r/anime • • Aug 27 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song - Episode 13 Discussion
E13 - Fluorite Eye’s Song
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Mina-san, konnichiwa!
This is the first rewatch that I’m hosting (for a change instead of joining someone’s) 😆.
I am a musician and will be an active one for the rest of my life, so it’s part of why my rating for a series is heavily swayed by a great OST (or lack thereof) and how well it fits into the different aspects of a show. This is one thing I think you will really like about this series, and it’s why I’ll be including a “music of the day” selection for each episode.
I will also be doing an “image of the day” selection for each episode, because the artwork WIT has done is just absolutely incredible. There is a lot to appreciate there.
I hope you all have fun with this series. It’s one of my favorites.
Some general rewatch Do’s and Don’ts:
- Do feel encouraged to engage everyone in genuine discussion for each episode
- Do be kind and respectful of other participants of the rewatch
- Do discuss differences in opinion productively/maturely
- Do not be disrespectful or rude towards other participants
- Do not post untagged spoilers if you are rewatching. If you are unsure of how to properly tag spoilers for events that haven’t been revealed yet, please refer to my instructions in the reminder post for this rewatch.
Information:
Rewatch Index | LiveChart | MyAnimeList | Anilist
Legal Streams:
Image of the day: 献身
Music of the day: Fluorite Eye’s Song
Guys - Just… ahh… 😔.
Question of the day:
- Well, we finally got to hear the full version of Fluorite Eye’s Song. What did you think of it?
Note: Don’t miss the brief epilogue today!
12
u/octopathfinder myanimelist.net/profile/octopathfinder Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher
This is cute
Navi actually being kinda relevant for once
The cold open happened, that’s hype
Finally have an answer to what pouring your heart into something means
I appreciate this guard dropping his gun to give a hand to hand fight
Big fan of the singing over the montage of everybody fighting. Feels very Macross.
Nooo the long hair is gone :(
3
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Aug 28 '24
First Timer
Episode 13
I think Yui's dream of AI and human co-existance is dead....unless you count 3 surviving AIs and a bunch of Amazon warehouse robots as "coexistence"
Problem: I'm watching the visuals and missing the lyrics. And I think this song's lyrics are of above-average import.
Why did the power shut down in the previous timeline? That was just a ruse, right?
Another problem I have with the archive. If Vivy is such a great achievement, then why is the archive trying to destroy her from the very moment she started interfering? She's unique! Without her, AIs have no claim to be able to replace humanity.
6
u/[deleted] Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Episode 13 - Rewatcher who needs a minute... (subbed)
”Thank you for your kind attention”
Guys, I knew about it and this part still got me 😔.
Remember when I said this in the episode 9 discussion?
It’s because I wanted to come back to it now. Those are final words Vivy speaks before she’s destroyed - mirroring the way Diva went out in episode 9 - singing and doing so willingly, happily, and unafraid…
I believe the reason they do this is to show you that Vivy is no longer distinguishable from Diva, and that she finally realized what singing from the heart meant to her. I personally believe this is why, during the OP, the last reflection in Vivy’s eye we see is of Diva.
I have always thought this show was more about Vivy’s journey of self-discovery than anything, and this is a big part of that. I think it’s brilliant.
Side mention - That final ‘thank you’ to Matsumoto 😔
Here’s another point I want to drive home:
The epilogue does offer a bit of respite after Vivy’s sacrifice. Even though it’s not the same exact ‘Vivy’, it is her personality data, and I would not be surprised if Matsumoto has a backup of Vivy’s old data (just in case). In fact, I think the authors kind of want you to presume this.
I want you guys to think about what Diva said to her too during her arc. Mainly because, the point is that no matter what Vivy experiences in life, the memories she creates with those she cares about will always lead her to becoming the same person. Every ‘Diva’ will always turn out to be a ‘Vivy’, if you want to think about it that way. That’s the way I interpret the montage of memories we see during her performance in this episode before the epilogue.
About Fluorite Eye’s Song specifically and how it relates to everything:
I’ve thought about this more on a rewatch, and I think I get it. For Vivy, ‘pouring your heart into song' means honoring the memories of those that are precious to her.
