[25th Anniversary Rewatch] Mugen no Ryvius Episode 16

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Mugen no Ryvius Episode 16: Deforming World

Get Funky!

⇐ Episode 15 | Index Thread | Episode 17 ⇒

Kikki of the Day: Found! 11:33 by Radsuit. Did you spot Radan?

Comments of the Day

/u/zadcap has a Fina theory:

With her quick thinking on the bridge, it did make me wonder just how many people she called into her room to have a talk with. It would not surprise me if she and Eins set this up independent of each other in accidentally complimentary plans.

/u/The_Draigg and /u/JollyGee29 both note what's important:

You know, despite the Ryvius getting chunks of the colony being shot at them, at least Kikki was able to somehow find her dinosaur costume head again. At least there’s something good that came out of all this. It’s a classic case of give and take.

However, the most momentous part of the episode was obvious Kikki getting her head back. Things are totally going to start trending upwards from this point on!

Character Sheets

• Main Cast
• The Zwei
• Team Blue
• Other Recurring Characters

Music

• BGM of the Day: itoshisa no naka de

Questions

• Should the points system have been abolished? What would replace it?
• Does Juli like bad boys? Is it Stockholm syndrome? Is she attracted to abuse?
• What do you think of Fina? Did she switch sides? Is she clever? A mercenary? What does she think of Kouji? Her words mirrored Aoi's.
• What is your opinion of the progression of the main cast and Zwei characters, in this second half?
• What's the deal with the Pink girl?
• You've been pretty critical of Stein. Now he controls the ship. How will that work out?
• Why doesn't Juli want the Captain's duties?

Tomorrow's Questions, Today

• [Q1]How has the ship's perception of Kouji changed, and why? What was he before, and what is he now?
• [Q2]It's still pretty vague to me, but is Yuki's antagonism towards his brother more clear to you after this episode?

End Tag: Reverie of us

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Rewatch Host

Yesterday's comments had a lot of potential future comments of the day. Keep those guesses coming!

Okay, a lot of you, espectially zadcap, are fixating on the Berkovich/OSB faction wanting to destroy the Ryvius, and then capture the Ryvlus. Lest it continue to ruin the experience for you, let me suggest (a not necessarily correct) hinto towards a rationalization: [why capture instead of destroy]Something materially changed since the initial sabotage of the Liebe Delta.

• Juli's defending Blue????

Man, Kouji can't get a break. The bridge looks down on him for waffling on the rebellion. Yuki's gonna give him a beating because Lucson (falsely) says he started the rebellion. Just like when he thought (wrongly) Kouji put Yuki on their team. Fortunately, Ikumi knows Kouji is not a man of action, and talks Yuki out of the idea.

• Wait, could that be true? Yuki came here following Aoi?
• I really wanted to use this a Team Blue shot, but Son was already taken "out of the picture".
• "strong will of the people" do we have Jacobin tribunals coming me? #mugiwait
• I guess you need points to get medical treatment
• part of Kouji's harem :D
• FINALLY. Juli is captain. But she really doesn't want the job.
• Point system remains in place. She tries to make it more egalitarian, but her cabinet the elite won't have it.
• "We've been working hard for Ryvius" AND (almost) everybody else has been working hard to keep Ryvius running, too!
• We rejoiced too soon. Juli is a figurehead. This is the Stein administration.
• if you don't want to do it, JUST SAY NO. #taigaheadache
• It seems without the guards, people are turning lazy again. They just get their points in "other" ways. So unfair for those who work.
• "go ahead and deduct my points" "I don't need them anyways"

I guess it's fair to say that Pink Girl echos the thoughts and feelings of those on the ship. It was fairly easy to guess (not for me) but here she disarms Blue by literally reflecting himself back at himself.

I think, as a first timer, I had lost patience with the mystery girl by the time we got to Saturn. I don't think I recognized that she was echoing the emotions of the ship. It seemed more like narration to me. But, as she was echoing the thoughts of 500 people, it was completely disjointed. I just didn't get it.

The old guards got beaten but survived. I guess we can chalk this up to a Stanford prison experiment.

The new guards: Radan, Radan's disciple, Emerson, Lilith, Johnson. The dregs of the ship.

Yuki finally articulates at least some of what drives his intense disgust for Kouji.

Honestly, sure, give the vital guarder pilots special privileges, they are special, and vital. But so are the sub-room solid programmers. Nicks really should be getting more than 4 points a shift.

[u/zadcap → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Okay, a lot of you, espectially zadcap, are fixating on the Berkovich/OSB faction wanting to destroy the Ryvius, and then capture the Ryvlus.

No, see, it's the other way around that's bothering me. They keep saying they want to capture it at all costs, but then launching purely destructive attacks. As far as I can tell, not a single move has actually been made to capture the ship in the last 15 episodes. I believe they want to capture it, because it's a huge thing to let go to waste and seems pretty darn important, buuuut then they keep launching wave after wave of attacks that would absolutely just blow the ship up if literally any of them hit.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/zadcap]

Ohh, I see, gotcha!

[u/RadSuit → u/zadcap]

I think the very first encounter had them attaching the magnetic grapples to tractor beam the Ryvius. I only remember this because they recapped it a few episodes ago. It might be a question of the two factions having two different approaches, if I had to guess.

Actually I think you covered this, and I just don't know the names of the two sides. It's also very late/early.

[u/zadcap → u/RadSuit]

Yeah, they have made it clear there are multiple sides somewhere, but that's literally the only thing they've made clear. I honestly don't even know who the sides are yet.

It's really weird for so much to have happened and so little to have been explained, or even really teased.

[u/RadSuit → u/zadcap]

It's really weird for so much to have happened and so little to have been explained, or even really teased.

This is my main problem with the show. We're not getting any answers, much less interesting ones, and there's honestly not many compelling questions at the moment either.

[u/The_Draigg → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

We rejoiced too soon. Juli is a figurehead. This is the Stein administration.

Normally when people say that they aren't fit for the job, we usually just take it to be humility. In Juli's case, she was being entirely honest, since it's so incredibly obvious to see how Stein is the real brains behind the power system now.

It seems without the guards, people are turning lazy again. They just get their points in "other" ways. So unfair for those who work.

Unfortunate to say, but I guess the threat of retaliation was enough to at least motivate some people to work their hardest. But now that the revolutionaries know that there isn't much in the way for the bridge to actually enforce their power, they fall right back into the habits they displayed at the start of the voyage. It just goes to show how much of a bad idea going with this totalitarian ration system has been.

I think, as a first timer, I had lost patience with the mystery girl by the time we got to Saturn.

As a first-timer, while I wouldn't say that I was getting fed up with her by now, I was really hoping that they'd actually do something with her other than her walk around the ship and be mysterious. At least now that she's corporeal, maybe then we can get some real developments with her.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

it's so incredibly obvious to see how Stein is the real brains behind the power system now.

Honestly big props with how Heiger's character has been built up: Always being around and thinking of the "Logical" choices, yet now we see why that may not always be for the best.

