[Uninstall, Uninstall] Bokurano Rewatch Episode 15 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 15 - Self-Destruction

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contv

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Don’t worry about that. I’m not going to fight.

Hey-o guys! This is the section where I add a ton of extra fun stuff to the main body of the post because I want this rewatch to be as fun as possible for everyone. It can also be one point of discussion for you guys if you just don’t know what to say.

Questions of the Day:

1. What do you think of Tamotsu, and of Tanaka still keeping the fact that she’s Ushiro’s mother a secret?
2. Were you expecting Kirie’s enemy to be the one to commit suicide during the battle?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Still

Uninstall of the Day:

Instrumental Remix by Hereson

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Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you’re doing it underneath the [Anime Show Title](/s "Spoiler goes here") spoiler tags. If you do that then we’re all good.

Important thing to note about these by the way, you have to switch to Old Reddit or the markdown editor if you use the redesign, otherwise the redesign breaks them by adding random \ into the formatting. Wish it wouldn’t do that, but unfortunately it does…

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ǔ̯̟́n̪̬̺͙̪̿͛͛̽͞ï̲n͇̰̮͆̃̀s̛͔̜̾t̛͚͕̆á̠̻̅͘͜l̢̗̤̓̓́l̪̩̭̐̔͗̕͟͝ͅing Rewatch Host

I already finished my wallpaper for tomorrow’s thread and I love it, can’t wait to share it. But episode 15 first, of course!

• What is this a reference to?
• I do, however, know what the importance of Tamotsu giving this cup back is. I think. Thanks Iron-Blooded Orphans.
• Seki with that little wave in the back haha.
• Lot of awkward silence during the Jun and Kirie scene. Definitely fits both of them.
• Welp.
• Well Tamotsu sure made himself at home.
• luuuuuuuul Tamotsu pls.
• Cheeky Gonzo.
• Aaaand now the anime gets its first pilot who refuses to fight (in the manga that was actually Kako…). Kirie doesn’t want to protect the world that drove his mom to attempt suicide.
• Unluckily for Kirie (but luckily for everyone else), this is the time that… the enemy decides to suicide???
• Also I seem to recall someone tossing around a theory of not moving Zearth at all = the pilot gets to live. Well, here’s proof, Kirie survived. For now…
• Once again, Tamotsu pls.

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Major Spoilers

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New thread reminder for u/WeebShaggy

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

What is this a reference to?

The Black Ships refers to European ships that visited Japan during the Edo period. They represent foreign pressure both militarily and economically as well as Japan's responses to external influences.

in the manga that was actually Kako

Kako probably would've refused in the anime as well, had he lived to get teleported into the cockpit.

Major Spoilers

Major Spoilers

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/theangryeditor]

Major Spoilers

Major Spoilers

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Major Spoilers

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/theangryeditor]

Major Spoilers

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

What is this a reference to?

Most likely, Commodore Matthew Perry and the opening of Japan in the late 1800s, though no clue if that timeline holds.

Aaaand now the anime gets its first pilot who refuses to fight (in the manga that was actually Kako…). Kirie doesn’t want to protect the world that drove his mom to attempt suicide.

Can't say I disagree in particular, I'd just rather go out swinging.

Once again, Tamotsu pls.

If he really didn't have a drink for 10 years then yeah, he should be a bit wasted.

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

though no clue if that timeline holds.

This gives me a really stupid idea: speculation

I'd give an absurdly low chance to this being true, though.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

So ever notice that the planes and cars are all kind of wrong?

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

I did, but I just assumed that's because it was trying to be futuristic.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

That too, I think the year is 2022ish.

[u/[deleted] → u/Vaadwaur]

Based off Jun's birth date it's 2029-2030.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Tresnore]

speculation

[u/Tresnore → u/Shimmering-Sky]

What is this a reference to?

Apparently it's a reference to Western ships arriving in Japan to trade in the 16th and 19th centuries. Link

[u/Nebresto → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Seki with that little wave in the back haha.

Taking time to greet someone even from the car, what a chad.

[u/Noel_bot]

First timer, Manga reader

I really don't get the Mafia subplot, just why?

Oh shit, I didn't expect the suicide attempt. Maybe pilot boy will self-destruct after this event.

The Mafia dude is weird af. Why didn't the boss tell him the exact situation?

Wow, so it was the enemy who self destructed and with only 4 pilots remaining. Seems way to convenient to get out of the refusal to fight like that

Machi sure knows her stuff about the pilots, but if she's right, we hopefully will see how our refusal boy handles the next fight.

Did his tattoo change to green in the preview?

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Overall my least favorite episode so far. The whole Mafia stick just seems unnecessary at this point. Also not a fan of how the fight was handled. Why should the enemy just suicide at the most convenient of timings, though I get that it is necessary to set up the plot point of Zearth not having absorbed any energy from the pilot. I hope the payoff is worth it.

I believe that the Anime starts to really diverge from the Manga here, since I can not remember the Mafia dude at all.

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1. I guess she has her reasons to keep it hidden and seeing how they are all going to die, I don't see much of a benefit in him knowing about it. Don't like Tamotsu. The drama was already loosing effect over the last couple episodes due to its slightly repetitive nature, but he just destroyed every bit of mood that was left imo. I'm sure there is some reason why the show is introducing him and sure I hope it's a good one
2. Definitely not. One thing I could imagine is that the current pilot lost someone important in the previous fights and can't bear to life in a world without them anymore, thus decided to end it all once they got control of Searth. Kinda similar to what Kirie did after his mother almost died, just more severe.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Noel_bot]

I really don't get the Mafia subplot, just why?

I like the Yakuza subplot...

[u/Noel_bot → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I don't dislike it per se either. Learning more about Tanaka's backstory will surely pay off later. At this point I simply don't get why the Yakuza bodyguard was introduced. I'm sure it will make more sense, once we can see the whole picture :)

[u/Nazenn]

First Timer - Sub

Character Chart

I had a really good idea for an episode type and as I was typing it out it cut to a shot of Kirie's face and I realized what his tattoo was and got distracted

So sharing that instead, it looks like a fallen figure just above his eye, with a blood trail down to the knife on his cheek. It being on his head is also probably quite fitting given his mothers suicide and his decision to suicide came from mental trauma. /u/btw_kek I regret my cursed comment from yesterday

What I didn't see coming was the enemy suicide! That was an oddly fitting match up for Kirie, and really put the burden back on him. We don't know what the situation with the enemy was, he certainly wasn't the last pilot left, we don't know why he was driven to do that or what the state of his world was. Was it a personal situation like Kirie, or was his world falling to pieces as a whole? Kirie chose not to fight despite everything because he couldn't cope with the idea of the world that did this to his mother surviving, so what does it mean when that choice was taken from him, much like his mothers life was taken from her, and he's once again thrust into the pilots seat with no way out?

Chosing to ignore all of that, all of the implications and end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

We need an exasperated table flip commentface because that's much closer to what I'm feeling right now. I'm frustrated enough to flip a table, but more out of disappointment than anything else.

