Phi Brain 4 ~ believe in the puzzles

Puzzles that play with life ...

Φ-Brain (Phi Brain, kami no puzzle) is back. In episode 4, Kaito faces a puzzle that requires a specialist’s knowledge, so he is teamed up with Anna Gramm, the bearer of the mark of Da Vinci. The result is some frustration for those left behind, but for those involved, the puzzle solving leads to an emotional breakthrough.

Kaito encounters a strange girl named Anna.

Fortunately Nonoha is on hand to keep this show kid-friendly. Although I would point out, kids, swinging somebody around by the eyeballs can be dangerous. It's much better to grab people by the ears.

It turns out that Da Vinci is an artistic genius. Much like Edison, she doesn’t really care for puzzles. Kaito tries to talk her out of accompanying him to the Sage Puzzle, but she wants to see some paintings by Belge Shubertzen that will be at the puzzle location.

The butler leads them to a mysterious puzzle room where the treasure is behind a locked door.

Kaito and Anna go to a mansion where the widow of the painter Shubertzen lives. The house is filled with the landscapes he painted while away, but his wife is bitter that he dedicated himself to his painting, and barely had time for her. Finally the butler leads the pair into a room hung with famous paintings and blocks the exit behind them. They must solve a puzzle, not only to discover the treasure, but to escape with their lives.

Nonoha fills in on the softball team, but she can't take her mind off of Kaito's date with the beautiful Anna.

After the game she sees Galileo, and easily convinces him to spend some time with her, trying to get in to the Shubertzen mansion.

Though Nonoha and Galileo (that is Gammon Sakanoue) fail to get in, and Nonoha’s attempts to peak inside lead repeatedly to Gammon getting hurt, he enjoys being with Nonoha. This makes no impact on Nonoha, of course, who only has eyes for Kaito.

Young Kaito and childhood friend, Rook.

Seeing Kaito frustrated, Anna asks, “You understand them? The feelings of this puzzle?” Kaito does understand them but says he made a promise. In an earlier scene we get the information that the boy with the white afro (and presumably the head of POG) is named Rook.

Well of course Kaito solves the puzzle, and the surprise this time was that the treasure showed the painter’s love for his wife, bringing back precious memories for her.

"Puzzles are fun!"

After the experience, Anna learns that puzzles are fun after all, Kaito and Nonoha discover that Anna is actually a TRAP, and the present Rook takes a bath.

Another fun episode of Phi Brain. Naming characters things like “Anna Gramm” keeps the mood light, which I think really works in this show’s favor. Knowing what the puzzles are feeling? A puzzle designed to heal an old woman’s heart? A ton of slapstick. And, of course, the ominous Puzzle Of God. This is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, except when it does so to be intentionally silly. More please!