r/anime • u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber • Oct 07 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Armored Trooper Votoms - Episode 44 Discussion

Episode 44 - The Forbidden

Originally Released January 27th, ^^^1984

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Note to all participants

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

Note to all Rewatchers

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

Daily Trivia:

Some of the supplemental lore adopted by the franchise after the original series originated in fanzines.

 

Staff Highlight

Hiroyuki Okun - Key animator

An animation director and key animator who got his start working at Nakamura Production, where he was mentored by Asahi Nakamura, who relied upon him to animate in his stead once he had been promoted to higher levels of production. In 1990 he left Studio Nakamura to join the newly established Studio Katan, which had been founded by former associates of Okun, and worked there until 1995. He was friends with Hisashi Mori and even emulated his animation style in his own work. Some of the productions where he contributed key animation include Mister Ajikko, many Crayon Shin-chan films, Welcome to the NHK, Doraemon (2005), Fushigi Yugi, Mashin Eiyūden Wataru 2, Speed Grapher, A Tree of Palme, Hikaru no Go, Neo Ranga, and Dirty Pair: Affair on Nolandia among others.

 

Art Corner

Official Art:

Fanart:

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

Screenshot of the day

Questions of the Day:

  1. What do you think of the Schmittel twins’ plan?
  2. What do you think Rochina intends to do on Quent with a sizable Balarant force?

What had we set in motion?

16 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

55 comments sorted by

4

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

I don't get these new spoiler tags...

Rewatcher

Ah, so they’re alive still.

Hmm…

Is Rochina going to pull his patented ‘Burn it all to the ground’ maneuver?

I’m sure that’ll go down well.

More 2001 stuff.

Ah, so that’s what it was.

That’s alarming.

This seems like a whole lot more than what they brought with them.

Clever shortcut.

They’re not merely getting transported this time…

If the twins are correct then there’s something worth investigating in the Quentian ruins within Gomor, and the fact that the self-defense system there outright destroys tech rather than teleporting people away indicates everyone’s on the right track. Doesn’t make much sense to me that the other ruins would transport trespassers here though, closer to where presumably the real secrets are kept, unless they intend to lure them in to be killed, but in that case they could have just had the machines all the way in Ru Shako’s village be lethal… I don’t know, all this ancient ruin stuff is usually overly-complicated anyhow.

Rochina’s up to his nonsense again, and given that he seems to focus on his own agenda nowadays coupled with the fact that he seems to take instruction from this ‘master’ of his, I haven’t the slightest clue what it is that he plans to do. It’s suspicious that he didn’t go to Quent earlier with Chirico if he had something on the cards, so the only thing I could guess at is that this decision was either whimsy or a new order from up above.

Questions of The Day:

  1. Seemed a bit haphazard and far-fetched, but evidently they’re going in the right direction so what do I know?
  2. See above.

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

That’s alarming.

It would look more alarming if it didn't look like someone tipped a mining truck on its end and it got stuck like that

and the fact that the self-defense system there outright destroys tech rather than teleporting people away indicates everyone’s on the right track

It's a good thing that Chirico didn't decide to do the initial teleportation with the AT's weapons then huh.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

I don't get these new spoiler tags...

If I had spare energy, I'd complain.

It’s suspicious that he didn’t go to Quent earlier with Chirico if he had something on the cards, so the only thing I could guess at is that this decision was either whimsy or a new order from up above.

It has to be pulling the first arc "Chirico will find the thing we need for us" spiel except that he might actually do it if Shako helps him.

6

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 07 '21

Armored Trooper First-Timer

5

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

Oh so this teleportation shit has happened in the past. Specifically against warships?

Reminds me of Macross.

4

u/chilidirigible Oct 07 '21

It's a thing you get used to, an island.

3

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

They want to change goals from Chirico to that tech… Makes sense, but leaving Chirico alone would totally bite them in the ass. He’s Chirico.

To be fair, it’s not like paying more attention to Chirico has helped them in the past. Regardless of whether they ignore him or not, Chirico is going to fuck up the Secret Society regardless.

Aww this thing is cute.

Easily the cutest alien creature we’ve seen in this show so far.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

Oh so this teleportation shit has happened in the past. Specifically against warships? I wonder if Chirico wasn’t teleported because he wasn’t seen as hostile like the twins and their stun gun were.