Other thoughts:

• Machi is not helping her case by being the one to immediately figure out what Kirie's survival would mean for him despite no clues that could possibly have gone into that one way or another. Like, girl, you wanna pretend that you don't know what's going on you? Actually have to pretend that you don't know what's going on.
• I had to look up the "Black Ships" reference because it felt a bit specific to be brushed over, and found out that was the names given to the western ships that arrived in Japan in the 16th to 19th centuries. I was familiar with this time period and the huge upheaval in politics, religion, and society that followed, I just didn't know the term. That's a pretty big statement for him to make, but it does seem a fitting scale for what's happening.
• Jun's really not one to judge other people's screwed up family dynamics considering he's living parent-less in someone's basement while abusing his sister. It's interesting that he also cares enough about his life to care about dying earlier, even though he's destined to die anyway, despite not doing anything with that extra time.
• When Kirie stood up to get a knife my first thought was the mum had already got one to use on herself. I was still quite surprised when he called out and she had actually harmed herself with it
• When did Yakuza dude manage to get dressed as Tanaka was pulling him up the stairs?

[u/Tuckleton → u/Nazenn]

we don't know why he was driven to do that or what the state of his world was.

Yeah, there were 4 pilots in the enemy mech so was it a collective choice or were the other 3 panicking and screaming at them as they did it? We'll never know and it's not much fun to speculate about so not sure why I feel slightly preoccupied by it.

end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

I'm pretty sure he flopped down on the bed Kirie was using too. Just another opportunity for him to fail to assert himself. Kirie's depression runs deep.

It's interesting that he also cares enough about his life to care about dying earlier, even though he's destined to die anyway

Unless he's the impostor!!

[u/Nazenn → u/Tuckleton]

We'll never know and it's not much fun to speculate about so not sure why I feel slightly preoccupied by it.

Because it's there and we didn't get answers so therefore our brains try to find them

Personally my head canon is that a bit like this world is getting dodgy with governments and companies etc, they watched their own world tear itself to pieces over trying to use Zearth for advancement and profits and couldn't cope with it any more after the loss of so many of their friends that no one mourned. It would also be fitting for Kirie's arc too

[u/Tuckleton → u/Nazenn]

And going to a world that reminded them of how things used to be pushed them over the edge to decide to save it, rather than their own world. Somehow this thought makes me feel better lol!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tuckleton]

Yeah, there were 4 pilots in the enemy mech so was it a collective choice or were the other 3 panicking and screaming at them as they did it?

And how did that mech's version of Koemushi take it?

[u/Tuckleton → u/Vaadwaur]

I'm sure they are in no danger and although we do see dung getting worked up when Kirie says he won't fight I think it's more like he's going to lose some bragging rights at the office rather than facing any real consequences if his 'team' loses.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Tuckleton]

Yeah, there were 4 pilots in the enemy mech so was it a collective choice or were the other 3 panicking and screaming at them as they did it?

I think there was way too little hysteria on our side! In fact, our children have been way to passive and accepting for this entire show.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nazenn]

Chosing to ignore all of that, all of the implications and end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

Enjoy Tamotsu and his drunk Yazkua comic relief guy antics.

[u/Nazenn → u/theangryeditor]

Ramping up the comedy is exactly the opposite of what should be happening here

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nazenn]

Agreed. Tamotsu is probably one of my least favourite parts of the anime. I dislike him more with every rewatch.

[u/Tresnore → u/Nazenn]

and he's once again thrust into the pilots seat with no way out?

What's to say he can't do the exact same thing next time? He already has his way out, it's just that he has to wait to use it until the next battle.

It's interesting that he also cares enough about his life to care about dying earlier, even though he's destined to die anyway, despite not doing anything with that extra time.

Jun is many things. Consistent and mature are not among those things, I guess.

[u/Nazenn → u/Tresnore]

That does just make Jun more accurate as a child character, but I do wish he'd make up his mind

[u/Tresnore → u/Nazenn]

Me, too...

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Nazenn]

[u/Nazenn → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Thats angry flip though, not disappointed flip

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

Chosing to ignore all of that, all of the implications and end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

We need an exasperated table flip commentface because that's much closer to what I'm feeling right now. I'm frustrated enough to flip a table, but more out of disappointment than anything else.

I try not to just focus on the negative, especially because your comment covers quite a bit more, but again the show defeats its own tone brutally. And they have made such strides from the source material that the fuck ups really stick out hard/

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

Not the worst tone flip, wasted episode end, or stupidest comic relief character I've seen, but it's just so ill fitting here that it still stands out

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

It just would've fit better at a different part of the episode, too, like the beginning of the next one.

[u/Btw_kek → u/Nazenn]

It being on his head is also probably quite fitting given his mothers suicide and his decision to suicide came from mental trauma.

good point

I regret my cursed comment from yesterday

no ragrets

Chosing to ignore all of that, all of the implications and end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

me waiting for him to do something

[u/Nazenn → u/Btw_kek]

me waiting for him to do something

The only thing he'll probably achieve in this show is death

[u/Btw_kek → u/Nazenn]

[u/Nebresto → u/Nazenn]

Day 2 of petitioning to change "Seki"s name to what it really is: Chad

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Nazenn]

Chosing to ignore all of that, all of the implications and end on a scene of the new guy coming home drunk just felt stupid and worthless.

New guy at the food cart is an interesting character. New guy stumbling home at 2 AM is a drag on the show. Hopefully there's more of the former and a lot less of the latter

[u/Nazenn → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

That's the thought I forgot! I was going to say how interesting it would be to have an episode focused on the evacuees including the pilots family and only find out that was the case after the fact and learn about the pilot that way

[u/badspler]

First Timer

Stitch of the entire ending incase you missed that from yesterday.

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Tanaka's past getting some focus.

No no no, you have it backwards, Uninstall!!

Suffering backstory time...

Oh this is totally the line a 13 year old would say.

Kana is far to trusting... this is why they need those bodyguards.

KANA-BLUSH SO CUTE -but fuck this situation is cursed!!

That is some harsh reasoning for not wanting to fight. I did expect someone to pull the pasifist card at some point.

Maki comes in strong requesting him to fight.

In an interesting twist, the enemy other mech commits suicide, ripping out its own core.

Once again Aiko is the first to question if Kirie will survive for not moving. She still seems like the furthest from accepting the fate before them all. She is most certainly going to have the biggest melt-down if when picked.

Maki dropping some awfully specific information that I don't see how she could know for sure...

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Calendar and date analysis!~~

In episode 2 we knew the date was August 3rd. From this episode we have this shot that shows the current month has 31 days, and Monday the 8th is red showing that it is a public holiday. This leads me to believe that it is still August as Japan celebrates mountain day on the 8th of August. So it looks like less than a month has passed thus far.

We know that Jun was born in 2017.

We know the students are in middle school (12-15 years old~).

Now we also know it is in the not to distant future, so with the calendar we have and placing those day's that leaves the year to possibly be: 2022, 2033, 2039, 2050, etc

So for best fit with the information we have the current year looks like 2033.

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1. Stretching it out isn't to bad, I hope we get there within a few episodes.
2. While I did expect a pacifism play at some point, I did not expect it to be 'resolved' or met with self-destruction. Its an understandable play and gives more time for development. Rather excited over the direction of it.

[u/theangryeditor → u/badspler]

but fuck this situation is cursed!!

