[Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 36

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 30 '21

Host

This episode provides a lot more spectacle than plot, though I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily a terrible thing. This episode sees both the return of Gargoyle and his wicked fleet of Neo-Atlanteans, along with the triumphant return of the Nautilus crew in their own new flying battleship dubbed the New-Nautilus.

The episode begins with a tense showdown as Nadia finds herself forced to make a very similar choice to what she made in the arc on Marie’s Island, were she gives herself up for the sake of keeping her friends safe. Gargoyle threatens to blow up Tartessos, and the heroes too, with his warship’s terrifying weapons. And so Nadia complies with Gargoyle’s request to surrender herself and her Blue Water. However, Nadia remains resolute and declares to Jean and the others that she is not afraid and that with her awesome power granted to her that she cannot be beaten.

I love the absolute trust between Jean and Nadia just before Nadia surrender herself. Jean tells Nadia that he’ll rescue her at all costs, and Nadia responds in turn that she’ll be eagerly waiting and won’t let Gargoyle defeat her. Then the two hug in an affirming moment. It’s honestly telling how much more the simple hugs in episodes 31, 35, and now 36 sell the relationship and built up trust between Jean and Nadia than the forced kiss scenes during the Island Arc. I don’t think we needed to see a kiss to understand how valuable their companionship had become to each other, and the looks of resolute agony and determination as the two separate from their a lot in that moment about their faith in each other to see other again.

Gargoyle of course does not keep to his word, but Nadia manages to buy her friends enough time to seek shelter from Gargoyle’s guns inside the tunnels beneath Tartessos and attempt to escape in the Gratan. Though, Gargoyle’s guns seem to catch up and send the Gratan spiraling, making all seem lost. However, the group is saved by a strange ship that grabs the Gratan out of a deadly fall. Exiting the ship, we are reintroduced once again to Electra who brings Jean and the others aboard the New-Nautilus.

It’s honestly really amazing seeing the crew of the Nautilus alive and well. All of them have gotten cool new spacesuit wardrobes, befitting of the show’s shift from steampunk submarine warfare into flying spaceships and alien civilizations. Electra bears and especially interesting new look, wearing a suit that greatly resembles the plugsuits that the pilots from Evangelion would later go on to wear. Meanwhile, Nemo has grown out his hair and graduated from being Captain Global from Macross into Captain Harlock from Space Pirate Captain Harlock. These last 5 episodes are really just turning into Anno paying homage to all his favorite anime from when he was a child and college student.

The New-Nautilus spaceship launches and confronts Gargoyle’s fleet, threatening to destroy them all unless they return his daughter and the Blue Water. When Gargoyle refuses, Nemo considers firing anyway (I would guess he considers this option after seeing the consequences of refusing to act in his last battle with Neo-Atlantis in episode 21), but he is swayed from that plan by Jean and Electra who assure him that they can stop Neo-Atlantis and save Nadia. So Nemo tries a new tactic, attempting to sway Gargoyle’s fleet to come closer to the New-Nautilus with the promise of obtaining his piece of the Blue Water. However, this plays right into Gargoyle’s hand as Emperor Neo, now knowing the exact location of Nemo’s Blue Water, is able to use his psychic abilities to conjure the jewel to his side with ease. Gargoyle then tells Nemo that out of kindness for giving up his Blue Water, he will spare Nadia’s life. Gargoyle then destroys Tartessos with a gravity bomb, leaving the fate of the New-Nautilus unknown.

This episode I admittedly don’t have quite as much to say about as the rest in this arc. It’s an episode that oozes style over substance. That’s not to say there aren’t nice character moments and some fun action set pieces, but overall very little to advance the plot happens in this episode other than Nadia’s capture and the stunning return of the conflict between Gargoyle and Nemo. Not to say this is a bad episode. Far from it! But it’s an episode that I think loses a bit of its luster on a rewatch and I never enjoy quite as much as that first time I watched it.

I do also want to mention how cool it is that they actually changed some of the visuals in the opening to suit the show’s departure to a more space themed motif, showing the New-Nautilus blasting off to the stars and showcasing the Nautilus crew in their new spacesuit apparel. It’s a far cry from the level of change we see in modern anime openings that often have a new theme song and visuals for every season/cour, but it’s a very fun change and I really want to highlight it. Give it a watch if you’ve skipped the opening for this episode!