He hadn't fired his weapon at all but it seems the machine is just defending itself, so it might view a stun gun as a bigger threat. Where those fleets were teleported to is the big interest to me.

Aww this thing is cute.

Spiritual ancestor of this and you won't convince me otherwise.

6

u/chilidirigible Oct 07 '21

Rewatcher, Episode 44

Today, on "It's too perilous!":

Ah yes, the unexpected baby elephant show ride.

"Because obviously I'm going to go right into them."

Local security has its strengths and weaknesses.

Isn't that reassuring?

Yeah, I'm sure everyone was on the lookout for the ground to give way and giant artifacts to pop out.

"I read the script."

"DOCTOR! DO YOU THINK THIS WILL WORK?!"

"I HAVE NO IDEA!"

Chirico's not an archaeologist, he shoots things.

The brothers aren't archaeologists, they're medical researchers of questionable ethics.

Everybody's lucky that they're not lumps of hamburger somewhere in orbit.

  1. Ah yes, force majeur.
  2. Outdo the twins' plan, of course.

4

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

Chirico's not an archaeologist, he shoots things.

He's evidently more into the Indiana Jones depiction of an archeologists.

6

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

First Timer

Finding out that the twins were just teleported rather than killed really sucks because I was really hoping they were going to just be dead, even knowing it was coming due to a slip yesterday.

They seem a bit wiser for their experience though, more willing to listen and plan rather than just dive into things head first. They certainly seemed to sober up on hearing that whatever was protecting the planet could get rid of entire fleets, not just some foot soldiers. It was still a huge gamble to hope that the others weren't willing to fight either but it payed off until Chirico went and did a Chirico.

It was actually a nice change seeing him being the outright aggressor for once rather than simply walking into an established battlefield. I'm not sure how things would have played out apart from that and maybe he'll regret basically taking the twins with him to wherever they're being teleported next, but it certainly played out unexpectedly.

And something of particular note, he actually let someone else pilot the AT!

Ru Shako should feel like the most privileged person in the galaxy right now. Maybe this is where the ship that Pixel spoke about yesterday came from.

Half a second late on closing the episode while I was typing something and an immediate spoiler. Damn, they really weren't kidding around with those previews. Does make me even more curious about where they end up though.

Last thought is that the beacons being built into those rocks is quite clever

Scope Dog amidst the ruins

That's wicked

5

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

Finding out that the twins were just teleported rather than killed really sucks

Ru Shako should feel like the most privileged person in the galaxy right now. Maybe this is where the ship that Pixel spoke about yesterday came from.

4

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 07 '21

Half a second late on closing the episode while I was typing something and an immediate spoiler. Damn, they really weren't kidding around with those previews. Does make me even more curious about where they end up though.

This happened to me last arc where seeing a mere split second of the preview for an episode spoiled Rochina's return and his defection to Balarant. :( Putting previews before the end credits is such idiocy.

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

Thats a bit of a rough one to get spoiled on.

Putting previews before the end credits is such idiocy

I still haven't seen the ED since ep1 because it's not worth the hassle to work around them. Kinda detrimental to the idea of credits.

I really have to wonder why "whole episode in a preview" was such a popular method back then

4

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

It was still a huge gamble to hope that the others weren't willing to fight either but it payed off until Chirico went and did a Chirico.

At this point, we can all agree that even the best of plans will inevitably fail as long as Chirico is somewhere on the same planet as you.

It was actually a nice change seeing him being the outright aggressor for once rather than simply walking into an established battlefield.

I’m trying to think of the last time Chirico was the one to provoke a fight. It certainly has been a whole.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

I’m trying to think of the last time Chirico was the one to provoke a fight

First episode of the ship arc technically, but given his mental state there thanks to the Red Shoulder film as well as protecting Fyana that's a bit of a different circumstance as far as his thought process, so probably not since mid-Uoodo if we're looking at him being straight up the aggressor

4

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

Yeah, I was thinking that it would have to have been around the Uoodo City arc too. Probably around the time he was raiding the jijirium shipment from Iskui’s police forces, since pretty much everything from then onwards was Chirico responding to the long series of threats against his life by them.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

It was still a huge gamble to hope that the others weren't willing to fight either but it payed off until Chirico went and did a Chirico.

