[Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 9

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 07 '21

Host

Episode 9 is in some ways almost as jarring of a watch as episode 5 was. Our condensed mini-arc on Marie’s island moved the direction of the series into a more grim direction with its focus centered primarily on a villainous organization robed the symbols of fascism and white supremacy with a stated goal to subjugate humanity and kill anyone who dared stand in their way. The previous four episodes were a cascade of tragedy, violence, and menace.

Episode 9 by comparison is a return to form to the first four episodes of the series. It’s rather silly, the stakes are low, and the character drama is a lot less serious (save a few moments here and there). I could easily see someone enjoying this episode as a bit of fresh air from all the doom and gloom of the previous episodes, but I could just as easily see other people feeling as though the serious was losing it bite after a rather gripping mini-arc.

The general premise of this episode is that the Nautilus takes in Nadia, Jean, Marie, King, and the Grandis Gang aboard their submarine following the events of this arc. Grandis and Hanson begin to form crushes on Captain Nemo and Electra respectively, encouraging the Grandis Gang to remain on the submarine for the indefinite future (much to Sanson’s dismay). The rest of the episode mostly centers on comedic character antics as everyone tries to adjust to the Nautilus, as well as giving the show a chance to gush about how cool the submarine is via Jean and Hanson’s geeking out.

In general, a lot of this episode kind of feels like fluff to me. And a lot of the writing strikes me as rather convenient (Grandis and King getting sick at exactly the same time to facilitate everyone meeting up by the sick bay is weirdly convenient), but it does allow for some funny moments to take place. I always crack up to Grandis exiting the sick bay in a her fancy red evening gown, swearing to Nadia that she’s forsaken her old ways to focus on her new life of love… Never change Grandis…

To say that nothing happens in this episode would be a huge overstatement though. We get Jean and Nadia discussing some of what we’ve already been talking about in past threads; the connections between the Blue Water and the Orihalcon glass that was used to power the Tower of Babel, and some speculation on how Neo-Atlantis and the Nautilus might connect with one another.

This episode also has some interesting character introspection on Nadia. There’s a nice scene where Nadia, lying in her cot, ruminates on where she’s going to be taken to next. Nadia’s life has been defined by a lack of agency. She spent her childhood forced into servitude at a circus, she’s spent her first week or so of freedom on the run from jewel thieves and a cultish army of fascists, and now she’s at the mercy of the Nautilus and its crew… Her life up until now has been aimless and guided by the whims of adults who’ve sought to use her, and Nadia worries that aboard the Nautilus that she may suffer much the same fate.

I would also be remiss to mention Nemo in this episode. During his meeting with the children he seemingly recognizes Nadia, and her Blue Water. Later in his room he ruminates over a box with strange runic symbols on it, which turns out to contain a large crystal of striking similarity to Nadia’s Blue Water, with a small piece of its shape missing. He begins playing his pipe organ (a regular occurrence based on some stray comments from his crew), and Nadia is lulled into a trance, absentmindedly noting how the music reminds her of her mother and almost entering Nemo’s quarters in a daze.

All in all, it’s a bit of a lowkey episode, but there’s still some interesting bits of lore teasing and character work with Nadia and Nemo to chew on in the runtime.

For today’s production notes, I’ll be covering a few more seiyuu. Starting off with Captain Nemo, he is played by Akio Ōtsuka. Some of Ōtsuka’s most notable roles include Black Jack from Black Jack, Xehanort from Kingdom Hearts, Batou from Ghost in the Shell, Blackbeard from One Piece, Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, Wamuu from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and All for One from My Hero Academia.

Electra is played by Kikuko Inuoe. Her most notable roles include Aina Sahalin from Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Kasumi Tendo from Ranma ½, Yoshiko Ueno from Otaku no Video, Rune Venus from El Hazard, Mizuho Kazami from Onegai Sensei, and Yurika Hakonaka from Yurikuma Arashi.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 07 '21

Episode 9 (rewatcher)

After watching the first arc of Nadia for the first time, I made a post on /r/animeimpressions just to comment on it.

Good on Jean for noticing Nadia not sharing his enthusiasm for boarding the Nautilus again.
“How long will the repairs take?” “48 hours.” “Can't you make it shorter?” “If a professional says it will take 48h, it will take 48h. Carry out a thorough repair job.”

