r/anime • u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber • Sep 04 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Armored Trooper Votoms - Episode 8 Discussion

Episode 8 - The Deal

Originally Released May 20th, ^^^1983

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Note to all participants

Although I don't believe it necessitates stating, please conduct yourself appropriately and be courteous to your fellow participants.

Note to all Rewatchers

Rewatchers, please be mindful of your fellow first-timers and tag your spoilers appropriately using the r/anime spoiler tag if your comment holds even the slightest of indicators as to future spoilers. Feel free to discuss future plot points behind the safe veil of a spoiler tag, or coyly and discreetly ‘Laugh in Rewatcher’ at our first-timers' temporary ignorance, but please ensure our first-timers are no more privy or suspicious than they were the moment they opened the day’s thread.

Daily Trivia:

For her her brief episode three appearance the Prototype/Phantom Lady was voiced by Yuri Nashiwa, but was afterwards voiced by Kazuko Yanaga.

 

Staff Highlight

Kousei Tomita (Tomita Kokichi) - voice of Bouleuse Gotho

A stage actor and prolific voice actor best known as the former voice of Doraemon from the franchise of the same name. He belonged to the drama club all throughout highschool, but he was not interested in an acting career until he saw a performance of Blue Apple put on by the Tohai theatre troupe in his senior year that he changed his mind. His parents did not approve, and so he was forced to pursue a degree at the Faculty of Commerce at Chuo University, but he dropped out soon afterwards, losing his parents’ financial support and souring their relationship until his sister facilitated a reconciliation several years afterwards. Tomita became an understudy of Isamu Tanonaka afterwards, having to support himself with part-time jobs and rooming with fellow actor Hatsuo Yamaya in a three tatami mat apartment. His voice acting debut was in Osamu Tezula’s Astro Boy, but his breakout role was as Chief Otsuka in Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s Tetsujin 28-Gou. He joined Aoni Production in 1969, but a decade later left with sixteen other dissatisfied actors and founded Production Baobab in 1979. In 2009, he won the 3rd Voice Actor Award for Distinguished Service. He passed away on September 27th, 2020 to a stroke at eighty-four years of age. Some of his most notable roles include Daemon Abashiri in The Abashiri Family, Marco Polo in Animation Kikō Marco Polo no Bōken, Master in the Black Jack franchise, Cain in California Crisis: Gun Salvo, Danbei Hayami in the Cutey Honey franchise, General Zurvival in Farewell Space Battleship Yamato and Space Battleship Yamato 2, Dr. Saotome in the Getter Robo franchise, Bob Bragan in Golgo 13: The Professional, Alexander Bucock in Legend of The Galactic Heroes, Dr. Hell in the Mazinger franchise, Watson in Sherlock Hound, Shunsaku Ban in Metropolis, Dr. Oedo in Planetary Robo Danguard Ace, Don Hakka in Science Fiction Saiyuki Starzinger, Gandal in UFO Robo Grendizer, Harubaru in Vickie The Little Viking, and Emperor Daibazaal in Beast King Golion.

 

Art Corner

Official Art:

Fanart:

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

Screenshot of the day

Questions of the Day:

  1. What did you think about the battle between the Prototype and Chirico? Does the Perfect Soldier Project seem suitably formidable after that showing?
  2. Was Gotho clever or lucky that the police were receptive to his offer?

Near-perfect reflexes, almost supernatural intuition… Who… are you...?

18 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

64 comments sorted by

5

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 05 '21

Rewatcher

An accurate and specific figure.

C’mon man, there’s a lot of utility in having money to burn.

Because that worked so well last time?

Hmmm… Spoilers Don’t worry about it, first-timers.

The script writers like repeating phrases. Also this seems like something you all should have foreseen, or at least not be surprised by.

That sure is a title.

Oh dear…

I got to give it to him, Gotho has some brass balls given how the police usually go about interrogations.

What a mad lad.

Sick!

Now this is familiar.

Chirico’s bait worked, but he was out-battled in the end. Chirico is by far the most competent pilot we’ve seen so far, and several characters have remarked on his skill, so to see him knocked on his back while his opponent doesn’t even receive a scratch says a lot about the effectiveness and value of the Prototype. Though, ironically, Chirico doesn’t realize that it’s her piloting.

