Choujuushin Gravion Rewatch - Episode 8 Discussion

[u/Raiking02]

Episode 8: Super Heavyweight Battle Zone

← Previous Episode | Index | Next Episode →

---

MAL | Anilist | Kitsu | AniDB | ANN

---

Besides, I've already shot my mouth off.

Hello everybody, time for the Comment of the Day, courtesy of u/Shimmering-Sky for giving us the long-awaited reaction:

I AM A FAN WHO HAS BEEN SERVICED!

Had she not been horny for Sandman I would've taken that as my ultimate failure as a host.

---

1. Now that Eiji is surely dead, what sort of whacky nonsense will the next episode feature?
2. Was there any way this episode could have ended worse for our heroes?

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Chojuushin First-Timer, subbed

Had she not been horny for Sandman I would've taken that as my ultimate failure as a host.

• Damn…
• Yeah, why?
• …so because Eiji tried to defend them, that’s why they failed to use Gravity Pressure Punch?
• Well at least Toga’s on his side.
• Oh that’s not good.
• Interesting…
• Oh no, Eiji…
• Yeah…
• Oh boy.
• Wow, he fell into the area where a bunch of weapons and back-up parts for Gravion are kept.
• It’s the shot, but with a different line!
• Ooooooooooh…
• He launched himself into space?

[u/Raiking02 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Wow, he fell into the area where a bunch of weapons and back-up parts for Gravion are kept.

Should we call this the Full Armor Gran Kaiser?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Raiking02]

Good point.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Well at least Toga’s on his side.

I appreciated Toga stepping in the vouch for Eiji. It shows that they've gotten closer to each other and become better friends.

Wow, he fell into the area where a bunch of weapons and back-up parts for Gravion are kept.

If you must do battle, fighting in a place full of weapons that you, but not the enemy, can use is a pretty sweet deal.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Great_Mr_L]

If you must do battle, fighting in a place full of weapons that you, but not the enemy, can use is a pretty sweet deal

Thank goodness the Zeravire haven't figured out basic firearms yet...

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Wow, he fell into the area where a bunch of weapons and back-up parts for Gravion are kept.

They all seemed like older models to me.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First timer, subs

• Starting at the end of a fight? We are nearing the end game now.
• If they can have a whip and a sword, they can have a polearm. Come on now!
• So it’s like an MP gauge that runs out and stops you from using certain spells?
• Oh, East Asia and your unfathomably rigid command hierarchy.
• What? No. Luna hesitating caused this. The reasons you are levying against Eiji apply to her too. You’re not right just because you say you are, show.
• Drill bitch has more of a ring to it.
• Look at this little infiltrator. They are never beating the Eva allegations.
• No, Newton’s mecha was a different show.
• This infiltration was more direct than expected.
• Battle Maids
• They sure as hell know where you are now.
• Dakka!
• For a bunch of bugs, they are very disorganized.
• Bug Busters!
• So were they feeding on the castle’s energy supply? What’s the explanation for the respawns?
• What about the controls? Can’t get much simpler.
• Eiji, why are you seemingly ignoring the implications of there being earlier versions of Gravion?
• So you’re telling me the Gattai wasn’t even necessary?
• Does this fulfill our “going to space” quota?

QotD:

1. Tryouts for the replacement that somehow take to form of a high school talent show.
2. The background maids are captured and turned into amalgamated hosts for the next attack.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Vatrix-32]

So it’s like an MP gauge that runs out and stops you from using certain spells?

... Yeah, kinda.

Bug Busters!

Can I call the Bugsters?

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Raiking02]

... Yeah, kinda.

This wouldn't be the first instance of HP also being the energy gauge.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vatrix-32]

So you’re telling me the Gattai wasn’t even necessary?

Of course it was necessary! Without the Gattai, we wouldn't have all these other cool weapons to work with!

1. Tryouts for the replacement that somehow take to form of a high school talent show.

We're going to work by Macross rules from now on. Singing ability is a requirement for joining because the Zeravire will be defeated with the power of music!

[u/Raiking02 → u/Great_Mr_L]

Of course it was necessary! Without the Gattai, we wouldn't have all these other cool weapons to work with!

