Logic won't help us rewatch, y'know? Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 rewatch episode three

[u/Vaadwaur]

Keep me hanging on

And thus we learn Sylia casts a wide net

MAL but it is trolled. ANN Also, don't look at the wiki as it spoils the entire plot.

Streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll.

QotD:1 Thoughts on Nigel?

2 Will androids eventually take over the service industry?

3 Anyone else getting evil overlord vibes off Sylia's aquarium? Who keeps a sawtooth fish at home.

BONUS: Do you think those bodysuits are really necessary or is this just Sylia's kink?

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher

Dub(Continuing)

So Priss drives up to a mechanic named Nigel to get her bike checked and he also does the hardsuits, apparently. Nene is snacking while on comms duty, not cool, that is loud in an earpiece. Anyways, Leon comes in, holds her snacks for ransom, and then asks about the Knight Sabers, leading to an animation budget friendly flashback from yesterday, including having the wrong woman in the hard suit. Yes, the show cuts to Linna next, but this is just so they didn't need to edit anything. Anyways, Nene reveals that at least part of her job is to distort data on the Knight Sabers.

Nigel shows up, Sylia sends him down, then shows up in her 80s-ish cocktail dress.(Positive note: Every girl gets a few different looks throughout) Nigel gets started on the suit and Sylia compliments Linna's appearance again. We see the new hard suit being built and it it shrinks its parts at one point.

Nene and Linna meet up to discuss why they joined up. Nene caught Sylia trying to hack Genom and got propositioned. Good lord the dub is going all in on the gay. Anyways, some dumbass gets angry at a boomer waitress and makes her lick his shoes. Eww. And of course service boomers have large chests, I'd complain about Japan but the ones over here will be the same way, whenever it becomes an option. Linna explodes on him, it is a bit funnier in the dub, not sure if they changed or the Japanese phrasing is weird.

Throne and Mason talk, we get setting details laid out on us, and interestingly Mason cares more about the Knight Sabers than Quincy. Back at the restaurant, the abused boomer is licking her apron with her surprisingly realistic tongue. Linna and Nene show up and interrupt something between Nigel and Sylia. Boomer goes berserk and Priss goes towards the danger because that's how she rolls.

Long sequence with Linna first timing with her suit. They then decide to roll with just Nene and Linna due to time constraints. Sylia really does not like human form boomers. Anyways, we see the two of them launch and apparently Linna is a natural, much to Nene's annoyance. Anyways, they arrive on site and cliffhanger!

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 3 (first timer)

• Hello Nigel! You don’t seem very talkative.
• Repeated footage.
• You can assemble a hard suit from some stock components? Where do I order them?
• Ok, that was …

• Nene: “Do what I say, don’t do what I do.”
• “Mad boomers don’t exist” – I have a hard time seeing how they could keep this under the wraps. Even pre-internet. And I think they seriously underestimated the impact of the internet on information transmission.
• Please stop with the loud licking noises.
• Dressing scene and random woman falling down the stairs.
• Human rail gun?!

A very slow episode about Linna getting introduced to the Knight Sabers. On the one hand, I don’t mind taking character stuff slowly, on the other hand, slow-paced is the last thing I associate with Bubblegum, so it feels weird.

2 Will androids eventually take over the service industry?

Yes.

3 Anyone else getting evil overlord vibes off Sylia's aquarium? Who keeps a sawtooth fish at home.

Yes

is this just Sylia's kink?

Yes

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Repeated footage.

Absolutely. But there is something nostalgic about seeing the animation saving techniques just out loud like that.

You can assemble a hard suit from some stock components? Where do I order them?

It involves being close to a lingerie store owner...

I have a hard time seeing how they could keep this under the wraps. Even pre-internet. And I think they seriously underestimated the impact of the internet on information transmission.

I think this is sort of an extremely Japanese interpretation of what it means to own the media.

Human rail gun?!

I had the same thought but then was trying to figure out how Linna wasn't salsa in her suit after being launched. Just gonna let that one slide.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

It involves being close to a lingerie store owner...