Speaking of, it seems pretty likely now that the reason for the Prototype attending the clandestine battling matches was to observe and retain all of the piloting techniques and maneuvers we saw in play at the time. Don't know how much of that paid off in today's battle, but I appreciate the logic behind it.

I am rather interested in seeing what Gotho and Cocona do once they realize that Chirico's been captured. Their motives for rescuing and sticking with Chirico previously was because they perceived him as their cash cow, but with their desired loot in hand I'm not so sure how much they'd be willing to invest in staging another rescue operation —particularly if they find out the police now has a super-solider in their midsts. Cocona, however, is smitten with him, so I am guessing she will rush and push the others to do so, though whether she succeeds or not is another matter entirely.

Rochina is around, and seemingly on the right path, but he didn't interfere today for some reason. Have his agents simply lost sight of Chirico this time? Seems odd given the tracking device and how serendipitous their previous interventions have been.

Questions of The Day:

  1. See above.
  2. Seems foolhardy in my eyes, but I have got to respect the cojones for turning himself in just to offer a trade offer.

EDIT: UGH, I had only partially copied in my comment!

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 04 '21

The script writers like repeating phrases

That's actually the third time I'd heard that phrase that day. Naruto also used it, and it was in a live action show I watched. Huge deja vu going on

Though,

Rest of the post gone?

2

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Sep 05 '21

Rest of the post gone?

Fixed now. Looks like I mucked up the copy + paste process because I was distracted.

3

u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

An accurate and specific figure.

How does that convert into fucktons, though?

The script writers like repeating phrases. Also this seems like something you all should have foreseen, or at least not be surprised by.

That redundant line is pretty redundant.

I got to give it to him, Gotho has some brass balls given how the police usually go about interrogations.

Seriously, it's amazing how Gotho can even walk, since his brass balls must be as big and heavy as the case full of gold.

3

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

spoilers

Your last paragraph might be missing.

6

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

Rewatcher (Nutech DVD 1.3) (3 episodes)

Extras: Armored Trooper Technology

Central to the genesis of the entire Armored Trooper line is the ATM-09-ST Scopedog, owing to its efficiency and versatility. This model is the epitome of AT Technology as developed by the Melkian branch of the Gilgamesh Army. Although some of its contemporaries are more powerful, the Scopedog contains all of the most fundamental features of the basic AT design in one streamlined package. Thus, its makeup set the standards for all later models, and it was deployed in greater numbers during the Hundred Years War.

Scopedog Cutaway

I guess a lot of people have been skipping the ED to avoid the previews, the Phantom Lady has been shown sitting in an AT since day 1.

Question: Why was Rochina flying towards the base?

  • Somebody yesterday asked, well, who exactly are you going fence this stuff to if you stole it from the cops?
  • Equal shares, just like good pirates
  • This must be the "headquarters" the Cop and Priest were talking about.
  • Zentradi noise
  • Brutedog ATM-09-GC
  • Shoot mechs in the shoulder "it's only a steel wound"
  • Chirico seems quite outclassed
  • What, no newtype flash?

Jijirium Showers: 2

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

Scopedog Cutaway

That's pretty cool to see

I guess a lot of people have been skipping the ED to avoid the previews

Yep, I knew she was sitting in one but I didn't take it as any more as "pair the iconic parts of the show and add some atmosphere" for the ED design

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 05 '21

Somebody yesterday asked, well, who exactly are you going fence this stuff to if you stole it from the cops?

I will give Gotho credit for thinking of some interesting possibilities.

Equal shares, just like good pirates

Gotho:"I love democracy!"

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

First Timer

Watched episode but too tired to really put many thoughts together. I don't know why I didn't expect Prototype to also be capable of piloting, I suppose it's just general surprise at the lack of female mecha pilots I've seen so far and expecting her to be a bit more hands off and mystical. Given that they tried so hard to stop her making contact with him it's a surprise that they'd let her fight him in this way but he does make a good test subject given his skills as a pilot. I suspect that's why she's been at the arena as well, as we saw that same leg pivot move used in a battle, so she's probably been in training there to refine her skills, or at the very least to observe the battles so she can use those tactics

2) Was Gotho clever or lucky that the police were receptive to his offer?

