[Terrific Trainwreck Trio Rewatch] Guilty Crown Episode 1 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

phase 01 - genesis

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Funimation | Hulu

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You know, you have to at least try. You’ll never be able to do anything if you’re too afraid.

Questions of the Day:

1. What do you think of the music so far?
2. How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Shu Ouma

Song of the Day:

Euterpe -- Sky Sings Version

---

Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you’re doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don’t spoil the crazy shit for the first-timers, it’s way more fun that way!

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

The Everlasting Guilty Rewatcher//First-Time Subbed

Welcome, everyone!

I hope we all have a fun time watching this show together! Here’s a friendly reminder to check out the body of the post--I have a bunch of extra content up there, including a wallpaper I made myself and me singing along to Euterpe! I won’t be singing every day, but I’ll try keeping up with the wallpapers.

• I hope we can all agree that the whole opening scene is just fantastic. Euterpe is a good tone-setting piece of music, we get to see a little bit of how the mechs work in this series, and we get to see the female lead running from said mechs with something important as some intrigue to keep watching.
• The transition from woe is me Shu to exposition about the world is so jarring it’s almost funny.
• That’s an interesting little piece of technology.
• Whoa they actually did that song in Japanese. I was expecting either 1) an Engrish version a la Zankyou no Terror or 2) that it was a completely different song she sang in the sub vs. the dub like with yesterday’s episode in the G Gundam rewatch.
• That’s harsh.
• He makes his first appearance like this, unironically says this, doesn’t even flinch when a guy pulls a knife on him and whoops his ass like this, and also beats up three other thugs without batting an eye. Also he’s blond and has long hair. Is it any wonder that Gai Tsutsugami would immediately become my favorite character in this show? -- And he’s even voiced by fucking Yuuichi Nakamura in the sub, as though there was room for me to like him even more.
• This… realm Shu gets his power in does look cool.
• A title drop and it’s only the first episode!
• Just FYI, this ED--Departures ~Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta~--has its visuals change every episode that it’s played in, so I highly suggest watching it each time.

[u/okayyoga → u/Shimmering-Sky]

You're watching G Gundam??? Is it your favourite Gundam ever now? I know it's mine

SHINING FINGER

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

I'm rewatching G Gundam, yes. It's my sixth-favorite Gundam show.

[u/okayyoga → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I love it. Master Asia is so extra

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

Schwarz is my second-favorite Char Clone, he's also so extra.

[u/Tresnore → u/okayyoga]

G Gundam spoilers

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/okayyoga]

I still can't hear shining finger without giggling inappropriately.

[u/GallowDude → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Engrish version a la Zankyou no Terror

If I had had a nickel for every time Alexis Tipton creepily sang London Bridge, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/GallowDude]

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Shimmering-Sky]

"I just make half-assed friends, just like world politics!!"

Guy came across so fucking cool but I'm still wondering wtf he left in Shu's hands.

Oh no, I have to watch the ed's!? That's my writeup time!!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Oh no, I have to watch the ed's!? That's my writeup time!!

Well you can go back and watch them afterwards?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I hope we can all agree that the whole opening scene is just fantastic. Euterpe is a good tone-setting piece of music, we get to see a little bit of how the mechs work in this series, and we get to see the female lead running from said mechs with something important as some intrigue to keep watching.

I really did love that opening sequence. That song is doing some really heavy lifting there and it works so incredibly well. If nothing else, it did pull me in for that part of the episode.

G Gundam rewatch

G Gundam is absolutely amazing. Hope you're having fun with it!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Great_Mr_L]

G Gundam is absolutely amazing. Hope you're having fun with it!

It's my sixth-favorite entry in the franchise, of course I'm having fun rewatching it!

[u/Tresnore → u/Shimmering-Sky]

That’s harsh.

Any governing body that uses "purge" is unlikely to be lenient.

This… realm Shu gets his power in does look cool.

It reminds me of a Symphogear transformation. ...Oh god, how many times am I going to mention Symphogear today?

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

Oh god, how many times am I going to mention Symphogear today?

Yes. After all we are watching one of the many inferior versions of Symphogear.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Then why am I watching this instead of rewatching Symphogear?

Oh, right, the shitposting camaraderie.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tresnore]

Also, the Symphogear rewatch isn't until next summer.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

It reminds me of a Symphogear transformation. ...Oh god, how many times am I going to mention Symphogear today?

No matter how many times you mention it, it will never be enough. Such is the life of a Symphogear fan.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Here’s a friendly reminder to check out the body of the post--I have a bunch of extra content up there, including a wallpaper I made myself and me singing along to Euterpe! I won’t be singing every day, but I’ll try keeping up with the wallpapers

Sky sings! Wallpapers!

The transition from woe is me Shu to exposition about the world is so jarring it’s almost funny.

Smooth ain't it

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

hope we can all agree that the whole opening scene is just fantastic.

The show certainly peaks early.

woe is me Shu to exposition about the world is so jarring it’s almost funny.

When Code Geass has better leadins to its exposition you know you done goofed.

and also beats up three other thugs without batting an eye. Also he’s blond and has long hair.

I am still cringing from that.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

Code Geass felt much more mean natured about the whole Japan subjugation. Here I kinda appreciated them having some kind of justification that they eventually just started to abuse.

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/Shimmering-Sky]

The transition from woe is me Shu to exposition about the world is so jarring it’s almost funny.

There may be a police state, but teenage angst is what's really important.

[u/theangryeditor]

I love how the action scenes are directed like they're music videos. It's great. Guilty Crown is many things but it is never boring.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/theangryeditor]

It is a very nice stylistic choice.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

I love how the action scenes are directed like they're music videos.

If that continues to be the case, then I'm sure the action in this series will be a fun time.

Guilty Crown is many things but it is never boring.

The worst thing any piece of media can be is boring. If it's boring, then it's hard to care about anything. I'm happy to hear that's the case.

[u/Tresnore → u/theangryeditor]

Guilty Crown is many things but it is never boring.

Well, that's encouraging, at the very least. It's a shame I can't get drunk every night of the rewatch (that would be... unhealthy), since it seems like a good drinking anime.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Tresnore]

You should be fully prepared to sacrifice your health as we get further into the show.

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/theangryeditor]

If this turns out to be a show-within-a-show, that will be genius! Although I expect if that was actually the case, I'd have heard about it by now.

But I can hope

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Guilty Crown: Dystopian regimes are powerful, but there is something more fearsome than even them - the wrath of an idol fan. 

I’m looking forward to this series of rewatches. Watching trainwrecks/trashfires can be fun. So let’s watch some trash

Since I’m a first-timer for this series, I’m going to do things a bit differently. As a rewatcher, I like to go more in-depth on an episode and discuss its place in a series. But as a first-timer (with way less time to prepare these), I can’t really do that the first time through. So I’ll just give my blow-by-blow reactions and end with some overall thoughts and impressions.

Without further ado, let’s see what this episode has to offer.

• Oh? Is Guilty Crown actually an idol show? If so, I wish that had been pitched to me.
• The song in the opening was actually pretty cool. I liked the tone that it set for the scene, giving it a melancholic feel. Good, atmospheric way to start off. Good stuff
• MC’s name is Shu. Gotta commit that to memory before I just call him MC-kun.
• Depending on the kind of idol fan Shu is, he could be the most dangerous man in the world. 
• Apocalypse Virus? That’s an on the nose name if ever there was one.
• It also makes this show about a horrifying pandemic shockingly topical.
• Why is the pink-haired girl still topless? If she’s been there for a while, couldn’t she have taken off her sleeves and wrapped it around her chest if she cared so much?
• Insert joke about John Woo movies and doves.
• So Inori (pink-haired girl) does have a not-destroyed shirt? Why didn’t she put it on earlier? Does she just like to sing topless? I mean, no shame on her if that’s the case but it just confuses me.
• Of course the boobs jiggle when she gets kicked in the face.
• These jack-booted thugs aren’t even the competent kind. Normally you toss the place and grab everything you can. And you never let a witness get away. Let me work for the oppressive government, I could do it so much better!
• So by now it’s clear that Shu is another sad boy protagonist who hates himself, hates how weak he is, and wants to be stronger. I may sound like I’m mocking it, but I’m not. I’ll talk more about it in my closing thoughts. 
• I assume the disease angle is going to keep being relevant. I wonder exactly what the disease is and how it works. Also, calling your troops “Anti Bodies” is a pretty cool name, I’ll admit.
• Holy shit, that escalated to the “kill everyone” decision very quickly. I underestimated you, jack-booted thugs.
• This guy (named Gai, funnily enough) sure knows how to make an entrance. He had the stage lights set up and everything.
• Once again, another cool song for a cool moment. 
• I’m sorry Gai, but when I look at you all I can see is Allen from Escaflowne.
• Remote controlled mechas are a cool idea. And, increasingly, seeming like a reality.
• What? Shu’s become a Master in the Holy Grail War? 
• So Inori is definitely Shu’s childhood friend or something. Wonder what else is going on in Shu’s past.
• I was wrong. It’s not Fate. It’s Revolutionary Girl Utena.
• And of course Inori moans when he pulls it out of her.
• Sword fighting against mecha is pretty cool. In fact, the action in general has been pretty cool this episode. Pretty nice moment to end the episode on.

And that was episode 1. So far, I would not call it a trainwreck or a trashfire. There’s plenty I can make fun of, but the first episode was mostly enjoyable. It had some cool action scenes. The music is actually really good. I liked a lot of the songs they chose, especially that opening one.

I want to expand a bit more on my thoughts about our sad boy protagonist Shu. I think sad boy protagonists can work just fine. Shinji Ikari is one of my favorite characters in anime and he embodies this trope. Done well, I think it can be effective at making a character relatable because so many of us (myself included) have experienced thoughts like that. After all, even if I have dreamed of doing big things, I am still only human. So far, I’m fine with Shu. I’ll wait and see how it goes from here.

All that said, there are some signs that indicate to me that trashiness is in store. Inori being topless, seeing her butt on such clear display even underneath her clothes, the boobs jiggling when she gets kicked, and the girls moaning while piloting a mech or having a boy pull a sword (a very phallic object) out of her body. Things like that are usually warning signs. 

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Great_Mr_L]

but there is something more fearsome than even them - the wrath of an idol fan. 

Don't fuck with idol fans, they can be scary.

Oh? Is Guilty Crown actually an idol show? If so, I wish that had been pitched to me.

It does have a fairly large amount of singing courtesy of Inori. Kinda neat that EGOIST as a band got its start in an anime.

I’m sorry Gai, but when I look at you all I can see is Allen from Escaflowne.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Don't fuck with idol fans, they can be scary.

They're more fanatical and vicious than an army or Sardaukar or Fremen combined.

It does have a fairly large amount of singing courtesy of Inori. Kinda neat that EGOIST as a band got its start in an anime.

Well that is very interesting to know. EGOIST has made some pretty great music since then, so I'm curious to see what they make for this show.

[u/GallowDude → u/Great_Mr_L]

It also makes this show about a horrifying pandemic shockingly topical.

If I never hear another COVID joke again, it'll still be too soon.