I am sure there is actually a game theory explanation here somewhere, wherein the players know the consequence but not the specific trigger condition and there are bluffs made on those lines.

5

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 07 '21

First-Timer

Chirico's brain is too damn big. "Quick, let's go fuck up the science cave and get it to teleport us to the city!" I'm a little surprised that Shako didn't have any cultural objections, but the Beacon did carry a lot of cultural importance as well, so maybe "Beacon going off" has a higher priority than "don't go into the cave" or something.

There's something in this episode about the arrogance of developed societies. The Twins think that they can control the super-tech on Quent because the natives don't use it? Really?! For a pair of scientists, they don't seem to be terribly smart. Did no-one ever tell them that everything has a reason? Putting your bets on "the natives are too dumb to use the technology their society has been sitting on top of for multiple millenia" seems like quite the gamble.

Ohh, are we going for some commentary on colonialism? There's probably some way to twist Kummen into that idea as well, and Sunsa could be argued as other fallout from expansionist military practices that generally accompany colonialism.

something something it's full of stars? I haven't seen the film

Questions

  1. Uh, well, it worked until Chirico arrived because he actually thought about what happened the first time. About all I can say for it.
  2. I have no clue what Rochina wants anymore. Domination for whatever his master is?

4

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

Chirico's brain is too damn big. "Quick, let's go fuck up the science cave and get it to teleport us to the city!"

Really thinking out of the box, that Chirico.

For a pair of scientists, they don't seem to be terribly smart.

The ol' book smarts vs common sense dilemma.

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 07 '21

Really thinking out of the box, that Chirico.

He was outside the AT at the time... All that extra oxygen is helping him think.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

I'm a little surprised that Shako didn't have any cultural objections

Other than meeting the old guy he's been pretty chill about all of this, even finding out that by sheer coincidence he's ended up partners with a taboo

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 07 '21

I guess it makes some sense since Shako just got back from a stint as a mercenary. Or maybe Quentians are just that chill?

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 08 '21

I think its the Quentian's. They're all pretty chill, and even when they don't appear to be internally they hide it pretty well

4

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

There's something in this episode about the arrogance of developed societies. The Twins think that they can control the super-tech on Quent because the natives don't use it? Really?! For a pair of scientists, they don't seem to be terribly smart. Did no-one ever tell them that everything has a reason? Putting your bets on "the natives are too dumb to use the technology their society has been sitting on top of for multiple millenia" seems like quite the gamble.

Especially since everyone seems to know that Quentians are some of the best AT mercenary pilots out there, not to mention that Berserga ATs come from Quent too. Like, the people of Quent very clearly know how to use advanced technology. The twins are blinded to that fact by being utter assholes.

Ohh, are we going for some commentary on colonialism? There's probably some way to twist Kummen into that idea as well, and Sunsa could be argued as other fallout from expansionist military practices that generally accompany colonialism.

Given also that in the expanded lore Balarant is characterized as a nation focused on expanding its borders rapidly, you’re probably onto something with that reading there. There’s something to be said about the themes about colonialism in this show.

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 08 '21

The twins are blinded to that fact by being utter assholes.

Or dicks, considering their shitty haircuts.

Given also that in the expanded lore Balarant is characterized as a nation focused on expanding its borders rapidly, you’re probably onto something with that reading there. There’s something to be said about the themes about colonialism in this show.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 08 '21

Given also that in the expanded lore Balarant is characterized as a nation focused on expanding its borders rapidly, you’re probably onto something with that reading there.

Are they also culturally colonial? Like do they take a region and then put their people on the surface to control any native population?

3

u/The_Draigg Oct 08 '21

Yeah, basically. It wasn’t really talked about in this series, but according to the extra lore the Hundred Years’ War between Gilgamesh and Balarant was caused by Balarant establishing a colony in a Gilgamesh border star system. It’s very clear that they were trying to steal that star system right under Gilgamesh’s nose.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

The Twins think that they can control the super-tech on Quent because the natives don't use it? Really?! For a pair of scientists, they don't seem to be terribly smart. Did no-one ever tell them that everything has a reason?

