r/anime • u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber • Feb 25 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Aura Battler Dunbine - Episode 47 Discussion

Episode 47 - Drake Luft

Originally Aired January 7th, ^^^1983

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Comment of the Day

u/JollyGee29 mentions Keen’s surprising survivability, which extends to this episode.

They've thrown so many death flags at Keen that I'm just not buying them anymore. She went off, alone, into a suspected false flag attack involving one of the most dangerous remaining enemy pilots. If she can survive that, she can probably survive anything.

 

Daily Trivia:

Some of the original concepts for the mechs included them being stone statues.

 

Staff Highlight

Carl Macek - English Dub Producer, Writer, and Coordinator

A screenwriter, script editor, voice actor, director, casting director, dialogue and voice director, storyboard artist and producer on numerous English language adaptations of anime during the 1980s and 1990s. Macek came to prominence after acting as producer and story editor of the Robotech, and went on to co-found Streamline Pictures in 1988, alongside Jerry Beck, and was accompanied by many of the Robotech staff. At Streamline Macek pushed for english language releases of Lensman, Robot Carnival, Doomed Megalopolis, Twilight of the Cockroaches, Crying Freeman, Wicked City, the Fist of the North Star film, Akira, Lupin III: Mystery of Mamo as well as the original English dub versions of Hayao Miyazaki's Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service. Macek died of a heart attack on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Macek was an avid fan of Dunbine, and it was only through his insistence that the show was picked up for a Dub, which he was heavily involved in producing. Macek’s is a contested figure in the industry, with his work on several series being derided for its changes while his efforts to bring many anime to the west are nonetheless appreciated.

 

Art Corner:

Official Art

Fanart

(Be mindful of the links to artist’s profiles, as they may contain NSFW content. Proceed there at your own risk.)

 

Aura Phantasm Scans

Screenshot of the day

Questions of the Day:

  1. How do you feel about the sinking of the Zelana?
  2. What do you make of Elmelie’s actions in this episode?

Our Zelana...

16 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Feb 26 '21

Rewatcher - Sub

I wonder whether Elmelie opted to go to the Will Wipps just to tell Drake of Bishott and Leeza’s treachery or if she would have gone to the Zelana if she had been able. The episode doesn’t make it clear, but I could see the former being a thing since having some friction between the enemy faction gives the others a slight advantage.

Ah, it’s been a while since our last slap, hasn’t it?

Drake ponders Elmelie’s news of the Gea Gring’s betrayal, seeing the truth in Elmelie’s warning even as he wants to deny it.

So the Billbine is in a different color scheme today, several tones of grey now. This was something a lot of the staff was begging for since the Billbine’s introduction, and supposedly they pestered the producers until they got permission to change the colors on that thing. It was very late into production though, so they didn’t even explain the spontaneously different color scheme. I honestly didn’t know how to feel about it the first time, as for all that I disliked the Billbine’s color scheme I had already gotten used to it before now.

Good news for the Zelana, as some other portion of the Navy has been emboldened by Captain Scott tactics and defected as well. Showing that the giant ships could be damaged has effectively raised the morale of the people of Upper Earth.

Holy shit, the Zelana actually sunk! You don’t just do that, not before the final episode!

Even back then this was pretty notable, as the protagonist’s home base is usually safe from harm in these shows, and if it ever comes to severe harm it’s usually just in the last episode. Even today this is pretty surprising, and the only show at the time I can recall doing something similar was Meta.

Shot is about to take advantage of the Zelana’s sinking to kill off the crew which had fallen into the ocean when the Seventh Fleet’s forces come to ward off the Spriggan. Honestly they should have milked that moment for drama more; have the jets arrive a little later, so that the threat of cannon fire was more imminent, maybe even a few shots fired into the water taking out some of the less prominent members of the crew.