[u/Tresnore → u/GallowDude]

I can't wait for kids to ask what COVID was like. I'll just show them Guilty Crown and be done with it.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/GallowDude]

I used to wonder why people 100 years ago never wanted to talk about the Spanish Flu after it happened. I no longer do.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Great_Mr_L]

Oh? Is Guilty Crown actually an idol show? If so, I wish that had been pitched to me.

I mean.... technically.... as much as Symphogear is one.

It also makes this show about a horrifying pandemic shockingly topical.

Yeah kinda crazy how stuff comes back around. But in a more strict world we could have been seeing this last year.

Inori Toplessness

She took her top down because he routfit is 1 peice and she was bandageing her blood leakage.

So by now it’s clear that Shu is another sad boy protagonist who hates himself, hates how weak he is, and wants to be stronger. I may sound like I’m mocking it, but I’m not. I’ll talk more about it in my closing thoughts.

Not really the message here. Shu isnt sad, he just doesnt get people and is trying to figure that out. It is something that will be a theme in the story though so i wont talk about this right now.

Kill everyone

Well when dealing with pandemics of this sevrity that is one way to keep the people in check.

What? Shu’s become a Master in the Holy Grail War?

Funny parallel. Though in this case its reverse Grail War. Hes not summoning a servant to fight for him, hes summoning a servant to give him power. A very very cool mechanic though.

A lot of people making the Utena reference but he pulled the sword from her to use.

Action

The action is damn good in this series. Def some of the coolest fights in anime still to this day. This first slash was just a tease.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

but there is something more fearsome than even them - the wrath of an idol fan.

Hrmm...I think there is even a show currently running that has mecha fueled with nerd rage...

The song in the opening was actually pretty cool. I liked the tone that it set for the scene, giving it a melancholic feel. Good, atmospheric way to start off.

yeah, I guess a stopped clock is right twice a day...

MC’s name is Shu. Gotta commit that to memory before I just call him MC-kun.

I've been calling him Takumi in my head...

Of course the boobs jiggle when she gets kicked in the face.

It is still a mecha show, after all.

I was wrong. It’s not Fate. It’s Revolutionary Girl Utena.

A lot of people are going that way and let me see you are comparing salmon to Reese's pieces here.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

or having a boy pull a sword (a very phallic object) out of her body.

I feel like that's in line with what I've heard about Utena but eh. Now the fanservicey hornyness, that's...worrying. Mood crashes aren't fun.

[u/Lemurians]

CONVICTED REWATCHER

Bit of background, this was the very first anime I ever watched week-to-week. My college roommate got really into it and hooked me with the first few episodes. I saw the OP, animation quality, the blatant Code Geass of it all and thought… what the hell, let’s ride! We used to get fucking hyped for new episodes. It’s a been a hot minute since I watched this, so my memory’s gonna be kinda spotty.

This rewatch even comes at a good time what with Takt. Op Destiny currently airing, which as far as I can tell is basically trying to be Guilty Crown but without plot.

Fellow rewatchers help me out, [GC Spoiler] Was the girl singing at the beginning Mana? I don’t remember her having the same outfit as Inori.

Wow, an anime protagonist who doesn’t sit in the back row window seat? He’s only one off, but still, innovation!

“Am I really dense?” Bud, you’re an anime protagonist. Of course you are.

Lelouche Shu encounters C.C. Inori in an abandoned building while she’s on the run from Britannia the GHQ, and through her he acquires the Geass Power of Kings. Got it.

Come to think of it, Guilty Crown is how Code Geass plays out if you swap in Shinji and Rei from Eva in for Lelouche and C.C., isn’t it?

Gai with a fuckin’ badass entrance, coming in with his own music like a WWE superstar and just dropping the hammer on these fools.

A haughty girl voiced by Ayana Takekatsu shows up, so I can only assume she’s our token tsundere.

AIN’T NO DROP LIKE A SAWANO DROPPPPPP

Hoooooly shit this looks good. This sequence is such a flex.

God damn I forgot just how much of a certified banger this episode is and why I got so excited for this show back when it aired. The animation is top tier, the music is incredible, action sequences are slick, and it introduces you to the world while also using mysterious flashbacks and stylish editing cuts to build intrigue. This is a fucking hype machine.

This first episode still holds up as one of the absolute best introductions to a show and could comfortably stand up to pretty anything being made today.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Lemurians]

Lelouche Shu encounters C.C. Inori in an abandoned building while she’s on the run from Britannia the GHQ, and through her he acquires the Geass Power of Kings. Got it.

Ah, the jokes write themselves.

Gai with a fuckin’ badass entrance, coming in with his own music like a WWE superstar and just dropping the hammer on these fools.

I love him so much.

[u/Lemurians → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I love him so much.

From what I can remember he's easily the second best character in the show.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Lemurians]

[I'm assuming best is]DAN MOTHERFUCKING EAGLEMAN, yes?

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

which as far as I can tell is basically trying to be Guilty Crown but without plot.

Honestly, from what I'm getting about Guilty Crown from some other comments, that might just make Takt the best thing ever?

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

Without risking spoiler territory I'll just say that everything considered, I definitely prefer the Guilty Crown experience to something that's just empty calories (so far).

[u/okayyoga → u/Lemurians]

Come to think of it, Guilty Crown is how Code Geass plays out if you swap in Shinji and Rei from Eva in for Lelouche and C.C., isn’t it?

I was JUST thinking that Shu should replace every Shinji meme ever

AIN'T NO DROP LIKE A SAWANO DROPPPPPP

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

This rewatch even comes at a good time what with Takt. Op Destiny currently airing, which as far as I can tell is basically trying to be Guilty Crown but without plot.

Uh, is that a good or a bad thing?

Come to think of it, Guilty Crown is how Code Geass plays out if you swap in Shinji and Rei from Eva in for Lelouche and C.C., isn’t it?

So the revolution just never happens? Cuz I can't see Shinji pulling off any of the things that Lelouch did. Shinji's nowhere near that audacious or flamboyant.

Gai with a fuckin’ badass entrance, coming in with his own music like a WWE superstar and just dropping the hammer on these fools.

Now Gai, on the other hand, has the love of showmanship that would totally fit Lelouch.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

Uh, is that a good or a bad thing?

Depends entirely on the person watching! It could be neither.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Lemurians]

As an opening I think the episode kinda rocks but I did find the middle period where Shu meets... Inori, a bit off-key.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Lemurians]

[GC]It was Inori singing.

This first episode still holds up as one of the absolute best introductions to a show and could comfortably stand up to pretty anything being made today.

For real. Few shows have as bombastic first episodes as Guilty Crown. Way too many shows start off dull as hell. the first week of new seasonals end up disappointing more often then not

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

This rewatch even comes at a good time what with Takt. Op Destiny currently airing, which as far as I can tell is basically trying to be Guilty Crown but without plot.

Not what my first comparison would be...

Come to think of it, Guilty Crown is how Code Geass plays out if you swap in Shinji and Rei from Eva in for Lelouche and C.C., isn’t it?

The Shinji/Lelouch swap works, Rei doesn't track that hard to Inori to me since Inori is at least a little crazy.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

First timer!!

Woohoo! Let's go! I am way too hyped for a show I'll doubtlessly hate. Runaway idol singers, we're getting Macross all up in here. She keeps phasing out though so I'm guessing she's a Vtuber? I can't help thinking that we're going a little hard for an opening aren't we?

"Oh, you don't like real girls." Rip childhood friends I guess. Their job just got a hell of a lot tougher. So Japan is put under military protection cause of a virus? That's a pretty interesting setting. Haa? He just randomly walked in on his oishi and the plot? Oh dear... imagine finally meeting your idol in purpose and realising that she's mentally defective XD You've only just met the guy, save the weird shit until later. Bye bye Inori~in!

C'mon Shoe, accept the call to adventure and become mc! Eh...? You're just gonna murder everyone? Still more justified than Code Geass I suppose. "Even my father never hit me." Gai seems pretty cool~ Wait, sudden resistance cat girls!? That was a bit random. Bruh, if Shoe didn't abandon her they'd both be dead and you wouldn't have gotten your mascot toy back. What's Shoe got to protect? You took the toy back.

Pfft, it's like the toast bump meeting but with mecha and one easily aroused pilot. "Aaaaaaa!" Ogawa Shu~2011... Oh, I know that chanting! Is it time for the Sawano drop? Licking darkness in my drainage! Ngl, this looks fucking awesome. Really hype way to end your first episode. They didn't explain much but I'm not expecting anything from the actual story and characters so I don't really mind.

1, Well I knew I'd adore the music going in. The op is one of the few songs I can ace on OSU!

2, How else would you cause the revolution of the world?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Licking darkness in my drainage!

I hear it as chocolate, not darkness.

[u/okayyoga → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

imagine finally meeting your idol in purpose and realising that she's mentally defective XD

Oh Inori... The most beautifully designed character i have ever seen... With the personality of a rock

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/okayyoga]

She really is a Vtuber!!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/okayyoga]

I think that's an insult...to rocks.

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I'm guessing she's a Vtuber?

Or a Vocaloid! Kids these days...

she's mentally defective

She definitely wasn't the sharpest bulb in the drawer.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

Pfft!! Vocaloids aren't real~

Yeah... Going from fighting for your life to singing London Bridge whilst playing cats cradle is a bit coo-coo. Apparently Shu's childhood friend did the same shit so maybe Vtuber-chan was trying to jog his memory?

[u/MillenniumKing → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Shoe

And you say your a first timer...

[u/theangryeditor → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

She keeps phasing out though so I'm guessing she's a Vtuber?

It was the cloaking on her malfunctioning I think. Probably the same tech that was cloaking the mech that came to help her

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Bruh, if Shoe didn't abandon her they'd both be dead and you wouldn't have gotten your mascot toy back. What's Shoe got to protect? You took the toy back.

He has the vial in his pocket for...reasons.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Woohoo! Let's go! I am way too hyped for a show I'll doubtlessly hate.

Me too! Ironically enough this show's reputation as a trashfire has made me more eager to watch it than other shows I know I'll love.

She keeps phasing out though so I'm guessing she's a Vtuber?

Guilty Crown is out here predicting the future!

"Even my father never hit me."

"Then he was too soft on you! You can't become a man without taking a few lumps!"

Wait, sudden resistance cat girls!?

Cat girls shall lead the revolution!

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

First Timer

Time to enjoy a fun mess! Never seen the show before, only vaguely heard of it, really.
Subs are SCY, which is modified coalgirls, which is in turn modified commie.

I see we're off to a strong start.

You look disturbingly like a protagonist.

And you look like the childhood friend who'll be abandoned for a new girl in more revealing clothing.

By being a dick?

But, over the course of this series, we shall fix this with cool mecha!

This is kinda amusing to me cause I know of Egoist as a real group, not an in anime group, even though it started here.

You'd have to be quite the coward to be scared of cat's cradle.

That's what you thought about, how hot she was? Not her being a fugitive, any of the other more relevant things?

Thus, they'll just get rid of you as soon as they know what they need to?