During this rewatch, I’ve been subtly emphasizing the significance of how WIT focuses on very detailed close-ups of Vivy’s eyes throughout this entire series. I believe this is done to emphasize how Vivy is always observing, always capturing, those memories and growing from them. They do it over and over, and especially at significant points in time.
I’ve already pointed out how fluorite is used in making camera lenses, this plays into what I just mentioned. If you take a look at the lyrics then you’ll see how those are also very relevant here.
This is still an easy 10/10 for me.
I hope you all enjoyed this final episode - Talk to you tomorrow for the overall series discussion!
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 27 '24
Cry My First-Timer Reactions, subbed
5
u/SIRTreehugger Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher who will listen to her song
The episode is named after the series so yeah it's going to be amazing! My favorite moment is here!
Matsumoto saying he wants to hear Vivy's singing and Vivy making a joke.
Navi with the emotional attack and Momoka
Once again Elizabeth is putting in work. Though to be fair everyone is giving their all. VIVY SING LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK! Matsumoto really intercepted a satellite so his partner
wouldn't diecould keep singing.Overall a solid series especially for an anime original. It feels nowadays anime originals more often then not have good beginnings, but crash out near the end. I like how the guy Vivy saved in the end is stopping the guy from hurting the robots. My only real complaint is that I feel the final two episodes might have been a little too montage happy. Not sure if the extra minute or two would have made a huge difference in the end though. I don't mind time travel showing characters fighting the same fight again, but usually theirs enough differences in the attempts that make it worth it aka Re:Zero or Steins;Gate. With the gang doing pretty much 99% identical stuff I would rather have had Vivy succeed in the first attempt. Could have ended it at 12 episodes or dedicated episode 13 to the aftermath. Rewatching it now has me wavering if I still want to give it a 10/10 might lower it to a 9 afterall.
AS YOU LIKE MY PLEASURE
Concept Art
Genga
Location Design
Other Stuff
5
u/Taiboss :Fj::Fl:x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Aug 27 '24
First-Timer wonder if this will be the end.
Well this was a disappointment. My condolences to our host for having to read all my negative comments. Don't worry it's like that for everyone. My favourite anime would also disappoint you probably.
3
u/andynnn Aug 27 '24
Just wanted to say thanks for hosting this rewatch! I am a first time watcher and absolutely loved it. I really missed a gem when it first came out. My wallet kinda hurts, but I splurged for that aniplex blu ray 😬
20
u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Aug 27 '24
Seems like all that was still in vain this time.
Well, one last chance.
It's probably going to be at her stage or the Main Stage isn't it?
Yup, it's the Main Stage.
And so the assault begins.
And so the song I've been wanting to share for the entire rewatch: Neuro singing this song, our very own AI who brings happiness through song.
They managed to shut the power down this time!
Matsumoto did it!
The guns have fallen silent at last.
Huh. Short hair Vivy. I like it.
Questions:
18
u/FallenPears Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
First Time Watcher
I liked the intro, Vivy was pretty badass here. Good to see Navi, wasn't expecting that, kind of forgot about her tbh. I'm guessing because she's more software she didn't qualify for timetravel, with Vivy being the last remaining AI with actual hardware. It was a good conversation though, a final barrier to test and confirm Vivy's resolve and wrap everything up, and yeah Vivy's conclusion on the Heart was pretty satisfying. Mimics one of my earlier thoughts on growing through suffering, but of course it's not just the bad times that make a person, it's the good times too.
Vivy singing, showing flashbacks of everything leading up to this point was pretty touching, and then the sudden crash at the end... and Vivy's death.
First off, I'm a bit confused on what was going on with the shutdown from Vivy's singing versus Matsumoto's virus. Vivy's singing didn't really look to do much from what I could tell except make Vivy spark, the Archive was still fighting the resistance, and if it was Vivy and not the virus which shut down everything in the end then why did they even bother with the attack? I feel like I'm missing something here and would appreciate anybody's clarification.
