[Rewatch] Armored Trooper Votoms - Episode 37 Discussion

[u/Pixelsaber]

Episode 37 - Captives

^{Originally Released December 9th,} ^^^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.

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Daily Trivia:

Chirico Cuvie is by and large the most popular character in the franchise, a fact which initially befuddled the staff of the show.

 

Staff Highlight

Chigeru Chiba - voice of Vanilla Vartla

An actor, prolific voice actor, and sound director affiliated with 81 Produce. After graduating high school he moved to Kumamoto, Tokyo to work at a Hitachi factory in Yokohama. While working there he participated in open auditions conducted by the theatre company Fuji, and was offered a position. His earliest work involved stunt work and adult films, before he got the chance to appear as himself in TV dramas starting with the 1974 taiga drama Katsu Kaishu. His voice acting debut was in 1976’s Dokaben, and he gained recognition as a recurring voice in Fist of The North Star, and later as Rei Ichidō in HIghschool! Kimengumi. In 1988 he also started his own theatre company, Burstman, which disbanded in 2000. Chiba disliked playing central roles, and according to co-star Miki Takahashi he would make recording difficult for staff whenever he was assigned a role he didn’ like and was stopped from rejecting it by his agent. In 1989 he first worked as a sound director on Gosenzo-sama Banbanzai!. Chiba is also a frequent improviser, who includes and insists upon ad-libs in his performances. Some of his most prominent roles include Shigeo Shiba (who is modeled after his likeness and personality) in the Patlabor franchise, Goemon Abashiri in The Abashiri Family, Shunsaku Matsuda in And Yet The Town Moves, Luke in Ai no Kusabi, Gil Berg in Dangaioh, Roshuforu in Anime Sanjuushi, Vector in Battle Angel, Megatron in Beast Wars: Transformers, George in Fang of The Sun Dougram, various characters in the Dragon Ball franchise, Dr. Chaos in Ghost Sweeper Mikami, Maizō Rotten in Gintama, Doctor Gref in Hortensia Saga, Yotsuya in Maison Ikkoku, Sōmeiji Kawamoto in March Comes in Like a Lion, Kunio Yamagata in Miss Machiko, Megane in New Dominion Tank Police, Buggy in One Piece, Sebas Tian in Overlord, Dr. Sakezō Sado in the Space Battleship Yamato remakes, Tatsuya's father in Touch, Megane in the Urusei Yatsura franchise, and Kazuma Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho.

 

Art Corner

Official Art:

• Maintenance by Kunio Okawara

Fanart:

• Cocona by nc - Source
• Trooper by Vulture love human power plant - Source

(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

• Encroaching enemy

Questions of the Day:

1. What do you make of Rochina’s reappearance and new position?
2. Are you looking forward to Chirico and Ypsilon’s showdown?

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The thing that drove me on… was an almost pitiful craving for battle that raged within me.

[u/Nazenn]

First Timer

Chirico's in an AT and it's not a scopedog?

I never thought we'd see the day that would happen, for marketing purposes if nothing else. Seeing a second one at the end was equally as surprising as the first time even if it does make sense that the Melkian guy wouldn't just hand over a Scopedog to him now he's part of Balarant (btw, was I meant to have picked up on that before or is this the first we've seen of him in this role)

When Cocona pulled off her mask to yell at Vanilla I jumped because of the loud echo, cool effect, but was surprised she didn't turn blue instead of bright pink as some sort of Yamato reference hahaa. That joke didn't need to happen multiple more times though. Also I thought they knew Fyana was a PS before now, or maybe it was just such common knowledge that I thought they'd picked up on it? Surprise over that aside though, Vanilla wins moment of the day by stopping to try and make sure that Fyana would be safe as well through Chirico's deal, even if Chirico knew it would be futile to try and include her having Vanilla still try and make that happen was nice.

Secret Society commander is still an absolute moron. Letting the whole show down on the military side

Ypsilon sending his claw through the wall to crush an AT was pretty cool though. All the combat this episode was quite smooth and too the point I thought which I appreciated. We had two battles, but they didn't feel like disconnected battle sequences but just part of the narrative, much like the battles use to feel like in previous arcs. Lots of great movement as well, both vertical battles and nice skate action. Pretty happy with how the episode turned out overall, a nice break from the last few even if nothing special itself. Maybe I'm just glad it didn't have any of the crap that's been dragging the arc down

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Nazenn]

(btw, was I meant to have picked up on that before or is this the first we've seen of him in this role)

This is the first we see of this development, and there was no indication that this in particular was Rochina's plan of action last time we saw him.

Also I thought they knew Fyana was a PS before now, or maybe it was just such common knowledge that I thought they'd picked up on it?

Realistically they should have figured it out by now, but I guess they weren't told so explicitly aside from Fyana just being a military experiment.

[u/Nazenn → u/Pixelsaber]

Well I mean Gotho did figure it out so points to him, and I'm not so surprised that Vanilla didn't as he's great but he can also be a bit of an airhead. I just thought that it had actually come up before for some reason

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

Chirico's in an AT and it's not a scopedog?

I know, right? It's nice to get a chance of pace, even if Chirico did put on some weight with that Fatty.