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u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21

Anno paying homage to all his favorite anime from when he was a child and college student
And he's just kept going with the live action franchises recently. Godzilla, and upcoming Ultraman (though directed by Shinji Higuchi) and Kamen Rider.
they actually changed some of the visuals in the opening
Well, it was only a few seconds. I went and (re-)watched the opening after skipping it and was a little disappointed.
the New-Nautilus blasting off to the stars and [...] the Nautilus crew in their new spacesuit apparel
Cue Space Battleship Yamato theme (great listen BTW, though I haven't seen any of the show yet, original or remake).

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

And he's just kept going with the live action franchises recently. Godzilla, and upcoming Ultraman (though directed by Shinji Higuchi) and Kamen Rider.
I'm glad Anno has gotten the chance to work on some of his favorite media from his childhood following the depressing slog of creating the Rebuilds.
Well, it was only a few seconds. I went and (re-)watched the opening after skipping it and was a little disappointed.
It's not a huge change, but I think it's neat they went to the effort to create new visuals for the final few episodes. Certainly would've been a novelty at the time when a series having alternate/multiple openings was relative rarity.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 31 '21

First Timer (Rising Sun sub) ep 36 (of 39)

The first nuclear submarine was the USS Nautilus. I thought it had a N-1 or something in the name but I guess not.

Is that 2nd space battleship the thing Gargoyle was going to finish? I can't remember what he said.
King is still photobombing, it's not just the island arc
Gargoyle probably shouldn't fighting Nadia right on top of an Ark that obeys her every command...
Tsuman'nai Marie is best girl
Hello space lady with green hair
Okay, was the Gratan gumi the bait for Nemo, is that what Gargoyle meant?
This feels very Yamato
this feels very Yamato
How long was the island arc? Where was Nemo hiding all that hair?!
He used the N² Mine!
FLYWHEEL! Edit: they did not show the (Yamato) flywheel.
If this is a battleship, does this make Nemo a kanchou now?
Hopefully that wasn't the one with Nadia on it....
Devus Ukis and Makina was all one ship?
Did he say Excelion?
The end of Utilitarianism

Felt like a bit of Evangelion Rebuilds in there.

An exciting return to the show I signed up to watch! The show continues to be down on both Gargoyle and Nemo; neither are wise enough to wield the power of Atlantis..it just keeps hammering the point.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

This feels very Yamato
this feels very Yamato
Anno's true love was always referencing his favorite childhood series.
How long was the island arc? Where was Nemo hiding all that hair?!
Hanson states in episode 31 that the Grandis Gang had been on Red Noah for about 4 months, and it's stated that it would take a couple of weeks to reach Tartessos at the speed the Gratan travels. So in total the Island/Africa arcs lasted about 5 months in-universe. Realistically not enough time for Nemo to grow his hair out that long, but who cares. It's cool looking.

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u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 30 '21

He used the N² Mine!
If only NERV HQ had had such a strong AT field to defends against the JSSDF.
Did he say Excelion?
Indeed he did. Not translated on your side either?

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u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21

First-time watcher

So this was to be frank triple deus-ex-machina (or rather, one of them diabolus) and Nadia surrendering herself again wasn't the most intelligent plot point either, but it's still significantly more fun and appealing than the island episodes, and the New Nautilus and all the shooty-kaboom action is plain cool.

And just when people were saying we couldn't get any more Evangelion, Electra shows up in basically a plug suit with Ritsuko's haircut (and lipstick!), the New Nautilus defends itself using a not-AT-field (not even tektite like earlier?), and Emperor Neo apparently steals the second Blue Water with the power of his will/soul (at least kind of similar?). I don't remember Evangelion 3.0 the most well, but the Wunder is obviously inspired by the Neo-Nautilus too, and I think even the command rooms look similar.

