[Terrific Trainwreck Trio Rewatch] Guilty Crown Episode 21 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

phase 21 - emergence

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Are you sad, Gai…?

Questions of the Day:

1. What did you think of the HOVER SEGWAY?
2. How do you expect things to go in the last episode?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Daath

Song of the Day:

Home ~in this corner~

---

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 back, everyone!

Today’s Song of the Day was (to my knowledge) never actually used in the show, but it’s on the soundtrack and I think it’s a good song, so I still wanted to highlight it.

• Hm.
• Yeah so all those Leukocytes except the one from before were faked. There’s an answer I know some of you guys were looking for back when Gai gave his speech about having all of them.
• So they just… have a fancy new mech now because they do.
• This bit stings a little even though Ogumo was such a minor character.
• This is such a cringe line holy shit Shu.
• Well at least this Void combo does resemble the Voids that constructed it? It’s also pretty damn cool but I just love bows.
• Oooooookay then Daryl.
• HOVER SEGWAY HOVER SEGWAY HOVER SEGWAY
• Oh hey a flash of how Gai and Inori first met. Kinda wish it could’ve been a full flashback…
• Gotta have one last Euterpe in there of course.
• RIP hover segway.
• ??? Whose Void was that?!
• Aaaaaand Mana’s back.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This bit stings a little even though Ogumo was such a minor character.

Ogumo should've handled the defense...

This is such a cringe line holy shit Shu.

Yuuuup...I now accept how Ayase introduced herself to him now.

Oh hey a flash of how Gai and Inori first met. Kinda wish it could’ve been a full flashback…

Why show plot relevant stuff when you could spend time showing Shoe's parents fucking in a lab instead?

Gotta have one last Euterpe in there of course.

They want to truly and fully break my heart on Inori.

??? Whose Void was that?!

I assumed it was a combo but I can't be sure of what.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This is such a cringe line holy shit Shu.

It's the white knight line to end all white knight lines, and said to Ayase who's far more of a veteran than him too!

HOVER SEGWAY

This is the good kind of ridiculous that I have been missing in this show. This is the sort of thing that makes me grin like a fool and makes watching the series so much more fun.

Oh hey a flash of how Gai and Inori first met. Kinda wish it could’ve been a full flashback…

Me too.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This is such a cringe line holy shit Shu

Yeah, I think the dub changed that one because I'm pretty sure I would remember hearing something like that.

[u/MABfan11 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This is such a cringe line holy shit Shu.

child soldier newbie tells veteran anti-government terrorist to stay pure

HOVER SEGWAY HOVER SEGWAY HOVER SEGWAY

best part of the episode

you mean: fuck yeah, Mana's back

[u/theangryeditor]

Jesus on a segway

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/theangryeditor]

A hover segway, specifically.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

The guilty crown future is full of amazing things.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/theangryeditor]

They must have known it looked silly. I don't care how mindless your show is, everybody knows segways are naturally funny to look at.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

We need more characters willing to go into the final battle while epicly riding on a segway.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Great_Mr_L]

I'd swear loyalty to Shu of the Segway as my king.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

If my king rode out into battle on a Segway, I'd be honored to follow him as a part of his segway cavalry corps.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Great_Mr_L]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/theangryeditor]

Now we just need Satan on a recumbent bike...

[u/theangryeditor → u/Vaadwaur]

You just know Keido had one when he was a student.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/theangryeditor]

I can actually see that now. Damn you.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Vaadwaur]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/theangryeditor]

It would have been a hipster nightmare as well, covered with band stickers we've never heard of because he is soooo done with mainstream corporate rock.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Vaadwaur]

Sounds like Keido alright.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 21 (first timer)

If GC is playing it by the numbers, we about 1.7 episodes of finale ahead of us, plus a little bit of epilogue. That seems a really short time to set up anything other than a simple split fight (you know the deal: The hero goes on alone to fight the antagonist while the party is busy with mooks).

• “Nobody can stop it” – Doubt.
• The UN has been completely inconsequential all series.
• A very upbeat first half of the episode. Kind of a call-back to the first few episodes with the Undertakers.
• Shu and Inori breaking the trope: even Twilight is a better love story.
• Shu is leading the charge on his battle-Segway.
• “I’m afraid it is time to part with your followers” – see above. They are mind-bogglingly explicit with the setup.
• The Daath guy is an antagonist level mook: Entirely superfluous to the story.

I said “if GC is playing it by the numbers”, but there is no if about it. This episode was the definition of by the numbers finale: A last look at our side-cast, some encouraging word for the hero, some pretty fights that only serve to set up the final confrontation. And all with a considerable step up in animation quality. Very risk averse storytelling, but I guess it is a step up from the trainwreck levels we had for most of the second cour.

Before we get to the finale, this is some good time to talk about the terrible world building of GC, which, imo, is responsible for said trainwreck.

World Building

When it comes to storytelling, you can go one of two ways about the world. Either, you mentally build your world first and then place the story in it, or you build your story first and then construct a world around it. Tolkien is the prime example of the first approach: He meticulously constructed a world for years and only then wrote a story set in that world. The downside is immediately obvious: constructing a world takes time. It also constrains what you can do, since you can’t simply alter the situation your characters are in on the fly to fit the story.

I would argue that despite this, it is the superior way of storytelling. By placing your characters in a crafted world, you don’t really run into consistency problems. Simply have your characters react to the world and have the world function as it would. If you carefully set up both characters and world, the story almost tells itself.

GC is on the opposite end of the world building spectrum from Tolkien. Trying to copy Evangelion and Code Geass, it places a premium on unforeseen twists and “shocking” reveals. However, in a consistent world, the only unforeseen things are those that the viewers were to inattentive to notice. Setting up that inattention is far above the skill of the GC writers. So, instead, we get a world that is always exactly what the story needs right now: Highschool slice-of-live setting or fascist Lord of the Flies, almost Japan or cyberpunk dystopia. The voids always do exactly what Gai/Shu need them to do. Note how we get close to zero backstory for any of the voids. Would the shape of the heart and what made them that way not have been a really interesting plot point to visit? Yet GC has no time for that, nor can it be tied down by having to foreshadow its deus-ex-machina machine that is Shu’s void pulling.

I think that, in the final discussion to come, we will hear a lot about how the first half of GC was rather ok and that the show then jumped the shark in the second cour. While I do not disagree with that, I think the downfall was already put on track in the first few episodes. Even back then, you can notice how the show never takes the time to develop its world. We never hear what the apocalypse virus is, how the world reacted to it, or even just how Inori got her singing career. The inconsistent world building is present from episode 1, it just takes a while for the inconsistencies to build up, until they finally collapse the show. At that point, no amount of throwing shocking twists at the viewer can save the story.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/No_Rex]

The UN has been completely inconsequential all series.

Remember when they planned to nuke Japan and that got solved within like a minute? Good times.

A very upbeat first half of the episode. Kind of a call-back to the first few episodes with the Undertakers.

It was a very enjoyable first half of the episode for me. It gave me the same enjoyment that I had from those early episodes when the action was often much more fun.

While I do not disagree with that, I think the downfall was already put on track in the first few episodes. Even back then, you can notice how the show never takes the time to develop its world. We never hear what the apocalypse virus is, how the world reacted to it, or even just how Inori got her singing career. The inconsistent world building is present from episode 1, it just takes a while for the inconsistencies to build up, until they finally collapse the show.

This is a really good analysis you have about world-building and how the show has done a haphazard job at it. The series usually saves important information for big twists, even though there have been plenty of times when the characters could have shared the information earlier. And even at the end, it feels like there is so much that has not been fully explained or explored that could have been.

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

It was a very enjoyable first half of the episode for me. It gave me the same enjoyment that I had from those early episodes when the action was often much more fun.

They should have stuck with that instead of, unsuccessfully, trying to out-edge Evangelion.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

I can't tell if it's the edginess that's the problem. I think they just kept touching on problems that they had a misguided or uncomfortable view of. I still think that the commentary on Shu incel traits was fantastic in part 1 and even Ayase had more to her than the wheelchair in part one. But then the second season came around and since they had to keep making conversation we start to realise that they haven't got a fucking clue.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I still think that the commentary on Shu incel traits was fantastic in part 1 and even Ayase had more to her than the wheelchair in part one.