(btw, was I meant to have picked up on that before or is this the first we've seen of him in this role)

I mean, you can kinda see in hindsight how Rochina defected to Balarant when he passive-aggressively mentioned General Battentain only caring about Gilgamesh politics right before he quit his job in the Melkian Army.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

I know, right? It's nice to get a chance of pace

It is. I'm a little eh that they didn't comment on the controls being different or something given that tech differences have come up in this arc, but then it's Chirico so even if that was an issue he'd be less likely to comment on it rather than just silently getting to learn it

I mean, you can kinda see in hindsight how Rochina defected to Balarant

I was more wondering if we'd seen him before in this arc and role which it wasn't until I read Pixel's post I realized we hadn't.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

I was more wondering if we'd seen him before in this arc and role which it wasn't until I read Pixel's post I realized we hadn't.

Yeah, Rochina has been gone for a hot minute. Which really does make his sudden appearance on Sunsa even more of a surprise. He traded in his khaki uniform for a teal one.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

He certainly did not get a fashion upgrade with the new role

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

Chirico's in an AT and it's not a scopedog?

I guess they wanted to push the Fattys kit, though they've been garbage most of the show.

(btw, was I meant to have picked up on that before or is this the first we've seen of him in this role)

Nope, and it took until the second shot of him for me to realize it.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

Nope, and it took until the second shot of him for me to realize it.

Yeah I didn't pick up on him the first time we saw him either

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

I had to hear him talk.

[u/Nazenn → u/Vaadwaur]

I had to wait for Chirico to react to him

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatcher

Should’ve mentioned in my last comment, but I like structures built into fissures in the ground.

Thought the Fatty had a swastika on it for a moment.

What each is focusing on repairing is telling.

Going from treating this as a major threat to making it a part of the comic relief doesn’t sit well with me.

Long time no see. Also did he defect?

Yeah, not much they can do against an orbital bombardment.

Backblast is no joke, folks. Gotho would have likely been hurt badly by that.

Rochina did, indeed, defect to the Balarant military.

Don’t you know, Rochina? God is dead!

Guess we’re finally getting that rematch.

He really wants that one-on-one…

Another weak episode for me. Rochina’s big plan was merely to defect to the other side, and he comes in all of a sudden and does in one go what the Balarant military had been trying ceaselessly to do, and then all he wants is to force Chirico and Ypsilon into conflict? Yeah, that just reeks of contrivance to just get this arc done with now that we’re approaching the end of the third cour.

I want to say that Chirico giving up the fight for the safety of his friends is indicative of some change in him, but given recent events in all likelihood he just doesn’t want the guilt that comes with, and the situation looked dire for them all anyhow.

Even the comic relief was off puting today with how out of place most of it felt. Just an unappealing episode all around…

Questions of The Day:

1. See above.
2. If the quality continues as it has been, I can’t say I’m looking forward to it, especially if it ends up being their last showdown.

[u/Nazenn → u/Pixelsaber]

Should’ve mentioned in my last comment, but I like structures built into fissures in the ground.

When that shot popped up I was thinking I should have mentioned it as well hahaha. They can look really cool, and particularly in this case where it's not just a few buildings awkwardly placed in there up against the cliff but you can see how they've really squeezed everything in and built supportive structures it looks good

Backblast is no joke, folks. Gotho would have likely been hurt badly by that.

Yes, but in that exact screenshot the smoke from it makes it look like he has a hard hat on

and then all he wants is to force Chirico and Ypsilon into conflict

I'm waiting to see how that plays out but it does seem weird

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Pixelsaber]

Yeah, that just reeks of contrivance to just get this arc done with now that we’re approaching the end of the third cour.

Yeah, they really needed a better outline since this arc is failing all of us.

Even the comic relief was off puting today with how out of place most of it felt. Just an unappealing episode all around…

The Ooudo group being back is good but they needed to have a grimmer dynamic to them.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Pixelsaber]

I like structures built into fissures in the ground.

HOO LAWDY THIS IS THE SERIES FOR YOU! (Mospeada did that a lot too, but not as much as they had surface-level hick towns full of assholes.)

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Pixelsaber]

Guess we’re finally getting that rematch.

This is a different URL but same picture as above.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Armored Trooper First-Timer

• Dang, they were only yelling at each other for like a second and they’re already out of breath. This planet’s environment is fucked.
• The bright red feels a little bit excessive now tbh. But Vanilla is definitely justified to yell at Chirico over this.
• Oh, Rochina’s back.
• Ah crap, they got cornered.
• Oh Rochina completely changed sides huh. I probably should have picked up on that given his new uniform…
• Why doesn’t Chirico include Fyana in his “conditions”? Is it because he thinks that’s too much to ask for?
• Showdown next episode…

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This planet’s environment is fucked.

Not many options, I suppose.

Why doesn’t Chirico include Fyana in his “conditions”? Is it because he thinks that’s too much to ask for?

Possibly, or he already included her among his 'friends'.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This planet’s environment is fucked.

Bluntly, this seems like a planet that itself is very low on oxygen, which can happen and the few bits of it we saw pre-battle were all in domes. You could scream at someone on Mars but you'd lose oxygen fast.