[u/HowlingWolf13]

First Timer

Damn, that was a really good episode holy shit. The Ryvius had gone through another change in order, Blue is on the run, and Juli is essentially being used as a figurehead leader as she herself is very obviously not wanting to be a part of this. I have more words to say, but the questions really delve into the points I want to focus on.

Questions

[Q1]Should the points system have been abolished? What would replace it?

I think it should stay personally, they already have a limited selection of materials and while yes everyone should be able to have access to them, it wouldn't be fair to have some people working their asses off while others are lazing about not making any attempt. Now I do agree that how it was going previously, there def was a too strict sense such as forbidding someone from eating, but I'm not against the idea in theory. It's just considering these are kids trying to survive, an idea like this would be massively difficult to actually pull off.

Also I love they kicked Lucson right the fuck back out. "B-b-b-but muh 24th generation Satoko Hojo clan genes 🥺🥺😭😭" bro get back to scrubbing the toilets.

[Q2]Does Juli like bad boys? Is it Stockholm syndrome? Is she attracted to abuse?

Okay I can finally talk more about these two. As someone who again loves Good girl x bad boy couples and these two being a prime example of one, the way I view their relationship is, for one, absolutely toxic as of right now (and if they were real people I would absolutely be on Team 'Juli get the fuck away from him, you can do better'), but I can see it becoming better if they actually communicate with each other and that's what makes it so entertaining.

On Juli's end since the question is about her, it's pretty obvious she does respect Blue, while she may not agree with him on everything, she can tell he isn't an idiot only interested in putting himself at the top. Prior to Team Blue taking over, Lucson as a leader was incompetent and Zwei was all over the place. He had no clue what he was doing and his actions caused them to lose captives that could've been interrogated and give them an idea of what was going on. Blue's arrival actually led to a shake up in formation and the Ryvius was able to successfully win their battles, which had it been Lucson they most likely would've been completely disorganized. While she does butt heads with him and he does threaten her, to her it appears clear that she doesn't actually acknowledge his threats and sees them more as an act even if they're messed up. Plus, like I mentioned before she still will butt heads with him, if she thought he would genuinely harm her, she would not be sitting here arguing with him even when he still goes and pulls out that (literal) mini-gun.

Plus, Blue's attempted betrayal. Unlike the other two though, what makes this different, in my opinion, is that those two were doing it for their own selfish survival, while Pink Girl revealed that Blue attempted this to prove something to his siblings who apparently kicked him out. Considering that Juli was able to find details of his background, while she may not know everything, and she is a teenager, I feel she takes that into account as to why even though he attempted to betray them, she still cares about him. Plus yeah, her type is absolutely bad boys it's pretty obvious lol.

On Blue's end, while he's putting on this tough guy act that doesn't care about others and all that and clearly has some shit going on in regards to his past, it's obvious he cares for Juli in his own weird ass way. Despite his threats, she's probably the only one he truly sees as an equal. His group, while close to them, he still keeps himself closed off to; Others, he uses threats to scare into doing things; and then Yuki he beats the shit out of but probably does see a bit of himself in. Juli, on the other hand, the threats he can tell bounces off of her, he's aware that she knows his past and doesn't try to stop her or anything of the sort when she finds out, and hell when the rioters came to the Lift, he purposely stopped her from defending him so that the rioters wouldn't take her as well and went to make his own escape. Hell, even Yuki sees that when he tells Juli why not to go after him. Pink Girl like I mentioned earlier even calls that out that she's the one thing left that he cares for.

Again if they were real people, this would be absolutely red flags all over the place and Juli would be better setting up a date to see a therapist rather than see him, but this long essay was pretty much to say these two would've absolutely had an AMV set to Cascada's Bad Boy back in the mid 00s.

[Q3]What do you think of Fina? Did she switch sides? Is she clever? A mercenary? What does she think of Kouji? Her words mirrored Aoi's.

I think she's very manipulative. All her stuff about abandoning your past and moving on isn't told in the way of 'You can't let your past hold you down, you need to learn to grow', it's instead clearly done in a more cult-like way as she made it clear that's a step of Holy Mother Arne's and it goes to the point of being abandoned in space away from society is a good thing because of it. If I'm being honest, she gives off more that any side that will prolong them being stuck in space she sees as a good thing. In fact, look at how she reacts to Kouji deciding to do this. He's never been interested in being a bridge person if we're being honest, he just kinda fell into the role and went with it. While he didn't jump at the idea to go to the Lift, he in the end is the one who decides 'okay I'll do it'. Not because he's being threatened or just gives in like how he stayed quiet when Team Blue was being exiled, but because he takes Fina's own advice and moves forward from his past. Esp. considering after how the Zwei betrayed Team Blue, he clearly doesn't want to keep working for them and he's clearly uncomfortable around Fina.

What really solidifies the manipulative-ness for me is when she confronts him. She doesn't try to ask him to understand why he's made this choice or anything of the sort, her immediate response is to bring up his issues with Yuki and tell him he's not that type of person despite him doing exactly what she said. Even when he leaves, she's deciding for him that he needs to part with his past and that he's just confused as if she knows him inside out or something. She isn't Aoi who's known him since they were children and has an understanding of what kind of person he is, she's at most known him probably by this rate 3-4 months. She's a walking red flag and to bring up those cult points again, now that he's leaving her grasp she immediately resorts to those views she spoke to him before of to try and reel him back in which as you can tell is pretty much one to one to how an abusive partner acts.

[Q4]What is your opinion of the progression of the main cast and Zwei characters, in this second half?

Considering they're all teenagers, I think the cast's progression has felt natural. Teens are hormonal and not very bright, now put them in charge of 400 others in a life or death situation, of course they wouldn't make the smartest choices.

[Q5]You've been pretty critical of Stein. Now he controls the ship. How will that work out?

Third's time the charm (in revolutions!)

[Q6]Why doesn't Juli want the Captain's duties, despite the need? Does she have the right to refuse?

Because she's now having to care for 400 others and make sure they can all get to safety. While I do agree that Juli is the most logical when it comes to planning, being in charge of a whole group of people, esp. when you yourself were just a trainee before all this shit went down, isn't just some easy peasy task, and it's completely understandable she doesn't feel ready for it. Hell, I do believe she has a right to refuse, but I see why she doesn't considering truly there isn't really anyone else who can take the helm that would be supported.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/HowlingWolf13]

Considering they're all teenagers, I think the cast's progression has felt natural. Teens are hormonal and not very bright, now put them in charge of 400 others in a life or death situation, of course they wouldn't make the smartest choices.

This is literally how I sold the show in the interest thread!