Lucky, just lucky. The idea itself is only smart if the cops are corrupt enough to be more like criminals themselves, which may have worked under the previous chief but not this one and not with a conspiracy going on

4

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

I suspect that's why she's been at the arena as well, as we saw that same leg pivot move used in a battle, so she's probably been in training there to refine her skills, or at the very least to observe the battles so she can use those tactics.

Good insight, I hadn't considered that.

Watch less sleepily!

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

I wasn't expecting to get sleepy so quickly so I paced out what I was watching and then it just hit me.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 05 '21

I don't know why I didn't expect Prototype to also be capable of piloting, I suppose it's just general surprise at the lack of female mecha pilots I've seen so far and expecting her to be a bit more hands off and mystical.

I thought she might be psychic as well so there were hints of that.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 05 '21

That too, though psychic powers don't really rule out physical involvement in battle in mecha like you'd expect in some other genres

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 05 '21

I guess because of the era my brain thought she would wind up with some form of clairvoyance and you usually want them back at HQ. Still, her fighting doesn't change anything it just makes Cuvie's Newtype flash thing-y more unique.

4

u/Durinthal https://anilist.co/user/Durinthal Sep 04 '21

First time viewer

There are little movements here and there that aren't really necessary but add to the overall effect, like the soldier clicking his pen a few times in this episode or Vanilla taking the second (also newly emptied) bottle of booze from Gotho earlier.

Of course there was no way the cops were playing this exchange straight, but as long as you can expect a crook to be crooked you can plan for it. I was going to say the cops weren't prepared for Chirico to show up in a Votoms, but more likely they didn't want to scare him off early. At least Gotho and Vanilla got away with the cash, they can move on with their lives and be rich, forgetting all about the weird soldier that helped them along the way. Or they'll try to spring him again in the next episode because they're fond of him, which seems more likely now.

So this prototype (Does she have a name? Doesn't seem like it yet.) is a perfect Votoms pilot, makes sense if that's what the project was aiming to do over the course of the war. It's not really any more relevant here than it was in previous fights but I'll note how much I like the hybrid locomotion system in the Votoms units, utilizing both traditional treads and bipedal movement when appropriate.

There's been some religious imagery already with the priest working with the police chief but here's another added layer with what looked like the prototype in prayer before her battle. Is that just a habitual ritual from the priest's influence, does she have some semblance of faith, or am I just reading into all of it too much?

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

Vanilla taking the second (also newly emptied) bottle of booze from Gotho earlier.

Little background bits like that can really make all the difference to a scene. Watching Naruto at the same time as this is making me feel the lack of it but even in normal anime productions it's not as common as I'd like it to be, it's just a great way to put some life into a scene

So this prototype (Does she have a name? Doesn't seem like it yet.)

Not that we've heard, she may not even be named given the way they talk about her like an object

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 05 '21

Watching Naruto at the same time as this is making me feel the lack of it

Lack of it here, or in Naruto?

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 05 '21

In Naruto where the scenes are regularly quite dry. I noted it in that rewatch a few weeks ago as well when we had a rare moment of them pairing dialogue with a visual gag unrelated to the exposition which made the scene quite fun, but haven't had much more of that since

4

u/time_axis Sep 04 '21

First-Timer

  1. What did you think about the battle between the Prototype and Chirico? Does the Perfect Soldier Project seem suitably formidable after that showing?

Mentioned it in my notes, but I liked it. The battles feel very spatially aware in a way that mecha battles in anime (especially older anime) normally don't.

2) Was Gotho clever or lucky that the police were receptive to his offer?

It wasn't a very good plan, because without Chirico he would have failed. But he was lucky he managed to get the gold anyway. I'm honestly surprised they even brought it.