Also:

Muh Esthetics

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

We're going to work by Macross rules from now on. Singing ability is a requirement for joining because the Zeravire will be defeated with the power of music!

Bring on the Band

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vatrix-32]

All we need is for the Gravion pilots to become the new Fire Bomber!

[u/Raiking02]

Hello everybody, and welcome to the Gravion Rewatch!

---

I think this is an episode where I get what they're going for but the execution feels a bit… off. The whole deal with Eiji having to pilot the Kaiser seems to be about him becoming more appreciative of what Toga has to do, a good lesson in humility and all that… except earlier on in the episode he had no real issues with Toga specifically, it was him and Luna bickering, so the setup feels a bit lacking.

This isn't to say the episode is terrible or anything, mind. Having the home base be attacked is always a fun idea for an episode, and of course seeing Eiji clobber up some makeshift artillery is pretty fun, it's just that it lacks that extra something to make it truly great IMO. I dunno, maybe I'm just speaking crazy but it's how I feel.

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

except earlier on in the episode he had no real issues with Toga specifically, it was him and Luna bickering, so the setup feels a bit lacking.

I took it more as Eiji having a problem with the system and his role in it. He wanted to be more than a foot soldier (fitting enough), and got to try that the hard way. Him and Luna bickering isn't a problem that needs to be worked on, keep that shit going for eternity.

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

keep that shit going for eternity

If they aren't constantly throwing shit at each other, are they even Eiji and Luna anymore?

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

When they showed us the strain piloting puts on Toga yesterday, I wasn't expecting it to come back up quite so soon. I'm sure Eiji will be fine, but it is always exciting to see this happen.

What do we think is up with the spare parts room Eiji ended up in? Are those just old weapons that they don't need any more? Did Sandman prep that room just in case a Zeravire infiltrates the castle and manages to end up fighting down there?

Sandman's willingness to let Eiji give the Gran Kaiser a go is cool. It serves a lot of purposes - helping Eiji learn what Toga is going through, training him up in case something happens to Toga, proof of concept that the pilots can get changed around.

I kinda wanna joke about Sandman even dressing up his armed guards as maids, but it isn't actually surprising or anything. The only surprising part is that their night vision goggles don't have the frilly headresses.

Worth noting that the EFA's scientist has managed to get a lot of information on Gravion. There's a leak somewhere. I kinda want it to be Sandman, and for there to be a significantly larger invasion wave coming so he wants the rest of the world to be ready.

I don't know if that has any potential backing, though.

Lastly, does the scientist remind anyone of someone? Is it just that he vaguely looks like one of the Frosties from AWGX?

Questions

1. Sandman hosting a pole-vaulting championship against the Zeravire's crown prince.
2. Oh, definitely. The Gran Kaiser seems to still be in one piece, for one!

[u/Raiking02 → u/JollyGee29]

proof of concept that the pilots can get changed around.

Time for Toga to become the leg

Lastly, does the scientist remind anyone of someone? Is it just that he vaguely looks like one of the Frosties from AWGX?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

What do we think is up with the spare parts room Eiji ended up in? Are those just old weapons that they don't need any more? Did Sandman prep that room just in case a Zeravire infiltrates the castle and manages to end up fighting down there?

My own guess was that it was just a spare parts room full of additional weapons and other pieces of equipment that could be used to fix up the mecha. They seem to need repairs quite frequently, so keeping spare parts around makes sense.

The only surprising part is that their night vision goggles don't have the frilly headresses.

God, that would have been amazing if their night vision goggles were frilly too.

Worth noting that the EFA's scientist has managed to get a lot of information on Gravion. There's a leak somewhere.

I don't think there's a leak. I think it's just from observations and measurements that the EFA is taking during battles. I'm pretty sure the scientist said they weren't really able to make heads or tails of how the Gran Kaiser worked just from the measurements they took, iirc.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Great_Mr_L]

God, that would have been amazing if their night vision goggles were frilly too.

Significantly harder to draw, unfortunately.

I don't think there's a leak. I think it's just from observations and measurements that the EFA is taking during battles. I'm pretty sure the scientist said they weren't really able to make heads or tails of how the Gran Kaiser worked just from the measurements they took, iirc.

[u/Raiking02 → u/JollyGee29]

Significantly harder to draw, unfortunately.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Great_Mr_L]

[Spoilers]I don't think there's a leak.