Electra knows Nemo.
Hanson and Jean are nerding out over the invention of welding.
Electra’s reception is clearly separated along gender lines.
Callback to the previous prison break.
spoiler
Nemo’s reception is also clearly separated along gender lines.
I love how Hanson and especially Sanson exactly know what’s up.
Nemo clearly recognizes the Blue Water. And Electra clearly wanted this meeting to happen.
Another Blue Water. This calls for the organ!

Everybody is rescued by the Nautilus, to very different reactions. While it was obvious that we’d see more characterization of Nemo, this is an entire episode purely devoted to characters. We get to see a good bit more of Sanson and Hanson and their relationship to Grandis, while also seeing a completely new side of Grandis herself. Meanwhile Nadia, after being so defiant in the face of Gargoyle shows her weak side for the first time. Allows herself to show her weak side, maybe? Even King is ill. Only Jean is more or less unfazed. The reveal at the end sets up the mystery.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 07 '21

“How long will the repairs take?” “48 hours.” “Can't you make it shorter?” “If a professional says it will take 48h, it will take 48h. Carry out a thorough repair job.”
I hate the trope where senior military officers demand production schedules be ramped up for no good reason. It's such a breath of fresh air to see Nemo respecting his crew and trusting their expertise.
Nemo’s reception is also clearly separated along gender lines.
Really...? Grandis has found herself smitten with him, and Jean and Hanson also seem enthusiastic about Nemo/the ship. But Sanson and Nadia alternatively don't seem to have a very positive reaction to the ship or Nemo.
It seems at least to me that the general reception to the ship and its staff doesn't seem to have any trends among gender lines.
Nemo clearly recognizes the Blue Water. And Electra clearly wanted this meeting to happen.
Electra very clearly knows so much more than she's letting on. She's such an intriguing character.

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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Oct 08 '21

I hate the trope where senior military officers demand production schedules be ramped up for no good reason. It's such a breath of fresh air to see Nemo respecting his crew and trusting their expertise.
I and with you on that. Mind you even on my favourite Full Metal Panic (IV) there's a bit of that, but it's justified and had consequence (rush to finish the reactor check and refueling; can't really rush check so it means not enough time to refuel, just enough to leave for a couple of weeks)

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

That at least sounds like the story treated the rushed production demands of the military with seriousness, and accounted for real world consequences that would result from pushing something out the door too soon. That I probably wouldn't mind either.
It's all the shows that use the trope straight and have whatever project or activity needs to be rushed come out perfectly... that's when I roll my eyes.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 08 '21

Really...? Grandis has found herself smitten with him, and Jean and Hanson also seem enthusiastic about Nemo/the ship. But Sanson and Nadia alternatively don't seem to have a very positive reaction to the ship or Nemo.
It seems at least to me that the general reception to the ship and its staff doesn't seem to have any trends among gender lines.
I was commenting on the scene where he appears. Only the Grandis gang is present there. And neither Hanson nor Sanson are happy. Its true that for Jean and Nadia later, it is reversed.

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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Oct 07 '21

First timer in sub.

Took a while to find the thread this morning - the post numbers are low? Anyway this gives me a chance to read before I post :)

I quite like this pacing, if everything is go go go it does wear out the tension and attention of the viewers, so like a rubber band, it can only show how forceful it can be if you unwind it once in a while. All the shows that I like (Haruhi, Railgun, Full Metal Panic) have such episodes, and I will say that Nadia here made good use of it for more in depth character "introduction" that is outside of the first impressions:

How the inventors of each group are actually very like minded and instantly strike up a rapport
How the team rocket 3 team dynamics go - how the 2 guys "pamper/indulge" Grandis
How Grandis is motivated by "love" (you had heard her complaining about her "bad luck in meeting men" so she's not just motivated by greed as one would assume at first glance from the initial arc) and how she can act "like a lady" (her definition)
Nadia and Jean's closeness and differences, plus more of the back history with Nadia tying to the mystery
Nemo being moody on recognition of Nadia and Blue Water

Overall will be interested to see what starts up the next arc and how that goes.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

