() is the second studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter and musician Gen Hoshino. It was released in Japan on 28 September 2011 by Speedstar Records and Haruomi Hosono's Daisyworld. It is the follow-up to Baka no Uta (2010), Hoshino's debut as a solo artist. Episode reached number five on Oricon's Albums Chart. The only single from the album, "Kudaranai no Naka ni", was released on 2 March 2011.
Episode was received positively by Japanese music critics, who praised the album's themes on daily life and Hoshino's songwriting. Hirokazu Koike at Rockin'On Japan wrote that the album contains Hoshino's view on death and current attitude. With a rich arrangement of piano, flugelhorn, and strings, Koike wrote that Episode has a unique funk and swing style, reminiscent to Hoshino's instrumental band Sakerock. Backed by a warm folk-like sound, reviewers for CDJournal praised Hoshino's lyricism for discussing the ups and lows of everyday emotions, leaving a dark feeling with "rich aftertaste".