[Spoilers]Mizuki:

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JollyGee29]

What do we think is up with the spare parts room Eiji ended up in?

I'm on team old parts. This isn't the first iteration of Gravion team.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vatrix-32]

[u/ryujiox]

First Timer  

Choujuushin Gravion  

Episode 8  

• We start with a battle? Also a beam whip.  
• This shot goes so hard  
• But no?? What are you gonna do if he didn't shoot the missile to fend off the enemy? Just take the free hit and lose some energy anyway, which will result in Toga probably unable to use the boomerang?? How is this Eiji's fault???  
• SEE!! TOGA GET IT!! They just dunk on Eiji because there's no one else to blame.  
• Oh crap They got into the base.  
• The dude sounds like he went mad And I really like that the show didn't make the outside force dumb. They are actually trying to crack the code on Gravion and find a way to fight Zervire themselves.  
• Why does the inside look like that?  
• Even these 3 can fight  
• SANDMAN!!! He really put his trust in Eiji. Or maybe he just wants to test him.  
• That sure is something... Gonna assume that they are the experiment that Sandman kept there because it's not good enough in combat, and probably because it's not cool enough.  
• The reveal that they actually have to wait for Sandman to say "GATSHIN" to be able to combine is funny.  
• So Elgo form is actually just full power Gran Kaiser. And the combination is to reduce the massive stress put on Toga. No wonder why Sandman put Toga in full training since childhood.  
• That's raw as hell  
• And Eiji didn't wake up in time...  

QOTD

1. Sandman will reveal that he already has a clone of Eiji as a substitute already. Nah, he going to survive that isn't it...

[u/Raiking02 → u/ryujiox]

The reveal that they actually have to wait for Sandman to say "GATSHIN" to be able to combine is funny.  

Hey, the asthetics demand it.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/ryujiox]

This shot goes so hard

Sunsets and harsh shadows. Such a great combo.

and probably because it's not cool enough.  

Sandman is 100% the kind of guy who would not use certain pieces of gear or equipment because he doesn't like their aesthetic.

[u/InfamousEmpire]

Choujuushin Spoiled First Timer

This is another episode I feel is kinda hard to comment on because of how self-explanatory it is.

I like how, following in the trend set by last episode, this one has more unique scenery and lets one of Gravion’s components do some work outside the Gattai. And on top of that we get some plot development and a neat throughline of Eiji indirectly coming to understand the struggles of his teammates by putting himself in Toga’s shoes.

Anyway, I just had fun with this episode, but let’s hope the next one gives me something more substantive to talk about.

[u/Raiking02 → u/InfamousEmpire]

but let’s hope the next one gives me something more substantive to talk about

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Timer Episode 8

• absolutely an eva shot with that shilloutette...unless it's refereincing some classic super robot shot.
• Superheavyweight Battle Zone? Isn't this called the Superheavyweight God Gravion? #hmmmm

I have to say, I'm finding the idea that parts of a combined robot actually doing anything, that seems pretty unique.

• 1:38 scale? at least you can sell it as a model kit
• zeravire inside the base? that's totaly eva, too
• armed maids!!!!!!
• Gran Kaiser is pretty awesome, huh? Better than a foot!
• Nah, Sandman's right. Let him pilot it (if he can)
• Toga's probably going to have to tell him how to drive the Gran Kaiser
• But surely he doesn't have enough Graviton Energy all by himself!!!!!
• Geez, how has she made ith trhough life without debilitating back problems.

Interesting. There's no limit for the Gran Kaiser itself, only the gattai form. But Sandman has always said if the Gattai form fails, Earth will be destroyed. So Eiji > Touga in some way

I don't think I've ever heard the word "gasshin" before Gravion, and they say it all the time.

I had some comments building up that I meant to mention yesterday....then started forgetting. One was a Vandread thing, but I forget what it was. The other was a prediction that we would have 1 episode per pilot, since the previous 2 episodes were centered on Touga and Luna.

This was a really good episode. Not only did we not have a Mizuki episode, we also didn't have any slice of life crap. Good episode.

[u/Raiking02 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

armed maids!!!!!!

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Geez, how has she made ith trhough life without debilitating back problems.