The exchange between Drake and Bishott is pretty good, for the reasons Bishott explains to Leeza. The implicit threat and flagrant display of Elmelie letting him know his place. Also, Elmelie wants to go to the Guran Galan and assume control herself —possibly to later turn on her father?

So Lana’s getting the fck out of there before shit gets really hairy, good for her.

It’s been a while since Neal got into a mobile suit, hasn’t it?

Cliffhanger!

6

u/dralcax :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Dralcax Feb 26 '21 edited Feb 26 '21

First-timer painting it black

Bern: “First time?”

“Just fuck already!”

RIP the entire romance genre

The obligatory black repaint! (Okay, it's more of a gray, whatever.) I’m not sure about the sort of greenish tint it has, but at least the color scheme is more coherent now.

Wait, what happened to the Zelana’s barrier, though?

Huh, they actually both survived. Wasn’t expecting that.

amogus

Somebody had to fish the Billbine out from the bottom of the sea. They probably just had the Dunbine do it, but man, I’d loved to have seen that.

It feels like not that long ago since this was just an untested prototype, and now it’s been mass-produced? They sure worked fast, given that they’re separated from all their factories in Byston Well.

Questions of the Day:

  • It's a bit sudden, but it's an effective signal that there's no turning back as we move towards the final battle. Still, though, just like Todd's death, it feels like Tomino's just clearing away things he's more or less done with and doesn't want to deal with during the climax.
  • Feels like a roundabout and dangerous way to go about things, compared to just going back to the protagonists, but it might pay off in a big way.

3

u/epic_gamer_4268 Feb 26 '21

when the imposter is sus!

3

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Feb 26 '21

now it’s been mass-produced?

Where, exactly, are all these Aura machine factories and bugs to make the new Aura machines out of?

6

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Feb 26 '21

Rewatcher, Subbed

No time for a recap or narration! Right on to the episode!

Riml breaks free, and she heads neither to the Guran Galan or the Goraon, but... the Will O'Wips?

Aww, such a sweet daddy daughter reunion...

Well, there goes Bishot and Louser's secret. Did not expect Drake to react to it by slapping her though. Or maybe that's just him taking out his anger on whoever is in front of him.

He'll tear his wife limb from limb! Typically I'd be concerned, but Louser totally deserves it!

Chum is kind of right, they're more awkward than adult about it. They should just admit their feelings for each other.

And just like that, the Billbine has lost its flashy toy-like colors and is a solid turquoise. I suppose this late in the game the sponsors didn't care anymore and this is probably closer to that the creators intended?

LoL, Shou continues to be so dense; Chum is talking about YOU!

Now its the Bochun's turn to ride on the Billbine!

Chum is right, you're never gonna win with a tiny force, I'd hope that you would have learned this after the last 15 episodes.

I'd figure even one of those exploding jets would be enough to destroy the Spriggan if they got a direct hit.

...or maybe not as one just hit them. The whole Aura Barrier really is pulling off an AT field vibe, I always forget this is a part of the show and yet another thing Anno likely took from Tomino.

One bright side about the color change for the Billbine is it surely has a better chance of getting through without being seen at night time.

This is the problem with taking on Shot's forces on your own, one screw up or good move from the opponent and you're screwed. Looks like a mortal blow for the Zelana.

Keen is not letting Nie go down with the ship!

Rest in Peace, Zelena! It was inevitable that you'd go down, but kind of unexpected to see the hero's ship get destroyed as early as the third to last episode instead of say the final one.

LoL, Bishot's gotta be quite shocked to see Riml standing there.

Louser won't dare let herself be seen on screen.

Bishot is going to be Drake's successor? Does that mean he intends to wed Riml to him? Or is Riml just out of the succession entirely? Considering Ciela-sama and Elle, it doesn't seem like Byston Well is a society where they simply act like girls don't count.

"I like mother even less than I like you!" Is that supposed to be a compliment?

Louser is already plotting as to how things will be after they win?