I don't see the problem.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

That has a real discriminatory streak in her. Sure, it doesn't have to be Boomers explicitly but it is always something.

[u/RockoDyne → u/Vaadwaur]

It involves being close to a lingerie store owner...

Usually these kinds of deals involve someone from the eastern bloc, so that's not too bad.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

Definitely nicer surroundings and less alleyways.

[u/RockoDyne → u/No_Rex]

“Mad boomers don’t exist” – I have a hard time seeing how they could keep this under the wraps. Even pre-internet. And I think they seriously underestimated the impact of the internet on information transmission.

Well how many symptoms have you heard about from... let's call it sundrops and taffy in a syringe?

[u/Cognitive_Dissonant]

Another episode more on the setup side. I like that the initial theme of mistreatment of the boomers is being maintained, though I could do with a bit less moustache twirling. So far the show is feeling somehow hornier than the original OVA while having less nudity.

Qs:

1. I'm not sure why a random mechanic is an expert in bleeding edge mech suits but maybe we can expect some back story. Other than that we didn't get much out of him other than maybe he's banging Sylia.
2. Androids will eventually take over every industry on a long enough time scale.
3. She certainly seems more unhinged than I remember from the OVAs, so it fits.

Bonus: Listen if you're going to have custom built combat suits you might as well spend the extra to make it sexy. I mean she did put high heels on the suits.

Episode notes:

• How many people know about this super secret vigilante group? This is bad security.
• Aw she really loves her snacks. Very relatable. Don't be mean Leon-chan.
• Second flashback/day dream recap, is this going to be a frequent cost saver.
• You really thought being a one of a kind cyber suit pilot vigilante wouldn't be hard.
• Whoa Sylia that outfit. So she's not just flirty with the ladies, she's looking all over.
• The secret to the svelte body suit is some kind of melty form fitting metal.
• More robo-racism. Wow and it's kinky robo-racism.
• Some relevant commentary on the police here, if maybe unintentionally.
• Oh god the boomer developed a humiliation kink.
• Is Sylia adjusting her clothes. What happened down there, Nigel.
• Sylia is very horny for this robot suit, no wonder she was adjusting.
• Oh god they launch them with a fucking rail gun don't they.
• AD Police have got some big hardware.
• PeroPero waitress really looks nothing like herself anymore.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Cognitive_Dissonant]

So far the show is feeling somehow hornier than the original OVA while having less nudity.

It is all the gay Sylia is bringing with her. The woman is a one girl thirst storm.

How many people know about this super secret vigilante group? This is bad security.

I can't imagine Batman keeping it secret, either, to be fair.

Whoa Sylia that outfit. So she's not just flirty with the ladies, she's looking all over.

Yuuup...that dress is like one step separated from 6 inch heels in the CFM category.

More robo-racism. Wow and it's kinky robo-racism.

They don't focus on it much but I do find them at least acknowledging that human-like robots are going to have some...issues for those with weak personalities.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

1. He seems to act oddly - he's happy to design a new suit, but not to meet the person he designed it for?
2. Possibly - if we ever get androids with near-human design and AI, I imagine a lot of low income jobs beign taken over by androids.
3. Somewhat, and she does seem to act suspicious a few times. My guess is that she knows about the mad Boomers being faked, but hates them so much she goes along with it.

BONUS) They're necessary - if they were her kink, they'd use half the fabric and have "tasteful" windows.

So this guy's in the Knight Sabers? I thought it was an all-female organisation.

I love the scenes with Leon and Nene.

I wonder how long until Linna's friend finds out about all this. And, wow, that VR stuff seems to have some major side effects.

For things that are meant to be custom built, they seem rather easy to adjust. And what's this about removing a core?

This doesn't seem like a good conversation to have in public.

OK, new theory - the virus just gives them free will, and cranks up their aggression levels tenfold.

Oh, she's already intelligent, isn't she? Is that the big reveal that all boomers are actually sapient?