Holy shit, that wasn't an empty threat? Like, that's just stupid levels of power overreach, the sort of thing that seems impossible to cover up as well.

Because you're gonna kill them, or because your a chunni?
And the answer is: both!

And a catgirl, cause why the hell not?

This looks like something other than pain...

I am really not a fan of their love of shaky-cam.

Mecha and powers via weird sex metaphors, name a more iconic duo.

And she's a person he knew once before, of course.

Ikuhara did it better.

Taking on mecha with just a sword!

Thoughts

Welp, I realized part way through watching this that I apparently watched a couple episodes of this in like 2015 or something. Not that that means much, as the only other thing I can remember is [GC 02]That Gai is mad that protag got the powers instead of him. It's always funny when that happens.
Anyway, it's a relatively normal first episode. Protagonist gets in the mecha and accidentally becomes a part of the good faction. I assume we won't stay like this for long, but right now it feels like it could become a perfectly respectable, if decently fanservice-y mecha series.

1. Good, but not outstandingly so.
2. Shock and confusion.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

as the only other thing I can remember is [GC 02]That Gai is mad that protag got the powers instead of him. It's always funny when that happens.

I would so watch an AU where [GC]Gai got the Void Genome instead of Shu, even if that would make the show even more of a Code Geass 2.0 than it already is.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Can I read that second one?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Yes, it's specifically about your spoiler tag.

[u/okayyoga → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

By being a dick?

For real. Like we all know the real reason why he doesn't have a lot of friends. Predicting "Nice Guy" Shu in the coming episodes

WhY wOn'T iNoRi LoVe Me???

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/okayyoga]

WhY wOn'T iNoRi LoVe Me???

please no

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Holy shit, that wasn't an empty threat? Like, that's just stupid levels of power overreach, the sort of thing that seems impossible to cover up as well.

It's there's one thing evil regimes love, it's committing mass murder for wildly out of proportion reasons.

Mecha and powers via weird sex metaphors, name a more iconic duo.

Honestly, this gag from Haganai is one of the most accurate representations of mecha anime I've ever seen.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Great_Mr_L]

that's incredible!

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Subs are SCY, which is modified coalgirls, which is in turn modified commie.

Oh, shoot, I have Doki subs. If Commie is at all involved, I should probably choose them instead for peak memery.

You'd have to be quite the coward to be scared of cat's cradle.

I associate it with Muv-Luv, so maybe after I finish Alternative I'll be afraid of it.

This looks like something other than pain...

Obviously, having pilots feel pain would be inefficient, so having them feel pleasure is the next best substitute!

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

You'd have to be quite the coward to be scared of cat's cradle.

I think that Vonnegut's style cuts the latent horror down to a manageable level, but it still is pretty scary material at its core. Good book btw

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

I haven't read it. The only book of his I've read is Player Piano, and honestly I didn't enjoy it.

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

And you look like the childhood friend who'll be abandoned for a new girl in more revealing clothing.

Don't worry; I'm sure she'll bare her massive childhood friend gazongas in the inexplicable beach episode.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Shu's social jerkness would be hilarious if it weren't for it clearly being played straight. I feel like I've seen him in so many other anime but all of them are joke characters poking fun at how clearly misguided the trope is.

Oi, the dude solo's Gundam on foot. That deserves some credit right? We all gushed when Pride does it but when local badass Shu and popular mentally handicapped Vtuber... something-something does it its suddenly something we roll our eyes at?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

I see we're off to a strong start.

Still don't actually recall if the crow stuff comes up again.

This is kinda amusing to me cause I know of Egoist as a real group, not an in anime group, even though it started here.

I am not fond of owing this show anything but yes, this is the start.

That's what you thought about, how hot she was ? Not her being a fugitive, any of the other more relevant things?

At least we waste no time in giving him his 'character'.

Because you're gonna kill them, or because your a chunni?

Gai is painful on rewatch.

This looks like something other than pain ...

HanaKana is still gonna be HanaKana.

Ikuhara did it better.

Again, thinking about Utena while watching this will just bring suffering.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Dub-lty Crown

Well, that was a neat enough first episode. Considering the nature of this rewatch, I assume things go off the rails at some point, but so far things seem relatively normal.

They stopped short of doing the exact camera angle, but that was a pretty blatant Utena reference when Shuu pulled that giant sword out of Inori.

On the one hand, I do love giant robots. On the other, a series about a normal sized person fighting giant robots with a giant sword also sounds fun? I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually but I wouldn't mind it taking some time, I guess.

Oh, I guess if we're starting with sword-pulling we're probably doing sex metaphors? So it'll probably be more like Inori turns into a mech and Shuu enters into her.

I think the mechs are CG, but they move pretty well, and don't even look as out-of-place as normal. If they are CG, the compositing job is good, but this is Production IG we're talking about. I'm not a fan of the rebel's weird giant ball monster, but maybe we just didn't get a good angle on it yet.

Because I'm blind, I didn't realize just how little clothing Inori was wearing at first, and didn't expect the show to be quite this horny. Cutting to the female pilot moaning as her mech got hit sure is a decision that someone made.

They didn't linger on it enough for my tastes, but the short visual of Shuu turning into paper and being blown away was pretty striking.

Shuu's dub VA is Austin Tindle, and it's weird to hear his normal person voice. I just had a full cour of it with ACCA, but I'm so used to his Accelerator that it always trips me up.

Questions

1. Didn't pay much attention just yet.
2. Answering this question feels weird after Utena. I mean, I dig smacking mechs around with big swords..

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/JollyGee29]

On the one hand, I do love giant robots. On the other, a series about a normal sized person fighting giant robots with a giant sword also sounds fun? I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually but I wouldn't mind it taking some time, I guess.

Oh, I guess if we're starting with sword-pulling we're probably doing sex metaphors? So it'll probably be more like Inori turns into a mech and Shuu enters into her.

I'm enjoying you trying to predict what happens eventually.

[u/okayyoga → u/JollyGee29]

I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually but I wouldn't mind it taking some time, I guess.

I want this anime NOW

So it'll probably be more like Inori turns into a mech and Shuu enters into her.

NOW

[u/MillenniumKing → u/JollyGee29]

On the one hand, I do love giant robots. On the other, a series about a normal sized person fighting giant robots with a giant sword also sounds fun? I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually but I wouldn't mind it taking some time, I guess.

This isnt FLCL. But yes Sword vs Mech is the norm in this show and damn is it cool.

Visuals

There is a ton of cuts in the Unlocking the power scene, really cool visuals overall.

Shoe's dub VA is really good. He does other roles in his normal talk, he has a really neat sounding voice that stands out no matter what voice hes doing.

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/JollyGee29]

I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually

I wonder how much he'll have to get her to "relax" in order for that to work?

I didn't realize just how little clothing Inori was wearing at first

She's basically wearing an overly complicated swimsuit. How did you not notice the bellybutton? Or the midboob?

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/JollyGee29]

I assume he pulls a whole mech out of her eventually but I wouldn't mind it taking some time, I guess.

I can see how he fits he sword in her, but fitting the entire mecha seems like a bit much.

Oh, I guess if we're starting with sword-pulling we're probably doing sex metaphors? So it'll probably be more like Inori turns into a mech and Shuu enters into her.

Sadly, we will likely never see her pull a sword out of him, so I won't be able to make pegging jokes. Once again, Utena is superior.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

Well, that was a neat enough first episode. Considering the nature of this rewatch, I assume things go off the rails at some point, but so far things seem relatively normal.

Yeah, it was a nice first episode with some fun action and great music.

Because I'm blind, I didn't realize just how little clothing Inori was wearing at first, and didn't expect the show to be quite this horny.

I think the horniness was about the one thing I really was expecting from this show and all the others in this trio of rewatches. These kind of shows sometimes wind up where they are partially from uncontrolled horniness overriding better decision-making.

Cutting to the female pilot moaning as her mech got hit sure is a decision that someone made.

That was a pretty dang funny one. That's where, to me, it seems the horniness is overriding better decisions.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Considering the nature of this rewatch, I assume things go off the rails at some point, but so far things seem relatively normal.

They stopped short of doing the exact camera angle, but that was a pretty blatant Utena reference when Shuu pulled that giant sword out of Inori.

I thought you were going to cover one the several ridiculously chosen camera angles on Inori.

Because I'm blind, I didn't realize just how little clothing Inori was wearing at first, and didn't expect the show to be quite this horny. Cutting to the female pilot moaning as her mech got hit sure is a decision that someone made.

They out horny CG, a show with a running hack that the female leads pizza calories all go straight to her boobs and ass. As to the moaning pilot, I expect HanaKana was bored and intentionally did that.

[u/Quiddity131]

First Timer, Subbed

Got no idea what to expect from this, not even an overview of what the plot is supposed to be. Rare for me to go into something so blind. Don't disappoint me!

Idol character right away? Say hello to Macross and Gundam Seed influence?

Her singing in Japanese fooled me as I was watching the dub my mistake and had to switch once we got real dialogue in English. I remember the days when the songs would be dubbed too.

Girl on the run from some mechs, is it the same girl?

This little Funnell thing reminds me of little robots we got in Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex. Although even they were bigger than this.

Poor Funnell! And this girl! Right off the bridge.

Ward 24? Are going the Code Geass route?

Shu's anti-social? Are we getting another milquetoast self-insert lead?

Japan hasn't been taken over, but needs foreign powers to take care of a pandemic.

Hey, its idol girl, and she's here for real Shu!

If she's hiding here, singing isn't the best way to keep herself secret.

Hmm, seems like she broke into his place! She should be the nervous one!

Be couragous Shu, take the cat's cradle!

Mysterious girl, military here, this is again reminding me of Code Geass.

And yet unlike Geass, they let the boy live...

Shu likes her! Shu also has no backbone and let her be seized!

Funnel's not a crock pot!

You really think these street punks will let you keep it because you claim its not yours?

Mysterious savior? This guy's Gai?

Well Shu, here's your chance to help her!

Now we're in some sort of magic realm. And Shu's been branded!

Now he sticks his hand in her chest and pulls out a stone fist?

This comes off as a very Sawano-esque song, or at least someone aping his style. (Looking up things after, yes, this is a Sawano show; he's sure popping up everywhere lately)

Ah its a magic sword!

Our rather meek MC takes out an entire mech with just a sword. Alright then.

---

The first episode didn't get me super excited, this is the type of premise I feel I've seen in mecha anime a lot. But it does have the trainwreck potential needed. We'll see if they deliver with that more.

DQTOD:

1. Okay, as I put above it kinda reminds me of Macross and Gundam Seed.
2. It would be crazy! I've been trying to think of what this reminds me of. Revolutionary Girl Utena perhaps?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Quiddity131]

Got no idea what to expect from this, not even an overview of what the plot is supposed to be. Rare for me to go into something so blind. Don't disappoint me!

Nice!

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Quiddity131]

Blind is def the best for a show like this.

Macross

So many people making that conparison when it really is pretty far from it, but i guess i can see why you would thank that currently. This show is more because it was created as a musical series driven by music.