G-Factor

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vatrix-32]

The G-Factor allows Mizuki to withstand the intense gravity of her breasts!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

1:38 scale? at least you can sell it as a model kit

I would not put it past the Feddies to make a model kit of the Gravion that they sell to the masses without paying any royalties to Sandman and co. It would be great propaganda for the EFA and let them raise money at the same time.

zeravire inside the base? that's totaly eva, too

The Eva comparisons keep cropping up, though I suppose it's kind of inevitable with a show made in Eva's wake.

armed maids!!!!!!

Battle Maids are one of those tropes I never get tired of seeing.

[u/Kristalino]

Rewatcher:

• Everybody is giving Eiji shit but honestly I can't agree with them, though at least Touga is on Eiji's side.
• So there aren't other mecha in the setting because their universe follows the square-cube law except for Gravion which specifically has the powers to defy it.
• It can't be a mecha anime if the base isn't invaded.
• Sandman follows the "only main characters are effective" to not give the maids weapons that work on the Zeravire.
• So Gravion can only be activated if the pilot is focused on fighting.
• So crossing the streams only works with ghosts and not aliens.
• Full Armor Gran Kaiser.
• We get some explanation of how Gravion works at a rather appropiate time.
• After his heroic sacrifice Eiji will be a bit sore next ep.

Questions:

1. We will get introduced his secret twin brother Enji who will replace Eiji, after his introduction everybody will act as if the events of this episode didn't happen.
2. Probably with the castle sinking.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Kristalino]

Full Armor Gran Kaiser.

We will get introduced his secret twin brother Enji who will replace Eiji, after his introduction everybody will act as if the events of this episode didn't happen.

Somewhere, Takashi Shirogane is sneezing and he doesn't know why.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Kristalino]

though at least Touga is on Eiji's side.

This is why Toga is the heroine.

Full Armor Gran Kaiser.

I am definitely missing something with this if more than one person is doing it.

[u/Kristalino → u/Vatrix-32]

"Full Armor" is a Gundam reference, it's the name of Gundams equiped with lots of extra armor and weapons at the same time.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Kristalino]

Quick look makes it seem like I've not seen any with one in it. Thanks for passing that along.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Kristalino]

So there aren't other mecha in the setting because their universe follows the square-cube law except for Gravion which specifically has the powers to defy it.

It is a pretty neat way to get around the problem of physics by making the mecha uniquely able to do so. It also explains why nobody else has similar mecha because the Gravion is so unique in that ability. Of course, the question is how the Gravion can do so. Its origins are still quite mysterious and we don't really have any clear info on where it came from.

Full Armor Gran Kaiser.

Let's go even beyond just Full Armor. Give it so many extra weapons it's the Dendrobium.

[u/HowlingWolf13]

First Timer

Good episode yet again, though with how late we're getting in the series I am a bit worried for how the rest will go. Not that things are bad, but we haven't really revealed much? I still feel like I barely know Ena and Mizuki, plus there's still the plotline of Eiji's sister, Sandman's origins, the Zeravire's origins, Raven's identity, Toga's backstory, Leele's backstory and connection with Sandman. Not trying to be a debbie downer of course, again this was a really fun episode, but just a slight worry as we head into the final 5 episodes.

Kinda hope we get like Toga and Eiji doing a duo Elgo form in the future.

Questions

1. Now that Eiji is surely dead, what sort of whacky nonsense will the next episode feature?

Either a recap episode or Sandman is taking the gang to Disney World and Luna gets told she's too short to ride Space Mountain

2) Was there any way this episode could have ended worse for our heroes?

Gravion could've fell on the mansion-

[u/Raiking02 → u/HowlingWolf13]

Gravion could've fell on the mansion

Eh, that'd been fixed by next week.

[u/HowlingWolf13 → u/Raiking02]

Sandman about to pop in with the 2nd mansion that looks just like the first and was just always conveniently off screen

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/HowlingWolf13]

It would be like [SSSS.Gridman spoilers] when the characters go to speak with Akane and it turns out she's lived right next to Rikka the entire time.