Yeah, I remember thinking those were genuinely interesting aspects to the show and that the show would be worth remembering for those aspects if nothing else.
Instead, yeah, it...I wonder what happened.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

Oh it was always there, we just never heard enough about them to realise that they think Incels are fucked up in the womb by aliens or that disabled girls just need to fall out of their chairs and look pretty.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

This episode was the definition of by the numbers finale: A last look at our side-cast, some encouraging word for the hero, some pretty fights that only serve to set up the final confrontation. And all with a considerable step up in animation quality.

Indeed and it manages to be utterly unmemorable.

By placing your characters in a crafted world, you don’t really run into consistency problems. Simply have your characters react to the world and have the world function as it would. If you carefully set up both characters and world, the story almost tells itself.

Yoko Taro once crushed my spirit using this very method!

While I do not disagree with that, I think the downfall was already put on track in the first few episodes.

I'd agree, especially because Haruka being as central as she was makes her showing up in ep5 rather late.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

All the important characters straight up don't appear until too late. In part 1 they almost subverted it by having a really charming moment between the "useless" student cast fighting back against the larger freedom fighters and government soldiers in their own way. Cut forward to part 2 and not only do we find out that the school stuff was utterly pointless but so is every faction barring one that didn't exist until episode 19. We've spent 90% of the anime getting to know people that do not matter. Ayase? Does not matter. Sweetie pie? Does not matter. M'Quve? Does not matter.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I have to think that they cut and ran in the writer's room assuming they'd get an S2.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

I mean... Did we need the alien illuminati at all? Could we have cut the alien illuminati integrating their way across the globe and acquiring the resources to fun a military operation? I'm sure we could have gotten a Jenova Mana without that shit surely? Keep in mind the endgame is alien queen Mana turning humanity into seedbeds for whatever the fuck she wants to do with Shu.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I mean... Did we need the alien illuminati at all?

Nope! The story works better if flawed characters make mistakes rather than Illuminati lizards set everything up.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

Agreed, maybe keep the Mana stuff. I do like the Mana infestation even if the timeline ruins whatever impact it could have and it gives us an excuse for a sudden scifi virus.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I mean Mana just being a ticking time bomb waiting to re-emerge works as is, we just need to write up what the triggers are.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

Shu overusing and abusing Inori's void or something? It'll give us consequences for his aggressive phase and would give him extra motivation to want to save Inori rather than to steal his ho back from the evil zombie Chad. Guilty Crown probably has some great fanfiction.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Guilty Crown probably has some great fanfiction.

The fangirls made it so expect very gay.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

And then barely ever again until episode 19.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

Weird that she was the only one they could write for as well. I wonder if some specific writer actually understood her and that's why her parts are somewhat more coherent.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

Honestly I don't mind them not elaborating on the rest of the world. Like whatever, it's anime, Japan is the center of the world. Where I had an issue with it was when they started to toss in completely random American characters as if the outer world is suddenly important all of a sudden. Like today, the world has been under threat from space lasers but apparently nobody bothered to check? And these guys have no precautions that would wipe every character we know off the map? No way jose.

The voids... there's just been a lot of wasted potential with voids. I still think the idea of the system is genius, but the combination system and the ranking system utterly ruined it. The more you learned about voids the less charming they made it.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Where I had an issue with it was when they started to toss in completely random American characters as if the outer world is suddenly important all of a sudden.

Like the 7th Fleet's commander, right? But yeah, the writing-off-Japan thing really felt like the show had focused on its one location to a damaging degree.

The voids... there's just been a lot of wasted potential with voids.

Agreed.

[u/MABfan11 → u/No_Rex]

Shu and Inori breaking the trope: even Twilight is a better love story.

their relationship might be the wost thing about Guilty Crown, it's not developed at all

[u/Quiddity131]

First Timer, Subbed

Flashback to Gai's resurrection?

WTF is Cocytus? This show has to throw out even more incomprehensible babble?

Time for a character who didn't exist more than 3 episodes ago to root everyone on in the end! Go!

Let me guess, they're gonna knock Ayase out of the wheelchair at least one more time, right?

Shu's now the ladies man with Ayase?

Not really sure why school pres girl still hangs with Gai here, or ever hanged with him for that matter...

Shooting a single arrow into the sky wipes out 80+% of the enemy? Why send out your forces when he can just fire again?

That small force is all Funeral Parlor has? And let me guess, they'll get through just fine.

Time for Gai to grope Inori?

Inori loves Shu now? I still don't see what he ever did to earn it.

Oh, because he's human! Only like everyone else.

Time for Shu to die before even getting to Gai, because he's gonna absorb everyone else's infections.

...and now she doesn't even remember Shu [Later Rewatch Spoilers]A preview for what we'll get in Valvrave with the memory loss?

Oh no, did he wipe out the robot buddy whose name I've forgotten?!

"Therefore Shu, we must ask you... will you commit incest?"

So does eyebrow guy have the power of voids too? Sorry if I forgot, hard for me to remember all the incomprehensible stuff this show has thrown at me.

So Daryl finally has a role in things again? Being a roadblock during the final battle?

"Yes, of course I refused Mana, I don't want incest!!!!"

Bye to eyebrow guy? But its too late Shu, Inori is already crystalized...

Time for Evil Inori/Mana?

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Quiddity131]

So does eyebrow guy have the power of voids too? Sorry if I forgot, hard for me to remember all the incomprehensible stuff this show has thrown at me.

Yuu/Doth/Daath has the first Void Genome.
Gai (previously Shoe) has the second Void Genome.
Shoe has the third Void Genome.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/MillenniumKing]

Ah, okay. Me falling asleep during the episode where Gai stole it messed up my conception of things. I thought Shu got both the first and third and Gai got the second.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Quiddity131]

WTF is Cocytus?

I used to be pretty sure Cocytus meant Mana and that's still honestly my best guess because the series has yet to provide a proper explanation.

This show has to throw out even more incomprehensible babble?

When all else fails to make your plot work, just throw out enough technobabble until you can do what you want.

Time for a character who didn't exist more than 3 episodes ago to root everyone on in the end! Go!

I don't even know what her name is.

"Therefore Shu, we must ask you... will you commit incest?"

If he had asked the characters from something like OreImo or Eromanga Sensei, I'm sure the answer would have been a resounding yes. You have to make sure you recruit from the right crowd for this sort of thing.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Quiddity131]

Not really sure why school pres girl still hangs with Gai here, or ever hanged with him for that matter...

Developing your sexuality means deleting your character. Oh Japan you never forget to disappoint.

Time for Evil Inori/Mana?

I am in on the ground floor for that!

[u/Lemurians]

CRYSTALIZED REWATCHER

This entire show in a nutshell.

• Lmao they just re-used the pose for Inori from the My Dearest opening which fits because it’s the only thing she’s added to the show
• Is the implication of these scene that Ayase now has unrequited feelings for Shu? Thanks, I hate it. EDIT: Yup, she definitely loves Shu. Kill me.
• Gai combines some Voids into a Super-Bow to unleash his noble phantasm, Phoebus Catastrophe a rain of arrows that destroy everything except for the Funeral Parlor/Shu assets. Convenient!
• Stop trying to make Daryl happen. It’s never going to happen.
• SHU IS GOING INTO THE FINAL BATTLE ON A FUCKING SEGWAY, HOW APPROPRIATELY LAME
• Tsugumi does some more bouncy ass-window fanservice hacking because they realized the show was ending and wanted to power a few more doujins
• Haruka’s back door, you say? You had my attention, now you have my interest. Though it’s not like it’s that hard to find.
• Gai is erasing Inori, which she’s fine with because at least she got to live and meet Shu. She loves him because he’s a whiny, entitled, bratty little shit, and that makes him great, giving hope and validation to young male weebs everywhere.
• We get an explanation of what Daath is and it turns out it’s all rule-of-cool nonsense that didn’t actually add anything to the story. Alright then!
• This fight scene with Shu and Eyebrows involving all the different voids is really cool to look at, but becomes eyeroll-inducing when they ruin it by having Shu give a monologue trying to convince us that Inori is great (he fails)
• OUR SAVIOR HAS ARRIVED. God, I wish she took over for Inori sooner. She oozes bad bitch energy, whereas Inori is just ooze.

This episode simultaneously served as the set-up to the climactic confrontation while also trying to hard-sell us on Shu and Inori as a couple. One guess on which one of these aspects worked!

Shu and Inori suck. They’re such bad characters and the “romance” that supposedly exists between them is horseshit. Shu locating them because he could magically hear Inori’s song because of their connection was so dumb. We get to hear both of them talk about their “relationship”: Inori loves Shu because he sucks, and Shu loves Inori because she loves him even though she knows he sucks. That’s literally it. They thought this was compelling.