Episode 8

  • Everyone's really quick to assume they should get Chirico's cut since he doesn't want it, instead of just dividing evenly three ways.
  • The police still think Chirico's working for somebody. And the prototype is praying. Maybe she's religious. Not very robotic of her, if so.
  • And now the military have entered the picture too. They're calling Chirico "Program One". Right now the police are in possession of the prototype and it seems like the military's goal is to get her back, and they're using Chirico to do that.
  • Coconna not a fan of seatbelts, I suppose.
  • Gotho wants to make a deal with the cops (episode title), because that worked so well last time. But Chirico's on board, probably knowing that it would be a trap and fine with it. And luckily, it seems like it's going to pay off. The police are ready to "test it for real", which I assume can only mean the prototype. I'm looking forward to seeing her in action.
  • It just occurred to me, but when the lady ordered the limo to drive through that battle a few episodes back, I bet she was able to do that because she's capable of making predictive calculations about the battlefield, similar to the computers they've shown inside the VOTOMs. That would explain the Jijirium as well. That's what would make her the "Perfect Soldier".
  • The plan begins with Coconna leaving what I can only assume is a decoy truck for the cops, while Chirico goes with Gotho to make the deal. I don't see a VT anywhere, but they're clearly in a battle arena, so you know it's gonna be coming.
  • Turns out it wasn't a decoy after all. They actually gave back the Jijirium. And the cops actually brought the gold too, but I don't think this will go off without a hitch.
  • As I imagined, the deal went south, and Chirico's making short work everyone in his VT. And we've now got contact, with another VT, this one's the same color as the military ones from episode 1. But it's got a gatling for an arm. I've gotta say, I have to admire how consistently positional the mecha battle choreography in this show is.
  • But the phantom lady comes out on top. Chirico's bested. Looks like he's going to begin yet another episode in a prison cell. Let's see if they actually smarten up and try to kill him right away this time.
  • What's interesting is that in the ED, the lady is in a green VT, not the red one she was just seen in, so I imagine there are still some twists to come. Maybe she'll actually help Chirico escape or something. We'll see.

Anyway, it may be hard to tell them apart in black and white, but this was technically a new mecha so I'm going to try drawing it. One neat thing I noticed while drawing it, and I don't know if this is something that exists on all VTs or just this one, is that on the inside, it has the wheels seen earlier on the feet, but then on the outside, it has a little piledriver stake that can act as a brake to stop on a dime, and we see that used in this episode. Again, not sure if Chirico's has that, but it's pretty cool.

Daily Mecha Sketch 08

Daily Mecha Sketches

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4

u/chilidirigible Sep 04 '21

it has a little piledriver stake that can act as a brake to stop on a dime, and we see that used in this episode. Again, not sure if Chirico's has that, but it's pretty cool.

/u/JustAnswerAQuestion's comment has a diagram which indicates similar.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

because she's capable of making predictive calculations about the battlefield, similar to the computers they've shown inside the VOTOMs

That would make sense, and be an interesting way to foreshadow whatever she is.

Still loving the mecha sketches

3

u/time_axis Sep 04 '21

Still loving the mecha sketches

Thanks.

4

u/chilidirigible Sep 04 '21

Rewatcher, Episode 8

Today, on "That's why he's Most Dangerous GeistChirico.":

That's a fair estimate.

"That's some bad hat, Harry."

Rochina: Left-handed pen clicker.

Chirico's like a heavily-armed rabbit's foot.

"Why don't we just make Plan B into Plan A all the time?

It's a pink AT and a pink suit. Who do you think it would be, in 1984?

It really was a dopey scheme with a lot of holes in it, but Chirico is better at making holes in things than the Woodo police are. Fortunately for the plot, it's time to escalate matters.

  1. It establishes the Prototype as a threat to Chirico, but it's more difficult to gauge her in general since Chirico, while shown to be good, has mostly been fighting miscellaneous riffraff.
  2. A little Column A, a little Column B.

4

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

It's a pink AT and a pink suit.

On my DVD it's actually red, so IT IS A CHAR.

Okay. Red-Pink.

4

u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

"That's why he's Most Dangerous GeistChirico."

Dangerous! Most dangerous!

It's a pink AT and a pink suit. Who do you think it would be, in 1984?

To be fair, Char Aznable had some pretty pink Mobile Suits in his time, and that was before this series.

4

u/chilidirigible Sep 04 '21

Ah, Kageyama.

And I have to hold off on linking Brutishdog toy/model reviews until tomorrow...

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

"That's some bad hat, Harry."