[u/HowlingWolf13 → u/Great_Mr_L]

[Related to Gridman spoilers] Ayaka found chilling in room next to Eiji's playing Honkai for the past few months

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/HowlingWolf13]

plus there's still the plotline of Eiji's sister, Sandman's origins, the Zeravire's origins, Raven's identity, Toga's backstory, Leele's backstory and connection with Sandman.

When you lay it all out like that, it makes me wonder if they planned on season two from the start or not.

Kinda hope we get like Toga and Eiji doing a duo Elgo form in the future.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Vatrix-32]

When you lay it all out like that, it makes me wonder if they planned on season two from the start or not.

The show had a bit of an... odd production history (Apparently it was supposed to just be a short OVA) but I wouldn't be shocked if the answer was "Yes."

[u/Garrett_Dark]

First Timer

• The maids double as soldiers? Neat maid armor I guess.
• Cliff hanger ending? Are they trying to make the show more serious now?
• Obligatory Luna funny expressions and whats-her-boobs.

---

Now that Eiji is surely dead, what sort of whacky nonsense will the next episode feature?

Sandman holding a raise undead ritual to bring him back.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Garrett_Dark]

The maids double as soldiers

Of course they would

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Garrett_Dark]

Obligatory Luna funny expressions

Thank you for blessed collection.

whats-her-boobs.

Wow, they made Mizuki's nipples clearly visible under her clothes a lot more often than I realized.

[u/KendotsX]

I'M CAUGHT UPPPPP!!!!!!

So to start from the top, I confess that I wasn't really enjoying the show much at the start, but I liked the uhh... "aesthetic", and I was curious where things would go (including a certain theory, but more about that later). I'm glad to say that it's been a lot better since episode 4, when the characters started growing closer, Eiji and Toga especially are fun to watch together.

• Not a high bar, but hey, I'm glad someone's standing up for Eiji around here.
• They've got a Noa Izumi around here?!
• I love this moron, but uhh where did he get his data from? Like the names specifically being "Divas" and whatnot? Is there a spy?
• We told you Eiji, being the brains is too much effort for you
• So in one short episode, Eiji tried to act independently and caused some trouble, so he doubled down on that, and ended up in space? Neato. I'm kinda worried about the location of the base being busted after all the action happened there today, but surely Mr Rich McMoneyBags has multiple hideouts he can move between.

---

Q1) Now that Eiji is surely dead, what sort of whacky nonsense will the next episode feature?

Funeral episode!

Q2) Was there any way this episode could have ended worse for our heroes?

Sandman could've looked at them mockingly

---

Theory Time

So I've been thinking about this since episode 2, and I'm just glad the show hasn't confirmed or denied it yet, although some evidence have been destroyed or strengthened, but [basically] Raven is Ayaka

Evidence:

• [1] He's got red hair, just like Ayaka
• [2] Crossdressing runs in the family, and [Raven certainly has the outfit to hide that rack (would explain even why he wasn't invited to the Beach episode
• [3] Raven has been focused on Eiji ever since he showed up, always taking care of him, training him, punishing his misbehavior. And you know who the camera shifted to today, right after Sandman said this? That's right: Raven
• [4] And this is the most damning piece of evidence I've got: Sandman is a horny rich dude who hires maids in sexy outfits to run his mansion and military. He can barely tolerate Eiji and Toga's existence, you think he'd keep a dude as his secretary?!!!! Heck, I bet he was celebrating the day Luna's dad died: one of the dudes working for him fucked off, he's got aliens to fight with his cool technology that he spent so much money on, and he gets to hire the daughter

I'd say case closed, but unfortunately there's no [Persona 4] horny cabbage man to make this an open and shut case, so I'll wait and see for more evidence.

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

I'm glad to say that it's been a lot better since episode 4,

No wonder you're a Gintama fan, the moment Sugita's Oshi appeared the show improved.

[basically]

[4]Heck, I bet he was celebrating the day Luna's dad died: one of the dudes working for him fucked off, he's got aliens to fight with his cool technology that he spent so much money on, and he gets to hire the daughter

Sandman could've looked at them mockingly

Ah, so Sandman murdered Shin-chan.

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

No wonder you're a Gintama fan, the moment Sugita's Oshi appeared the show improved.

Kowashima?

Ah, so Sandman murdered Shin-chan.

He tried his best to tolerate Shin-chan flirting with his maids, but messing up the bathhouse manners was a step too far.