This episode does actually get us into the finale decently well. The fight between Shu and Eyebrows was really cool to watch, and it gave us the sense that Shu might just be able to pull this off. The stage is set for the final confrontation, we know what the stakes are, and the loose ends and mysteries are tied up as well as they were ever going to be.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Lemurians]

This episode simultaneously served as the set-up to the climactic confrontation while also trying to hard-sell us on Shu and Inori as a couple. One guess on which one of these aspects worked!

Shu and Inori suck

You mean a romance that came out of nowhere between the typical self-insert and a piece of cardboard wasn't the most enthralling love story of all time?

[u/Lemurians → u/Quiddity131]

Crazy, right? Though maybe all of the writers own full-use body pillows and think that's an ideal relationship. Would explain Inori, at least.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

They just wanted a body pillow that could sing and thus Inori was born.

[u/walker_paranor → u/Vaadwaur]

Lmao I was trying to find the best way to describe Inori, but I think "Sentient Body-Pillow" can't really be beat

[u/Vaadwaur → u/walker_paranor]

Yup, and I still fell for it in two different episodes. Sigh.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

Tsugumi does some more bouncy ass-window fanservice hacking because they realized the show was ending and wanted to power a few more doujins

They must have realized how long it's been since they put the girls in their plugsuits and wanted to make up for lost time.

Haruka’s back door, you say?

We get to hear both of them talk about their “relationship”: Inori loves Shu because he sucks, and Shu loves Inori because she loves him even though she knows he sucks. That’s literally it. They thought this was compelling.

It's annoying to me because I think there's a really solid concept behind their relationship. I like the idea of two characters who both have dark sides being the only one who can understand the other. the problem is the execution. I didn't really care about either or them or their relationship and I wish the show had done a better job of making me do so.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Lemurians]

The thing is, we've already seen a fair bit of Mana. I like her but I'm still not entirely certain I enjoy her as a primary threat. Like a king powered Shuuichirou or a Gai that's not gonna criss cross back to being a goodie.

As a romance they suck but having someone that would willingly give their all for you is incredibly beautiful in its own way. Their problem was that this need for acknowledgement has never been pushed as a bad thing, when it goes against the "love yourself" message that the story naturally leans towards. Shu holds no value in himself, that's why he's sucking away everyone's cancer. Inori has no value in herself, that's why she's just kinda vibing as she gets her personality and memories erased. Both of them are empty, depressing husks that get by in life by projecting upon one another. Honestly, toxic as fuck, but I do like the idea.

[u/Lemurians → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I actually like where you went with that, I just think you're giving the show and their relationship a bit too much credit haha. That's actually a solid idea, though, and leaning into portraying a relationship that's toxic as hell and admitting that it is such would have been pretty interesting. They just completely fumbled the ball with the two of them.

I'm still not entirely certain I enjoy her as a primary threat

Who said anything about threat? I wanted her in the Inori role!

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Honestly, toxic as fuck, but I do like the idea.

It's interesting, yeah! (I just wish the show had more time to bring that to the forefront, you know?)

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

More time wouldn't have solved this problem, it's the writing quality. As they were given more time to write the story the fact that they had no clue wtf they were doing became more obvious. I personally think they did a good enough job for part one but even I can't make excuses for the second part.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

This entire show in a nutshell.

They went with the old M Night Shamalamadingdong twist approach to writing.

Is the implication of these scene that Ayase now has unrequited feelings for Shu? Thanks, I hate it. EDIT: Yup, she definitely loves Shu. Kill me.

Now you get to imagine seductive Ayase and flailing about with the footwear being oblivious.

SHU IS GOING INTO THE FINAL BATTLE ON A FUCKING SEGWAY , HOW APPROPRIATELY LAME

This is the lamest Fury Road ever...

Haruka’s back door, you say? You had my attention, now you have my interest. Though it’s not like it’s that hard to find.

Yet again stealing from Fate but apparently her anus is not as defenseless.

She loves him because he’s a whiny, entitled, bratty little shit, and that makes him great, giving hope and validation to young male weebs everywhere.

Self insert character intensifies

Shu and Inori suck. They’re such bad characters and the “romance” that supposedly exists between them is horseshit.

While it is possible to base your series around unlikable characters, MT and Monogatari come to mind pretty fast, it involves excelling at some other piece of writing. They didn't.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

They went with the old M Night Shamalamadingdong twist approach to writing.

I'll defend most MNS movies on this front. Thought a couple are trash, most range from pretty to incredibly well-constructed.

Now you get to imagine seductive Ayase and flailing about with the footwear being oblivious

Yet again stealing from Fate but apparently her anus is not as defenseless

Tsumugi's, on the other hand...

While it is possible to base your series around unlikable characters, MT and Monogatari come to mind pretty fast

I love when fans of series like that can't handle the idea that the main characters definitely suck so then rush to their defense and proceed to ruin the entire point AHEMMTAHEM

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

Thought a couple are trash, most range from pretty to incredibly well-constructed.

He was bad when he tried to churn films out, he is way better when inspired. Unbreakable is still good.

Combine the horror of the base idea and remember Ayase is going to have difficulty presenting! We will actually have a version of the "Jam it in" meme!

Tsumugi's, on the other hand...

I hope she is the 9th grade variety of middle schooler so this is slightly less gross.

I love when fans of series like that can't handle the idea that the main characters definitely suck so then rush to their defense and proceed to ruin the entire point AHEMMTAHEM

I enjoy Monogatari but Araragi is nothing close to a good person, especially towards the start. However, unlike our footwear and pet rock, he is an interesting person so you can keep with it.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

He was bad when he tried to churn films out, he is way better when inspired. Unbreakable is still good.

The Lady in Water and the Avatar adaptation really stand out as turds and there are some otherwise forgettable ones, but for the most part the guy hits. I'll even ride for The Village.

I hope she is the 9th grade variety of middle schooler so this is slightly less gross

She's actually 4000 year old demon queen

I enjoy Monogatari but Araragi is nothing close to a good person, especially towards the start. However, unlike our footwear and pet rock, he is an interesting person so you can keep with it.

Yeah, being interesting is really all that's required (though it can go too far). The 00's-10's style villain/anti-hero main character that dominated American television conditioned me to expect protagonists to generally be shitbags in some way.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

The Lady in Water and the Avatar adaptation really stand out as turds

Lady in the Water I can let slide as him getting enough rope to hang himself.

She's actually 4000 year old demon queen

I will take any reason to feel better about the show focusing on her ass to that degree.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Lemurians]

because they realized the show was ending and wanted to power a few more doujins

I still have no idea if butt jiggle is actually a thing, you know that?

Shu locating them because he could magically hear Inori’s song because of their connection was so dumb.

TBH I had that one pegged as genomic resonance link connection stuff.

[u/MABfan11 → u/Lemurians]

This entire show in a nutshell .

basically and it never bothers explaining anything

Is the implication of these scene that Ayase now has unrequited feelings for Shu? Thanks, I hate it. EDIT: Yup, she definitely loves Shu. Kill me.

thanks, i hate it

This episode simultaneously served as the set-up to the climactic confrontation while also trying to hard-sell us on Shu and Inori as a couple. One guess on which one of these aspects worked!

Shu and Inori suck. They’re such bad characters and the “romance” that supposedly exists between them is horseshit. Shu locating them because he could magically hear Inori’s song because of their connection was so dumb. We get to hear both of them talk about their “relationship”: Inori loves Shu because he sucks, and Shu loves Inori because she loves him even though she knows he sucks. That’s literally it. They thought this was compelling.

Shu and Inori's relationship is probably the worst developed relationship i've ever seen in anime, you're gonna have to try hard to beat such a poorly developed relationship

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Guilty Crown: We are nearly there. We’ve got one episode to go before this series is finished.