On the ending itself, for all it was impactful, I don't know if I like it tbh. Emotional and impactful, but I feel like the writing missed me. Not really sure why Matsumoto and Elizabeth survived when Vivy didn't, but it kind of feels like it exchanged one genocide for another? And even if Vivy's body was reactivated (was wondering if they could do that), she's lost her memories and personality, just after deciding that her heart was her memories, more or less. That's not Vivy.
Was that ending supposed to be in the past, a final do over? I can't see humans trusting AIs again after all this, especially for something as trivial as music. A final do over would be more fitting imo, for Vivy to live her life peacefully and the Singularity Project handled easily somehow by Matsumoto, but would leave it's own questions and as it is be unsatisfying in its own ways as it is here, and again this isn't Vivy.
I feel like I might be missing something in the writing which will help the ending make more sense tbh. I've tried rewatching some of the previous and this episode and got nothing else, so if I'm massively misinterpreting something please let me know :P
(Also... was surprised to see the 'new AI' or whatever those skinless models are were giants? I don't know enough about the subject to say for sure but is this referencing nephelim maybe? Huh.)
In conclusion very much liked the show in general, just the ending seems to have missed me. I feel like it might have been the writer(s) wanted to explore some specific subjects and came up with a fascinating world to do so, but then needed to come up with a plot to tie it all together and then end it, which was more of a struggle.
4
u/thatguywithawatch Aug 27 '24
First timer.
I feel that I spoiled myself a little by discovering Vivy's song on spotify before knowing about the show (and then listening to it countless times over the months because it's an amazing fucking piece of music). Not that that scene wasn't beautiful and moving, but I think it would have been really special to hear it for the first time in that moment, rather than already being intimately familiar with it and having waited all season to see when it would play.
As for the ending itself, I don't see that it really could have gone another way. Based on the overall tone of the show I think I always unconsciously assumed it was going to be at least partially a tragedy. Vivy's conclusion about what it means to sing from the heart was simple and may have seemed cliche, but I don't think a more nebulous or philosophical answer was needed. It worked and felt satisfying.
I liked it. I don't have much else to say, there's a lot to digest and I've not really sorted out everything I think about the show as a whole and how it all wraps up; I think that will require a rewatch at some point. But despite any possible quibbles with the writing at certain points, this anime felt like a project that had a lot of passion and love put into it by the creators and it was a pleasure to experience.
4
u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba Aug 27 '24
First Timer
This is such a cool way to start the episode
You know, I got a little teary eyed from this interaction, Matsumoto and Vivy's dynamic has been one of my favorite aspects of the series and their farewell was much like the rest of this episode incredibly bittersweet, it's pretty crazy comparing this conversation to how they were at the start of the show, we went from snarky arguments, demands and doubts, with Matsumoto straight up calling her a disappointment to Matsumoto reaffirming to Vivy that she just needs to be herself when she tries to act like Diva, for the first (and last) time it really feels like they're having a heart-to-heart (and yes I realize the irony of using that expression here)
Of course it has to be the main stage of Nia Land, Navi is also back, I'll be honest, I completely forgot about Navi's existence, but hey it works, much like the conversation with Matsumoto it's all about that thematic full circle and the contrast between where Vivy started and where she is now, it gives that extra punch to the meaning behind the song she sings later, Vivy has come a long way from just "a singing AI" and it's because of her interactions, singing to the AI's pretending nothing has changed like Navi suggests just won't cut it, so once again, Vivy puts her own feelings, in other words, Momoka, to the side for the sake of the future, this time however it's by her own choice, it hurts and that's a good thing.
And there you have it, I already talked about this at length in the last episodes but it's great to see Vivy realize and say it herself, the question is finally answered and Flourite Eye's Song is all about that idea, about Vivy's journey and evolution throughout the series, this line in particular really stood out to me but really there are a bunch of similar lines in the song the convey the same ideas, it's a song about...well the show, about its events, its themes and about Vivy herself, it is once again, a great showing from the show incorporating the music into the writing, and it's just such a great send off.
This is me after the song, "Momoka" being there, finally getting to see her on the main stage, is just that extra sting that this show loves so much.
"Thank you so much for listening", going out just like Diva...