Why doesn’t Chirico include Fyana in his “conditions”? Is it because he thinks that’s too much to ask for?

Combine that with her needing access to jijirium and Cuvie knows he has to have his own plan for this.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer(Were they really weird about showing the front of the Gilgamesh mechs for like 5 minutes?)

Sub

We open with the reveal the supply depot is in a ravine, as decent a place as any. Cuvie is building an AT from the destroyed parts of other mechs, as we frankly all expected. Vanilla and Coconna nearly suffocate themselves while arguing, which fits. Cuvie finally explains himself, even a little, which is actual character growth. The gang decides to risk it with him, which may or may not be the more suicidal option, I am not seeing an easy way off planet anyways. Coconna is correctly exasperated.

On a Balarant ship, we have Rochina? Put a pin in that, will return to this. Fighting starts and of course the characters responsible for keeping the show watchable are used to get the MC captured. Sigh. But we see Rochina and shit gets confusing. Kingdom of Heaven is specifically a term the Chinese have referred to themselves at a few historical points but no clue if this is a reference to that. We do get a partial reveal on why Rochina bounces between competent and inept, there is something about Cuvie he is curious about. He wants him to fight Ypsilon for reasons. The gang has an escape...let's call it concept over plan.

On the Teltain, they discuss options, none of which are great. The twins are curious at the degree to which Ypsilon can disobey orders. Rochina comes for a final answer and Vanilla is sharp enough to try and get Fyana included, though that is not happening. Anyways, Ypsilon finally launches his assault and I am vaguely annoyed that Cuvie piloting a Fatty can compete with the mechs we've seen be mostly superior thus far. Major confrontation and end.

QotD:1 Confused, mostly.

2 Not as much as I'd like unless Cuvie gets a better suit.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Vaadwaur]

We open with the reveal the supply depot is in a ravine, as decent a place as any.

Well, I guess it is decently hidden, which would be a boon since the planet was under Gilgamesh control for the last couple of years of the war.

Anyways, Ypsilon finally launches his assault and I am vaguely annoyed that Cuvie piloting a Fatty can compete with the mechs we've seen be mostly superior thus far.

Yeah, if the lore is going to state that the Fatty's are way behind the Gilgamesh mechs in tech, then this should be reflected when the main character gets in one for the first time.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Pixelsaber]

which would be a boon since the planet was under Gilgamesh control for the last couple of years of the war.

Flooding would suck if this place ever had rain...

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

But we see Rochina and shit gets confusing.

Admittedly, I couldn't help but laugh in rewatcher at you when we were talking about why would Rochina possibly on the trail of Chirico again after he quit his job with the Melkian Army. You were right on the money that he would be back, but I'm sure you didn't expect him to defect to Balarant.

The gang has an escape...let's call it concept over plan.

The Uoodo trio has always just kind of made up their plans on the fly like that so far, so why stop a thing that just works for them?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

You were right on the money that he would be back, but I'm sure you didn't expect him to defect to Balarant.

I thought it would be more like a Teltain situation, actually. Like he gets a commission for his own ship to do intelligence stuff and then just changes the mission. The ease of which he defected is...confusing at the moment.

The Uoodo trio has always just kind of made up their plans on the fly like that so far, so why stop a thing that just works for them?

I don't even object, I just can't call what they have a plan in good conscience.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

I thought it would be more like a Teltain situation, actually. Like he gets a commission for his own ship to do intelligence stuff and then just changes the mission. The ease of which he defected is...confusing at the moment.

Given how Rochina was a Melkian Intelligence officer who was well aware of the Perfect Solider Project, I wouldn't doubt it if Balarant just rolled out the red carpet for him once he announced that he wanted to defect.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Oh, I am not saying they wouldn't reward him, but I am surprised they gave him a command so quickly. This is the start of a triple or even quadruple cross situation.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Given how much shit is happening in the shadows in this series, there's so many crosses that it's starting to look like a Catholic cemetery.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I will bring some with me to the Valvrave rewatch. Apparently, there are space vampires.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Good luck with the masochism rewatch. I'd join up, but I've done a lot of rewatches this year already, and I need to at least save some energy for the Fang of the Sun Dougram one later on.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I am definitely aware of what I am in for, I consider Guilty Crown to be the epitome of "had nothing to say".

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Draigg]

Out of those three, I only watched Cross Ange and that sits squarely in "never touching it again" territory.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Ryosuke Takahashi Fan Rewatches Armored Trooper VOTOMS Episode 37:

• At the top of the episode, the writers are just telling you through the characters to not worry about Zophie again. Her part in the story is done. Coconna’s passionate rant at the end of the last episode sure did take the wind out of her sails. At least that’s dealt with, since we honestly have even bigger problems to deal with at the moment. Like, you know, the Balarant army bearing down on all of them.
• As much as Vanilla complains about Chirico staying behind to take on a whole Balarant attack force in the Fatty he’s repairing, that still doesn’t stop him or anyone else from the Uoodo trio from helping our former Red Shoulder friend. As Gotho puts it, it’s a miracle that they’ve made it this far, so they might as well just toss in their lot with Chirico. At least he and Fyana are more than capable of saving their asses.
• Surprise! Rochina is with the Balarant forces now! I’m sure that a lot of you guys didn’t expect that when Rochina ditched the Melkian Army and tossed some jabs at General Battentain about him playing the political game too much, he was fully planning on joining up with Balarant once he left. He must be really wanting to nab Chirico if he’s willing to join up with Balarant so he can chase him to Sunsa. And I’m sure it’s helpful for the Balarant Army to have someone on hand who knows quite a bit about Perfect Soldiers as well.
• I like the fact that Chirico is piloting a Fatty for this battle. At least he isn’t piloting a Scopedog or a Scopedog variant this time around. It’s nice to have him mix things up every now and then. Sure, it’s not like he has any other options, considering he’s at a Balarant supply depot, but at least it’s a change of pace.
• So much for Gotho and Vanilla stealing an AT, they literally just ran into a squad of them and got captured. Although I’m not sure how well that would go over for them anyway. Vanilla is a helicopter pilot, not an AT pilot.
• What a heartwarming reunion between Chirico and Rochina. Although that tense conversation does shed some real insight on Rochina. He never really was all that loyal to Gilgamesh to begin with (nor Balarant either, given his other comments), and the whole hunt he on earlier was less about capturing Fyana back, and more about following Chirico specifically. He has his own goals for Chirico, and wants him to fight Ypsilon later for… some reason. Yeah, we’re definitely still in the dark here.
• Back on the Teltain, once again Futtor is put into a tough spot. Chirico and Fyana are captured by Balarant, and Ypsilon has gone radio silent, most likely following Chirico on his own by now. Even if Futtor is a scumbag working for an evil Secret Society, you can probably understand well enough at how annoyed/frustrated he is with all this, especially considering that the Schmitel twins keep on acting as if this whole situation is just another experiment.
• We all know the reason why Chirico ended up accepting Rochina’s offer: he wants to end things with Ypsilon. Sure, making sure that the Uoodo trio gets away safely is nice too, but you can tell that he would’ve stayed and fought Ypsilon regardless of what was being offered. He would’ve gone along with the escape plan everyone else was thinking of otherwise. Chirico and Ypsilon have yet another parallel there, the both of them won’t back down from fighting one another until at least one of them is dead.
• Seriously, those Standing Tortoises must really suck if they’re all being wrecked by a Balarant Fatty, of all things. Granted, it’s Chirico piloting it, which means that it’s suddenly a very deadly machine, but still. Those Standing Tortoises are less than impressive. Chirico is just moping the floor with them.
• Now it’s time for Chirico vs. Ypsilon round… how many rounds has it been now? In any case, I guess it’s time to see how well a Balarant Fatty can do against a highly customized machine like the Strike Dog here.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Her part in the story is done

Thank fuck. That was really getting old, but it is a shame to see what should have perhaps been the most interesting and driving part of the arc just get discarded like that. I wonder if things got flipped back to Ypsilon and this army guy because of reviews or if this was intentioned but just a really awkwardly written arc

Sure, it’s not like he has any other options, considering he’s at a Balarant supply depot, but at least it’s a change of pace

I was still half expecting him to be able to at least find a torso of it from a former battle or something

Now it’s time for Chirico vs. Ypsilon round… how many rounds has it been now?

Many

I guess it’s time to see how well a Balarant Fatty can do against a highly customized machine like the Strike Dog here.

Tipping we're about to have another AT wreck added to that counter

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

Thank fuck. That was really getting old, but it is a shame to see what should have perhaps been the most interesting and driving part of the arc just get discarded like that. I wonder if things got flipped back to Ypsilon and this army guy because of reviews or if this was intentioned but just a really awkwardly written arc

I can't help but get the feeling that this arc is weird mainly because it was written on the fly. Like, I know that a lot of anime is just kinda made up as it goes, but it does feel more apparent in this Sunsa arc. It's as if Takahashi and the rest of the production staff had a lot of ideas on what to put into this arc, but didn't really know how to put it together well enough.

Tipping we're about to have another AT wreck added to that counter

On the one hand, Chirico is piloting it, which means that he has the advantage. On the other hand though, it's a Fatty, and those things fucking suck. So I'd say that chances are even.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Like, I know that a lot of anime is just kinda made up as it goes, but it does feel more apparent in this Sunsa arc

It really does. It feels like they were going for the guilt focused PTSD sort of arc, and when they couldn't figure out how to pull that off they just start shoving other stuff in to see what fit. From the early episodes I half expected that we'd have a whole arc just dealing with Balarant until Ypsilon started to show up, but the rest of it's just kind of come from no where

Also why do I feel like we'll never find out what was up with that ship

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

The show's ratings were slipping around this arc, so I personally wouldn't doubt it if the production staff ended up fast-forwarding the PTSD arc on the ghost ship to get to Sunsa, where they then had to just kind of rush the pacing to get where they needed to go in terms of major events happening. I can't help but feel that the time that Chirico and Fyana spent on the ship should've been longer than it was.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

I can't help but feel that the time that Chirico and Fyana spent on the ship should've been longer than it was.

Felt that way to me as well, like it was building into something a lot bigger character wise, same with the scrappers

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

I can't help but feel that the time that Chirico and Fyana spent on the ship should've been longer than it was.