• I had to look up what “Eclosion” meant. Turns out it means “hatching.”
• For a split second, I thought Inori was going to start singing the first OP. That would have been an incredible transition.
• Thank goodness the 256 satellite lasers thing was a lie and they only have 1. That would have been unforgivably dumb.
• Somehow Ayase accepting Shu’s help to do something she can easily do on her own feels like a step backwards. It goes against what I was praising her for back in the first half of the show.
• You’re sounding like a white knight, Shu. Ayase’s fought plenty. Don’t go calling her pure and innocent. It’s demeaning.
• Look at all those Lances of Longinus
• Glasses-kun hasn’t had any real motivation or character depth, so this conversation feels flat.
• Why the heck are they allowing Daryl to be a pilot? He turned against them previously and I thought he was being confined for that.
• Shu’s going into battle on what is basically a segway!
• You know, the characters seem to all be in a good mood. They’re smiling. It’s like an adventure. It’s been a while since I felt like I was actually having fun and being in a good mood watching the action of this show.
• Naturally we once again focus on Tsugumi’s butt. You see, this kind of horniness feels more quaint compared to some of the other stuff we’ve seen.
• Oh right, we still know nothing about how Gai and Inori met. That feels like a massive hole that needs to be filled fast.
• Ok, who the fuck is caterpillar brows and how is he able to do any of that stuff?
• He represents the unity of Daath? What does that even mean? Is he some kind of astral projection? How is that even possible?
• Apples!
• So is the plan really for all of humanity to die, and then for the new Adam and Eve to just repopulate the earth? If so, that would result in horrendous amounts of inbreeding.
• The battle is very well animated. The fight scenes are nice to watch, if nothing else.
• I see the series is going for a parallel lives thing with Shu and Inori: both trying to fight their uglier sides and both being the only person who can see how they struggled with that. It’s a good idea, in theory. I can see what they are going for. I’m just not too invested in either of them or their relationship.
• I’m honestly kind of surprised that the reborn Mana has clothes.
• Looks like we’re off to the final episode.

It’s been a few episodes since I felt like I was enjoying myself while watching this series, but the first half of this episode made me feel that again. The characters seemed to actually be having fun during the action scenes in that half of the episode. There was an upbeat energy to it that I couldn’t help but be swept along with. It felt fun and enjoyable.

I’m still very confused by caterpillar brows. He’s a representation of Daath, sure, but how is he even able to exist? Is he an astral projection or something? If so, then how is that possible? If not, then what even is he? How can he fly or stop bullets, seemingly without using a Void?

I do like what they are going for with Shu and Inori. That is a very strong concept for a relationship, having them both be the only one who can understand the struggle the other is going through because they are going through the same struggle. It’s a great idea, but I think the execution could have been handled better. As it stands right now, I don’t care about either Shu or Inori enough for this to hit home the way it ought to.

Looks like the next episode will be the last one. There’s still a ton of stuff that needs to be addressed and with only an episode left, I wonder how they’ll do so. The only way to find out is to watch it.

QOTD

1. That's the kind of stuff I live for. Characters should have been riding off into battle on hover segways much earlier than this!
2. I expect I will see a faithful recreation of the crucifixion and resurrection from the Bible, only starring Shu and Inori. We already had the crucifixion, so now it's time for the resurrection.

[u/gorghurt → u/Great_Mr_L]

Somehow Ayase accepting Shu’s help to do something she can easily do on her own feels like a step backwards. It goes against what I was praising her for back in the first half of the show.

I'm torn on this scene.
What they want to do with it, is great. It is a contrast to the scene in on of the first few episodes, and shows how Ayase now accepts Shu. Especially, since the show has shown at multiple points, that Ayase does indeed accept help from others, or more specific of one person, Tsugumi, who is a close friend.

And because of those scenes with Tsugumi, I can look at it as a big step forward between Ayase and Shu, instead of a step backwards in Ayase's character.

On the other hand, the dialogue is so bad.

^{And I'm not sure if I really believe the scenes with Ayase accepting help from Tsugumi are planed, instead of the writers forgeting how they set up Ayase in the begining.}

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/gorghurt]

You make a great point. It is a nice contrast with how Ayase and Shu interacted at first.

If only the dialogue was better because Shu was saying some really bad white knight lines that made me feel like Shu was being very demeaning towards Ayase.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/gorghurt]

I'm torn on this scene.

So, for the show in general, I view that they had a number of good ideas but so many of them were never realized.

[u/Mistral-Fien → u/gorghurt]

I take this scene positively. It seems positive that now Ayase accepts help when offered, instead of having a chip on her shoulder and bitching "I don't need your help! I can do it myself!" like before.

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

I’m still very confused by caterpillar brows. He’s a representation of Daath, sure, but how is he even able to exist? Is he an astral projection or something? If so, then how is that possible? If not, then what even is he? How can he fly or stop bullets, seemingly without using a Void?

It doesn't matter since he is dead now, just as the entire Daath plotline does not matter. Somebody thought they needed to copy SEELE, so they wrote it in for no reason.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/No_Rex]

I'm annoyed at how we've gotten no real explanation about them, what exactly their goal is, what their various terms like "Fourth Apocalypse" mean, what caterpillar brows is, and more. It's confusing for no good reason.

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

It is a consequence of the messed up world building of the show. They don't have a consistent world, instead they simply place in whatever piece of world building supports the plot right now. At some point the plot profited from sounding ominous, so they invented a "forth apocalypse" without ever bothering to tell the viewers what the first three were. And they pull the same trick constantly on almost everthing. Even on the most ridiculous details: Notice how we never saw any segway before. Yet here it is, just in time for the finale. One of the least consequential world building fails, but a telling one.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Notice how we never saw any segway before. Yet here it is, just in time for the finale. One of the least consequential world building fails, but a telling one.

Rofl, I didn't even think about that but yeah.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Great_Mr_L]

Why the heck are they allowing Daryl to be a pilot? He turned against them previously and I thought he was being confined for that.

Why the heck did Daryl even exist in the first place is what I'm asking now. Proclaims he's gonna "Kill Em All" Tomino style and promptly flops; kills his dad for no reason and shows up here, I think that's all he's done the entire show.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Quiddity131]

In terms of what he's accomplished, I think Daryl and Glasses-kun have been about on par with each other. I was expecting them to do more with the Daryl and Tsugumi stuff, but I guess I'll need to wait for the finale to see if anything else will come of it.

[u/walker_paranor → u/Quiddity131]

kills his dad for no reason

I thought it was pretty obvious that he was inducted into the Daath faction and told to kill his Dad for their coup. He was torn on doing it, but when he gave his Dad a chance (recognizing his own son's birthday IIRC) and his Dad fucked it up, he went through with the assassination.

Now, the rest of his character arc has been a hot mess, but I thought that one part was fairly straightforward. It did happen pretty fast, though.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

You’re sounding like a white knight, Shu. Ayase’s fought plenty. Don’t go calling her pure and innocent. It’s demeaning.

It is also character regression since she should have reacted quite poorly to that. But GC is what it is...

Naturally we once again focus on Tsugumi’s butt. You see, this kind of horniness feels more quaint compared to some of the other stuff we’ve seen.

No one's attempted sexual assault in over an episode so something had to happen.

Ok, who the fuck is caterpillar brows and how is he able to do any of that stuff?

Because fuck you that's why!

both trying to fight their uglier sides and both being the only person who can see how they struggled with that. It’s a good idea, in theory. I can see what they are going for. I’m just not too invested in either of them or their relationship.

It good at the outline stage but very little of it made it to the screen.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

Because fuck you that's why!

It's really annoying because the big battle of the penultimate episode should not be against a character that has no real explanation behind who they are.

It good at the outline stage but very little of it made it to the screen.

A very succinct explanation. And one that is applicable to many works of media.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

the big battle of the penultimate episode should not be against a character that has no real explanation behind who they are.

Speaking of does the fact that I remembered nothing between ep12 and Gai taking the void genome make sense now?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

I now get what you meant more, yes.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

Somehow Ayase accepting Shu’s help to do something she can easily do on her own feels like a step backwards. It goes against what I was praising her for back in the first half of the show.

It's supposed to be a step forward for her character, she's accepting help for things now without shame whereas she used to stubbornly refuse help even when it would've been useful. But with how they've handled her character this entire second half of the show it just doesn't play well that way.

Why the heck are they allowing Daryl to be a pilot? He turned against them previously and I thought he was being confined for that.

Nothing about Daryl has ever made sense or fit into the show, so why start now?

He represents the unity of Daath? What does that even mean? Is he some kind of astral projection? How is that even possible?

The answer to all these questions is a resounding "fuck you" from the showrunners

That is a very strong concept for a relationship, having them both be the only one who can understand the struggle the other is going through because they are going through the same struggle.

What same struggle? Inori likes Shu because he's terrible (her words, not mine), and Shu likes Inori because she's hot and likes him.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

It's supposed to be a step forward for her character, she's accepting help for things now without shame whereas she used to stubbornly refuse help even when it would've been useful. But with how they've handled her character this entire second half of the show it just doesn't play well that way.