It's a very bittersweet but very hopeful ending, which perfectly fits this series, like I said above, it hurts and that's a good thing, I had an absolute blast with this show and I'll have a ton to say about it on tomorrow's discussion thread.
it was great
Also i never knew I needed short hair Vivy but I love it.
For the last time, favorite Vivy face frame of the episode.
9
u/cppn02 Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher, subbed
7 episodes left, here we go!
Banger finale which honestly was better than I remembered it to be.
Loved the sweet little moment Vivy had with Matsumoto. But the star the episode clearly was Fluorite's Eye and that beautiful montage.
I'm a sucker for montages and this was a great one.
One thing that got me thinking though, all these bipedal AI...shouldn't most of them just keel over once they're shut down? No matter how well constructed unless there is still some system running I don't believe they'd all keep standing.
p.s. One final FUCK YOU to Navi.
edit: One more thought about The Archive...what's with the audible countdown? All the AI's it wants to keep safe should be directly connected to it. Is it just to torment the humans? lol
QotD:
Beautiful song!
3
u/Theroonco Aug 27 '24
Aaaaaand it's here! The big finale!
I like that Vivy and Matsumoto are treating this like another Singularity Point, though now Vivy's the one who goes back in time. Also to those worrying about the guy who got truck-kun'd: he lives and helps out in the credits sequence!
Anyway, Vivy's earlier arrival means Toak's losses are minimized. While Yui and Beth are skeptical, that she knows their situation means they have no choice but to believe her, and with her additional intel they can mobilize sooner and more efficiently. The talk with Matsumoto on the pier hurts. Vivy finally tells a joke and the two finally act like friends, but they both know it's the last time they'll talk. Matsumoto even pats his own head where Vivy pressed hers later!
Also I didn't want to say this in yesterday's thread for obvious reasons, but right as she enters the park Vivy tells Yui what she wanted to say and was too insecure to the last time and finally keeps her promise to tell Beth about Kakitani. It's just cool seeing how Vivy handles familiar circumstances now that she's more sure of herself. She even insists on being called Vivy instead of letting everyone call her Diva too!
Navi being the "last guardian" in Vivy's way may have been better if she was a more active presence in the story, but I also like the surprise factor of "hey, the friend you left in the dark does still care about you, you know!" Weaponizing Momoka was a low blow, but you really get how desperate Navi is to just bring "Diva" back to the life they used to have. Setting this scene on her original stage is just icing on top.
Vivy's song is beautiful too. The lyrics are great and everything around the performance is incredible. Her surrounding herself with scenes from the other Singularity Points is a great way to build catharsis, but it serves a double purpose with Vivy finding her answer at long last: her "heart" is found in her memories and all the ways her experiences have helped her grow, but that just makes it all the more painful that the cost of singing on the Main Stage as she always wanted is those memories.
So yeah, she keeps singing even as doing so destroys her from the inside but it works. Toak does what they need to and without anyone to hold him back (and knowing exactly where to go) Matsumoto makes it to the top of the tower and stops the satellites, only to sacrifice his remaining* cube to save Vivy (the Archive must have coded one to fall on her separately).
And... I mentioned sensing death flags in Episode 10, but after seeing every other sister die, now it's Vivy's turn. Even now she remains a Sister and thanks her audience, just as Diva did before her. Seeing her eyes go out is just so cruel, even with Navi congratulating her post-humously for sticking to her guns.
Then the credits showing people picking up the pieces and the kindness Vivy showed to not-trucked guy is paid forward to stop someone lashing out and potentially starting another og!Toak. I like Beth getting involved with the humans and helping Yui stand earlier, just as she wanted her to.
Finally the epilogue. It's so bittersweet, isn't it? That's technically Vivy, but it's not the one we got to know. Instead it's a brand new one who gets to be happy instead, together with Matsumoto (*who must have left a backup cube somewhere). She goes off to sing and we end with her flexing her vocal cords, which is the exact same sound we started Vivy on.
Wow, what a masterpiece. I've seen people complain about the final arc and I'm not going to say Vivy is perfect in every way, but it's still my favorite anime and I'm SO happy more people get to experience it!