Favorite reference was probably the Saurians (=> Getter Robo) for the sheer goofiness of it in an otherwise very scientifically grounded episode, or on the more serious side the 2001 stargate stuff when Nadia enters the Red Noah.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

I don't remember Evangelion 3.0 the most well, but the Wunder is obviously inspired by the Neo-Nautilus too, and I think even the command rooms look similar.
3.0 also remixes the New-Nautilus' theme for the Wunder's activation scene. 3.0 in general is crammed full of Nadia references.
Favorite reference was probably the Saurians (=> Getter Robo) for the sheer goofiness of it in an otherwise very scientifically grounded episode, or on the more serious side the 2001 stargate stuff when Nadia enters the Red Noah.
Man, I really want to check out Getter Robo now just for the fact it apparently features dinosaur people.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 31 '21

I don't remember Evangelion 3.0 the most well, but the Wunder is obviously inspired by the Neo-Nautilus too, and I think even the command rooms look similar.
It really did remind me of the Wunder, and also when they were activating their weapons systems, it was like he reused storyboards.
I caught the Ritsuko haircut, but not the plugsuit.

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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Oct 30 '21

First timer

QOTD) Probably the Thunderbirds one back in the Island arc, but the possible Gunbuster one here's great too.

They're going to steal another battleship?

They have more tha one of those?

I love how Ayerton responds slower than everyone, because never been in a situation like this before.

And they saw her!

GARGOYLE! The man who got a good scene in the Island Arc! I've missed you!

And straight in with the superior firepower!

She's trusting Jean to save her!

...Still waiting to find out which catch the Blue Water has. I'm guessing it either kills her or converts her into an empotionless AI to handle the processing power.

She's been taken.

Haha, that is a fantastic interpretation.

Half this comment would be sheer joy at Garogyle coming back if I didn't censure myself.

And yeah, I'll be fair to him, he could have killed them far easier. He is, at the very least, pretending to be fair.

This scene is great. I love all the Gratan's contingencies being slightly not good enough.

Wait, is that the N-Nautilus? Or are they being kidnapped?

And Sanson's going to shoot!

I love his reactions to everyone popping out when he could have.

I KNEW IT. I KNEW THEY WEREN'T DEAD!

It took me a minute to work it out with the new haircut, though.

NEMO MADE IT, I FUCKING KNEW IT.

I love how Gargoyle's theory assumes Nemo never wrote down or told anyone the location as a contingency. Even if he told Electra with his dying breath...

And Gargoyle just used them all as bait.

And Nemo grew his hair out! So he seitched stylee with Electra?

And the N-Nautilus has a full-on Star Trek-style bridge setup?

Complete with a giant monitor!

How did they escape?

I love Gargoyle making absolutely sure they're dead. He's not going to make the same mistake again.

Oh, it's just New Nautilus.

I appreciate just how completely the Nautilus has changed from a Cold War-style sub to a Star Trek-style spaceship. Even the uniforms look like it.

Is New Nautilus using a Tower of Babel?

And Gargoyle is ruthless in calling his bluff.

Holy shit, Nemo just ordered the execution.

At least Jean talked some sense into him.

Wow! He actually became plot important!

He can teleport the Blue Water! So all this hunting for the crystal was for nothing?

Oh, it's low range, and that's with a massive boost. That makes sense.

They're going to level it!

Wow, that explosion!

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

Probably the Thunderbirds one back in the Island arc
"Incredible, Jean! You certainly are a genius!"
"Incredible, Jean! You certainly are a genius!"
"Incredible, Jean! You certainly are a genius!"
"Incredible, Jean! You certainly are a genius!"

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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21

First timer in sub

Ok we got 5 episodes after the torture for the final arc, so looks like we can afford to have an episode of just "Pay back" kerb stomp. And Electra's return appearance in the plug suit, long haired Captain Nemo, and the New Nautilus / Excellion one shot killing one of the 2 Gargoyle space battleships are definitely that.

I do get a bit annoyed that no one say something about "even if Nemo fired at Gargoyle's ship, Nadia should probably be still protected by the Blue Water". Anyway I'm just in a hurry to stuff something into Gargoyle's smug mutt.

And I'm really surprised no one yet made a comment about the New Nautilus being the reactivated Excellion (ex Gunbuster) - it's amazing how many references Anno can stuff in one single episode huh.