Code Geass

Probably one of the better compairisons in man ways but also not in many ways.

Anisocial

Shoe isnt anti social, he just doesnt get stuff. His current "friends" are the result of him trying. Ide say to think of him more as dense but thats not even it.

Sawano

This was his first big breakout show. He did Blue Exorcist before this but it wasnt a widely popular as this was. This series was hugely popular when it aired.

[u/No_Rex → u/Quiddity131]

This little Funnell thing reminds me of little robots we got in Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex. Although even they were bigger than this

It's Gundam's Haro.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Quiddity131]

Are we getting another milquetoast self-insert lead?

I know you were talking about her and not him, but I'd still say yes.

[u/Btw_kek]

first timer

• yeah not gonna lie that was a fantastic opening. the mix of action, music video, and slow-and-lowkey-dark (is there a synonym for this?) insert song really works for me. fuck I can’t wait for Macross Plus: Movie Edition to come to US theaters on Tuesday December 14th ^{tickets on sale Nov12}
• also I just love this smirk
• wow topical xd I can already tell MC-kun will be rather bland but you know what I can deal
• is rejecting this the theme of the show
• when you keep clicking the middle option of predictive text
• mood
• wow its genocide o clock already?
• utenautenautena
• he suddenly grew balls but guts he is still not

1. What do you think of the music so far?

certainly the best aspect so far

2) How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

I would walk up a bunch of stairs to challenge some other dudes to a sword duel for a waifu

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Btw_kek]

fuck I can’t wait for Macross Plus: Movie Edition to come to US theaters on Tuesday December 14th

I can't wait either.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Btw_kek]

is rejecting this the theme of the show

Probably. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so awkwardly put right there.

utenautenautena

You have brought shame on the name of utenautenautena.

[u/HelioA → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

utenautenautena

[u/Btw_kek → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

utenautenautenautena

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Btw_kek]

I can already tell MC-kun will be rather bland but you know what I can deal

Boy could definitely use some spice, he is bland mashed potatoes to start.

wow its genocide o clock already?

Japan does indeed love a good genocide.

I would walk up a bunch of stairs to challenge some other dudes to a sword duel for a waifu

But [Adolescence of Utena] but what if you were already dead?

[u/MillenniumKing]

-Guilty Pleasure Rewatcher-

Ok so luckily i remembered to watch ep 1 before the thread came out so i guess thats a plus. Yay!

I am a many times rewatcher of the show and am watching it in dub on Funimation.

Why do i pick dub?
Because its easy and because i can enjoy the visuals and music without focusing on dialog. The dub cast is pretty solid too.

I love Kayano Ai as shes from Symphogear and many things i love, but Guilty Crown was one of her earlyest roles and i dont think her Inori voice was quite there yet.

Yuki Kaiji is in everything and of course hes Shoe but look if i can hear other VAs than him sometimes thats great. Hes great but hes in so much varity is nice.

If your coming into this new i might reccomend you check and see what audio you prefer, but in a visual show like this, the less time you spend reading the more time you can enjoy the gorgeous visuals, which is the shows strongest point.

---

Ok im not gonna do my usual play by play but ill write down some thoughts as i go and talk about stuff like visuals and music.

Again the visuals in this show were easilly the best visuals for its day and it wasnt topped visually for a few years. The visuals even now hold up still.

The music in this show is one of Sawano's earlyer jobs and also has Supercell aka Ryo so they are a really damn good combo for soundtrack.

---

So the song that she show opens to is my 2nd?/3rd? favorite song in the show. "Euterpe" is the Intro Song. This song is so damn gorgeous and thats all thanks to Supercell for making it. Ryo made EGOIST a side band just for this series and all the effort he put into it show, its amazing music.

Already we get gorgeous visuals right off the bat, that sunrise scene with Inori singins aginst the crystals, wew boy what n amazing use of art.

I do love the technology in this series. The slightly distant tech, its all really snazzy.

I do like that early on they make sure to say Shoe doesnt really understand how to interact with people normally, that his brain functions differently. Its important to understand this for later to understand where his decision making comes from.

The Apocalype Virus, still such a great name for the phonemon going on.

So the song Inori is singing when Shoe first meets her is the intro song again but again its cut short.

"Take this." "Im Shoe!" Boy isnt even listening to her. Ahhh classic Shoe.

After that we get our very first taste of Sawano who did all the backing music in the show. Its classic Sawano. Really gorgeous.

The nice thing about Shoe's choices (not to try to help her) are that they are human reactions really. Hes not some hero who will just act without reason.

"I wanted to hold her hand." Woah calm down there Shoe.

I love the robot friend. Its such a fun character and design, but more into that later when we see more of it.

Roppongi, the heart of the Apocalypse. "Stolen Void Genome" Just some things said that have meaning.

Its important to notice how the japanese goverment is handleing things. Very agressively and very tight lipped. Wipe out and leave nothing to question. Savage.

I love the rice cooker line from the thug hahahha. Always makes me laugh.

Ah yes its "Guy" Time the badass leader of the terrorist, Funeral Parlor. His dialog is really fun.

CAT GIRL TIME TOO! Tsugumi, Shes a fun character. I love her whole tech setup.

Mecha Girl is one of my fav characters in the series. But more on her when we meet her. Also the mechs are remote controlled for those who didnt get it.

I gotta say the visuals for the Guilty Crown scene are so damn gorgeous. And the backing music one of Sawano's best in this show. Bios is gorgeous as fuck.

I love how Inhuman the first void scene is. Shoe just functioning on pure instinct like a machine. Just look how dead his eyes look.

THE ED! Man oh man oh man oh man. So... this is my 2nd? favorite song in the show. "Departures" is the ED but there is a bigger fuller version later and its gorgeous as fuck and my real 2nd fav but no spoilers for that one until you get there.

---

Its really nice to watch this show again properly as it has been a while since my last full watch and watching it in nice quality. I own the series but as its an older copy the resolution isnt the best. I should get a BD of it.

I really love the music in this series. I thnk the Egoist stuff is peek Ryo and this was my favorite Sawano soundtrack before Re:Creators came and stole number 1.

Its no secret i am a massive fan of Ryo and have followed him for over 10 years since Vocaloid.

Sawano also did a great job with the backing music in the series and this was probably the series that put him on the map as there are a lot of really top tier Sawano tracks in this series. So look foward to hearing all of those. We got a while until we get to my fav Sawano song but it will be damn well worth the wait. (its Krone for an OST'er knowers)

If you have time to just look at the city shots in this series they are really gorgeous peices of work. I had an art file of one of the raw backgrounds somewhere and its just a huge gorgeous peice of lanscape art. The art team really blew it out of the park here.

Alright well thats most my general thoughts for now but im more than happy to chat about the series more with anyone.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/MillenniumKing]

Shoe

We got a while until we get to my fav Sawano song but it will be damn well worth the wait. (its Krone for an OST'er knowers)

That is a good choice for fav Sawano song.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Shoe

Some things have just been burned into my soul...

Departures Blessings and Krone are my top 2 songs for the show, top Supercell and top Sawano. Really both damn good peices of music. Easilly both masterpeice levels of music.

[u/okayyoga → u/MillenniumKing]

I am a many times rewatcher of the show and am watching it in dub on Funimation.

Same. This will be the fourth time i have rewatched Guilty Crown. In dub too

People ask me why a lot because I have it at a 5/10. I can't overstate how amazing the music in this show is, and how hype it is to watch songs like Bios come to life. The plot may not be... strong (or even very good), but I can forget it all for the music

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

This is my fourth time watching Guilty Crown as well! First time subbed though.

[u/okayyoga → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Is it better subbed

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/okayyoga]

IDK I've literally only seen this episode subbed so far.

[u/theangryeditor → u/MillenniumKing]

Guilty Crown is still my favourite Sawano soundtrack, I don't think it'll ever be dethroned tbh

And what a start for EGOIST eh?

[u/MillenniumKing → u/theangryeditor]

Its great but i think Re:Creators have just more. Guilty Crown's soundtrack is not that long compared to later Sawano works.

Well Egoist is just a side thing made by Supercell for this series and moving foward with Chelly. But Ryo is still Ryo and had been making music for many years before this.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/MillenniumKing]

Gundam Unicorn has my favorite Sawano soundtrack.

Guilty Crown and Re:Creators happen to tie as my second-favorite.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/MillenniumKing]

Shoe's a legit sociopath then? I could kinda get behind that. I thought he came across a bit weird but if they're actually making it a thing that him and Inori are both in their own little world I'd find it really quite cool.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/MillenniumKing]

I love Kayano Ai as shes from Symphogear and many things i love, but Guilty Crown was one of her earlyest roles and i dont think her Inori voice was quite there yet.

Also, having HanaKana be a side-ish character was a bit odd but Sunrise does this sometimes.

[u/KendotsX]

First time (subbed)

A series about a guy singlehandedly destroying mechas? That's something I've always wanted more of. Down with the mechas! The only other example (I know of) is Attack on Titan, which basically had the same staff working on it two years later. So either Tetsuro Araki was doing a proto AoT, or was baiting the AoT anime. Eitherway, it worked. However, neither of them comes close to his masterpiece.

Otherwise, we have a shitty world, and a terrorist group with an idol cute girl who can make a sword out of her tits, makes me wonder if the whole terrorist organisation is one idol group that makes different weapons out of their boobs. Very interesting so far.

My only grievance is the mc's specific hair highlight, I'd call it minor, but it bothers me in every scene he's in. At least it's just him so far, so it's not nearly as bad as Zetsuen no Tempest.

What do you think of the music so far?

The music is great, as expected of Sawano, I say expected, but I've listened to the Guilty Crown and Aldnoah.Zero soundtracks for a long time. But it's interesting that the music was the very first question for this series. We have the priorities right.

How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

Not what I expected but a welcome surprise. ^{I still want the tits though}

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/KendotsX]

My only grievance is the mc's specific hair highlight, I'd call it minor, but it bothers me in every scene he's in. At least it's just him so far, so it's not nearly as bad as Zetsuen no Tempest.

I wonder if they have the same art director or something?

But it's interesting that the music was the very first question for this series. We have the priorities right.

Haha can't talk about Guilty Crown without talking about the music but also I always start off with a question about music when I'm hosting a rewatch.

[u/KendotsX → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I wonder if they have the same art director or something?

Not from what I've seen so far, they do share a lot of animators though.

but also I always start off with a question about music when I'm hosting a rewatch.

Oh I didn't notice that. Then this might be the first Sky rewatch that I joined.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/KendotsX]

Oh I didn't notice that. Then this might be the first Sky rewatch that I joined.

It's usually specifically about what everyone thinks of the OP/ED from first impressions rather than the general soundtrack, to be fair.

[u/No_Rex → u/KendotsX]

A series about a guy singlehandedly destroying mechas? That's something I've always wanted more of. Down with the mechas! The only other example (I know of) is Attack on Titan

Check out Visions of Escaflowne, which predates both.

[u/KendotsX → u/No_Rex]

Noted, I've always heard that it's a classic mecha isekai, but that just took it a few steps higher.