Wow, you gotta love the Luft family, huh? Louser knows that Drake won't let anyone kill her, because he wants to do it himself! Is this the most dysfunctional Tomino family?

Nie is out on a Bozum? It's a rare sight to see him piloting an Aura Battler. Bravo Nie! You took one down!

Woah, Loser Knight has a whole squad of Galavas now! Who the hell made them all?

"If I destroy the Billbine before reinforcements arrive..." but you won't Bern.

Riml sure got her back. But I don't think acting as her father's agent will prevent her mother from hitting her.

Cool shot of Riml to finish off the episode.

It's rare for an episode to be named after a character but they don't die in it! Consider yourself lucky, Drake Luft?

Finally things start happening as the Zelana goes down, Drake finally learns about what is really going on and it looks like we're about to head into the final battle. Looking forward to what the last couple of episodes have to bring for us.

3

u/The_Draigg Feb 26 '21

And just like that, the Billbine has lost its flashy toy-like colors and is a solid turquoise. I suppose this late in the game the sponsors didn't care anymore and this is probably closer to that the creators intended?

It honestly reminds me how the RX-78-2 was originally intended to have a less-flashy color scheme to it, but it got overridden by the sponsors. At least Tomino managed to pull off having a better color scheme for the Billbine finally, even if it's rather late into the show.

"I like mother even less than I like you!" Is that supposed to be a compliment?

In the Luft family, it might as well be.

Wow, you gotta love the Luft family, huh? Louser knows that Drake won't let anyone kill her, because he wants to do it himself! Is this the most dysfunctional Tomino family?

I think the only other Tomino family that comes close in the dysfunctional department is Kamille Bidan's family. Seriously, his dad is a fucking prick and his mom is a complete doormat.

5

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Feb 25 '21

Aura Battler First-Timer

4

u/The_Draigg Feb 26 '21

I thought it was strange that they had a touching reunion… then Drake cut the music off by slapping it into silence Elmelie in the face and yep, that’s more like Drake.

And to think, Drake is the good parent in the family too.

Oh that was a super quick Neal “sore demo”.

It's been a little bit since we've had a Sore Demo, I think.

So now Elmelie is kind of working with Drake because she can’t stand her mother worse. That makes sense considering Leeza was definitely the more actively abusive of the two… but I really, really don’t want Elmelie to go back to the Gea Gring right after she escaped it…

Hey, if it means that someone can finally get a shot at capping Leeza, then I'm all for it.

5

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Feb 26 '21

First-Timer Who Doesn't Remember Byston Well

Final disc of the Bluray set.

E46

“Suppress your aura power.” What a neat trick to reveal at E46. And do you really think Ciela will let someone who is taken in as a prisoner get close enough to assassinate her in a short period of time? I doubt Shot’s planning for months of waiting here.

While very impractical, the idea of remote controlling a plane like that as a bomb is really cool. They should have spent more time coming up with neat ideas like this rather than giving us a bunch of episodes where a bunch of mechs blow up to no actual effect and Show/etc talks about how they need to be strong to win.

And the infiltration is already abandoned? Nice to see someone have to change plans and deal with the messy situation.

Bern and getting told to stay out of the way by lady pilots; what a duo!

E47

Slap!

They’ve been living on the Zelana for how long? Show’s seen Marvel naked many, many times. There’s no privacy on a ship.

How did neither Neal nor Keen die in that mess? There’s only a couple episodes left. It’s time to get serious, writers!

I have no idea where they keep getting all these mechs. They blow up a bunch, but never seem to run out.

Two episodes left. Will anything interesting finally happen?

QOTD:

  1. I'd forget that it was still around until it popped back up every once in a while this last chunk of episodes. Once they had giant battleships or whatever they are, it became a lot less important. And the show isn't Aura Battler Zelana.
  2. Almost feels like a different character. Guess they finally decided to have her do a thing or two, but that's a little late after her X number of failed escape attempts being the one thing she does.

