Sunday, November 16, 2008

Ah! My Goddess (season 1)

(season 1)

# Title
01 "Ah! You're a Goddess?"
"Kimi wa Megami-sama?" (キミは女神さまっ?)

Keiichi Morisato - a young student at the Nekomi Institute of Technology (NIT) and member of the NIT Auto Club - has a long and miserable day. He is rejected when requesting a date from Sayoko Mishima, embarrassed by the fund raising activities of the Auto Club, accidentally angers dozens of girls at the Institute, and is forced to remain at his dorm and watch the phone while the other members of the club attend a party. But even when things are going so poorly, Keiichi still goes out of his way to help a young girl (Hijiri recover her lost purse). After returning to the dorm just in time to receive the expected phone call, he accidentally dials a wrong number, putting him in touch with the Goddess Helpline. To Keiichi's surprise, a "pure-white-winged" goddess, Belldandy, warps in and offers to grant him one wish.
02 "Ah! Those Who Believe Shall Find Salvation?"
"Aa! Shinjiru Mono wa Tsuwareru" (ああっ信じる者は救われるっ?)

Keiichi tells Belldandy that he wishes for "a goddess like you to stay by my side forever". The wish is granted, and Belldandy reveals that she will be staying with Keiichi. However, the dorm in which Keiichi is living has a strict "no girls" policy, and thus Keiichi is thrown out onto the street. So the two search for a place to stay until morning, a process complicated by the "System Force", which comes into effect whenever they are likely to be separated, effectively making it impossible for them to remain apart even for a relatively brief period of time. Finally, Keiichi and Belldandy settle down for the night and spend the time talking as they begin to get to know each other.
03 "Ah! Apprenticeship, Home, and the Goddess!"
"Aa! Shūgyō to Wagake to Megami-sama!" (ああっ修行と我が家と女神さまっ)

Keiichi and Belldandy set out to find a new place to live. After some initial good fortune, where they meet Hijiri, the young girl who's purse Keiichi helped to find in the first episode, and are thus rewarded with a free meal, the search itself doesn't fare well. Finally, Belldandy asks the "Holy Spirit" of Keiichi's money for help. A strange gust of wind appears, blowing the note (which amounts to Keiichi's "entire fortune") through the air, and leading them - seemingly coincidentally - to a Buddhist temple. The Buddhist priest, Koshian, after mistaking Keiichi for a thief, allows them to stay on the condition that they maintain the temple. After witnessing Belldandy saving Keiichi through the use of her magic, and having seen Belldandy's angel, Holy Bell, the priest is inspired to depart from the temple on a pilgrimage, leaving the temple in their hands.
04 "Ah! The Queen and the Goddess!"
"Aa! Joō-sama to Megami-sama!" (ああっ女王さまと女神さまっ)

Keiichi takes Belldandy on a tour of the Nekomi Institute of Technology. When they arrive, Belldandy immediately attracts the attention of the other students, raising the ire of Sayoko Mishima - the self-proclaimed "Queen of the Campus". Forced to explain Belldandy's presence on campus, Keiichi claims that Belldandy is a new exchange student. Unfortunately, Professor Osawa is suspicious and decides to investigate. To protect Belldandy, Keiichi, Belldandy, Toraichi Tamiya and Otaki Aoyama modify the school records, inserting Belldandy into the system. Sayoko, still angry at Belldandy, decides to flirt with Keiichi, but the System Force continues to interfere with her plans. Finally, desperate to defeat Belldandy, she takes Keiichi for a drive, only to fail when Keiichi reveals that he knows that Sayoko is only pretending to care about him.
05 "Ah! Living Under One Roof Together!"
"Aa! Hitotsu Yane no Shita de!" (ああっひとつ屋根の下でっ)

Fueled by social pressure, Keiichi slowly comes to a realization of his feelings towards Belldandy. Finally deciding to ask Belldandy out on a date, Keiichi turns to a self help book, looking for advice on how to ask her. Nothing seems to go quite right, and eventually, summoning his courage, Keiichi just tries to be himself and make his request. Unfortunately, Belldandy mistakes his nervousness for illness, rushing Keiichi off to his room and using magic to "heal" him. While Keiichi is partially successful, managing to express his feelings just before losing consciousness, the next day he comes to the realization that it doesn't matter - whether or not they go out together, no matter what other people may think, he will always have Belldandy at his side.
06 "Ah! A Blessing in Every Bargain?"
"Aa! Hori Dashi Mono ni Megumi Ari?" (ああっ掘り出しものに恵アリっ?)