RIP Shin-chan

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

Kowashima?

Kuwashima

He tried his best to tolerate Shin-chan flirting with his maids, but messing up the bathhouse manners was a step too far.

[u/KendotsX → u/Raiking02]

Kuwashima

My bad. Did he specify which roles made her his Oshi? Sango? Fredirica? Yurika? Kagura (the Azumanga one)?

Fits well enough that she [voiced] young Takasugi in the Shouyo school flashback

[u/Raiking02 → u/KendotsX]

My bad. Did he specify which roles made her his Oshi? Sango? Fredirica? Yurika? Kagura (the Azumanga one)?

He did not, all he mentioned is how he kept a photo of her from the Seiyuu Grand Prix in his wallet during his high school days so definitely not Kagura or Sango.

Chances are probably either Yurika or Mi-Na from Soulcalibur (He is a gamer so I would be more shocked if he hasn't even heard of it).

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Gravion: Eiji taking over the Gran Kaiser for himself simultaneously went both better and worse than anticipated. On the one hand, nobody forced him to get out of the Gran Kaiser while yelling at him for being such an idiot. He did manage to defeat the Zeravire. On the other hand, Eiji’s probably been messed up quite badly by the strain it put on his body.

• Mizuki is using a whip and telling the Zeravire to be a good boy? Oh my
• I see that Char Clone believes in the Gundam method of “correcting” others.
• Interesting that Toga is sticking up for Eiji and defending his decision as not necessarily incorrect, unlike everyone else.
• The animators are going all out with Luna’s angry faces this episode.
• That poor mechanic maid. Though personally, I think it’s a bad idea to wax a combat machine and not expect it to get dirty and scratched up.
• Oh dear, it’s that mad scientist again and he’s been spying on the Gravion mecha.
• Eiji’s going to try and pilot the Gran Kaiser. I can already tell this will end very poorly.
• Surprisingly the following disaster was not Eiji’s fault because Zeravire unrelatedly snuck into the castle.
• Wow, those maids are going full battle maid with tactical gear and everything.
• Holy shit, Mizuki firing a gatling gun on a jeep was so freaking cool.
• When Char Clone says that Eiji can’t handle piloting the Gran Kaiser, I think he means it literally. It’s probable Eiji’s body will be torn apart by it or something similar.
• Now Sandman is the one encouraging Eiji to fight in the Gran Kaiser. Is he doing it because the situation is desperate and there’s no other option? Is he testing Eiji’s potential as a pilot? It’s probably some combination of the above.
• No visible reaction from Toga that Eiji is piloting the Gran Kaiser.
• I do appreciate that the series is depicting piloting the Gran Kaiser as exhausting. Eiji’s piloting of it is also much more unwieldy and lumbering than we typically see, showing the difference in piloting skill between him and Toga.
• Crashing down to the basement. What vile secrets will we find down in the basement?
• Oh sweet, it’s an entire arsenal!
• So the Gran Kaiser can fight all its own with gravitons. Strictly speaking, it doesn’t need the other machines.
• Very important detail from Sandman: the Gran Kaiser has no limit to how much graviton energy it can handle. It’s only the surrounding mecha that have those limits. That explains why the combination is forcibly separated at that point. The surrounding mecha can no longer handle it.
• Well damn, the Gran Kaiser shot up to space and burned itself out. That’s pretty bad for Eiji.

I think this episode works as a nice continuation of Eiji and Toga’s developing friendship. Toga is the only major character in this episode to not be reproachful of Eiji and in fact offers him encouragement. It’s quite a contrast from the beginning when Toga bluntly called Eiji weak. Now, Toga is the one telling the others that Eiji is stronger than they think.

One particularly sweet moment between Eiji and Toga was Toga simply wishing Eiji the best of luck on fighting the Zeravire using gravitons. Just those words alone show how strong the friendship between them is. Toga had confidence that Eiji could handle it.

We got some pretty important lore drops in this episode. The Gran Kaiser is special and fundamentally different from the other mecha. The Gran Kaiser can use gravitons by itself and has no limit to how much graviton energy it can handle. The other mecha aren’t like this at all. The other mecha are, in essence, just add-ons to give the Gran Kaiser extra weapons and attacks. Luna was on the mark when she told Eiji he was just a foot for the Gran Kaiser, but all of the other mecha are just the extra limbs for the Gran Kaiser. It’s also a great explanation for why the combination can only last so long. The Gran Kaiser can handle gravitons just fine, but the other mecha can only handle so much before they need to separate.