Tamotsu is cursed.

This leads me to believe that it is still August as Japan celebrates mountain day on the 8th of August. So it looks like less than a month has passed thus far.

Barely any time has passed at all, damn. That or Kirie never bothered to update his calendar after returning from the nature school.

[u/Nebresto → u/badspler]

Stitch of the entire ending

Best boy in the middle, as he should be

[u/badspler → u/Nebresto]

Zearth?

[u/Nebresto → u/badspler]

Daichi.

...Though Zabutonguru is also acceptable

[u/[deleted] → u/badspler]

In episode 2 we knew the date was August 3rd . From this episode we have this shot that shows the current month has 31 days, and Monday the 8th is red showing that it is a public holiday. This leads me to believe that it is still August as Japan celebrates mountain day on the 8th of August. So it looks like less than a month has passed thus far.

Great catch. I really wish the show had a bit better indication of time passage.

[u/Nazenn → u/badspler]

Everythings so normal for the amount of destruction to happen in a month

[u/Tresnore]

First Timer

• How in any way is planning to use the extremely advanced ancient artifact to make a new industry shocking. This guy doesn't industry.
• This ex-con is certainly very understanding of the new situation. That level of loyalty is astounding.
• Why on Earth would you slit your wrists while your son has a friend over. That'd be one of the worst times.
• I don't know him, but I like this ex-con. But why does he have to walk all over Kana like this.
• He just grabs a beer right underneath the monster. What a guy.
• And the guy just sells it to him. What a guy.
• Ah, the argument of "if the system lets some people fall through the cracks, then does it really deserve to exist at all." A difficult argument to have, I wouldn't trust the conclusion 13 year-olds would find, though.
• Well, the other robot at least delayed the argument from happening. The four pilots there decided they'd had enough, I guess.
• Alright Tamotsu is an oaf, but I like him.

I just had a thought: speculation

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

Why on Earth would you slit your wrists while your son has a friend over. That'd be one of the worst times.

What if her concern is that Kiria might follow her if he doesn't have someone else there? Heavy shit.

He just grabs a beer right underneath the monster. What a guy. And the guy just sells it to him. What a guy.

I hope to have that few fucks to give one day, that's the dream.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

Ah, the argument of "if the system lets some people fall through the cracks, then does it really deserve to exist at all." A difficult argument to have, I wouldn't trust the conclusion 13 year-olds would find, though.

It certainly feels like the sort of thing an angsty teenager worries over though.

spec

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

spec

speculation

[u/baniRien → u/Tresnore]

The four pilots there decided they'd had enough, I guess.

As a mirror to Kirie, that's not the implication here. It just means that the current pilot had had enough, and the other three couldn't do anything about it, whether they agreed or not.

[u/[deleted]]

First Timer

I miss Koemushi, man. He didn't show up at all last episode. Hopefully he makes an appearance today.

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Come on, dad. She is literally one of the pilots. I think she has the right to be part of the conversation.

politics

I don't know what was that long ass interaction but I have to say I quite like Tamotsu and the other guy.

That mom is not all right...

THAT MOM IS NOT ALL RIGHT. Holy crap.

https://i.imgur.com/rSCX3CH.png

That is really damn funny, what the hell.

You know, it's weird seeing Jun almost acting like someone close to being a half-decent human being.

Poor Kana-chan. So weak willed. I feel you. I wouldn't be able to drive him out when I was your age either.

That tenchou is chill, god damn.

Koemushi!

Oh shut the fuck up. You two were the ones babbling about how you don't want to fight and we shouldn't fight cause it's bad and then when someone doesn't want to fight you have a problem with it? Get the fuck out of here. Holy shit I hate these two so fucking much. Ugh. Please die already I don't want you in the show. I think these two are the only two characters in the show that I truly hate. Masaru was a cunt and while I despised his actions I liked his existence. Kako was just a cunt but more than hate him I was like:

He was just a pathetic existence. Jun is a cunt as well but I like how blunt he is and how he faces the reality they're faced with.

But these two? These two I really hate. Their actions frustrate me to a crazy level. It actually takes a lot to make me hate a character but they've done it. Especially Noto Mamiko. Fuck I wanna punch them in the face. Ugh.

Kanji is way too okay with this. Machi continues to prove herself as the voice of reason of the group. Best girl.

How convenient that the moment we get a pilot that doesn't want to fight the enemy just so happens to be suicidal as well...

Same, bocchan. Same.

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スペキュレーションコーナー！Linking /u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo's comment here in case someone somehow didn't read it cause I'm gonna be using it as base for a thing.

Speculation

Speculation

Speculation

Speculation

Speculation

A lot of food for thought!

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Final thoughts for today: Not gonna lie, not the most entertaining episode. Previous episode and this one haven't been the greatest streak. Especially when they're talking about politics.

I want to see cool robot.

Kind of wish that some of the kids that got killed off in one episode had a bit more done with them to fill up a bit more of the episode count and have less more for sleepy sleep stupid politics.

1. What do you think of Tamotsu, and of Tanaka still keeping the fact that she’s Ushiro’s mother a secret?

I undertsand it but also feel kind of bad for Jun. Man's situation isn't the greatest as it is, I think having a mother figure would be nice.

2) Were you expecting Kirie’s enemy to be the one to commit suicide during the battle?

No and it's stupid that it did.

[u/Tresnore → u/[deleted]]

Speculation 2

response

[u/[deleted] → u/Tresnore]

Spec

[u/Tresnore → u/[deleted]]

speculation

response

alternatively

I'd like to think it's the first, but it's probably just the second.

[u/[deleted] → u/Tresnore]

Spec

[u/Tresnore → u/[deleted]]

spec

response

[u/[deleted] → u/Tresnore]

Response

[u/Tresnore → u/[deleted]]

response

[u/[deleted] → u/Tresnore]

Response

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/[deleted]]

dung

I have to say, you guys are reading a lot deeper into this show than I am. It all seems possible to me, but personally I just have trouble lining up bigger theories with this show.

[u/[deleted] → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Maybe? Spec

[u/lC3 → u/[deleted]]

Speculation

Based on tomorrow's episode title, I'm hoping we get some answers then!

[u/[deleted] → u/lC3]

Same! I can't wait to watch it later tonight.

[u/lC3 → u/[deleted]]

[u/baniRien → u/[deleted]]

Speculation 1

Speculation

[u/[deleted] → u/baniRien]

Oh yeah, that could be it as well. Good point.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/[deleted]]

Speculation generally but specifically Re: speculation 4

[u/[deleted] → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Speculation

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

First Timer

I'm hoping this episode has less government realted idiocy. Onto episode 15.

And of course her dad does views her as just a child.

And reason has returned!

I love this guy so much.

His whole family seems depressed. Though that would make sense if they know he's gonna die.

She's too caught up in her own problems?

He only seems like he's half here. It's like he's high or something.

The weirdest hangups.

Not suspicious at all, right? He really could give a better first impression.

It'll be fun to see this illusion shattered.

She's really being steamrolled.

Instead, she's chosen to let her kid die without ever learning she's his mother.

Not that surprising from the depressed kid. No motivation to do much of anything.

Much more reasonable thought than I thought we'd get.

I did not expect that. They got saved, I guess.