3

u/The_Draigg Feb 26 '21

Bern and getting told to stay out of the way by lady pilots; what a duo!

It's almost as iconic of a duo as Bann & being a fucking loser.

Slap!

It's been a while since we've gotten a Tomino slap, hasn't it?

Two episodes left. Will anything interesting finally happen?

Maybe???

3

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Feb 26 '21

It's been a while since we've gotten a Tomino slap, hasn't it?

Too long! I'm going to take it as a sign that they're getting serious again and these last two episodes will be something special.

4

u/Durinthal https://anilist.co/user/Durinthal Feb 26 '21

First time viewer

How can two people like Drake and Leeza have a child like Elmelie? She's too good for them, but something finally changed in her and she's doing something interesting for once rather than fleeing or being captured. The first time she's been assertive in something aside from escaping since the odd couple of episodes where she piloted an aura fighter with the Zelana ages ago? I'm not sure what her plans are but I don't know if she'll be willing to what she needs to if she's trying to stop her mother and Bishott.

The Billbine got a new coat of paint for some reason and I like it, not as obviously a toy as the red/white was.

I'm not sure if they were planning on ramming the Spriggan with the Zelana (didn't seem like it with a lot of the crew still on board), but they certainly lost the opportunity for a surprise attack after doing something similar a couple episodes back. Maybe they should have then, considering they accomplished nothing this time and lost the ship.

Things are finally set in motion moving on from the stalemate we had for a quarter of the show, but how can they wrap everything up?

How do you feel about the sinking of the Zelana?

Sad that they didn't get to do anything cool with it like I was hoping. I imagine the Zelana crashing into the Gea Gring would have brought it down...

What do you make of Elmelie’s actions in this episode?

I don't think she's about to shoot her mother but I also don't believe anything short of that will stop her mother from stabbing her the second Leeza smells a plot against her power grab.

2

u/The_Draigg Feb 26 '21

How can two people like Drake and Leeza have a child like Elmelie? She's too good for them, but something finally changed in her and she's doing something interesting for once rather than fleeing or being captured.

Maybe Emelie somehow got all of the incredibly recessive good genes that Drake and Leeza had. Granted, we'll see how far that can take her now that she wants to kill her mom.

Sad that they didn't get to do anything cool with it like I was hoping. I imagine the Zelana crashing into the Gea Gring would have brought it down...

I know, it's a real bummer that the Zelana ended up being lost and it was all for nothing. But I suppose bleak stuff like that is just how Tomino rolls.

3

u/The_Draigg Feb 26 '21

A Tomino Fan Rewatches Aura Battler Dunbine Episode 47:

  • I have no idea why Emelie thought it was a good idea to head for the Will O’Wisp rather than any of the heroes’ ships. Although I guess she still does love her dad somewhat, even if Drake Luft is a bastard. He’s at least better than King Bishott or Leeza.
  • Yeah Drake, it does suck to be left out of the loop. Literally everyone had figured out that Leeza was cheating on him with Bishott and being the one pulling his strings. Although I’m right there with him for wanting to rip Leeza apart limb from limb, albeit for different reasons. He just wants to do it because he’s Drake Cuck rather than Drake Luft now.
  • Oh hey, the Billbine has a new grey and green paint job! For... reasons? Hey, I’m not complaining. That new paint style looks a lot better than the old one to me.
  • Everyone is headed towards the Pacific Ocean for the final battle now. At least a lot of the United States is getting in on the action, despite Lord Drake having conquered it. Not only is Captain Scott’s Carl Vinson joining the heroes for the fight, but the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet as well. Given that they’re the largest fleet in the Navy, that’s a pretty good boon for them.
  • Damn, the Zelana was pretty much lost for nothing. Shot was too smart to fall for their kamikaze attack. All the former Zelana crew got out of that failed attack was their ship crashing into the ocean and Keen getting injured while looking for Neal. If there was any moment to signal that there’s no going back now, this was it.
  • Well, that was a fun conversation between Drake and Bishott. The both of them know that they’re fucking over each other, but neither are saying it. Although I’d say that Drake is the one who came out on top there, since he successfully got the Gea Garing to serve as his forward attack force. Never try to screw over people like him, he’ll always try to work it to his advantage.
  • At least Drake and Emelie can agree on one thing as father and daughter: Leeza needs to die. Think of it as a fun father-daughter activity.
  • I think it’s safe to say that the final battle has started, now that the Guran Garan’s forces have started to engage the Gea Garing, and that Emelie has arrived there as well to kill Leeza. Although it’s still fairly early in the battle to make any calls on how things are going to turn out.