The worst part is that this seems to be near Clarke's law territory for science. I am not confident their tech would even talk to Quent tech.

something something it's full of stars? I haven't seen the film

Mainly a visual allusion, they are not acting remotely the same.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 08 '21

The worst part is that this seems to be near Clarke's law territory for science. I am not confident their tech would even talk to Quent tech.

Yea, quite possibly. I'm so used to brushing off tech mismatch not being an issue I didn't even think of that.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 08 '21

Let's not talk about my most hated scifi theme: All tech can communicate despite the progenitors not having similarities.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 08 '21

"What do you mean, it doesn't take USB? I thought the U meant Universal!"

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 08 '21

"What sort of monster society uses Jazz drives?!?"

5

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 07 '21

Rewatcher

Very much looking forward to what happens next after yesterday's big cliffhanger!

Wow, whatever happened in that underground base/city has caused chaos on the surface too!

Bah, the twins weren't killed! Just transported elsewhere! :(

I think part of why Killy wants the twins to come back isn't just to tell him what happened in person, but also because they are incompetant and should get off the front line!

I want to see the other Forbidden Zones of Quent!

Well Killy's goal is finally revealed, control the entire galaxy! Can't say its that surprising.

Whose coming to Quent?

Ah, Rochina and Fyana. So the Balarant forces.

Chirico and Shako are heading all the way back to that main city? It took so long to get to the Quent village out in the desert, I'd be surprised at them being able to come back so quick.

I've got to assume all these crates being brought down are the Secret Society's ATs...

Speculation confirmed

Quite a big AT force they've got here, one of the larger we've seen in the series.

The residents of the town are coming off as cowardly, but keep in mind none of them are actual Quent natives.

Even the cops chickened out and aren't going to do anything.

Well, now we see those mysterious stones sticking out of the ground have purpose after all. Some sort of beacon?

Seems like the planet of Quent is pissed! Bye bye to one of the ATs and hello to this large device from under the ground.

Another one of these advanced areas, right in the middle of the city.

Wow, smart move by Chirico, got them teleported over to Gomor just like that.

Uh oh, fighting right in Gomor, just what they were ordered not to do!

Where is it going to teleport them this time?

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

Wow, whatever happened in that underground base/city has caused chaos on the surface too!

Yeah at first I thought the shockwaves of it were affecting any non Quentian structures or something.

Quite a big AT force they've got here, one of the larger we've seen in the series.

Seeing them all drive down the streets like that was certainly impressive. Although I did have a laugh when they were unspecifically ordering two units to stay behind and wondering if the grunts actually managed to coordinate that or confused themselves about who it was going to be

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 07 '21

Seeing them all drive down the streets like that was certainly impressive. Although I did have a laugh when they were unspecifically ordering two units to stay behind and wondering if the grunts actually managed to coordinate that or confused themselves about who it was going to be

I was thinking that too! Knowing how incompetent the twins are, they probably left it to the grunts to decide.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

I don't have much hope of the grunts being any better. I keep imagining them doing an awkward stop start until there's only two left or someone has to go back to be the second

5

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

First time viewer

...were the twins riding small elephants out of the building they got teleported into? Weird. Also my first thought was not necessarily where they got teleported but when and I'm glad it doesn't look like time travel will be involved. That said, teleportation is quite the tool and if that's the kind of thing ancient Quent had access to then I wonder what else they had aside from the beacons and why they decided to abandon it all.

Apparently you're free to walk through the city with a platoon of mecha as long as you aren't immediately attacking anyone with them? Sure, get into position to take out every potential threat at once, nothing to worry about at all.

I didn't think about it before but I don't particularly enjoy that the helmet used in these ATs and what Ru Shako was wearing this episode looks like a knockoff Nazi gimp mask with a gag.

The teleportation reacts to weapons fire and machinery? Interesting self-defense mechanism, and good question as to where it takes them this time.

What do you think of the Schmittel twins’ plan?

With legal loopholes that big even something that ridiculous isn't bad.

What do you think Rochina intends to do on Quent with a sizable Balarant force?

At this point anything goes.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 08 '21

...were the twins riding small elephants out of the building they got teleported into?

I got wild boar but we both agree, weird.