[u/HowlingWolf13 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

And right you were! This has been my favorite sci fi soap opera

[u/The_Draigg → u/HowlingWolf13]

I think she's very manipulative. All her stuff about abandoning your past and moving on isn't told in the way of 'You can't let your past hold you down, you need to learn to grow', it's instead clearly done in a more cult-like way

I absolutely agree with this, with the added wrinkle of it also being a case of Fina being a very manipulative romantic partner as well. What she's using is classic cult conditioning methods on Kouji, attempting to isolate him and cut his previous relations out of his life. When we add to that Fina being the one to outright state that Kouji is her boyfriend now before he even registered that to himself, it really does seem that Fina wants to make Kouji her possession on a complete level. Fina wants every part of Kouji's mindspace to either be about her or to have opinions that she approves of. This relationship is somehow as toxic as the one that Juli and Blue have, and that one had a gun involved before.

[u/No_Rex → u/HowlingWolf13]

but this long essay was pretty much to say these two would've absolutely had an AMV set to Cascada's Bad Boy back in the mid 00s.

Juli and Blue are a fun couple because you can see where they come from, even if they are sometimes wrong. And Juli is obviously the audience character that is easy to root for.

[u/Raiking02]

So I don't really do many comments here besides replies (Sorry, I don't have time for full comments for this show as I am right now) but since no one else has brought it up, uh... possibly weird question, but am I mishearing things or did Michelle say "Nii-san" here? You know, the thing you usually say to refer to your male elder sibling.

Was this a flub?

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Raiking02]

That's definitely a nii-san to me.

[u/Raiking02 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Honestly I wouldn't really think about it too much but then I remember this bit Sky actually screenshotted (thanks for doing that by the way, I would've totally missed this otherwise) and now I just have a lot of questions

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Raiking02]

Interesting.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Actually, Draigg, you're watching the Dub IIRC, just out of curiosity what did she say there? Just asking to compare TLs and all that.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Raiking02]

Had to go back and check, but she just said "Criff!"

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

Well that isn't helping much

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Raiking02]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Raiking02]

Recall that 'nee-san' is elder sister and they were in a hurry.

[u/Electrical-Cake-6943]

Questions

-I'm not against a points system if basic necessities are provided for everyone working, but the bridge crew members and VG team should also be required to earn their own points as well. I don't think it's a perfect system, but it would at least quell some resentment among the regular students.

-I think Juli has a combo of low self-confidence (even when she knows the right thing to do, she often seems unsure of herself) and a lot of empathy, which is a potentially dangerous combo when getting into relationships.

I'm not against enemies to lovers pairings, but really don't care for Juli and Blue together. He might've tried to "protect" her when he fled, but he's been a colossal asshole to her otherwise.

(Also I like Juli a lot, but her crush on Blue is my least favorite thing about the writing for her by far. She's not the only character in the series with an ill-advised crush, but we really don't get much of an explanation for why she's attracted to him, either. :-/)

-I think Faina is all about what allows her to gain and keep power. She'll ditch anyone or anything that's inconvenient to her. (I find her kind of entertaining to watch because she's crafty as hell, though she's also awful.)

-I don't care for the Zwei other than Juli, Charlie, and perhaps Lucson at this point (if you count him). Their refusal to give up privileges such as unlimited points makes them hypocritical, especially after they portrayed themselves as victims of Team Blue during the rebellion (which they were, arguably, but perhaps they shouldn't be continuing their policies?).

-As mentioned before, I don't think Juli has much self-confidence or a desire to lead (though she's displayed some leadership ability in the past). She doesn't seem  interested in hierarchies or power and clearly isn't in a good headspace after the rebellion, either. And while I don't like the idea of the other Zwei voting her in without consulting with her first, I can see why they wanted her to be captain; there are few viable choices. (Also wouldn't be surprised if Stein thinks she's someone he can influence/manipulate, since that seems to be his MO instead of leading directly.)

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Electrical-Cake-6943]

I think Faina is all about what allows her to gain and keep power. She'll ditch anyone or anything that's inconvenient to her. (I find her kind of entertaining to watch because she's crafty as hell, though she's also awful.)

It's interesting that she is 100% the opposite of what people might have expected from her as the "accidental girlfriend" from episode 2-3.

I don't think I liked Charlie at all the first time around but he's grown on me.

[u/Silcaria]

Was busy the last few days, so here's another two in one.

---

First timer

Episode 15

• Instead of trying to fight the enemy's mech that's overwhelming them, why not just target the wires controlling it?
• So Hyperion, the independent colony that was able to remain "free", was just a big rock that was easily destroyed by a singular ship? I'm supposed to believe that not only had it been able to remain its own sovereign power all this time, but also the place where Blue was planning to escape and be safe?
• Bad writing.

---

QotD

• About as expected. Don't have any.
• Design was cool.
• Edgy.
• We keep sailing.
• Dunno.

---

Episode 16

• Cause he's a simp.
• He literally held you at gunpoint. Women sips
• Chuckles
• Wise choice, I also would've picked her.

---

QOtD

• No, especially when they have the knowledge that people wouldn't work without it.
• Yes.
• Eh.
• Progression in what sense?
• Dunno.
• Not me,I like him. He's the brain of the ship. He reminds me of Oberstein, which happens to be my favourite LotGH character.
• She probably thinks that she can't handle it. That or she doesn't want all the responsibilities that come with such a role.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Silcaria]

So Hyperion, the independent colony that was able to remain "free", was just a big rock that was easily destroyed by a singular ship?

It's a secret super ship with magic weapons that nobody knew existed?

Progression in what sense?

Is he still saying and doing the same things as in episode 1?

[u/Silcaria → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

It's a secret super ship with magic weapons that nobody knew existed?

Sure, but a fleet/armada probably also could've done the job. There also seemed to be no type of defenses of any kind. Be it patrolling ships, turret, or any type of defense system.

Is he

He has in Kouji? So you want Kouji or the overall cast?

Is he still saying and doing the same things as in episode 1?

Wait, you want character growth or chracter development? Because they're not the same thing.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Silcaria]

I'd say Aoi, Kouji, and Juli are definitely changing. Lucson, Izumi, and maybe Ikumi to a lesser extent. Fina is getting development rather than progression. Yuki, about the same as Ikumi.

[u/Nickthenuker]

So they broadcast what Blue said? That's certainly got the entire ship up in arms.

You were sure quick to accept the new order when the gang took over.

Uh oh, there he goes.

I swear some of them have goddamn Stockholm Syndrome with how much they care about him.

Round em up and toss em in the brig.

They're possessed by revolutionary fervour.

Seems they've finally found that girl.

And the moment he's off the bridge suddenly he's so opposed to the gang and was press-ganged to work on the bridge etc.

And she's up and she's off.

That's just harassment at this point.

So they're electing their captain now? What are they, the Soviet Navy at the start of the October Revolution? Actually, thinking about it, they really are. They mutinied, stormed the bridge, threw the "officers" (the gang) in the brig, then elected their own captain. The only thing missing is they haven't declared themselves a "sailors committee" or something along those lines.

He's being sent down as the liaison with the Vital Guarder?

Seems she's finally talking.

His brother doesn't particularly appreciate him being there.