Megumi Morisato (Keiichi's sister) shows up at the temple bearing food, and announces that she's been accepted to the Nekomi Institute of Technology, and will therefore be moving to the town. Naturally, she'll need somewhere to stay, so she reveals her wish list and threatens to live with Keiichi and Belldandy if all else fails. Naturally, Keiichi reacts strongly to this suggestion (although Belldandy is happy with the idea) and throws himself into finding an apartment for Megumi - in spite of his strong reservations that such an apartment would be impossible to find. After a fruitless day of searching, Megumi reveals that she would be happy to lower her expectations, and that she really had no intent of moving into the temple. Nevertheless, Belldandy casts a spell, and the next day they are led to the perfect place, meeting everything on Megumi's wish list. Unfortunately there's a problem, as the apartment is being haunted by a "third-class" Earth spirit, which attacks Keiichi and Belldandy. After defeating the spirit, Belldandy discovers why the spirit is haunting the apartment, and helps the spirit who, in return, agrees to protect Megumi when she moves in.
07 "Ah! Where to Confess One's Love!"
"Aa! Omoi tsutaeru bashō!" (ああっ想い伝える場所っ)

It is Valentine's Day, and Belldandy, unaware of the custom, fails to give Keiichi a gift. Megumi explains the tradition to her, so Belldandy makes Keiichi chocolate, and tries to find a romantic spot in which to give it to him. Naively, she asks Sayoko Mishima about "romantic places" and is told to ask Toshiyuki Aoshima, the campus playboy, instead. Toshiyuki takes Belldandy to a hotel room and attempts to take advantage of Belldandy, but she uses her magic to ward him off before collapsing with exhaustion. Realizing what had happened, Megumi takes things in hand, and the next day Belldandy attempts to show Keiichi a good time. In spite of some poor choices on the way, she finally does find a romantic spot, and they exchange gifts at last.
08 "Ah! Can You Pass the Love Test With Those Low Scores!"
"Aa! Hensatsuchi Sanjū kara no Renai Juken!" (ああっ偏差値30からの恋愛受験っ)

While trying to find medication for Belldandy's flu-like symptoms, Keiichi meets a pleasant pharmacist - in reality, Belldandy's older sister, Urd, in disguise. Urd convinces Keiichi that Belldandy is ill because of a problem with the System, and it can only be fixed if a sample of Keiichi's DNA is sent to heaven. Naturally, the best method of doing so is through physical contact - and the second best form of achieving this is for Keiichi to kiss Belldandy. After Keiichi is unable to do as requested, Urd takes more deliberate control, and tries to force Keiichi to kiss Belldandy. She fails, Belldandy discovers what is going on and does battle with Urd, winning when Urd's spell backfires hitting herself instead. To Keiichi's dismay, it is then revealed that Urd has been condemned to remain on Earth until further notice.
09 "Ah! The Queen and the Goddess's Secret!"
"Aa! Joō-sama to Megami no Himitsu!" (ああっ女王さまと女神のヒミツっ)

After defeating Sayoko and Urd in the NIT Beauty pageant, Belldandy reveals a little too much of her powers, making Sayoko suspicious. So Sayoko and Toshiyuki attempt to find proof of Belldandy's powers. Fortunately, Urd is on the case, and constantly prevents them from getting the proof that they need. Frustrated, Sayoko and Toshiyuki resort to kidnapping Keiichi, using Urd's weakness to enka music to take him from under her protection. While Urd does battle with Toshiyuki, and Belldandy searches for Keiichi, Sayoko tortures Keiichi by destroying rare and collectible model cars in front of him. After saving Keiichi, (and defeating Toshiyuki), Belldandy and Urd leave Sayoko and Toshiyuki with no memory of the events.
10 "Ah! Can the Auto Club Triumph?"
"Aa! Jidōshabu wa Katemasuka?" (ああっ自動車部は勝てますかっ?)