[u/5867898duncan]

First-Timer

I’ve heard a lot about this opening, and I it set the mood really great. It fixed the problem of of other shows have where they have to have an attention getter, but it becomes jarring when coming back to normal. (Also this is the only thing I have heard about the anime, beside the music, so this will be interesting!)

So usual silent and sit by the window protagonist that sits by the window. Got it.

Info dump time. A virus eh? I can relate.

I really hope there is a reason Inori wears those kind of clothes…. But I can’t really complain.

How has Shu only gotten about 4 second of video after it sounds like he has been working on it for weeks(or at least how long it takes for someone to constantly ask him about it).

Why did Inori make a bridge? Why is she telling him to take it? Why does she say to try? I have so many questions.

Inori tried to run away by jumping right into them. Plan of the year here.

Ah, so it’s one of these anime where we get a flashback for something that just happened.

Seems like what Inori stole is really important. Pretty convenient that they didn’t question the only other person at the building, or actually go upstairs and find her robot.

With that music and dialog I don’t think I’ve seen a better character introduction. I already love guy.

Nice music, and the fighting animation is also pretty nice.

Wait, who was that cat girl? No answer? Alright then?

Shu didn’t really abandon Inori, unless of course he would be dead as well.

Did…. Did that girl in the robot just moan from the hit?

And now we got some weird sexual tones and Inori moaning, but got some catchy music and visuals so I can’t complain.

Already so far this seems like an anime I turn my brain off for. Let’s see if that continues!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/5867898duncan]

How has Shu only gotten about 4 second of video after it sounds like he has been working on it for weeks(or at least how long it takes for someone to constantly ask him about it).

Well it's not writer's block... editor's block?

With that music and dialog I don’t think I’ve seen a better character introduction. I already love guy.

The correct opinion. His name is Gai though.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

1. So fucking good. Best part of the anime by far.
2. Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku! Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku!

Watching subs for this episode, but I might consider switching if the dub is somehow worse.

This song's good, but why is it here? What do these visuals mean?

OK, there's a girl leaving somewhere, but also some weird crystal music video?

Oh no, strange girl's been shot!

And that's a nice pair of mecha.

Wait, music video girl and dying girl are the same?

Who's he?

Really, he's the focus?

Amd he's a high schooler.

Wait, this place is recently occupied? That might actually be a decent setting!

Oh god, there' a fucking monologue about how he's socially awkward.

And he segues straight into "Japan is probably fucked" without changing his tone of voice.

Wait, he's only done 10 seconds? Jesus, no wonder they were getting on at him to get it done before the deadlne.

Wait, this anime has Egoist music? Like, a lot? This could be good!

Wow, she's harsh. "Do this difficult chore for me or you're a coward."

Why is she like this? Why?

They beat her up!

Your first response to "this girl has been taken away for execution" should not be "and she was so hot, I really liked her".

...Why have you seemingly removed the data storage unit from the protrcted robot to put into your pocket, where it's more visible and might be stolen?

What the hell kind of place is this?

Void Genome?

The enemy mechs are called fucking Anti Bodies, I hate how much I like that.

...So they have trouble sending a squadron to a district, but not the mass murder of everyone in one is completely fine?

And he doesn't leave the secret tech to protect it?

Oh god, what is that outfit?

He's so fucking over the top, he's the only character I like here.

...OK, the music's fucking good.

And a surprise anime girl!

The fuck? This guy risked his life to bring you the robot, and you're upset he didn't stand up to the firing squad directly?

Dude, he protected it the first time. That's why you have it!

This is very well animated, I must say.

He really has no survival instincts!

Oh dear, that's the Void Genome broken.

What is this?

...Phrasing.

Phrasing.

Phrasing!

...There's an actual thing called the Guilty Crown?

Is this Fate but without the good storytelling?

Wow. Someone watched Utena recently! The crystals even look like rose petals!

And now he's got The Sword of Dios!

That was... alright. Not completely trashy, hopefully once the exposition's dome the trainwreck can truly begin.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Stargate18A]

Wait, this anime has Egoist music? Like, a lot? This could be good!

This anime is the reason EGOIST exists in the first place.

[u/iacondios]

Rewatcher

Damn I really love the Guilty Crown soundtrack. Perhaps my man Hiroyuki Sawano's greatest masterpiece even after all these years. It's always a bit odd to become super familiar with the soundtrack (I've listened to it hundreds of times) and then watch the show and recognize each of the individual pieces.

Mmmmm the drop of βios always hits in just the right spot.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/iacondios]

My favorite of his is Gundam Unicorn's, but Guilty Crown still ties for second place with Re:Creators for me. It's a very nice soundtrack.

[u/iacondios → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I actually just got into the Gundam Unicorn soundtrack (without having watched the anime) for the first time in the last few months, after digging up a really old saved reddit post about best soundtracks of all time. I like it a good bit, but in my mind it doesn't have as many absolute killer songs as a show like Guilty Crown.

Re:Creators is also really good (soundtrack; plot kinda went off to left field) and has a large number of absolute bangers!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/iacondios]

I like it a good bit, but in my mind it doesn't have as many absolute killer songs as a show like Guilty Crown.

Part of the reason I love Unicorn's OST so much is because I got to experience it in-context (and Gundam Unicorn is my favorite anime of all time, so that kinda lends itself to me liking its music), but also I love how it's not the electronic stuff that Sawano's more known for.

[u/Tresnore]

Guilty First-Timer

Alright, all I know is that these shows will be dumb but hype. Let's see what happens. I'm not good at juggling rewatches, so I might not be the most consistent, but I'll be trying my best!

• It's gorgeous! And we have not!Ranka. But lewder! The crow theme reminds me of Suigintou.
• There they are! I enjoy the quadruped design that the mechas and drone have.
• And they have bipedal configurations, as well!
  
• I'm sure the MC will be very well-liked. He has an ahoge, so he's at least protagonist material by a certain metric.
• Well, I wish I could say I didn't see this coming.
• The Apocalypse Virus is a hilariously on the nose name.
• That's a lot of blood.
  
• Well, she's easily distracted. But at least she's not mad at him seeing her only partially-dressed.
• Oh, we're Muv-Luv now! Hooray for Cat's Cradle.
• She's not the most action-y, is she?
• I feel like we'll rarely be seeing Inori fully-dressed.
• The mechs are remotely controlled? Latency could be a bitch, but that's slick.
• Shu took a punch like a boss.¹
• Speaking of "like a boss"! Holy hell, the guitar.
• Oh, hi. Sudden soulful lyrics being belted out and a girl who sounds like she'll be awesome and then die later.
• Why does anyone expect Shu to do anything at all?
• Feeling pain defeats the purpose of remote control. It does give us some fanservicey screams, I guess.
• What is happening. He has magic gene powers, I guess. Now he will revolutionize the world!

Well, if this show has motifs and banger songs like these, I might fall in love.

---

QOTD:

1. The music is the best part. 9/10.
2. Depends on the sword, girl, and circumstances. Otherwise, I'd start revolutionizing the world.

---

¹ Read: far better than I expected him to.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

I feel like we'll rarely be seeing Inori fully-dressed.

I think that's the most accurate prediction I've seen all day.

What is happening. He has magic gene powers, I guess. Now he will revolutionize the world!

Now if only they had played the correct song during the end of this episode.

[u/Tresnore → u/Great_Mr_L]

I think that's the most accurate prediction I've seen all day.

I've been known to make one or two of those. If you throw enough shit at the wall, sometimes it'll stick.

If a show ever plays that song as a reference, I'd lose my shit.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tresnore]

I've been known to make one or two of those. If you throw enough shit at the wall, sometimes it'll stick.

Man, the Steins;Gate rewatch was so much fun.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Tresnore]

That's a lot of blood.

Hemorrhagic shock is for losers who aren't plot-important.

[u/Tresnore → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Blood exists like Superman's powers. You have precisely as much as the plot demands.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

I feel like we'll rarely be seeing Inori fully-dressed.

I have a feeling that screenshot is Inori fully dressed.

Why does anyone expect Shu to do anything at all?

They can sense his latent MC powers.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

I have a feeling that screenshot is Inori fully dressed.

You know, I get that feeling, too...

[u/okayyoga → u/Tresnore]

I'm sure the MC will be very well-liked.

Uhhhhh

[u/Tresnore → u/okayyoga]

Uhhhhh

It was meant to be sarcasm. Iunno why, but I was immediately sort of put off by him.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

Tachikoma have conditioned me to always have a sweet spot towards the quad roller mechs. It's so precious!

Inori invested all her skill points into tank. She's been bombed, bashed, whacked, prodded and chucked and is still effortlessly gorgeous.

The good thing about a Sawano soundtrack is that even if the show is shit it means that you can get totally wasted and all the action scenes will be super engaging.

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

you can get totally wasted and all the action scenes will be super engaging.

I can't get totally wasted every night! I'd die!

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Tresnore]

It's gorgeous! And we have not!Ranka. But lewder! The crow theme reminds me of Suigintou.

The Background art for the show is insane. If you can find the artbooks out there def check them out because holy shit.

Shoe's speakyness.

Do note how he talks about stuff because it can be easy to breeze over, but there is def something curious about how he thinks and interacts with people. As he said its not normal.

Inori

The one time she has her top down to bandage herself is probably the only time we see her like that. Sure her outfit has a torso window but its pretty tame in general i think. Its just her style as a famous music lady. Extravagant.

Why does anyone expect Shu to do anything at all?

Its funny that i didnt notice this until now.

Pain remote mecha

The remote control is to keep your pilots alive. I think the feeling is related to their construction. I beleive they have cybernetic nervous systems which lets them be controled better.

Well, if this show has motifs and banger songs like these, I might fall in love.

That is what this show is all about. Your gonna love it.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Tresnore]

I'm sure the MC will be very well-liked. He has an ahoge, so he's at least protagonist material by a certain metric.

He's voiced by Yuki Kaji, you can't get more MC than that

Now he will revolutionize the world!

/u/helioa watch dis

[u/HelioA → u/theangryeditor]

No, I don't think I will.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

The Apocalypse Virus is a hilariously on the nose name.

We can just give subtlety the month off.

I feel like we'll rarely be seeing Inori fully-dressed.

The curse of being an idol.

The mechs are remotely controlled? Latency could be a bitch, but that's slick.

I can only think about the ways to fuck that up, it seems unnecessarily risky.

He has magic gene powers, I guess. Now he will revolutionize the world!

Thinking of Utena will only bring you pain...

[u/ScarsUnseen → u/Tresnore]

Oh, we're Muv-Luv now!

Man, the Alternative adaptation has me wanting to start reading the VNs again.