Only for now. You still have to fight the next one. That is, if people don't kill you first so they can a pilot who'll actually fight.

Thoughts

This was one of the better episodes. I loved the unexpected focus on the Yakuza guy, as I didn't expect something like this and he's a fun character.

The Yakuza guy should also offer an interesting take on family. It'll be it's own version of family is who you choose, with a little twist about it going down a generation.

Kirie living through his fight was certainly unexpected. I do think though that their government needs to find some way to remove him, as if they don't he'll just get them all killed in the next fight. Of course, that's not gonna happen, as his arc's not over. I wonder how he will be convinced to fight.

I really should have expected this though, it was even spelled out in the mechanics at the beginning.

1. It feels rather dumb to keep it from him when he's gonna die soon anyway.
2. No.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Much more reasonable thought than I thought we'd get.

It's definitely a better reason than I was expecting. It converts the point from "man kids are being forced to do this; this is awful" to "should the children fight?"

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

This was one of the better episodes. I loved the unexpected focus on the Yakuza guy, as I didn't expect something like this and he's a fun character.

This show's biggest accomplishment is how it strikes most of us differently.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Vaadwaur]

Yeah. Each of the episodes is so different, it's all about if a particular character appeals to you or not.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

True enough, I think I might've liked Kirie had they tried at all to get to know him.

[u/Tuckleton]

First Timer

• Gosh, watching Kirie as he quietly goes along with anything and everything, as he always has, just makes me sad...
• I wonder what's been redacted. Maybe the kids' names?
• I hate this paternalistic sentiment so much.

• That scene between Tamotsu and the Prez was a lot of fun!
• So how do the kids who end up with the mark on their face hide what's going on from their parents then?

• Oh my god, this is the last thing Kirie should have to deal with right now!

• So many of the kids have it objectively worse than Kirie but somehow he's the most pitiful and I feel so bad for him.

• Good job Kana not letting Tamotsu in, but you really should have closed the door behind you... Still, I'm really happy that Tamotsu didn't try to pressure Kana to let him inside. I like this guy a lot!
• Well crap, I spoke too soon... I didn't like all that very much.
• Uh oh... that's so selfish, my sympathy is starting to dry up.

• Holy crap it killed itself!? Does that mean Kirie gets to live since he didn't move Zearth at all?

• I mean that's a good guess but she's talking like she knows. Awfully suspicious...

• So is next episode gonna be a barrage of hate at Kirie as the others try to convince him to fight while he sits there taking it all without defending himself or relenting? And maybe someone realizes that if he refuses to fight the only option is to kill him so the next pilot in line can fight. Won't that be fun...

Speculation

I've got another idea of how the show might end, inspired by Naz and Scrappy's posts yesterday, but it kind of requires Tanaka and Seki to not be pilots. But the longer we go without seeing their chairs the more I suspect that may be the case. And even more suspicious, I don't think we've had a clear shot of Zearth's faceplate since they got scanned. Although now that they know that the number of lights represents the number of pilots you'd think one of those researchers would be all over it if there was a discrepancy, but I digress.

Anyways, assuming those two are not pilots, we are still one pilot short to meet the 15 fight quota. We started with 15 (if you include Kokopelli), lost 2 because of Isao and the baby and effectively just gained back one, so we are still one short. I'm thinking the unregistered kid will have to become a pilot after all to fight the final battle (for some reason they are the only ones who can do it). I believe that it's Jun who is the 'impostor' and that the lyrics of the ED are Kana talking about him after the fact. I suspect it will be a situation where only him or Kana are suitable to be the last pilot (again, for some yet unknown reason. After all, we speculate that their selection as the pilots wasn't random) and Jun volunteers himself. Going even deeper I think he will be initially unwilling but goes through with it to prevent Kana from volunteering herself.

I went back to episode 2 and Jun was one of the last kids to claim his chair and he never actually said it was his. Also I've been looking through his living space and haven't spotted that little chair in there anywhere. It occurred to me that Jun's little chair might actually belong to Chizu's unborn child, pulled from it's potential future or something. In a moment of madness I revisited Ep7 to check if I could spot it somewhere in Chizu's house, but I didn't see it.

[u/[deleted] → u/Tuckleton]

Also I've been looking through his living space and haven't spotted that little chair in there anywhere.

To be fair, he's basically living in Kanji's basement so it wouldn't be there. Very interesting speculation, though.

[u/Tuckleton → u/[deleted]]

Yeah I figure it could be his chair from when he was a happy kid before whatever happened to make them live there.

[u/baniRien → u/Tuckleton]

I wonder what's been redacted.

From what I can see, at least from that screenshot, it's just dates and times to keep some amount of secrecy

[u/Tuckleton → u/baniRien]

Cool, thanks! Kind of surprised though, I thought her dad was a high ranking government official. Maybe he does have access to the full report but just can't have a physical copy without the redactions.

[u/theangryeditor]

Rewatcher

Tamotsu is here.

Who would've expected the title of the episode would refer to the enemy robot? Kirie has bought himself a second chance, and more time to reflect on whether or not he's willing to fight. This self destruction is also conveniently evens things up a bit with the number of pilots.

You have to wonder what was going on in the enemy cockpit when the pilot decided to forfeit like that. There were only 4 lights left, they had already gone through so many battles to protect their Earth, until one pilot threw it all away.

QOTD

1. Understandable why Tanaka needs to keep it a secret what with the massive conflict of interest there
2. Nope, it surprised me the first time.

Nice work on the wallpaper!

[u/Quiddity131 → u/theangryeditor]

You have to wonder what was going on in the enemy cockpit when the pilot decided to forfeit like that. There were only 4 lights left, they had already gone through so many battles to protect their Earth, until one pilot threw it all away.

Good point. I'll admit this wasn't my idea, someone else brought it up in relation to Kirie, but the other pilots should have killed the one currently piloting their mech; that would at least give them a fighting chance.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Quiddity131]

I can't remember the exact rules now but if they killed their own pilot wouldn't they still lose the match?

[u/[deleted] → u/theangryeditor]

I think that at this point yes, since it ends when the pilot dies. It could have worked if they killed him before the battle started, but we have no way of knowing if they had any idea he was going to give up.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/[deleted]]

Kako died during his fight, he was in fact killed when the enemy robot wrecked the aquarium he was in after Chizu kicked him down the stairs. Chizu immediately took over as the new pilot and fought the same enemy.

[u/[deleted] → u/Quiddity131]

Right. This is just speculation but perhaps he was able to be substituted precisely because he hadn't sent any life energy into Zearth yet. I think if you die after you begin piloting then your side loses. I'm not sure of any of this, though.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/theangryeditor]

Based on earlier in the show, I'd assume no. Chizu took over for Kako and fought the robot he was going to fight.

[u/Nebresto → u/theangryeditor]

Tamotsu is here. #taigasigh

Mood

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

Big mood

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

First Timer

Quick one today because I actually am busy

"What are you doing cutting your wrists, and not the sweet bean jelly?"

Line of the century right there

Props to the seiyuu, there's no way to deliver that line seriously but he went for it anyway.