Toshiyuki founds a rival to the Auto Club - the Four Wheels Club - with the intent of shutting them down. He challenges the Auto Club to a race (a challenge that Belldandy accepts), with the loser agreeing to disband their club. Keiichi, Belldandy and the Auto Club members raise funds and build a car for the event, only to see it destroyed by Toshiyuki. Refusing to compromise, the Auto Club members rebuild the car just in time for the race. Once the race is underway, Belldandy has to use all of her powers to keep the car from falling apart, but Keiichi's driving skills, the unusual design of their race car, and Sora Hasegawa's knowledge of the area combine to allow Keiichi to win, in spite of the Four Wheels Club entering a professional driver into the race.
11 "Ah! A Demon has Come and is Creating Calamity!"
"Aa! Akuma ga Kitarite Wazawai wo Nasu!" (ああっ悪魔が来たりて災いを成すっ)

The demon Marller, which Belldandy and Urd sealed, is summoned from her prison and seeks revenge. Marller, disguised as a Tanuki statue, infiltrates the Temple where Keiichi and Belldandy reside, and transforms Keiichi into a Honda Cub. The goddesses try to transform Keiichi back, but fail, as Marller has protected her curse with a password. They decide on two courses of action - Urd and Keiichi head off to find the CD in which Marller had been imprisoned, while Belldandy tracks down Marller and asks her to release Keiichi. Marller chooses to do battle with Belldandy instead, but Urd's arrival with the CD forces Marller to surrender the password in exchange for her freedom.
12 "Ah! Compare and Contrast Goddesses and Queens?"
"Aa! Megami to Joō wo Tenbin ni Kakete?" (ああっ女神と女王を天秤にかけてっ?)

Still seeking revenge, Marller teams with Sayoko to defeat Belldandy. After Sayoko steals the CD from Urd, Marller casts a spell on Keiichi so that he is attracted to Sayoko instead of Belldandy. Sayoko finds Belldandy and Keiichi together, and the three go to a dance club. Belldandy and Sayoko have a dance off, after which Keiichi declares that he wishes to stay with Sayoko, suggesting that Belldandy goes home to rest. Although the spell causes Keiichi to feel an attraction to Sayoko, his feelings for Belldandy keep intruding, frustrating Sayoko. After Urd defeats Marller through the use of rock music, (and the CD is grabbed by a system bug), Keiichi tracks down Belldandy and convinces her to stay, revealing that all he wants is for Belldandy to stay with him.
12.5 "Ah! An Exchange Diary with the Goddess?
(Recap Episode)"

"Aa! Megami to Kōkan Nikki?" (ああっ女神と交換日記っ?)

Keiichi and Belldandy exchange their interpretations of events that they have experienced so far.
13 "Ah! Who Does Big Sister Belong To?"
"Aa! Onee-sama wa Dare no Mono?" (ああっお姉さまっは誰のモノっ?)

Problems with Yggdrasil, focused on Belldandy, start to cause serious disruptions on Earth. In response Belldandy's younger sister, Skuld, arrives to bring Belldandy back to heaven and fix the system. While on earth, the goddesses hunt down the bugs while Skuld attempts to convince Belldandy to return. As the bugs continue to disrupt Keiichi's life, Belldandy decides to return to heaven after informing Keiichi that time travels differently there, and one second in heaven could equal hundreds of years on Earth. Keiichi promises to wait for her return, whatever happens. While Skuld is initially pleased, she comes to realize the extent of Keiichi and Belldandy's dedication to one another, and, working with Keiichi, rebuilds her "bug stomper". With the bugs finally stomped, Skuld announces her intention to stay on Earth and keep an eye on the two.
14 "Ah! Teaching a Lesson Called Competition!"
"Aa! Taiketsu To I U Na No Kyōiku Jisshū!" (ああっ対決という名の教育実習っ?)

