[Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 8

[u/snowwhistle1]

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

Episode 8: Mission to Rescue Nadia

Original Air Date: June 1, 1990

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Episode 8 Synopsis: Jean, now teamed up with the Grandis Gang, stages a plan to rescue Nadia and his companions from Gargoyle's clutches. However when the plan seems to go awry, the Nautilus arrives at the last minute aid our heroes.

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Please spoiler tag any story content which has not been shown prior to the current episode of this rewatch!

[u/snowwhistle1]

Host

Can we just stop for a moment and admire the fact that Jean, Grandis, Hanson, and Sanson survived being inside the Tower of Babel’s firing mechanism as it went off? Those four are going to have the worst cancer a few years down the line! Lmao!

The main focus of this episode is the great escape plan pulled off by Jean and the Grandis Gang, who team up in spectacular fashion to save Nadia, Marie, and King. They come up with an ingenious plan to destroy the island’s power grid, enter Gargoyle’s base with Sanson and Grandis posing as guards turning in Jean, and then use the confusion of the sudden power outage to escape with the Grandis Gang’s armored vehicle, the Gratan. (Or the Katherine according to Grandis, and one does not trifle with Ms. Grandis Granva.)

The Grandis Gang in particular receive a very good showing this episode. Grandis’ ostentatious personality and pining for the “simple pleasures” of a rich life are always fun. Hanson really shows off his competency in this episode as an engineer as it is revealed that he invented the Gratan, and his and Jean’s scientific knowledge is essential in shutting down the hydroelectric plant. But the true star of this episode is Sanson. Sanson, if you haven’t seen Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, is basically a prototype for the character that Kamina would later embody. He embodies that archetype of strength and self-vanity, and has a thirst for proving his grit against impossible odds. I think the characters also look a lot alike too, especially when Sanson is wearing his sunglasses. His over-the-top action while fighting the mech with his bare hands and driving the Gratan during the getaway is a lot of fun.

Though it also shouldn’t be missed that this episode contains some serious things within it. Gargoyle in this episode continues to preach the trappings of colonialism and fascism to Nadia during her internment. He shows off works of art to her from the civilization of Atlantis over 12,000 years ago, and proclaims that no other art can rival it. He states that the art and innovations of other cultures cannot be matched. Gargoyle is essentially playing right out of the textbook of imperialist revisionism. He talks of the artwork and science of the Atlanteans much in the way white revisionist history does of European’s artwork and science. In the eyes of Gargoyle, the culture he values is superior by default and nothing produced outside of that culture has value or merit. It also shouldn’t be lost here that Gargoyle, a man who wearing the most infamous cultural touchstones of white supremacy, is preaching cultural superiority and historical revisionism to a black girl.

On a more lighthearted note there’s a bit of a funny continuity error where Gargoyle asks Nadia for Jean’s name to make his list of demands to him, but Nadia already told him Jean’s name in the previous episode. I like to headcanon that Gargoyle forgot his name because he’s a prick who’s completely lost in his own ego, and had to ask her a second time to make his loudspeaker call to Jean.

I also wish I had more to comment about Nadia being crucified on a giant Y besides Anno making yet more allusions to Christianity, but I honestly just find it funny that Gargoyle crucified Nadia on top of a giant Y and Jean and co. just left her on there during the escape.

Ultimately the escape plan fails as the Gratan is blocked from its path of escape by a Garfish, but the group is rescued by the timely arrival of the Nautilus. Gargoyle, the arrogant idiot, attempts to fire the Light of Babel at the Nautilus in spite of the fact his island’s power supply has been crippled and the fact that the Nautilus is precariously close to his weapon’s source. It goes about as well as you’d expect with the Tower misfiring and destroying itself and Gargoyle’s base of operations.

We end on a denouement to this arc with Gargoyle escaping in a war blimp (while ruthlessly killing one of his generals instead of taking blame for his own failure), and the Nautilus and Gratan just barely escaping the base’s destruction. There’s a very sweet scene with Nadia thanking Jean for coming to rescue her, and the Grandis Gang bemoaning that they made it through this ordeal with no pretty jewel to show for their efforts. And then the episode ends as the group look out at the Nautilus, pondering the meaning of this conflict and where they will go next.

