灼眼のシャナⅢ（Final）Episode 20
Shakugan no Shana III (Final)

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Wilhelmina becomes depressed over Pheles’s rejection of her help, causing a fracture in Tiamat’s mask. Margery Daw observes this, and manages to get Wilhelmina back to the present, which allows her to repair the mask. The two set off for Shana, who is battling Yuuji.  Sydonay arrives to give Yuuji backup support, noting to himself that the Yuuji persona is coming out more often now. Sydonay attacks Shana, who is rescued by Wilhelmina. Sydonay reports that Bel Peol believes that the Flame Haze have done something to Seireiden.  At the same time, Margery turns Wilhelmina over to Shana, who wait as an explosion rocks the tower. Bel Peol sends out teams to investigate, but since her work is done, whatever the Flame Haze have planned is too late.

With Ernest having captured Rofocale, this news is reported to Sophia, who figures they have little time to get the Oracle on their side. Ernest wants Rofocale to tell his master, the Crimson God Shaner, Shana’s plan, but Rofocale refuses, as Shana’s plan is only a small deviation of what is already happening..  Sāle and Chiara break through to Seireiden tower, while the three Gods of Earth slaughter Tomogara, leaving Sydonay to battle Shana, Wilhelmina, and Margery. When Ernest asks what it will take to get Rofocale to summon his god, Rofocale says it has to be something special, then spies the Hyakki Yakou “VW bus” and a special artifact within, which causes him great excitement.

Elsewhere, Ribesal tasks Pirosyn to meet with the Hyakki Yakou.  Pirosyn is reluctant to do so, but agrees to go. Back with Sydonay, he finds that the Flame Haze appear keen on separating him from Yuuji as Wilhelmina snares him. Margery attacks Yuuji, but is denied a second attack when Sydonay splits into multiple forms. However, it is not enough as some of Sydonay’s heads are snared, and the one that rescued Yuuji crashes into a barrier of Margery’s. Margery and Wilhelmina trap Sydonay, allowing Shana to attack. An unrestricted spell from Yuuji, not the Serpent, appears, forcing Shana to go all out and attack the World Egg. Yuuji attempts to defend, but is overpowered by Shana, who’s attack reaches its target.

Thoughts/Review:

The whole notion of Wilhelmina becoming depressed over Pheles leaving just didn’t work for me.  When Margery lost it, we were at least reminded of what happened in the past to cause her to lose it. For Wilhelmina, we don’t get that, and for those who haven’t read the novels to know how close Pheles and Wilhelmina were, there’s just no basis for Wilhelmina to “crack up” (pardon the pun).

For a moment, I thought Ernest and even Sophia might be throwing Shana and company under the bus to gain some other objective, but I guess not. I’m not sure what Rofocale’s deity has to do with things, but I guess I’ll find out.

So, what did Rofocale see in the Hyakki Yakou “VW bus?” Why does Ribesal want Pirsoyn to see Hyakki Yakou?  For a group that literally came out of no where, they certainly are playing a larger role.

Another thing I thought might be about to happen was Sydonay dying. As powerful as he is, Shana, Wilhelmina, and Margery appear able to take him out.  I doubt he dies, but the way they kept him pretty much in check this episode give the appearance that they could kill him if they tried.

As to Yuuji’s and Shana’s fight, well, it is kind of starting to get old.  It looks like Shana has the advantage at the moment, but otherwise, the two haven’t made any progress with the other. Well, that will come to an end soon.

Finally, while East Edge and Southvalley, who looks and sort of acts like Xellos from the Slayers franchise, take out their foes in a controlled, “cool” fashion, Westshore’s crying, terrified screams, and concern for her enemy as she seems to slaughter them in panic, just annoys me. *_*

Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable episode, but there does appear to be something lacking, possibly due to materials not being adapted from the light novels.