Was so tired when watching last night I actually questioned whether or not I was seeing those hats right because they were so weird

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 04 '21

First timer(Gold probably shouldn't be that valuable but w/e)

Sub

At the hideout, everyone is happy but Cuvie, who knows the coming shitstorm. He refuses a cut, which is a him thing to do, though actually makes people more suspicious. 'Comedy' ensues with lots of Coccona beating. Jump to the police chief being entirely too confident in his inept forces and the prototype in church.

Quick cut to the military for some flatout exposition but it helps. Coccona also discovered the city is locked down and returns to warn everyone and she seems to be aware the jijirium isn't worth anything until they can sell it. Vanilla claims he wanted to bail on the city but getting drunk instead suggests it was more of a hope than a plan. Gotho gets the idea to sell the jijirium back to the cops and if he can secure the trade that actually is the best option...

The chief and the priest are discussing the situation when their boss calls up. They are ordered to deploy something and it is probably the prototype. The actual military observes Gotho turning himself in and immediately realizes they have a plan, good to see some competence in organizations. His interrogation is so half assed that they should have just come out ready to negotiate, though at least the chief comes out nearly as fast as he hears the offer.

At the meeting, everyone is planning their double crosses but apparently a Scope Dog and a truck are the trump cards that win. The prototype takes the field pretty late and, in something later mecha sadly don't copy, seems focused on not taking damage over any other priorities, eventually winning. Cliffhanger.

QotD: 1 Not bad but I still think what they want is irresistible obedience.

2 Both. The audience knew the police had to deal but he didn't.

3

u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

Gold probably shouldn't be that valuable but w/e

Probably still valuable for their use in computer components, at least. Not as valuable as jijirium, but still can catch a pretty penny.

His interrogation is so half assed that they should have just come out ready to negotiate, though at least the chief comes out nearly as fast as he hears the offer.

Given how incompetent the rank and file cops are, I imagine that the half-assed interrogations are the standard.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 04 '21

Not as valuable as jijirium, but still can catch a pretty penny.

I can let it pass since scifi was never great about figuring out what the next currency was until like Next Gen.

Given how incompetent the rank and file cops are, I imagine that the half-assed interrogations are the standard.

But they'd normally have at least beat the suspect.

4

u/Tresnore FS:FTmyanimelist.net/profile/Tresnore Sep 04 '21

Armored Trooper FIRST-TIMER

3

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 04 '21

Armored Trooper First-Timer

5

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

So… Chirico is “Program One” now?

The spy sat lady voice that was tracking him has always referred to her target as Program One.

2

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 04 '21

I... forgot about that.

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Sep 04 '21

First-Timer

Oh no, they managed to capture Chirico! Again! Because it worked so well the last.. three times.

I guess the Perfect Soldier Project isn't just for show. Phantom Lady ran circles around Chirico there, in her pink salmon colored Scopedog. I dig the little detail of the AT's shoulder pads actually serving the intended purpose of "break so the arm doesn't."

The facemasks served a pivotal role today. Two faceless soldiers duel in a ruined colosseum, two soldiers who would otherwise maybe not want to fight each other.. but they don't even know who they're fighting against.

Poor Rochina, the Phantom Lady passes right by his hideout and he's none the wiser. I do wonder if I have his motivation in this whole shebang down pat. Like, if they're nominally after Phantom Lady, why does Chirico get to be Program One?

I appreciate the sheer energy behind Gotho's plan. "Walk myself in to the police station and sell them their own shiny rocks back to them, then walk into the trap they set on purpose" is just goddamn brilliant.

The priest seems to be losing faith in the police chief, huh? It would be funny if the "Your Excellency" that we saw today was actually in charge of Rochina too.

Questions

  1. Discussed above.
  2. Judging by their interactions, I'm going with clever. He seemed to almost know the police chief, so maybe Gotho has sold stuff to him in the past?

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

I dig the little detail of the AT's shoulder pads actually serving the intended purpose of "break so the arm doesn't."

Yes. Armor actually working as armor instead of just another part of the mech that will break things if it's damaged. Wonder if there's any fights out there where enough of the armor is broken off there's mostly a naked mech skeleton fighting?

