"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 20

So, we finally have confirmation that the three are not blood related.  Kanba is actually Masako's older brother.  I wonder how he ended up being a Takakura.  In an extended, rather straightforward flashback, we see Shoma meeting Himari and saving her from the Child Broiler by choosing her part of the Takakura family.  Is the Child Broiler a metaphor for child neglect?  Or is this a real place where unwanted kids are sent?  Shoma feels guilty at having Himari pay for any crimes the parents committed and hates them.  But Kanba is still gung ho in supporting his parents' organization and in saving Himari.  I wonder what the story is with Kanba and his change of family ties?  I wonder how Masako's father is involved with the "Kiga Group."  The sequence where HImari is talking with Sanetoshi is too philosophical for me to figure out.  I think HImari is talking about how she doesn't want to or can't or doesn't know how to love someone.  But how that ties in with the plot beats me.  I hope the next episode shows why Kanba was adopted into the Takakura family and just why he is so insanely bent on saving Himari.

"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 19

Hot dad makes an appearance.

I like the look of surprise on everyone's face.

Red apple magic.

I'm more confused than ever after this episode.  Still don't know what Sanetoshi's motives are.  Where have the parents been hiding and what is the goal of their group?  Is Himari adopted?  Highlights of the show:  Seeing the hot dad again.  The penguins mirroring the sweater gifting.  A possible Utena reference when Kanba says "moo."  Masako obsessing on Himari's forehead.  Weird scene where the Natsume boulders are rolling around. Revealing Shoma as the one who saved Himari from the "child broiler" instead of Kanba.

"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 18

This time it's a terrible mother.  Keiju's mother ignored Keiju when it looked like he wasn't the piano prodigy she wanted.  His little brother took over that role especially since Keiju injured his own hand to take the pressure off.  The symbolic "child broiler" sequence was well done.  Momoka seemed to want to save everyone, including the neglected Keiju.  Is she like Supergirl or something?  Kanba is getting his money from his parent's underground terrorist group?  That was a surprise.  Himari knew she had a terminal illness and that Kanba was responsible for her being alive.  It's touching when she tells Kanba to live for himself instead of for her.  I guess the devotion of the siblings to each other stops Keiju from killing Himari.  I'm not sure how, if she was plummeting to the ground in an iron tub and he was still above, but I'll go with it.  Keiju still hates himself for being a monster.  Keiju had issues we never thought he had. 

"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 17

Even the possessed enjoy takoyaki.

All right already with the champagne.

This was more of setup episode than a standalone one like the last two.  A few highlights:

Finding out Keiju and Yuri were in cahoots the whole time to resurrect Momoka.  More disturbing Kanba/Himari relationship implications.  Keiju drinking out of two different glasses of champagne.  (The significance of that escapes me, but there were too many close ups of the glasses and champagne bottle for that to be insignificant.) Spaghetti western music playing when Masako and Yuri were dueling.  Keiju taking an active and sinister role in the show.  (Where is his psychological-hang-up/childhood flashback episode?)  Penguins vs. squid.  The creepy end card with Keiju and ... Momoka?

"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 16

This episode again delves into the past of one of the characters, this time Masako, the obsessed ex of Kanba.  This time we have a nominee for worst grandfather in an anime.  The weird sense of humor in this show was kicked up a notch for this episode.  Renjaku, a new character, has a hilarious encounter with Himari/Momoka.  The increasingly bizarre ways to kill grandpa are hilarious too.  Every time the sychophant assistant spoke it was in English without an accent (props for using native speaker).  It was disturbing to see how grandpa was going to train Mario to be a man. The training was symbolized in a hilarious (and disturbing) way.  Somehow blowfish become a main plot point as well.  It looks like Masako wants to save Mario like Kanba wants to save Himari... but doesn't she have to get on the train at the end?  What did her father lose and what did he gain if he was a "chosen one" like Kanba?  WTF?

"Mawaru Penguindrum" ep. 15

Yuri's father could be the worst father in anime.  He tells her she's ugly and he can't love her because he only loves beautiful things.  But, if Yuri will undergo his artistic alterations to her body, becoming beautiful, he will love her.  Not only does he emotionally abuse her, he physically abuses her (it's all implied with chisels, chiseling noises and mysterious bandages, very effective).  Momoko saves Yuri from sure death by using the magical power of her diary.  Yuri wants the diary to save Momoko...from death?  What Yuri attempts to do to Ringo is shocking.  Each episode becomes more and more shocking.  Topping each previous episode will take some doing.