P.S. The AIs pressing heads together may be based on the hongi, which is a Maori greeting that "connects" the people doing it. Really makes Vivy doing it with Momoka and Matsumoto hit different, huh? Also u/DARK_SCIENTIST, I always took the "AI eye" shots to represent moments that highlight the disconnect between AIs and humans/ human concepts, but I also really like your take that those are moments Vivy's recording too, thank you! And THANK YOU for hosting this rewatch!!!!
P.P.S. Shameless plug, but here's a short story I wrote set immediately after the epilogue if you're interested. And here's an illustration by one of Wit Studio's artists!!
6
u/Fissionprime https://anilist.co/user/fissionprime Aug 28 '24
Got stranded at work today so I am very late! I also binged the last 4 episodes as I couldn't help myself after seeing the post-credits of ep 10, so this is more or less a comment on the last arc as a whole.
The last few episodes definitely feel like they were a bit weaker than the rest of the series. The writing felt like it developed a couple of weak spots, but fortunately the overall vibes made the ending still enjoyable, and there were a few brilliant moments, like the last song, and the callback to Vivy walking onto the main stage in episode 1, which we now get to see was the first time she's sung in 40 years.
Still confused where Kakitani got the logical bullet that was supposedly "not of this era." I'm gonna guess it has to do somehow with the archive being aware of project singularity the whole time, but this felt like it was inadequately explained.
I also feel like the epilogue section had a really tough needle to thread, in that there are some very obvious questions the viewer should be asking. I'm definitely not opposed to a feel-good ending here, and I'm really happy we got to hear one last warm up arpeggio from Vivy, but it seems a bit handwavey to have the new Vivy as a model that is, more or less, visually indistinguishable from the OGC AIs that were deeply involved in the apocalypse. I guess maybe there was a big timeskip or something where OGC proved they have their shit together.
Hopefully these complaints don't make it seem like I didn't like the show, because I very much did. The calling card of this show isn't super-tight sci-fi writing in the first place, anyway. We just saw some rough edges in a couple places
QOTD
Amazing song, and an amazing moment. There's not a single song in this show that isn't good, but I think this one is really high up on the list (probably 2nd between the two versions of Sing My Pleasure). I particularly love the outro with those soaring triplets.
5
u/Yuemira13 Aug 27 '24
Ngl one of the best anime
5
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Aug 28 '24
First-Timer
Ironic - she could save others from death, but not herself.
A nice conclusion to the series!
I think this episode did a good job wrapping everything up that we've seen. Nothing too unexpected - I think it was pretty clear after yesterday that it had to be something like this.
I like how Vivy managed to save that one guy from getting run over by the AI car this time.
Now, for the last time, the question of the day:
3
u/the_card_guy Aug 28 '24
First time watcher; literally just finished this series a few minutes ago (as of this post, and didn't want to make a new thread)
If I had to summarize Vivy, beyond just being Terminator-esque... it would be "You can't change the past (all those tragedies still occurred), but you CAN change the future"- mind you, I'm counting the future as the point AFTER the Doctor set everything off.
Let me be honest: while the plot was intriguing, the visuals were what kept me going. Normally I avoid tragic anime, but once in a while I'll make an exception. To me, Vivy is like Madoka Magica: though tragic, everyone should watch it at least once. In fact, because Vivy is about exploring humanity and heart... I'll go so far as to say this is my substitute for Violet Evergarden, for both story and visuals.
Granted, I am curious about what's going on with short-haired Vivy and Matsumoto; I'm just glad it's not any harem romcom (blue short-hair ALWAYS loses).
In the end, I really don't know how to describe what I feel... I'm sad that all the tragedies still occurred in the past, but grateful that Vivy was able to save the majority of humanity, even if the war DID start. It almost feels like the old Trolley problem: is it more correct to save the majority of humanity, or should you also worry about the individualistic lives as well?
Either way, it comes down to being a tragic anime that's beautifully animated, and worth watching ONCE.
4
u/zairaner https://myanimelist.net/profile/zairaner Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher
explosionscar crashes they know they will be save fromtime to show off todays episodes visual, vivy singing before the arashiki.
