The Best Episodes Directed By Hisatoshi Shimizu

A surprising turn of events catches Nui Harime off guard and gives Nudist Beach a chance to regroup and plan their next step in the fight against Ragyo. But will Ryuko and Satsuki be able to settle their recent conflicts?

Lawrence participates in the pyrite market, selling small quantities several times to combat the rapidly rising prices, but to no avail. Lawrence's original plan falls through when Dianna's messenger informs him that the negotiations did not go as planned. In despair, Lawrence all but gives up before he is spurred on by Mark's apprentice, Lant. When Lawrence goes to sell his remaining pyrite, Holo also sells a large bag purchased from Dianna, revealing that she was attempting to help Lawrence from the beginning. The market quickly turns to selling, dropping the price of pyrite and causing Amati huge losses. He fails to fulfill his portion of his challenge to Lawrence and gives up his marriage proposal to Holo as a result. Holo and Lawrence realize what they mean to one another and the two grow closer as they decide to continue traveling together to find Yoitsu.

Jurai buys himself a guitar, which he risks in a game against Chifuyu. Whilst retrieving his bag later that day, Jurai learns that Tomoyo is trying to become a novel author, being surprisingly supportive. Tomoyo feels pleased the next day when she passes the first round of a light novel award, so Jurai invites her to lunch on the weekend to celebrate. As the two spend time together on what many would see as a "date", element manipulator Hatoko Kushikawa is shocked to see them together.

In front of the Merchant Guild, Amati challenges Lawrence, proclaiming he will pay for Holo's falsified debt of 1,000 silver coins and then propose to her, certain that she will leave Lawrence. Lawrence researches Amati, discovering that his plan to pay back the debt relies on the sale of pyrite. Back at the inn, Holo discovers and reads a letter for Lawrence containing an explanation of the legend about the bear that destroyed Yoitsu. When Lawrence returns, she claims that he knew Yoitsu was destroyed the entire time and he has now grown tired of her. Her fit of rage prompts Lawrence to leave the inn.

Ryuko Matoi is a vagrant school girl traveling from place to place searching for clues to the truth behind her father's death - the "woman with the scissor blade". The journey leads Ryuko to Honnouji Academy.

Sirens awaken the No-Star students for the start of “No-Late Day,” where being tardy will get you expelled from Honnouji Academy. With Senketsu in the wash, Ryuko must fight on her own to get through the Discipline Committee’s traps and arrive on time.

Syaoran and Kurogane go to a sword shop. Kurogane buys a longsword named Sōhi (Blue Ice) and Syaoran gets a sword called Hien (Scarlet Flame). After they buy the swords, Kurogane tells Syaoran not to unsheathe the sword yet because he isn't ready to use it yet. Fay buys a piano for The Cat's Eye but he doesn't know how to play it. Kurogane begins training Syaoran on how to counteract him being blind in his right eye by learning how to balance between his left and right side. A strange woman comes into the The Cat's Eye and starts asking Sakura where she's from and why she's here. Sakura goes into a trance and the woman starts playing the piano and Sakura starts singing. At the end of the episode Sakura is seen inside an egg shaped pod.

Syaoran wakes up inside an egg shaped pod. He hears a tapping on the glass and sees Fay there, smiling, and pointing to another pod which contains Sakura. Sakura then awakens too, and she and Syaoran get out of their pods and greet each other. Syaoran wonders where they are; the place they are in looks very different from the town. The group meet up with a woman whom Fay tells them can explain everything, and she does so. The world of Ōto is a virtual reality program in Fairy Park which is a popular game for the residents of the Edonis Country. Syaoran sees that Kurogane and Mokona are still asleep in their pods. The woman tells Syaoran that someone is interfering with the program. This person is trying to turn the virtual reality into actual reality. Kurogane, Mokona, Ryū-ō and the others appear. Seishirō then also appears and Kurogane fights with him. Before long, the true identity of the strongest Oni is revealed.

The day of the Arpino show has come, and the other members of Franchouchou have made it clear to Sakura that they're not going to quarantine her because of her bad luck. But with a blizzard brewing, will the girls' undying loyalty to their friend prove to be their undoing?

Jumpei was fascinated by ballet as a boy but gave up on dancing to pursue Jeet Kune Do. One day, when he is in junior high, his classmate notices his interest and invites him to do ballet with her.

On their way to look for Luou, Miyako tells Jumpei about her childhood with Luou and about Luou's relationship with their grandmother.

Natsume meets a popular actor named Natori Shuuichi who can also see spirits, and has a side job as an exorcist.

Tanuma finds out Nyanko-Sensei is a spirit. Tanuma and Natsume enjoy the autumn festival and previous acquaintances are seen again.

Natori invites Natsume on a Hot Spring trip. But noises from the closet and a kimono-clad figure dangled from the ceiling make Natsume uneasy. Not wanting to trouble Natori because of his kind gesture to enjoy the Hot Spring with him, Natsume investigates the Hot Spring himself. During the night Natsume meets with the Youkai, where she comments that he is too soft, and attacks!

Natsume is dragged off into the cave of the evil spirit that is after Tooru. He temporarily loses the ability to see youkai after being poisoned by the spirit. Will he be able to stop the youkai from eating Tooru without his sight?

After chasing an injured yokai around, Natsume encounters Natori, who then invites him to go to a meeting of sorcerers. There, Natsume meets others with similar powers and similar problems.

Eve explains the plan to Lawrence: they will sell Holo to gain cash, which they will then use to buy the fur in town. The fur will then be sold in turn at a profit, and Holo will be bought back. After Lawrence explains it to Holo, she also agrees to the plan, hoping Lawrence will be more selfish and use the profit to achieve his dream. Later, Lawrence's digging around town reveals that Eve is trading in salt and that the church in town is aiming to become more powerful in the region and Eve had a disagreement with the bishop but Lawrence and Holo resolve to go with Eve's plan nonetheless.

While living in the idyllic No. 6, Sion has a fateful encounter with the wanted fugitive, Nezumi.

Ryuko’s battle against the Elite Four takes to the skies! Meanwhile, more spectators converge on Honnouji Academy. But who is the mysterious girl strolling through town and what secrets does she hold?

The Tri-City Schools Raid Trip is returning to Honnouji Academy, when Satsuki Kiryuin is unexpectedly summoned home. Meanwhile, Ryuko begins to learn the truth behind the series of events that brought her and Senketsu together.

After investigating the twisted roots of the Bradley family tree, Mustang gathers his most loyal troops. Meanwhile, Ed and his allies continue fighting Selim, who shocks everyone by turning on his own kind.

As the light of the sun vanishes, Mustang learns the loss which comes from seeing the other side of the Gateway - and five sacrifices gather in the dark presence of the Father.

To fix Hyakkimaru's broken sword, he and Dororo travel to a village where a master swordmaker named Munetsuna lives. Upon arriving at Munetsuna's house, they are met by his daughter Okowa.

Franchouchou is headed to the land of Ureshino in Saga to do perform for a big company! Will they be able to win over a new business partner with their singing and dancing?

The time has come for Franchouchou to take the stage at the Saga Rock musical festival! But clouds are starting to gather, with the thunder and lightning causing Ai to freeze up in fear. Who will help re-animate her so that the show can be a success?