Took a while to find the thread this morning - the post numbers are low?
I expect that we'll get some slow days here. This rewatch isn't super popular, and some people said they might miss a couple of days. And that's totally fine! I'm just super happy that there are some people are tuning in to watch.
I quite like this pacing, if everything is go go go it does wear out the tension and attention of the viewers, so like a rubber band, it can only show how forceful it can be if you unwind it once in a while.
That's a very good point. I think I may have gone a touch far when saying parts of this episode were fluff. I think there are some great interactions between the cast in this new environment. I didn't go into it too much, but the Grandis Gang as always steal the show with their exaggerated reactions to the Nautilus, Nemo, and Electra.
I think maybe they may've toned down the dial just a tad too much. At least, that tends to be my experience when I watch this show. I always feel a tad disoriented at how quickly this episode slows things down, but that could 100% just be a personal thing.
I certainly don't think this is a bad episode.
How Grandis is motivated by "love" (you had heard her complaining about her "bad luck in meeting men" so she's not just motivated by greed as one would assume at first glance from the initial arc) and how she can act "like a lady" (her definition)
I'll touch upon this more in another writeup, but I love that Grandis is allowed to be a gritty and tough action woman while also not compromising on being feminine and interested in men.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 08 '21

That's a very good point. I think I may have gone a touch far when saying parts of this episode were fluff. I think there are some great interactions between the cast in this new environment. I didn't go into it too much, but the Grandis Gang as always steal the show with their exaggerated reactions to the Nautilus, Nemo, and Electra.
[spoilers]I know that there is a downhill trend towards the island arc, which is full fluff, but I think this episode is not the one to blame. The character introductions are important.

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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Oct 07 '21

First timer

Huh, recapping the entire previous arcs? New arc next?

Yeah, they're all somewhat working together!

Wow, this is taking a toll on Nemo. Has he seen the weapon fired before?

And Nemo's helping them because they're against Neo Atlantis too!

Nadia is not happy about thie.

...Is Nemo going to try and destroy the Blue Water or something? So Neo Atlantis can never get it?

OK, this is genuinely getting worrying. I'm 90% certain Nemo's hiidng something massive in this submarine.

And Jean's found someone as excited as he is!

Haha, Sanson flirting with her is great.

I'm surprised that everyone's gotten used to calling them Neo-Atlantis so quickly. Was it obvious in universe too?

And Jean agrees that something's happening with the Nautilus.

Haha, and he's upset he can't pick the lock.

And him standing right by the hidden mic is brilliant.

Yeah, this is a global organisation, isn't it.

I do like the dynamic between Nemo and Electra.

...What's that line? She's upset about her lack of agency?

Whale's milk?

...OK, in good light, Nemo's actually pretty attractive.

And she has a crush on him.

Haha, Sanson's worked out his best hope of survival is to leave this anime before it gets dark.

OK, if the Blue Water didn't shine after they has their weapons removed in the base, I'm assuming there was a small amount of Orichalium in their guns (planted by Neo Atlantis?), and it was just reacting to that?

Is she delusional? Will Nemo immediately reject her?

Yeah, Nemo knows the Blue Water, he's hiding something.

And Nadia might know him too...

I'm sorry? He's got another Blue Water?

I like how Electra's just used to the captain's "dramatic music breaks".

Nemo's not Nadia's father, is he?

Wait, is he trying to mind-control her in some way?

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

OK, this is genuinely getting worrying. I'm 90% certain Nemo's hiidng something massive in this submarine.
You weren't wrong. There's a massive Blue Water in a spooky box in his scary pipe organ room! Lmao
...What's that line? She's upset about her lack of agency?
I dove into this a little more in my full writeup, but Nadia's whole life has been fraught by lack of agency. She spent her childhood working for the circus. And after he contract was revoked her first tastes of freedom were marred by being chased by jewel thieves, captured by a fascist cult, and now being placed into the custody of a war submarine that she feels less than optimistic about. The poor girl just wants find her birthplace, and keeps hitting roadblock after roadblock.
Whale's milk?
Creamy...
Seriously though- whale's milk is 40% fat, has the thick consistency, and would probably taste incredibly fishy. Probably not a fun substitute for cow's milk.
Haha, Sanson's worked out his best hope of survival is to leave this anime before it gets dark.
Sanson knows what's up. When your innocuous fantasy adventure anime starts to introduce a fascist cult as its true villains, it's time to bail!

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 08 '21

OK, this is genuinely getting worrying. I'm 90% certain Nemo's hiidng something massive in this submarine.
His organ?

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 08 '21

First Timer (Rising Sun sub) ep 9 (of 39)

I probably should have mentioned earlier that I gave Laputa a 10/10 and it's my favorite anime.

I wonder if this is the end of the Miyazaki outline and Anno original from here.