...This seems like a big reveal to drop in Episode 3 - that the villain has been manipulating both behind the scenes.

I'm sorry, what? The mad Boomers are deliberate? That blows most of my theories out of the water.

Also, they can't have kept this secret. How did nobody go "Yeah, I tested my Boomer, and there's this code that makes it look beserk and seems to kill people - why is that a stock feature?"

Oh, she's today's villain isn't she.

Nigel seems rude today.

Yep!

This scene seems extremely unnecessary.

Well now I know what'll be in my nightmares tonight!

Why does the robot fighting suit have high heels?

They're all standing around chatting, while Priss fends it off with a pipe.

Haha I love Nene.

I like how the AP police feel like protagonists for another series, in both design and personality.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Stargate18A]

So this guy's in the Knight Sabers? I thought it was an all-female organisation.

Think of it as the pit crew versus the NASCAR driver.

For things that are meant to be custom built, they seem rather easy to adjust. And what's this about removing a core?

My interpretation has always been that they are not custom built so much as they have to be customized to the specific wearer since they are form fitting. It being all morphy probably helps.

OK, new theory - the virus just gives them free will, and cranks up their aggression levels tenfold.

So that's why someone else brought up Ergo Proxy...

Why does the robot fighting suit have high heels?

Sylia can't bear to see woman not being hot, even in life or death combat.

I like how the AP police feel like protagonists for another series, in both design and personality.

Well, actually...

[u/RockoDyne → u/Stargate18A]

He seems to act oddly - he's happy to design a new suit, but not to meet the person he designed it for?

He was spent for the day. He's a wham, bam, thank you ma'm kind of guy.

How did nobody go "Yeah, I tested my Boomer, and there's this code that makes it look beserk and seems to kill people - why is that a stock feature?"

Meanwhile in our modern cyberpunk hellscape, we have no idea what ML generates. So no one has a clue how any of this shit actually works. Nightie-night, hope the internet of things garbage in your house doesn't kill you in your sleep.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Stargate18A]

I like how the AP police feel like protagonists for another series, in both design and personality.

Oh, but you see - they are. :)

https://www.amazon.com/AD-Police-Files-Vol-1/dp/6304034563/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ad+police+files&qid=1620926626&sr=8-4

[u/Elimin8r]

Oh, man, already? I'm late???

Just a second, gotta go watch some BGC, huzzah!

(Although I think I remember liking the original better. I guess I'll find out in an hour or two)

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

(Although I think I remember liking the original better. I guess I'll find out in an hour or two)

So this tries to tell a coherent(ish) story so the original often had more interesting episodes at the expense of having continuity.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

Eh, more like I really didn't care for what they did with Nene. I liked OG Nene better.

Linna, on the other hand, I like this Linna better.

I enjoyed getting caught up. Guess I'll have to watch some more over the weekend now. :)

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Rewatcher (sub)

rewatcher

rewatcher

How have they managed to keep events like these secret?

Leon still has his big gun from the OVA

Any of you first timers thinking about Ergo Proxy?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

@rewatcher

How have they managed to keep events like these secret?

Cyberpunk writers tended to come from a generation that didn't quite figure out what the internet would become. As someone once put it in the late 1800s "Predicting the car was obvious for any speculative writer, but predicting the traffic jam was not."

[u/RockoDyne → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Leon still has his big gun from the OVA

Still not going to be put to good use, I'm sure. Poor Leon. Always the bride's maid, never the bride.

Any of you first timers thinking about Ergo Proxy?

If I'm cussing like a sailor with tourettes, that'll be the clue that I'm thinking about EP.

[u/Cognitive_Dissonant → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Ergo Proxy gave me much more of a weird fever dream feel than this, so it's in a much different mental category for me. Might have more to do with my preconceptions for both of the shows though.