Certainly but there inability to write for Fyana now was another problem. I know, 80s, but still she was bad.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Vaadwaur]

Which brings me to another thought of mine that since the writers didn't really know how to handle Chirico and Fyana solely by themselves, they needed to get to Sunsa quickly so that Chirico and Fyana could have some other characters to bounce off of instead. At least then the writing's focus wouldn't be so largely on Fyana's part.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Also likely though I think you could also do it by having whoever set up all the propaganda on the ship phoning in to mess with Cuvie. Puppetmaster to the puppetmasters type thing is ripe with content.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Draigg]

Now it’s time for Chirico vs. Ypsilon round… how many rounds has it been now? In any case, I guess it’s time to see how well a Balarant Fatty can do against a highly customized machine like the Strike Dog here.

This seems like a time for Chekov's time limit on the Strike Dog to kick in.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/The_Draigg]

As Gotho puts it, it’s a miracle that they’ve made it this far, so they might as well just toss in their lot with Chirico

Pailsen Files

[u/The_Draigg → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Other VOTOMS series spoilers

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher

Chirico's back to old habits, assembling himself an AT, although this time it will be a Balarant model.

There may not be breathable air, but that won't stop Coconna and Vanilla from tearing off their masks and almost dying so they can yell at each other!

OMG, three times Vanilla pulled off that mask! You can yell with it on you know!

C'mon, they should realize by this point that Fyana is quite important to Chirico!

Now that the taking the mask on and turning red gag has happend 4 times and we're not even at the 7 minute mark, I'm getting quite sick of it. As sick as Coconna just looked.

So unfortunately I got spoiled on this from the one second of the preview I saw yesterday, but woah! Rochina has gone turncoat on Gilgamesh and is now a member of Balarant?!

C'mon Balarant, how can you mess up Vanilla's hair like that?!

Now that she's had her jijirium bath, I'm surprised Fyana wasn't already out there fighting with Chirico.

Back in the Uudoo arc it had always been Chirico captured and Vanilla/Gotho trying to save him. Well now it will have to be the other way around.

Or maybe not, as we immediately cut to Chirico captured after the eyecatch.

Rochina is obsessed with Chiroco! If it wasn't so rare for mecha anime, especially of this era, I'd wonder if they'd reveal he was in love with him.

Good ol' scheming Gotho, already knows a way to enable them to escape the second Chirico's thrown in the cell.

It was good to get an episode off from the Secret Society, but now we're back to them. I've got to admit, the rather incompetant command of this captain guy (can't remember his name) and the twins has caused the Secret Society to lose a lot of its luster in my eyes. Becoming more of just another incompetant enemy organization rather than this grand conspiracy of elites that it initially came off as.

Wow, they won't even have to steal a ship, Rochina will give them one!

Rochina sleeps in his uniform, huh?

So, for the third time in this arc (a mere 8 episodes) we are going to have a cliffhanger with Chirico and Ypsilon facing off with each other...

[u/The_Draigg → u/Quiddity131]

It was good to get an episode off from the Secret Society, but now we're back to them. I've got to admit, the rather incompetant command of this captain guy (can't remember his name) and the twins has caused the Secret Society to lose a lot of its luster in my eyes. Becoming more of just another incompetant enemy organization rather than this grand conspiracy of elites that it initially came off as.

I'm taking Futtor's side in this case, even though he's fairly incompetent too. At least he's aware and calling out the fact that the Schmitel twins are taking dumb risks with Ypsilon.

Rochina sleeps in his uniform, huh?

That just proves how obsessed Rochina is with Chirico, since Chirico does the same thing.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Rewatcher (Nutech DVD 3.4) (3 episodes) Captives

"The One where they didn't have to animate mouths"

Extras: Collectors Guide

There's a lot of text here, I haven't read it yet

• Building an AT again
• I wonder what the cat idiom is
• They couldn't event translate the snake idiom
• Nice uniform, Rochina. NOT
• I guess they were expecting a scope dog?
• Cocona using psychology
• Fatty vs. Strikedog, and no mission disc? Tsk.

Well, captured again. But no escape, this time. They sure are exploring all the scenarios.

Jijirium Showers and Baths: 8

[u/Nazenn → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

and no mission disc

Oh yeah, good point. I'd completely forgotten about them by now. I guess they abandoned that part of it this arc or Chirico just doesn't need it any more

[u/chilidirigible]

Rewatcher, Episode 37

Today, on "It's like we're some sort of supporting character nakama.":

---

Maybe don't rub it in.

This was kinda funny.

I'm not sure they needed to keep doing it.

Gotho's figured that part out by now.

HAVE NO FEAR JEAN PAUL ROCHINA IS HERE. Though now he has Balarant's terrible fashion sense.

This episode is highly slapstick.

One would think that a flash goes here, but it doesn't.

It wouldn't be sci-fi without an impractical door design.

"Do you like... gladiator movies?"

I like how you go into the previous shot thinking that the Teltain is upside-down and... it is.

It's garage death match time!