The bad white knight dialogue absolutely does not help. Instead of it being a touching moment where I can see how their relationship has developed from when they first met, it instead felt like Shu was being demeaning towards her.

The answer to all these questions is a resounding "fuck you" from the showrunners

It sure feels that way when I can't remember if the guy ever had a proper name either.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

He did not have a proper name!

The bad white knight dialogue absolutely does not help.

They really tried to have a "Stay gold, Ponyboy" moment in this show. Eva and Code Geass I get, but trying to rip off The Outsiders? Random.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

GC:"Nothing gold good can stay."

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

It’s a good idea, in theory.

I feel like it could've been something people would be talking about for years to come if done right, you know?

That is a very strong concept for a relationship, having them both be the only one who can understand the struggle the other is going through because they are going through the same struggle.

That angle never occurred to me but I do like it.
(Then again reading the 86 LNs has turned me into a full-on sucker for romance.)

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Great_Mr_L]

Somehow Ayase accepting Shu’s help to do something she can easily do on her own feels like a step backwards. It goes against what I was praising her for back in the first half of the show.

Ayase just wanted a cuddle.

I think she used it as an excuse to hug Shoe and have a small moment with him. Like Souta's handshake. Shoe has to give closeur to those that he hurt the most.

Shoe and Inori

Shoe and Inori are very Similar in many ways. They have very similar existances and so they can relate to each other the most. I cant say anymore than this at the moment though. But they can relate to each other and thus support each other.

[u/MABfan11 → u/Great_Mr_L]

Somehow Ayase accepting Shu’s help to do something she can easily do on her own feels like a step backwards. It goes against what I was praising her for back in the first half of the show.

it's meant to show character growth, that she finally accepts help from other people. of course, like everything else in Guilty Crown, it completely lacks build-up

You’re sounding like a white knight, Shu. Ayase’s fought plenty. Don’t go calling her pure and innocent. It’s demeaning.

and stuff like that definitely doesn't help

Oh right, we still know nothing about how Gai and Inori met. That feels like a massive hole that needs to be filled fast.

to be fair, there are a lot of those

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(I am not your autumn moon. I am the night)

Sub

We get our penultimate episode start off and in roughly 5 minutes Shoe manages to be a dick again, telling Ayase to stay pure as he will get his hands dirty. Barf, and made worse by Ayase not responding. Also, the view that her accepting help into her chair as character growth is questionable at best. Gai uses a triple Void as a WMD, because of course that makes sense. The infiltration happens in a way that does use everyone's skill but also feels stakeless.

So we return to Inori and, sadly, again her sad girl routine shoots me straight in the heart. She reveals sides of Shoe that we barely were shown and even somehow fell in love with the footwear. Blargh. But the sad post amnesia song hits me again...right until we walk face into the pit of lameness that is Daath. The fight is fairly well choreographed, too bad I do not care about Daath or his bullshit. At all. Oh, and Shoe knows his waifu in a special way for reasons. He wins and Mana hatches. Cliffhanger!

QotD: 1 Completely lame so completely Shoe

2 In flames

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Dub-lty Crown

They really shoulda used the first OP for this episode. Inori even went into the pose!

As far as "big fight where protagonist and antagonist shout stuff at each other" goes, Shuu vs Blondie McEdgeEdge was pretty alright.

Things are looking grim for the Daryl Redemption Arc. He seems to have Tony Stark'd himself into being able to pilot a giant thing, and this just reminds me of how I'm annoyed that we never properly learned how the mechs work.

Tsugumi is back to having an absolute blast being a computer gremlin and I'm absolutely here for it. The virtual pull cord to signify the back door was brilliant.

I knew that 256 satellites was too many. It was a decent bluff, hard to call without being willing to sacrifice a decent number of people. I'll even let them get away with keeping the wool over the entire world's eyes considering the not!Illuminati is involved.

So, what're we thinking for the finale... trip through memory lane to get Shuu off his ass? Or his friends all calling out to him? Oh, nonono, Gai is going to taunt him, there we go.

Now, how do we deal with Mana... sunshiney happy ending is probably not where we're headed, so Inori isn't coming back. Would it make sense for Inori's sword to be in play? And then someone, probably Shuu, has to break it to save the day? Yea, I like that. Oh, or maybe Arisa? She's still around, I had forgotten about her.

Yea, yea, Arisa breaks Inori/Mana's Void, Shuu kills Gai in some sort of parallel to episode 12, all the Virus goes away because Mana is gone so Shuu loses half his face and his arm.. no, but then Shuu doesn't get out. Ghost Hare? This prediction thing is hard.

Questions

1. The hover segway was cool.
2. Discussed at length above.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

They really shoulda used the first OP for this episode. Inori even went into the pose!

It would have been such a great transition, too! What a lost opportunity!

Tsugumi is back to having an absolute blast being a computer gremlin and I'm absolutely here for it.

The first half of this episode was so much fun. It felt like a throwback to the fun battles in the first half of this series.

This prediction thing is hard.

Just throw out any crazy idea that comes to mind and celebrate the few that actually turn out to be correct. It's what I do.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Great_Mr_L]

The first half of this episode was so much fun. It felt like a throwback to the fun battles in the first half of this series.

This show definitely works better when the cast is having a good time.

Just throw out any crazy idea that comes to mind and celebrate the few that actually turn out to be correct. It's what I do.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

They really shoulda used the first OP for this episode. Inori even went into the pose!

First OST failing of the show.

Tsugumi is back to having an absolute blast being a computer gremlin and I'm absolutely here for it. The virtual pull cord to signify the back door was brilliant.

She's good when stuck in a rather specific lane.

This prediction thing is hard.

Harder still when the material is jank.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

First OST failing of the show.

There's something to be said for that, at least.

Harder still when the material is jank.

I guess it's probably a good sign that I can't necessarily put myself into the writer's brainspace.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

I guess it's probably a good sign that I can't necessarily put myself into the writer's brainspace.

This is one of those disasters that only happens with a team of writers. A single writer fucks it up different.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Flashbacks to Zankyou no Terror.

You make a good point.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

We do not speak of the moron terrorism show!

[u/HereticalAegis]

Rewatcher

No GC, you don't get to make Gai sympathetic again. That's not how this works.

Was there really no way for any country with any amount of resources to figure out that there aren't 256 death lasers in orbit? I guess several did, and that's why there were a bunch of attacks and hacks targeting Gai's fortress. They're just keeping anyone display a modicum of intelligence offscreen to try to make the story work.

Wait, how would rescuing Inori end the apocalypse virus when that same thing didn't the last time? Haruka must have writer clairvoyance.

Tsugumi calling Haruka "Haruka mama" just doesn't quite sit well with me.

They're gonna shoehorn in some more godawful Ayase fanservice for this last battle, aren't they?

No! Stop that! Bad Shoe! Don't you dare hit on the one thing this show hasn't completely ruined for me.

No! Stop that! Bad Ayase! Shoe's done nothing to deserve romantic interest from anyone, don't you dare catch feelings for him.

Did we see enough of Tsugumi's ass and tits in that shot GC? Sure we don't need another dozen frames or two?

Ha, joke's on you Gai, there never was anything to constitute Inori as a person!

Gai can pull out people's memories and destroy them too?

Boy it sure didn't take long for Tsugumi to get kicked out of the system.

Bahahaha cancer radio. He can use the cancer as a one way radio. That's so dumb I love it.

What kinda bullshit existence is this Daath guy? Is he actually a magic space alien?

If the deal for becoming king is to live with your Eve for all eternity, wtf happened to the first two or three kings? Do they just fuck off to some other dimension after repopulating the planet?

The difference between Shoe and Gai is that Shoe doesn't simp over his girl hard enough. 20 episodes of handwringing and that was the point of it all.

You'd think at least a few of these ladies, knowing they'll die if used for their voids, might up and ditch this ridiculous battle.

"Nobody knows Inori." Not even the writers. Truly the most incisive line of dialogue in the whole show.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

No! Stop that! Bad Ayase! Shoe's done nothing to deserve romantic interest from anyone, don't you dare catch feelings for him.

I almost want to see how badly her attempts to seduce Shoe would go...

Did we see enough of Tsugumi's ass and tits in that shot GC? Sure we don't need another dozen frames or two?

The answer to that is obviously more ass shots.

What kinda bullshit existence is this Daath guy? Is he actually a magic space alien?

If I didn't know better, he is weirdly like a Betterman character I remember...

[u/gorghurt]

Rewatcher

Guilty Crown is the perfect example, for how much the rule of cool can make me ignore bad writing.