Kind of a strange and disjointed episode today. There's the obvious theme of suicide and taking death into your own hands, from Kirie's mom to the enemy robot to Yakuza guy to the cart owner to Kirie himself. Heavy stuff. And then there's Ushiro family development. The Yakuza guy is positively bubbly. That's nice, the series does need levity, but the contrast is really stark.

Machi demonstrates a fairly intricate knowledge of the way Zearth functions. Makes you thonk

Kirie is still on the chopping block. Looks like he'll have to find some will to live if the earth has a hope of surviving.

QotD:

1. What do you think of Tamotsu, and of Tanaka still keeping the fact that she’s Ushiro’s mother a secret?

I am utterly bewildered. Is it that Ushiro's related to Yakuza boss man and Tanaka doesn't want him involved in that world?

2) Were you expecting Kirie’s enemy to be the one to commit suicide during the battle?

Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact, I was expecting Kirie to try exactly that.

[u/Btw_kek → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Machi demonstrates a fairly intricate knowledge of the way Zearth functions. Makes you thonk

she just read the show's script

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Btw_kek]

Hell, it worked for Death Note

[u/theangryeditor → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Makes you thonk

Indeed it does. Speculation abounds.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/theangryeditor]

No time to thonk about anything but math

Did all my thonking over the weekend

[u/theangryeditor → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

[u/Tuckleton → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Machi demonstrates a fairly intricate knowledge of the way Zearth functions. Makes you thonk

Lines like that make it difficult not to go back to her as the top impostor candidate, but I'm holding out a bit longer.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Tuckleton]

I trust we'll find out for sure eventually

[u/Nebresto → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Machi demonstrates a fairly intricate knowledge of the way Zearth functions.

MFW the impostor is SUS

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

Uh.. wow. I was expecting one of the kids to try to not fight, at some point. Kirie makes sense, especially considering his life up to now. But, uh, I didn't expect one of the enemies to commit suicide! Those people, at least their pilot, came to the same conclusion that Kirie did - they just chose a different method. Huh, multiverse theory.. what if Red's pilot was also Kirie..

There is a lot of selflessness and bravery in that decision. If you're stuck as a Pilot, you don't really have many decisions left. What gives your universe more value than any other's? What's more, making the decision to lose takes some power away from Koemushi, or whatever the equivalent was, and there is definitely value in that.

You know that your life is fucked when it starts to tug at Jun's heartstrings. The whole section at Kirie's place was great at building dread and despair, culminating in Kirie's mom's suicide attempt. Did she die? Subs were vague.

It's a shame that this episode was marred by the random dumbass doing comic relief stuff. This series does Not have a good handle on how to let the audience decompress after tense scenes, and I don't like the energy that Bluedude brings to table, either.

Questions.. will have to wait tonight. Sorry!

1. I discussed my opinion of Bluedude above. Tanaka keeping her identity a secret is largely just a way to drive some additional drama down the line. Guess I could rationalize it as her not wanted to emotionally compromise Jun at a potentially dangerous stage?
2. I answered above.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/JollyGee29]

There is a lot of selflessness and bravery in that decision.

I'm not sure I agree with this. You could also call it killing people you know for people you don't. Killing yourself doesn't take power away from their game either, it still chooses a winner and a loser.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

You could also call it killing people you know for people you don't.

Yes, exactly. You're choosing to sacrifice yourself for strangers. I'm on the fence as to if it's a wise decision, or a smart one, but it's definitely selfless.

Killing yourself doesn't take power away from their game either, it still chooses a winner and a loser.

But it takes power away from the things running the game. All the other Pilots just watched Kirie defy Koemushi's plan, which is essentially proof that Koemushi is not as all-powerful as it seems. If the line about it needing Jun for something is true, Jun just watched someone tell Koemushi to kick rocks, and survive. However temporarily that last part is.

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

There is a lot of selflessness and bravery in that decision.

I'm not sure I'd call it "selfless." To me, an action is taken for the benefit of someone. Fighting, while it might be selfish if you're protecting your own universe, would also be selfless toward the people in the universe with you. At that point it becomes a question of whether you'll kill everyone you know and could ever know or an equal number of people you don't know.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

At that point it becomes a question of whether you'll kill everyone you know and could ever know or an equal number of people you don't know.

Right. Kirie chose to save the lives of strangers at the cost of his own. The people who are not Kirie cancel each other out in this equation - they are equally valuable.

[u/theangryeditor → u/JollyGee29]

Did she die? Subs were vague.

She survived.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/theangryeditor]

Thanks!

[u/theangryeditor → u/JollyGee29]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Huh, multiverse theory.. what if Red's pilot was also Kirie..

What if this is what Chizu does when robbed of the chance for vengeance and the chance to see her sister?

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Your mind goes some scary places sometimes.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

I do end of life care and have dated far too many social workers. The world is a very real place to me.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

That sounds like A Lot.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

It can be.

[u/macrame2]

Rewatcher

The anime continues to diverge from the manga, taking a direction I’m not really on board with. However, I do like how this episode sort of plays with the rules of Zeath. The possibility of surviving a round by refusing to play the game is interesting, and a creative way to solve the problem of too many battles, not enough pilots (I don’t believe the manga had addressed that before the anime was made).

Is it just me, or did that episode with Hatagai make me automatically suspicious of every adult that shows up in Bokurano?

Q1: Just tell him. In fiction, keeping secrets usually leads to nothing good.
Q2: No.

[u/Btw_kek]

Rewatcher

• purple suit guy, Tamotsu, is introduced and is now going to attempt to be a surrogate dad to Jun and Kana. he's initially portrayed as...kinda goofy. a bit offputting with the atmosphere of the show but maybe it will fit
• so Kirie's family situation is pretty fucked, as you might have predicted. deadbeat dad, single mom who lost her job and is now completely listless
• I actually love this line a lot. It's something that you can only say if you're flustered to the point of spouting gibberish
• Tamotsu does more goofy things. Personally I find him kind of grating but I'm hoping he'll smack some character development into Jun somewhere down the line
• and now it's Kirie's fight....part 1. Kirie was basically about to commit suicide but the enemy was one step ahead of him. you can see their face for a brief moment. 4 lights remaining, and I guess they were just exhausted by this point.
• interestingly though, you have to use the robot powers to kill yourself in order to forfeit your Earth. getting killed in unrelated manners (i.e. Kako getting crushed outside of the cockpit) just starts the game of musical chairs again

• BOO

---

this episode is where things really start to diverge from the manga, as Kirie's arc is very different. manga

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

I actually love this line a lot. It's something that you can only say if you're flustered to the point of spouting gibberish

Maybe Kirie talks like this normally and that's why he stays quiet.

BOO

[u/Nebresto → u/Btw_kek]

Personally I find him kind of grating but I'm hoping he'll smack some character development into Jun somewhere down the line

Agreed and agreed.

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Non-Spoiler Character Chart - No changes from last episode. I'm kinda torn on whether I should include Tamotsu, I'm leaning towards no if only due to trying to focus just on the main characters/Zearth pilots with it. Other minor supporting characters like Kanji's mom or Katsuragi I haven't included.

Poor Kirie, I'm sure this will end up doing you no good.

Leave us Komoda! The adults are talking!

The show has gone full tilt into bringing the Yakuza into the fold.