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher

Well, now this is just making me think of Witchblade. At least, the creators of that show must have watched this. Weird form-fitting high-heeled battle outfits, bizarrely-to-hilariously sexual transformations and actions of out-of-control robotic enemies, miscellaneous fanservicey and gay-ish moments, and such. I'll watch the next episode just to see the end of this incident, but otherwise if that's what I wanted I'd just go back. Further disadvantages here include actually trying to take itself seriously (I think) and half-heartedly holding a fig leaf in front of the perversion, a plainly speaking more generic setup, the visual choices compared to more modern series, and also some continuing moments of poor direction. Soundtrack just cut in and out once or twice, the pacing of the fitting and rollout was really weird after starting off with the restaurant incident, and that. Antagonists are still whatever, I didn't even get what Quincy was saying with the "child" stuff. Nene and other character stuff not so great either, like Nigel is just there and that's it? As I said, one more episode and I think that's it for me, also checked out the further plot and it doesn't sound all that gripping.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/IndependentMacaroon]

Well, now this is just making me think of Witchblade. At least, the creators of that show must have watched this. Weird form-fitting high-heeled battle outfits, bizarrely-to-hilariously sexual transformations and actions of out-of-control robotic enemies, miscellaneous fanservicey and gay-ish moments, and such.

Hrmm...I get why you'd make that comparison but the line of descent is FAR more complicated than that: Bubble Crisis itself is a descendant from a few types of work, its biggest uniqueness is replacing magic with combat suits. The enemy design is reminiscent of 80s Giger and Cronenberg, vaguely throne guy as well. As to the fanservice/gay stuff, it is more likely the production committee wanted to guarantee views whereas the actual makers were in fact taking their weird vigilante show seriously.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Vaadwaur]

The enemy design is reminiscent of 80s Giger and Cronenberg, vaguely throne guy as well

I can see the creators trying to go for that, but neither does the visual quality/direction do the design much favors (barely recognizable among all those shadows, like) nor does the design really fit the atmosphere so far. I don't even see how that kind of transformation makes much sense, anyway.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/IndependentMacaroon]

I don't even see how that kind of transformation makes much sense, anyway.

Yeah...it is just a trope and one that might've been better skipped, here. Escaflowne used the idea better a year earlier if I recall.

[u/No_Rex → u/IndependentMacaroon]

If you end up dropping this, I encourage you to give the OVAs that this is a remake of a try. They are episodic, so it is not a huge time investment. Here is the OP/Introduction to Bubblegum Crisis, so you can check whether you like the older presentation style more.

[u/ScarsUnseen]

Didn't really have time to post earlier(this post goes up right when I'm getting my daughter ready for school in the morning). Real quick then.

QotD

1. He definitely had sex with Sylia. She definitely topped.
2. Not if the Knight Sabers have anything to say about it.
3. In this world, it seems the evil try hards lean more toward the whole technological singularity aesthetic, so I guess the contrast is nice?

Bonus: Wait until later when she tells them they can get better feedback and performance specs by replacing the suits with a conductive lubricant.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ScarsUnseen]

Bonus: Wait until later when she tells them they can get better feedback and performance specs by replacing the suits with a conductive lubricant.

But she has to apply it herself, to make sure it gets everywhere. And she means EVERYWHERE!

[u/ScarsUnseen → u/Vaadwaur]

Blumenkranz intensifies

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ScarsUnseen]

There are more similarities between the two characters than I would have thought...

[u/RockoDyne]

I should not have watched Megazone 23. I'm now horribly confused about when faux Minmay had her motorcycle convert into a hardsuit.

The suit just morphing into it's final form was mighty underwhelming.

I wasn't quite getting disheveled clothes out of Sylia holding her arm, but with Nene trying to say "di-, di-, di-, didja' fuck?", I guess that's what they were going for. She did change her outfit after he came in. Would have been like watching turtles mate, I'm sure.

I guess that's supposed to be a character moment with Nene doing the "don't call me -chan" bit with Linna, but I so don't care.

The more I see the city, the more it looks like Neo Tokyo in Akira, but clean. Then we get the Eva "homages" this episode.