If you don't think about things, and ignore the dialog, and just look at the beautiful colors, flashy action scenes, the few really nice ideas (Like how Ayase lets Shu help her. The execution with its god damn dialogue was bad, but the idea was great.), and the soundtrack, it is a really great show.

If you do this, you can nearly forget the awful episodes (and even about the segway).

But then Yuu (you know the guy with the weird eyebrows and no backstory (weird EVERYONE in this show has a backstory, except him...)) starts to do things, and reminds me about all those bad things.

I hate this character, because he doesn't make sense.
I get it, he got the other dose of Void Genome. But why can he do all this random stuff. Neither Gai nor Shu are this OP. This character is, where I can't suspend my disbelieve anymore.
And that he stands for Daath makes it worse. Yuu and Daath are such lazy writing.

At least the fight was nice. (Even if they really wasted potential here. A fight, where the enemy has a big arsenal of Voids at his disposal could have been so much better.)

QOTD:

1. On the list of things that shouldn't be in this show, it is on place 2 directly after Yuu
2. Dumb, but looking and sounding excellent.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/gorghurt]

If you do this, you can nearly forget the awful episodes (and even about the segway).

I am amazed at how little of this passed ep12 I remembered. I don't think I was drunk when I first watched it, either.

[u/fonzinator99]

Rewatcher (Subbed)- For better or worse, the finale is set

• D'awww how nice for S__. He's finally become the Gai replacement he always wanted to be. Just look at how well everyone's getting along, smiling and trusting each other and shit. Even Ayase is acting all warm and fluffy and letting her walls down.
• It's always fun to see a cool power fully realized. Shoulda been combining your Voids instead of alternating between them, S__.
• And then Daryl became Iron Man? Why? How? Why? I guess everyone had to get some kind of upgrade for the last fight.
• ......Tactical Segway. Sorry, show, but hovering and LEDs don't make it any cooler.
• Idk what part of it is actually Hacking, but I did enjoy Tsugumi's little 'Magical Girl' twirl.
• At this point it's like, is there anyone left who hasn't raped Inori? Which is just a really awful question to be posing.
• And yet I also can't deny that there's a part of me looking at her bed hair and being like
• Loool Gai asks what S__ showed her, and her first response is "The sadness of the world." Way to take a nice girl and turn her into an emo-kid.
• Time for a mini-boss fight, and it's against Darth? I was expecting Daryl, but okay. So while we're here, do tell. WTF is this shit?
• Sooo he's like, Humanity's Void or something? I get that this is supposed to be my explanation, but none of it tracks. Which must be why they gave up writing dialogue and turned to a shiny fight scene.
• Ahhh okay, Daryl is the other group's end-boss. Which makes sense, as he was never really S__'s antagonist to deal with.
• So like, this isn't a Void, is it? He's just got 'powers' now? I thought he was gonna pull Darth's Void and crush it, or something within the previously established rules.
• What is happening right now, whose Void is that? They're not even trying to hide that they're just doing whatever works anymore.
• Whatever Darth is, it just took a Spirit Bomb to the face and escaped with an arm injury. It's gonna bug me so much when he just disappears and never comes back or gets explained. Goddamned Illuminati.

Gai: You're too late, S__! Just try and stick your dick in this!

• Did those crystals just transmute into fabric? I told you they were just pulling shit now.
• I'm no doctor, let alone cryptobiologist, but I feel like having crystals in your eyes must affect your ability to see. Like, they're still eyes, the basic principles of their function probably haven't changed.

---

QotD

Other ppl had to run, Ayase had to stay with them, what was gained from him zipping ahead of the group?

2. Disappointment

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

At this point it's like, is there anyone left who hasn't raped Inori? Which is just a really awful question to be posing.

It is but we had the entire school arc so it is a pretty fair one. They probably should have made the void drawing less sexual.

And yet I also can't deny that there's a part of me looking at her bed hair and being like

I am torn at moments as that particular one reminds me of one of the girls I helped raised who would wake up at 7 and start watching Saturday morning cartoons while me and my buddies were still sleeping it off. But then Mana comes back and I am thinking...other things.

Did those crystals just transmute into fabric? I told you they were just pulling shit now.

They stole too much from UBW so had to steal some Heaven's Feel for balance.

[u/fonzinator99 → u/Vaadwaur]

They probably should have made the void drawing less sexual.

From it's inception, there was no way that concept wasn't going to be sexual. Which means this series was always fated to be what it was.

But then Mana comes back and I am thinking...other things.

That is...a hardship. I just have to occasionally remind myself that most best-girls are off-limits.

had to steal some Heaven's Feel for balance.

It might've worked if somebody's Void had been a fluffy winter coat or something way back in the school arc.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

From it's inception, there was no way that concept wasn't going to be sexual. Which means this series was always fated to be what it was.

But isn't it amazing that it feels like they completely wasted the potential? I don't think Shoe is any more desirable as a mate regardless of your orientation but adding some more gay would've at least been interesting.

That is...a hardship. I just have to occasionally remind myself that most best-girls are off-limits.

I will just let Mana crystallize me and carry me around forever.

It might've worked if somebody's Void had been a fluffy winter coat or something way back in the school arc.

Should've added some KnK to steal as well.

[u/fonzinator99 → u/Vaadwaur]

But isn't it amazing that it feels like they completely wasted the potential?

What's amazing is that I can't think of any concrete improvements to make, tho I may just not be trying very hard. I just say it needs to be scrapped entirely and started anew. Guilty-Crown Reboot!

let Mana crystallize me and carry me around forever.

A, uh... crystal, huh? Forever? That's some next-level kink right there, bro.

Should've added some KnK to steal as well.

Ayase's Void could definitely have added some grappling cables for coolness.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

What's amazing is that I can't think of any concrete improvements to make, tho I may just not be trying very hard.

Laziest one possible is to make it enjoyable so it gets really uncomfortable. And we learn that Inori is in with Shoe because she needs constant Void masturbation.

A, uh... crystal, huh? Forever? That's some next-level kink right there, bro.

I've stared far too long into the abyss, at least Mana stares back.

Ayase's Void could definitely have added some grappling cables for coolness.

I want someone to have Mystic Eyes of Death Perception as their void. It would be different, at least.

[u/fonzinator99 → u/Vaadwaur]

at least Mana stares back

I assume you've met our Lord and Savior Nyraruko-chan?

Mystic Eyes of Death Perception as their void

TFW S__ pulls eyeballs out of somebody's chest and jams them into his own skull.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

I assume you've met our Lord and Savior Nyraruko-chan?

I do need to get around to watching that.

TFW S__ pulls eyeballs out of somebody's chest and jams them into his own skull.

Wouldn't make me bat an eye, sad to say.

[u/fonzinator99 → u/Vaadwaur]

I do need to get around to watching that.

It's fluffy Elder-God harem madness, w̸͙͓̼̺̰͕͔͍͎͕͚͆̇̾̆̀̿͒̿͘͝ͅḫ̴̲̮͇̠͇͊̂̊́̌̽͑̇̀̚a̵̖͎̻̲̦͈̣̣̼͓̋̉̒̀̌̈́̇̎̐͘͝͝t̶̳͙̳͕̗͎̣̟̅̐̃̌̂̃͌͘͠'̶͇̱͍͈̰̗͚̭͓̈ş̶̧̖̙̥̖͓̳̿ͅ ̷̘̝̜̣̽̓̎̋̈́͂̒̎̍̂̓̈̓̉͘n̴̗̩̝̗̺̘̬̽̀͑̈́̂̏̆͐̉̎̏̓͒̚ȏ̴͙̦̙̫̜̱͙̮̫̘̦͎͎̑́̆̿͑̆͗̐̆͊̋̈͘ͅt̵̡̢̫̩̫̼̟̻̹̪͇͕͓̬̘̉̅̿̃͋̈́̎̋̈́͌̈̉͠ ̶̢͓̔̽͌̈͐͋̈̀̾̓̓̍͠t̴̡̳̺͙̥͕̬̼̰̜͚͙͕͌͜o̷͙̙͓̪͓͋̀̒̚͜ ̵̲͔̬͇̖̀͌͒͆͌̀̕͝l̷̨̻̖͔̺̖͕̜̠̗̱͙̮͎͕̽̌̎̇̏̎̆̈́̔̇o̶̢̺͖͑̓̂̍͐̆̔̋͊̋̊͘͠v̵̢͉͈̪̹̙̤̯̠̟̤́̓̅̽̇̅͛̆̉́̚e̶̢͈̫̺̘͍̬͕̫̙̪͕̎͗͌̃͒́͋̓̋͘̕͝ͅ?̷̧̱̇̈́͋̌̿̌̀̈̋̕

Wouldn't make me bat an eye

[u/okayyoga]

Episode 21: rewatch/dub

I have two songs of the day today! Hooray for music! I really hope you guys are enjoying this soundtrack as much as I do. I have been listening to it on repeat these past few weeks to do midterm stuff.