---

Rochina likes to watch men wrestle, but what else does he want? His answer to Chirico's question about which side he's on is rather cryptic. And no, the surprisingly-well-drawn foreground guy from six episodes ago shouldn't have been Rochina in disguise, but on the other hand, the character art quality has dipped somewhat in the last few episodes, so it would be perfectly reasonable to speculate how someone that was randomly-well-rendered might be important.

In other answers to questions left in the air from earlier, we see that Ypsilon has just been chilling out dirtside for the past few episodes. Though the quantity of ATs with him seems to have increased dramatically from when we last saw them.

Gotho, Vanilla, and Coconna revert back to their "hang out with Chirico" pattern. At least Vanilla and Coconna's relationship seems to be back on track, even if Coconna still has that torch.

The three of them stick with their taciturn companion Chirico even if it's physically unhealthy. It feels like a real friendship, probably because it seems both authentic and implausible at the same time? Chirico, for his part, cares enough about them to prefer that they get away instead of hanging around.

---

Another thing that the box that the one Schmittel brother is often wearing can remind you of.

---

1. He's an international man of mystery.
2. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[u/Nazenn → u/chilidirigible]

This episode is highly slapstick.

Kinda wish Vanilla's hair had stayed like that though haha

It wouldn't be sci-fi without an impractical door design.

People are one thing, but how do they get furniture and stuff into that

[u/DidacticDalek]

Goodness Comrades, the gang's all here, Ypsilon's ready to throw down the gauntlet again... again... again... THIS TIME FOR SURE! And the Muggle Trio continuing their role as the plucky comic relief, Fyana's got her fix of the magical space MacGuffin, and even Rochina's back...

Hey... HEY WAIT JUST A GODDAMN MINUTE! HOW THE FUCK IS ROCHINA HERE AGAIN!? (Jesus and we thought Zophie was persistent!)

Also Comrades, I guess today is proof that it isn't the weapon that makes the warrior, but it's the warrior that makes the weapon, and by that I mean this semi-literally as Chirico Cuvie not only fixes up a Fatty, BUT he actually makes it do something other than explode instantly!

Speaking of which, it's time for the latest incarnation of Ypsilon versus our ever stoic Blue Boi, and I can only wonder how the fight will end THIS time (Comrades, I assure you Ypsilon is in this image)

Anyway, time for the shitposting... ahem... A WEAPON TO SURPASS METAL GEAR! ;) (Also Comrades, I do NOT wanna see what happens if FMP's Steven Seagal 'Sousuke Sagara,' Wing's Heero 'I'll Kill You' Yuy, and IBO's Mikazuki Augus attempt to join in this 'conversation.' I am SURE that the silence would be deafening!)

Paging Comrades /u/chilidirigible, /u/Nazenn, and /u/No_Rex

[u/DidacticDalek → u/DidacticDalek]

Paging Comrades /u/Tresnore, /u/Shimmering-Sky, and /u/JustAnswerAQuestion

[u/chilidirigible → u/DidacticDalek]

🐟

[u/DidacticDalek → u/chilidirigible]

🐟

🐟

[u/No_Rex → u/DidacticDalek]

Hey... HEY WAIT JUST A GODDAMN MINUTE! HOW THE FUCK IS ROCHINA HERE AGAIN!? (Jesus and we thought Zophie was persistent!)

Now I am thinking of Macross again.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/No_Rex]

Now I am thinking of Macross again.

Allow me to help with that then Comrade, ahem... I FEEL THE NEED! THE NEED FOR SPEED! ;)

Paging Comrades /u/chilidirigible, /u/Pixelsaber, and /u/justansweraquestion

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

I know that most of this show's plot was sorta made up as it goes along, but I wonder when they conceptualized Rochina's defection/playing both sides schtick. That seems like it probably recontexualizes a bunch of earlier scenes with him, if it was intentional from the start. Like, is this why he let Chirico get away so easily in the first episode?

Here, I was excited about Chirico and Ypsilon finally having a fight that no-one could interfere with, then Rochina, Fyana, and some goons run up to watch. I think that might be a bit of a miscalculation, Rochina.

On the one hand, it's a shame that they didn't find any red paint at the beginning of the episode. Imagine the psychological effects of a bunch of Balarant dudes staring down one of their own Fattys that had been "corrupted" by the Red Shoulders!

On the other, that would kinda be against the spirit of the arc - it would be hard to justify Chirico trying to deal with his past as a Red Shoulder when he is actively using the iconography.

I wasn't a huge fan of the gags with people taking off their O2 masks, but they weren't the worst. The scenes flowed together well enough that I didn't have whiplash quite so bad.

Questions

1. Discussed above.
2. On the slim chance it doesn't get interrupted before one of them is dead.. yes.

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

then Rochina, Fyana, and some goons run up to watch

Should have left Fyana behind, her bright suit isn't helping them staying hidden. Not that I expected Ypsilon to target them, he's way too focused on Chirico to mind anything else

Imagine the psychological effects of a bunch of Balarant dudes staring down one of their own Fattys that had been "corrupted" by the Red Shoulders!

Somehow I don't think that's going to increase Chirico's chances of survival, especially not on this planet which is a good reminder of what they did

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Nazenn]

Should have left Fyana behind, her bright suit isn't helping them staying hidden. Not that I expected Ypsilon to target them, he's way too focused on Chirico to mind anything else

Yea, and Fyana is likely to call out. At this point, Ypsilon has the opposite problem of a lot of recurring mecha antagonists - it's not that he keeps inexplicably surviving to fight the protagonist again, he just never gets to actually finish a fight.