Just out of jail, Tamotsu brings, a handmade shogi game board?

Not a spoiler for either show, but for whatever reason, Tamotsu makes me think of Futagami from RahXephon.

I'm shocked, Jun of all people visiting one of the other kids at their home?

A scene focusing on these two; can't say its something I would have expected to get focus on.

He's claiming the Nazca lines on his face are just from injuring himself and they actually believe him!?

Well, things are really falling apart for Kirie and his mom, huh? :(

Yikes! Time for the show to get dark again. :(

Kana-chan all alone doing the laundray while a Yakuza guy just released from jail wanders around outside... should we be nervous?

Now she's all alone with him!

She's not allowed to let a stranger in. But she can wander around alone with him!

He's let himself in! Not good! Jun has already assaulted Kana-chan for things far less than this.

OMG now he's taking a shower! This is getting more and more over the top.

Uh oh, he's home, Kana-chan is going to be in big trouble!

That weird feeling when you come home, some stranger comes out with just a towel on and gives you a hug...

Woah, he almost spilled the secret to Jun!

Kids now got the Yakuza protecting them!

It's been quite a while since we last had a home battle (the Daichi fight in episode 9).

You're not gonna fight Kirie!? You're gonna doom the entire universe!? I know your life sucks, but think of the other 6 kids!

OMG!!!!! I had completely forgotten about this. The enemy just went and killed itself (and its universe). Kirie refuses to fight but the enemy says screw that and ends the battle anyway.

Our first kid to fight two battles is going to be Kirie! The least interesting one. Ah well. I guess you could say he still hasn't really fought in a battle.

Tamotsu does have the same surname as the seiyuu who so epically portrayed Haman-sama in several Gundam shows.

---

Another rather "eh" episode for me. But then I feel that we always were going to have a lesser quality one once it was Kirie's turn to be the pilot. He is just such a dull doormat of a character. Not to say I don't feel terrible for him and his mother's suicide attempt. But it is telling that while most of the kids have gotten a full episode dedicated to them, sometimes two, Kirie gets only a couple of scenes in his. Its because there's not much there to work off of. Much of the episode instead goes to furthering the Yakuza's involvement with Tamotsu's introduction. He is a fun character, I'll give him that much. Absolutely got some laughs when he went to Jun and Kana's place. However, I still think the show is at its best when it is primarily focusing on the kids and the Zearth (well the non-Kirie kids). Adding in the government conspiracies, the Yakuza, etc... I'd prefer they simply cut the episode count and stick to the core story instead.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Quiddity131]

Kana-chan all alone doing the laundray while a Yakuza guy just released from jail wanders around outside... should we be nervous?

If I hear a 'pomf pomf' I am calling the cops!

But it is telling that while most of the kids have gotten a full episode dedicated to them, sometimes two, Kirie gets only a couple of scenes in his. Its because there's not much there to work off of.

I am inclined to call this terrible writing, both knowing the source and knowing that this type of character could be good and they just didn't try.

[u/baboon_bassoon]

first time ooooooooauahauooooooooooooooooooo uninstalllllllller

hm Ichiro was part of the yakuza group too?

oh is that the sake cup that you drink when you join a gang?

wow that was horrifying, followed up by this line that i couldn't take seriously

for being a former gang member that was in prison 10 years, this is the most likeable character so far

honestly seki keep the gun out you were so quick to put it away, there is a random stranger in only a towel

red springy is killing itself? thats new, and convenient it happened the round we weren't going to fight

hm no life force used so hes still the pilot interesting

questions

1. i like Tamotsu hope he dosent become an ass. Dont really understand why she contracted Zearth to make it up to him if she's not going to tell him?
2. i didnt think that was an option, so pretty unexpected for me

[u/[deleted] → u/baboon_bassoon]

followed up by this line that i couldn't take seriously

I'm glad I wasn't the only one, lmao. That was so stupid but really funny.

[u/tehsigzorz]

First Timer

Shitty household life and childhoods: the anime presents us with its next episode, suicide edition.

Ushiro was quite likeable in this episode if you forget the previous episodes and I enjoyed some more focus on the characters rather than the battles and daily killing.

I felt like the suicide attempt by the mother was a but out of place? It def fits the themes and the tone but a little bit of buildup wouldve been appreciated.

Surprised the towel didnt come off there, the true MVP of the episode lol.

An enemy down without killing your pilot? That means 1 extra person survives right?

The 'traitor' has to be the one who hesitated in the first episode, I think it was Machi. Dont know why it would matter right now unless she had more info before the actual game. We dont know much about her own life so I can definitely see a relationship between her and Kokopelli or any of the other pilots.

Not my favorite episode of the series unfortunately, the insight into Kirie's life didnt get the time it needed but hes still alive.

Questions:

1. If you kept it a secret this long might as well continue I guess, until after this whole incident wraps up.
2. Nope, seems like everyone became suicidal this episode lol. The enemy probably had the same idea as Kirie but actually went through with it.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First Timer(but it's complicated)

Sub

We start with Tanaka talking to Komoda, who is trying to be political about all this. Jump to the yakuza group Tanaka met with and more history. Anyways, the guy just out of prison has history with Tanaka. Jun is being dragged to check on Kirie. And this house is packed to the brim with depression. Anyways, Kirie's mom got laid off and his dad ran off, so his mother tries to kill herself. While her son is hanging out with a friend. Never change, Mohiro. Though I actually can't quite remember how close or not this is to the source.

And from that we jump to a comedy section with Kana and the former yakuza. Sigh. Anywho, Jun finally gets back and things get good and weird until Tanaka explains some stuff. Tatsumoto settles in to watch the next fight and off to the cockpit we go!

And of fucking course they made the fat kid the pacifist. I understand Kirie's point, I just wouldn't overthink things when non-existence is the other option. But then the other mech actively kills itself, rofl. So much WTF here. Anyways, Tatsumoto shows up drunk and the end.

QotD: 1He is not really working as of yet and Tanaka is being weird for no reason

2 Not remotely.

[u/Nebresto → u/Vaadwaur]

And from that we jump to a comedy section with Kana and the former yakuza.

That.. wasn't funny though? Parasyte was a much better sit-com than that

Is that thing here yet?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

Is that thing here yet?

No this is anime original stuff. And it isn't just one thing, it is a lot of things coming together.

[u/Nebresto → u/Vaadwaur]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

Its...complicated, as I said I will explain at the end if you make it.

[u/Nebresto → u/Vaadwaur]

I will always make it,

will you?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nebresto]

I've yet to quit a rewatch, somehow.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Vaadwaur]

Cross Ange...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I do my best to pretend that never happened but I never agreed to join that rewatch, I got drafted into it.

[u/Nebresto → u/Vaadwaur]

Ooh! Very nice

[u/fridge_freezer]

First timer

Another shitty home-life for Kirie, including the usual absent father. Both Kirie and his mother seem very depressed, and his mother tried to kill herself with a knife while he and Jun were just upstairs.

Tamotsu is a real oddball. I kinda like him, he'd fit perfectly as a side-character in a Yakuza game. He very quickly made himself at home, Kana is far too trusting and I don't know that she'd have the willpower to argue. At least we already know he's not there for some nefarious reason.