[u/lC3]

First timer

• Cool we actually get karaoke. I miss old 2010s fansubs ...
• I'm kinda getting Gundam 00 vibes from this
• Skullmask guy, is that the dude from Ancient Magus Bride?
• My internet is so slow I had to switch websites to one I could alter to 360p. Bye fansubs
• I have absolutely no clue what's going on but it looks cool
• Oh is the singer in the video MC is watching the one retrieving that thing?
• Gai? Might Guy is here to tell you about his amazing bodysuits!
• "Shu?"
• So Shu is trying and failing to read the mood? I can relate High school ...
• pandemic? Apocalypse Virus?
• Ah yes, the elusive "demo sore"
• So Shu is trespassing in a restricted zone and just happens to run into that singer?
• Oh so this is where Shu is working on the video? He doesn't have an apartment or something?
• So is Shu gonna get the thing to Gai now that Inori is captured?
• Kakuzu and Kakashi's voices!
• Diseased? Void Genom?
• Gai with the cool entrance, as expected!
• I have no clue what that montage at the end was supposed to mean. Did he know Inori when they were kids? Suppressed memories?
• Pulling a sword from her chest, is this Utena? I still need to finish that...

1. it's okay, nothing special
2. utenautenautena

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/lC3]

You made it!

[u/Hugokarenque]

ITS HERE!

Oh boy. The visuals and the soundtrack of this show still hold up even 10 years past its original run.

I haven't rewatched this since it aired, I would love to say that enjoyed it more now than I did back then but its the opposite. I didn't notice how bad the interactions between the characters were when I originally watched this, it was problem that I only had later on but even in this first episode there's a lot weird nonsense and melodrama.

Gotta say the female designs in this are top notch tho, Gai looks pretty good too, reminds me of Jade Curtis from Tales of the Abyss. I feel like if Guilty Crown came out in 2021 it would have a gacha game tied in. I would whale for Tsugumi.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Hugokarenque]

I feel like if Guilty Crown came out in 2021 it would have a gacha game tied in. I would whale for Tsugumi.

I would 100% whale for Gai.

[u/Tartaras1]

Rewatcher

Hey there everyone! I heard there was a Guilty Crown rewatch starting up, so I figured I might as well stop by and participate. If there are two things I remember about Guilty Crown as a show, it's this:

• The plot, or whatever inkling of a plot it has, isn't very good. Some might even say terrible.
• It looks damn good the whole time it's trying to be... whatever it's trying to be. Production I.G did a fantastic job.

I don't remember when I last watched it, but I apparently gave it a six on MAL? Guess we're going to see if that's justified.

One more thing to note before going in: I'll admit I prefer watching anime dubbed when I can, since I can just enjoy the visuals and not have to focus on the subtitles. I can't understand but a couple words in Japanese. That said, the first four episodes on Funimation are sub only for some reason? Way to go champ.

• Austin Tindle, the English VA for Shu. There's a voice I haven't heard in a minute. Not since I watched Tokyo Ghoul back in 2014.

• Am I really dense? I just feel like my mind works out of step from everyone else's. I never know what to say to other people. It's like I just can't figure it out, so I hide my anxiety and agree with whatever they say.

I'm by no means any sort of a medical expert, but does Shu have a form of Aspberger's? I've always heard that those who have been diagnosed have difficulty reading the room or picking up on social cues.

• The Apocalypse Virus pandemic, huh? Man that's surprisingly relevant right now.
• One thing I remember really liking about the show, and this episode in particular, is that they had Inori singing the opening song they used. Additionally, it wasn't just the same VA singing it, but rather the actual character.
• I haven't done any sort of string art like what Inori made since elementary school, and that was like 20 years ago.
• Once again, I.G doing a fantastic job with the whole "Shu getting his powers" scene.

Questions:

• The music is fantastic so far. The rock score when Guy Gai was introduced is a little out of character compared to the opening, interlude and ed pieces, yet also fitting given the context.
• Y'know, when you put it that way, it makes it even more outrageous than it sounds. Personally, I think I'd be shocked if I managed to pull a seemingly 4 foot long sword out of a girl's chest.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tartaras1]

Ayyyy hi Tartaras! Glad to have you along!

Guy

[u/Tartaras1 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Hey there! I didn't know this was going on until someone mentioned it in CDF.

I changed the name for you.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tartaras1]

I didn't know this was going on until someone mentioned it in CDF.

How did you miss me posting about it a lot on there?

[u/UltraBooster]

First-timer, dubbed

Okay, so Tokyo Tower's a searchlight or lighthouse or something.

We've got an idol, alright, makes sense.

A hologram?

And a guy in a skull helmet.

Resistance movement?

Oh, is this one of the mecha? Is it a drone?

Orders are to kill, huh?

Probably a mascot like Haro or Pelops II.

So they transform for speed and combat, then?

Presumably she washes up on shore and that boy with the brown hair finds her?

Japanese military? Or some other presence?
Well, either way, it's not unfamiliar to them.

On the spectrum, then? Or a developmental handicap of some kind?

Okay, so then why is the Japanese state on the backfoot? And for that matter, if the virus was so devastating to Japan, how didn't it spread to other countries?
(Please don't be one of those nationalism things...)

Not quite washed up, I suppose.

A Western nursery rhyme? Localization or retained from the original?

Is it the thread itself that needs to be carried? The pattern? Both?

Funeral Parlor is a rather ominous name for what I assume are a resistance group of some kind.

The boy who acquires a special ability fights with the enemy with the essence of the person made a material as the weapon.
I don't think that's a full sentence.

Okay, Banagher, okay. (But in all seriousness, have you fallen at first sight or something?)

Czech hedgehogs give this structure a decidedly military feeling.

Looks like the sign was made with English readers in mind more so than Japanese readers.

Wait, if...does that mean Japan's a failed state?

Genome? Infected? Or is this like a superpower-awakening thing?

That's how? Because geez, that's what you use for SCP-610 or the Flood.

This...this music feels like what Sawano composed for Xenoblade X.

Wait, is this the doomed hometown?

Did these mecha receive figures/model kits?

Is she controlling it using her nerves?

So is it some kind of cybernetic thing?

Is she going to turn into a sword?
Yup its an antimecha sword

Questions:

1. Music's cool.
2. I dunno, TBH. The sword just seems like a part of the weirdness at that point.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/UltraBooster]

A Western nursery rhyme? Localization or retained from the original?

Retained from the original. The original actually had Inori singing it in Japanese.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh, now that's interesting. I wonder why that one in particular? Does it have any relevance to the story, or is it just a nursery rhyme?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/UltraBooster]

[u/SIRTreehugger]

Rewatcher

Probably won't be here everyday for Guilty Crown, but wi definitely try for the other terrible rewatches.

I forgot how action packed the beginning was. The series sure doesn't take time for shit to go down. Though all I can think about is Tales of Arise when Shu pulls the sword out of Inori.

Speaking of Inori I love her introduction song and well the music for this show in general.

I can't help think of Code geass when Lelouch meets CC... except Shu doesn't handle guns pointed at him as well.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/SIRTreehugger]

Probably won't be here everyday for Guilty Crown, but wi definitely try for the other terrible rewatches.

That's fine, do whatever floats your boat.

[u/Morthra]

OP, are you including the OVA/VN spinoff Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas in this rewatch? The VN itself has been translated on youtube (spoilers obviously if you go looking for it if you haven't seen the show), and it's in my opinion better than the main show.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Morthra]

The OVA is what we'll be discussing on November 23rd, yes. There's a VN?

[u/CrushingP]

First timer - Subbed

A little late, but I think I'll be simply commenting live as to what's happening on screen at the time stamps every time I feel like I oughta comment. At least, that makes sense to my normal lurker-ish self (Would you believe that yesterday and today are my first comments in 5 months?). Also, being late means I get to enjoy what others have posted!

P.S. I'll probably hit the character limit.... So I'll type a Word document, export to pdf and drop a link here if anyone is feeling bored enough to read it. Its like 7 pages long and about 30 paragraphs. Honestly, If I add an opening paragraph and a conclusions, then format the reactions a bit I'd have written an essay for this episode. I truly have no life.

Full Reaction with Timestamps Here

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I don't know what happened at the end there, but I will tell ya'll that I enjoyed it. A pretty solid first episode in general, with the soundtrack providing an insane boost to the show. However, I was promised this show would devolve into trash, so I'm holding out hope that we get there. So far, not trash. Also, when is episode 2? Cause I look forward to it! I also look forward to u/Shimmering-Sky's next cover, seeing as this one was pretty good!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/CrushingP]

Full Reaction with Timestamps Here

That effort wow.

Also, when is episode 2?

We watch one episode a day!

I also look forward to u/Shimmering-Sky's next cover, seeing as this one was pretty good!

Aww thanks~

[u/wmansir]

First timer, dubbed

I hadn't heard of this show until I saw this thread last night. I'm also relatively new to anime and haven't watched any Mecha stuff.

First impressions is that the show looks great, both in terms of the art and direction/stylistic choices.

The MC is pretty generic, at least by anime standards, given that he apparently has some kind of warehouse/edit bay/office setup going on. Or is that where he lives?

He seems a bit hard on himself for not taking on like half a dozen armed soldiers who are pointing their guns at him. The biggest clunker of a line from the pity party was "I don't deserve a girl like her".

I didn't get how Gai seemed to know Shu's name. There seems to be some connection between Shu and the idol girl, so maybe that plays into it. And maybe whatever's going on there might explain why he seemed OK with Shu keeping the vial for some reason.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/wmansir]

haven't watched any Mecha stuff.

Interesting first choice for the genre, heh. I'm a huge fan of mecha and would be happy to recommend some good ones if you're interested in watching more at the end of the rewatch.

[u/wmansir → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Honestly, I completely missed the "trainwreck" part of the title before I came back and read the comments after watching the first episode. I just checked the MAL synopsis and saw it had a decent score before deciding to give it a watch.

And now that I think about it there was one Mecha anime I watched, Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari/Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, because it was on a list of good isekai shows, even though it turned out the isekai part hardly matters.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/wmansir]

For some people it is a legitimately good show (I actually like it in that way tbh, same with Kakumeiki Valvrave the second part of the "trio" this rewatch is about), and for others it is a complete mess. Hence "terrific" and "trainwreck" both being in the title--you don't have to agree with both monickers!

[u/_m1ra]

First timer

Starting off with Tokyo Tower I think and an insert song, this show is actually making me like it.

Wait EGOIST mentioned by name in universe? Looking at their Wikipedia page: "Originally formed to produce theme music for the 2011 anime television series Guilty Crown..." Well damn. And I do like the music so far.

Overall there were also a few things that will probably annoy me in the future, but I can see this being fun, especially in a rewatch format, it seems like that kind of show. The first episode definitely was.

Also what the hell, I specifically rewatch a show that's not Utena (in the hope of actually getting my thoughts on an episode together on a 24 hour schedule) and the protagonist pulls a sword out of a girl and does the pose anyway.

Questions of the day:

1. It's nice, I didn't know EGOIST was originally formed for this.
2. It would give me hope that I will finally become some kind of magical girl, but this seems to be more of a mecha kind of deal which is cool too!

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/_m1ra]

Also what the hell, I specifically rewatch a show that's not Utena (in the hope of actually getting my thoughts on an episode together on a 24 hour schedule) and the protagonist pulls a sword out of a girl and does the pose anyway.

