Otome Yokai Zakuro, Maiden Spirit Zakuro

The image above is Zakuro

The story 'seems' to be about 3 soldiers who have been assigned to join forces with 4 youkai girls (though they are only half youkai - though I'm not sure if that is all 4 of them or only Zakuro) to deal with the problems of spirits/demons going out of control too much (lately)

Seems OK so far and I really doubt it could make me want to drop the show completely so I'll certainly be watching this each week even if it does get droll.

The animation is pretty good (not Campanella quality but better than most)

It's not a harem

It's mostly comedy so far except for the fight scenes ...

The fight scenes (not comedy at all) are rather good and very different to the rest of the show as the picture above shows well - but they are very short

I guess the story will be something along the lines of how each soldier gets on with the youkai(s) he's been assigned to and the relationships that may also develop there

Zakuro is voiced by Mai Nakahara (Namani in Katanagatari, Juvia in Fairy Tail, Felli is C.S.R - just to name a few recent)

Bonbori (one of the 2 blondes) is voiced by Yui Horie
Houzuki (the other blonde) is voiced by Aki Toyosaki (Yui in K-On! ... etc)
So they make a good vocal team

There is a manga that has been ongoing since 2006 (only 4 volumes so far - so each chapter would probably be monthly or bi-monthly) but as usual I haven't read it and wont (or at least not while the show is on)

I liked the first episode, loved that the girls did the fighting while the military men were mostly useless.

Ep 2 - just as good
I really like the girls lead into battle: "Hey? Am I a flower? ... ..."
... and the closeup/way Zakuro's face is drawn changes ...
(like my first post picture)

Pretty good so far, IMHO. I've seen both eps. I'll keep watching this one for the time being.

I missed the song last episode (4) ... but in 5 - Hozuki - oh so nice
... and we had the twins singing before (drunk) for the petal tracking also

Tag

What happened to Bonbori was unexpected ... more so the reason why ...

Also, I was thinking - what? The (so far) biggest boss is gone before we even know what's going on (though clearly there must be a bigger boss) ... but ... no.

This one is still keeping me interested after watching the latest episode, #5, so I'll keep watching it. The main mastermind of the bad guys should be making an appearance very soon.

OK, this series is still pretty good(IMHO) after watching episodes 6 and 7. I guess I'm going to see this one to the end.

Amusing start to Ep 7

Hmm so why can she (and possibly the mother) see Itsue? ... I wonder ...

Missing the song

I don't blame you. The song they sing is very nice and soothing.

I miss the cheer too.
His sister can see the cat because she is young and pure of heart like most children in anime, she can see ghosts. I have my own theory on why the mother can see it .[Spoiler=Click here for Spoiler] she is as least part demon if not full, which would make her marriage to him a huge demon prank[/Spoiler].

EP 9 Yay got the song back again

... oooh - another big story element comes to light at the end ...

Yeah, the nice and soothing song made its triumphant return in the ep.

And I also agree with you on another big story element coming up at the end of the ep. It seems the last several eps of the series should get more interesting due to this.

Episodes 10 and 11 brought some big revelations to light regarding Zakuro's past and her mother. Two more episodes remain. I'm looking forward to how it's going to end. I've really enjoyed this series up to this point.

[Spoiler=End...]The last few episodes really came up with a good finale to the story

The Oracle village was a shock - well the half-spirit part of it at least.
Made them truly into the bad guys.

I guess (in agreement with jdennis's earlier comment), Agemaki's mother must be a half-spirit like the girls - though the show left that up in the air, I expect that to also help later with resolving the relationship between Agemaki and Zakuro with his father ... Zakuro and his mother being similar.
I'd guess that is (or will be) covered in the manga.

Though the happily ever after bit at the end was a little bit annoying ...
especially when you get to see Omodaka and Byakuroku go by.
[/Spoiler]
Certainly one of the better shows this past season ... that the last few episodes made sure of.

(Yeah I'm finally getting around to watching the last few episodes of each of the shows I've been watching)

I agree with you. This one was up there as some of my favorites from the fall 2010 season. Also, I agree that the last few eps confirmed that this series was very good. I had a good time watching it from start to finish.