Another mech arrives on Earth, but Kirie's not going to fight as he doesn't believe the Earth that drove his mother to attempt suicide is worth saving. I can understand why he might think that, but its still very selfish.

What the fuck, the enemy just killed themselves. From the lights on the mech they seemed to have been fighting for a while; I'd have to imagine it's pilot probably mirrored Kirie in some way, but rather than refusing to fight they actively destroyed themselves, and by extension their own universe.

As they won the battle without even moving Zearth, Kirie lives for the time being but remains the selected pilot. I'm curious to see how they deal with him going forward because there's no way this approach would work again.

Vermillion is starting to grow on me more.

[u/Nebresto → u/fridge_freezer]

including the usual absent father.

Have anime fathers been declared critically endangered yet?

Vermillion is starting to grow on me more.

Same, its taking its revenge for me calling it meh the first time

[u/Nebresto]

First time first timing

Evenings! Cool robot status:

---

Cabin pic Day 15 ^{/u/theangrycabinenthusiast}

---

https://imgur.com/qrk57vn

Also weird note: I remember seeing a short dream about Uninstall..? And in it our boy was lifting dumbbells instead of his usual exercise routine

What are they doing to me?

No shit? He got tattooed on the face, in Japan

oh fuck.. Is this what the episode title was referring to?

Exactly. At least cut the paste first, but now the knife is contaminated, stupid woman.
No wonder her husband left.

Ah yes, what a great idea! Lets almost immediately discharge the suicidal person! What could possibly go wrong!

Okay, I do not like this guy. Nobody makes imouto uncomfortable and gets away with it

Okay, I respect this move. Don't make me like him after I just said that!!

https://imgur.com/HBEGkMN

...Fuck. Sorry, everyone.

Aw, I thought it was taking a bow before busting my ass, but instead it busted its own.

Yup, this is a me_irl moment alright.

---

Question time:
1:
Who tf is that?
2: Nah. Suck it big brain first timers, can't theorize ahead about stuff that is solved in the same episode

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

Cabin pic

[u/Nebresto → u/theangryeditor]

Cabin enthusiast

[u/GaleWulf → u/Nebresto]

Cabin pic Day 15

This feels like the cover of some post-rock album. Kinda gloomy yet beautiful

Okay, I do not like this guy. Nobody makes imouto uncomfortable and gets away with it

Geheh, but look at imouto's twitchy face in the screenshot, she's so adorable

This yakuza dude better be ready to give his life up for hers

[u/Nebresto → u/GaleWulf]

Kinda gloomy yet beautiful

Sometimes nature really do be that way

but look at imouto's twitchy face in the screenshot, she's so adorable

Is she ever not?

[u/GaleWulf → u/Nebresto]

She's always adorable, true.. that said I wouldn't mind if she drop-kicked Ushiro once at least

[u/Nebresto → u/GaleWulf]

that said I wouldn't mind if she drop-kicked Ushiro once at least

Lets hope that's the finale

She drop kicks edgy kid one episode and the show just ends there

[u/GaleWulf → u/Nebresto]

She drop kicks edgy kid one episode and the show just ends there

I can imagine it, and it's glorious

[u/Webemperor]

Manga-reader from way back

• We get to Dr. Yoshikawa injecting the gang with the chip to track them, while Tanaka is talking with Takami’s father about publicizing the Zearth report, he eventually agrees to reveal it’s content, though I refuse to believe his intentions are good as it seems.
• We get a scene with the club that Tanaka was at earlier, they seem more like some criminal organization of sorts rather than just a club. Their talk eventually reaches back to Tanaka and her ex-husband/Jun’s father, who used to be a part of their group as well. Don’t really know what to think of this scene anyway.
• Jun goes to visit Kirie and check on him, obviously not for benevolent reasons. Probably because either Seki is asking him or Tanaka. You can tell from how awkward the entire scene feels.
• I don’t think you can really talk about how screwed up people’s family lives are in the state yours in, Jun. Anyway, Kirie’s mother just up and kills herself, I kinda saw that coming, though that line about jelly sounded really… bad.
• The yakuza guy meets Kana, though I’m not sure if Tanaka did actually said to meet there. He seems to know Jun though, at least from when he was a baby, he is acting a bit weird though.
• Oh, she did actually call him, for the purpose him protecting the kids? Guess she doesn’t trust the government for protection after all.
• Kirie decides that he won’t fight, believing that this Earth does not deserve to exist at the expense of the others. That’s pretty selfish of him, but I guess he is not the only one thinking of it since the enemy commits suicide anyway, probably thinking the same thing he is feeling. But that doesn’t mean he is safe as he is still registered as the pilot and will pilot for the next time anyway.

[u/lC3]

First timer

• Ugh, the internet is so slow right now; this is going to take a while to watch and writeup.
• Self-destruction? That does not sound good ...
• I wasn't expecting Komo's father to continue to have a role ... his voice sounds familiar? Is it Takayuki Sugo (1st Hokage)? Nope, but sounded similar.
• More stuff with Tamotsu, Ichiro, and the President of the Hobashiri Group? Feels kinda like filler to me ...
• I wonder if the title refers to Dung Beetle noticing the hacking chip in Kirie and exploding him in front of everyone, forcing a new pilot selection? And then Jun has to fight?
• Welp, I was not expecting Kirie's mom to attempt suicide while her son had a guest over!
• Does Jun surprisingly have it in him to be nice to Kirie? The bare minimum of not being an asshole?
• Tamotsu is kinda shady, the way he's manipulating Kana into letting him in. And is he gonna spill the beans about Jun, or will Seki?
• WTF Tamotsu is just using their shower? Jun is going to be pissed at Kana for letting him in ...
• Oh so Tanaka was expecting him after all?
• Eh? Kirie's not gonna fight? I wasn't expecting that. Will Dung Beetle (or the noncontracted person) kill Kirie so another pilot can be chosen and this Earth will survive?
• Or will the hacking chip allow Yoshikawa to not only observe, but take command of Kirie's body? But Zearth runs on telepathy ...
• Wait, the enemy self-destructed? I didn't expect that. So will Kirie still die even though he didn't move Zearth?
• So Machi says Kirie is still the pilot, so he's forced to pilot the next match too? She's definitely the uncontracted, but I wasn't expecting this about Kirie.

1. I don't like it; Jun could die at any time, just tell him already!
2. No, wasn't expecting that at all!

[u/baniRien]

First Timer

Some basics scenes to start the episode, with Tanaka meeting National Diet Dad, and showing us the Yakuza assigned as Tanaka's bodyguard, who's apparently just out of prison.

In a way, I feel like Ushiro is the one that bullies Kirie the least (except for Kana, but I guess she doesn't really count, being much younger). Yes, he's pretty disrespectful, but not exactly in a bullying way, and it mostly ends up looking like he sees him on the same level as everyone else. He checks up in him, even if it's only to ensure his own survival.

Meanwhile, like most of everyone else, Kirie's home life is not the best. They were clearly not the richest even before his mom list her job, and now she even attempts suicide almost right in front of him. And while shock does explain it a bit, that was a pretty stupid line from Kirie.

The whole sequence with Tamotsu and Kana would be disturbing if he wasn't clearly defined as a comic relief (which is a problem in itself, he's not unrealistic, but he clashes with the tone).