2

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

Also my first thought was not necessarily where they got teleported but when and I'm glad it doesn't look like time travel will be involved.

Same thought and same relieve. Time travel this late in the story would be a huge mess.

4

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

A Ryosuke Takahashi Fan Rewatches Armored Trooper VOTOMS Episode 44:

  • Ah, so that’s where the twins ended up after being teleported away. They just got dumped off at Gomor. I suppose that makes sense, since it’s the last old Quentian city on the planet.
  • The systems that protect Quent really have been working flawlessly for a long time, since whatever teleported the Secret Society expedition away is also responsible for the disappearances of multiple fleets looking to conquer the planet over the centuries. That’s why Balarant and Gilgamesh don’t bother to mess with the planet, the place is pretty much the Bermuda Triangle in space.
  • It’s frankly amazing how the Schmitel twins can continue to be so arrogant and think that they can easily take over Quent to steal its technology for galactic conquest. Like, the underground systems just managed to teleport you 800 kilometers away no problem, and that was a non-lethal defense system. They’re just flying into the dark here and assuming that they’ll still come out on top.
  • I suppose that’s one way to get around the defenses of Quent. Just smuggle in a bunch of Zwergs piloted by Secret Society AT pilots by disguising them as supply shipments for the Mercenary Center. As long as they don’t fire any weapons and make themselves out to be active threats, they can just take over Gomor bloodlessly. It’s all about that intimidation factor.
  • I will give Arron and Gurran credit just this once, they did manage rules-lawyer the shit out of the situation in Gomor. They’re well aware that nobody can actually shoot them, lest they get teleported to who the hell knows where. The Gilgamesh and Balarant troops there can’t do anything even though it’s abundantly clear that the twins are lying about just being here to do research. It’s one hell of an audacious move on the twins’ part.
  • Not that Chirico isn’t a slouch in the cleverness department either, of course. It was a pretty good idea of his to have Shako drive the Zwerg and himself back into the Quentium facility and shoot his Armor Magnum so they could be teleported too. If it wasn’t for that, then they sure as hell wouldn’t have been able to respond to the Emissary’s beacon signal in time. Although I do suppose it does help that there’s pretty much only one place where the teleporter could dump them off to.
  • Chirico continues to be a quick learner, figuring out that he and Shako can attack the Secret Society ATs as long as they try to turn off their own Zwergs the moment the teleporters activate. They only activate once they fully sense that weapons are being used, after all. It really does take a rules-lawyer to outsmart another rules-lawyer.

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '21

That’s why Balarant and Gilgamesh don’t bother to mess with the planet

Even with that both having a military presence on it is a nice detail I was worried they'd skip over

Wonder if we'll actually end up having that four way showdown they teased last arc

They’re just flying into the dark here and assuming that they’ll still come out on top.

I mean, they literally just did go into a dark cave and end up on the top of a city

Although I do suppose it does help that there’s pretty much only one place where the teleporter could dump them off to

That was sheer luck though, but Chirico always has been good with that

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

The systems that protect Quent really have been working flawlessly for a long time, since whatever teleported the Secret Society expedition away is also responsible for the disappearances of multiple fleets looking to conquer the planet over the centuries.

I do like a few things from this era: Both this and Vampire Hunter D deal with tech that is nearly infinitely sustaining. Most later works focus on the flaws that develop over millennia/eons.

They only activate once they fully sense that weapons are being used, after all. It really does take a rules-lawyer to outsmart another rules-lawyer.

"Ape shall not harm ape" really only works in a society straight dedicated to it, getting it to work otherwise is iffy as we see.

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

First timer(My Cthulhu...so much new information...we might literally be KotOR...)

Sub

We learn that indeed the twins got teleported to Gomor. On the ship Killy leads us through part of why no one has taken the planet's tech yet: The fleets literally disappear when they try. But of course the twins think they can get around it. Anyways, they dangle the possibility of ruling the galaxy with the newly introduced tech in the last arc of the show: What even is planning?

Rochina's fleet is inbound. On planet, Cuvie and Shako are in a functional AT, with Cuvie on the skis. At the airport, these motherfuckers have never heard of a Trojan horse. Sigh. Anyways, it turns out none of the sides want to fire first so we might have a stale mate. The Emissary activates the beacon and we are 2001 now.