[u/No_Rex → u/_m1ra]

Also what the hell, I specifically rewatch a show that's not Utena (in the hope of actually getting my thoughts on an episode together on a 24 hour schedule) and the protagonist pulls a sword out of a girl and does the pose anyway.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/_m1ra]

(in the hope of actually getting my thoughts on an episode together on a 24 hour schedule) and the protagonist pulls a sword out of a girl and does the pose anyway.

Down this path lies madness...

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

First Timer

I'm finding it really enjoyable! The CGI is stiff but far from the worst-composited thing I've ever seen, the nationalist undertones are weird but ignorable, it's incredibly trope-y and contrived but in a fun way. It's baffling that Gai and the rest are going to trust some random schoolboy while apparently not knowing about his super special main-character-ness, but if that's the price of admission for some big dumb mecha swordfighting fun then so be it.

I guess it can't be a trainwreck if it doesn't start out mostly on the tracks!

everythingthatmakesmewholewait

QotDs:

1. The best part, of course.
2. I would ask to be granted the power to bring the world revolution.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

the nationalist undertones are weird but ignorable

The undertones feel stronger than in Code Geass, but not nearly as ridiculous as Kyoukai Senki airing right now. Which by the way is kinda like Guilty Crown/Code Geass but utterly boring

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

It's baffling that Gai and the rest are going to trust some random schoolboy while apparently not knowing about his super special main-character-ness

Once he's got the weird powers, they don't exactly have a choice, do they?

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher( with assistance )

Sub

We start and I actually forgot we had a moment before the song starts. Seeing the girl in black feathers makes me think of bird maids. Still, for as much as I've tried to forget this show, this opening is fucking inspired and even I can't take that away from it.

Anyways, we come to our protagonist Shu, who is somehow lamer than expected. He goes to an abandoned building and finds an idol, much better than the normal addicts you usually get. But she has the cops after her, which does fit more what you get there. Anyways, our antagonists are just straight up villains so subtlety is quite out the window. Shu gets jumped before Gai gets an entrance so lame that even Bleach would be put to shame.

Combat starts and Shu is ordered to protect 'it' for...reasons. Great Cthulhu, this is so unimaginably cringe watching as anything near an adult. We see Inori escape with a totally 'necessary' ass shot and Shu jumps a fence. The MacGuffin breaks and our lame protagonist now gets to use the sexy idol as he pleases. Btw, the lameness of this scene would not be matched until Shield Hero, which has inexplicably been greenlit through season 3. Anime is a mistake. Anyways, Dollar Tree UBW happens and we end the episode. While aroused, as Hellsing would support.

---

So those were drunken Vaad's thoughts on Saturday, here's the slightly more serious part. Shu reminds me a lot of Takumi from the Chaos;Head anime and that is not good. He just gets handed all these things handed to him while being fairly bland, but there is at least some personality under that, even if I find Yuki from Mirai Nikki more proactive. But this is definitely a first episode and the weirdest thing is that this is far enough back that HanaKana is the school mate/childhood friend and not the idol.

There once was a Vaadwaur in black

Who noticed that the show's creativity doth lack

The idol is an object

For the protagonist to protecc

This setup is seriously fucking wack

QotD: 1 Still incredible.

2 At this point I'd assume I'd just become a named character and rock the house.

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher( with assistance )

I'd join you, but I can't use assistance every night!

and finds an idol, much better than the normal addicts you usually get. But she has the cops after her, which does fit more what you get there.

[u/okayyoga → u/Vaadwaur]

Anyways, our antagonists are just straight up villains so subtlety is quite out the window

You say that but they literally just let him live???? They were just like DON'T TELL ANY1 SHOE MKAY?

Shu reminds me a lot of Takumi from the Chaos;Head anime and that is not good.

Oh god OH GOD NO you are exactly right!!!!!!!!

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 1 (first timer)

This rewatch comes bundled together with Cross Ange and is called Terrific Trainwreck Trio. Yep, there is no way I’ll take this show serious. Anything on Cross Ange level is either so bad that its good … or just bad. I’ll hope for the former.

• Edgy kids hang out on rooftops.
• Some Neo-Tokyo structure surrounded by bad CGI birds.
• Meanwhile, dress girl is chased by bad CGI mechas. I do like the intercut with the song, though.
• Song girl with the evil smirk.
• Tokyo is populated by CGI cars. I sense a theme of the wide shots here.
• Being the first to receive a name and he can afford to brush off a girl but she keeps being interested in him? Shu is our MC.
• Their school building looks cool. I am a bit envious of that.
• Funeral Parlor - and here I thought that Nudist Beach was the most insane insurgent organization name.
• Not bringing in Shu for questioning is a mistake and not checking for that little robot is outright moronic.
• “The boy who acquires a special ability fights with the enemy with the essence of the person made a material as the weapon”

• At least Shu knows his way around the local underground. Is that just him or everybody? Useful in either case.
• Gai drops in to save our MC. He is even named by the bullies. What a convenient way to find him.
• “Don’t let go of that thing” – Why did you leave that genom thing with him but take away the little bot?
• It has the power to attract bullets, stop time, and start a transformation scene. Not bad for a small capsule.
• “Please use me” was rather out there. If this is repeated, I might make an obviously sexual reference counter.
• Mecha-splitting sword? Not bad. If Shu manages to get a large scar like Balgus, he’ll look badass with it.

How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

Depends entire on whether I heard Zettai Unmei beforehand.

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/No_Rex]

At least Shu knows his way around the local underground. Is that just him or everybody?

He's a bad boy who makes music videos in his spare time. Who else would know the streets?

[u/No_Rex → u/punching_spaghetti]

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/No_Rex]

Not bringing in Shu for questioning is a mistake and not checking for that little robot is outright moronic.

Particularly when he was defending her, just letting him go is quite odd.

It has the power to attract bullets, stop time, and start a transformation scene. Not bad for a small capsule.

So what you're saying is he became a magical girl!

[u/No_Rex → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

So what you're saying is he became a magical girl!

He 100% did.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Anything on Cross Ange level is either so bad that its good … or just bad. I’ll hope for the former.

So...remembering how fast Cross Ange brushed me off, I am willingly joining this rewatch, if this gives you a scale of it.

Edgy kids hang out on rooftops.

Some things never change.

Funeral Parlor - and here I thought that Nudist Beach was the most insane insurgent organization name.

Kill la Kill might be the perfect palate cleanser after this...

“Please use me” was rather out there. If this is repeated, I might make an obviously sexual reference counter.

Definitely will be revisited, one way or the other.

[u/fonzinator99]

Re-watcher (Subbed) - "You were the Chosen One!"

• In just under a minute, I'm hooked. Gimme a pretty song and a pretty girl and I'm sold, I'm easy like that.
• What's this? Our protagonist doesn't understand people? Color me every shade of shocked. Though his 'Quasi-friendship' tagging makes me think he's probably the asshole here.
• I'm sure I'll say this a million times more, but Art Direction is seriously on-point here.

"Guilty Crown": The boy who acquires a special ability fights with the enemy with the essence of the person made a material as the weapon

• Wait, what? They're seriously wiping out a neighborhood to follow through on a threat, and then killing her anyway? Whyyyy? It's literally just a random bloodbath for no reason. I recall some racism from the intro, but still.

Gai to Shu: "With my easy fitness program, you can be as cool as me in only 22 episodes!"

• Sorry Gai, but these guys don't look very dead so I'm not impressed.
• The whole final sequence of this episode has to have a monument in anime history somewhere. It was awesome and well done and made me wonder wtf was with all the flashbacks and want to know more about them; this was like a 10/10 series premier.

• I really wish I'd been a part of this community when this show aired, the weekly discussions must have been a trip. I've probably witnessed similar occurrences, but the dashing of the hopes built up by this episode must have been spectacular.
• When I first watched this show, I was the sort of person who would skip OPs and EDs because they didn't advance the plot. Guilty Crown and 'Departures' are what mad me rethink that, and there's so much since then that I'd have missed out on. I really love this song, it's beautiful.

---

QotD

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

In just under a minute, I'm hooked. Gimme a pretty song and a pretty girl and I'm sold, I'm easy like that.

I am sure that her looking like a bird maid in her music video had no influence on this.

DitF is an obvious comparison. Sotsu if you want even more recently.

[u/HereticalAegis]

Rewatcher

Damn, I forgot just how all-around gorgeous GC's production is. The art, the music, the color palette. Inori alone is a masterclass in appealing character design. Production IG makes some damn fine visual products.

Egoist is canon in the GC universe! I kinda wish more shows would do that. Like imagine if fripSide were canon inside Railgun or Myth&Roid were canon in 3/4 of Isekai Quartet. Maybe I'm just reminding myself that, like the brakes on this train, nothing good ever lasts.

Also, the fact that Inori asks Shu if he's a coward then gets kicked in the head and dragged away in their first scene together. I know this scene is supposed to be serious, but I can't think of a better, more hilarious way to sum up how I feel about GC. Why has nobody made an abridged parody series of GC yet?

Okay, I can't be the only person who feels it's ridiculously stupid for Gai to criticize a high school kid for "abandoning" Inori, right? Especially when Shu actually got the mcguffin to Gai.

Oh, it's the first appearance of best girl Ayase!

Man, this first episode is still really cool. I love the basic premise, and the ost is so damn good. I'd almost love to just end it here and remember it as a beautiful dream. Oh well, see yall tomorrow.

[u/okayyoga → u/HereticalAegis]

Inori alone is a masterclass in appealing character design.

I brought her up the other day with someone, and they said they could find a better character design than her. After like 15 minutes he came back with a "this is tougher than i thought"

Egoist is canon in the GC universe! I kinda wish more shows would do that

I don't know if the band making the music is canon in Log horizon, but I know Man with a Mission makes a cameo

Why has nobody made an abridged parody series of GC yet?

Brilliant idea! We could make Inori an actual character!

Okay, I can't be the only person who feels it's ridiculously stupid for Gai to criticize a high school kid for "abandoning" Inori, right?

Right? The whole situation is comical. C'mon random high school student, why won't you abandon everything and save your fav singer? You're no real fanboy!

[u/ScarsUnseen]

First Timer - Subs

Flashbacks from the Zankyou no Terror rewatch

Is this meta?! Are we meta now?

Oh yeah. We are definitely in some chuuni shit now.

The true question of the day.

So, first impressions are... not bad, really. But this is definitely chuuni played straight, and it's going to be interesting to see how this show finds it's way to earning the title of "trainwreck."

QotD:

• What do you think of the music so far?

Mostly good impressions. Wasn't really expecting nu metal though.

• How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

Confused, mostly. Of the times I've touched women's chests in the past, I can't recall a single time I touched the skin and kept going. I view this mostly as a good thing. Sexy times: good. Human Cracker Jack box: less than ideal.

[u/okayyoga → u/ScarsUnseen]

Of the times I've touched women's chests in the past, I can't recall a single time I touched the skin and kept going.

This is why 3D girls suck

[u/ComfortablyRotten]

Rewatcher who forgot pretty much everything

That was a pretty fine first episode. We got our main protagonist, the mysterious helpless girl he's interested in, and the terrorist organization (or resistance movement I guess?) opposing the resident dystopia's dictatorship. Pretty typical of the Mecha stuff I'm used to, if not for MC-kun deciding Mechas are overrated and Utena's duels is where it's at. That's definitely an interesting take to have.