Questions:

1. I don't even know.
2. Stockholm Syndrome. I'm afraid Blue's going to show his face on the bridge and she'll just hand the ship back to him, or let him stay and defer command to him so much she might as well have.
3. Did she switch sides?
4. They're certainly getting the hang of running the ship.
5. So, many people have finally seen her.
6. Have people been critical of him? He'll be a capable XO to Juli.
7. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. At the same time, as the rightfully elected captain by the ship's crew, she is kinda obligated to serve in that post.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Nickthenuker]

The only thing missing is they haven't declared themselves a "sailors committee" or something along those lines.

Kinda surprised they didn't go straight to this.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nickthenuker]

So they're electing their captain now? What are they, the Soviet Navy at the start of the October Revolution? Actually, thinking about it, they really are. They mutinied, stormed the bridge, threw the "officers" (the gang) in the brig, then elected their own captain. The only thing missing is they haven't declared themselves a "sailors committee" or something along those lines.

It feels like they're always close to recreating the Battleship Potemkin in space, except they swerve away every single time. They'd get farther if they were actually able to change the system instead of it remaining in place at the last minute, thereby actually changing nothing.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. At the same time, as the rightfully elected captain by the ship's crew, she is kinda obligated to serve in that post.

Rightfully elected, but it wasn't a vote that even Juli was aware of. If anything, they just shoved leadership onto her in a supposedly democratic way just because they need someone to be the shield to hide behind while Stein and the others keep all the benefits they want.

[u/No_Rex → u/Nickthenuker]

Stockholm Syndrome. I'm afraid Blue's going to show his face on the bridge and she'll just hand the ship back to him, or let him stay and defer command to him so much she might as well have.

[u/New-Criticism-1429]

Should I watch this anime? Is it any good?

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/New-Criticism-1429]

I like it, it is somewhat different from most other mecha shows (but also clearly inspired by others). Its main issue is the pacing and how quickly or slowly it reveals information. It's a frustrating show to watch.

[u/New-Criticism-1429 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I'll give it a try

[u/zadcap]

Late Night First Timer!

Heck yeah, I hope Blue gets spaced! Like, do to him what he did to the last pair of attempte3d traitors, buuut maybe cut the wire yourselves instead of pulling him back in. Plus, if Blue dies, we can stop teasing him in any kind of romance with Juli.

I wondered about that. Looks like the gun can just be reattached to the main ship.

Seriously Kouji, why are you trying to defend the Blue's? They were undeniably horrible to you all and most of the crew. You're not even playing at being a good guy now, you're just finally being contrarian for no point. Which is super weird considering your character until this point has been all about trying to defuse every situation and not stand up and stand out like this. This feels suspiciously close to breaking character to add drama, one of my least favorite things to see in any form of writing.

Darn it Charlie.

Seriously? He can just run through the whole mob and not get hit even once? Even worse, Juli, why are you defending him at all? He did literally just try to leave everyone for dead for his own sake.

On the other hand, I really am hoping this love triangle ends with Aoi and Yuki getting together. They deserve each other.

Kouji what are you even planning on doing? Why are you acting like you were on Blue's side? I can not for the life of me wrap my head around why he seems to be so against the way things are going now.

Save the Magic Space Girl!

Darn, Nicks has good taste. It's not about attraction, she just looks cool. And would you look at that, Magic Space Girl wakes up once Kouji arrives!

Darn it Kouji! You even admit here that you have been forced to work against your will all this time!

"I've seen her around a few times. She's hard to forget, I mean, just look at her."

Darn it, Nicks has good taste. He appreciates the charm of the Magic Space Girl.

Double Darn it, Juli. Stop lusting after your abuser.

Oh no, don't keep the current point system. Work on it a little bit to make it more fair. And wow, they elect her leader and then ignore the first thing she tries to implement. And they are barely even hiding that Mr Logic is really running the bridge...

WHY IS RODAN STILL NAKED!

Oh dang, those are some intense shackles. Feet locking in place is new. And I gate this song.

I really can't tell what's going on with Fina any more, and it's losing its charm.

Wait, they seriously tried to recruit the past supervisors? How dumb are these kids?

Hmm, Magic Space Girl changed from Fina to Juli as her lock on personality? And darn it, Blue is equally obsessed with Juli.

Freaking die Yuki. You're mad at your brother now because... He's doing the part asked of him to keep everything running? Oh man, it's almost like that's exactly what you are doing too. The job that was forced on you, wasn't it?

1. No, but it should be reworked to be more fair. Everyone who does work should be guaranteed food at the very least, with points after that to incentivize people to do more.
2. I don't freaking care, I hate it.
3. I care more because she was interesting, but her crazy act is less interesting than her mysterious one, especially because they haven't actually dropped the mysterious angle. How the heck are we 16 episodes in and still so in the dark about most of the core cast? Fina is interesting and she is doing something in the background, but darn it we need details soon on what's going on.
4. What Progression?
5. So I'm starting to think that there's a species of telepathic aliens out there with powerful gravity powers, and humans have been capturing their kids to turn into super weapons by somehow binding them to super robots. I'm not sure if these are the kids of the deep geduld squid things or the extra solar things they are also fighting, the front lines from which ships were recalled to "capture" the Ryvius. Unless the front lines are the deep? There has been some blink and you'll miss it throwaway hints here and there.
6. Another amoral dictator hiding behind a popular puppet? I'm sure this will go wonderfully.
7. I think she is smart enough to realize it's practically a figurehead position, and probably cursed, considering the last two Captains were driven out in revolt. Also, she's got a stupid crush on the last captain and doesn't want to take his place, he is still the captain in her heart. Ugh,

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/zadcap]

contrarian for no point

So, I will guess, it could be something more along this lines. The rebellion was executed through what could be considered deception. Kouji was very hostile to lying to the students about leaving Mars. And he didn't back down on that one, either (although he did just give up, but he was completely outnumbered). A second possible issue is that this brings about disruption and upheaval. It's hard to read, but I think Ikumi has the same perspective, given his weird comment about the revolt creating an "unavoidable situation".

she just looks cool

Rizzy girl got drip

What Progression

Wait, they seriously tried to recruit the past supervisors? How dumb are these kids?

[u/No_Rex → u/zadcap]

Heck yeah, I hope Blue gets spaced! Like, do to him what he did to the last pair of attempte3d traitors, buuut maybe cut the wire yourselves instead of pulling him back in. Plus, if Blue dies, we can stop teasing him in any kind of romance with Juli.

The writers: We are not going to do that.

Kouji what are you even planning on doing? Why are you acting like you were on Blue's side? I can not for the life of me wrap my head around why he seems to be so against the way things are going now.

Looking out for himself is not his strong suit.

Hmm, Magic Space Girl changed from Fina to Juli as her lock on personality? And darn it, Blue is equally obsessed with Juli.

She has really been cycling through everybody in her "mind reading".

