It was released in Japan on 28 September 2011 by Speedstar Records and Haruomi Hosono's Daisyworld.

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.

[2] With a rich arrangement of piano, flugelhorn, and strings, Koike wrote that Episode's has a unique funk and swing style, reminiscent to Hoshino's instrumental band Sakerock.

[2] 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".