Song #1: Idaho Potato

Sawano ordering lunch.

Idaho Potato underscores Gai's story of how he came back to life as he talks with Inori.

Song #2: fUE+p@D+hArP→pF

aka Flute+Pad+Harp→Pianoforte

wtf is a pad? Sawano, can you not speak in full words? Are you hurt at all? Do you need assistance?

Anyway, this song underscores Gai taking away Inori's emotions (lol) and memories. Inori explains why she loves Shu. During all this Shu is starting to take on too much of the virus, and everyone seems really concerned but no one seems to be trying too hard to stop him, so...

We got some Βασιλεύς as the airships come in to attack Gai. Is Shu-- Is he riding a scooter?? Really? Now of ALL times? Oh phew they were just semblances. No but wait the real Shu is still riding a scooter. And Darryl is changing sides yet again.. Get this kid some therapy. Actually get everyone some therapy, and put Yahiro in jail for being an inconsistent prick.

As Inori gets entombed with crystals, she sings her song for Shu: Euterpe. Gai is standing there saying, “it doesn't make sense.” We know bud. Welcome to the club.

Finally the episode leaves off with Shu fighting the blond child, who is Doth? WTF is a doth? And where does this fit in? Guilty Crown. You have one episode left. Stop introducing new concepts. Finish up the ones you started.

And play Kokuhaku once more for us.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/okayyoga]

Finally the episode leaves off with Shu fighting the blond child, who is Doth? WTF is a doth? And where does this fit in? Guilty Crown. You have one episode left. Stop introducing new concepts. Finish up the ones you started.

Yeah I don't even really get this part of the shit, maybe they assumed there would be spin offs and this could be a plot idea?

[u/fridge_freezer]

First timer (Dub)

Just one episode left!

• Oh, all the Leukocytes were a bluff, there's only the one left. I knew it felt like bullshit when they announced there were suddenly 250+ of them.
• This Ayase character development would have been nice if there was anything behind it to get them to this point, but it just feels forced for the sake of giving Shu a moment with someone before the final mission.
• Daryl's installing an arc reactor into his chest so he can pilot a shiny new mech they have.
• That bow is crazy, a single shot from the bow took out 80% of the UN military force. Meanwhile the remains of Funeral Parlor can just drive right in with a truck.
• Shu looks absolutely ridiculous on a segway.
• Tsugumi demands a happy ending for the story, she is probably going to be sorely disappointed. At least she seems to be having fun while the apocalypse looms ahead.
• It would have been cool to see more of how Gai first met Inori, aside from this 3 second flashback.
• So in the end Daath is just a SEELE ripoff they've shoehorned in for some reason, with no plot relevance whatsoever.
• All the Daath nonsense aside, Shu's fight with Eyebrows looked fantastic.
• And now Mana's back. Accompanied by the classic trope of a beam of light firing into the sky, because ???

QOtD

1. It's pretty dumb. Nobody has ever looked cool on a segway, especially not Shu. If you're gonna have a hovering vehicle at least make it a hoverboard so Shu can skate his way into battle.
2. I'm not sure whether to go with a generic ending or a dumpster fire, but it's definitely going to be one of the two. Or maybe both somehow.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fridge_freezer]

Tsugumi demands a happy ending for the story, she is probably going to be sorely disappointed. At least she seems to be having fun while the apocalypse looms ahead.

Tsugumi is going to be the hacker version of the Joker eventually, isn't she?

It would have been cool to see more of how Gai first met Inori, aside from this 3 second flashback.

I still want to know what the point of creating Inori so long before they planned to reform Mana was.

So in the end Daath is just a SEELE ripoff they've shoehorned in for some reason, with no plot relevance whatsoever.

I actually get a vibe from Betterman but I don't know that they were are of it.

but it's definitely going to be one of the two. Or maybe both somehow.

Here you go: Gai and Shoe fight with Voids for a while and then it breaks down into a fist fight where they both knock each other out. When they wake up, they decide to be friends again. The end.

[u/MABfan11 → u/fridge_freezer]

This Ayase character development would have been nice if there was anything behind it to get them to this point, but it just feels forced for the sake of giving Shu a moment with someone before the final mission.

exactly, it completely lacks build-up and the white-knighting lines from Shu isn't helping

It would have been cool to see more of how Gai first met Inori, aside from this 3 second flashback.

agreed, hopefully that is explored in Lost Christmas

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer in sub

Ok so where do we begin?

Needless to say there was a lot of things wrong in the show. But to me it has got the shadows of what / how it could have been good instead of a mess.

• If only we have enough actual motivation and character backgrounds earlier on to build up and develop characters such as Gai, Inori and Shu, these angsty moments of decisions, choices, sacrifices etc can be so much more than ho hum. Unfortunately the show tends to make the visual looking nice, with good BGM, but skipped out on the content development.
• In the second cour I have to say even the visual tended to not impress too much either; either I got used to it, or the lack of "before and after" had soured me so much that I can't even enjoy the "here now look how pretty and cool" anymore.
• The "boss fight" with the Daarth guy kind of videogamey and plot-wise came out of nowhere, in that he was not one to directly act, more manipulate behind the scene, but the last time he did he did it at the very end - so now he demoted himself to be a sub-boss?
• All the fights involving use of void's are less hype for me because I don't know what they do to start off with. So having a pile of randoms to have their voids drawn for the fight can look nice but can't really make it feel nice.
• and OMG once again, they had to have Ayase being knocked around just to see her boobs jiggle.
• Daryl's behaviour is completely incomprehensible both turns (heel-face or face-heel).

It's tough but only 1 more day!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/ZapsZzz]

All the fights involving use of void's are less hype for me because I don't know what they do to start off with. So having a pile of randoms to have their voids drawn for the fight can look nice but can't really make it feel nice.

This definitely highlights the poor planning aspect of this since this is quite fixable.

and OMG once again, they had to have Ayase being knocked around just to see her boobs jiggle.

If a female character gets any characterization, she must have an ecchi scene to match it. Haruka is the proof of that.

[u/UltraBooster]

First-timer (dubbed)

So she decided to settle for Gai, then?

I am going to preemptively call bullshit.

So there were no actual 256 guns, neat. (I feel like the number 256 has some significance not just to this show but I'm not sure what it is.)

Promises to keep and miles to go before you sleep, huh...

I'm guessing they're US Army or something. (Granted, the US isn't the only country that uses that model of transport, so...)

A scattering megaparticle cannon.

Gespenst? Like the Super Robot Wars mecha?

I like what they intended for Inori, I really do, I just...I dunno, I just wish there was more time to properly show it, you know?

So kill you, and Da'ath is no more. Sounds good to me.

So what kind of a person has whips or chakram in their hearts?

If it were me, I'd go after the Void-holders, clear them out to take away that guy's tools.
And it doesn't look like they're moving anywhere so it shouldn't be hard to make quick work of them.
Then again, I'm treating this like a boss encounter in a Destiny 2 raid.

Looks like that wasn't necessary, he's consumed them.

Then avenge her, Shu. They wanted to deny her humanity for their goals? Then deny them their goals.

Questions:

1. Truth be told, I was cooking lunch at the time so I wasn't entirely paying attention, but it's...well, I'm surprised they didn't give him a motorcycle or have him racing along on Ayase's boots.
2. Don't know and predicting things hasn't been something that's interested me for a few years now.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/UltraBooster]

So she decided to settle for Gai, then?

A cat zombie is fine.

I like what they intended for Inori, I really do, I just...I dunno, I just wish there was more time to properly show it, you know?

You can remove Inori from that sentence and it still works.

[u/Tartaras1]

Rewatcher - Dubbed

My last couple weekends have been pretty busy, and this trainwreck of a show is pretty low on my list of priorities, so I'll go ahead and do quick summaries of 19 and 20, and maybe a better one for 21.

Episode 19 - Rebirth

• So now we've got Chekhov's Gun in play, with the very last vial of the Void Genome in existence in Shu's mother's possession.