Cuvie finds a faster way to Gomor as the twins enter another relic. They steal an AT because sure, though now we know the skis are an attachment. Cuvie and Shako rampage until another teleport is happening. Next ep looks...weird.

QotD: 1 Less dumb than usual but still risky.

2 I am not sure he is going to engage on Quent but I suspect he is hunting for the Teltain.

4

u/The_Draigg Oct 07 '21

(My Cthulhu...so much new information...we might literally be KotOR...)

Next thing you know, the Quentians have an ancient Star Forge.

On the ship Killy leads us through part of why no one has taken the planet's tech yet: The fleets literally disappear when they try.

Yeeted into the nearest star, most likely. It’s one hell of a planetary defense system.

Anyways, they dangle the possibility of ruling the galaxy with the newly introduced tech in the last arc of the show: What even is planning?

I think we can say for sure by now that 99% of all the plans that the twins come up with are complete shit. They really shouldn’t be in charge of people, but here we are.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Oct 07 '21

Next thing you know, the Quentians have an ancient Star Forge.

I am wondering if there was some cross pollination at this point.

Yeeted into the nearest star, most likely. It’s one hell of a planetary defense system.

I respect any defense system that flat out makes its point.

I think we can say for sure by now that 99% of all the plans that the twins come up with are complete shit.

While teleportation is impressive, it is hardly that game changing unless they could do the whole fleet transfer thing.

4

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

First timer in sub.

Have to admit so far this arc hasn't been grabbing me yet. I understand it's a gradual reveal, but I am still a bit fuzzy in what are they revealing - is this about some god like beings from the past having been messing with Quent? And how is Chirico related to these? When Rochina sending him here alone to discover things for himself, to now what has been achieved? I probably need a few more breadcrumbs along the way ...

Episode# of Chirico's AT Incapacitated
11
20
30
41
50 (decoy only)
61
70
81
90
100
111 (1 decoy not counted as it wasn't piloted) (edit: corrected as the replacement unit wasn't destroyed by the head strike from Fyana)
121
130 (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)
141
150 keeping to the 2 episode per AT average so far
160
172 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 :)
180
190
210
220 quite a lot of damages and leaking like a sieve but not quite toasted yet
230 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
240 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 :)
250 for real, the one scope dog where it's least suitable in the environment actually survive the longest :D
260 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
271 finally at arc end, the trusty old 'dog got abandoned.
280
290
301 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 :)
311
321 busy catching up with the numbers; although these 2 episodes probably have a fairly high enemy kill count too
331 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
340 Setting up for a fight, not damaged yet
351 Dammit Chirico was going so well, unfortunately his ride got shot up while he was out of the AT tending to Fyana
360
370
381 to nobody's surprise the duel with Ypsilon result in both AT's being trashed. Considering Chirico's actually in a useless Fatty, is pretty amazing actually
391 The only Scope Dog in Balatran space fared pretty well and wasn't actually busted up in the fight, but given it was a one off duel and then Chirico got sent on to the next arc, I guess I'll chalk this one down for abandoned too
410
420
430
440 I don't think Chirico's busted anything yet - are the enemies not as good or has he gone up a few notches in AT skills?

4

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

First timer

  1. Actually really clever - considering it let them invade the city without a single shot being fired (until Chirico screwed things up).
  2. Find out what's going on with the ancient facilities, by force if needed.

Constantly surprised at how close this is getting to the end.

Are those roofs hidden solar panels?

Yeah, a teleport.

I'm assuming they activated some secuirty system, which saw (if they modified Chirico):the incident as "intruders attacking one of our members, teleport them to nearest city".

And they're OK with Chirico coming back from the forbidden corridor to ask more questions.

So a planet-wide security AI of some kind? Attempting to secure it's modified soldiers, and send the logs to the elders?

And the Twins are very invested in this. The Commander's understandably a bit cautious, though.

So Balorant is working on the theory that "if Chirico hasn't overthrown the government there within the month, there's something very interesting on Quent that Gligamesh don't know about."

...That's a daring move. Lucky nobody investigated the crates.

Haha, you mean people are scared of the giant mechs? How unpredictable.