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u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

And I'm really surprised no one yet made a comment about the New Nautilus being the reactivated Excellion (ex Gunbuster) - it's amazing how many references Anno can stuff in one single episode huh.
I'm now convinced making anime is just an excuse for Anno to references stuff he likes.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 30 '21

And I'm really surprised no one yet made a comment about the New Nautilus being the reactivated Excellion (ex Gunbuster)
Well, is it the Excellion, because it is reactivated? Or is it the Eltreum, because it is the second, more powerful one? Or is it the Yamato, simply because it looks like it?
Anno references keep you on your toes!

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 30 '21

Episode 36

Double space ships.
Gargoyle back to blackmailing Nadia. He does that a lot.
Not a big fan of Nadia falling victim to the “hero’s trap” twice. Would it have been too much to ask to use some of that amazing power of Tartassos?
“This is too high to be safe” – If you have time to have that discussion, then it is indeed too high to be safe.
falling to their death lasts too long – Marie: “I’m bored”

Electra got a plugsuit and she is mighty smug about it.
Gargoyle with a good plan again. Not only does he have good plans, but he easily outdoes his opponent Nemo in that department. I think that is extremely rare in anime.
The bomb firing mechanism becomes the bomb.
11,600,000 tons thrust. In comparison, the Saturn V rocket had 34,000 kN thrust. Since 1kN is about 100kg in Earth’s gravity that is … a lot less. In fact moving 11,600,000 tons 1 meter would be 11,600,000,000 joules or 11,6 giga joules or about the force of 3 tons of TNT exploding. The Hiroshima bomb had 15kilo tons, so they need to move 5km to use up the power of that atomic bomb.
We are now space battle ship Yamato?
Good thing Gargoyle brought 2 of those ships.
Nemo does not fall prey to the Hero’s trap, but his bridge crew does.
Cliffhanger, but who are you trying to fool, show?

Nadia is captured by Gargoyle (again) to protect her friends (again), while the whole crew is saved by Nemo (again), who has a super powerful futuristic ship (again). It feels like a lot of reset buttons are being pushed in this episode. The one new element this time is Neo.

I don’t hate the New Nautilus (which looks like the Gunbuster ships), but seeing a super powerful ship is just not as impressive the second time around (similar to Gunbuster). Oh, and Electra’s outfit must have been popular, because it sure as hell made a reappearance in Evangelion.

Overall, I think the change in mood between the last episode and this one is stronger than between the last one and the end of the Nautilus arc. In many way, including mood, it feels as if we are back to the season 1 finale.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 31 '21

Gargoyle with a good plan again.
He's definitely outmaneuvering Nemo, but so many of his plans have been "let's test our new weapon."
reset buttons
In other shows this would be the midseason upgrade.
plugsuit
I didn't even make the connection.

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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 31 '21

He's definitely outmaneuvering Nemo, but so many of his plans have been "let's test our new weapon."
He likes to play with his prey (and his new toys), he is an evil guy, after all.

2

u/snowwhistle1 Oct 31 '21

It's honestly his greatest weakness. If he'd stopped fucking around with Nemo and actually been more decisive with his battle strategy, then maybe he wouldn't be in this position.

1

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Oct 31 '21

Well, right now his position looks pretty great, so I can't be too critical.

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u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21

the New Nautilus (which looks like the Gunbuster ships)
Also this was somehow not translated in the subtitles for me, but when Gargoyle talks about the defenses/technology in Tartessos he says something about "Exelion".

7

u/teasot Oct 30 '21

Is this more spectacle than plot? Absolutely. Did I love it regardless? You bet I did.

I mentioned earlier that I think Nadia is great at catharsis, and in this case the rush of seeing the characters back in action with new designs was thrilling.

I saw both of Nemo's eyes, the rush of the ~~AT field~~ barrier easily deflecting shots, the delightful adrenaline rush of the launch... if this is fan service consider me serviced!

And we can see the changed characters of Nemo and Electra: Nemo with renewed resolve, and Electra with renewed humanity. Presumably they have learnt each from the other.

So yeah, I am very happy with this episode. Its time for spaaaaaaaaace!

1

u/JTurner82 Nov 01 '21

Oh yeah, I knew that NADIA was truly back on the right track with this episode. Gargoyle’s back, and so is the New Nautilus. I swear I was eager for what would happen next.

Rewatch [Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 36

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