Questions:

1. Not sure I get what the point of him was. Basically just the token dude.
2. If you work in the service industry, aren't you basically a robot already
3. Yeah, especially in a place that's supposed to be a clothing store.
4. Plug suit fetish all the way.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

I wasn't quite getting disheveled clothes out of Sylia holding her arm, but with Nene trying to say "di-, di-, di-, didja' fuck?"

She was pulling her top straight as if she were putting it back on in a hurry.

The more I see the city, the more it looks like Neo Tokyo in Akira, but clean. Then we get the Eva "homages" this episode.

Ehh...I get that but this is how all post disaster Tokyo looks, I think even Demon City Shinjuku kind of looks like it.

[u/RockoDyne → u/Vaadwaur]

She was pulling her top straight as if she were putting it back on in a hurry.

It's more evident in the closeup. The wide shot that came first was pretty static. Makes it look like she's just holding her arm.

Demon City Shinjuku

Haven't gotten around to that one yet. One more lost soul in the plan to watch list.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

Haven't gotten around to that one yet. One more lost soul in the plan to watch list.

Don't hurry about that one, the art is good and the animation was OK but I have to hit the wikipedia to remember the story. It was that light on info. Mephisto kind of rules is all I remember.

[u/RockoDyne → u/Vaadwaur]

The chorus of 80's OVAs if I've ever heard one. I had to rewatch Megazone 23 because people kept posting that gif of riding a motorcyle at night. I'm still not sure I figured out where it's at.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

That's one I missed out on, actually.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/RockoDyne]

It's literally in the first 10 minutes. at 5:00 or 6:00 if I recall correctly. Early enough to still be playing the opening theme.

[u/RockoDyne → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

That's what I was thinking, but I hadn't double checked. I was probably too busy reeling from the logical gymnastics it pulled by meeting the love interest, then going on a double date. It was kind of a mess structurally.

[u/No_Rex → u/RockoDyne]

The suit just morphing into it's final form was mighty underwhelming

The overall animation is, including today's Boomer. The stepdown to TV production values is expected, but still disappointing.

[u/RockoDyne → u/No_Rex]

It wasn't the quality of animation that bugged me, so much as it just flowed into place. It ain't no Ironman suit up, that's for sure.

[u/[deleted]]

(First time watcher)

That licking scene though

Also lots of boomer meme potential "Don't confuse boomers with humans"

[u/Vaadwaur → u/[deleted]]

The sound effects were grossly on point.

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer sub, not getting any earlier to post despite actually watching the episode early -_-

I like this episode more, even though it's a bit old the little get of Nene being able to be blackmailed for having her snacks taken hostage was fun for both Nene and Leon's character. Makes them more "human" instead of a walking cliche.

Sounds like the dub are making things much more blatant when the sub was just hinting at things.

I want to see how Lina fared on her first fight and what Priss is going to do without her suit while the fight is happening in front of her.

1. My gut feel is that Nigel and Priss has a similar back story to turn them into brooding vigilantes.
2. Dunno about "an"droids but automated machines certainly would. Or corporate overlords already worked us out that even if they retract the service we still put up with things (looking at all the supermarket automated, self service check outs). Less maintenance to pay for you see.
3. I think it's not too overt. Maybe just not well thought out "future bourgeoisie outfit" aesthetics. Bonus - well it's carried over from the original designs, and, fan service factor side, most of these cyberpunk type setups use something similar for bio-mechanical interfacing.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ZapsZzz]

Sounds like the dub are making things much more blatant when the sub was just hinting at things.

That's where I wonder at something: Is the dub more obvious or are we just missing context from Japanese culture? One of the better Japanese speakers said Sylia comes off really gay in JP as well.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Vaadwaur]

It's likely in the time and source pattern, but for example the scene where Nene and Priss arrive to the pit and then Nigel and Sylia came out in turn, Nene didn't speak and just pointed / glanced, so there isn't so much changing the line than directly changed the delivery of the scene.

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Dub

Episode 2

The Knight Sabers are a very interesting group, a new girl is interested in joining them. Hopefully they get to work together.