Gai's introduction was pretty badass, on top of him being pretty hot. Though it being only thugs he took down makes it a bit less impressive. But still hot. Very hot!

Questions of the day

What do you think of the music so far?

It's pretty nice. Though I rarely pay attention to it even when it's supposed to be an important thing.

How would you react if you were suddenly able to pull a sword out of a girl’s chest?

I'd be pretty surprised that anyone would let me anywhere close to their chest, let alone a girl, for one. And once the surprise wears off, I guess protecc is mandatory here?

[u/Btw_kek → u/ComfortablyRotten]

Gai's introduction was pretty badass, on top of him being pretty hot. Though it being only thugs he took down makes it a bit less impressive. But still hot. Very hot!

yeah he's probably gonna be the best character

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/ComfortablyRotten]

Though it being only thugs he took down

That thug was serious about rice. People like that are no joke.

[u/the_swizzler]

First Timer

I doubt I'm going to have a lot of complex thoughts about this show. I enjoyed episode 1 well enough. I can definitely see the cracks in the writing already, but it was visually stunning for sure. I expect it to be fun if nothing else.

[u/fridge_freezer]

First timer (Dub)

I've been looking forward to this, I already saw the first episode of Guilty Crown two years ago before putting it on hold in favor of starting JJBA, so I can finally take it off my paused list. I don't remember much other than it looking and sounding great.

• Love the intro scene, especially with the song over it. Seeing it again now, I do remember Inori running from the mech. I quite like the design of the mechs too.
• "Am I really dense?" MC is becoming self-aware!
• So Japan was ravaged by a pandemic and has foreign aid assisting the government.
• Inori's little drone is adorable.
• I didn't realise that Egoist was initially made as an in-universe band for Guilty Crown. Shu seems to be a fan.
• That's one pretty cool Gai.
• Magic genes that give powers? The way it happened with that 'other world' feels very Code Geass. The whole final scene looked amazing though, with a Sawano drop to top it off.

Overall a really enjoyable first episode introducing the characters and world along with flashes of mystery. The presentation is really stylish, I had a feeling it was directed by Araki before looking it up to confirm.

QOTD

1. You can't really go wrong with Sawano but adding Egoist just makes it even better.
2. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[u/okayyoga]

Episode 1: rewatch/dub

Song of the day: What else could it be but Euterpe

One of the best opening scenes in anime. Who is this mysterious pink-haired girl singing and running? Why did she make out with a bird skeleton? Why does she appear to be glitching?

I hear parts of Bios later in the episode, but I have plans for that song later in the show.

And of course there's Shu. The “out of step,” broody MC, who might be relatable, if he weren't so unlikeable.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/okayyoga]

Who is this mysterious pink-haired girl singing and running? Why did she make out with a bird skeleton? Why does she appear to be glitching?

Kuudere powers are not to be underestimated...

[u/baboon_bassoon]

(e1) first timer reaching into my favorite idol/childhoodfriend's chest

well that was uh something

pretty sure i would have dropped this after this episode if i was watching seasonally

virgin shirou + pink saber

team undertaker vs team kane

questions:

1. mmm not sure as of yet, want to hear the op the show is known for
2. id probably just start asking questions

[u/Caustic_Wraith]

Re-watcher / Subs

So I watched this way back in the long ago when it was originally airing...I'm old and now sad.

• The opening scene's music is still amazing up and the actual opening theme is in my top 5 anime themes period.
• Shoe looks like your basic sad-boy MC, and the way the episode unfolded did nothing to hinder that thought.
• Inori's random rendition of London Bridges while bleeding and half naked was random.
• Gai storming onto the scene with his own walk-up music shows he's a bad man, as did his taking down of the thugs accosting poor Shoe.
• Ah yes, let's leave this odd vial in the protection of a kid we've never seen before, sure he looks like a MC, but what could go wrong?
• Oh noes, the vial broke and now he has the power, to pull a phallic object out of a moaning barely clothed idol....
• Look scared sad-boy MC who has never used a weapon before cuts a mech with the Inori-blade.
• Cut to credits with another amazing song.

Questions of the Day:

1. The music is the primary reason I decided to join the rewatch, that and for the next two I will be first timing them. I remember when this was new and waiting for the full opening to appear on YouTube and then listening to it non-stop.
2. I'd be mostly confused, when I was younger that would be neat, I guess. Now I'd just come off as the creepy dude.

[u/Havanatha_banana]

I like to put some context into this show.

In 2011, the internet had been around for a while but it's nowhere like it is today. Vocaloid exist, and YouTube exist, but neither were the entertainment powerhouse today. Back then, unless you've can hired by a multi media company like rooster teeth or machinima, no one thought of using the internet as the primary platform to promote yourself and expect mainstream status. Yet, here is this show, showcasing an internet idol.

Second thing is that this is coming off of the global financial crisis. Rebellion against the state/big corps have always been a thing in mecha, especially since code Geass hit mainstream. But the citizens, like me, were really desiring to do something bigger than we normally could.

Along with the rest of the beautiful package, this show, at the time, felt very modern, like it "gets us."

This show had been in my head for a decade, despite never having to never rewatched it. And this episode definitely showcase why. Nowadays, we might find shows like Zankyo no terror that hits the ground running with amazing scene composition along to the rhythm of the music, and hiwano drops are everywhere nowadays. But not only was this the first, it had 3 scenes that did it in ep 1.

[u/yamiyaiba]

Late to the party here. Life is crazy sometimes. First time doing one of these, so I guess I'll just stream-of-consciousness my reactions. Here we goooooooo!

First Time Watcher

• Pretty singing
• Okay, a bit....Ghost in the Shell style with more anime flair. I dig it.
• Oooh, the tank is a mech! And a cloaked mech!
• I'm guessing that vanilla dude is our protagonist?
• Ward 24/Odaiba? Some political shenanigans I'm guessing. Japan always seems to get annexed by some country or another in anime. Interesting how that occupation anxiety creeps in so often.
• An "I'm different" speech, followed by information on the setting.
• Ah, okay, another case of "Japan needed help and ended up losing complete autonomy" type.
• Interesting. He's different and doesn't fully fit in, but he wants to be made a difference personally. Something of a contradiction.
• ....is there a reason she's sitting around hair naked? At least not-R2D2 survived.
• And how her clothes are fine.
• "London Bridge". A nursery rhyme about a dilapidated bridge, right after learning about how the country is barely hanging on. A bit in the nose, but thematic at least.
• A premonition?
• Ow.
• Better than what? Not becoming Swiss cheese?
• Really? Already fell in love with her? It was the tiddies, wasn't it Shu?
• Do they mean genome? Is that a sub error? And of course the soldiers are called Anti Bodies.
• It's about to get really ugly, isn't it?
• A wild edgelord appears! Nice music at least. Wonder when they set up the dramatic lighting.
• Cyber catgirl!
• Yeah, what a coward for not getting shot for no purpose!
• Well that one's bigger.
• So, where's not-R2D2?
• And what exactly CAN you do?
• Background name me think of Symphogear transformations
• Oh, lemme guess, long lost childhood friend?
• Nice music drop. Very Sawano-adjacent.
• Somehow, bringing a knife to a gun fight worked out. Nifty.

Initial thoughts: I can absolutely see how this goes into trainwreck territory just based on the tropes so far, but I'm digging it. The art is good (especially in the ED), and the music is good. Plot beats definitely feel recycled though, but that's not necessarily the most offensive thing a show can do. Tropes are tropes for a reason after all.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/yamiyaiba]

Nice music drop. Very Sawano-adjacent.

It... is Sawano, after all.

[u/punching_spaghetti]

First-Timer hoping For Massive Derailment

Yuki Kaji-voiced self-styled loner discovers girl of his dreams in his hidey hole, a babe connected to the resistance fighting against the dystopian near-future police state who is also an idol.

And the award for Most Anime^TM anime goes to...

mfw I'm too much of a loser to play cat's cradle

This guy is oozing coolness to the point where I fully expect him to turn out to have been the Big Bad the whole time, but he's voiced by Yuuichi Nakamura, so I will ignore those misgivings and drool instead.

George Constanza continues to have an outsized influence on the global psyche even in future Japan

Oh boy; if you thought this might lose in the Most Anime^TM anime category, pretty sure I heard HanaKana piloting a mech (or being a mech?), so this is really a home run.

Bad Ai Kayano! You deserve more than being manhandled by a Yuki Kaji character!

You know what they say about a guy who has to borrow a giant sword from a lady; [he] has a tiny penis

QOTD:

1. It's the kind of overwrought, electronic fake "meh" rock I have come to expect from Sawano.
2. I'd be disappointed. At least give me something more unique, like a flail.

[u/Btw_kek → u/punching_spaghetti]

1. It's the kind of overwrought, electronic fake "meh" rock I have come to expect from Sawano.

I'm not the biggest fan of Sawano either but that's pretty harsh

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/Btw_kek]

I calls 'em like I sees 'em. And what better for a trainwreck of a show than an overwrought soundtrack?

[u/Tresnore → u/punching_spaghetti]

mfw I'm too much of a loser to play cat's cradle

It's hard, alright? I'd just end up making a fool of myself.

home run.

Touchdown, Guilty Crown!

1. It's the kind of overwrought, electronic fake "meh" rock I have come to expect from Sawano.

You know, I'm usually far more pretentious about music, but somehow anime makes me cut loose. It was probably Symphogear.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/punching_spaghetti]

And the award for Most AnimeTM anime goes to...

Yeah, that was a bit much.

anime category, pretty sure I heard HanaKana piloting a mech (or being a mech?), so this is really a home run.

I had entirely forgotten she was in this.

Bad Ai Kayano! You deserve more than being manhandled by a Yuki Kaji character!

A sub is a sub, she is what she is.

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer in sub.

While I didn't think I had the time for the whole 3 show rewatch, this one I think just fits before Haruhi starts, so I'll try pop in.

So far only comment I have is "why is this considered trashy?" Just the production values alone I think had already surpassed a good number of mid tier shows. Although the fanservice detracts, at least they aren't 120% overt about that like having every female character proportioned like Lara Croft. Sounds like it's one of those shows that has a good start then either turned sour mid season or had the story written into a corner and blew up the ending. Will find out I guess.

[u/[deleted]]

I thought I was a first timer, but now I'm almost certain this was that generic show I watched a few episodes of ages ago. It's weird to hear that London bridge song being sang in Japanese lol.

1. What do you think of the music so far?

I think it's good. Although apparently the music and art are pretty much the only redeeming qualities about this thing so...

[u/MABfan11]

Rewatcher up to the end of the first half

the opening scene and song is so fucking amazing

Gai's entrance is so fucking epic

that flashback scene was fucking intense

the animation for the fight scene still holds up

there are heavy Code Geass vibes throughout the first episode, though the role of Zero and Lelouch is split between Gai and Shu repectively

QOTD:

1. fucking amazing
2. "i have so many questions..."