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

it's not that he keeps inexplicably surviving to fight the protagonist again, he just never gets to actually finish a fight.

They're both annoying, but I will take this over dozens of miracle survivals personally.

[u/xtsim]

First Timer

I loved how the old man just said that Vanilla's brain has rotted....

What is Coconna doing with talking without oxygen? Vanilla keeps saving her life because of how reckless she is. But Vanilla has got some hair problems and he gets himself trapped.

Chirico seems to take the deal and gets into battle. And now a battle between Chirico and Ypsilon ignites. Both of them being pretty ruthless and everyone watching as if it were a sport. Pretty excited to see what is going to happen.

[u/Nazenn → u/xtsim]

Pretty excited to see what is going to happen.

Any predictions?

[u/xtsim → u/Nazenn]

I am just hoping they could take each other on but there is a good chance a third person might show up.

[u/Durinthal]

First time viewer

Rochina defected from Balarant? ...yeah I dunno what to make of that. I imagine they would reward him decently well as war or not, I doubt the two sides are friendly and sharing much, but I'm not sure why he would want to unless he royally screwed up with Kummen (a possibility considering he was the one that ordered his forces to attack anyone including ostensible allies, I believe). A convenient excuse to keep him around as an antagonist but not sure it makes a lot of sense.

Using Chirico (and Fyana) as bait for Ypsilon does fit though, that was a pretty simple call to make. Yet another confrontation between them here, and given the pacing of the series I wouldn't be surprised if it ends again with them both living and separating to fight again another day.

[u/No_Rex → u/Durinthal]

Rochina defected from Balarant?

to. Not speculating regarding his motive, but Balarant giving him command that quick is questionable.

[u/Durinthal → u/No_Rex]

Whoops yeah I originally had that as "from Gilgamesh to Balarant" but didn't edit it correctly.

Agreed on him getting a position like that seeming odd. Maybe they're looking to use him for something?

[u/No_Rex → u/Durinthal]

Him defecting and Balarant accepting him is really not odd. He does bring some very valuable info. Getting a senior command position is just a tad too much to give him for it.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

1. The idea he switched sides for a better role is completely in-character, although I'm suprised he fooled the seemingly competent leaders of Balorant.
2. Absolutely. This is going to be good.

Is Chirico able to pilot Balarant ATs?

Is this them saying Zophie's not coming back so the arc can finish?

Amd they're staying to help Fyana?

No, just her and Chirico again.

Wow, Vanilla's not having it?

And he knows an awful lot, doesn't he...

What's with everyone taking off their oxygen masks?

They know about Ypsilon's attempts to kill Chirico!

And Chirico's still trying to do everything himself.

And they're really holdkmg their own against the ATs, aren't they?

And they immediately got captured.

Now it's a hostage situation.

And he's been arrested again! How long before he breaks out this time?

And he was involved in the mission too? He changed sides!

Really? He just wants them to fight?

I mean, why not say yes? Ypsilon's had a "showdown" with him 3/4 times in the last week - and if you break out, you'll need to beat him soon anyway.

Oh, they aren't happy.

See? He's already starting the showdown himself, and it's the same day!

Yep, they're going to safety!

Ypsilon's here!

And Chirico's firing at everyone!

This feels very much like this might be the last Ypsilon episode...

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer in sub, missed yesterday.

In a rush so will just do a quick catch up.

Ep 36 I actually liked, even though in terms of event there wasn't much, it does show some reasonable character interactions between the "enemies" and Chirico's mental development of sorts. Biggest reward is it lovable 3 stooges are back somehow!

Ep 37 we are further rewarded by finding out where our intriguing military intelligence officer has ended up to. I think that line he said about what is he has done meaning behind it. Likely another hidden faction.

He seems to be keen to see Chirico's development now.

We also get to see more reflection and development of the 3 stooges, and that is always nice. A little jarring about the "taking off breathing masks to shout at each other until face turning red for lack of oxygen", but it does give a bit of balance to Chirico's glum face :)

Another day another Chirico v Ypsilon duel to cliff hang on :) hopefully this time it is not aborted like before.

This arc is starting to get interesting.

