Favorite Single Episode in Anime (Spoilers Implicit)

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adie.

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Not arcs, not-two parters, not OVAs, but single, 25(?)-minute episodes--the ones you find yourself going back to. Explanations appreciated. Spoilers impicit.

Mine, in no particular order.

Cowboy Bebop episode 24: Hard-Luck Woman-Bebop can do funny and poignant, but episodes which mix the two are somewhat rare. Speak Like a Child and Hard-Luck Woman are the two most notable ones, and Woman is the better one. Ed's (or rather, Francoise's) father is hilarious, are its interactions with the Bebop crew. And then the episode takes a 180-degree turn, as Ein, Faye, and Ed depart, with some beautiful music, scenery, and egg-eating. I'm not usually an emotional person, but that episode will get me. Every. Time.

Neon Genesis Evangelion episode 21: The Beginning of NERV (or whatever its title was) - One of my favorite things about Evangelion is how adult the whole things feel--behind the robots and world saveage the character have emotions and motions that feel real, in a way that not many works have managed to portray. And this episode provides this feeling in spades. The story of NERV's creation. Fuyutsuki, Misato, Kaji, Gendo, Ritsuko, and Yui may not be likeable, but one can certainly identify with them.

Gurren Lagann episode 11: Simon, Move Your HanRAB - Choosing a favorite episode with Gurren Lagann is somewhat arbitrary process--you can make a case for every episde. Nia is one of my favorite characters, and this is her showcase episode, which makes it mine. Plus, a cool insert song, the end to Simon's funk and his rise to total awesomeness.
Robotech episode 27: Force of Arms - WEEEEEEEE CAAAAAN WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNN!!!

One Piece:100 Million Man! World's Greatest Power and Pirate Blackbeard!-Maybe I'm just weird, but I've always found that the best episodes One Piece are also the talkiest--maybe because they tend to feature characters one doesn't see much of. This one introduces a host of new characters (Kuma and Don Flamigo, Whitebeard, and the Gorosei), features some that we haven't seen in a while, and has them all talk about ominous portents. It helps tremendously to continue setting up the world beyond the Merry Go. The fact that it has the series' shortest (and therefore best) fight helps a lot.
 
"Happy Family Planning" from Paranoia Agent is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. That was the most morbid humor I've ever seen in an anime, and I loved every second of it.
 
Well, the only one i recall rght now is Episode 3 of S-cry-Ed, it was the first episoe i saw (after seeing episode 1 & 2 it became clrear that if i had started in order i would not have gotten into S-cry-Ed, because they sucked). Anyway, hes been captured an the episode is of him escaping, which is done awesomely even though there isnt even a fight. The way the episode happens makes him seem so badass, but also establishes him as the clear underdog, and i love that.
 
Ouran High School Host Club: "The Sun, The Sea, and the Host Club " - I absolutely adore the TamakixHaruhi pairing and this episode has that in spades with Haruhi being pushed off the cliff and Tamaki going after her and then her jumping into his arms during the storm. I squee every time, just so adorable. Plus, the hosts trying to find Haruhi's weakness is hilarious.

Code Geass: "Knight" - Considering this episode is fairly Suzaku-centric, of course I love it *cough* Lelouch decides he wants Suzaku to become Nunnally's knight and later finRAB out Suzaku is the Lancelot's pilot which pretty much ruins that plan. Euphie also decides that Suzaku is going to be her knight, finally sticking up for herself. The audience has been waiting for so long for one of the two (Lelouch and Suzaku) to find out about the other, and finally Lelouch finRAB out... and doesn't take it well. His laugh at the end is absolutely haunting. Plus, hints of SuzakuxEuphie
 
Good choices, I agree with all of them although I haven't seen that far into OP yet.

Irresponsible Captain Tylor: The Longest Day in Space. This episode is basically pure tension--you see everyone in the crew getting ready to maybe die, and you can just feel the tension in the air. And then they go out, and each side is waiting for the other to fire first. Tylor's as zen calm as ever...or is he? This episode basically comes as close to answering the question as to whether Tylor's a moron or a genius (hint: you're both wrong!) Macross had a similar episode to this at around episode 24, but the capper to this Tylor episode is nothing less than brilliant.
 
That reminRAB me, another favorite is Pokemon Diamond and Pearl DP015, when Paul fought Roark, now that was a real battle, it was intense, Paul won the badass way, literaly "CRUSH EVERYTHING WITH YOUR FIST ELEKID!!!!!", it was so awesome. (Ash on the other hand......."when you dodge, SPIN!!!!", lame).
 
Let's go with Hot Blooded Anime! from Nadesico.

That Slayers Next episode with Lina and Martina competing in a literally explosive tennis game.

Oh my Goddess (first season) Episodes 25 and 26. Skuld and Urd get to prove they are 10000 times more interesting and touching characters than Belldandy.

Negima! (first series) episode 19. Sayo's story was truly moving, and the only part where the anime was far superior to the manga.

And Excel Saga's episode 26. Yeah, I'm just sick.
 
That episode of Dragon Ball Z where Goku and Piccolo were trying to get their drivers license because Chi-Chi wanted someone to drive and to have a car. Man that was a hilarious episode.
 
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