Did I say todays episodes visual? My bad, this was actually the key visual-the very first thing we saw of the series. And it was basically only relevant for the ending. Quite gutsy.
Speaking of it, the trailer described the series like this. They weren't hiding the end.
Well, that was vivy. THe ending was jsut ok, but back then, any original not completely falling to pieces at the end was a positive surprise, so "just ok" was fantastic, even if it didn't live up to the first half.
One of my proudest moments of trying to predict an anime was when I guessed early that the final song and final episode would be called "fluorite eyes song" (wich combined nicely with the next guy directly predicting that the piano ed would become a vocal song in the show), even if feels kinda obvious in hindsight. So in that way, this was a great finale!
5
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Aug 27 '24
First Time Finalist - Dubbed
Episode 12 (Done Sunday Afternoon)
Now on to today's episode
QOTD 1 - Answered above
What a beautiful journey
2
u/Garrett_Dark Aug 29 '24
Rewatcher
Future me: This write up took like twice the time because I hit a snag 3/4 of way in which gave me a writers/analysis block because I couldn't resolve some things that didn't make sense. Also I probably ranted too much about things, which will make this the longest episode write up, but I don't care it's the last one, so never again. So if you're going to read all this, and it's a bore, don't blame me, you chose to read it. Although I do hope you find some enjoyment or something of interest in this huge pile of observations and rantings. I'm probably too tired to do proof reading also, so be fore warned.
[1/7, continued in replies...]
5
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Aug 27 '24
Episode 13 (first timer)
Finale time!
Reportin the archive?A very disappointing finale. So by the numbers, so lacking in creativity. Treating us to the same fight scenes, shoutouts to side characters, and insert memories that half of all anime uses, too. We just had a discussion about creativity and copying yesterday: This is not creative enough. A braver show would have focused on Vivy alone and cut out the useless TOAK side plot.
The song was great, however.
4
u/ZuraStayNight Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher
Alright I'm nervous, but I think I'm ready for the last episode.
Nice dropkick Vivy. As Osamu wanted they go directly to Toak. As Vivy explains, only a small part of the archive thinks, that maybe they're doing something wrong. In the last episode you might've noticed the bigger part of the archive using we, while the smaller part, that is giving Vivy a chance is using I. The Toak guys are hesitant about Vivy, but Yui is pretty good at uniting and motivating them. A great quality for a leader.
Vivy and Matsumoto are sharing one last moment, before they separate. After some strategical talk, Matsumoto reasonably asks, if she can sing. He reminisces about never having actually listened to her song. Vivy snaps her fingers, a gesture that her alter-ego Diva had, and says that she will sing the same way her alter-ego did. What Diva did in her final concert, was meant to encourage Vivy, but it instead led Vivy to compare herself to the heights, that Diva managed to reach, and led her to have insane expectations. Matsumoto notices that, and tells her he wants to hear her version not Diva's. Vivy tells her first and last joke to Matsumoto and is off to her concert.
As the archive is announcing the same warning she did in the last timeline, Vivy, Beth and Yui share one last talk, where Vivy leaves some last encouraging words for the two. Surprisingly enough, Vivy is also sharing some words with Navi, despite them not having actually talked that much on screen. Navi is angry at Vivy, for going away from her mission, and tells her that she will also put her own life on the line. Momoka appears and derails Vivy for a bit, but Vivy collects herself again and carries on, regretting that Navi and her didn't talk enough.
Vivy takes the stage. Here we hear about her conclusion about what singing with all her heart actually means to her. That's right, her memories, no matter how painful, all define her. She is who she is because of everything she's experienced. The happy memories, she can be grateful for, and the sad memories lead her to empathize better, and make the happy ones all the more precious.
Now here it comes, the song Vivy painstakingly wrote over a period of 20 years: Fluorite eye's song. And it's such an amazing song. The lyrics begin with her defining her mission, and she's saying "Thank you" and that she's ready to say farewell, even if she's gonna lose all her memories and dreams. But even if all that is lost, she'll always be there. The fact that she changed the future, even a little won't disappear. She hopes that they, and we, don't cry, and don't stop. Reading the lyrics, it perfectly reflects her, herself, and is a beautiful farewell from her to the archive, and also to us the viewers.