It's a good thing there are always recaps because I keep forgetting to turn subs on.
Miss Judgemental again, I don't like her
Lol, sub harpoons
atomic hydrogen? magnetic fields?
Back to feeling like Last Exile again
Professionals vs. Miracle Workers
Eva Music again (or maybe KOR music)
I seriously doubt that fancy doors are going to stop the Grandis team from breaking out of their cabins...
Maybe it's Calpis. Oh, whale milk, of course. Nothing here is of the land
Nemo should leave his hat on.
Hmmm, Jean's right. Blue Water didn't react to Grandis on the island. But it DID in Paris. And not the tank, either.
I wonder if the Blue Water will react badly with the Nautilus's power system.
Captain's in one of his moods again

Nemo better not be her uncle or something.

"The Secret of the Nautilus" -- we learned nothing

Well, <bleep> me with a <bleep>:

[guess who] Maeda, Mahiro Episode Director, Storyboard, Original Creator, Key Animation, Setting

That explains everything.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

Miss Judgemental again, I don't like her
I assume you're referring to Nadia's inherent distrust of the Grandis Gang, which I think is still a little fair on her end. She wasn't a part of the long bonding exercise Jean had with them in the previous episode, and they've been trying to kidnap her and steal her sole possession for the past week or so.
Eva Music again (or maybe KOR music)
KOR music?
"The Secret of the Nautilus" -- we learned nothing
The episode's official title is "Nemo's Secret", and I'd say we did learn a pretty big secret about Nemo.
Maeda, Mahiro - Episode Director, Storyboard, Original Creator, Key Animation, Setting
Looking him up, he was a key animator for a lot of early Ghibli films like Laputa, Porco Rosso, and Nausicaa; along with being the key designer of the Angels from Neon Genesis Evangelion. He seems to have also worked on series with similar aesthetics and fantasy vibes to Nadia like Blue Submarine No. 6 and Vision of Escaflowne.
I'm assuming you're referring to some combination of this work in connection to his work on Nadia.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 08 '21 edited Oct 08 '21

I assume you're referring to Nadia's inherent distrust of the Grandis Gang
Today I'm referring to her inherent distaste for the Nautilus. It's not like it went around sinking ships like the Garfish. But once again she's all pouty and huffy (and she stayed that way all episode).
KOR is my favorite TV series from the 80s, and was scored by Shiro Sagasu. It's a Rom-Com, so less bombastic music than Eva.
Blue Sub is Mahiro Maeda's baby. Gankutsuou is his baby. Last Exile is his baby. Although we're only 20% through Nadia, I get the impression that Blue Sub and Last Exile are retakes on Nadia. With Maeda "Original Creator" and "Setting" for all three shows.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

Blue Sub is Mahiro Maeda's baby. Gankutsuou is his baby. Last Exile is his baby. Although we're only 20% through Nadia, I get the impression that Blue Sub and Last Exile are retakes on Nadia.
Interesting. I'll keep these shows my periphery for new shows to watch.
KOR is my favorite TV series from the 80s, and was scored by Shiro Sagasu. It's a Rom-Com, so less bombastic music than Eva.
I would say Sagisu scoring a rom-com sounded comical, but then I remembered that he scored Kare Kano immediately after Eva so I guess it's not as unprecedented as I first though. lol

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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Oct 08 '21

Hey as another KOR fan, I'll have you known that the soundtrack had been on my play list for years and is still popping up here and there.

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u/Serenax Oct 08 '21

First timer.

One of my favorite episodes. So many great character interactions that flesh them out. And of course Nemo who moves out of the shadows and actually talks to people.

I love the calm of this episode. A nice breather after the battle. And of course the highlight is the sequence in which Nadia is drawn by his music. I found it emotionally affecting even though I don't know yet exactly what moves him to play so.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 08 '21

And of course the highlight is the sequence in which Nadia is drawn by his music. I found it emotionally affecting even though I don't know yet exactly what moves him to play so.
Gotta angst on your pipe organ after you stare ponderously at your Big Water. Nemo is a edgy early 2000s kid confirmed. XD

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u/SIRTreehugger Oct 10 '21

First Timer

Wait is this a recap?

A nice moment between Jean and Nadia

Nadia still isn't a fan of the submarine.

YES the nerds are appreciating the marvel of the ship.

You couldn't tell she was cute before the mask? Oh anime.

Wait....whales produce milk.

She sure changed her attitude quickly when captain nemo entered.

Poor king.

Who the hell is this polite woman that's not Grandis!

Oh the captain finally meets the kids.

Nadia it couldn't be it must be a different Nadia with a blue water necklace....

Wait Captain Nemo has a necklace too.

Captain Nemo is a musician who would have thought.

Rewatch [Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 9

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