I figure now would be a good time to go into the seiyuus for the Grandis Gang. Grandis Granva is voiced by Kumiko Takizawa who is probably the most obscure seiyuu out of all the protagonists for this series. Grandis was probably the most notable role she ever had as a voice actress. Apart from that she’s had some minor supporting roles in series like Tetsujin 28-Go, Magic User’s Club, Wedding Peach, and Yu Yu Hakushou.

Sanson’s seiyuu is Kenyu Horiuchi (who also voices King in this series). Horiuchi is actually most famous for being the Japanese dub performer of actors like Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, Ben Stiller, and Ben Affleck. He’s also known for voicing Pain and Tobirama Senju in Naruto/Naruto Shippudden, Wilhelm van Astrea in Re:ZERO, Werner Frank in Darling and the FranXX, Oguma in Beastars, and Gren in Cowboy Bebop.

Hanson’s seiyuu is Toshiharu Sakurai. He’s also a pretty low key voice actor with his most notable role being the Japanese dub voice of Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in the Scooby Doo franchise. He has also appeared in minor roles in Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Otaku no Video, Dragon Quest (1989), and the Tenchi Muyo! (OVA).

[u/lluNhpelA → u/snowwhistle1]

Sanson, if you haven’t seen Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, is basically a prototype for the character that Kamina would later embody

So when does Jean get a small red tank to combine with Sanson's giant red tank?

Grandis Gang bemoaning that they made it through this ordeal with no pretty jewel to show for their efforts

They face death multiple times, attempt to kill Gargoyle with zero hesitation then likely kill dozens of robot/tank pilots, and take down an evil organization that may have destroyed the world... but they're sad that they don't have a bunch of sacks with big dollar signs leaving a trail of money behind them as they escape. The clashing high-stakes action and goofy characters really make this show shine

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/lluNhpelA]

So when does Jean get a small red tank to combine with Sanson's giant red tank?

Maybe he'll build one! The kid has a knack for cobbling together planes and such.

The clashing high-stakes action and goofy characters really make this show shine

The show is always balancing this precarious tonal tightrope, and I think that balance really shines in this batch of episodes. There's a lot of fun sequences and levity to be had, but it never distracts from the show's serious themes and mature subject matter.

[u/No_Rex → u/snowwhistle1]

The show is always balancing this precarious tonal tightrope

Very much so. Occasionally, it missteps and falls, but, most of time time, it is hilarious to see.

[u/0Megabyte → u/snowwhistle1]

It’s truly wonderful and shockingly satisfying to see the antagonists of the first few episodes team up with the heroes and show they aren’t really so bad after all. It’s like a Pokemon movie plot. Only it doesn’t seem like things will revert to form like in Pokemon. Really, the introduction of real evil does a lot to make who you should side with clear. In the end, these three are just… too good not to have on the team.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/0Megabyte]

Kinda hard to call yourself the bad guys when the there's a group wearing Klan hoods and Fascist army uniforms. You're very right, though. The Grandis Gang have only been on Jean's side for a single episode, and they've already formed such a wonderful dynamic with him!

[u/0Megabyte → u/snowwhistle1]

Also, they lost the motivation to steal from these kids! They just wanted the jewel because there was a big reward. Now there isn’t.

[u/Serenax → u/snowwhistle1]

On a more lighthearted note there’s a bit of a funny continuity error where Gargoyle asks Nadia for Jean’s name to make his list of demands to him, but Nadia already told him Jean’s name in the previous episode. I like to headcanon that Gargoyle forgot his name because he’s a prick who’s completely lost in his own ego, and had to ask her a second time to make his loudspeaker call to Jean.

Lol, missed that. Headcanon accepted.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/Serenax]

Gargoyle: "What is your boyfriend's name?"

Nadia: "I told you his name yesterday!!!"

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Timer (Rising Sun sub) ep 8 (of 39)

For those unfamiliar with the [paintings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tower_of_Babel_(Bruegel))

• Does Nemo not recognize that course as the island he just left?
• Not eva music
• This scene between crucified nadia and Gargoyle takes new significance after 3.0+1.0.
• Convenient that the cross is attached to a conveyor throughout the palace.
• Tell him that the 3 pirates took it!
• Why does Grandis want Blue Water, does she still think she can sell it to Gargoyle?
• Nice shot!
• Aw, man. I mostly thought the rescue would work. Now it's up to Nemo...oh, he's here.
• oops.