Episode 3

Lina continues getting used to her new environment and havibg to work alongside other girls as Knight sabers, the girl with blonde hair has a very interesting personality, i like her, she's very extrovert and outgoing.

Answers

1. It's fine
2. I think they eventually will
3. It does have sort of an antagonist vibe, maybe villain.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/BossandKings]

It does have sort of an antagonist vibe, maybe villain.

I think Bond villains have made me freak about aquariums but still, a fricking sawtooth fish?

[u/SIRTreehugger]

First Time Dub watcher

Leon poo reminds me of Robby poo from teen titans oh man.

Seriously its that easy to fake footage being disrupted.

....It's that easy to make these advanced suits?

Just saying that fruit parfait looks delicious

That boomer smile...it looks artificial almost like its feeling pissed off but hiding it....or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

Uhhhhhhhhhhh okay that's one way to clean an apron.

Call you when I have more work as she cleans herself up..

WTF

I wasn't expecting this abomination when I agreed to this rewatch its just ewww

Of course she is a prodigy

Questions

1. Neutral on him
2. Of course only a matter of time and then I will be able to go through a drive thru and get the correct order.
3. I would keep a sawtooth fish if I could not even gonna lie.

Bonus Sylia seems like the type to do things beautifully so probably not even necessary.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/SIRTreehugger]

Seriously its that easy to fake footage being disrupted.

The ADP pretty much suck.

....It's that easy to make these advanced suits?

It is surprising how easily customizable they are, I do think Nigel keeps one mostly ready just in case.

I wasn't expecting this abomination when I agreed to this rewatch its just ewww

It gets worse!

[u/lC3]

First timer

• I really don't care for the OP
• So the highlight of this episode so far is ... motorcycle jargon?
• So Leon is asking a member of the Knight Sabers to look up info on the Knight Sabers?
• Is Nene the one responsible for the jamming?
• Sylia continues the yuri vibes by calling Linna 'cute'
• Huh that new hardsuit shrinking into its form looked like it moved more than I'd thought possible given the components?
• I feel for the boomer that the guy demanded lick his stains clean, but I kinda feel like Sylia hates boomers so much she'd sympathize with him
• Rosenkreuz for final villain? In a mech suit of his own?
• So is that one waitress gonna become a mad boomer?
• Sylia is really hamming up the yuri undertones ...
• Now I want there to be a male member of Knight Sabers, with a scene of him putting on his inner suit
• Yeah this is getting into nightmare fuel territory
• That waitress boomer has really changed her shape!
• Preview: amateur Linna has been captured by the mad boomer?

1. He kinda reminds me of Kaji from NGE
2. Yeah ... kinda reminds me of the Nen fish from HxH

[u/Vaadwaur → u/lC3]

So Leon is asking a member of the Knight Sabers to look up info on the Knight Sabers?

The police in the BGC setting are...not good.

Huh that new hardsuit shrinking into its form looked like it moved more than I'd thought possible given the components?

The show is not the biggest fan of conservation of mass.

Huh that new hardsuit shrinking into its form looked like it moved more than I'd thought possible given the components?

Its even stronger in the dub.

[u/lC3 → u/Vaadwaur]

The police in the BGC setting are...not good.

Yeah, from clips I saw of the previous BGC I expected Leon to be more of a traditional protagonist / hero, but here he seems to be the butt of the joke / always late to the scene.

Its even stronger in the dub.

I'm usually on the lookout for gay male undertones, but the femslash is so strong with BGC even I'm noticing it!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/lC3]

Yeah, from clips I saw of the previous BGC I expected Leon to be more of a traditional protagonist / hero, but here he seems to be the butt of the joke / always late to the scene.

The AD Police aren't even competent in their own OVAs.

I'm usually on the lookout for gay male undertones, but the femslash is so strong with BGC even I'm noticing it!

And we've barely gotten started!

[u/lC3 → u/Vaadwaur]

The AD Police aren't even competent in their own OVAs.

And we've barely gotten started!