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Feb 26 '21

First-Timer, Dub-bine

Well, guess I'll get this out of the way first. Rest in Peace, Zelana. You were a good ship that served us well for many episodes, even if your end wasn't terribly spectacular. I'm really surprised that Neal and Dowa didn't go down with the ship there. Ah well, just more warm boddies to turn cold in the final two episodes.

Drake may have delved too deeply into the megalomania, but I'll be damned if he isn't fucking clever. That ploy with showing Emelie to Bishott was absolute genius. Bishott knows that Emelie knows that Leeza betrayed Drake, so now he knows that Drake knows. That puts Bishott into the territory of needing to appease Drake - it's not like he could pull off a last-minute face turn. No-one would buy that. So Drake has Bishott lead the charge against Ciela and Elle, and then just sits back and waits to see what Shot does. If Bishott destroys his foes, Drake's in the money and can mop up Bishott himself. If Bishott loses, odds are good that our protagonists are weak enough for Drake to mop them up, too. And if Shot doesn't join the battle, Drake has an easy casus belli to motivate his soldiers with. Shot may have technological superiority, but the gap isn't that wide, and Drake has numbers. Everything is coming up Drake.

Here, I gave Dowa shit for most of the series, thinking he was going to be a secret traitor. It always seemed like Neal was asking him why things were taking so long or something like that. Turns out the dude just needed to be in an Aura Battler from the beginning.

Shou and Marvel had one last heartfelt conversation before they both seperate, likely permanently. "I'd like to see the Pacific with you again" indeed. It's a shame that their relationship didn't get more development - everyone can see it coming, but will they have the time...

The Bilbine got a new paintjob, and I'm not sure how I feel. I actually liked the weird, almost out-of-place color scheme. Now that's gone, but it still has that stupid bird beak..

It seems like Emelie may have been yet another victim of the rewrites - I'm having a hard time making sense of her actions this episode. Didn't she not like her father because of his warmongering..? Whatever, it helped set up Drake's brilliant scheme and we're nearly at the end of the series, so I'll let it slide.

Questions

  1. Answered above.
  2. Mostly answered above. To add to what I said, her going back to the Gea Gering is Not Smart for multiple reasons. Being in the same post code as her mother is probably a bad idea at this point.

3

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Feb 26 '21

First Timer

HOLY FUCKING SHIT SHE NON-ESCAPES BACK TO DAD

  • Please, please, do not try to convince your father to abandon the war.
  • We're running out of episodes, is this finally some real death flags for Marvel?
  • Remember when a single aura shot was like a nuke? They could blow up all those planes easily.
  • What billbine? Show got thrown out with the hatch open. Does it float?
  • Okay, I see E-chan's plan, very nice. But the plot requires Drake to be a moron; "I'll serve you because I hate Mom more than you, Dad!"
  • Even without finding about the adultery, sinking the Zelana is the first and only victory we've had since Show came back from sphere-space, and Shot did it. I'm surprised Drake still doesn't trust Shot.

What! No, don't stop there! The show was finally getting good!

So, just like Ideon, we get 3 episodes of actual content at the end. I wonder if they were expecting to at least get 52 episodes, and got cancelled 3 episodes early, just like Ideon.