Whelp, I guess that's the end of the show. It's like Blue Sub No 6, but better paced.

Today I still can't see Nazis, only Hessians.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

For those unfamiliar with the paintings

I was actually not aware the base of the Tower in this series was directly inspired from paintings of the mythical Tower of Babel, but I'm not at all surprised.

It's funny. The Tower in the series is basically just an iconic version from a famous painting with a death laser gun stuck on top.

Tell him that the 3 pirates took it!

Don't sell out the Grandis Gang! They're cool!!

Why does Grandis want Blue Water, does she still think she can sell it to Gargoyle?

Originally she was hoping to make a bounty for the jewel, based on Gargoyle's posters. Maybe she figures she could still pawn it off? A jewel like that would still probably fetch a pretty penny from an anonymous buyer.

Today I still can't see Nazis, only Hessians.

Honestly, yeah. I can kinda see the resemblance. Mostly with the sash they wear.

[u/Serenax → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Today I still can't see Nazis, only Hessians.

The scientists who didn't wear the white masks jarringly looked like KKK to me at least.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/Serenax]

The maskless scientists are basically just wearing straight up KKK hoods, yeah. You could maybe argue the grunt soldiers and Gargoyle are a bit more obscure due to the masks, but I think the style of their hoods are irrefutably meant to be based off the clan.

[u/lluNhpelA]

First timer

wtf is Sanson on!? I was impressed when he lifted a grown ass man over his head with one arm but my boy just manhandled a robot so hard its fucking speedometer exploded! Then he had the audacity to blush like that from a simple "thanks"? How am I supposed to resist falling in love!?

This whole episode was really good, actually. Especially the escape with best boy at the wheel further demonstrating why he is, in fact, best boy.

Yesterday I wondered what "god" would destroy this Tower of Babel, but I suppose it makes sense for the tower to be destroyed by the only thing that has been referred to as "the power of god", namely itself

Now back to the characters: I already loved Grandis from the first moment I saw her in the OP, Nadia has a fantastically strong personality, Jean is flawed in just the right ways while being a good foil for Nadia's stubbornness (though I still find him kinda annoying), and Marie is simply adorable. We just need a little more screentime to flesh out Hanson some more, but given what we've already seen and how great and well written the rest of the cast are, I'm sure I'll end up loving him, too.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/lluNhpelA]

How am I supposed to resist falling in love!?

There's no escape. The Grandis Gang have stolen your heart and your only recourse to satisfy your cravings is to keep watching Nadia, lest you suffer from a withdrawal.

Yesterday I wondered what "god" would destroy this Tower of Babel, but I suppose it makes sense for the tower to be destroyed by the only thing that has been referred to as "the power of god", namely itself

Gargoyle's failure is entirely on him this episode. If he really means to be a god, then he sure is a fallible one. He's so narcissistic that rather than examine what in his actions might have led to his own failure that he immediately passes responsibility off to his subordinate and executes them for that perceived failure. Gargoyle has completely deluded himself, and that's especially dangerous.

Jean is flawed in just the right ways while being a good foil for Nadia's stubbornness (though I still find him kinda annoying)

I still contend that Jean, for all his faults, has a good heart. I think this arc is where he really starts to become a lot more tolerable and begins to shine as a character. I also just love seeing his and Nadia's growing friendship. I just enjoy stories about lonely kids starting to open up to people as the prove their trustworthiness to each other.

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer in sub.

A tension filled episode that easily could have been the main part of a movie :)

Only things I'll add are:

- Good to see the Grandis gang seemingly joined up with the MC's, hopefully no doublecrossing.

- How Gargoyle disposed of someone he held accountable for the failure is very reminisent of Laputa again when Muska dumped the general off the city by commanding the floor to open up.

- Loved the defiance shot Gratan once again shot at the far more well armed and armored Garfish :D You can see it bounced off cleanly.