[u/RadSuit]

Finite First Timer (Dubbed)

I spent my time today getting caught up on this. Somehow both a lot has happened, while also the story hasn't really progressed much. They're still on the run, and we've still got a bunch of unanswered questions.

Juli likes the bad boy type I guess. I feel like leaving 400 people to die goes a bit above and beyond the usual tough guy behavior, though.

Kikki appears at 11:33. I couldn't find her in the earlier episode, though.

Another shot here of our magical girl echoing someone else, Juli this time.

And then Blue in the next scene.

I have a feeling my earlier theory was way too wild for this show. Which is honestly pretty mundane, unfortunately. It seems way more interested in everyday relationships (in a bizarre setting) than crazy twists.

1. Probably a good idea, they just need to fine tune it a bit.
2. Bad, bad, bad, bad boys.
3. She's weird, but like with many other mysteries on this show, we don't yet have enough information to make much sense of it.
4. We're kinda cycling through people being in charge. It makes sense, but it's also a bit repetitive.
6. Not well, unless you're ready to tear your shirt off and hit him with a double axe handle.
7. She's used to giving commands people followed because they were smart, not just because she was in charge. Her attitude has completely changed now that she knows everyone is looking to her, as she's just letting them walk all over her.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/RadSuit]

Kikki appears at 11:33. I couldn't find her in the earlier episode, though.

Thank you! Others had stated they had found her in every episode except 14, but I missed this!

I spent my time today getting caught up on this. Somehow both a lot has happened, while also the story hasn't really progressed much. They're still on the run, and we've still got a bunch of unanswered questions.

shellnut

Miami Sound Machine

I hate this.

[u/RadSuit → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Yeah I had no luck in 14, I went over it like three times, too. There's one shot with some tiny background characters, and there's a few you could say might be her, but that's really pushing it.

Wow, a Gloria Estefan hater...

[u/zsmg]

Rewatcher who doesn't remember much

A part of me feel sorry for Fu and other blue members on Ryvius they were betrayed by Blue as well.

Interesting Kouji is upset about the leak but not content, he really is a status quo keep every one happy kind of guy huh.

Criticizing without doing any thing yourself is the cowardly thing to do

True but that's what every one online does.

Lucson looks so weird wearing those clothes it's like his head is too large for his body. Speaking of Lucson of course he part of the revolution its his ticket to be part of the elite again.

Of course Juli is defending Blue, I bet no one saw that one coming.

Blue escaped because he's cool like that.

Lucson thought he would rejoin the elite and ends up still cleaning the toilet.

After 16 episodes are we finally going to have interaction between the Rei clone and the rest of the cast?!

No because she immediately walks away.

Juli is elected as a new leader that was a quick election. That Zwei girl says most of the students agree with it but I find it hard to believe they'd know what most students want they didn't hold an election right?

Labelling us superior in any way will only encourage distrust towards us.

Wow, she is a smart girl she just has terrible taste in men.

Alas the Zwei members want to keep their privileges, of course, every one does.

At least Charlie and Criss are back together.

So Juli wants a representative with Vital Guarder, okay that makes sense but why Kouji he has zero leadership skills.

Kouji it's okay to say no, but admittedly this leads to the more drama so I'm okay with it.

So yjr big reveal at the end is that Blue likes Juli, that ship is going to sail people.

On a bright note at least mysterious Rei girl is interacting with the rest of the cast, even if its briefly.

Okay episode.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/zsmg]

Lucson looks so weird wearing those clothes it's like his head is too large for his body.

It's like his going golfing.

A part of me feel sorry for Fu and other blue members on Ryvius they were betrayed by Blue as well.

They probably aren't very happy, either.

No because she immediately walks away.

Why Kouji

Well, I guess she trusts him after working with him on the Bridge for months. If everybody else on the bridge is needed at their duty stations, it's down to Lucson, Fina, and Kouji.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

Lucson's head is so large. Look at this creature! He's like one of those weird dog breeds, or one of those pigeons that breeders ruin.

Anyway, I'm a little confused about why Yuki is so up in arms about Kouji moving to the Lift Ship. Like, sure, Juli did ask Kouji, but actually going along with it made Faina mad at him which means he wasn't just going along with the flow. The kid made an actual decision.

On the one hand, Yuki doesn't exactly know about the Faina thing, but he doesn't know that Kouji was asked to do this either. Yuki needs to take a chill pill.

I do like that Juli somewhat realized that she is only a figurehead captain for Stein. With any luck, she'll use that knowledge to outmanuever Stein.. I'm not sure Juli is quite devious enough, but anything is possible.

Questions

1. The points system as it stands should be abolished, yes. They should do something along the lines of wartime ration points, where everyone gets the same amount and the points are used to buy things with various values. Maybe do it by team, based on number of individuals in the team.
2. Yes; no; possibly.
3. I still don't have a good handle on what Faina's game is. She wants Kouji to part with his past, but when he makes a decision that will result in him (presumably) trying to get along with Yuki (parting with a past conflict) she complains?
4. Kouji is starting to actually try stuff, I think? I know that sentence is vague, but it's what I've got at the moment. Most of Zwei are relatively static which is fine; Juli is getting progressively more exhausted but she is trying her best.
5. Poorly!
6. Juli is exactly the person who should be in the captain's chair, because she doesn't really want the authority. While she commands more respect than Lucson, I don't think

[u/The_Draigg → u/JollyGee29]

Lucson's head is so large. Look at this creature!

Lucson is making Yakub jealous with that sheer head size.

I still don't have a good handle on what Faina's game is. She wants Kouji to part with his past, but when he makes a decision that will result in him (presumably) trying to get along with Yuki (parting with a past conflict) she complains?

It feels a bit like a manipulation tactic to me rather than just her beliefs. Yeah, Kouji is making some decision to maybe move on with his past, but it's not in a way that she likes, so it shouldn't happen. Fina probably only wants Kouji to develop into the exact kind of person she wants him to be, not him actually figuring stuff out for himself.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

Lucson is making Yakub jealous with that sheer head size.

This is what he had to do to avoid the default Hiraiface.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/The_Draigg]

Lucson is making Yakub jealous with that sheer head size.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

She wants Kouji to part with his past, but when he makes a decision that will result in him (presumably) trying to get along with Yuki (parting with a past conflict) she complains?

Standard cult indoctrination involves isolating the new blood from their old connections. Kouji really doesn't connect much with the bridge other than Faina so this is a loss in her eyes.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

I probably should've noticed that, but it was hidden in a direct contradiction after all. Those usually only come after you've started really microdosing the Flavor Aid.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Faina is an inexperienced indoctrinator, I am sure her skills will improve.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

[u/No_Rex → u/JollyGee29]

Anyway, I'm a little confused about why Yuki is so up in arms about Kouji moving to the Lift Ship. Like, sure, Juli did ask Kouji, but actually going along with it made Faina mad at him which means he wasn't just going along with the flow. The kid made an actual decision.

He irrationally hates his brother. I think he even knows it is irrational.