Skuld is having a hard time fitting in on Earth, and her attempts to help Belldandy around the temple are not as successful as she might like. When Megumi turns up and, in trying to help, criticizes Skuld's work on Keiichi's bike, both Megumi and Skuld decide to enter separate robots into a competition. While Megumi embraces the help of others, Skuld insists that she can do it on her own, and turns down all offers of assistance. Both contestants still manage to produce their robots, but on the day of the contest it becomes clear that Skuld's focus on power over control has given the advantage to Megumi. Skuld chooses to attack Megumi's creation with her own, but once again Megumi is able to stop her. In desperation, Skuld causes her robot to self destruct, destroying them both in the process. After it is all over, Belldandy, Skuld and Megumi settle their differences and agree to work together next time.
15 "Ah! My Heart Was Stolen By a Goddess!"
"Aa! Megumi ni Kokoro Ubawarete!" (ああっ女神に心奪われてっ)

In the hopes of getting more attention from her sister, Skuld builds Banpei-kun RX. When Marller arrives, Banpei drives her away, thus proving her worth. Unfortunately, Banpei requires considerable power to operate, and thus activating Banpei causes disruption to Keiichi's work and Urd's entertainment. Skuld responds by modifying Banpei to be less a drain on the power supply. Things continue to go awary, when Banpei attacks Keiichi believing that he is defending Belldandy. While he was never programmed to do this, Banpei has modified his own programming due to his love for her. From that point on Banpei constantly follows Belldandy around, learning to accept the others only as a result of Belldandy's teachings and example. When Maller returns, Banpei and Skuld work together to rescue Belldandy's lunch, but Banpei looses his memory (and personality) when saving Skuld.
16 "Ah! Catastrophe Arrives. An Auspicious Sign Stands?"
"Aa! Wazawai Kitari te Chabashira Tsu?" (ああっ災い来たりて茶柱立つっ?)

Marller possesses Megumi and summons Senbei, the god of unhappiness and poverty, in the hope of separating Belldandy and Keiichi. The earth spirit who shares Megumi's apartment does his best to help her, but fails, and is forced to make his way to Belldandy disguised as a teddy bear. Meanwhile, Senbei and Marller try to bring misfortune to Keiichi, but Keiichi seems to be having a very lucky day, and each attempt they make is turned around due to a fortunate event. Things come to a head when Marller seals Belldandy's powers while Senbei causes a car Keiichi is driving to burst into flame. With the arrival of the earth spirit to explain events, Belldandy is able to force Marller out of Megumi, and to use her powers to save Keiichi.
17 "Ah! What are ability and effort?"
"Aa! Sainō to Doryoku Te, Nan Desu Ka?" (ああっ才能と努力って何ですかっ?)

Sora Hasegawa, who has no self confidence, is entered into a women only go-kart race. She initially refuses to participate, but later Belldandy convinces her to try. Sora moves in with the others at the temple, and Skuld builds a race track so that Sora can practice. Skuld and Urd takes time trying to help - Skuld by building a robot to drive the kart for her, and Urd by reversing her personality with one of her potions. Both fail. With Sora about to give up, Belldandy convinces her to try one last time, with Belldandy as the driver. Sora finally succeeds, but when the day of the race comes around she falls ill as a result of her fear of failure. Eventually, with Keiichi as an example and some wise words from Belldandy, Sora is finally able to compete in the race.
18 "Ah! Confess Your Feelings Under the Moon?"
"Aa! Unmei no Kokuhaku wa Tsuki no Shita de?" (ああっ運命の告白は月の下でっ?)

Megumi arranges a vacation at the seashore for Keiichi and Belldandy, and Skuld and Urd tag along. This is Keiichi's opportunity to get closer to Belldandy, but everytime he gets close Skuld interferes. Urd, on the other hand, wants to help them to get together, but her assistance is not as useful as it might be. To help, Urd tells Keiichi that he needs to profess his love to Belldandy that night, and if he does so he and Belldandy will be joined together. Determining that the place to do so is on three rocks out to sea, he tries to organise things, but once again Skuld interferes - this time by distracting him with a robot. Free of Skuld's plan, Urd assists Keiichi to reach the rocks - but yet again Skuld's interferance almost destroys things. Belldandy saves him again, yet just as Keiichi tells Belldandy of her love, Skuld comes between them, leaving Keiichi and Skuld believing that they are now destined to be together (in spite of their wishes), and Belldandy happy that Keiichi has finally revealed his feelings for her.
19 "Ah! Don't Look at me Like That?"
"Aa! Sonna Hitomi de Mitsumenaide?" (ああっそんな瞳でみつめないでっ?)