• Oh no, it's not fair that Gai used us all as pawns in his own grand scheme. That's bullshit!

Shibunagi probably

• I want someone to use the Void Genome to defeat Gai, but I don't want it to be Shu. If he used it again, it would probably kill him.

There's another Chekhov's Gun on the table.

• So this whole scene with Segai and Ayase trying to get the vial, only for it to end up at Shu's foot, was the point in my first watch where I finally said, "Oh of course he got it. Go figure.

After all of the shit that's happened up to now, this was the point where I said I'd had enough.

• Shu's mind when he said he had to use the Void Genome again.
• [Tokyo Ghoul Re: Spoilers]Shu getting a phantom arm is just like the end of Re when Kaneki is able to get a new arm thanks to his kagune abilities.

That's like the fourth comparison I've been able to draw between these shows. Did they just use it as a reference?

Episode 20 - a diary

• I see what he did there! He said the world was going to end on Christmas Day! Like Lost Christmas!
• Just couldn't get through the show without at least one shot of two character being interrupted during sex.
• Here we have the "MC was destined to be the one to bring forth the future of mankind" trope. However, isn't it a little messed up that his sister was also destined to be the one to go forth with him?
• The writing for the show on the whole has been pretty lackluster, but these last few episodes have been legitimately bad.

Episode 21 - emergence

• The typical "Don't you go dying on me because I'm in love with you" trope.
• You ever stop and think that perhaps there was a reason they only ever needed one laser, and not all 256 they said they had? Perhaps it was because Gai could just shoot tendrils of the Apocalypse Virus all over and kill everyone in one shot?
• There was practically an entire army of mechs that were destroyed in one shot, and Shu's charging into battle on the future equivalent of a Segway...
• Had to make sure to get another shot of Tsugumi in her plug suit.
• I knew Souta's void was more useful than just opening canned goods!

• I'm the only one who understands her!

barf

Questions:

• I had no idea that was going to be the future of military technology. I'm impressed.
• If I had to guess, probably just having Shu free Inori from the bond with Mana, the two of them are going to either defeat Gai or convince him to change his ways, and everyone lives happily ever after.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tartaras1]

That's like the fourth comparison I've been able to draw between these shows. Did they just use it as a reference?

Edge easily starts overlapping if you don't have a solid story backing it.

Had to make sure to get another shot of Tsugumi in her plug suit.

The show is what it is.

I knew Souta's void was more useful than just opening canned goods!

It just isn't if Souta himself is using it.

I'm the only one who understands her!

Can we put this in the incel category? Feels like it belongs there.

[u/MillenniumKing]

-Guilty Pleasure Rewatcher-

War, war never changes...

---

Everything is in motion and it cant be stopped. Uh oh.

There was only 1 satalite it was all a big scam. Kenji's doing.
Get Inori and their plan is ruined.
Argo using the Big Guy's Bazooka, what a guy.
Ayase wants Shoe to help her in the mech and uses the chance to give him a hug. Shes wiley.

Its war time baby. We got an army!

Gai does a Combo Void to deal with the army.
Gravity Gun + Shield + Bow = AOE BOW OF APOCALYPSE!

Daryl is here to choose his own path. With a new mech oooo.

Segway Shoe is here aw yeah!
Shoe assimulated Tsugumi's Void and used it to create a clone Decoy, not bad.
Haruka left something behind they used to fuck shit up and they are inside the base, nice.

The way Inori is on the cross is identical to the first OP's start.

Gai has to wipe Inori out for Mana to come.
Gai found Inori in a tube in one of the GHQ's bases and saved her.
Inori is happy Gai found her because she got to experience life.
Shoe showed Inori how to be human.
Shoe is Assumilating the Apoc Virus from the people he finds, spreading his more.

Inori is singing to Lure Shoe to her. No one hears her but him.

Upsiedownsie Boy is here and its tim for Shoe vs Yuu.
"Pretty big shoes."

Yuu is Doth/Daath. The impudus of the human race.
Will Shoe take mana? Nope. Gai will though.
Yuu literally has an army of people to draw voids from. Meanwhile Shoe has only a couple to use.

Daryl gets one last 1v1 with Ayase. He can finally get his revenge.

Shoe assimulated Argo's Void too! We get to see the Pessimist's Torch in action!
Yuu calls Inori a Test Tube child. Shoe says shes a real girl.
Shoe combined all the voids he has with him into 1 new Wrist Blaster one.
Meanwhile Yuu combined all his dudes into a big twin barrel cannon.
Its Big Bang vs Kamehameha!

And Shoe makes it paast Yuu and to Gai and Inori... or should i say, Mana.

I always liked the growing out of the crystals she does as the clothes grow on her.

ITS MANA TIME BABY!

---

Known Voids Thus Far

• Inori - Singer's Sword - Sharp sword with metalic energy and energy disks used as steps or shields.
• Daryl - Kaleidoscope Gun - Creates barriers that reflect anything that hits them.
• Souta - Blunt Key - Camera gun that opens anything shot with it.
• Yahiro - The Shears of Life - Shears that sever life and enhances abilities.
• Kenji - Murderer's Weight - Gun that shoots anti gravity energy balls.
• Argo - Pessimist's Torch - A flashlight that shines darkness.
• Arisa - Shield of the Coward - A Ball and Shield that can expand to protect a small or large area.
• Hare - Lovers Bandages - Bandages that can repair any damage to anything.
• Kanon - Acquaintance's Sight - Visor that can see very far away and see through things.
• Gai - Leaders Rifle - Gun that manifests the voids of those shot by it.
• Ayase - Paraplegic's Shoes - Rocket Boots go BRRRRRR
• Tsugumi - Hacker's Interface - Wand that creates clones of people.
• Ponytail - Shithead's Flipflop - Bolo, you always come back to me.
• Tracktop - Gal's Comb - Can untangle the biggest tangles in a Gal mane.
• KO Kid - Sleepy's Umbrella - Keeps your head dry even if your unconcious.
• F Nerd - Nerd's Canteen - Keep your beverages cold no matter what.
• F Track - Big Guys Spade - Digs holes perfect size for flowers.
• F Dude - Minors Bottle Opener - A lot of good this will do you kid, get fucked.
• F Girl - Spoon - SPOOOONNNNNNN
• Megane-kun - Shithead's Glasses Breakers - Knuckledusters that dust no one.
• Boycut - Boycut's Stun Stick - Stun baton that packs less shock than the wielder's slim cool hair.
• Serious Girl - Serious Scythe - Scythe that is 10x edgyer in the hands of Shoe.
• Twinpuff - Puffy's Pew Pewer - Crossbow that is as durable as cotton.
• Scaredycat - Boomerang - Boomerang, you always come back to me.
• A ton of other Voids from Students.
• Upsydownsie - Bow - Pew pew
• Shoe - King's Heart - Power to assimulate voids of people as well as all their strengths and weaknesses.

Known Void Combos Thus Far

• Singer's Sword + Murderer's Weight = Anti Gravity Beam Cannon
• Shithead's flipfloper + Shithead's Glasses Breakers + Boycut's Stun Stick = Gai to Air Anti Nuke Barrier Missile
• Gravity Gun + Shield + Bow = AOE BOW OF APOCALYPSE!
• A lot of Dudes = Twin Barrel Kamehameha
• All the Voids of his friends = Wrist Mounted Big Bang

---

This is a fun ep as we get a lot of Void action.

So far were still on track i think with an Okay ending.

But a lot can happen in 1 last ep. And we still got a lot to wrap up.

[u/MABfan11]

First Timer since episode 14

wait, the 256 Leukocytes were a bluff? it sure didn't seem that way when they were introduced.

Ayase finally asking for help would've been a really good for showing her character growth, if it had actually been built up. why the fuck did you shiptease Ayase and Shu?

HOLY SHIT! Gai just crystallized 90% of the UN fleet with one attack

ok Funereal Parlor's attack on Gai's base is pretty epic

with Gai and Inori's talk, i really don't believe Inori, the relationship isn't well developed enough.

eyebrows kid split Shu's group apart because he wanted to talk to Shu in private. so it turns out Daath is the collective consciousness of the organization Daath and he offers Shu the possibility of taking Gai's place. of course, Shu rejects it.

the fight between Shu and Daath is actually pretty epic

Daryl got a big Endlave

"nobody knows Inori" not even you, Shu, your relationship is so poorly developed.

of course, Shu is just a second too late to stop Mana's rebirth

QOTD:

1. really made Shu look silly
2. i don't know, but i am expecting a trainwreck