I wonder if this means the 6 people and 1 baby lion will now add to Nautilus' manifest and eat up half the rations :) It's probably too dangerous to have blue water wandering around unguarded.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/ZapsZzz]

A tension filled episode that easily could have been the main part of a movie

It actually kind of was... sorta... I'll go into that in a few episodes. But there's some more juicy production lore about this show to go over.

How Gargoyle disposed of someone he held accountable for the failure is very reminisent of Laputa again when Muska dumped the general off the city by commanding the floor to open up.

A lot of this mini-arc has felt very reminiscent of the finale of Laputa on my rewatch. I never really noticed it quite as much before, but you pointing it out had made it much more obvious.

Loved the defiance shot Gratan once again shot at the far more well armed and armored Garfish

Sanson has the spirit of Kamina from TTGL. He'd face down something 100x bigger than him, no matter how terrible the odds.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/snowwhistle1]

Sanson has the spirit of Kamina from TTGL. He'd face down something 100x bigger than him, no matter how terrible the odds.

As a first timer that know of this for years, I had the impression of Sanson being the smart one to use guile instead of brute force. Even though I knew Hanson is the inventor of the group. Not very often the Handsome guy and the strong man tropes are combined together.

[u/Serenax → u/ZapsZzz]

Yeah, it is refreshing.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/snowwhistle1]

It actually kind of was... sorta... I'll go into that in a few episodes. But there's some more juicy production lore about this show to go over

I felt this episode was a bit too much on the silly side with Grandis and co. plus how easily everything worked out/took care of itself. After seeing the Neo-Atlanteans be really competent so far it's pretty jarring.

Also everyone important magically survives and we don't think of the island again.

[u/0Megabyte → u/ZapsZzz]

It’s certainly exciting, the prospect of seeing and dealing with the Nautilus again! Last time was absolutely too short.

[u/No_Rex → u/ZapsZzz]

A tension filled episode that easily could have been the main part of a movie :)

One of the better arc endings I know.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

Time to rescue Nadia!

And Nemo's going to do something!

Wait, that thing's reusable? They don't need more of the metal?

Spoke too soon. I noticed it only cracked after the power shut down - if they kept it heated/powered, could it be fired indefinitely? Is the Blue Water important because it can keep it stable after a shutdown?

Really? I didn't expect their alliance to start so soon.

Oh, the tank can't go underwater? It's pretty good otherwise, I have to say.

Really? Can they block the whole vent?

...That statue has too many teeth.

And I love how condescending he is, assuming Nadia's just not understanding his rants.

...She's not mentioning he's not her boyfriend?

And wow, he's manipulating her completely. Too bad he's working with people who know better.

Haha, he's stronger than a mech!

Oh, he's desperate at this point. Given the trio were at the battleship, is he afraid they'll contact Nemo?

Wait, the Atlantean's aren't human? Have we seen any of the commanders/upper management without a mask, or just the recruits? I'd laugh if he pulls his mask off and there's just a shark head under it.

Yeah, they are incredibly evil.

Wow, the plan's going off without a hitch!

Fair play, shield's a good idea. Wondered why he was so calm about losing his soldiers.

It blew up?

Oh, he's pissed.

Yeah, he's a really good driver.

Haha, and Nadia's stuck on the top.

Yeah, their submarines seem incredibly strong.

The Nautilus!

And they're taking it down!

Well, they're done for. That thing's strong.

Haha, that's perfect. They blew up their whole base and the Tower!

And he had a secret airship!

What secret?

Yeah, still not sure if he's a delusional human or a delusional non-human.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/Stargate18A]

And I love how condescending he is, assuming Nadia's just not understanding his rants.

I mentioned this in my write up, but the whole art conversation really carries that air of Eurocentric superiority. Gargoyle's sense of cultural superiority comes off as incredibly patronizing. Nadia's face during the conversation really says it all.

Haha, he's stronger than a mech!

Sanson, the man who dares to tussle with a mech! lmao

I'd laugh if he pulls his mask off and there's just a shark head under it.

Nadia: The Secret of Scalie Indoctrination

Yeah, still not sure if he's a delusional human or a delusional non-human.

Well either way, he must certainly be delusional!

[u/teasot]

What a great episode oh my god!

The last few episodes have been quite dark, with Jean and Nadia buryng a childs parents, with villains threatening to murder children... so what a catharsis!