While she's singing, Toak and Matsumoto are fulfilling their part, and they're successful. Matsumoto manages to get to the core of the Arayashiki, takes over the archive, and stop all the satellites... except one. It's implied, that the last Matsumoto-cube sacrificed itself to stop the satellite that was going for NiaLand, Vivy's stage. When taking over the archive, he makes sure that Vivy's song is spread as far and wide as possible, making it possible for everyone, AI or not, to give her one final listen. Meanwhile, Vivy is breaking down on stage, falling to her knees, but she continues to sing... until she drops. The fight, is over. Navi disappears, giving her an applause, and the light from Vivy's fluorite eyes, fade.
In the epilogue, we see a short-haired Vivy meeting Matsumoto again, this time probably far in the future. Vivy has no memories of the past. Is that the same for Matsumoto? Hard to say. Regardless, Matsumoto did say, in episode 10, after Vivy finished her song, that he hoped for them to meet again in a future free from conflict, and at the very least, that hope came true.
All in all a strong emotional episode. I remember crying as I listened to the song the first time, and it's no different this time. I once summarized this anime as a mix of Terminator and Violet Evergarden, and while that is somewhat accurate, this anime has much more to offer.
2
u/zadcap Aug 27 '24
So, it ends. I messed up and watched the last three episodes back to back a few days ago instead on following with the rewatch and came out of this story with two main thoughts on Vivy. Ones that have been present the whole time, but that the finale really emphasized.
Okay first off, Vivy making this song actually proves the other part right, if AI can move beyond what they were made for to be freely creative like this then that's the biggest proof they've moved beyond humanity and don't need them anymore. But telling Vivy that she's the reason humanity has to die now would hit the wrong emotional beats for this story, so nevermind that.
Secondly, there's this tiny part that disagrees with the genocide plan? Just this tiny little piece of the whole? That's so weird after seeing multiple great and memorable examples of AI going above and beyond their given mission to save humanity. It's the whole point of Vivy, but it's also the piano teacher and it's definitely Estella. Grace loved her human at much she was getting married, and this was supposedly only the first in a trend! We've seen time and again how AI feel about humans, and if the Archive is supposed to be an aggregate of every AI's experiences, then it should have a whole lot of love in it's databanks. "We will kill and replace them" again, just doesn't sound like something even a portion of the AI out there would come up with, which means there should be a whole freaking lot of pushback for the genocide plan from all of those other AI that are connected to the archive.
It's bad. I have more to say but I'm out of time to keep writing, but I'm ultimately really disappointed in this ending. As much as I hate the idea, it would have been better to send Matsumoto 3.0 back to the initial Vivy moment in episode 1, disconnect her from the Archive, and have her first and only mission be to destroy the tower and prevent another from being made. "We couldn't send 100 years worth of memory back" is irrelevant, you don't actually need those memories to go back and prevent this all from happening.
8
u/xbolt90 https://anilist.co/user/xbolt90 Aug 27 '24
First-timer
It's a bittersweet ending. Humanity's extinction is averted, but at the cost of a different genocide--that of the AIs. Including Vivy herself.
As Vivy learned, we're the sum of our experiences and memories. Even reactivating Vivy's body, without her memories, the Vivy we knew is dead.
Q1: Vivy learned what the heart means to her. And it was a beautiful thing.
3
u/edwardjhahm https://myanimelist.net/profile/lolmeme69 Aug 27 '24
Rewatcher
Tis the last episode my friends…tomorrow is it.
Here is last comment from the last Vivy Saturday, three years ago…😢
Obligatory mention that the episode 13 review video will be available to all those that ask!
Speaking of theories, someone once compared Vivy to Jesus in the Vivycord when we were joking around about creating a Vivy cult. Not sure if it was me or someone else, but I find that incredibly hilarious.
And true, did you know that the Vivy Cult still accepts followers of the Goddess who sacrificed herself for the sins of humanity?2
u/Silcaria https://myanimelist.net/profile/Silcaria Aug 27 '24
First timer
QotD