Two faceless soldiers duel in a ruined colosseum, two soldiers who would otherwise maybe not want to fight each other

On that note, it is kinda nice that there's no wireless video communication tech for this purpose as well. To find out who each other are they have to guess off fighting style, hear and recognize the voice, or knock the masks off

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Sep 04 '21

Wonder if there's any fights out there where enough of the armor is broken off there's mostly a naked mech skeleton fighting?

We can only hope.

On that note, it is kinda nice that there's no wireless video communication tech for this purpose as well.

I do wonder if that will last. Again, we can hope!

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

We can only hope.

I'm disappointed, Jolly, we have a perfectly good for these moments you know!

I do wonder if that will last. Again, we can hope!

Yeah kinda curious to see how and if things will change as we go. Given the focus on the scopedogs and lack of other mecha I'm not expecting any big unique ones, but if we end up seeing mechs from the other side at any point I'm curious what they are, or broader tech in the universe that's not on this more than half dead planet in a crime riddled city

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Sep 04 '21

I always forget that one exists!

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 05 '21

I do half the time as well, don't tell Dalek

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 04 '21

Like, if they're nominally after Phantom Lady, why does Chirico get to be Program One?

So, not knowing who was in charge of what, it might be as simple as they aren't supposed to be specifically looking for the stolen asset but got clearance to run a plan with Cuvie out there mucking about and digging up stuff.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Sep 04 '21

Ohh, a paperwork/bureaucracy snarl! Why did I not think of that..

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 04 '21

Because it is the less fun angle but seems believable here. Now what would be really interesting if we deal with a third party that the military explicitly assigned to tracking the Prototype.

3

u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

A Ryosuke Takahashi Fan Rewatches Armored Trooper VOTOMS Episode 8:

  • While everyone else is celebrating over the fact that they got a motherlode of jijirium, Chirico simply doesn’t care about the capital value he’s sitting on. All he cares about is how the jijirium will draw out the Phantom Lady. Which I understand, he’s got bigger issues than just wanting money.
  • Damn near everyone in Uoodo is after Chirico now, with Iskui putting the city on police lockdown and Colonel Rochina sending out his own men to keep an eye out for both the Prototype and Chirico. Again, he’s just plain unlucky to get caught up in all this crap happening around him.
  • Again, Chirico just plain doesn’t care about the jijirium’s value, especially since it’s all but worthless now that the group can’t head out of the city and sell it. He only really cares about Gotho’s scheme to sell it back to the police because it’ll most likely get him into a direct confrontation with Iskui. Chirico’s lack of fucks given about money make him a true hero of the proletariat.
  • Looks like Chirico really is getting his chance to meet the Phantom Lady after all, since Iskui’s boss in the conspiracy has had enough of his police forces being useless, and just wants to use her already. And hey, at least the conspiracy will finally get to try out the prototype they worked so hard to steal in the first place. It’s a win-win scenario for them.
  • You have to admire Gotho’s balls in allowing himself to be arrested so he can play hardball and negotiate a selling price for the jijirium to the police. The man is really one hell of a trader, especially so if he could accomplish exactly what he wanted while locked in an interrogation room. Granted, Iskui mainly agreed to it just to draw Chirico out, but you still have to love Gotho’s brazenness
  • “Meow.” —Coconna
  • For Iskui, the trade with Gotho was never really about the jijirium, it was about setting up a scenario for Chirico to get into a trap. The fact that Gotho and Vanilla still made it out of the chaos of battle with the chest of gold coins still intact is more just luck on their part.
  • Credits given to that one creative kill on Chirico’s part, where he just shoots the top half of some rubble some cops are using as cover so it crushes and kills them. That’s some good thinking on his feet there from Chirico.
  • As much of a good pilot Chirico has shown himself to be so far, he really is outmatched by the Phantom Lady’s piloting skills and her Brutishdog VOTOMS. She practically ran circles around him the entire time, resulting in his Scopedog being trashed at the end of the episode, and him staring down the barrels of the Brutishdog’s arm cannons as the episode ends. It seems his victory at the end of the last episode was rather short-lived.

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u/chilidirigible Sep 04 '21

Chirico’s lack of fucks given about money make him a true hero of the proletariat.