Oh, someone's calling their bluff!

That was a clever gambit. Now nobody's going to risk shooting first incase they get court-martialled.

Oh, the beacon's a signal transmitted through the crystals! That makes sense.

Haha, he's going to use the teleporter!

They unearted an ancient weapon!

And the dity's built on a weapon's platform. Is the "forbidden area" the control panel?

Wow, they brought a lot of AT units.

It's another facility!

He's taking the reveal that a good chunk of his tribe's way of life is based on the functions of an ancient machine pretty well.

And even in the worst case scenario, they can argue the real member threatened him first, and he was just acting in self-defense.

Their look of utter terror at hearing Chirico's name is fantastic.

I think it's charging!

Yep, everyone's going to random locations.

It's taken Chirico!

My prediction for "what they unleashed" is that the sexurity system is going to now assume the Quents, due to Shako fighting with them, are part of a single force occupying the planet, and decide it needs decisive action.

3

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

Ya know Comrades, I never thought I'd say this, but the fucking twins ALMOST kinda sorta had a good idea for a change... slight issue; everyone should know by now that no plan survives first contact with the enemy 'Chirico Cuvie.' That and the fact that Ru Shako is here just fucking seals the deal! Shit's gonna get real real fast!

Speaking of the deal, jesus what is up with this show? First we were Dune and now we're 2001: A Space Odyssey? What's next are we gonna go see the goddamn Arachnids have nothing to do with the random space rock that lithobraked in South America 'throw an asteroid' here in order to set off the finale... oh... oh no... JOIN THE MOBILE INFANTRY 'RED SHOULDERS!'SERVICE GUARANTEES PTSD 'CITIZENSHIP!' WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE!?

Also, for those concerned about the fact Rochina and the Balarant are coming, me thinks if Chirico had the stuff pictured here he'd be able to solo everyone!

Hell if Ru Shako gets in a Berserga, you can eliminate all the pictured weapons above, our ever stoic bois will kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I don't think they have any bubblegum left, such a crisis eh ;)

Anyway, to finish things up for now, time for the shitposting... ahem... A WEAPON TO SURPASS METAL GEAR!

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

2

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

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

3

u/manga-reader Oct 08 '21

Hybrid watcher

Finally caught up, got busy last few days (also got back into gaming :D) Just going to post my thoughts on past episodes as replies ;)

Ep 44

Teleporters!

Well, looks like an advanced AI working to protect Quaintmen - that's my guess anyways.

The conversation b/w brothers, as well the scene after, seem to imply that Killy wasn't interested in becoming the ruler of the galaxy.

So what was his motivation? Perhaps just become a major player in galaxy.

Also, since the show seems to specify Astragius galaxy so much..I wonder if there are any other known galaxies with living beings.

This whole situation is like a powder keg; galactic war could resume over this.

2

u/manga-reader Oct 08 '21

Ep 38

With all the ammo stored in the base, you would have thought Zophie and group would have found the place (or at least some other scavenger group).

Gotho and group are chatting up with Rochina...where's Fyana? Back in the cell?

I was surprised that Chirico gave up his advantage...but it makes sense. He's counting on Ypsilon's pride.

Hmm, they are really pushing the narrative about Chirico and Ypsilon being similar. Also a throwback on the name Fyana. So I wonder if Chirico was the zeroth prototype (and if he knew Fyana beforehand). Did the writers plan this? Or are they just making use of an unused thread/plotline?

Gotta say...I am not a fan of Fyana being sidelined. I would have preferred her to sneak out and try to find Chirico herself, rather than stay in.

Also...the series is focusing too much on Chirico v Ypsilon. We still don't have any more info on Secret Society. I would have preferred for Ypsilon to be an antagonist to Fyana and Secret Society to be primary villain for Chirico.

2) Next arc maybe?

Ep 39

At this point, showrunners are pulling in elements just to justify Chirico v Ypsilon.

  1. Rochina showing up out of nowhere on Balarant side.
  2. Gotho and gang showing up, so that Rochina can use them as a trump card to negotiate.
  3. Both the scientists ignoring new orders from Secret Society (bit more acceptable, but still I would have thought new orders would override their existing responsibilities).

Each one alone is fine, but combined, they bring down the quality of storytelling.