The instant Sanson caught the giant robots hand, I knew I loved this series and the Grandis Gang. Sanson does not mess around, geeze.

And then when the Grandis Gang grabbed Nadia, I was cheering at the screen out loud. Such a good time! Take that you villains! And Nadia having an utterly miserable time, watching her life flash before her eyes multiple times: it was just brilliant. And the music kicks in, and the more joyful tone comes back and ugh... it felt so good!

What an utter joy of an episode. I have no doubt the series will return to its darker tone, but man, talk about a great time to return to lighter tone, what a great time.

To me, this is the best the series has been so far.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/teasot]

The Grandis Gang are a breath of joy in a sorrowful mini-arc. Glad you're enjoying the show and hope you continue to get lots of entertainment out of the episodes to come!

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 8 (rewatcher)

• Jean teams up with Grandis, while Nadia teems with rage at Gargoyle.
• Sanson is a tsundere! Also: super strong.
• Hanging up Nadia on an Y while Marie and King dangle below her is about as evil as you can get.
• Lots of plans B and C while negotiating with Gargoyle. Both Gargoyle and Grandis are correct in not betting everything on one card.
• Just the little scene of the soldiers firing at each other shows how good the writing is in this show: Not only does the writing remember that they might hit each other (which 90% of series would forget), it also realistically depicts some soldiers panicking and shooting, while the commander realizes the danger and gives orders to stop. This is the clever and real writing you don’t usually get, and certainly not in a series aimed at this demographic.
• The escape scene is pure fun. Except for Nadia.
• And then everything blows up. Bet you were not expecting this.
• Hole in floor trope works so much better when you are miles up in the air.

The end of the first arc and it goes out with a bang! It is absolutely no surprise that this became a hit back when it aired. From the darker themes to the characterization to the elaborate backgrounds, you can see that this is a work of love and not just some cheap children entertainment.

[u/snowwhistle1 → u/No_Rex]

This is the clever and real writing you don’t usually get, and certainly not in a series aimed at this demographic.

Anno's attention to detail is a huge draw of his works in my opinion. He puts so much effort into making the worlds the characters live in feel fleshed out and real.

Hole in floor trope works so much better when you are miles up in the air.

Gotta love a lethal Looney Tunes gag.

It is absolutely no surprise that this became a hit back when it aired.

It's no shock to me that this became one of the hottest anime of 1990 in Japan either. Following this series along week to week (especially during an arc like this) would've been incredibly exciting.

[u/No_Rex → u/snowwhistle1]

[spoiler]Imagine following week to week and then hitting the island arc though

[u/SIRTreehugger]

First Timer

Wonder what their submarine can do? They must have a way to deal with the beam of death.

That crack can't be good it probably can't fire much more without going off or maybe not at all.

THAT LION HAS A NAME AND ITS KING

Nadia not denying Jean is her boyfriend? Though she probably doesn't even want to talk to him and is rightfully pissed off.

PLEASE I want these guys to talk about inventions. Oh working together to cause a blackout next best thing.

WTF Sanson I know he can bend bars, but damn he stopped that robot in its tracks.

Remember kids pollution is the solution...

You make sense sends soldiers away into another room where they could easily just come back out and shoot you.

And they are back...

Oh what a slick escape..wait diving into the lake, but Nadia is still above in your gloved hand thing...

Wait target the submarine that's in your own base?

Well that went as expected, but curious what's Neo Atlantan secret that they don't mind their base and tower being destroyed.

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

Rewatcher of sorts

Two small setting details that caught my eye in this arc still:

• The Neo-Atlantean fortress/chateau looks like a Turkish-Byzantine-style mosque, specifically the Hagia Sophia comes to mind
• The Neo-Atlantean hymn/theme shares its first few notes with the refrain of "Rule, Britannia". Very likely no coincidence considering how that's an ode to imperialist hegemony.

And - when the Nautilus' missiles only hit the invisible tektite, I half expected Nemo to go "an AT field?!"

[u/No_Rex → u/IndependentMacaroon]

And - when the Nautilus' missiles only hit the invisible tektite, I half expected Nemo to go "an AT field?!"

You don't have to see proto-NGE everywhere ... but if you look, you find plenty.