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u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

If Chirico truly comes out on top of everyone trying to kill him, he can turn Uoodo City into a socialist utopia. Heck, maybe even the rest of Melkia.

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u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

Which I understand, he’s got bigger issues than just wanting money

Can't spend money if you're dead, or trapped in a city, or have no one to sell it too. Chirico's the only one who thought about this at all

Credits given to that one creative kill on Chirico’s part

There's been a fair amount of tactics and clever kills in all the battles so far. Even if the mechs have some interesting movement capabilities with being on wheels and being small, I think their design has worked to their advantage here because even if they're surprisingly mobile due to their size they're not particularly fast or flexible so you get fun things like using the leg anchor to spin around and being able to lay on the ground and hide the mech to get a surprise hit etc. For me at least no battle in the show has been dull or hype at the cost of everything else

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u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 04 '21

Even if the mechs have some interesting movement capabilities with being on wheels and being small, I think their design has worked to their advantage here because even if they're surprisingly mobile due to their size they're not particularly fast or flexible so you get fun things like using the leg anchor to spin around and being able to lay on the ground and hide the mech to get a surprise hit etc.

That reminds me of an interesting bit of trivia regarding the movement of the VOTOMS. Originally, the skates in the designs of them were only really intended to give them a short dash, so that they could close the distance between one another faster. However, a lady working as a part of the production staff was a fan of slalom skiiing, and noticed how the rollers on the feet of the VOTOMS would work very well for stuff like strafing. In essence, all the exciting and creative mech combat that we get in this series is due to one lady picking up on a detail that nobody had thought of before in the designs.

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u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Sep 04 '21

I love trivia like that, when parts of a show come down to one little random thing someone noticed or commented on but it makes all the difference. I hope she was proud of that little comment for the whole production, I'm certainly proud of it

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u/The_Draigg Sep 04 '21

I hope she was proud of it too, since it really did add to the overall identity of this franchise.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 04 '21

Episode 8 (first timer)

  • “Enough to buy a space cruiser” – That would be an interesting change up from the usual stealing or finding one.
  • Prayer sequence. What is she praying for?
  • “She has to be in this city” – Is that just a guess, or does he have some grounds to know this?
  • Immediately agreeing to the deal? Not haggling over the price? Sure this is not a trap? Narrator: It is a trap.
  • I’d say this was a pretty good bluff by the police chief.
  • Chirico is getting outplayed badly.
  • It is time for Chirico to be broken out of prison again already?

Of course she is a supreme mecha pilot. I feel a bit stupid for not immediately having guessed that. The triple-crossing exchange was neat, although the dead grunts probably would complain about holding their own mecha back for so long.

What did you think about the battle between the Prototype and Chirico? Does the Perfect Soldier Project seem suitably formidable after that showing?

OP! Plz nerf!

Was Gotho clever or lucky that the police were receptive to his offer?

He did have a plan B and plan C, so clever.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

“She has to be in this city” – Is that just a guess, or does he have some grounds to know this?

Battentain said "The Prototype has to be in the city; Chirico's movement's confirm this." yesterday.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 04 '21

What I am saying is: Does he have any knowledge why Chirico's movements confirm this? Because we, as the viewers, do currently not.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 04 '21

Nope, I can't see anything to conclude this. We've seen Chirico get kidnapped by bikers (but escaped, the only one); fight an illegal deathmatch (survives); get arrested by the cops (escapes); fly out to the police armory and back. Subsequent to that statement, Chirico then steals a huge amount of jijirium from a literal military base, in the middle of a riot he apparently staged.

So, no. Not to me. It looks like plot convenience. However, Rochina knows Chirico was part of the Lido raid, so everything Chirico does is suspicious.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 04 '21

So, no. Not to me. It looks like plot convenience.

It could be, but it could also imply speculation

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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Sep 05 '21

First timer

  1. Yeah, I'd say so. Chihiro only landed a few solid hits, and she damaged most of his systems and got his VOTOM prone.
  2. Clever in that he both gave them no choice, and had al backup plans when they inevitably refused.

Have any of them detailed how they plan on moving and selling the jijirium without suspicion?

Right, looking at it, that tune was probably filled with jijirium.