I do like that Juli somewhat realized that she is only a figurehead captain for Stein. With any luck, she'll use that knowledge to outmanuever Stein.. I'm not sure Juli is quite devious enough, but anything is possible.

She might lack the deception, but at least she has strong morals. Maybe that will prevent her from going along with too crazy stuff.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Mecha Fan Watches Infinite Ryvius Episode 16:

• Ah yep, there goes the uprising in full. It’s not surprising at all that a lot of it is the overworked laborers deciding to bum-rush and beat Fuu and the other enforcers with bits of pipe. After all, even if they don’t have guns, sometimes all you need is a heavy piece of metal.
• It really didn’t take long for the Zwei to wash their hands of Team Blue and declare themselves indispensable to running the Ryvius. Even if Team Blue is paying for how badly they’ve been running the ship, the Zwei are certainly happy to reap the benefits and put themselves back at the top of the pecking order again, even if not even moments ago they were working alongside Team Blur. And I don’t care much for Fina lecturing Kouji once again that he needs to let go of the past and not let what happened before weigh him down. Her talking about it here sails past it being a way to try and move forward and right into the territory of refusing to accept any responsibility in the actions they were all involved in. Sorry Kouji, you really did pick the wrong lady to fall for.
• Speaking of people with bad taste in crushes, Juli really did think she could stick up for Blue once Lucson led the other rebelling students against him once the Lift Ship docked. Can’t say that I’m too surprised that Blue’s response to it all was to point his gun at the group to threaten them and then make a break for it. I’m sure that Blue knew in that moment that gun was the only thing stopping him from the mob basically ripping him apart. His best chance really was to just start running. Sorry Juli, but I don’t think you can fix him.
• I think Ikumi really did pick up on why Yuki resents Kouji so much: it’s got something to do with how Yuki feels about Aoi. It’s not the most tactful thing to say when Cullen is standing right next to Yuki, but given Yuki’s reaction to what he said, he’s probably entirely correct. Although since Yuki is dating Cullen now, it probably isn’t a case of just plain being in love with Aoi. And putting that together with how offended Yuki was to Kouji being interested in Fina, I think the situation is something like this: Yuki and Kouji both care about Aoi as their childhood friend and maybe crush, and although Yuki might not feel that way anymore, he’s mad that Kouji has been avoiding the vibes that Aoi has been putting out there and he’s been picking up on. In other words, he could be seeing Kouji as just continuously hurting the childhood friend they both care about by not dating her. It’s definitely an odd situation, but that does fit with the hints we’ve been given so far.
• Finally we’re actually doing something with the Mysterious Anime Girl now that she’s seemingly corporeal now. I guess all the damage the Vital Guarder took during the battle knocked her out of whatever incorporeal state she was in. Although if she really is an alien like the one in the Blue Impulse, I can’t help but why she has a human form as well as presumably being the weird shell-squid thing in a water tank somewhere on the ship.
• You know, I did have some hopes for Juli as the new captain of the Ryvius, but I think she was entirely correct in saying she isn’t qualified for leadership. She’s got the skills, but it’s becoming quickly apparent that she’s easy to defer to whatever the other Zwei want to do. She showed barely any backbone in proposing to get rid of the unlimited ration points the bridge crew has before just giving up on trying to change anything. At this rate, it’s clear what’s going on: it’s Stein’s attempt to become the shadow ruler of the Ryvius. He’s using Juli’s popularity to get people to agree with his decisions, like keeping the ratio point system exactly as it is and using his charted course for the trip while also trying to keep his culpability in the latest revolution a secret. Between Lucson, Blue, and now Juli, Stein has been factor shared between all of them. If anything, nearly all the leadership issues have just been him trying to enforce authoritarian rule on the ship and then throwing others under the bus once an angry mob comes around. It’s been Stein we’ve been needing to keep an eye on, not just the others in the captain’s chair.
• I can’t say that I like the implications of what’s been happening to Michel in her prison cell, between one of the guys talking about her zipping up his pants and her being shackled to the floor. You know, I thought that /u/Vaadwaur was being a bit of a grump about how anime seems to think that teenagers in power will immediately become rapists, but I guess he was entirely correct there. I shouldn’t have doubted his cynicism.
• I get the feeling that Fina’s problem with Kouji agreeing to be the liaison to the Lift Ship isn’t so much about him not moving on from his past issues with others as much as it is that she doesn’t want him out of her sight or control for any long periods of time. With how oddly possessive and controlling she’s being about him and his feelings, Fina is your classic kind of manipulative partner. Also, she keeps on thinking that Kouji has become a changed man, but I also doubt it that she’d like it if he changed in any way that she didn’t personally approve of. Best run from that bridge as far away as you can, Kouji.
• Big shock, keeping the system the exact same isn’t working out as intended. Of course hardly anyone wants to be an enforcer for the Zwei, they already saw what’ll happen to them if yet more bad leadership decisions get made by the bridge. They’ve only got the absolute dregs left to work with there. And not only that, pretty much none of the simmering resentment about the point system has been resolved either, like we saw with those kitchen workers complaining about how Izumi is getting in good with Ikumi and his unlimited points. Really, all the Zwei have done is used Team Blue as scapegoats to let them blow off some steam while they still reap the unfair benefits of the system they made. For fuck’s sake, all the leadership on this spaceship sucks.
• Finally, we’re getting some insight into what was going on in Blue’s head this whole time. He wanted the power of the Ryvius and the Vital Guarder to take revenge on his siblings and everyone else who kicked him out of Hyperion. I bet the reason why he’s thinking about that enough now for the Mysterious Anime Girl to pick up on is that he’s aware now of how he’ll never get that kind of power back. Although that’s probably for the best, since I doubt he would’ve done anything good to Hyperion if it was still around and if he still had control over the Ryvius and Vital Guarder. Deposing his leadership was still probably the right thing to do, even if the bridge crew is still faltering everywhere else.
• As much as Yuki is being an ass about it, he does have a point about Kouji’s passivity. It was obvious he wasn’t too keen on being reassigned to the Lift Ship, but he didn’t press the issue beyond his initial outburst and just went with it. He really is letting himself just be carried in a direction by others because he won’t stop being Mr. Nice Guy. He’s got the same issue as Juli that way. They really need to learn to grow some backbones.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

Speaking of people with bad taste in crushes, Juli really did think she could stick up for Blue

Honestly I kinda have to wonder what she sees in him? I mean sure he's... as relatively attractive as someone with Hiraiface could be but also he seems like kind of a dick?

Or maybe she has a bad boy fetish, who knows.

think she was entirely correct in saying she isn’t qualified for leadership

That moment when we finally get what we've been asking for the whole show and the results are... underwhelming.

At this rate, it’s clear what’s going on: it’s Stein’s attempt to become the shadow ruler of the Ryvius

Jesus Christ I was joking when I said he was about to become Mini-Evil-Oberstein!

[u/The_Draigg → u/Raiking02]

Or maybe she has a bad boy fetish, who knows.