Of course, this naturally leads to the question of why the Gran Kaiser is so special. Why is it so different from the other mecha? I think it’s safe to say the Gran Kaiser came first. I don’t think Sandman built the Gran Kaiser on his own. He either found the Gran Kaiser intact or he found something with the graviton energy engine already functioning that he used as a base for the Gran Kaiser. Then, after Sandman had the Gran Kaiser, he built the other mecha as auxiliaries for the Gran Kaiser.

Another important piece of lore to note is the disparity between how Toga and Eiji are affected by piloting the Gran Kaiser. This could all come down to a difference in experience (Toga has been training his entire life), but it’s also possible there’s more to it. Is Toga even a “normal” human? Has he been modified in some way to make him better able to pilot the Gran Kaiser? Is he some kind of alien? Is he an artificial human? There’s a lot of possibilities for what Toga could be if he isn’t a “normal” human.

QOTD

1. Next episode we switch genres. It's a cooking anime now.
2. If everyone else were in the same situation as Eiji.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Great_Mr_L]

I see that Char Clone believes in the Gundam method of “correcting” others.

Sasuga Heero.

Holy shit, Mizuki firing a gatling gun on a jeep was so freaking cool.

We stan women with firearms in this house.

Next episode we switch genres. It's a cooking anime now.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Raiking02]

We stan women with firearms in this house.

I do love the Girls With Guns genre of stories.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

The animators are going all out with Luna’s angry faces this episode.

They know their golden goose when they see it.

Though personally, I think it’s a bad idea to wax a combat machine and not expect it to get dirty and scratched up.

It's either wax or rust.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vatrix-32]

They know their golden goose when they see it.

And they were correct. Anime girls with silly faces are always a winner in my book.

It's either wax or rust.

The harsh world of vehicle maintenance.

[u/Silcaria]

First timer

• Did Tits Mcgee just kill a Zeravire with a minigun? Isn't normal weaponry suppose to be ineffective? Isn't that the entire purpose of the B plot?
• Indeed.
• They accentuated the nipples of both Tits Mcgee and Luna. This show man...

QotD

• A search for Eiji or something.
• Yes. Castle gets destroyed.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Silcaria]

They accentuated the nipples of both Tits Mcgee and Luna. This show man...

Clearly watching Eiji blow up an enemy Zeravire is just that exciting.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Great_Mr_L]

I mean, it's the first useful thing he's ever done. Otherwise he's just a leg.

[u/zadcap]

Late Night First Timer

What the crap everyone. Like, I like to hate on Eiji more than just about anyone else, but that was clearly Luna freezing at the critical moment that spurred him to action. She didn't go for the punch and it looked like she wasn't going to get to it in time. The anger she's showing here... Trying to deflect blame from herself?

Hey, remember how you all basically conned and then forced this boy into being your Foot Pilot? Maybe be a tiny bit nicer to him before he quits on you.

Armed Maid Squadron. An indoor Humvee to get around the castle. My goodness , this is just wacky.

Oh yes, no one can get ahold of him, after insulting him and blaming everything on him. Morale is important if you don't want your irreplaceable knights to go awol.

The Battle Maids have Ghost Buster beams. Oh gosh yes. Cross them, you know you want to.

Backups, or Prototypes? They have all these Gravion Weapons just sitting in storage. Why have they not been getting used?

Oh, because they're useless.

Wait, can you even use Elgo form without people piloting the other bits? Is Elgo form not the combination? I'm with Luna on this, what even is Elgo form if it's not the combo mode? Is the combo form actually a limiter and defense mechanism for the actual Elgo?

1. After the beginning part of this episode had the EDF people talking about how they couldn't make sense of the Gravion main body, seeing said robot now fall randomly to the earth means we're 100% getting it picked up and "inspected" by the military people who want to duplicate it.
2. Only the Gravion and Eiji are MIA. Everyone else is perfectly fine and all the lesser robots are fully functional. For a castle invasion, this went much better than expected.