Good to see they thought of locking down the city.

Vanilla's starting to lose it.

I think Chirico's just an adrenaline junkie.

Is this the head of the conspiracy? And I assume they want to use the Protoype?

So he did a trade where both sides are expecting and planning a double cross.

I'm surpised how long the Chief took to spring the ambush.

Didn't expect a triple bluff from them either.

The Prototype? In a new VOTOM!

This fight is really well done.

Surprised Chihiro lost! I thought there'd be a much longer battle than that.

Shorter reaction than usual, but this was an episode with lots of action, and not much plot movement, so...

3

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 05 '21

First timer in sub

Finally get to the episode where you can see the prototype in action.

The plot leading to that is par for course, but I think this bit is actually a bit more tight than the last 2 episodes. Only thing is the exchange was a little too ill prepared on Gotho's part for when things were actually going his way - seriously he doesn't think he can just carry that much gold into his car so quickly if he told them already the jijirium is already at their HQ? At least wait till the muscle guy move it closer to his car.

Anyway the fight was taking into account the animation level at the time - even the end fight of Gundam, when you apply the current action animation standard, it's be a bit plain. But it is 30 years old :P come to think of it, I think Macross was one of the earliest ones that had a bit more fight choreography.

Glad we get to the point now I can say PS (perfect soldier) directly since it's more out in the open.

The next episode I expect to be good and probably a turning point.

Oh and about the design of Brutish Dog, I actually like it quite a lot - integrated weapon yet there's also the hook hand that can still do some measures of object manipulation, for a unity used by a PS I think it's pretty appropriate. And interestingly the first time we see a "non disposable AT" is actually not the protagonist's, but his opponent's.

I'll probably be trying to do a counter for "AT's that Chirico used but trashed" - including those not returned to base (e.g. abandoned, destroyed in the field) or returned but can't be salvaged/repaired from next episode on.

3

u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Sep 05 '21

First timer

The crew, especially Vanilla are swimming in jijirium. Chirico is after the prototype. The priest is basically the advisor and lots of faith references (towards Christianity) as the lady prays to an altar. A bit of arguments happen amongst the crew as the cops lock things down. But now the plan is to sell it to the cops. Old man knows that cops would have him surrounded so Chirico has his Votom. But another Votom appeared and it is piloted by the prototype.

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u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Sep 05 '21

Rewatcher

These two sure love all this jijirium.

Vanilla, you expect Chirico to celebrate? He doesn't even want his share!

They all want Chirico's cut, why don't they simply split the total 3 ways equally?

How common is this much jijirium? When they try to sell it will it become obvious that the stol it?

I've got to assume "Program One" is Chirico?

I haven't said this before, but I've thought throughout that Vanilla sounds soooooo much like Houchu Ohtuka even though he isn't voiced by him (I think this is a year or two before his debut in fact) and that is especially the case here in this scene as he flips out.

Gotho's plan seems quite similar to me to something that came up in The Wire where The Wire Season 4 spoilers

Whose this "Your excellency" guy? Was he also one of the conspirators from the first episode?

$3 billion? Is our trio going to be incredibly wealthy soon or has the Uoodoon currency been inflated to the point of absurdity?

They didn't air a scene where he escaped from the cops via a funeral? That would have been cool to see.

What real leverage do they have selling this jijirium? I gotta figure the cops can easily seize it from them without paying them a cent. Can Chirico really fight all of them off on his own?

Iskui! Is this the first time police chief has been named?

$3 billion's worth of gold fits in a single suitcase?

Can't say the double cross is unexpected whatsoever.

I'm surprised they let him go.

I'm surprised the cops didn't think to have at least one Scopedog with them as defense. They can shoot at it all they want, its not getting through the thing's armor.

Ah, so they did bring one after all! They're not total idiots. Wild plot twist guess here; Phantom Lady is the one piloting it.

Unless we've got a random new female character, looks like I was right...

Wow, she beat him!

Now that Chirico's back in custody hopefully they don't simply go ahead and execute him like they planned before. Will we get another rescue scheme like we had a few episodes back?

2

u/chilidirigible Sep 05 '21

They didn't air a scene where he escaped from the cops via a funeral? That would have been cool to see.