Urd prepares an aphrodisiac, which Skuld sabotages by adding extra ingredients. While the potion (created in the form of small sweets) was intended for Keiichi, Belldandy eats it and becomes far more outgoing. When Urd realises what has occurred, she reveals to Skuld that an antidote is possible, but it will take 30 hours to make - and the potion will wear off in 24 hours, anyway. Keiichi has a hard time coping with Belldandy's new manner, but is convinced by her to take her out shopping. Skuld and Urd follow, trying to keep things under control, as Keiichi continues to be confused by Belldandy's behavior, and unsure of how he should react. As the day ends, Keiichi and Belldandy travel along the coast at sunset, ending up in an old church where Belldandy professes her love, and, finally, Keiichi professes his in return.
20 "Ah! Save the Goddess, If You're a Man!?"
"Aa! Megami wo Sukue! Otoko Nara!?" (ああっ女神を救えっオトコならっ?)

Urd and Skuld are called back to Heaven due to increasing problems with the Yggdrasil. However Skuld leaves Keiichi a dessert, which changes him into a woman. Belldandy, while trying to prepare an antidote for Keiichi, gets exposed to a virus from heaven which makes her (and all goddesses) very ill. On Skuld's suggestion, Megumi, Sora, Toraichi and Otaki turn up, forcing Keiichi to disguise himself until they leave - although Megumi sees through the act, and assumes it must be to help Belldandy. Desperate to help, Keiichi even resorts to dialing wrong numbers in the hope for reaching the Goddess Helpline - all to no avail. When Belldandy's angel, Holy Bell, emerges, with crystals marring her skin, Keiichi makes one more attempt to contact the Goddess Helpline, this time succeeding. Under instructions from Urd, Keiichi climbs the Tokyo Tower to catch wind crystals for the cure. On Skuld's advice they jump from the tower, saved only by Banpei's efforts. Returning to the temple, Urd makes the antidote which Keiichi then administers via a kiss, curing Belldandy.
21 "Ah! The One I Yearn For Is A White-Winged Angel!"
"Aa! Akogare wa Shiroi Tsubasa no Tenshi!" (ああっ憧れは白い翼の天使っ)

Skuld admires her sister, Belldandy, and starts training in magic to have an angel just like her, but is frustrated by the amount of effort that it will involve. Skuld tries to shortcut her training via science, culminating in building a device that amplifies her powers. When she turns it on the effects cause a high-level water spell to be cast, knocking Skuld unconscious and trapping with Keiichi. Belldandy is unable to reach them, as her powers are insufficient, so only Urd came save the pair - and only with the help of her angel. But Urd can't summon her angel, because, it is revealed, Urd - shocked by the angel's appearance when she first emerged (as the angle reflected Urd's goddess/demon hybrid nature) - ordered her angel to never come out again. In the end Urd comes to terms with her angel and what she said, and, summoning her, is able to save Skuld. The episode ends with a call from the Almighty, who reveals that Urd's license has been suspended.
22 "Ah! A Devil's Whisper, Along With A Pot?"
"Aa! Akuma no Sasayaki wa Tsubo to Tomo ni?" (ああっ悪魔のささやきは壺と共にっ?)

Marller locates and awakens the Lord of Terror (sealed in an Urn) to bring misery to the world. Urd, depressed over the loss of her goddess license, tries to cope by finding something to do with her life, but everything she tries only makes it worse. After the Lord of Terror offers her a chance at regaining her powers by embracing her demonic side, he possesses her, and Urd announces that she is the Lord of Terror's rightful heir. Belldandy is thus given a choice - inform the Almighty One, who may destory Urd, or try to save Urd herself. Making things more difficult, Urd now possesses the Ultimate Destruction program, and unless the goddesses can stop her she will destroy the world. When Urd arrives armed with a giant robot, Belldandy, Skuld and Keiichi must do battle. While Urd is temporarily defeated thanks to their efforts, Marller ambushes them, sealing Keiichi away when he tries to protect Belldandy. Once Belldandy has recovered, she realises that the only way she can defeat Urd is by removing her "power limiter", unleashing her full strength.
23 "Ah! The Savior, Together With the Sound of a Flute?"
"Aa! Kyūseishu wa Fue no Oto to Tomo Ni?" (ああっ救世主は笛の音と共にっ?)