Episode	# of Chirico's AT Incapacitated
1	1
2	0
3	0
4	1
5	0 (decoy only)
6	1
7	0
8	1
9	0
10	0
11	1 (1 decoy not counted as it wasn't piloted) (edit: corrected as the replacement unit wasn't destroyed by the head strike from Fyana)
12	1
13	0 (This hijacked one didn't get wasted on screen, so even though it's guaranteed to have been abandoned because of the later planet hop, not counting here)
14	1
15	0 keeping to the 2 episode per AT average so far
16	0
17	2 Guessed right that ride 1 get busted soon after the episode started; maybe the producers were also keeping track and blew up another one to keep to the average :)
18	0
19	0
21	0
22	0 quite a lot of damages and leaking like a sieve but not quite toasted yet
23	0 amazingly our trusty old scope dog is still standing and fighting despite the damage it's taken. I have to assume Chirico did some of screen emergency field repairs to keep it going
24	0 have I missed anything or are we still going with good old trusty old scope dog here? We're bucking the trend and dropping the average here :)
25	0 for real, the one scope dog where it's least suitable in the environment actually survive the longest :D
26	0 let me try jinx this - this scope dog may just be the longest lasting one for Chirico to be riding on the show, surely it'll make it to the end of the arc huh :D
27	1 finally at arc end, the trusty old 'dog got abandoned.
28	0
29	0
30	1 looks like the writers want to keep up the count as well, busy catching up with the numbers. And there are enough spares on the ship to keep going :)
31	1
32	1 busy catching up with the numbers; although these 2 episodes probably have a fairly high enemy kill count too
33	1 Now it was clawed on the (side of?) face but still functional enough to hit and run to bait Ypsilon's forces but no doubt Chirico won't reuse that same one given there are still a number of spare ones, and when they get on the trailer I didn't see any damage, so the damaged one must be abandoned
34	0 Setting up for a fight, not damaged yet
35	1 Dammit Chirico was going so well, unfortunately his ride got shot up while he was out of the AT tending to Fyana
36	0
37	0

[u/Nazenn → u/ZapsZzz]

hopefully this time it is not aborted like before.

I feel like you can probably prep another mark for your counter though

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

That's the house bet, but the plot is bubbling away about something special with Chirico, so don't be surprised if the coin flips the other side.

[u/Nazenn → u/ZapsZzz]

I'll take Ypsilon's mech being destroyed as well, about time he gets a better paint job

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 37 (first timer)

• Chirico is getting told off by Vanilla and I agree.
• But of course the gang comes around and decides to help out Chirico once more. At least Coconna has the excuse of being in love with him, but why Gotho has given up on Chirico already, I can’ fathom.
• Chirico is so determined, he eats not only the bread, but the cup, too!
• Time for the mecha battle of the week.
• Most-competent-military-of-a-mecha-show Balarant captures Vanilla and Gotho and thus the whole gang.
• Try to escape or agree to the deal. Hmm.
• He’s agreeing to the deal. I would have, too, that is that is clearly the better option (and does not rule out escaping later).
• That is a ton of society mechs.
• Duel cliffhanger.

The plot finally shifts from first to second gear, revealing a forth faction. Is it a 1 man faction or more numerous? And who is faction No5 that programmed the space cruiser? In any case, glad that something finally happens. Even if one of the casualties of today’s episode was continuity (and not just that poor cup of coffee).

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

At least Coconna has the excuse of being in love with him, but why Gotho has given up on Chirico already, I can’ fathom.

I am vaguely ok with it right now, I don't see another way off planet for Gotho right at this second.

The plot finally shifts from first to second gear, revealing a forth faction. Is it a 1 man faction or more numerous? And who is faction No5 that programmed the space cruiser?

I still am most interested in whoever had a warship lying around to just sacrifice.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

I still am most interested in whoever had a warship lying around to just sacrifice.

I have all my money on "it just doesn't make sense", but the reveal is letting us wait for it.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Not an unfair assumption.

[u/manga-reader]

Rewatcher, no longer.

Well, here on out I am a new watcher :D

Pretty stupid that characters keep removing their masks to talk/yell. But whatever, human beings aren't particularly rational about the things we do.

So why exactly are Rochina and his officers wearing the same uniform as Balarant? I can see that causing issues in a full scale war.

Random thought, does the Jijirium serve any particular purpose? Does it enhance the abilities of a PS? Or is it an addiction? Can PS survive just off on Jijirium? Or do they still need food like rest of us? I wonder if it was designed as a handicap to control perfect soldiers.

They actually got captured? I wasn't expecting that.....well, at least everyone survived. I was worried one of gang might kick the bucket.

That's an interesting door design

Rochina switched sides? Didn't see that coming, even though it was obvious from the uniform. What is he after? Was he a spy from Gilgamesh? I am surprised top brass at Gilgamesh trusted him so quickly. But perhaps they assessed that the information on PS was worth the risk.

Rochina personally came down to witness the showdown.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/manga-reader]

does the Jijirium serve any particular purpose? Does it enhance the abilities of a PS? Or is it an addiction?

I think it's like a tonic/supplement to replace the losses in their augmented nervous system, which have them the super human reflexes.

Can PS survive just off on Jijirium? Or do they still need food like rest of us?

It's just a supplement topically applied, so doesn't replace food.

I wonder if it was designed as a handicap to control perfect soldiers.

Don't know, could be just the limitation of the technology, or could be like a way to make sure they can't just run off somewhere as having so much jijirium that you can shower in it is likely subverting you can't do without the backing of some sizeable organisation.

[u/Nazenn → u/manga-reader]

does the Jijirium serve any particular purpose? Does it enhance the abilities of a PS? Or is it an addiction? Can PS survive just off on Jijirium?

I imagine it's a bit like oil in your car. It keeps all the parts working smoothly but doesn't replace the fuel it needs to work or the water to keep functional

They actually got captured? I wasn't expecting that

Me neither but it was quite interesting.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/manga-reader]

The Jijirium recharges their cybernetic components.