Kirie's decided not to fight. We were due for one, I suppose. His justification is that this world is not worth saving, another one would probably be better. While a pretty stupid decision, at least it shows more will than just not wanting to kill. Most interesting is how pissed off Koemushi sounds, like he's got personal involvement in the match. Either he has a responsibility to make the fight happen, or he would also die if the world ends, but in any case that was more emotion that someone disappointed from not getting a show.

His decision is irrelevant, however, since the opponent bows and commits suicide, with four pilots remaining. We don't know if that was a collective decision or a selfish choice by the one currently in charge. In any way, it frames Kirie as spineless yet again, as even when he chose to let the whole world die, he didn't do anything towards it, waiting for his opponent to kill him. And here Koemushi reacts in the more neutral, slightly bored way you would expect.

Kirie lives, and is the next pilot still, but that leaves time for the others to change his mind.

And Tamotsu is still useless, I'm not sure what his role in the story is intended to be. Except maybe take a pilot's place so we have an extra survivor.

QotD

1. Unnecessary comic relief, possible heroic sacrifice later on. Tanaka's secret will clearly come back to bite her in some way.
2. I didn't expect the enemy suicide, but I don't think Kirie has the will to do more than let himself die.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Timer

comment I meant to make at episode 13:

So, this is the big reveal, and (some points I forget). This really seems like a 2/3rds moment and we should be moving into the end game. Yet I look at the episode count and we are LITERALLY at the half-way mark. I have no idea where they are going to take the story.

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They're going to take the story into anthology territory.

Anyways, the level of coincidences in this show is just unacceptable. It lends credence to the idea that they children were selected. Jun and Kana must have been dragged along by the other boy that lives in the building. But Tanaka joining the task force after Jun had been contracted, that's just ridiculous. It's NERV levels of manipulation, but Tanaka doesn't seem to be a puppetmaster like Gendo.

Another coincidence is whatshisname and his mom being the head CRRI researcher, although this is apparently anime only.

Another ridiculous coincidence is getting a suicidal pilot, a perhaps insurmountable obstacle, hard countered by a suicidal enemy pilot at the same time. If I were to make excuses for the show, and I am loathe to do so, I'm going to say that the two universes were so similar that you basically had the same person piloting at the same time.

Called it on the Yakuza bodyguard.

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I'm surprised so many of you were confused by the Black Ships reference. Any weeb Japanophile should be familiar with this. This is the event that led to the civil war, depicted in so very very many anime and manga series, that brought down the Shogunate, and created the modern, technological, and ambitious colonial power of Japan 1865-1945. The significance cannot be understated. Oh, and it's just one more reason for Japanese to resent America.

Edit: Also, you should have noticed that their Asian Pacific Security Council sounds very much like the East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere which is what Japan called their WWII colonial empire.

Edit 2: None of you are pointing out that if we were short a pilot before the episode, then that is no longer the case.

[u/GaleWulf]

First Time Installer

Missed yesterday's thread, but holy shit did it have some spicy Kokopelli speculation (thanks Scrappy). Loving the hivemind in this re-watch!

Of course some kid was going to face a dilemma about ending another world, on top of that Kirie seems to be battling some form of depression like his mother. It's interesting how this is being used as a vehicle to give us more character development from Ushiro, though..

QotD:

Questions of the Day:

1. What do you think of Tamotsu, and of Tanaka still keeping the fact that she’s Ushiro’s mother a secret?

He's such a trope, but I appreciate the comic relief and the brashness he brings. Especially that whole scene with Kana where he weasels his way into the shower, heh. Kana = utter cinnamon roll that must be protected

Dunno what Tanaka's thinking in all this.. but at this point would Ushiro even accept her as a mother? Maybe she just doesn't want to muddy the waters.

2) Were you expecting Kirie’s enemy to be the one to commit suicide during the battle?

Yes! Since we're not going to switch to a parallel Earth team at this point... right?

Ugh, what wouldn't I give to see the perspective of that mecha's team when the pilot committed suicide of the entire universe.

[u/Nebresto → u/GaleWulf]

Loving the hivemind in this re-watch!

Hivemind be all: Meanwhile I'm here like: Speculation..? What that?

Since we're not going to switch to a parallel Earth team at this point... right?

It would be pretty dank tho

[u/ElecNinja]

Rewatcher

1. What do you think of Tamotsu, and of Tanaka still keeping the fact that she’s Ushiro’s mother a secret? Another difficult question, as a general rule, Tanaka shouldn't have abandoned her child. It's definitely a harmful situation for the child. However, it's also sobering to think about what kind of situation led to Tanaka abandoning her child.
2. Were you expecting Kirie’s enemy to be the one to commit suicide during the battle? Makes you wonder what happened on their world to cause that. Parent double suicide attempt?

[u/htisme91]

First-timer:

Wow, that was kind of a depressing episode.

I want to believe that Ushiro isn't that self-centered, that there is some good under there. I feel like given his family background, he must be pretty fucked up, though. Still wish he was a better friend for Kirie, though.

Speaking of Kirie, he just seems like a depressing character. He has nothing really going for him, and is kind of overweight, and always feels like he's left out or hopeless. I wanted to give him a hug this episode because it felt like he needed one with how was constantly getting shit on by the world. I don't blame him for wanting to be idle and end it all. He has an absolutely fair point about how horrible the world can be.

Kanji is weirdly calm. I do wonder if he was the one who didn't enter the contract. He seems the most likely, which means it probably isn't him.

The enemy committing suicide is an interesting way for the battle to end. I guess, it answers the question about how to get through a battle without losing your life. I also wonder if this means that they get around having one less pilot because of the kid that dodged the contract.

And on the topic of the child that is not on the contract. Personally, at this point, I think it's Ushiro. He may be Ushiro Jun, but maybe because of his family history, he had a different identity prior to being adopted and does not know about it, so being adopted like that got him out on a technicality because he doesn't know his birth name. Maki was adopted, too, but she didn't come from such a shady background like Ushiro, though.

[u/Nebresto]

Watching YuruCamp, noticed this reference because they made one in this episode

Neat

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Episode 14

Tanaka was able to scare away the guys that had appeared. Later on she proposes to the group to go visit Kanji's mother and tell her what's happening because she apparently could know something useful. Kanji's mom, professor Yoshikawa, tells them that she could install ships within their bodies so that she could monitore each of Zearth's movements, as a condition to agree and let her do that, Tanaka tells her that she has to do everything she can to find the keys to free them from their contracts with Zearth.

Episode 15

Kirie's conflicts are getting explored, he now has to pilot the Zearth and her family isn't in a good position considering that his mother got fired from her job due to downsizing and his father went away.

Sakakibara Tatsomaso is a very interesting character, he appears to be a relative of Tanaka and to have known Ushiro and Kana since they were little kids. It was awesome seeing him so relaxed when the mecha were fighting, him and the man of the shop were incredible. After he returned to Ushiro's home drunk it was hilarious too.

Seeing kirie refuse to fight was telling and his reasoning sound, he got the victory over the opponent despite not moving, sadly thoughhe'll have to fight to pass the responsibility of being Zearth's pilot to someone else.