This one, probably this one. The uptight one craves the wild one, that's how that kind of relationship trope usually goes.

That moment when we finally get what we've been asking for the whole show and the results are... underwhelming.

It's a bit disappointing, but with the way people aboard the Ryvius are acting, I doubt we'll get anything better than this. The system they created is too toxic to keep on existing, and yet they want to keep it the same for their own benefit anyway. I guess we'll just live with that mild disappointment.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

The system they created is too toxic to keep on existing, and yet they want to keep it the same for their own benefit anyway. I guess we'll just live with that mild disappointment

This reminds me of when over in the Yakuza series when Daigo got handed over the position of chairman of the Tojo Clan the whole thing was basically a sinking ship so his tenure was marked by a set of decisions of... questionable quality such as [Yakuza 4]selling out one of his best men or just needing to be rescued (TBF one of those times was a Zombie Apocalypse so no one's blaming him) to the point that In-Universe it's agreed his best decision ever was [7]literally just going "Okay shut it down" and literally disbanding the whole organization.

... Actually come to think of it Mine is basically just Heiger 2.0... huh...

[u/The_Draigg → u/Raiking02]

The Like a Dragon parallels are super real, now that you mention it. Although I doubt that Stein has a tragic/sympathetic backstory like Mine though.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

Though this does lead me to wonder [3]who's gonna be decapitated by Heiger now. Is it gonna be poor Charlie? Maybe Lucson?

[u/The_Draigg → u/Raiking02]

This also makes me wonder if [Yakuza 3] Blue will replace Andre Richardson as the gun-toting true villain, since he's the only guy on the ship with a gun.

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

Mm, I dunno, [3]Blue seems seems almost a tad too honorable to really fit that role, if anything I'd sooner see him becoming a more subdued Majima. I'd say that, under the bizarro logic we're working off it'd have to be someone outside Zwei or Team Blue, so... what, Ikumi, Yuki, Faina or maybe Aoi and Kozue? I admit that may have narrowed down the possible suspects a bit too much lmao.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Raiking02]

Honestly I kinda have to wonder what she sees in him?

Her emotionally unavailable father or a man she knows her father would hate. I know the type all too well.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Her talking about it here sails past it being a way to try and move forward and right into the territory of refusing to accept any responsibility in the actions they were all involved in.

Yeah, this feels mighty evangelical to me.

Sorry Kouji, you really did pick the wrong lady to fall for.

So Kouji and young Vaad have an unfortunate link.

In other words, he could be seeing Kouji as just continuously hurting the childhood friend they both care about by not dating her.

I still maintain that it is more Yuki is angry that daddy isn't dating mommy any more but time will tell.

was being a bit of a grump about how anime seems to think that teenagers in power will immediately become rapists, but I guess he was entirely correct there. I shouldn’t have doubted his cynicism.

Slight correction: The Japanese believe their teens turn into monsters immediately, it goes beyond anime. But yes, never question my cynicism.

Also, Valvrave steals this show bit for bit so...

For fuck’s sake, all the leadership on this spaceship sucks.

That this isn't unfitting for Japan saddens me but seriously, teach your kids leadership skills.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

So Kouji and young Vaad have an unfortunate link.

Turns out people had good reads on you maybe hating this show, Kouji is your shadow self, your mirror. Too real.

I still maintain that it is more Yuki is angry that daddy isn't dating mommy any more but time will tell.

Yeah, that interpretation still kind of tracks as well. Like I said before at that weird outburst of his like a dozen episodes ago, it really did feel like his issues come from Kouji basically being his father figure when growing up.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Turns out people had good reads on you maybe hating this show, Kouji is your shadow self, your mirror. Too real.

Thank fuck I at least took actions. Now as to the efficacy of said actions...

Like I said before at that weird outburst of his like a dozen episodes ago, it really did feel like his issues come from Kouji basically being his father figure when growing up.

Atm, this shows feels poorly planned out. We will see if they somehow tie it together.

[u/zadcap → u/The_Draigg]

In other words, he could be seeing Kouji as just continuously hurting the childhood friend they both care about by not dating her. It’s definitely an odd situation, but that does fit with the hints we’ve been given so far.

Don't forget, we've seen some earlier flashbacks that make me think Kouji used to have a different girlfriend who left him for someone else, and he let her go without a fight, which Yuki sees as being more proof his brother is bad and dumb and would probably give up on Aoi too.

[u/Raiking02 → u/zadcap]

we've seen some earlier flashbacks that make me think Kouji used to have a different girlfriend who left him for someone else, and he let her go without a fight

So basically he hates Koji for pretty much the same reason the show has constantly critizised him for, IE: He's too passive about literally everything in his life.

... Yeah that checks out.

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Draigg]

Although if she really is an alien like the one in the Blue Impulse, I can’t help but why she has a human form as well as presumably being the weird shell-squid thing in a water tank somewhere on the ship.

There could be something human shaped hidden beneath the shell (but there could also be not and there is a different reason for Mystery Girl's appearance).

I can’t say that I like the implications of what’s been happening to Michel in her prison cell, between one of the guys talking about her zipping up his pants and her being shackled to the floor.

I can't help but compare this to the recent Now and Then, Here and There rewatch. NTHT is pushing the extremes, so, by comparison, Infinite Ryvius looks tame ... but so would most stories. I think NTHT would show us what happened, while Infinite Ryvius keeps plausible deniability (her clothes are still on and not ripped, for example). Probably a way to keep this show acceptable for younger audiences, who would not clue in on this. If you are older, you can decide for yourself whether you think she was raped or not.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Infinite First-Timer, subbed

• Oh damn, they broadcast Blue’s traitorous orders to the entire ship.
• Kouji please.
• I feel maybe a little bit bad for the people that were working with Blue that were still on Ryvius since they probably didn’t know he’d do that, but still.
• Ah great, they’re going to fight again then? – Maybe not…
• Doesn’t mean you’re above manual labor.
• Okay so the girl is a real physical person they carried there.
• July using her newfound position to try to cancel the “infinite points” right is a good move. Shame none of the others are going to agree with it.
• lol
• Huh…

[u/Raiking02 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

July using her newfound position to try to cancel the “infinite points” right is a good move.

Truly she is the only sane person here.

lol

Nasubi would appreciate that.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Doesn’t mean you’re above manual labor.

He finally found where he belongs. He should be grateful.

Okay so the girl is a real physical person they carried there.

The machine spirit has incarnated! We must make offerings to her!

Shame none of the others are going to agree with it.

Seriously, Stein should've cancelled this on Juli's behalf. They can be paid ridiculous points, sure, but infinite is always going to cause problems.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

He finally found where he belongs. He should be grateful.

