#39 - Secrets

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 9

As Yune and Alice continue to play together, Claude recalls the times he used to play with Camille. Claude almost always came over to the Blanche's garden to play with Camille, but she was unwillingly to leave the confines of the mansion herself. One day, Camille snuck out of the mansion in order to see Claude, later explaining to him that she didn't want to leave the mansion as it would put him in trouble.

#40 - Crinoline

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 6

Alice visits the Enseignes du Roy to invite Yune to have her photograph taken. Alice follows Yune's advice on putting on a kimono whilst Yune tries on one of Alice's dresses. Whilst getting their photo taken, Yune notices Alice's sister, Camille, feeling downhearted, prompting a reaction when mentioning it to Claude.

#41 - A Child's Room

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 8

As Claude drops Yune off at a tea party with Alice, he is brought to see Camille, who he used to play with in his childhood. After talking about their local fairy tales, Alice shows Yune the nursery she grew up in, where Camille decides to give her a dress that belonged to Alice when she told her a fascinating story.

#42 - Skylight

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 7

Claude scolds Yune for trying to sympaphize with the boy from before. Yune soon ends up collapsing from a fever, leading Claude to feel guilty about what he said to her. He goes to see Alice, who sends for a doctor and gives him a recipe for Japanese porridge. He also helps deliver a flower the boy made for Yune.

#43 - The Story of the First Time at Sea With Friends

Amanchu! - Season 1 - Episode 5

Noticing Futaba struggling with strength, Mato has her and Hikari go jogging to build up strength. Along the way, they come across some students from diving school, Ai and Makoto Ninomiya, who turn out to be their upperclassmen in the Diving Club. After a hectic first meeting, Ai holds a meeting to discuss how Futaba will be aiming for an Open Water Diver Certification, which somehow ends in a chalk drawing session.

#44 - An Amazingly Humiliating Performance

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 16

During the performance of Romeo and Juliet, Leon drags Sora into the performance when she is scattering flowers. To not confuse the audience, Sora competes with May, but as Sora leaves the stage, Leon again mistakes Sora as Sophie and chases her falling from the trapeze. To lift Sora's spirit, her friends throw her a performance in the Kid's Stage.

#45 - Water Light

Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth - Season 1 - Episode 4

Alice becomes determined to invite Yune over for tea, but Claude is not so keen on the idea. After Alice keeps pestering them, Yune agrees to go to the Blanche household. Although Alice makes various attempts to get Yune to stay with her, even offering to return her kimono free of charge, Yune declines in order to hold up a promise to make sukiyaki for the Claudels.

#46 - Launching An Amazing Smile!

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 18

With Leon in the hospital, the Stage cannot open up performances so the Kaleido gang create a performance for the Kenneth Motor Show based on the theme Harmony with Nature. Sora tells Layla that Sora wants to return to the stage and Layla gets an urge to return to the stage too. Anna creates a fun caterpillar act with two others and Ken. The day of the show, there is a net placed for the trapeze act that will prevent Sora and May from being visible or close to the audience. With little preparation, but some smart use of free ropes, Sora, May and Rosetta put on a dazzling and fun performance for all ages. Sora adlibs wildly, and May realizes that Sora's energy is to make the audience smile.

#47 - The Story of the Blue World

Amanchu! - Season 1 - Episode 12

The Open Diver course begins, with Futaba and Hikari paired up as buddies. Futaba loses one of her fins on the way to the descent point, but it gets picked up by another diver, turning her fears of the unknown world beneath her into excitement. Guided by the bubbles of the other divers, Futaba reaches the bottom of the ocean floor, wowed by the scenery and sealife spread out before her. Clearing all the tasks before her, Futaba passes the course with flying colors and becomes a fully-fledged Open Diver. Afterwards, Futaba and Hikari thank each other for everything that's happened since they became friends.

#48 - Mysterious Amazing Circus

Kaleido Star - Season 1 - Episode 14

Instead of vacation, Kalos assigns Sora as a guest performer for a faraway circus group called "Theatrical Camp", accompanied by Ken. The two arrive at a rustic town with a rustic circus. For the next performance, Sora is assigned as the lead princess role. The following day, Ken and Sora find out that the group does not dedicate time for rehearsal. Instead, Sora is advised to notice the individual performers and their specialized acts, plus, she must adjust to the crowd and each other. For her first performance, she is simply shoved into stage and is humiliated on stage. Despite the humiliation, she figures out the need for adaptation and improvised performance interaction with the audience and the others. Later, she learns the trapeze specialist used to work for Kaleido Stage.

#49 - The Story of the Girl and the Ocean

Amanchu! - Season 1 - Episode 1

Futaba Ooki, a shy girl who had just moved from Tokyo to the beachside town of Shizuoka, catches the eye of her eccentric classmate, Hikari Kohinata, who instantly befriends her.

#50 - Mr. Policeman's Amazing Proposal

Kaleido Star - Season 2 - Episode 17

Sora, Ken, Mr. Policeman, and his love are trapped in a bank robbery. When the Kaleido Stage is insulted, Sora performs a dazzling impromptu performance that gets the robber to turn himself in.