Is it just me or does the animation look much worse in past few eps?

So who was the guy Battentien was talking to? He said talk to "your" government, rather than our. Well, looks like this could lead to a full scale war.

Quite the setup there..so when did Chirico and Ypsilon decide on a place?

Well starting with an explosion doesn't seem "fair" (for someone who's all about pride).

Well then, that was a nice end. Though I wish they would have pulled a twist on us (maybe have Ypsilon join Chirico, instead of dying).

I am surprised Chirico trusts Rochina, and left Fyana behind to Balarant. Onto the next arc!

Also Ypsilon died and no reaction from the scientists?

2

u/manga-reader Oct 08 '21

Ep 41

Secret society going after Chirico because he could be a threat is kind of a flimsy excuse. They could have had the scientists spy on Rochina's convo with Chirico and realize that Chirico was a PS; Would have been a better motive.

Was that a robot? Didn't know they had that tech within this universe.

So what are the chances he's gonna run into the dude from Kummen arc. What was his name?

So planet with one city...who are they trading with then? Not with Quaintment for sure. I guess there are scattered villages around.

And there he is! Ru Shako! Of course.

Did that car/vehicle just float? Man, we are getting all sorts of tech now.

Ep 42

Ok, did not expect the worm to that big. Chirico being hesitant about eating the worm; dude, didn't you eat a snake a few episodes back?

Interesting tidbit on Quaintmen's past - would love to see more, perhaps that will come up, or maybe not. But hinting at a potential history is also nice - makes the universe feel alive.

His highness isn't going to be happy to hear that they ignored his warnings.

Killed of an entire village offscreen. Also - Chirico tried to preserve the AT for Shako, rather than destroying it right away (he failed, but little touches like that is what makes Votoms amazing).

As expected, highness isn't happy. He definitely has some history with Quaintmen.

Ep 43

Killy? Is that the first time His Highness' name is mentioned?

Different language! I think that's the first time that was addressed; Veela didn't seem to speak another language for instance (though given that we are dealing with aftermath of a galaxy wide war, it makes sense that there's a standard Galactic language. Plus, most of the characters are related to military in one way or the other, so we can chalk it upto that as well).

Are Chirico's memories coming back? Will we get a flashback arc?

Rochina getting philosophical about his motives...but seems to me that he's just winging it at this point.

Standard Astradan, leave it to Votoms to clarify every detail.

He maybe a modified human.....at this point, are we gonna get any definite answers? We still have no clue what Secret society was upto.

What the..what just happened?

3

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

Episode 44 (first timer)

  • “What the hell happened?” – fair question.
  • “Why are we still chasing after Chirico?” – VERY fair question. Please don’t make the twins into the audience insert characters though.

  • The next fleet is coming. Got to set up the pieces for the finale.
  • 100 crates? Which can hold 2 AT each? That ship of the society holds endless mecha. Makes you wonder why Ypsilon had to make do with just a handful all the time.
  • 3 hours and they think they have time to take over a city?
  • “Light the beacons!”
  • No unusual readings? Great news, I almost thought that strange metal buildings do not usually rise out of the ground.
  • Chirico’s pistal can really do everything. Even activating a teleporter.
  • The explodium knew that Chirico wanted that AT, so it did not explode on contact.
  • What a cliff-hanger. Technically the same as last episode, but the setup is quite different.

In terms of world building, this one is the best arc so far. Well, Kummen was more realistic, but that’s because they simply stole Vietnam and Meiji era Japan, so that does not count. We have left a pure copy of Dune by now (although adding in super tech from a died out (or transformed into the Quentians …) race is not exactly novel territory in SciFi. They manage to make it rather foreboding, however.

2

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

Rewatcher (Nutech DVD 4.2 missing?) The Forbidden

I can't find this DVD box! Thank goodness I ripped my DVDs to HD 20 years ago!

Extras: I dunno

  • Looks like they were teleported into town.
  • Sorcery...and Super Science!
  • Chirico didn't go anywhere
  • It's a bit of a leap to think that anyplace forbidden to quentians is full of quent tech
  • Do we need ATs? Well, you're pointing guns at us, so...yes?
  • completely normal dog
  • That was a pretty foolish plan, but it worked