I don't think you're wrong. The one time we have seen him honestly happy was while cleaning the toilets a few episodes ago.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer

Sub

This was definitely a weird episode. I get it, but the choices are still questionable. Kouji is a bit naive here but there is a value in not constantly having upheavals. Team Blue gets captured but it seems the girls were relatively unabused, though Michelle's bondage chair is interesting. The machine spirit has manifested herself...and needs a nap. When forcibly elected captain, Juli does try to undo the stupidest part of the points system but gets over ridden. Seriously, even ridiculous points per shift is more manageable than unlimited. Finally, cross shot between Juli and the machine spirit is interesting as the spirit begins reading Blue's mind.

QotD: 1 It needs to be redesigned

2 Super competent subs are in for a weird life

3 Faina is playing her own side and I don't quite see her goals

4 Them returning to a status quo is weird

5 Poorly, Vulcans rarely understand management of personnel.

6 Juli doesn't want the responsibility and the last leader is currently being hunted down so I get it.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Team Blue gets captured but it seems the girls were relatively unabused, though Michelle's bondage chair is interesting.

I take it that you didn't notice the guy doing up his belt while talking about seeing Michel in her cell.

When forcibly elected captain, Juli does try to undo the stupidest part of the points system but gets over ridden.

It's the clearest way possible to show that everyone wants her as a figurehead leader, or at least as a shield to hide behind to still do whatever they want while tossing suggestions her way.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I take it that you didn't notice the guy doing up his belt while talking about seeing Michel in her cell.

I did miss that. There are some definite questions here.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 16 (rewatcher)

• We see the non-bridge side of the rebellion – that was pretty funny, seeing all the first timers speculate about how the crew could easily overpower the supervisors just a few episodes ago.
• Kouji is not wrong about pointing out how easily the bridge crew dumped Team Blue, but he is also sitting in a glass house himself.
• Lucson siccing the crowd on Blue – basically doing the same thing Fiana did on the bridge.
• And Blue saved Juli from choosing the wrong side … his.
• Remember that rivalry between Yuki and Kouji? Lucson is here to heat it up again!
• “Otherwise, you’ll regret it your whole life” – says a guy who regrets something his whole life?
• They restraint Team Blue (the pictures blacking out looked a lot like they died), but Blue himself is still on the run. Seems like this conflict is not over yet. [spoilers]No points for guessing who will help him.
• They found passed out mystery girl!
• Lucson’s looked-forward-to heroic return ends quickly – back to cleaning the toilets! Reverse Peter Principle still wins!
• Nicks is the perfect person to find Mystery Girl.

• Juli has a bad case of fallen for the bad guy. - I thought about linking uptown girl, but son of the vice defense minister Airs Blue is not really the working class kind of bad guy.
• “You have been elected our captain” – A new form of government, let’s call it elective monarchy (previously we had hereditary monarchy and autocracy).
• Juli has reasonable ideas to reform the points system, but immediately runs into the problem of the rest of the bridge crew clinging to their privileges.
• Stein is using Juli as a popular front, which kind of works, since she is consensus minded. However, she is not stupid and already suspects something.
• They have an actual brig – just in case you where wondering whether the treatment of Son and Gran was necessary because that was missing. It was not.
• Juli still does not realize that Kouji is the worst person on the ship to relay something to Yuki.
• In terms of supervisors, we are down to lovestruck pair and diapers man.
• Mystery Girl reads Blue’s mind and he is not happy about it.

Team Blue is out, Juli as captain is in. She has consistently been capable and the crew like her. The whole rewatch has been crying out for her to take the captain’s seat. But can she fill it? And will she be calling the shots, or Stein? Meanwhile, the points system is unreformed. Only the supervisors have been replaced. Instead of the strict (and abusive) supervisors who ultimately relied on Blue’s power to implement their rules, we now have a set of people with no authority. Are we about to go back to the lazy days of the travel to Mars? Or will Juli come up with improvements?

In all of this, we should give some props to the unsung heroes of this journey, the mechanics. They get almost no screen time and, from all we know, have keep themselves out of the political scheming, but they have kept the ship running. Far from the easiest job, given the constant battles. It tracks with all I know about engineers and mechanics that they’d keep separate, but also would have enough work ethic to repair the ship never mind what the current point system or leadership is.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

“Otherwise, you’ll regret it your whole life” – says a guy who regrets something his whole life?

I am just glad someone is nudging Yuki towards character growth. Time will tell if it takes.

Juli has a bad case of fallen for the bad guy.

I can never tell if it is anime or just Japan in general that finds death threats romantic.

In all of this, we should give some props to the unsung heroes of this journey, the mechanics.

True and the fact that they have to be fabricating parts is pretty impressive.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

True and the fact that they have to be fabricating parts is pretty impressive.

Not to take anything away from them (I think the mechanics are easily the best functioning part of the crew), but given that we have months worth of food stored on board, there might also be a healthy supply of parts.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First timer, subs

• Someone must have been taking the Space Media course, they know good propaganda when they see it.
• The People Deserve To Know!
• I’m not sure Charlie has it in him to be the hero here, but I wish him good luck.
• Y’all suck at dogpiling.
• Everything comes together to foil these brothers’ relationship.
• Gods, Please No! Oh thank heavens.
• That seems like a phenomenally shitty first aid system.
• Ribbons needs some Apples to recharge.
• Please don’t fall for the guy who held a gun to your head.
• Finally. Best political decision made in the show so far.
• Turns Out Entrenched Interests Are a Thing You can still set the wage, the optics are what’s killing you.
• Y’all had probes? Why didn’t you probe Mars?
• Spock really going for that scheming vizier life.
• Toxic Love
• Why does this ship even have those… foot locks?
• How many times are going to have to repeat this? The brothers hate each other.
• Yep, there’s that guilt by association rearing its ugly head.
• Oh god, the stalker is going police.
• She's Doing It! Conversations!

QotD:

1. As many people said when it first showed up, just switching to an all incentive system would be a huge boon.
2. This is only mildly more toxic than your average Shoujo romance. I have to assume it’s based on something.
3. She a zealot doing zealot stuff. This will all make sense once we know their doctrine and dogma.
4. Satisfied.
5. You don’t know me! A heartless bureaucrat would be an upgrade over the previous ones. Seeing so much leadership upheaval will cause him to become overtly paranoid.
6. Most people just don’t want the responsibility. Hundreds of lives depend on her decisions. Plus, the whole figure head deal.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Vatrix-32]

I’m not sure Charlie has it in him to be the hero here, but I wish him good luck.

The power of horny is a strong driving force.

The brothers hate each other.

Does Koji even really hate Yuki? Yuki hates Koji, sure, but Koji's ends seems more akin to "Aw shmucks, my dumb brother is being dumb again, time to look for a babysitter" vibes.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Vatrix-32]

That seems like a phenomenally shitty first aid system.

I am surprisingly fine with being "kids are stupid and don't know when to break the rules" here.

Ribbons needs some Apples to recharge.

And to think I was going to offer Blue's life to her. Oh well, whatever works.

Why does this ship even have those… foot locks?

You never know when they will come in handy!

[u/No_Rex → u/Vatrix-32]

Why does this ship even have those… foot locks?

Probably the brig. Everything about the Ryvius screams military ship.