Belldandy, seeking sufficient power to stop the Lord of Terror, releases her full strength, and by her actions buys the goddesses time to resolve the emergency. Meanwhile Urd starts to unleash the Ultimate Destruction program by working through each of the levels of protection. Belldandy finds her, and attempts to destroy the urn in which the Lord of Terror was confined - inadvertedly removing the final layer of protection and starting the destruction program, releasing Fenrir. With Fenrir unleashed, Belldandy missing, and Keiichi tied up, the Almighty contacts Skuld and sends her the vaccine for the program. Belldandy returns to do battle with Urd once more, and during the battle the Lord of Terror leaves Urd to possess Fenrir. Skuld arrives, and Belldandy blows Midgard's flute, the cure for the Ultimate Destruction program. Midgard is summoned and the Lord of Terror is seemingly defeated. However at the last minute the Lord of Terror manages to contaminate and possess Midgard.
24 "Ah! Always With You?"
"Aa! Itsumo Kimi to Tomo ni?" (ああっいつもキミと共にっ?)

The Lord of Terror, now possessing Midgard, continues his attack as he attempts to open a gate to the "world of the demons". Keiichi and Skuld manage to figure out what is going on, and Belldandy "deletes" Midgard, although Keiichi is injured in the process. Confident that the Lord of Terror is gone, the three Goddesses and Keiichi head back to the now destroyed Temple. Unfortunately Keiichi was possessed by the Lord of Terror, and takes Midgard's flute - leaving Belldandy with the option of killing Keiichi or allowing the Earth to be destroyed. Furthermore the Valkyrie Lind descends with orders to kill the Lord of Terror (and Keiichi in the process). Belldandy chooses to defend Keiichi, even at the cost of her own life. Realizing this, the Lord of Terror uses threats to kill Keiichi to force the goddesses to assist him in his aims, causing Belldandy to offer herself in Keiichi's place. But the Lord of Terror can't possess a goddess, and Skuld takes advantage of his weakness to force him into a floppy disc instead.
25 "Ah! Urd's Small Love Story?"
"Aa? Urudo no Chiisana Koi Monogata?" (ああっウルドの小さな恋物語っ)

Due to problems at Yggdrasil after the Lord of Terror incident, Belldandy shrinks while Urd becomes a child. After almost getting him in trouble when she gets caught drinking sake, Urd spends her time as a child with a new friend, Shohei Yoshida. Meanwhile, Keiichi and Belldandy work to artificially produce moon rocks in order to provide an alternative energy source for the goddesses while Yggdrasil is repaired. Urd decides to help Shohei gain his self confidence, and towards that end takes him to the top of a high-rise construction site - using it as a test for him to overcome his fear. With the moon rocks completed, and Urd once more her normal age, she says goodbye to Shohei (presenting herself as the "big sister" to Shohei's friend), agreeing to see him again once he has grown up.
26 "Ah! Being an Adult is Heart-Throbbing?"
"Aa! Doki Doki wa Otona no Aji?" (ああっドキドキは大人の味っ?)

Due to continuing problems at Yggdrasil, Skuld ages into an adult and decides to experience her temporary adulthood to its fullest. After stealing a motorbike, she encounters Toshiyuki Aoshima, who provides her with all the ice cream that she can eat. Unfortunately, he also expects something in return, and entraps her. After Keiichi and Belldandy arrive to rescue her, Skuld is confused by her feelings - while she was unable to stand being touched by Toshiyuki, being touched by Keiichi produces different responses. So she asks Keiichi to take her out, and they venture downtown. As they shop for clothes, Keiichi and Skuld are asked to model for a bridal salon. After some difficulty when pretending to kiss for the photo, the two end up at the beach, where Skuld tries to come to terms with her feelings for Keiichi, before finally returning to her original age.

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